MrsDaniRella
Serenity.
Member since 1/06 8504 total posts
Wedding Date:
9/9/2007 2:15 PM
Wed. Location:
Flowerfield- INFINITE A+
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ENGAGEMENT PARTY REVIEW (w/ link to pics)
My Engagement Party: Sunday July 9, 2006
Okay, I was looking forward so much to writing a review and now that I’m actually sitting here I’m drawing a big blank!! Well, I’ll try my best and I’ll just add anything I leave out or forget to say! We had an amazing day overall. I truly understand now why people say that the Engagement Party gives you a feeling of what the wedding day will be like and why they enjoy it SO much! I really had a blast, I smiled the ENTIRE time and felt a sense of complete joy and warmth on the inside. It was really amazing and that’s considering that just a few days before my party I had a personal family crisis (that I cannot go into at this time) that nearly ruined the ENTIRE party (had nothing to do WITH the party but just put me in such a depression that I almost cancelled it). I’m glad I didn’t though because FH and I have worked way too hard for this and waited way too long also. So I just pushed it out of my mind for a few hours and I’m glad I did because FH and his family deserved to enjoy themselves.
MOTHER NATURE: A+
Let me tell you: what a perfect day! I forget how many times FH and I said to each other “Let’s just hope the wedding day is EXACTLY like this”. When I woke up I looked right out the window and smiled because it was sunny with big puffy white clouds in the sky. Then, I said to myself “don’t celebrate yet” because it could be 100 degrees out there. I went downstairs to take my puppy outside to go to the bathroom and when I stepped out I was SO happy because it was perfect. There was a light breeze, not too much humidity and the warmth of the sun felt SO nice. I was delighted.
INVITATIONS: The Writing Place, Stony Brook: B-
Although I was VERY happy with the final product their customer service and overall set-up is a mess. They have no computer system and no way of organizing their orders. First, right before I placed the order for my E-party invites my Mom placed her own order for my sister’s Bridal Shower invites. So whenever I called to see if my invites were in they would get me and my sister confused. I could understand this mistake because we have the same last name but after a while it was annoying. Not to mention, the attitude they gave you on the phone, like they were doing YOU a favor by even talking to you , was really rude. It put a damper on the whole experience for me. Finally, I went in to pick up my invites (I spoke to someone on the phone who told me that I did not need my order number or receipt to pick them up). I called and asked this because I had lost that information and wanted to make sure I could pick them up by just giving my name and event type. They said “sure”. So when I went in I spoke to the owner’s (Phyllis) husband. He is the rudest man and I cannot believe that I didn’t get into an all out screaming match with him but I just wanted to get my invites and go so I held back. My FH was with me and I was so worried he was going to go off that I didn’t even have time to get mad. When I went in he just looked at me and said, YES? I was like umm, I’m here to pick up my invites. So he said, order number? Receipt? Anything? I was in shock, so I said “I called about this because I lost the paper, someone on the phone told me I could just give my name.” He had a book in his hand which is SLAMMED shut and said “I don’t know what you expect me to do but I need more than that”. So after it went back and fourth (and that gave you an idea of his attitude which he had the whole time). I finally got really firm with him and said “Listen, I’ve had more problems with this place and all of your attitudes that I’m ready to say screw the order and I’ll go someplace else”. With that, his wife, who is nicer came out and helped me. But the thing that annoyed me was that she should have apologized for him or had him apologize. He just walked away. So FH was furious. I got the invites, they were beautiful and perfect and I loved them—so I said, let it go and we left. Even though I loved the invites themselves, invite places are a dime a dozen and I would not recommend them because of their attitudes. It would just be easier to go to another place and have them do it. My sister had a GREAT experience for her wedding invites with Posh Papers in Huntington.
FAVORS: Wrap With Us, Syosset: A+
http://www.wrapwithus.com/
1(516) 942-7890
I had a wonderful experience with them and would definitely recommend them. I chose the “set of four coasters” as my favor. They are glass and say “LOVE” on them. I saw another LIW bride had bought them and when she posted pictures of them I knew they were the favors I wanted (another reason I love this site!!). She said she got them at Wrap With Us so I went online to look and they were on sale and just about HALF OFF!! So I was delighted and was able to afford buying one favor per person, rather than per couple which was a big hit. Couples were happy because then they had a full set! Everyone loved the favor and I got a lot of compliments from people because they are a very useful favor. I went to pick them up to avoid a shipping charge and they were very friendly and informative. They even had a guy who worked there bring them out to my car for me because they were so heavy. I love this place!
LABELS FOR FAVORS and PLACE CARDS: WeddingFAVORites.com: D-
Wow, talk about learning from your mistakes. I actually had to VENT about this on the 07 Boards a few months back. Here is the link for the vent: http://www.liweddings.com/chat/topic.aspx?ID=306955&Highlight=weddingfavorites
So that explains what happened with THAT! I was so upset and after posting that I had to bug them day and night and finally, because I bugged so much, they came in mid June (I mean talk about LAST minute). And when they came I was so relived until I opened the box and the place cards were the WRONG color (they were white, not green like I ordered)!!! I was so upset but it was too late to do anything as my party was in just about three weeks. The only reason I gave them a D- rather than an F is because of the labels for my favors. They came out great and I actually loved them. However, those labels are common and I could have gotten them elsewhere without all the hassle. I was happy with how they looked but they were expensive so when it was all said and done: not worth it, I do not recommend and I will go elsewhere in the future when I need things like that.
GOOD PLACE CARDS: LI Wedding Planners: B
http://www.liweddingplanners.com/main.php
I’m trying to be fair here but I keep going back and fourth with this grade. They were, in a way, my savior when I had a huge problem with my pear place cards coming in the wrong color. So I scrapped the pear idea and just bought plain place cards and silver box “holders” for the place cards. I was very excited about the holders (they were Beverly Clark and so cute). It also ended up kinda matching the cake. So I met with Michelle there who was helpful and I also wanted to have them printed. So I placed the order and then emailed her the list of names that need to go on the place cards. The only thing was: I said I also needed table numbers obviously so Jane Doe at Table Two would know which table was Table Two. When I picked up my order they were not in there. BUT they were very accommodating and printed them up for us right then and there so that made it better for me. I was just disappointed though because I mentioned it and reminded them about it. The other thing that bothered me was when I spoke with Michelle, she said she had the place cards and holders in and was going to start printing (this was on 7/6/06) and so I just asked if I would definitely have them before the party (which was only three days away) and her response was “computer printed calligraphy normally takes 5-8 business days” and I waited for her to say : “but we will rush yours and you’ll be all set before Sunday” but she didn’t say anything. So I was like “umm, but my party is Sunday” so she goes “I know, they’ll be ready”. I was just confused by that and I always felt with her like I wasn’t sure if she was giving me an attitude or not—the whole experience in dealing with her made me feel uncomfortable. I would recommend them because I think they are great and they have a lot of nice things but next time I would probably go to another salesperson. I also didn’t appreciate how she gave her opinion of what I did and did not like without me asking. I said that I wanted hand done calligraphy and asked if they did that, so because they do not do that service she told me she didn’t even like it and computer is just as nice. So that annoyed me because I didn’t ask how she felt and it was said with an attitude AND it was only said because they don’t do that service and would rather have me use them and their computer done printing. So I was a little frustrated to say the least but VERY happy with the PRODUCT itself and got lots of compliments on the adorable little boxes.
CAKE: La Bonne Boulangerie in Port Jefferson and Dortoni’s Bakery in Levittown: A+
http://www.dortonibakery.com/
I loved LOVED LOVED our cake!!!! La Bonne Boulangerie and Dortoni’s are both owned by the same person, so they are (in essence) the same thing. We went to LBB because it was in Port Jeff which is closer to us. But, I first heard about Dortoni’s because it’s famous, has been there forever, and my coworker just raved about their cakes. So I went to them. Their cakes are so amazing (they had one that they made look like a Louis Vuitton purse) and there were people who came in and asked WHY there was a purse in the fridge!!! That’s how amazing their cakes are (see the site for pics). I met with Corey (the owner) who helped me decide on the perfect cake (a Tiffany box with a white bow and tag that read: Congrats Danielle & Vinny on your Engagement 7-9-06). He was so nice and very patient with me… my FH and I talked with him for hours. We brought home one of his cheesecakes and our family RAVED about it. He also did 100 canolis for our party which everyone loved. I received so many compliments on the cake and the canolis—we were SO happy with our choice and would recommend them to ANYONE. They can do amazing cakes, they almost look fake! Our cake was rolled fondant (which Corey explained to me they do thin with butter cream underneath the fondant to give a great taste) with vanilla inside and a chantilly cream and fruit filling—with the FRESHEST fruits and berries, it was DELICOUS. Love them!!
FLOWERS: Lovin’ Oven Floral Designs in West Sayville: A+
http://www.liweddings.com/vendors/florists/lovinovenfloral/
Keyth is amazing and his work, ideas, eye for design, etc just floored me from the moment I met with him. I booked him for my wedding and then asked him to do my Engagement Party. I saved money by buying my own vases at AC Moore (don’t remember exactly but I paid about 60 dollars for 25 of them after our coupon). And Keyth let me do that, bring in the vases and he put two heads of beautiful blue hydrangeas with grass (his idea, to add a little flare to it) caging… I loved them and they added just enough color to the room at Tellers. They were all there set up and waiting for me when I got there (the party started at one, they were done and set up by 12:15). I highly recommend Keyth and I can’t wait for my wedding!!!
HAIR AND MAKE UP: Cactus Salon in Northport: B+
I had a great experience I just hate when salons tell you that you will get started at 10am and be done by 11:30 and you don’t start until 10:30pm and you are not done until 12 noon! I mean, I was specific with them that I had a tight schedule and tried to come earlier but they would not let me. I was happy with my hair (style was done by Danielle) and my make up (which was done by Shab). They were very nice and did great!!!
MY DRESS: Lord and Taylor in The Walt Whitman Mall: A
No one helped me at all or asked to help me which was fine because I was OK on my own. I went with my best friend Jess and the first dress I tried on was the one (after I bought another dress two months earlier that I decided I hated last minute). But this was only $200 and I loved the color (green) because it was different and went really well with my hair and skin (so I was told). I was very happy with my dress! I liked Lord and Taylor’s selection and the store was very clean and easy to look through.
VINNY’S CLOTHES: Polo Ralph Lauren in the Commack Macy’s: A
Vinny had the same experience in Macy’s that I had in Lord and Taylor. He found something he liked, fit well and was in and out. So he was very happy and to me, looked VERY handsome but of course I’m going to think that!
THE PLACE!!!! Tellers in Islip: A+++++++
http://www.tellerschophouse.com/
I can’t even grade high enough for this place!! (It used to be a bank and it’s so cool looking) I don’t even know where to begin. I never ate there before but saw it online one day while looking for places and fell in love. I knew FH would love it because of its cool look and wine vaults, etc (where they used to keep the money is where they have the wine!!). So we went in to look at it in person and we knew it was the place!! Lena, the banquet manager there was able to help us personally select a menu. We made a custom menu (they have set ones that you can modify to your liking) and she was VERY accommodating about everything we wanted. She was also flexible on the price. Our menu was a choice of three appetizers: Mozzarella and Prosciutto (SP??), baked clams or Lobster bisque. Then they had a salad choice: Chopped or Caesar. Then they had their entrée choice: Filet Mignon, Breast of chicken, Salmon or Penne ala Vodka. The food was OUTSTANDING. I have never had so many people tell me (based on Tellers’ reputation) that they were so excited to come to a party and eat AND that they were so satisfied with the food. People raved about it and most of the people there had never eaten at Tellers before, just always wanted to. The day of was awesome. They had everything set up and waiting for us at 12:15 and all the staff was just awaiting our arrival. When we came they gave us the warmest welcome. Lena was there to help with EVERY LITTLE THING I needed and answer every question. She felt like part of the family by the end of the party. Everything was laid out just as I said I wanted. And the room took my breath away when I saw it all done and everything laid out. The menu said “Congratulations on your Engagement Danielle and Vinny” at the top and then gave all the choices. They had it at each person’s place with the favors. Lena did everything from making sure I was happy, to making sure the doorway stayed clear so that it wasn’t too crowded—to even packing up our gifts FOR us at the end. I was SO pleased with everything and my steak was like BUTTER…. It was unbelievable. I’ll never forget how good that food tasted, especially the lobster bisque I had with bits of lobster in the center! My guests are still calling to tell us what a wonderful time they had. Lena even had the staff cut the cake and put the canoli, tri colored cookies (which my FMIL made) and one chocolate dipped strawberry (which I made) on EACH plate. People were just floored and SO happy. We had the best time and I highly recommend Tellers to anyone: Engagement Party, Rehearsal Dinners, Bridal Showers (they have two private rooms), etc etc etc. We had the whole place to ourselves. The service was out of this world: before I could even get half of my drink done I had another one. The staff even knew enough to come and get me away from a guest that was way too talkative so that I could eat when my steak came. They were fabulous!! They offered my guests cappuccino, espresso, coffee and everything (presentation wise) was like a FINE restaurant (which it is but was so nice to see). I was so impressed; I wish I could live the day over again and again.
I LOVE TELLERS! ETA: we also had a huge selection of fine beers, wines and mixed drinks (they were fantastic and everyone raved about the bellinis, 'summer' beer and the wine). i had pinot which was OUTSTANDING. so we were very happy with that.
OK, I have to give a big thanks to my parents and FIL’s who helped make this happen. FIL’s also had a lot of people back at their house afterwards so that we could open our gifts!! ETA: we had bagels and wraps made up from Stuff a Bagel (in farmingdale and east northport) and they were fantastic!!! I def recommend the, all the guests complimented us on them. OK, enough about all that—here’s the link to PICTURES: (this is what I have so far but there are more to come, my FSIL was in charge of all that and she should be emailing them to me)…….
******PICTURES OF THE PARTY AND OTHER STUFF!!!!!!********
Message edited 7/12/2006 1:08:32 PM.
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And that CAKE.. OMG..Great job they did with that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
