My 4/25/14 Review: The Royalton, Jarrell Entertainment, Duet, Iris Photobooth, AllStar Limos, Bridal Styles, ChristyAnn Cosmetics, Emily from Hair Machine!

Hi Ladies!

I have SO MUCH to say!! But here's what I've decided - I'm only going to review the vendors I LOVED! I could go on and on for days with this, so I want to try to keep it as short and sweet as possible...

But before I start I want to say, our wedding day was more than I could have ever imagined. It didn't really hit me that it was 'our wedding' until there were about 30 minutes left in the party - I realize that's nuts.. but I just couldn't believe it. Everything was PERFECT on the day of. Not a single thing went wrong, and if it had, I still don't think it would have altered the magic we felt on that day. My piece of advise, ENJOY YOURSELF with your HUSBAND/WIFE! You two are really all that matter on that day. Live it up because as I'm sure you've heard countless times, the day will FLY by!! I heard it, I assumed it, but it still went faster than I could have ever imagined!!

Ok, here we go...

The Royalton: A++++++++ (there really aren't enough +'s for them) - We didn't want your typical Long Island wedding. We wanted something different, small, quaint, elegant, romantic. We didn't want a country club or a hall - while we've attended incredible weddings at these places, we wanted something different. A friend of mine suggested The Royalton. She had never been there, but heard only amazing things. I went on their website and thought 'NO!'. She talked me into going to see it in person, and thank god she did. I fell in love IMMEDIATELY - when I tell you the website doesn't do it justice, you have NO idea. This is going to sound so tacky, but it felt like 'home'. For those of you who haven't seen it, it's not a mansion. It's more like an old colonial home that has been transformed into a venue. It still has the feeling of 'home' and I felt it all day/night long. We signed with Michael Einhorn (owner), but were told that along our planning process, we'd be dealing with him, the GM Mike T, or one of the maitre d's Jorge. During most of the planning process, Jorge was our contact. Simply put, he is AMAZING! He is so calming and reassuring and helpful it's really incredible. We had some issues with our florist in the beginning, and he made us feel like he had it handled and he truly did. Our menu planning process was EASY PEASY - and I was nervous! The amazing/nerve wracking thing about The Royalton is they will make anything you want. There is no picking from a list of items. You dream it, they make it. I loved this, until I realized I wasn't a professional chef and had no clue where to start!! Jorge made it so so easy! He advised us on what they have done, what guests seem to love, and made tweaks depending on things we personally loved. The tasting.. OMG the tasting... the food was INSANE!! The wine was INSANE!! It was all so INSANE!! I decided to get ready at The Royalton the morning of my wedding - BEST DECISION EVER! I was able to see everything being set up and change things as much as I wanted. I saw the room set up, the centerpieces, all of it! I also made myself comfortable. They provided me and my nieces and cousin and mom so many breakfast treats. It was very calm and relaxed the whole time. My Bridal Attendant Michelle was AMAZING! Always right there to help when/if I needed it but never annoying about it! They had me on a timeline so everything went so smoothly. The rest of my bridesmaids showed up, there was food for them, my photographers came, limo drivers arrived.. it all went so so smoothly!! We left for church, and once we returned, the staff was on call and ready to WORK! We were greeted with champagne, congratulations, and my 2 bridal attendants started fussing to pretty me up for pictures. I scheduled to have my hair person back to put my hair up. She was coming at 6:30, so I gave my photographers an hour and a half to bang out their pictures. My HUSBAND and I were back in the bridal suite by 6:30. I was getting my hair put up and he was eating a ton of food they brought up from cocktail hour (that was starting at 7 - they opened it up at 6:45 because people were EARLY!). We got to relax! We went down to cocktail at like 7:15 to say hello to our guests. Ladies - it was GORGEOUS! I have tears in my eyes right now just thinking about it. It was EXACTLY what I wanted. Warm and cozy and GLOWING!! People were RAVING about the food, chasing after the coconut shrimp and pina colada passed apps. The line for the slider station (comfort station) was so long but FLYING... people could not get enough. The fireplaces were lit and again, it just felt like home! We were taken out of cocktail hour at around 7:40 to go see the ballroom all lit up and to have some quiet time before our entrance. I thought the cocktail room looked insane? the ballroom was breathtaking. I honestly lost my breath - it was beyond perfection!! My cake.. OMG my cake was magnificent!! The rest of the night was perfect. Jorge and Mike T were there to make sure everything went perfectly, but again, never in my face or annoying. They kept a safe distance. I had tall candles in my high centerpieces, and my guests now tell me that the staff was so on top of them, they kept checking on the candles to make sure none of the flowers were burning or anything. they'd blow them out if/when they got too low. People kept grabbing us to tell us how incredible the food was. I LOVED that! I knew the food was great but loved hearing it! We also opened up half of the cocktail room and turned it over into a lounge. We had a photobooth in there, couches, high tables... it was PACKED!! My husband and his friends kept the bartender in there VERY busy :) We also had a farewell table for guests as they left. I didn't want a candy bar, I wanted more of a breakfast bar for people to be able to enjoy the next morning. It was stocked with mini champagne bottles and orange juice, water, muffins, bagels, coffee cake, crumb cake, cream cheese.. then cookies and pretzels.. you name it! The Royaton provided 'to-go' bags for our guests to fill up. It was a hit!! We had chosen to spend the night at The Royalton, but at 3AM, we were still so amped up, we figured we'd drive home. The thought of packing up the car made me want to cry. Then I found a note from my bridal attendant with my car keys saying 'your car is packed! Congrats again!' I forgot I had given her my car keys. She packed the car for us! All of our stuff - PACKED! All we had to take was my dress and his tux.
I can not say it enough - how obsessed I am with The Royalton and their staff!! My husband wants his 40th bday there. I just want to attend a wedding there. It is PERFECTION! There is probably so much more, so many details - PLEASE do not hesitate to ask me ANYTHING!!! Then invite me to your wedding because I really need to be a guest there :)

Jarrell Entertainment: A+++++++ - When I first started wedding planning, I was hesitant about using a DJ. I didn't want your typical wedding DJ and MC who is on the mic all night harassing your guests to get up and dance. Don't get me wrong, I love that at other weddings, but at my own, I wasn't interested... A friend told me she attended a wedding where DJ Stephen from Jarrell Entertainment dj'ed and how incredible he was. The next say I reached out and we set up a meeting. Upon our first chat over coffee, I knew I was sold! Stephen was AMAZING!! So knowledgeable in the music space and understood exactly what I did and didn't want within 5 minutes of chatting. He basically told me, if I wanted him to chat it up all night he would, but if not, he'd let the music speak for itself. For a year I would email him my thoughts, and he was so quick with his replies helping us along our way, finding the right songs and flow of the night. He was early, scoped out the scene, talked to us about his plan for the night... AMAZING! I give him so so much credit because our music list was ALL OVER the place!! I had every genre of music incorporated into the list and he made it all work!! I wanted to hire them for a Memorial Day BBQ but the hubs thinks I'm nuts lol

Duet Photography/Video: A++++++++++ - I freakin LOVE these guys! Every vendor we told we booked Duet, they all said the same thing 'Those guys are amazing!' Yes they are!! My friend used them 9 years ago. We wanted someone reputable, someone who's been doing this awhile. We wanted romantic pictures, soft stuff, nothing posy or modely. Because they have been doing this for so long, I wasn't at all nervous. I knew they understood the flow and the pictures I wanted. They were early, so freakin HILARIOUS and so so fun!!! I gave them a tight timeline. I didn't want to spend the day taking pics - they took less time than I asked for and I know they got every single shot plus some! They were always right there when I needed them. Again - not in my face, but I'd turn around, grab someone, and a camera would be there to snap a pic. These guys were standing on window ledges getting great shots, flying around the room quick and nimble without disturbing anyone. LOVE LOVE LOVE them and have and will recommend them to ANYONE!!!

Iris Photobooth: A++ - These guys are GREAT! You get a LIW discount and they are SO reasonable! I wanted a long time to book them, I didn't know if a photobooth was in our budget but it worked out! I priced out a ton of them, and Iris Photobooth def gives you the most bang for your buck!! So professional, easy to work with, and great! The Photobooth was a hit and we got the FUNNIEST pictures from it!!

AllStar Limos: A+++ - I wound up here by chance. In fact, Camelot sent me to these guys when they wasted a significant amount of my time pretending they had my day and cars avail. The AllStar showroom puts Camelots to SHAME. It's Apples and Oranges honestly, and yes, I've seen both. They are a tad pricier than I had wanted, but were such a pleasure to work with and accommodating and willing to negotiate (to a point), I was ok with the few extra dollars. The drivers were hands down fantastic!! They ran the whole show at the church, fixed my girls dresses, rearranged my veil, had altoids waiting for me and my husband when we got to the end of the aisle. One of them picked up my 92 year old grandmother to help her into the truck limo. Seriously - AMAZING! I would recommend these guys to anyone and would use them again and again. In fact, they are now my go-to driver for all corporate needs.

Bridal Styles: A++++ - I got my headpiece and my bracelet from them. GORGEOUS does not even cut it! Sooo reasonably priced in comparison to other places, so helpful, a pleasure to work with!! Quick and professional. I LOVE them! People were going gaga over my accessories!

Christy Ann Cosmetics: A+++++ - I actually booked a different makeup artist for the day of my wedding, then I saw a friends makeup for her wedding that Christy did and I scrambled to get a trial fairly late in the game. Luckily she was avail!! She's amazing - literally she works magic!! Made me look SOOO gorgeous. I actually look at non-pro pics and am like 'DAMN I looked GOOD!' I NEVER say that lol. She's such a doll too!! So easy to talk too, fun, calming.. she's GREAT!! I did the pampered bridal package with her and it's SOOO worth it! I needed some touching up after all the tears I shed at the church - although my makeup barely moved, I needed some waterline touch up eyeliner :)

Emily from Hair Machine (HAIR): A++++++++ - Emily cuts my hair normally, so it was a no-brainer for me that she was doing my hair. I wanted 2 styles - down for church and formal pics, then up for the party. She knocked it out of the park!! I still can't believe how much I LOVED my hair!!! I highly recommend her if you're looking for a hair person!!!

If you made it this far, I give you SO much credit!! Sorry for all the rambling, I wanted to give you guys as many details as possible. If anyone has ANY questions, please do not hesitate to ask!!!

Happy planning!!!!

My 4/25/14 Review: The Royalton, Jarrell Entertainment, Duet, Iris Photobooth, AllStar Limos, Bridal Styles, ChristyAnn Cosmetics, Emily from Hair Machine!

Love your review and so happy you had a great day !!! Can you possibly send me how much you paid for your makeup? Thanks

My 4/25/14 Review: The Royalton, Jarrell Entertainment, Duet, Iris Photobooth, AllStar Limos, Bridal Styles, ChristyAnn Cosmetics, Emily from Hair Machine!

Sure! You have FM

My 4/25/14 Review: The Royalton, Jarrell Entertainment, Duet, Iris Photobooth, AllStar Limos, Bridal Styles, ChristyAnn Cosmetics, Emily from Hair Machine!

Congrats on such an amazing day!

My 4/25/14 Review: The Royalton, Jarrell Entertainment, Duet, Iris Photobooth, AllStar Limos, Bridal Styles, ChristyAnn Cosmetics, Emily from Hair Machine!

Sounds like you had an amazing day! Congrats!

My 4/25/14 Review: The Royalton, Jarrell Entertainment, Duet, Iris Photobooth, AllStar Limos, Bridal Styles, ChristyAnn Cosmetics, Emily from Hair Machine!

Sounds like an amazing wedding

My 4/25/14 Review: The Royalton, Jarrell Entertainment, Duet, Iris Photobooth, AllStar Limos, Bridal Styles, ChristyAnn Cosmetics, Emily from Hair Machine!

Sounds like a beautiful day!

My 4/25/14 Review: The Royalton, Jarrell Entertainment, Duet, Iris Photobooth, AllStar Limos, Bridal Styles, ChristyAnn Cosmetics, Emily from Hair Machine!

Sounds like you had the perfect wedding, congratulations!

I'm glad you loved Duet, that's who I booked with also! They did my sister's wedding in 2006 and we loved them then. Sounds like nothing has changed!

My 4/25/14 Review: The Royalton, Jarrell Entertainment, Duet, Iris Photobooth, AllStar Limos, Bridal Styles, ChristyAnn Cosmetics, Emily from Hair Machine!

Congratulations, it sounds like it was amazing!!! I'm thinking of the Royalton too, so I'm glad to read that you had such a great time there!

My 4/25/14 Review: The Royalton, Jarrell Entertainment, Duet, Iris Photobooth, AllStar Limos, Bridal Styles, ChristyAnn Cosmetics, Emily from Hair Machine!

Could you FM me the approx. cost for Duet and what was included?