Our Wedding 8/5/11 SMCC, Zaven's photography, St Rose of Lima, DJ Mike, Camelot, Mens Warehouse, Bridal Reflections, and more

Overall: A+++++++++++
We had such gorgeous weather on our wedding day. All of our vendors showed up early. We weren’t disappointed! We danced the night away with our family and friends! It was a day/night we will never forget!

Morning Outfit: A++
I bought my outfit from macys.com. I had it embroidered at Stitch Authority in Massapequa. The owner was very friendly and helpful. My outfit was ready in three days.



Hair: A+
I’ve always gone to Heads First in Franklin Square, so there was no question about where I was getting my hair done. Renita did a great job on getting my hair exactly how I wanted it. She gave me very tight curls so by the end of the night, they’d still be there. My bridesmaids also got their hair done there. They used Renita and Marissa.



Makeup: A+
Heads First uses a couple of makeup girls that come to their salon. My makeup girl’s name is Liz. When she did my trial, I was pale as a ghost. However, since I went tanning for the wedding, I was a lot darker than I used to be. Liz listened to what I wanted and my makeup stayed all night. I highly recommend her. She did my bridesmaids and mom’s makeup. Plus, she wasn’t very expensive.

Name Plaque: A++++
After seeing so many girls on LIW get these plaques, obviously I wanted one! Channa gave me several choices and even suggested certain color combinations. My plaque came out just like I imagined it would. My photographer even asked me where I had it made!


Favors : A+
My theme was beach so I knew I wanted something to do with the beach. I saw these starfish wine bottle toppers somewhere. After researching online for the best deal, I found them on dreamyoccassions.com. They came within a couple of weeks. The favors came in a black box with a white bow around them.


Favor Stickers: A
I found stickers on Zazzle.com. The first stickers I ordered, the date was too small. I contacted zazzle and they said I could keep them, throw them out, or donate them to someone. They reimbursed me and I made new ones.


Invitations: B+ (because of no stickers)
I bought our save the dates from weddingpaperdivas.com and didn’t have any problems with them, so I figured I could find our invitations from them. I ordered them, with pocketfolds, and they turned out nice. However, I wasn’t happy that they don’t have any stickers for the pocketfolds. I still would recommend them for wedding invitations.


Pocketfold Stickers: B
Since weddingpaperdivas.com doesn’t sell pocketfold sticker, I needed to find a company that did. I found vistaprint.com. I made stickers that were very similar in color with our invitations. The only thing I wasn’t happy about was it took about four weeks for me to get them. Luckily I ordered them way in advanced!


Bridesmaids and MOH gifts:
Bed Bath and Beyond: A
I found their monogrammed wineglasses from bed bath and beyond. I ordered them online since they didn’t have them all in the store. They came pretty fast.


New York and Company: A
I found their doj from New York and Company. I lucked out when I found them because it was Buy 1 get 1 50 % off. The day of the wedding, when the girls put their necklaces on, it didn’t look right. So, the girls only wore the earrings, which was fine by me.





Exclusivelyweddings.com: A
I found these cute monogrammed tote bags. I even ordered one for myself, which I used every day on our honeymoon. My girls loved them. Since I gave them the bags at the Rehearsal Dinner the night before, they used them the next day for the wedding.


Groomsmen and Fathers gifts:
Exclusivelyweddings.com: F for customer service
I had such a great experience with them until I went to order the guys’ gifts. I found Baseball and Football team beer mugs. Most of the guys are Yankees fans and when I received my order confirmation, there were 4 of those mugs on backorder. When I spoke with the website about when I could expect them, they told me they would have to cancel those 4 mug orders and I’d have to reorder them when they were no longer backordered. Keep in mind, I only had about three weeks before the wedding to go, so I didn’t want to chance it. I canceled those 4 mug orders and searched online. When I received the other Yankee mugs that weren’t backordered, they didn’t look like the picture online. I called to complain and basically was told they can’t do anything about it. This company may have nice things but I don’t recommend using them.

Things Remembered: A++++
I found the 4 Yankee Mugs from them and received free shipping. I had them in about a week!


Dollar Tree: A+
I bought the bags for the guys’, fathers’ and mothers’ gifts.

Mothers’ gifts:
Exclusivelyweddings.com: F
We ordered our moms tote bags that were monogrammed, “Mother of the Bride/Groom” and their name on it. I still give this company an F because I ordered these bags for our moms at the same time I ordered the mugs. Our moms loved the bags. My mom used hers the day of the wedding, not sure about DH’s mom.


Cake topper:
Amazon.com: F
I ordered the cake topper of a groom holding a bride while they stand on sand. When it came, the groom’s ankles were separated from his feet! I contacted amazon and since they didn’t personally have the item, a different company sent it, they couldn’t get me a new one. I sent it back and was skipping a cake topper all together.

Fairy Tale Affairs in Massapequa Park: A
My mom surprised me and ordered me a new cake topper from Fairy Tale Affairs. It was the same exact cake topper I originally ordered. It came in a matter of a week.


Cake server and card box:
Fairy Tale Affairs in Massapequa Park: A
My mom found these two from Fairy Tale Affairs, as well. They were both exactly what I wanted. The women in there were very friendly.

My Bridal Gown, headpiece and veil, Mom’s gown, and Bridesmaids/MOH’s gown:
Bridal Reflections in Massapequa: Overall A
Day Before Wedding: C
Overall I had a very good experience with Bridal Reflections. I went on a whim with my mom just to look. I tried on five dresses and fell in love. My gown is by Marisa. I loved it then and still do. Every time the girls there were very helpful until I went the last two times. There is a lady there in the Evening Wear storefront that was a total *****! She always had an attitude. After my final fitting, I had to schedule when to go pick up my dress. I wanted the Wednesday because I didn’t want to go the day before my wedding. The lady wouldn’t let me and made me schedule it for that Thursday. I said fine. Also, my mother scheduled to pick her gown up the same day.
Fast forward to the Thursday, the day before the wedding, we go and I wasn’t allowed to try it on because they didn’t want it to wrinkle. I was annoyed but fine I understood their point. I was looking over the dress and the same lady from the week before was rushing me making me sign paperwork. She’s about to get us to leave and I tell her I wanted to leave my dress there because we had to go to the other side for my mom to pick up her gown. The lady wouldn’t let me. She was telling me I can pull my car up and we can put it in the car before I go get my mom’s gown. I told her I wasn’t going to put my gown in the hot car. I ended up leaving the dress there and going with my mom to her appointment. We get to the other side and explain the situation and the ***** lady, they said they’d go get my dress for me and bring it to us. I was very happy about that!
My mom puts on her dress for her final fitting and the top wasn’t even taken in! The hem on the bottom was crooked. Her dress looked like they didn’t do any work at all! A different seamstress comes in and starts pinning my mom. They tell her to go back in an hour, mind you we had the rehearsal that night! An hour later she goes with my dad and luckily her dress was much better!
I am going to either show my face or call them this week to speak with the owner. After spending all of the money we did I didn’t appreciate that lady’s attitude and the fact that my mom’s dress wasn’t worked on!





Bridal shoes and flip flops:
Sandy’s Shoes in Massapequa: A+
Both times I went there, they were very helpful! It turns out I need to throw out my shoes I wore because we were taking pictures in the grass and they are just gross! I took them off after the first dance and put on my flip-flops. My flip-flops were very comfortable!




Tuxes:
Men’s Warehouse in Massapequa: B
When my DH picked out the tuxes, the service was horrible. We waited a very long time to tell them what we wanted.
Men’s Warehouse in Massapequa when my dad and brothers went: D
Luckily I didn’t go with them when they went to pick up their tuxes. My older brother’s shirt and pants were way too big! My younger brother’s shirt and shoes were tight! They were going to make them pick up their new outfits the morning of the wedding! Luckily someone went in the back and found their sizes! Good thing I didn’t go or I’d go bridezilla on them!
Men’s Warehouse in Oceanside when DH was measured and pick up: A
They were very professional when DH was measured and picked up his tux.


My DOJ:
Lord and Taylor: A +
I wore my mom’s pearls so I only needed earrings and a bracelet. I found jewelry that had pearls on them. They were very lightweight and I barely noticed them when I had them on. I don't have a picture.

Garter:
Amazon.com: A+
I didn’t want to get one but needed something blue. I found it on amazon for about $5. I thought for sure I’d take it off right after church but I totally forgot about it and kept it on all night.


Florist:
Tim’s Florist in Massapequa Park: A++
I wasn’t too picky with flowers. Originally I wanted hydrangeas but after getting my sample and seeing how fast they die, I decided against it. I told Gail and Sue that I wanted yellow flowers with starfish for everything except mine and DH’s boutinerre. I wasn’t disappointed. They found these small starfish and must have made them orange. They were better than what I envisioned. This florist was very reasonably priced and I used them for other events, such as bridal shower and engagement party.





Rehearsal Dinner:
Café Toscano in Massapequa: A+
My in laws were throwing the rehearsal dinner and my MIL picked Café Toscano since they’ve gone there before and it was in the same town as the church. I didn’t think the food was going to be good since she didn’t pick anything DH eats. Well I was wrong. The food was delicious. We had so many different courses. Everyone enjoyed the food!

Rings:
Good Old Gold: A++
DH bought my engagement ring from them so I knew I wanted my wedding band from them. My wedding band goes so well with my engagement ring. DH wanted a black ring. They ended up taking a book out and found a titanium ring for DH. It looks pretty cool. He will only wear it when we go out. I think he just needs to get used to wearing it and soon won’t even think twice about not putting it on. The people that work at Good Old Gold were always very friendly and helpful. I will continue to go to them for jewelry.



St. Rose of Lima in Massapequa: A
They made it a process for DH and I to get married there with taking Pre Cana and the foccus test. We lucked out and had a couple that was very funny. Our Rehearsal went smoothly and quick. A week before the wedding our priest called and said he couldn’t marry us. It turned out it didn’t matter. The priest we had was very good and nice. It may have the longest aisle on long island but that day it sure didn't feel like it!

Limousines:
Camelot Limos: A+++++++
After reading so many good reviews about them on LIW, I had to give Joe a call. He gave me such a good deal especially since I had so many end of the night pick-ups. We did tuxedo limousines and Joe ended up upgraded our black limo. All of the drivers were very friendly. We used Camelot for honeymoon airport drop off and pick up, as well. Joe gave me a good deal for that too! All of our drivers the day of were early and very professional. I highly recommend using Camelot Limos!

DJ:
DJ Mike: A+++++
This was a vendor I wasn’t interested in going crazy on, money wise. We didn’t want a DJ that was too loud. We wanted our guests to be able to talk to each other and not have to scream. DH’s parents have a friend who DJs with his daughter. I spoke with Mike and booked him. I was a little iffy at one point but I was iffy for no reason. The entire night he had people dancing! We all had such a fun time. At the end of the night, he told me in the 30 years that he has been a DJ, I’m the first bride to not be a crazy bridezilla. I knew what I wanted, song wise, I gave him a list of all the songs and let him do his job. I really loved the fact that he only spoke when he had to! I highly recommend using DJ Mike!!!

Photographer:
Zaven’s Photography in Franklin Square: A++++++
This was the vendor DH and I fought about, money wise! I knew this was a vendor that I wouldn’t compromise on! Pictures last a lifetime so I wanted someone I could trust. Zaven used to take my brothers and my Christmas pictures so my mom suggested for me to call him. I met with him and found out his daughter was very big on photojournalism. I knew I wanted her to take my photos. I had both Zaven and Tina, his daughter take our wedding photos on the big day. I asked him a week before if they could come a half hour earlier so we would have time. They came earlier than that, the day of! I highly suggest having more time to take pictures before cocktail hour. Due to traffic from the church to the RH, we missed the entire cocktail hour because we had to take pictures.
Obviously when my proofs are in I’ll have more to review about them.

Videographer: A
George (He works for Zaven’s photography)
He was very nice and always there to tape an important part of the day. It definitely felt weird with him there most of the time but I know I will be happy when I get our DVD. Tina, our photographer, is even using George for her wedding.

Stewart Manor Country Club: A+++++++
I had to leave this for last because it was the best vendor of all. The food was to die for. I heard the cocktail hour food was delicious. They gave DH his cheeseburger, fries and mozzarella sticks for dinner. It was definitely a plus to be the only event there. I dropped off wedding things a couple of days before and left notes. They followed every note I left. At one point in the night, my bustle ripped and one of the girls working there sewed it for me.

Our maitre’d: James : A+++++++++++
Our night wouldn’t have run smoothly if it weren’t for James. From the moment we arrived, he was helpful! We were taking pictures on the front lawn and there he was taking our drink orders. He came out with his silver tray with our drinks. While I drank, he held my bouquet. At one point he came out with some food from the cocktail hour so we could enjoy it. Before going inside after pictures, James cleaned off my heels since I had grass stuck on them. I ended up getting dirt on the bottom of my gown so when I had it bustled later on James was there, cleaning the stain out with club soda. He even taped the bottom of my mom’s dress when she ripped her hem! James ran the grand entrance for our parents, bridal party, and us. He told us when our dances were going to be, as well as helped us with the cake cutting. James went above and beyond. Brides who have their weddings at Stewart Manor Country Club are very lucky to have James as their maitre’d.

Wedding Cake:
MaCayla Michaels Desserts: A
I picked our cake out of the book Stewart Manor showed me. All I cared about was the ribbon being yellow and it being canoli filling. The bakery told me they would do their best to find a pale yellow ribbon and if not they would contact me. They never contacted me so clearly they found it! The small piece that I ate was delicious and I heard from guests it was a delicious cake. The cake looked beautiful.
When we fed each other, I put some on his nose! My DH ended up getting me back!

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Honeymoon:
The Breakers in West Palm Beach: A++++++
My parents gave DH and I our honeymoon as a wedding present. When we arrived at the Breakers our room wasn’t ready. I mentioned we were on our honeymoon and asked if she could do anything for us. She clicked, typed and found us a room! The food on the resort was absolutely delicious! The service was excellent. We had to get used to someone putting a towel on a lounge chair for us when we went to the pools. We went kayaking twice and each time we were helped, they were very friendly. The lifeguards were friendly and helpful as well. They informed us about the baby jellyfish that were in the ocean.
Since we were on our honeymoon, the breakers sent us up some chocolate covered pretzels and cookies. One day we decided to leave the resort to go some place else to eat. We found this place called E. R. Bradleys. The nachos were delicious! I wasn’t too fond of the panini though.
The breakers gave us airport pick up and drop off and both drivers were very nice and friendly. The weather was a hit or miss every day. Sometimes by the time we’d get outside, there would be a storm. The only bad thing I will say about The Breakers is I’d wish they had more to do at night.

I will definitely post more pictures when I get my proofs. Don’t hesitate to send me FM if you have any questions about my vendors.

Michelle

Re: Our Wedding 8/5/11 SMCC, Zaven's photography, St Rose of Lima, DJ Mike, Camelot, Mens Warehouse, Bridal Reflections, and more

Congrats! Everything looked beautiful.

Re: Our Wedding 8/5/11 SMCC, Zaven's photography, St Rose of Lima, DJ Mike, Camelot, Mens Warehouse, Bridal Reflections, and more

congrats love all the pics and review

Re: Our Wedding 8/5/11 SMCC, Zaven's photography, St Rose of Lima, DJ Mike, Camelot, Mens Warehouse, Bridal Reflections, and more

congrats!! great review!

Re: Our Wedding 8/5/11 SMCC, Zaven's photography, St Rose of Lima, DJ Mike, Camelot, Mens Warehouse, Bridal Reflections, and more

nice review!!

Re: Our Wedding 8/5/11 SMCC, Zaven's photography, St Rose of Lima, DJ Mike, Camelot, Mens Warehouse, Bridal Reflections, and more

Congratulatons!
everything looks amazing`

Re: Our Wedding 8/5/11 SMCC, Zaven's photography, St Rose of Lima, DJ Mike, Camelot, Mens Warehouse, Bridal Reflections, and more

great review! thank you for posting this!

Re: Our Wedding 8/5/11 SMCC, Zaven's photography, St Rose of Lima, DJ Mike, Camelot, Mens Warehouse, Bridal Reflections, and more

Great review Michelle!! Everything looked amazing!

Re: Our Wedding 8/5/11 SMCC, Zaven's photography, St Rose of Lima, DJ Mike, Camelot, Mens Warehouse, Bridal Reflections, and more

congrats!!! you look gorgeous!

Re: Our Wedding 8/5/11 SMCC, Zaven's photography, St Rose of Lima, DJ Mike, Camelot, Mens Warehouse, Bridal Reflections, and more

Thank you ladies!!!!! I can't believe its all over. The day definitely went by quickly. Make sure you take time to just sit down with your FH, that day, just the two of you. We did this and it gave us time to just let it all sink in.

Re: Our Wedding 8/5/11 SMCC, Zaven's photography, St Rose of Lima, DJ Mike, Camelot, Mens Warehouse, Bridal Reflections, and more

Congrats!

Great review

Re: Our Wedding 8/5/11 SMCC, Zaven's photography, St Rose of Lima, DJ Mike, Camelot, Mens Warehouse, Bridal Reflections, and more

wopwop! everything looked soo beautiful! loved your flowers and your dress! Im sooo happy to hear that SMCC was great!! Thanks for writing a great review!

Re: Our Wedding 8/5/11 SMCC, Zaven's photography, St Rose of Lima, DJ Mike, Camelot, Mens Warehouse, Bridal Reflections, and more

Great review! Congrats on your wedding!

Re: Our Wedding 8/5/11 SMCC, Zaven's photography, St Rose of Lima, DJ Mike, Camelot, Mens Warehouse, Bridal Reflections, and more

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Posted by Thar1127

wopwop! everything looked soo beautiful! loved your flowers and your dress! Im sooo happy to hear that SMCC was great!! Thanks for writing a great review!

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Thank you!!
You're welcome hall twin! You have absolutely nothing to worry about! James is the absolute best and will take care of you and your DH!

Re: Our Wedding 8/5/11 SMCC, Zaven's photography, St Rose of Lima, DJ Mike, Camelot, Mens Warehouse, Bridal Reflections, and more

Great review! Everything looked lovely! Congrats!

Re: Our Wedding 8/5/11 SMCC, Zaven's photography, St Rose of Lima, DJ Mike, Camelot, Mens Warehouse, Bridal Reflections, and more

Your wedding looks awesome! Any tips about St. Rose? I heard its a pain to book the rehersal. How was getting your hair done in Franklin square, did you feel like it was a far distance to travel? Do you recommend the rehearsal dinner restaurant?

Re: Our Wedding 8/5/11 SMCC, Zaven's photography, St Rose of Lima, DJ Mike, Camelot, Mens Warehouse, Bridal Reflections, and more

Congratulations!!!!!

Re: Our Wedding 8/5/11 SMCC, Zaven's photography, St Rose of Lima, DJ Mike, Camelot, Mens Warehouse, Bridal Reflections, and more

Everything looked beautiful. Congratulations!

Re: Our Wedding 8/5/11 SMCC, Zaven's photography, St Rose of Lima, DJ Mike, Camelot, Mens Warehouse, Bridal Reflections, and more

Re: Our Wedding 8/5/11 SMCC, Zaven's photography, St Rose of Lima, DJ Mike, Camelot, Mens Warehouse, Bridal Reflections, and more

Everything looked wonderful!!

I have the shoes for my wedding!