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Wedding Forums > The Brides' Review > ~*MY DREAM WEDDING* June 2, 2011*- Lots of pics and Recap Video: Villa Lombardi's, Patken Photograph...
~*MY DREAM WEDDING* June 2, 2011*- Lots of pics and Recap Video: Villa Lombardi's, Patken Photograph...
LaBellaVita622
Posted: Mar 04, 2012 11:02 PM+
Posted: Mar 04, 2012 11:02 PM
~*MY DREAM WEDDING* June 2, 2011*- Lots of pics and Recap Video: Villa Lombardi's, Patken Photographer, Tommy's Tunes, Flowers by Burton, Legend Limousines, Christy Ann Cosmetics & more!*~
After our 2 and half year engagement, I cannot believe I am sitting down to write my review. The whole day was an absolute dream, we were truly blessed. The entire process was really. A few things here and there will always not go as planned, but we really did not encounter any serious problems at all. Without this site I don't know what I would have done to help keep me sane. It has been so nice to meet alot of the girls and form such close friendships. Thanks Ron, Liz, and Kim for everything!!!Our Engagement:
Christmas Day 2008-
Frankie had his niece give me a 'special present'. When the top fell off, it was an ornament with our names, the date and said 'From this day forward, Will you Marry Me??' I could still cry thinking about it because it meant so much to have our family around us as we took this next step in our lives together.
Engagement Ring & Wedding Bands: JARED: A+
They were fantastic to deal with and DH liked the idea that if anything went wrong, we could always go right back to them since we live close. Now anytime we need to purchase jewelry we go there. We really cannot say enough about their wonderful staff, our experiece was great. They do the appraisals right there so it was very convenitent.
Engagment Party: THE ELK'S LODGE SMITHTOWN, Catering: SEVEN BROTHERS in EAST NORTHPORT A+ for both!
I kept going back and forth with the idea of having a party or not, and came to the conlusion and if we didn't I felt I would regret it. So we did what we could cost effectively. Because we added a liquor package, it definitely ended up costing more than originally planned and we pretty much broke even. It the end, we had a great party, and we celebrated our engagement since it was a long one. The room was so pretty and the food was great!
Bridal Shower: THE GARDEN GRILL-SMITHTOWN: A+
This has always been our favorite restaurant. The staff and food were great, very attentive and everything I have ever put in my mouth there is excellent! The cake was great as well! My mom worked very hard to give me that shower, and I will never forget it. My girls were great decorating and helping my mom anyway she needed.
Invitations: yourinvitationplace.com:MEDIA PLUS online: A+
I tried to keep this cost down since we were on a budget, and I was pretty happy with the turn out. Price was way low and presenations was just enough, I was very happy with them.
Gown, Veil, & Headpiece: PARADISE BRIDALS- A+
In regard to my gown, I had no problems what so ever. I will be grading them seperately a few times since we used them alot. I had been to so many bridal stores, and I ended up staying with Paradise because of how they made me feel. I was very rushed, spoken nasty to, and felt like 'just another bride' everywhere else I went. Barbara my consultant was the best. She helped me as long or as many times as I needed, and found the perfect matching veil and headpiece. By the time our wedding came around she had left, but I still had loved all of the women I dealt with there. I was a nut and bought my dress 2 years, yes 2 YEARS before my wedding. So glad that I did, because I am still so in love with it to this day. I needed to know what I was wearing to plan the rest around it. I purchased it 2/09 and it was shortly after discontinued. Totally felt like it was meant to be. It arrived in May of 2010, and it was stored there. It was absolutely perfect just need it to be taken in since I had ordered a hallow to hem originally, nothing would come off the bottom. My seamstress Roaslie was so adorable I loved her. I had changed the shoes I was originally wearing, so that plus losing weight, it fell low to the ground. Rosalie worked with me to add tulle and poof out the bottom a few times until it was perfect. I did not even max out the alterations, which I was afraid of, it was not bad at all. I really had a great experience.
My Jewelry:
SWAROVSKI: A+: Necklace, C: Bracelet,
From the moment I saw this set I knew I wanted it for my wedding day. I was in love with it, until my bracelet flew off during my reception. Since this was not cheaply made, I was really upset. One of my friend's hunsband's fixed the clasp with a knife somehow, but even if I wear it today I can see it still does not close properly.
MACY'S: Earrings: A+
I loved how the earrings had the same crystal look as the ones scattered on my dress. That little irredescent sparkle was just enough!
Bridesmaids & Flower Girls Dresses: PARADISE BRIDAL: B-
It is very hard for me to give them this since I really loved going there, but I feel that what I went through days before my wedding was unnecessary. While all orders were placed in a timely manner, in February I added a flower girl and bridesmaid. Rush fees were a must as it was past the cut off date, and they were paid. My sister's dress and my fourth flower girl's did not show up until we caused a scene on May 24th (My mother's 50th Birthday, mind you this is not where we had planned to spend it.) DH met us down there as well. I was pretty much given the run around again and again, over the phone and not given a tracking number. So we decided to go there. When I tell you we had such a long engagement, I was not stressed out at all..UNTIL NOW! I really was offended when I had a breakdown, and they tried to say it was my nerves, no I want the dresses because they still need fittings as my wedding was 9 days away with Memorial Day thrown in between! Low and behold they miraculously came in the next day.. As I looked at the contracts later on, both did not have a WEAR date written, so of course it would not have been rushed. I guess there was an overnight rush?? It made no sense to me. Especially since first it was coming from China, then NYC. Bottom line, they were there finally.
Also when they went to pick up dresses, a few of my girls were told they were not ready yet, and had to make trips back which I thought was very rude. After all of that was taken care of, I was extrememly happy and everyone looked beautiful. Then there was the reception. My niece's dress came apart at the seam where they had it taken it in. My sister in law waited to tell my when I got back from my honeymoon, why she was in her PJ's so early. A few of the girls' bustles broke, as they had a small train. So for the reception and that was pretty annoying for them. Like I said, everyone looked beautiful in the end, I was just very disappointed with what happened.
Tuxes: PARADISE BRIDAL: B
All tuxes were great everything looked nice and we were very happy. But along with the bridesmaid issue, was DH's tux. It did not show up until the DAY BEFORE THE WEDDING...while they kept trying to make it like it was no problem, it would be there in time, our wedding was memorial day week so we lost a few days there. I'm sorry, but the groom not having a tux is kind of a BIG DEAL! What if it didn't fit right etc??It came, it was fine, and he looked perfect, but I thought again that was totally unnecessary considering it was all ordered on time.
Mother of the Bride Dress: PARADISE BRIDAL A++++
I cannot say enough about Elaine in the MOB Room. She went crazy for weeks looking for a designer that my mom would fit into so that she did not have to have it custom made. Also, all of the alterations were just perfect. My mom looked beautiful I was so happy she found a dress she loved!
Rehearsal:
Church: STS. PHILIP AND JAMES in St. James: A- I was kind of taken back how people who run a rehearsal don't know what is going on. They had us rehearsing for a regular ceremony, when we were having a mass. Also, one woman was a little rude about the kids. One of the women made a comment 'What are you going to do if they run up on the altar??', in regard to the two younger ones who were very good at the rehearsal mind you. I said they are my nieces it will be fine! I thought that was out of line and not her place to say.
Dinner : Also was at the Garden Grill since it was so close to the church. I would say A- on this one, only because the food seemed to take a really long time to come out. Different room than my shower but it was also great.
Groomsman Gifts: Macy's A+ Wallets
Bridesmaids Gifts: Macy's A+ Neckacle and Earrings
Make-Up: CHRISTY ANN COSMETICS: A+++++++++
I don't even know where to begin to describe how much I love this company. I was all set to do my own makeup for my wedding, because I have such OCD with it, and then a few days before our E-Pics I saw a girlfriend of mine from college had gotten married. When I saw the makeup she had I was floored. I had to have her! I called Christy and she was available so I went for my trial the day of our E-Pics. I was very pleased. When I walked through the door my sister loved it and couln't wait to have hers done for the wedding.
The day of the wedding Christy and Vicortia were prompt and brought such excitement to my day. They are such sweethearts and I feel like I've known them forever. They did a flawless job as usual. I was most worried about my mom since she is highly allergic to everything, but we bought her own makeup and Vicortia applied it for her. I was so nervous that I would cry my entire face off since my family and I are big criers. An emotional ceremony, first dance, sibling dance, parent dances, and it all stayed in place. I have been told what a 'messy crier' I am so I was not sure I could control this. I also danced the night away, definitely breaking a sweat and everything stayed put. Between the airbrush makeup and gel eyeliner, I was good to go! All the girls that used them said it was the best makeup they had ever had done for a wedding, which I was really happy about. My one BM booked her and we will be using her for her wedding this September.
Limos: LEGEND LIMOUSINE: Smithtown- A
We were so happy with the pricing we received as well as the cleanliness and courteous drivers. We booked the 20 Passenger Escalade for transportation to and from the church. Then for us we booked a 10 Passenger Cadillac DTS so we could have a private trip to the hall. The company called said the Escalade over heated and they were sending a new one. The same one ended up coming I'm pretty sure and all was fine. My pickup was a half hour late therefore I was a half hour late to the church. I called to complain after we got back from our honeymoon, but Bobby assured me his driver was there and ready it was the guys themselves who who waiting on people to leave. Which on our end I still have not gotten a straight story to this day but I missed half my cocktail hour didn't have time to fix my hair, stuff like that so I was upset. But he was willing to show me records and I confirmed with my brother that they were infact there in time. Definitely should have allowed more time in between but because the wedding was on a Thursday, I wanted everything to be close in time for convenince. We had booked a town car to take us to East Wind after the wedding and Bobby surprised us as upgraded us to the Bently. We also used Legend as transportation to and from Newark Airport for our honeymoon and again both drivers were a pleasure to deal with. We highly recommend them.
Photographer and Videograpy- PATKEN PHOTOGRAPHER:
Photo: Jessie
Video: Tim
Overall photo and video day of and outcome A+
Editing department B-
My sister in law made me fall in love with Patken when I first met DH when I saw her proofs and album. I loved the style photojournalistic, yet traditional at the same time. It was definitely beneficial to have the engagement shoot since it was included in our package along with save the dates to get comfortable with our photographer.
Jessie was so awesome to work with. She called the week of the wedding and we spoke over the phone. I actually was so confident in her, that I did not give her a must take list. There were only a few things I requested, and left the rest up to her. She nailed EVERYTHING. We were so blown away when we got them back I just still couldn't believe they were ours. She is so atristic and under the time limit we encountered, she really worked so well. There is not one picture I can say that I am missing. Tim was also so great to work with, my parents loved talking with him. He made the day so much easier becasue you didn't feel like you had a camera in your face constatly. He also is so talented and once our video was perfected, I really am in love with it he did a great job capturing our day so wonderfully.
Proof Album
Our video recap (excuse the quality it's off the TV):
Sweetpea1
Posted: Mar 05, 2012 04:49 AM+
Posted: Mar 05, 2012 04:49 AM
Re: ~*MY DREAM WEDDING* June 2, 2011*- Lots of pics and Recap Video: Villa Lombardi's, Patken Photographer, Tommy's Tunes, Flowers by Burton, Christy Ann Cosmetics & more!*~
Great review. Your dress and flowers were beautiful, thanks for sharing.
dawnbon26
Posted: Mar 05, 2012 06:50 AM+
Posted: Mar 05, 2012 06:50 AM
Re: ~*MY DREAM WEDDING* June 2, 2011*- Lots of pics and Recap Video: Villa Lombardi's, Patken Photographer, Tommy's Tunes, Flowers by Burton, Christy Ann Cosmetics & more!*~
Thanks for the review. Everything looked perfect and you were beautiful.
Karrie D
Posted: Mar 05, 2012 07:52 AM+
Posted: Mar 05, 2012 07:52 AM
Re: ~*MY DREAM WEDDING* June 2, 2011*- Lots of pics and Recap Video: Villa Lombardi's, Patken Photographer, Tommy's Tunes, Flowers by Burton, Christy Ann Cosmetics & more!*~
Great review! You looked amazing and I LOVE the Xmas proposal w/the ornament!!!!
Bride2013
Posted: Mar 05, 2012 08:55 AM+
Posted: Mar 05, 2012 08:55 AM
Re: ~*MY DREAM WEDDING* June 2, 2011*- Lots of pics and Recap Video: Villa Lombardi's, Patken Photographer, Tommy's Tunes, Flowers by Burton, Christy Ann Cosmetics & more!*~
Great review!! Thank you for sharing. You looked beautiful!
SoontobeLT
Posted: Mar 05, 2012 08:56 AM+
Posted: Mar 05, 2012 08:56 AM
Re: ~*MY DREAM WEDDING* June 2, 2011*- Lots of pics and Recap Video: Villa Lombardi's, Patken Photographer, Tommy's Tunes, Flowers by Burton, Christy Ann Cosmetics & more!*~
Wonderful review--everything was so beautiful!! Congratulations!
Stine Bean
Posted: Mar 05, 2012 09:10 AM+
Posted: Mar 05, 2012 09:10 AM
Re: ~*MY DREAM WEDDING* June 2, 2011*- Lots of pics and Recap Video: Villa Lombardi's, Patken Photographer, Tommy's Tunes, Flowers by Burton, Christy Ann Cosmetics & more!*~
Great review! Everything looked fantastic Congratulations!!
FutureMrsGTL
Posted: Mar 05, 2012 10:09 AM+
Posted: Mar 05, 2012 10:09 AM
Re: ~*MY DREAM WEDDING* June 2, 2011*- Lots of pics and Recap Video: Villa Lombardi's, Patken Photographer, Tommy's Tunes, Flowers by Burton, Christy Ann Cosmetics & more!*~
Great review!!! you looked gorgeous!
4Everhisgirl
Posted: Mar 05, 2012 11:23 AM+
Posted: Mar 05, 2012 11:23 AM
Re: ~*MY DREAM WEDDING* June 2, 2011*- Lots of pics and Recap Video: Villa Lombardi's, Patken Photographer, Tommy's Tunes, Flowers by Burton, Christy Ann Cosmetics & more!*~
Great review....everything looked beautiful!!!
2012_Bride
Posted: Mar 05, 2012 11:42 AM+
Posted: Mar 05, 2012 11:42 AM
Re: ~*MY DREAM WEDDING* June 2, 2011*- Lots of pics and Recap Video: Villa Lombardi's, Patken Photographer, Tommy's Tunes, Flowers by Burton, Christy Ann Cosmetics & more!*~
Beautiful pics, you were a gorgeous bride! Everything looked amazing! Thanks so much for sharing!
JNB818
Posted: Mar 05, 2012 12:21 PM+
Posted: Mar 05, 2012 12:21 PM
Re: ~*MY DREAM WEDDING* June 2, 2011*- Lots of pics and Recap Video: Villa Lombardi's, Patken Photographer, Tommy's Tunes, Flowers by Burton, Christy Ann Cosmetics & more!*~
BEAutifullllllllllll!!!!!!
queenofhaerts
Posted: Mar 05, 2012 12:54 PM+
Posted: Mar 05, 2012 12:54 PM
Re: ~*MY DREAM WEDDING* June 2, 2011*- Lots of pics and Recap Video: Villa Lombardi's, Patken Photographer, Tommy's Tunes, Flowers by Burton, Christy Ann Cosmetics & more!*~
Awesome review! Your wedding was gorgeous!
2013Bride
Posted: Mar 05, 2012 04:25 PM+
Posted: Mar 05, 2012 04:25 PM
Re: ~*MY DREAM WEDDING* June 2, 2011*- Lots of pics and Recap Video: Villa Lombardi's, Patken Photographer, Tommy's Tunes, Flowers by Burton, Christy Ann Cosmetics & more!*~
You made a gorgeous bride!! Congrats!PS I LOVE the little tux on your dog!
angelicd77
Posted: Mar 05, 2012 04:36 PM+
Posted: Mar 05, 2012 04:36 PM
Re: ~*MY DREAM WEDDING* June 2, 2011*- Lots of pics and Recap Video: Villa Lombardi's, Patken Photographer, Tommy's Tunes, Flowers by Burton, Christy Ann Cosmetics & more!*~
Amazing review! You looked stunning and your wedding looked like so much fun!!
futuremorasse
Posted: Mar 05, 2012 06:16 PM+
Posted: Mar 05, 2012 06:16 PM
Re: ~*MY DREAM WEDDING* June 2, 2011*- Lots of pics and Recap Video: Villa Lombardi's, Patken Photographer, Tommy's Tunes, Flowers by Burton, Christy Ann Cosmetics & more!*~
Wonderful review!! Everything was beautiful!! Im so happy to finally see a video from Patken. Looked great!!
FutureMrsSweeney
Posted: Mar 05, 2012 08:22 PM+
Posted: Mar 05, 2012 08:22 PM
Re: ~*MY DREAM WEDDING* June 2, 2011*- Lots of pics and Recap Video: Villa Lombardi's, Patken Photographer, Tommy's Tunes, Flowers by Burton, Christy Ann Cosmetics & more!*~
Great review! Thanks for sharing!
Lauren579
Posted: Mar 05, 2012 08:27 PM+
Posted: Mar 05, 2012 08:27 PM
Re: ~*MY DREAM WEDDING* June 2, 2011*- Lots of pics and Recap Video: Villa Lombardi's, Patken Photographer, Tommy's Tunes, Flowers by Burton, Christy Ann Cosmetics & more!*~
Wow you are a gorgeous bride!!! Great review!!! congratulations!!!
ElizabethAndDan
Posted: Mar 05, 2012 09:06 PM+
Posted: Mar 05, 2012 09:06 PM
Re: ~*MY DREAM WEDDING* June 2, 2011*- Lots of pics and Recap Video: Villa Lombardi's, Patken Photographer, Tommy's Tunes, Flowers by Burton, Christy Ann Cosmetics & more!*~
So beautiful!! I love your centerpieces!!
MrsJPH2012
Posted: Mar 05, 2012 09:26 PM+
Posted: Mar 05, 2012 09:26 PM
Re: ~*MY DREAM WEDDING* June 2, 2011*- Lots of pics and Recap Video: Villa Lombardi's, Patken Photographer, Tommy's Tunes, Flowers by Burton, Christy Ann Cosmetics & more!*~
Absolutely gorgeous!!!
FutureMrsCat050412
Posted: Mar 05, 2012 10:28 PM+
Posted: Mar 05, 2012 10:28 PM
Re: ~*MY DREAM WEDDING* June 2, 2011*- Lots of pics and Recap Video: Villa Lombardi's, Patken Photographer, Tommy's Tunes, Flowers by Burton, Christy Ann Cosmetics & more!*~
Your pictures are the reason I picked Jessie! She did an amazing job. It looks like you had the most perfect day! congrats! Great reviewWelcome New Vendors
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