My 9/18 review - I'M MARRIED!!!!

Despite mother nature not cooperating with me that morning, it was so beautiful. I had made arrangements to get ready at Carlyle, so that was a big help.

Dina and April (Beautiful Possibilities and Creative Hair Designs, respectively) were there before I even got there, and I was only 2 minutes behind schedule. I give them both AAAA++++. They fussed and fawned all over me as if I were a beauty queen and when they had finished working their magic - I was. I think they even sensed when I was starting to get a little nervous and kept the conversation going to keep my mind off it all. Honestly, these two were a real find. They also did my MOH and FG's hair and makeup (makeup minimal on the FG ) Completely wonderful job all around.

Laurie from LA Blossom poked her head in shortly thereafter. She is another one that I cannot say enough about. Every piece was stunning from the centerpieces to the bouts. I received so many comments and I think that some of the guests were fighting over who got to take home the centerpieces. Laurie is just a joy to deal with, she loves what she does and it shows in her work. I give her AAAA++++

Hank Lane - More Than Music I had a pianist and flautist (sp) for the ceremony, they were wonderful, they played every piece like I had planned. For the cocktail hour, a saxophonist joined the pianist. From what little I heard of it, they were great. I did not hear any complaints from my guests. I had DJ Rob for the reception. He was great, he kept the party going. He did sway from my play list, but I will admit that my directive of "no cheesy 70's" could have left a bit for interpretation - so I got a little of that, but it wasn't too bad. At the end I got a CD with the songs I had put on the play list. totally cool. I give them an A+, but I want to make it known that I would absolutely use them again. All I had to do was make a mention of something and it was carried out.

Ultimate Class Limo OK, this was the vendor that I had to hold my breath on. A little background, my family and I had used this company before and had bad experiences (no shows, dirty cars, late cars, etc.). This company was highly recommended by my hall. In fact my hall called them when they learned that I had not booked a limo company and told them of my less than stellar experiences with them. Well Matt Silver the owner of Ultimate Class called me to try to set something up and he swore he would do right by me. DH told him what we needed, one car to get me from my home to the hall, another car to get him from the hotel to the hall, then a van to transport OOT guest from the hotel to the hall and back, then us from the hall to the hotel and airport service - to and from. Matt came back with a price that was so outrageous, we would be crazy not to take it. We booked with him and I have to say, that he delivered.... and then some. The cars were beautiful. All new or newer lincolns. The day-of vehicles were 6 person stretches and gorgeous. The drivers were courteous and personable. The best of all when we returned from our HM, instead of the towncar we thought were going to have they gave us another 6 person. Again, very nice. Matt told me he was going to come thru for me, and while I have to admit I was skeptical, he really did. I will give him an A.

Carlyle on the Green In a word perfection!!! It was gorgeous. I dealt with Steve Carl most of the time, and while he can be a bit of a character at times, you cannot be in better hands. I did not hear a single complaint from any guest, and I had a pretty tough crowd. If you want white glove service, you must go with Carlyle. I did not want for a thing, my bridal attendant must have been a mind reader. She even told me when I needed to reapply my lipstick. Ladies, if you have booked here, you have NOTHING to worry about. The food was amazing, the staff was more than attentive and the place itself was just fantastic. I was grossly under my minimum and they totally completed the room so that it did not look like a vast nothing. I cannot possibly say enough about this place. Their rating from me is AAAAAAA+++++++.

Photography by Krista Her work is beautiful. She is very easy to deal with, her packages/prices are very reasonable. She wants you to have fun. I do not have any proofs just yet, so her rating will be deteremined at that time. So far, so good.

I'm very pleased with my proofs. I have about 1200 photos and my "negatives" are on disc. The only complaint I have about her work is that she is so meticulous with setting up her shots that we did run later than expected and missed all of the cocktail hour and was pulled away from the reception. I would have given myself more time for photos to have avoided this. Krista gets an A. The shots are gorgeous and I can't wait to play around with them in photoshop. I will post some shots later on this evening. (We just moved and my internet connection is not up yet).

Night-of Hotel Hilton - Long Island I ordered a junior suite and because I also blocked rooms for my OOT guests here, I got got a nice a package that partially was not delivered on. DH stayed in the room the night before the wedding and should have been greeted with complimentary champagne and continental breakfast in the morning and wasn't. The wedding night, I had to remind them of the champagne and I didn't even bother about the breakfast. I give them a C-. The room was beautiful, but I felt as though I was just a number.

Honeymoon (2 Part) Royal Carribbean Cruises Our cruise took us from San Juan to Aruba, Curacao, St. Maarten, St. Thomas and back to San Juan. The ports and the ship were lovely, but the service left a lot to be desired. I will be happy to give details to anyone thru FM. But I rate them a with a huge D.
Wyndham resorts - El Conquistador, Puerto Rico This place is gorgeous to say the least. While the weekends seem to draw the most business, the rest of the week is all you need for a peace and quiet. This little slice of paradise is all anyone can ever need for a vacation. The views are amazing. Look one way to see the atlantic, the other to see a tropical rainforest called El Yunque. It does not matter what you like to do, the El Conquistador has it!! For you ladies that are into destination weddings, I strongly suggest getting married here... Wyndham runs or at least ran this promotion that if you got married at one of their resorts, they will give you a free honeymoon. I strongly suggest this, despite Puerto Rico's still requiring a blood test. I really would have loved to elope here. *** If you do come here, I do suggest that you subscribe to the meal plan, $91 per person and it includes breakfast and dinner, it will definitely help to keep some of the costs down so you can shop for just about anything else. I give them an AAA+++


Now that all being said, and for those of you that made it this far into my review.....please, do what I, and so many other brides before me have asked, please take time at your wedding to take in everything. My day went by so quickly, I can barely remember what I had ordered for dinner. Just sit back, take in a deep breath (as much as your dress will allow), survey the scene before you, know that everyone you see is there because you have found your true love and they are celebrating the adventure that the two of you are about to encounter. Take a sip of your beverage, exale and smile. Know that you are beautiful and you don't need the dress, the shoes, or any of it at all to prove it. You are loved.


Best of luck ladies!!!! My best wishes to you all.

ETA: Added more detailed review of photographer above.

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Message edited 10/18/2004 12:00:24 PM.

Re: My 9/18 review - I'M MARRIED!!!!

CONGRATS. Love the teaser pics lol.
You look stunning. Glad to hear everything worked out for you.

I agree about taking time for it all to sink in. I got my album back today and my proofs. I was surprised how much I had "forgotten". But it all came rushing back. You get pulled in every direction. But its so worth it.

CONGRATS again!

MORE PICS Please!

Re: My 9/18 review - I'M MARRIED!!!!

Beautiful!!! and congratulations

Re: My 9/18 review - I'M MARRIED!!!!

Congrats! You look just beautiful! Sounds like had a great day. Thanks for the advice.

Re: My 9/18 review - I'M MARRIED!!!!

You looked amazing. Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: My 9/18 review - I'M MARRIED!!!!

congrats

Re: My 9/18 review - I'M MARRIED!!!!

Congratulations to a beautiful bride and her groom!

Re: My 9/18 review - I'M MARRIED!!!!

Congratulations!

Re: My 9/18 review - I'M MARRIED!!!!

congrats!



we got ready at the church not knowing what mother nature was going to pull, can you believe the sunshine the following morning ?

can't wait to see more pics! i will post mine when they arrive...

Re: My 9/18 review - I'M MARRIED!!!!

congrats...

Re: My 9/18 review - I'M MARRIED!!!!

Yay Kris, you're back!!!

First off, congrats on your marriage So happy to read that everything went well and you had a wonderful wedding day. You look so very beautiful in your pics -- I cannot wait to see more!!

All the best for many years of love and happiness with your HUSBAND!!

Congrats again!!

Re: My 9/18 review - I'M MARRIED!!!!

Congratulations!!!! Welcome back! You looked beautiful! More pics!

Re: My 9/18 review - I'M MARRIED!!!!

Congrats!

Re: My 9/18 review - I'M MARRIED!!!!

Congrats!!! You look beautiful!!!

Re: My 9/18 review - I'M MARRIED!!!!

Heeeeey! You're back! Congratulations, date buddy! You both looked great in those pics, and very happy! I'm so glad that you enjoyed your day... perfect, huh?

PS: I was in St Thomas, too... maybe we bumped into each other and didn't notice.

Re: My 9/18 review - I'M MARRIED!!!!

Congratulations!!!! You looked beautiful!!!

Re: My 9/18 review - I'M MARRIED!!!!

Congratulations! You look beautiful!

Re: My 9/18 review - I'M MARRIED!!!!

So pretty!!! Congrats!!!

Re: My 9/18 review - I'M MARRIED!!!!

Congrats!!!!!

Re: My 9/18 review - I'M MARRIED!!!!

Congratulations!!!
You look beautiful!!!

any more pictures for us???

Re: My 9/18 review - I'M MARRIED!!!!

Congrats! You look beautiful! You have FM

Re: My 9/18 review - I'M MARRIED!!!!

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Posted by palebride

Congratulations!!!
You look beautiful!!!

any more pictures for us???

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Message edited 10/4/2004 8:18:30 PM.

Re: My 9/18 review - I'M MARRIED!!!!

beautiful pics- can' wait to see more and I'm so glad to hear everything at the Carlyle was wonderful!

Re: My 9/18 review - I'M MARRIED!!!!

Beatiful pictures. I am Glad you had a great time. Congrats.

Re: My 9/18 review - I'M MARRIED!!!!

CONGRATS!!! Everything sounds wonderful! Glad you had a great day and can't wait to see more pics...