My May 31,2003 Wedding Review !!!!!! (links to pics included)

My review wasn't moved over, and I had a couple different posts on it, so I combined all my different posts to make one final review with some pics for you !!!



Ceremony Music - Janet King Harpist - 10
She was great. Her music was so beautiful, just like I imagined.

Limousines - All Star Limos - 10
They have been awesome since the day I booked them. This week I drove them crazy with the phone calls.
Never fear, they arrived at the hotel 1/2 hour early, and were awesome with my huge BP (5 limos )
They were extremely professional. The cars ran smoothly and were impeccable.
At the Old Westbury Gardens, the driver Tony was very helpful and wonderful.

Formal Pictures - Old Westbury Gardens - 10
When we arrived, it was drizzling. I insisted we proceed as planned. From the minute we got there, we were ushered in and out perfectly, insuring the least possible rain on me. They really took excellent care of us, and the pics were gorgeous.

Photography - Cassarino Studios - 9
I want to say that Nickolai our photographer was so patient with my BP, as most of my vendors were, but also so talented, and I know he got some great shots.
To explain why we were missing for so long.
At the ceremony, we had a hard time getting everyone together for the pics.
ALso, we started 1/2 hour late, and Len and I were rushing to get to Old Westbury Gardens, before the rain hit, so Len and I are the ones who decided not to finish taking all the pics, and that we would continue at CB during Cocktail hour.
But since we were already late, and the rain started, we were at the Gardens quite a while.
When we arrived at CB, cocktail hour was just about done, they extended it for us by 15 minutes to allow us to prepare for our entrance.
So we had to take a break during the reception to get all the formal family and BP shots in.
Len and I made the decision to do this, b/c we knew we would regret not having them later on.
Len's family is HUGE, and that took a while getting organized, but I think it was all worth it, when I got back, everything was running smoothly, and I heard the guests were having a blast.

DJ - Entertainment Integrators - 10
I can't believe how they got everyone in the mood and dancing all night. They played a wonderful variety of music all night, and all of our must have lists. They were worth every single penny we paid and more. They were truly off the hook.
Most of my guests told me they never saw such an awesome DJ. I was so happy that my guests were kept entertained all night. Ernest the MC(and owner) was magnificent. Truly talented. EI knows how to throw a party.




Wedding Gown and BP dresses:

Wedding Gown - Ilissa by Demetrios, Princess Collection - 10
I LOVE my dress !!!!!! It was so original and beautiful, very flattering to me. The material I chose was Chiffon, b/c I wanted a very romantic flowing look, and I got exactly what I was going for. The quality of Demetrios is incredible, my dress had not one flaw. I received many compliments, and everyone loved the arm bands I sported for the reception.

Bridal Party - Impression Bridal - 10
For the MOHs, BMS and Hostesses, I chose to go with Impression Bridal's separates collection. This was a great idea. Each one of them had the same material and color (Platinum Georgette) except for the Juniors, which I put in a satin top instead of the georgette to keep them 'young'. Everyone had the same skirt, but I let them choose the top that complimented them best, so they each had a different top. My vision turned out beautiful. I got so many compliments on how original and elegant this looked. And everyone in the BP was happy, b/c they were comfortable in their dress. The dresses were of excellent quality.
Impression Bridal gave me very good customer service when I had to order the catalog and also swatches when I was deciding on material and color. I was a nuisance, and called several times for more swatches and they were very accomodating and quick every time.

Godmothers - Jordan Bridal - 10
The dresses I chose for the Godmothers were in my accent color (peach). The dresses were beautiful, excellent quality, just like the sample in the store.




Dress, Tux & Shoe Shops:

Wedding center of Commack - 8 1/2
MY dress was altered perfectly. Gladys the alteration lady, was awesome to me and my girls each and every time. All the dresses came in with no problems, and as schedule.
The service was great, I went in so many times before making my dress decision and they were very patient and accomodating to me. Scheduling alterations was a very smooth operation as well.
The only reason I gave them an 8 1/2 is because some of the Bridal Party's dresses were not altered 100% perfectly, more like 98%.

Netbride.com - 10
I ordered some of the girls dresses from Netbride.com instead of at the shop because many of them were from out of town, and I didn't see the need to pay extra at the shop (although Commack's prices were great also) when they wouldn't be doing alterations in NY at all. The customer service was excellent, very good email communication and phone calls when necessary. They stayed on top of things, and when the dresses were delivered they were gorgeous. The best thing is they matched the color just fine with the ones ordred in the shop. You couldn't even tell the difference. The dresses were in perfect condition. I was very satisfied, and the price break was great for the girls.

Bridal Shoe Boutique of Carle Place - 10
This place was GREAT. I bought my bridal shoes here, and most of my girls, even the out of towners, got their shoes here. Each and every visit I was welcomed by excellent customer service and reasonable pricing. The dyeing job was wonderful.
At the last minute, I had to order 3 pair of shoes for some of my girls, and they dyed them in record time to accomodate me. They went above and beyond to satisfy the customer. After my wedding, they accomodated me once again by dyeing my shoes Black for me. I have nothing but excellent things to say. Another wonderful vendor.

Bonaventure Tuxedos - 6 1/2
I was so upset with them for a while when they said they could NOT get our tuxedos 10 days before my wedding. To make a long story short, they did what they had to do, and the tuxedos came out perfectly, the style we wanted and the men looked fabulous. They got so many compliments. The really were so handsome in their tuxes.
But for the heartache that Bonaventure gave me so close to my wedding, I could not give them a higher score even tho' they eventually came through.




Florist - Flower Den - 10
The flowers were gorgeous. My bridal bouquet was so pretty - I ccouldnt believe my eyes. I wanted to cry when she delivered my personals to the hotel, because they were so beautiful. It was a big job, and not one thing was messed up. The flowers were fresh, and the prices were the best.
The alter arrangements were beautiful, and our Pastor even commented how beautiful they were, and how much he love them.
Gigi is truly magnifent to work with.
She also supplied the flowers for the cake. Again, very reasonably priced. My sister couldn't believe the price she got for the flowers.

Bakery - My sister - the Cake artist - 10
I have to shout my own sister out, b/c she honored my Mom so wonderfully and gave me a DREAM CAKE. We got so many compliments, and I almost cried again when I saw how gorgeous my cake was, and how much work she had to had done to make it so perfect.
The pics will tell it all.

Cocktail Hour Music - CM Productions - Steel Band -10
I have to give them an 10 even tho' I was not there b/c many of my guests told me how impressed they were by Steel band drummers.
And from what I saw in the video, they were fabulous.
Also, I waited until about 3 weeks before the wedding to book them b/c I wasn't sure I wanted this. They were wonderful about it, and on top of everything. One of the best decisions I made.

Videography - Wild Rose Video - Bill - 10
Unobtrusive, and extremely talented. He was right with us at the Gardens, and it was so wonderful to see Bill in action. You could 100 % see his brain working, and how cool it was when he got a vision of something, and would shoot it, or tell us to do something. I have so far seen my unedited and I LOVE it. I think I have watched it about 50 times, yes all 6 hours. He is simply put, the BEST.

I want to give a special shout out to Bill and Nick(from Cassarino) b/c the both of them were great at the Gardens, both got wet for us, and really took ownership and charge of the whole rain situation, and they worked wonderfully together.

Reception Hall - Chateau Briand - 10
They went above and beyond the call of duty to make sure our day was perfect no matter what.
The Bridal Attendants and Maitre d were awesome, and I couldn't have asked for better.
I am soooo happy, I truly felt like a Princess Bride.


Invitations / Save the Dates / Bridesmaids cards - LA Productions - 10
From my Save the Dates to my invitations to my shadow box, Laura was such a sweetheart. I'm STILL getting compliments on her work, and I want to thank her soooo much for them.
She also did a phenomenal job on my Bridesmaids cards.
I will definitely use her in the future. She is AWESOME.


Travel Agent - Liberty Travel TA in Merrick- Suzanne Hogan-10
What can I say? Anyone on this site who has used Suzanne knows what a stand up woman she is. She is informative, and honest. She kept on top of every single detail from beginning to end, and I had a great honeymoon.
I would recommend anyone to Suzanne. Let me know and I will be happy to share her information.

Hair - Celis Unisex Beauty Salon - Leiny - 10
Leiny is a gem. Anyone who uses her will be totally delighted. She singlehandedly made my girls hair look gorgeous.
My wedding was at 10 am on a Saturday - they don't open until 8.
She washed and set us all Friday night and styled us Saturday morning, beginning at 5am.
She was able to wip us all into beautiful styles in 3 hours. She is truly an artist. I am so so happy with my decision to use her. We all have different texture hair - from pin straight to super curly and she was a pro at all hair types and all styles. She is AMAZING!!!!!

Make-up - Jacqueline Nicole - 10
What more can I say? I wanted to cry when I saw my face. Jacqueline is an artist - the best in my opinion. I had the air brush make up, even false eyelashes, yet I looked not too 'made up' and still natural. She did Most of my bridal party, and they couldn't believe how gorgeous they looked. Jacqueline gave me superb service from the trial to the day of the wedding. She was in my hotel room at 4:45 am, totally organized and prepared. Her organization was amazing, and she got us all done on time, looking simply beautiful. I highly recommend her to everyone.

Hotel - Wingate Inn of Garden City - 10
Me and my girls and DH and his guys stayed at the Wingate Inn the night before our wedding in the 2 huge Bridal Suites. Then DH and I stayed there the Wedding Night also in a Jr Suite. The service - impeccable. The price was right, the rooms were huge and the service from booking to blocking rooms for guests - just everything was off the hook. They really know how to treat their guests and the rooms are beautiful. I would stay there again and recommend them to anyone for their wedding.

Rehearsal Dinner Olive Garden in Westbury- - 9
We had a ball for our RD here. First of all, we were late, and they were wonderful about it. The process of reserving them for our date was easy and smooth. They set aside a huge area for us, service was good and we had a ball!!!!! And the Price was definitely reasonable, we got so much for our money!!!


Not exactly a 'vendor' but still want to review the Church and Pastor b/c I was so impressed:

United Methodist Church of Floral Park - Pastor Sikes 10
Pastor Sikes is a sweetheart. He was a blessing to work with. He was patient, honest and wonderful. From our counseling sessions, I knew I had found a gem. He was great with rehearsal keeping over 30 people in order. Thanks to God for sending me here. We had the best ceremony, and Pastor Sikes did everything he could to make it so special for us. He even decorated the front of the Church which we didn't even ask him to, nor did the thought ever cross my mind, but when I got there the day of, I was so surprised and happy.
He definitely went above and beyond for us sooooo many times. I cannot wait to see him again and to thank him again for everything.




There you have it girls. I'll add some links to the various pics my wonderful LIW buddies took for me.

Re: My May 31,2003 Wedding Review !!!!!! (links to pics included)

Shamma's review and pics


Pics from Leelee


Curly2003's review and Pics