Oct. 9th 2005 Wedding review (w/ 12th night proofs)

It was a wonderful day and I wish I could do it again.

Mother nature: A++++
It didn't rain!!! Yup, it was cloudy, but we were able to take all our pics outside! That's all I wanted. I was fine without the sunshine, just grateful for a dry day.

Church: Garden City Community Church A

They are a little disorganized administratively. But, the church is beautiful and Rev. Sullivan gave a beautiful ceremony. It was the most perfect part of the day. She read excerpts of letters she asked us to write telling why we fell in love with each other. The letters had everyone was in tears (including me and DH). Family friends handled the music which was just absolutely gorgeous (string trio and organ). I could not have asked for a more joyous, yet, sacred experience.

Old Westbury Gardens: A
Diane Filbry is wonderful. Unfortunately the grounds were wet from rain the day before, so we could not take pics on the grass. I so wanted to go down and take pics on the grounds behind the mansion. Diana was great about keeping us dry and finding the excellent locations to take pictures. Below are pics of DH and I seeing each other for the first time at the gardens.





Day of Coordinator=A+++++++ to infinity
Rosalie of Expressions Wedding Event and Design
There were so many things going on that day and Rosalie made everything go smoothly. My day would never have been as wonderful as it was had she not been there. There were a number of glitches throughout the day and she was there to smooth everything out. She knows how to take control and handle difficult situations. She worked her butt off and she made sure FH and I enjoyed ourselves. She is priceless ladies. You have nothing to worry about with Rosalie, you are in good hands. I can't sing her praises high enough. Thank you Rosalie!!!


Flowers: Flower Michele A-

John is such a sweetie and a darling to work with. The bouquets were beautiful, but smaller than expected. Mine was all black magic and my girls were a mix of black magic and light pink roses. I was a little disappointed with the size of them. John said I would have 3 dozen, I think I had barely 2 dozen. I was also a bit disappointed with the size of the bridesmaids bouquets, but maybe I'm just being picky. I can't lie, however, they were quite beautiful. Also, for anyone who wants to know-- red and pink flowers DO work well together.



I LOVED the Centerpieces and so did my guests. I cannot complain about those. They did a wonderful job!! They also did a wonderful job with the church flowers and decorations.


Photography: 12th night: A+
Geraldine and Vicki were such sweethearts and highly talented photographers. They made the day quite enjoyable. They get an A+++ for personality. Very easy going which is just what we wanted. I can’t stop looking at my pics-1700 pictures plus they were all set to a DVD music slideshow. They captured all the emotion of the day and I have such wonderful memories thanks to them! It would be so much fun to work with them again. You can’t go wrong with 12th night.

I have one minor criticism of with them which is I think all the brides who originally booked film and digital combo packages should get some sort of credit towards their albums or a photo shoot for going all digital. JMO!

Videographer: Timeless Treasures: Day of: A+

Ray is the biggest sweetheart and so unobtrusive. He was there from the time I pulled my curlers out of my hair that morning right on through the reception. And he is so good, because I forgot he was there most of the time, even when he was the only guy in the bridal suite while everyone was getting dressed (go figure). I don't have my video, but was able to briefly preview our work in progress and I just love it! I know he is going to make a beautiful memento of our wedding day. No worries whatsoever!

Reception Hall : Verdi's of Westbury:
Before wedding day A
Day of : D –Would not recommend
I must say this was the biggest disappointment in terms of vendors. They were so good to us leading up to the wedding. But, I think greed is a hell of thing. They obviously booked too much that day and did not have the staff or the organizational finesse to manage it.

But here is my list of major issues :

1. When we arrived their lobby was like a zoo and PACKED with people. No staff were present to guide my guests to the cocktail room at the start of the cocktail hour. There were just too many people from different parties loitering in their lobby area (which is not very large).

2. They set out my placecards in the part of the lobby where people from different parties were milling around and apparently people from other parties took many of my guests' placecards so some of my guests had no idea where they were supposed to sit for the reception. Thank goodness I brought a back up tables list and Rosalie straightened everything out. Also, they set my guest book out where other people from other parties were signing my guestbook.


3. Although most people who run wedding halls stagger their events, for some strange reason unbeknownst to me Verdi’s decided to set up a chapel for someone else’s wedding one hour before my reception was due to start. Although this bride was set up in another ballroom they decided to have her ceremony in my ballroom This is after they told me they stagger their events by an hour and a half. Whatever.. So what happened when the bride decided to show up late? My reception got pushed back by 45 minutes. Thank goodness my guests had no idea what was going on.
Finally, the owner (whom I really liked until that day) tried to blame it on me by telling me I had too many things to set up (i.e. favors, menus) which was why things were starting late. However, earlier that week when I discussed everything with him, it was fine. Like menus and favors are not a regular part of wedding set-up. Whatever. Rosalie and my DJs wife ended up putting those final touches on the table because they apparently had no more than two staff member setting up my ballroom.

Once the reception started everything was fine and things got on track., however, Verdi’s tried to rush me through the reception activities so that they could finish at the originally scheduled time. So Dh and I had to interrupt our fun to go and talk with the owner so that he could give me back the hour that I paid for.

All in all everything worked out great because my coordinator, and my older sister had to run a lot of interference. It did not ruin my day, but it did really stress me out at the time. Despite the initial disorganization and the conflict with the owner, the reception was beautiful. I danced my butt off! The good thing is my guests had no clue about anything, and had a great time. Everyone raved about the food. I can't lie Verdi’s food was delicious !!!

However, when I think about it now and how things easily could have turned into a disaster, I do get angry. I think Verdi's is nice for other social occasions, but I WOULD NOT recommend them for weddings. They don't seem to make distinctions about different types of social occasions, which is why they could care less that their lack of organization and lack of professionalism could have ruined my day.

My parents liked this place because it was family owned, and since they were paying I went along with it even though I preferred to get married elsewhere. Unfortunately, the family owned part turned out not to make one difference. All in all, things turned out well, but I am EXTREMELY disapointed in them.

Dress: Watters and Watters /Sposabella in NYC A+
I loved my dress!! I bought it from Phyllis at gownfind who I must commend for getting it to me early as I had ordered it a bit late. The dress was all silk but was very simple (except for having tons of fabric) so I went to Sposabella in the garment district and purchased an applique with pearls and seed beads that I had sewn onto the top of the dress. It was just perfect. It added just a little bit with out overpowering the beauty of the dress.




BM Dresses: Netbride A+
Bill Levkoff in Euro Red! Netbride was wonderful. The customer service was impeccable and my girls dresses came in early!!


Alterations: Ms. Campbell.A++++
Ms. Campbell is a wonderful seamstress who also happened to my make my prom gown when I was in high school. She altered my gown, my BMs and made my Mom's dress and aunt's dress. She is a gem and her prices were extremely reasonable! My dress was way too long, but had a difficult hem because it was bustle skirt. She knew just how to fix it where other seamstresses I had gone to seemed clueless or wanted to charge me an arm and a leg. She works out of her home in Roosevelt. If you want her info, FM me.

Shoes: Shoe Elegance (Lynbrook) A
They had great selection, and good customer service. My shoe was made by Coloriffics and was extremely comfortable the entire day. I forgot to kick them off only when the reception was almost over. Shoe Elegance did a nice job with my shoes and said I could bring them back later and they would dye them black for free! Can't beat that. Sorry about the shoe pics. I can't help myself. I love shoe pics and had to post these.


Veil: My mom! A++
I wore my mom's veil from when she married my Dad. It is a gorgeous mantilla with a crazy “Camelot cap”. We took it tri-county flea market and had a vendor add sequins and pearls to the edges of veil. I really loved wearing it and I think it really made the dress.
And of course, my mother was in heaven! I was so glad that I could wear it.


Make-up:

Denise from Angel Eyes A

Denise is very sweet and she did a wonderful job with me and my mom! Fake eyelashes never felt so comfortable. :) I had tried them with someone else and I could barely see. Denise definitely had the right touch. I really had a hard time finding someone to get my make-up right and she did it! I highly recommend her.

Lynda Lane: A
Lynda is such a sweetheart. She did my BMs make-up and I thought she did a fantastic job! She is reasonably priced and so talented. She should be charging more than what she asks.

Hair: Cookie (Cleopatra Salon, Freeport) A
Cookie showed up at my house bright and early and she did almost everyone in the bridal party. She did a wonderful job, because I had no idea what kind of style I would work with my mom's mantilla (which had a cap at the top of it). But, Cookie had a vision and she went with it. I think she did a wonderful job that day! She is just a little hairspray crazy, however.

DJ: Dj Rus: B+
Rus is such a sweet guy and so conscientious.He was in constant contact with me and FH about our list. He spent a lot of time and took great care with us. He did a nice job with the music, but, did not play the list that we gave him to play. He later told me that this part had to do with juggling song requests from guests. I guess we should have reminded him that he agreed to play what was on our list first. But, he certainly aims to please. The song selections were good, but they just seemed to be all over the place. I can’t be mad however, because everyone was out there shaking their stuff on the dance floor, which was what we wanted.

Wingate Inn :D
I was very disappointed with the service of the hotel. Prior to the wedding we asked for an early-check in so that we could get dressed at the hotel and were told that they could not guarantee us an early check-in, which I understood. However, the morning of the wedding I called and they told me I could come to the hotel and they would have a suite ready by 11:30 a.m. Well we checked into standard room which my BMs planned to stay in that night to wait for the suite and never got into the suite until 12:45. With the number of people coming to get dressed at the hotel it was ridiculous. Finally, they were supposed to give FH and I champagne and chocolates with our room that night. The person on duty told us 'it was not in our contract'. Huh?
So, when I called the manger after the wedding to discuss all of this, she was very flippant about it all. Here attitude was kind of oh, well too bad'.

ETA 1.12.05: I actually ended up speaking to one of the general managers of hotel about the situation and she kindly offered us a full refund for our hardship. She was extremely apologetic about it and really wanted to rectify the situation which I really appreciate.

Hilton Garden Inn: A+
I highly recommend them. Most of our guests stayed here. I was at the hotel quite few times a couple days before the wedding. The rooms are VERY spacious. The decor is lovely and it’s a pretty new hotel (almost 2 years). They had snacks at the front desk every time I stopped by, plus they gave us an excellent room rate.


Favors: A
Customized chocolate bars
www.sayitwithfavors.com:
My sis found this company online. They sell chocolate bars (Hershey’s symphonies) with a customized wrap. I think each bar was $1.00 or something like that. You can’t beat that. The customer service was great and everything came in a timely fashion and tasted great!!

My mom’s blackcake
My family is West Indian so one of our wedding traditions is to give away black cake which is a rum soaked fruitcake (that’s a simple description). My mom made the blackcake and iced it. It was so delicious! We put them in cake bags with customized favor tags and gave them away to guests!

Chair Covers and Linens: A

I hired Creations de Belle for my chair covers and linens. She also decorated my dais. I got a bargain for the chair covers because I got the hall to put them on for me. They cost $3 each.
Isabelle was great to work with. She really helped spruce up the ballroom.



Some words of advice:

Ladies, it goes by fast, so savor it! Also, you can never take enough pictures. Make sure that you have a must take photo list for family members. My only regret is that I did not take more pictures with relatives and friends! I had the time of my life! Wish I could do it again!

Re: Oct. 9th Wedding review (w/ 12th night proofs)

Absolutely gorgeous!!!! Congrats

Re: Oct. 9th Wedding review (w/ 12th night proofs)

Beautiful pics! Great review....CONGRATS!!

Re: Oct. 9th Wedding review (w/ 12th night proofs)

I absolutey love your review. Everything looks picture perfect!

Re: Oct. 9th Wedding review (w/ 12th night proofs)

Wow sweetie, you looked stunning!!

What a great review...so detailed and honest!

I have to say that I agree with you a thousand percent about 12th Night's film/digital contract policy. I booked them back when they were doing film and was also taken aback by the fact that I would have no film or 'hard' pictures...but I do love my pictures nonetheless. They never cease to amaze me. Every review I see of them, every bride's day, every wedding is captured differently. Never a boring picture or 'more of the same'. They definitely capture emotion and are able to tell a story through their pictures and each pic is better than the last. I absolutely LOVED the shots of you and your DH seeing other for the first time. His reaction was priceless!

The top of your dress totally reminded me of mine. I love it! I too went to Sposabella looking for embroidery, but ended up going elsewhere since they were pricey. Your dress looked like it was supposed to have that on top!

So sorry about your hall!! I'm beyond happy though that you didn't let that ruin your day!

I wish you and your husband a long and blessed marriage. Best wishes!

Re: Oct. 9th Wedding review (w/ 12th night proofs)

I am sooo sorry that ur reception hall gave u such aggrivation. You looked gorgeous tho!!! AND everything looks beaaautiful and like every1 had so much fun!!!!!

Re: Oct. 9th Wedding review (w/ 12th night proofs)

OMG I love the pics of you seeing wach other for the first time!!! Beautiful!!

Re: Oct. 9th Wedding review (w/ 12th night proofs)

Congrats!! Sorry about the problems you ran into with your hall, but you looked beauitul-I love your veil and your pics look great!! I LOVE the ones of your DH seeing you for the first time!!

Re: Oct. 9th Wedding review (w/ 12th night proofs)

Wow! What beautiful pictures and I completely LOVE when your DH sees you for the first time. You looked absolutely amazing, thank you for the review!

Re: Oct. 9th Wedding review (w/ 12th night proofs)

Gorgeous! Your pictures are beautiful and even though your CH was a disappointment, you look like you made the most of it. Congrats

Re: Oct. 9th Wedding review (w/ 12th night proofs)

WOW!!!! You looked so beautiful!!! And I absolutely loved your veil. I got all choked up with the pictures of your husband's reaction. Everything looked perfect!! Congratulations!!

Re: Oct. 9th Wedding review (w/ 12th night proofs)

---

Posted by SomethingBlu

Wow sweetie, you looked stunning!!

What a great review...so detailed and honest!

I have to say that I agree with you a thousand percent about 12th Night's film/digital contract policy. I booked them back when they were doing film and was also taken aback by the fact that I would have no film or 'hard' pictures...but I do love my pictures nonetheless. They never cease to amaze me. Every review I see of them, every bride's day, every wedding is captured differently. Never a boring picture or 'more of the same'. They definitely capture emotion and are able to tell a story through their pictures and each pic is better than the last. I absolutely LOVED the shots of you and your DH seeing other for the first time. His reaction was priceless!

The top of your dress totally reminded me of mine. I love it! I too went to Sposabella looking for embroidery, but ended up going elsewhere since they were pricey. Your dress looked like it was supposed to have that on top!

So sorry about your hall!! I'm beyond happy though that you didn't let that ruin your day!

I wish you and your husband a long and blessed marriage. Best wishes!

---

Thanks, Sasha! You are so sweet!

Re: Oct. 9th Wedding review (w/ 12th night proofs)

Thanks Ladies!!!

Re: Oct. 9th Wedding review (w/ 12th night proofs)

Those are beautiful pictures and a fantastic review!

Re: Oct. 9th Wedding review (w/ 12th night proofs)

Absolutely beautiful. Congrats. Sorry you had drama with Verdi, but it seems that you made the best of it and didn't let it ruin your day. Again, you looked beautiful..

Re: Oct. 9th Wedding review (w/ 12th night proofs)

You know me..........still can't get through the first few photos before Such a beautiful moment when Will first saw you

So glad your day turned out so beautiful despite the nonsense with the hall

Re: Oct. 9th Wedding review (w/ 12th night proofs)

LOVE the pic where DH sees you for the first time; what a touching photo. You really looked beautiful and I'm sorry you had issues with your hall. You all look stunning. Congrats!

Re: Oct. 9th Wedding review (w/ 12th night proofs)

Gorgeous pics! Sorry about Verdi's, but glad that you seemed to have a great day nonetheless!

Re: Oct. 9th Wedding review (w/ 12th night proofs)

you look gorgeous, the pictures came out beautiful. The whole reception looked wonderful. congrats on your wedding.

Re: Oct. 9th Wedding review (w/ 12th night proofs)