My review! May 21, 2006 Temple Chaverim, FM Entertainment, Flowers by Voegler, Follow Your Heart, Duval, Four Points Sheraton, etc with link to Hawaiian HM review (UPDATED WITH PROOFS)

Well ladies, here is my review!
we finally got our scanner, but it made the proofs come out really small. (i dont know how to make them normal size, but you get the idea)
My dad scanned 77 proofs into snapfish.com. I posted the link on pg 2.

LIW- A+
Thank you Ron and Liz for creating this site! I have gotten so many ideas from your ladies! It has helped me relax, made me laugh and helped me procrastinate writing my thesis! Lol

Dress, Tiara, Veil, Jewelry, Slip, Bra:
Lillettes- A+
I worked with Lydia and she was just amazing. She knew exactly which gowns to show me. I ended up getting Bethani by Maggie Sotterro (which was the 3rd gown I tried on out of about 20). As soon as I put it on and looked in the mirror, I knew it was the one!!
Paula did my alterations. She did a great job!!
Thank you ladies!!

Shoes:
Sandy’s Shoes in Massapequa- A+
I tried on many pairs of shoes and the salesgirl was very patient with me. I have issues with my feet, so I can’t wear high heels. I ended up getting Lovely (Dyables). I brought them a swatch of my dress and they dyed it perfectly.
(MIL and a BM ended up getting the same shoes too!!!)

DSW: A+
At the suggestion one of my BMs, we went to DSW to find comfy shoes for me to change into. I got a really cute pair of white sketchers and white slippers. They saved me during the reception!

MOB dress:
Alta Moda- A
My mom was looking for something a little different. She found it at Alta Moda.

Tuxedos:
Town and Country Tuxedo, Wantagh: A for pre-pick up, B- for pick up
Their customer service was pretty good until 2 weeks before the wedding. The owner, not the 2 men we worked with, called DH to have him go to the store to go through everything. I went with him. They didnt write down the vest I picked out for my father. They gave FIL and attitude when he wanted to be remeasured. When DH picked up his tux and tried it on, it needed to be fixed. The BM's shoes were scratched up and they wouldnt give him another pair or shine them. The sleeves of all the shirts were too long.
If you use this store, make sure that all the men try on EVERYTHING before they leave when they pick up their tuxes. Dont let them rush them out without trying EVERY SINGLE THING!
But I have to say that Bob and Dan were great to work with!

Invitations:
Bright Beginnings- A+
My neighbor sells invitations and stationary from her house. DH and I spent a long time looking through books to find the perfect invite. We found exactly what we were looking for!!!

Calligraphy (Envelopes and Place Cards):
Follow Your Heart- A+
After posting on the VHB board and doing a search on LIW, we decided to go with Kathy at FYH. She did an amazing job! She matched the font on our invitation for the computer calligraphy. We were beyond happy with her work!
She was a pleasure to work with!

BP gifts:
Barbara at We Wear It: A
i got my girls matching handmade lavendar pearl and swarovski crystal necklaces.

Andy's Luggage: A+
We got the guys black leather monogrammed dopp kits

Flowers:
Flowers by Voegler- A+
Ed is just amazing! I cannot say enough good things about him and his staff! From the moment I met with him last summer, I knew he was a mentsch!
I told him my color scheme and he ran with it. He had lots of ideas. My flowers came out more beautiful than I could possibly imagine. We got 5 bo-ks, 3 corsages, 1 throwaway bo-k, 8 bouts, 2 tall arrangements for the chuppah (which after the ceremony were placed in front of our sweetheart table), pew decorations, floating lavender rose heads for the CH, 2 wreaths for MIL and FIL to wear on their heads for the mezinka and lavender rose petals strewn on the tables.
As for centerpieces, my hall supplied 10 of the candelabras, we bought 5 from Target and I ordered lavender pillar candles from www.njcandle.com. The delivery people set up the centerpieces on the tables.

DJ:
FM Entertainment- A
As soon as we met with Frank and had our private showcase, we knew we wanted him to do our wedding! He has a great mic personality and knows how to get a crowd going! We wanted someone who wouldn’t be in our guests’ faces and would still get people dancing and having a good time. We gave him a list of 45 songs we wanted and highlighted the most important ones. He played all of them and then supplemented other songs that went well. We didn’t want cheesy group songs or give-aways.
He checked in with us through out the night to make sure that we were happy with everything.

Ceremony musician:
Pianist (though FM Entertainment): A
I didn’t get to hear most of what he played, but according to my BP he was professional and did well. I am a Cantor and I wanted my processional and recessional to be of Jewish wedding music. I put together a binder and a cue sheet for him.
My MOH and one of my BMs are also Cantors, and he accompanied them when they sang a duet after our Ketubah was read.

Ketubah:
www.ketubah.com- A+
We found the perfect Ketubah! Kiddush Cup Garden by Suzy Friedman. It is 3D! The customer service from the website was very on top of things via phone calls and emails.

Card box (DIY):
Michaels- A+ for DH and myself
After getting ideas from you LIW ladies, DH and I went to Michaels and bought the materials to make our own card box using a hat box.

Donation:
In lieu of favors, we donated to Long Island Cares—The Harry Chapin Food Bank. DH and I feel very strongly about helping the homeless and less fortunate.
We printed up something for our guests using card stock from AC Moore and put them in clear plastic frames (1 per table).

Hair:
Dawn (my stylist from my regular salon)- A+
Dawn has been cutting my and my family’s hair for over 17 years! She knows what I like and what looks good on me. I brought her a picture of what I wanted and she copied it and added the curls hanging down in the back. Perfection!!!
I did my trial in the salon and she came to the hotel the morning of the wedding to do my hair there. It lasted all night, she gave me extra bobby pins and hairspray just incase tho….

Make-up:
Luanne (Permanent Results Electrolysis and Skin Care Studio and Mary Kay rep)- A+
I have been going to Luanne for 4 years for electrolysis and she also does Mary Kay makeup. She always looks perfect and I thought I should ask her to do my and my mom’s makeup for my wedding. We did the trial at my house. Since she knows us well, she already had ideas for colors. She was right on!!
The make up lasted all night and I bought all the products she used on me for future use (and to touch up lipstick and powder the day of).

Temple Chaverim: A+
Scott and Chris and their staff were awesome from day one! Having worked there for 4 years as the Cantorial Intern and attending many affairs, I knew I would have an amazing wedding- food wise and party wise. Delicious was the word of the day!! (People are still calling my parents and ILs to tell them what a great time they had and how awesome the food was!)
Since we had eaten there many times, we knew what we wanted. CH: Lower East Side Deli (this was the biggest hit of the night!), pasta station, meat carving station (tuna), Middle Eastern station and chicken Milanese and salad. Plus they threw in a grilled veggie station (and probably a few other things that I just don’t remember! Lol) there were tons of pass-arounds.
After the CH was over, when our guests went into the reception, Chris set up a table for us in the CH room with a huge selection of food from the CH. He put shmatas on us to protect our clothing.
While we were taking pictures (before the ceremony), they set up a room with snacks and drinks.
while guests were arriving they served champagne in the lobby.
After the ceremony, the staff was waiting for our guests in the lobby with hor'derves (sp) and martinis as they made their way to the CH.
The night went very smoothly! Scott and Chris checked in with us throughout the party.
For our entrees, we had chicken Wellington (originally we thought we’d go with franchese, but we changed our minds), tilapia, and an eggplant dish. (I don’t remember the specifics….)
The day before the wedding was my grandma’s birthday, so Scott got her a bday cake and everyone sang to her. She was so surprised and happy!
Now for my cake! I gave Scott a picture of a cake that had yellow background and white bands and swirls. But my color was lavender. So, I told him that I wanted that cake, but with a white background and lavender bands and swirls. OMG—what a beautiful cake it was! It was yummy too- DH wanted raspberry filling. It was a white cake with chocolate-raspberry filling.
The main dessert was hot chocolate cake! WOW!!! There were also tons of delish pass arounds- including Hagen Daas ice cream chocolate bars and black and white cookies and cannolis, etc etc etc!!!!!
Also, kudos to the bartenders!! They got lots of praise as well! The wait staff was top notch!!!
Thank you to everyone at Hasson Caterers! I’m probably forgetting things, but it was such a magical day and also such a blur….

My bridal attendant was such a doll! She brought us food and drinks, and helped me adjust my dress when needed.

Ceremony:
Rabbi Hecht and Cantor Hyman- A+
It makes such a difference when you know your clergy well and have a good relationship with them. Being clergy myself, they really let me have lots of say in what I wanted in the ceremony.
They gave us such a personal and meaningful wedding. Words cannot express how much Evan and I appreciate all that Rabbi Hecht and Cantor Hyman have done for us (that day and for the past few years).
There really isn’t a set ceremony for a ketubah signing, and so using us as the guinea pigs, they wrote the most beautiful ceremony for us. So you lucky brides who are getting married after me will have a lovely ceremony!!! Trust me!!! I won’t spoil it for u!
We had a double bedeken. Traditionally, the groom veils the bride, but I “veiled” him as well, by putting a Tallis over his head.

Photography:
Duval- so far A+
We had Johnny Flash as our photographer. Elizabeth was the asst. I gave him a huge list of must-take photos. He got them! ? We got just under 600 proofs (half film, half digital). The proofs came out amazing! We are going to have a hard time choosing photos for our album! The day we got back from our HM, 11 days after the wedding, Elizabeth called me to tell me the proofs were ready. The day after I called to tell them which pic I wanted for my thank you, she called me to tell me they were ready! Wow—they sure work fast!!!!

Video:
Duval- so far A+
Glenn was our videographer. We also worked with him at the studio for paperwork, etc. He is a sweetheart! I am very excited to see our video!!

Hotel and Brunch:
Four Points Sheraton: A+
I worked with Michael Papierno. We booked 12 rooms and the bridal suite. Our suite was beautiful- comfy bed, Jacuzzi, large screen flat TV in the wall plus another sitting room with a couch and another TV.
After the wedding, we came back to the room and there were rose petals all over the place and candles and champagne and chocolates.
We had a brunch the following morning. I worked with Nicole Calonita. We had a private room for about 30 people. It was just perfect!


link to Hawaiin HM review

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Re: My review! May 21, 2006 Temple Chaverim, FM Entertainment, Flowers by Voegler, Follow Your Heart, Four Points Sheraton, etc

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Re: My review! May 21, 2006 Temple Chaverim, FM Entertainment, Flowers by Voegler, Follow Your Heart, Four Points Sheraton, etc

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Re: My review! May 21, 2006 Temple Chaverim, FM Entertainment, Flowers by Voegler, Follow Your Heart, Four Points Sheraton, etc

congratulations and thank you for your review.
You looked so beautitul !

Re: My review! May 21, 2006 Temple Chaverim, FM Entertainment, Flowers by Voegler, Follow Your Heart, Four Points Sheraton, etc

1- my dress shoe
2- my comfy shoe
3- my parents
4- my Man-of-Honor (he wore the same tux as the GMs and yes they wore lavender tux shirts!)

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Re: My review! May 21, 2006 Temple Chaverim, FM Entertainment, Flowers by Voegler, Follow Your Heart, Four Points Sheraton, etc

Great review!!

Congrats!

Re: My review! May 21, 2006 Temple Chaverim, FM Entertainment, Flowers by Voegler, Follow Your Heart, Four Points Sheraton, etc

Congratulations to you and your DH!!!!!
You looked Beautiful!

Great Review!!

Re: My review! May 21, 2006 Temple Chaverim, FM Entertainment, Flowers by Voegler, Follow Your Heart, Four Points Sheraton, etc

Congratulations on everything! You look beautiful!

Re: My review! May 21, 2006 Temple Chaverim, FM Entertainment, Flowers by Voegler, Follow Your Heart, Four Points Sheraton, etc

Mazel Tov! Everything looked beautiful. LOVE THE LAVENDER ROSES!

Re: My review! May 21, 2006 Temple Chaverim, FM Entertainment, Flowers by Voegler, Follow Your Heart, Four Points Sheraton, etc

Great review! You looked beautiful. Cake looks gorgeous!

Re: My review! May 21, 2006 Temple Chaverim, FM Entertainment, Flowers by Voegler, Follow Your Heart, Four Points Sheraton, etc

Mazel Tov and Thanks for the great review! You brought back some great memories of my wedding at Temple Chaverim.

I love how they feed the CH food to the bride and groom. You were adorable in your 'schmatas.'

I would love to hear more about your ceremony and ketubah signing!

I am sure that Temple Chaverim will miss you!

Re: My review! May 21, 2006 Temple Chaverim, FM Entertainment, Flowers by Voegler, Follow Your Heart, Four Points Sheraton, etc

Congratulations!

Re: My review! May 21, 2006 Temple Chaverim, FM Entertainment, Flowers by Voegler, Follow Your Heart, Duval, Four Points Sheraton, etc

Great review

Everything looked so perfect

Congrats and best of luck

Re: My review! May 21, 2006 Temple Chaverim, FM Entertainment, Flowers by Voegler, Follow Your Heart, Duval, Four Points Sheraton, etc with link to Hawaiian HM review

Marnie!!! Congrats and Mazel Tov!!!

You looked stunning and everything sounded wonderful!!! Thanks for a great review!!!

Re: My review! May 21, 2006 Temple Chaverim, FM Entertainment, Flowers by Voegler, Follow Your Heart, Duval, Four Points Sheraton, etc with link to Hawaiian HM review

more pics!

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Re: My review! May 21, 2006 Temple Chaverim, FM Entertainment, Flowers by Voegler, Follow Your Heart, Duval, Four Points Sheraton, etc with link to Hawaiian HM review

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Re: My review! May 21, 2006 Temple Chaverim, FM Entertainment, Flowers by Voegler, Follow Your Heart, Duval, Four Points Sheraton, etc with link to Hawaiian HM review

beautifull .....congrats!!!!!!!!!

Re: My review! May 21, 2006 Temple Chaverim, FM Entertainment, Flowers by Voegler, Follow Your Heart, Duval, Four Points Sheraton, etc with link to Hawaiian HM review

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Re: My review! May 21, 2006 Temple Chaverim, FM Entertainment, Flowers by Voegler, Follow Your Heart, Duval, Four Points Sheraton, etc with link to Hawaiian HM review

everything is so beautiful! congratulations!

Re: My review! May 21, 2006 Temple Chaverim, FM Entertainment, Flowers by Voegler, Follow Your Heart, Duval, Four Points Sheraton, etc with link to Hawaiian HM review

Thanks so much for your review! We're using duval also and I'm so glad to hear you love your proofs. Can't wait to see them! Congrats on your day....you looked beautiful