MY DREAM Wedding Review -Leonards of Great Neck, DUET, High Voltage, Designs By Rose, etc.-FINALLY UP!!!

First off, let me say that I am so incredibly happy to be married to my best friend. Me and G became friends at 12 years old, he lived across the street from me, and really, I always dreamed of being married to him-We've been goin strong for 8 years!!!!

I am proud to say that we payed for the entire wedding ourselves (besides my wedding gown that my mother bought for me).

Let the reviewing BEGIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LIW.COM-10
Let me say that I was soooo happy to actually find this site!!! I searched "reception halls" one day and this website came up.


I realized I knew a few girls on this website and me and an old friend reunited on here and I'm so happy for that!!!! I never really knew there was so much to do w/wedding planning and I thank eveyrone for their answers to all my questions!!!!!!!
Admist all my disasters, everyone tried to keep me together! LOL

Engagement/Engagement Ring-10
Allright-I had been bothering Gaetano for a year to get engaged, LOL. I told him I wanted a princess cut ring-and when he proposed, it was really a total shock and I told him to S T F U bc I thought he was lying-LOL. I loveddd my ring. But when we went band shopping, no ring fit w/my engagement ring, since it was so high. I got really upset and saw a setting that I fell in love with-Gaetano convinced me to set my 3 stones in there, and if I felt REALLY bad about it, I could always put them back in.
We found the setting at Italian Design Jewelers, Tri County. David was a pleasure to work with, took his time w/us, and we bought our wedding bands from him too. I even had to get my ring sized 2xs, no charge, either time.

Old Setting:



New Setting:



Engagement Party-Villa Marchello-9
We had our engagement party here in June 2006-we used the house DJ-and he took excellent pictures.




Engagement Shoot-DUET-Planting Fields Arboretum, Oakdale-9
Can I tell you how much I LOVED taking these pics??? It was soo freakin cold-but well worth it. We both had a lot of fun-the only thing, I wish I would have worn jeans!!
Here are a few:








Save The Dates-ME!-10!
I decided to send these out-sent them out 6 months before...And I did them myself, using Photoshop!



Now, the GOOD stuff!!!
Rehearsal Dinner-My Household-10
Had it catered from Carosellos

My Bridal Shower-Villa Marchello-10
My mom and my maid of honor-Jesse's Girl! organized the bridal shower. Honestly, I was EXTREMELY surprised!!! I thought it was my moms best friends surprise 50th-I was a complete snoop, and I thought it was goin to be in June/July and it ended up being the last weekend in May. When I walked in and they yelled SURPRISE!! I scooted over to the side and shook my hands like NO! I'm not Denise!!!!! LOL
Then I realized, after 3 min, it was for me.
A lot of people came and I had a LOT of gifts.






Bachelor/Bachelorette Party's-Atlantic City-10!!!!!!!!!
Honestly, that weekend was one of the best times of my life.
Me and G decided to have it the same weekend, and we both had it in Atlantic City. I was so extremely scared for his bachelor party-I had no idea waht the guys had planned, and I worried for nothing. LOL. All they did was go to a bikini bar and stay 1/2 hour..Me on the the other hand, well what happens in AC, stays in AC. JK!!

IWe ate a great dinner, went to the male revue @ the Showboat where I got harassed, lol, went to the Casbah, and I started to get worried bc I hadnt heard from Gaetano by then...Then we went to the club in the Showboat and we were dancng when some guy passes me, touches my waist and I realize its one of me n Gaetanos friends!!!!!!!! You should have seen his face when he realized it was me. Then Gaetano came over, picked me up and kissed me LOL!!!!!!!! We danced w/them for about 2 hours, then we all went back to our rooms (The guys stayed at another hotel). Diane, you did a great job!!!!!!!






I want to thank Jen, Dana, & Shanon for coming!!!!! I had a blasttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt!!!!!!!!!!!


Gift's For the Wedding Party
We got the guys little pocket tool sets (from Tri County) and Calvin Klein care sets (outlet store).

I got the girls coach wristlets(outlet) and blue stone bracelet(a store in the city) to match their dress.

I got my maid of honor a coach bag, the bracelet and also a pendant. She unfortunately saw everything cept the pendant on here, bc I stupidly posted it. LOL!!!!!!




Wedding Bands-Tri County-Italian Design Jewelers-9

We purchased our bands in March, we got a matching one and I got an eternity one to match my E ring. The only prob-Gaetano lost a diamond in his ring a couple of weeks ago and had to have it resized, again.



Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue
My Something New was the necklace I wore, my something borrowed was a bracelet that was my SIL's, something blue was my garter, and my something old was my earrings.

LIMO's-A & L Limo-10, Dart Limo-7

I used 2 limo's bc I had first booked w/Dart Limo, my brother promised me I would get a good deal bc he knew the owners son. From him I got the parents limo, and the Escalade. I got a good price ($1000 for 3 hours each), but we ran over time and had to pay 2 hours overtime!!!!!!! Ridiculous!!! Dart did not have a Rolls Royce!

A & L Limo was VERY professional, we got the Rolls Royce for just the 2 of us-he came 1/2 hour EARLY and was very patient. He even told us to go w/our bridal party-so we didnt have to pay overtime for him.


(Escalade in back)


Invites-Carlson Crafts (got them from Designs By Rose)-10

These were exactly what I was looking for-since we had been together such a long time, it was perfect, the little boy and little girl.






*Did special wording and filled in the # bc I did NOT want any kids-and I knew a few people who were trying to bring them........

Favors-Designs By Rose-9
I got the heart engraved ice cream scoopers-The reason I give a 9 is b/c I orginally had wanted diff ones, but then it was too late to order them.
Doris (From Designs by Rose) was extremly helpful!!!


Petal Cones, Programs-ME!
I wanted to do a few DIY's, and I ended up doing these....they didnt come out bad at all........



Shoes-Love My Shoes-10
I wanted soemthing w/a low heel bc I'm a tall beyatch, so I checked the shoes out here....I found a pair and luckily, they were on sale. I think I got them for 14.95-


Headpiece-Tri County-10+
Got my headpiece from one of the vendors there. I had a hard time finding one b/c I didnt like crystals and I didnt want it to look like I was going to prom. So I found a simple one-and the best part, it was $32!!!!!!!! It was marked wrong, hehe!

Veil-Some Bead store on 38th St-10+
I really don't remember the name of the store, but I LOVED my veil....It was 2 tier, fingertip legnth with different sized rhinestones on it. The lady at the store attached a blusher, and it came out perfect. I kept it on all night.



Tuxes-After Hours-The Source Mall-5

And I'm being really nice about it.
I should have listened to Tricia and not went here...The first time we visited, they were nice-but the line was extremly long.
We really chose this place bc they had the matching color vests to my BM's dresses.
When we went to pick up the tux, it was horrendous in there-the store is so small and there was so many people in there. They are so ghetto, so understaffed. ALL of the groomsmen had some sort of prob w/their tux. Most of them had to go back.....Ridiculous. But, in the end, they all LOOKED nice...LOL




Bridesmaid Dresses-Valentina Bridal (Designer-Jasmine Bridal)-10

I was going crazy trying to find the perfect turquoise dress, and I could not find the one I wanted anywhere. FINALLY one of my BM's tried on a dress @Bayshore Bridal? and we decided we liked it-and they had it in a turquoise color, so I researched and found that Valentina Bridal in Brooklyn had it the cheapest-$145 and no charge for alterations. No one had any complaints. One of my BM's-Gaetanos sister-got pregnant and towards the end she had to keep going back for alterations bc she was 8 months pregnant at the wedding. They all came out great. I kept my MOH the same as the girls.......





MOB Dress-Macys Manhasset-Designer-Jovani-8
I give them an 8 only b/c they insisted my mother get a bigger size-a size 14, and my mother insisted to get a 12-and she got her way. It came in BIG-she could have really gotten a 10. But nonetheless, the dress came out beautiful, and Mama Hubert looked hot!!!






MOG Dress-Macys Manhasset-Jovani-10
My MIL didnt pick up her dress until the day before the wedding, the top was a bit big, but that is her own fault..she waited too long!



Flower Girl Dresses-Some store on 38th St(sorry!)-10++
Again, I forget the name. You go in, tell them what you want, they make it for you, $75.00. Not bad at all. I sketched a design -told them what fabric and colors to use and they did a perfect job.
It's just too bad the older FG doesnt smile LOL



MY DRESS-Macy's Manhasset-From Demetrios, Designed by ME :)-7

I went to a few different bridal stores, they didnt have anything I liked really. I was getting frustrated. So I went back to Macys-the first place I went to and saw a dress I liked. But when I got there, I hated it lol. We were in the store for about 2/3 hours and again, I sketched a dress that I wanted, they put a top from one dress and paired it with a tulle bottom. I was kind of surprised that it was an extra $750 to go from a detailed, crystaled bottom to a plain tulle w/scattered rhinestones-but we did not know this till later on.
I also changed the neckline and dropped some crystals.

The point that really dissapointed me the most was my final fitting. I had 2 fittings before that, and my dress was extremely big on me. They ordered me a size 10, and when I tried it on the fist time, it literally fell off. The girl who was helping could not believed that whoever ordered it, ordered it so big. She said I should have gotten an 8 at the most-wedding dresses and bms dresses run small, but the dress was ridiculous on me.
I also had to wear a corset bra thingie-which I did NOT want to wear a bra, the lady who helped me at first told me I didnt need to, no worries, but then I was forced to.

At my final fitting, they sewed the bra into my dress, and I thought everything was perfect UNTIL--
beads started to fall off the top of the dress. My mother freaked out, lol. I had to stay an extra 1.5 hours for the ladies to fasten the beads on.

THANK GOD that on the wedding day-no beads fell off. BUT the bottom of my dress ripped as I was walkin out of church Snagged it on the church door.







Flowers-Designs By Rose-10++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Best vendor yet. I did NOTTTTT want to spend a lot on flowers, IMO, they are a waste. They die, and who really wants to spend all of that $$$???
I didn't go visit any other flower place, and asked one day on LIW about not so expensive florist and somoene mention DBR-so I called them up, found out they were in my neighborhood-went there, and that was the end of it. They are a mother/daughter team and such a pleasure to work with, really...They were so nice and so accomodating.

They even set up flowers at my dais table-for me and Gaetano. Soo nice!! And my flowers were hot!!
LOL


White Roses w/stephanotis and blue rhinestones!!



Table centerpieces:


Weather-10+
Could not have asked for a better day. There was hardly any humidity and the sun shined!!! It was surprising for August.....

DAY OF-ME! I woke up around 9, hung around, was not nervous at all. The ONLY THING i was nervous about was crying-walking down the aisle. I cry at EVERYTHING, but did not want to cry. Luckily, I had 2 glasses of champagne before I left, and I did not cry!!!!!!!!!!! Of course everyone else did...LOL

Hair/Makeup-Tina (from Marco's Salon in Ozone Park, Queens)-8


She was supposed to come at 11, she didnt get there until 12-bc she was doin my 3 SIL's makeup/hair-and I got really worried LOL

I have to say, she really did a good job. My makeup came out phenomenal-I used airbrush, and my hair came out pretty good too. I wanted this hairstyle, but its hard to get:



I had a trial w/her in June-didnt really like the way it came out, so I made a few changes:



Also had a trial w/MAC-did NOT want to spend 250 alone on makeup:



On the wedding day, she used more pinks/purples and it looked better!




She also did my 3 SIL's hair/makeup, my MOH, and my mom!!




Church-Nativity of the BVM-8

This is my church-we didn't have any probs till the end. We had to pay $100 in advance if I was late-well I wasn't late and I had a hard time getting the $$ back from the priest. So when I got back from my HM (he wouldn't give the $$ back to my mother) I left him a msg and said I would pick up the money the following day, and I did.
The priest did give a good homily (sp?) and he made a few jokes-




DJ-High Voltage Sounds-Vinny-9
I visited a lot of DJ's and I felt Vinny was the only one who didn't try to "sell" me. He was extremely nice and he played everything we wanted to hear.
There was a LOT of dancing!





Video Screens-Party Express DJ-9
A guy I work with works part time w/this company (located in Bay Ridge). He gave me a great deal-and worked great together w/the DJ. He made me a montage-pics of me and Gaetano when we were young, etc. He also took pictures-which I'm still waiting on!!!

Photography/Videography-DUET-10++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
What can I say. I love Duet. Sam & Nick were our team.
I loved our engagement pictures, I love pictures that everyone posts on this site, etc. We got 680 proofs printed, and then I begged and pleaded for the unedited cd-which containged 2,561 proofs. I'm still uploading those. I loved all the shots that we got-I loved how much fun we had, and I loved taking SO MANY PICS!!!!!!!!! LOL!!!!!!
Here are some of my FAV proofs:












The next few images are extremely special to me.
Duet went out of their way to take them and I thank them for that.
Me and DH lived across the street from each other since we were 13. Two days before the wedding, his parents had to move out of their house (LONG STORY!! ) and I was so depressed. Gaetano wanted to get married out of his house, but there was no way. DUET drove to his old house-and took pics of him lookin at my house. OMG im goin to cry right now LOLOLOL
The people who bought his old house even put white balloons out...OMG























My MOH-Diane (Jesse's Girl)-10!!!!!!!

I could not have maid (haha) it w/o her!!
I had such drama w/my ex MOH-I picked someone who I am no longer friends with-n she backed out-I should have went w/my gut instinct and asked Diane.
She held me together-and was an excellent MOH!

She tried so hard to make my bachelorette party memorable and fun-and she did!!







Reception Hall-Leonards-7

I first saw Leonards of Great Neck in the Reception Hall magazine about 4 years ago. I knew it was the place where I wanted to have it, and we went there first. They gave us an excellent price, but since I am NEVER satisfied, we went to 13 other halls and none really compared to Leonards-such as decor and price. when we went back to book-they changed the price on us-but we booked anywyas. Then I realized that I knew the Owners friend very well-and my friend called him up and told him. We went in, he threw in a few extras and was extremely nice. He sat with us at our final meeting and promised us a great party!!! (we also found out that we could have had our main room in the room I really wanted-but the first bm we talked to said we couldnt- )

Well, on the day of, there was a few things I was dissapointed with.
#1-I got 2 Bridal Attendants-except they really werent bridal attendants-I saw them busing tables...
#2-I saw another bride-I was so upset. I had went into our main room b4 anyone else to take pics-and she came up in the elevator. The floor manager was so mad-and he told me that my maitre d was irresponsible.
#3-I didnt want to post this, but I feel its neccessary and fair to:
4 tables were not fed main course at the right time. In fact, the maitre d didnt even KNOW they werent fed until 20 min after everyone had gotten theirs. So 4 tables got their main course almost an hour after everyone else did. I was embarrassed-to say the least. My mom was so upset-and the owner-who was THERE-was trying to tell my mother not to blame it on the maitre d-but HELLO-that is his JOB-i won't lie-i did not give him a good tip. He did not deserve it. the owner was tryin to convince my mother that he would extend the party an extra 1/2 hour-but we were all like no way....it was over at 2 anyways.

Needless to say, when I got home from the HM-there was a check waiting for me from Leonards. I commend them for sending me some money back.
All in all, Leonards was a beautiful place-they are just understaffed. Their food is excellent-I actually ate a lot too.










(W T F is wrong w/me??)
















Sorry for all the pictures! I'll prob be adding more LOL

Anyways, it was the best day of my life. I had so much fun, I danced, I ate, I posed, LOL.

Final Words By ME
Ladies, I cannot stress this enough-at the end of it-it is YOUR and your FH's DAY-no one elses! Try to spend as much time as you can w/your FH durin that day-I read that on here and I listend to it, and I'm so glad I did!!

I never thought wedding planning could be so stressful-I had a lot of things happen during the planning-

Honeymoon-French Polynesia Cruise/Tahiti-10++++++
The best time.ever.
I wanna go back next year.

Here is my link to the review for that:

http://www.liweddings.com/chat/topic-340984-1.html

ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Message edited 5/29/2007 3:39:31 PM.

Re: HUBERT!'s DREAM Wedding Review 8-11-06-Leonards of Great Neck, DUET, High Voltage, Designs By Rose, etc.

where is the review??? i got excited!!

Re: HUBERT!'s DREAM Wedding Review 8-11-06-Leonards of Great Neck, DUET, High Voltage, Designs By Rose, etc.

yeah me too!!

Re: HUBERT!'s DREAM Wedding Review 8-11-06-Leonards of Great Neck, DUET, High Voltage, Designs By Rose, etc.

where the hell is it???

Re: HUBERT!'s DREAM Wedding Review 8-11-06-Leonards of Great Neck, DUET, High Voltage, Designs By Rose, etc.

What a tease!!!!

Re: HUBERT!'s DREAM Wedding Review 8-11-06-Leonards of Great Neck, DUET, High Voltage, Designs By Rose, etc.

haha! its comin ppl
im almostttttt done

Re: HUBERT!'s DREAM Wedding Review 8-11-06-Leonards of Great Neck, DUET, High Voltage, Designs By Rose, etc.

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Posted by JeanineHubert

haha! its comin ppl
im almostttttt done

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Message edited 11/17/2006 1:35:12 PM.

Re: HUBERT!'s DREAM Wedding Review 8-11-06-Leonards of Great Neck, DUET, High Voltage, Designs By Rose, etc.

I can't wait to read the review!!

Re: HUBERT!'s DREAM Wedding Review 8-11-06-Leonards of Great Neck, DUET, High Voltage, Designs By Rose, etc.

oh this is so exciting...can't wait to read the review

Re: HUBERT!'s DREAM Wedding Review 8-11-06-Leonards of Great Neck, DUET, High Voltage, Designs By Rose, etc.

oh what a review!! everything seem to be perfect - you looked gorgeous & DH looked handsome!! all the girls looked beautiful- flowergirl dresses are so pretty- i can go on & on- but just wanted to say glad you had an amazing wedding!

Re: HUBERT!'s DREAM Wedding Review 8-11-06-Leonards of Great Neck, DUET, High Voltage, Designs By Rose, etc.

Congratulations! Awesome review. You looked gorgeous and your day looked beautiful.

Re: HUBERT!'s DREAM Wedding Review 8-11-06-Leonards of Great Neck, DUET, High Voltage, Designs By Rose, etc.-FINALLY UP!!!

Congratulations! You looked beautiful!!

Re: HUBERT!'s DREAM Wedding Review 8-11-06-Leonards of Great Neck, DUET, High Voltage, Designs By Rose, etc.-FINALLY UP!!!

everything looked beautiful!! and we have the same exact engagement ring!!

Re: HUBERT!'s DREAM Wedding Review 8-11-06-Leonards of Great Neck, DUET, High Voltage, Designs By Rose, etc.-FINALLY UP!!!

great review...you looked beautiful!!!

Re: HUBERT!'s DREAM Wedding Review 8-11-06-Leonards of Great Neck, DUET, High Voltage, Designs By Rose, etc.-FINALLY UP!!!

great review..love your pics!

Re: HUBERT!'s DREAM Wedding Review 8-11-06-Leonards of Great Neck, DUET, High Voltage, Designs By Rose, etc.-FINALLY UP!!!

Jeanine... This has to be one of the best reviews I have ever read. You guys are really special, and you can tell from these pictures how you are meant to be together. Congrats to both of you- you truly deserve each other!!

Re: HUBERT!'s DREAM Wedding Review 8-11-06-Leonards of Great Neck, DUET, High Voltage, Designs By Rose, etc.-FINALLY UP!!!

YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love it Jeanine! You gave such a great review! Jeanine, you made such a gorgeous and stunning bride! You and Gaetano make such a beautiful couple and I am so excited to see you sooooo happily married! Thanks for sharing your long await reciew with a old time 06er

Re: HUBERT!'s DREAM Wedding Review 8-11-06-Leonards of Great Neck, DUET, High Voltage, Designs By Rose, etc.-FINALLY UP!!!

Great Review!!!

Thanks!

U are a gorgeous Bride!

Re: HUBERT!'s DREAM Wedding Review 8-11-06-Leonards of Great Neck, DUET, High Voltage, Designs By Rose, etc.-FINALLY UP!!!

OMG i cant believe your review is done - how did you find the time btw freaking it with little boys?

anyway i want to say a few things:

1. that was an EXCELLENT review - that was right up there with MayBride519 and Camacho - great job!

2. you looked AMAZING!! you and Gaetano are such the perfect couple and I love that you have been together forever just like me and Anthony!!!! Your wedding looked so amazing and I am so happy that I got to see you at the church!

3. you made me cry at work - thanks a lot, seriously you were like the most FUN bride i have ever seen - it is YOUR job to make my wedding as fun as yours!

Anyway, Congratulations for the billionth time!! Enjoy married life!!

Re: HUBERT!'s DREAM Wedding Review 8-11-06-Leonards of Great Neck, DUET, High Voltage, Designs By Rose, etc.-FINALLY UP!!!

Great review! Thanks!

Re: HUBERT!'s DREAM Wedding Review 8-11-06-Leonards of Great Neck, DUET, High Voltage, Designs By Rose, etc.-FINALLY UP!!!

Beautiful review Jeanine!
You were just gorgeous and your proofs are amazing!!!!

Re: HUBERT!'s DREAM Wedding Review 8-11-06-Leonards of Great Neck, DUET, High Voltage, Designs By Rose, etc.-FINALLY UP!!!

omg...this review has been long waited..loved everything about it...esp the bridesmaids dresses

you did an excellent review...love all the details and the pics to show it...

you and your husband are so beautiful together

8 years is a long time....me and my fh have been together that long too...so you are an inspiration...

congrats girls...cant wait to see more pics when you add them...

Re: HUBERT!'s DREAM Wedding Review 8-11-06-Leonards of Great Neck, DUET, High Voltage, Designs By Rose, etc.-FINALLY UP!!!

awesome review--- I loved that your DH took pics at his old house!!! I cried too!!

Re: HUBERT!'s DREAM Wedding Review 8-11-06-Leonards of Great Neck, DUET, High Voltage, Designs By Rose, etc.-FINALLY UP!!!

OMG what an AWESOME LOVE Story you have ~ you looked beautiful ~ you & your hubby are soo cute congratulations!

Re: HUBERT!'s DREAM Wedding Review 8-11-06-Leonards of Great Neck, DUET, High Voltage, Designs By Rose, etc.-FINALLY UP!!!

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Posted by camerakrazie

omg...this review has been long waited..loved everything about it...esp the bridesmaids dresses

you did an excellent review...love all the details and the pics to show it...

you and your husband are so beautiful together

8 years is a long time....me and my fh have been together that long too...so you are an inspiration...

congrats girls...cant wait to see more pics when you add them...

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