DREAMS REALLY DO COME TRUE...My June 9, 2006 REVIEW of VILLA LOMBARDI'S, TimeXposures, Timeless Treasures, LA Blossom, Big Hits, Sir Oliver, Inkspun, Finishing Touch and More..(Updated w/ Pro-Pics)

My Wedding was the BEST DAY of my LIFE, at least so far!
All the stress of Planning was ALL worth it. At the end it came all together to be a dream come true.

Let me start off with
LI Weddings
There is not even a grade high enough. I can't thank Ron and Liz enough for creating such a FANTASTIC site. If it wasn't for LI Weddings my dream wedding wouldn't have been what it was. Being able to get ideas from others and getting help from such great people, made me discover most of my incredible vendors. This site is beyond FANTASTIC and the people on it are too.

Save the Dates
Invitationlane.com........A+
I found this site from LIW. I did a search for STD's and this was one of the websites that came up. I skimmed through the site until I came across the 'Diva Couple' magnet. I really LOVED it! Simple yet Elegant. I ordered them directly online and they arrived within a week.





Invitations
Invitationswithstyle.com...A
I found this website by accident. I googled wedding invitations and Invitations with style came up. When I came across 'Two Hearts One Love', I ordered a sample. I Loved it as well as DH. I went through the site to complete the order. They sent me a proof (which I paid extra for) online before they were printed. I was also communicating with them via phone. The completed invitations arrived within 2 weeks. They were beautiful and I felt very secure ordering from their website.


Rehearsal Dinner
Irish Coffee Pub...B+
We decided to have it at the Irish Coffe Pub since my sister and BIL had their rehearsal dinner there and we enjoyed it.
We had our reservation for 8:00pm, on the Wednesday before the wedding. Well, we arrived a little late (8:15 pm) and the room was not ready yet. When I first entered the room, the first thing I noticed was how the tables were set up. I wasn't too happy! The way it was set up everyone couldn't see eachother to talk. I guess this was my fault since when I booked it there, I never specified how I wanted the tables. I figured since it was the same room as my sister, it would be set up the same way. Don't Figure!
The service was slow. It was very busy that night but I think the service could have been better. The food was very good. There were no complaints there. Overall, we had a Great time. I didn't let those other things bother me.

Mother Nature A+
The week of the wedding I kept watching the news for the weather. First, the forcast called for sunny skies. Then it changed to rain. Once I heard rain I was addicted to watching the news for the weather. As the day got closer, the forcast still called for rain. I was so upset.
I new I had no control over the weather and kept telling myself, 'My wedding will be Amazing, regardless of the weather'. I just kept praying it wouldn't rain until after we took all our pics.
Well, the day of the wedding it turned out to be BEAUTIFUL!! While my girls and I were getting our hair done, I kept seeing dark clouds overhead. Which got me nervous! But, the weather held up for us. It actually got sunny and hot. I was told by some of our guests that it was raining out east and more out west, but it seemed to hold up where we were.
It did rain during our reception at night. But, by that time I didn't care. Plus, rain on your wedding day is Good Luck!!

Hair/Makeup
'All For You' Day Spa (LI Weddings Vendor) A+
I want to THANK Kelly (WaterSpout) for recommending them to me. She said, that I would be in good hands and she was Right!
When I went for my hair trial, I really liked how my hair came out. I showed a picture of how I wanted my hair and she copied it beautifully. The same day I received a make-up trial. I thought it came out nice but I honestly didn't love it. However, I did book them on the spot. I was very happy with them, they were all so nice. They were also located pretty close to my home, which was great too.
By booking 'All For You' was a Great decision. The morning of the wedding, they ALL made me feel so calm. I felt like I new all of them forever. We talked about so many things (not just wedding related). It was a GREAT way to start off my wedding day.
My hair came out Beautiful and my make-up came out Gorgeous. It was just the perfect morning for my perfect day.

Church
St. Ann's
Like everyone always says,'I can't rate a church'. But, I can tell you how much I LOVE it there. I received so many compliments. Father Dan whom married us was Wonderful through the whole wedding process. During, the hands ceremony he actually started to choke up. Which of course made me cry even more. It was Fantastic the whole Full Mass.

Videographer
Ray@Timeless Treasures..(LI Weddings Vendor) A+
I Loved Ray from the moment I met him. He was so nice and I felt so comfortable talking with him. I booked him on the spot.
The day of the wedding he was at my house on time. He was actually waiting for me to arrive home from getting my hair/make-up done.
I'm sure my video will be Fantastic, I can't wait to see it. I totally Recommend him!!!!!

Photographer
TimeXposures(LI Weddings Vendor) A+
When I booked Jon from TimeXposures he wasn't a LIW vendor yet.
I chose Jon because when I first saw his work it was from a member on LIW (woodtobe) I saw her album and was in awe. Then chatting with other members on LIW (Mrs.Z and LaceyandMark) whom booked him, I made an appointment.
My first meeting with Jon was Great. He was a down to earth guy and his work was AMAZING!!
I just Love his digital albums. We booked him on the spot.
The day of the wedding he was on time with his lightning assistant. His lightning asst Lynn was Excellent! She kept helping me with so much. She was like having a DOC. They were both Great all day and all night!
My gorgeous proofs were done in LESS than a week. I received a message while on my HM that they were done. Wow, Talk about Fast!!
Highly Recommend!!!!!


Florist
LA Blossom (LIW Vendor) A+
When I was searching for a florist I got in touch with Laurie. At this time she was not doing good because she had been having problems with her leg. Well, I didn't know if I should go with another Florist, since I wasn't sure how long it would be before Laurie was back to her business. All I can say is I'm so glad I waited. She is FANTASTIC!!!
She is such a sweet person and is so creative. My Flowers were Gorgeous. Simply Gorgeous!!
I got so many compliments on my Bok. Laurie also changed my pew bows. When I gave her my original bows to be put up at my church, I mentioned to her I wasn't happy with them. They looked so small but decided to use them anyways.
Well, when I entered my church, that was one of the first things I noticed. They looked Beautiful!
So, THANK YOU LAURIE, that was so sweet of you. I highly Recommend Her!!!!

Limos
Sir Oliver (LIW Vendor) A+
They are GREAT!!!!!! From the first day I booked them to my wedding. I met with Jen when I booked them, she was so nice.
The day of the wedding my drivers were AMAZING!!
Joe, our driver for the Rolls was the Best!! I never seen a driver this good in my whole life. He was always looking to help me any way he could. He held my Bok so I could drink water, which he gave me. He held my little pocketbook so I could hold up my dress. I could go on and on. He was just phenominal! The driver for my bridal party was also great. My BP told me he was awesome. I really felt like Royalty. I Highly Recommend Them!
There was only one thing that didn't work out good. It had nothing to do with my drivers from the day of. I reserved with Sir Oliver for a pick up after the wedding and no one ever showed up. That was a little disappointing but my drivers from the Day made me totally overlook it.

DJ
Big Hits....A
They were recommended from Villa Lombardi's. I first saw them at a showcase and thought they were very entertaining.
The day of the wedding they were really good, I even got compliments.
I asked them to play a variety of music, especially Italian music. Most of DH's family come from Italy and we had OOT's from their too. I wanted them to enjoy themselves and at least understand some of the music. Well, they did what I asked and they were a Big Hit. It was a Great Time with Great Music! Totally Recommend!!

Macy's
(Smithhaven Mall & Manhasset) A
Wedding Gown and Bridesmaid gowns
I wore a Maggie Sottero (Felicity) gown and my girls wore Bill Levkoff dresses.
Overall, everything went smoothly. My seamstress Rosalie was Wonderful! She was a cute little Italian lady.
My girls had no Problems. My SIL got her fittings done in the Manhasset Macy's, since she lives closer to that location. She told me they were Great!
The only thing that was a P.I.T.A , was that you have to pay your final payment before they even touch your dress for alterations. I really had no dress stress from Macy's (thank god!) Everything worked out!



Tiara
(www.bridalfashionmall.com) A+
When I was searching for a Head piece I didn't want anything too big. Everytime I would try on tiaras they would look silly on me. They always seemed too big. Then one day on LIW's Hollie (hmpena) posted about bridalfashionmall.com. So, I went to go check out the site and came across a bridal comb, which looked like a tiara.
I thought it would go perfect with my gown, so I ordered it. When it arrived I LOVED it! I ordered it directly online and it came within a week or so.
Thanks Hollie!!
http://www.liweddings.com/mywedding/album/i/61497.jpg
http://www.liweddings.com/mywedding/album/i/61487.jpg

Veil
(My Something Borrowed)
Thanks to my good friend and BM Donna, I borrowed her veil. She got married last yr and I thought it was BEAUTIFUL!!!! It had rhinestones along the edging which matched my gown and bridal comb beautifully!!!

Shoes
(Shoebuy.com) A+
Another thing I ordered online and was recommended to this site by Cindy (SweetCin).
I really wanted something with a platform. I really like platform shoes, even though they are really not in style anymore. I find them much more comfortable. They were white with an open-toe. Very simple. The service was Great with very fast delivery.

Wedding Bands
(Macy's and Kay Jewelers in Westfield Mall) A+
We got my wedding band at Macy's and DH's band in Kay's. We had a GREAT experience with both of these places.





Favors
Wrapwithus.com (LIW Vendor) A+
I ordered my favors online and when they were ready I received a call from them to pick them up at their store. I wanted a favor that would be useful. So, we decided on a coffee scoop and a package of coffee which said 'The Perfect Blend' with our names and date on it. I thought they were so cute and loved them more when I saw them. I LOVE wrapwithus. It's a great store to check out. They have so much besides favors. Totally Recommend!!!


I also wanted to add Jordanalmondflowers.com since that was part of our favors. A+
I ordered jordan almonds from them in shape of a flower. LOVED THEM!!! I thought they were so different. I also ordered the poem that explain what each of the 5 almonds stand for. A little pricey, especially since I ordered them already made. But, well worth it!!!



The poem:
Five sugared almonds for each guest to eat, to remind us that life is both bitter and sweet. Five wishes for the new husband and wife: Health, Wealth, Happiness, Children and Long Life!


Inkspun
B+
I used Bill @Inkspun for my inner and outer envelopes. I thought Bill was very nice. He even called me to ask if I wanted silver print so it would match my return address ink. When I received my envelopes they looked Beautiful!!! They matched my return address print and ink beautifully. There were only 2 mistakes but nothing too noticeable.

Chair Covers
Finishing Touch (LIW Vendor) A+
They were Great!!!!I never even had to go to their office. I new exactly what type of chair covers I wanted, so I just them an emails with pics. I also corresponded with them via phone. They were so nice. My room looked GORGEOUS!!!! Highly Recommend.
Here are pics of what our table and chairs looked like, excluding the centerpiece.




Tuxes
Men's Warehouse (Patchogue & Plainview) B+
We chose Men's Warehouse because of convience. The guys didn't all have to go to the same store to get fitted. It was much easier and everything ran smoothly. They only problen that arose was, the asst manger in the Patchogue store promised me 10% off of the guy's tuxes. All, I had to do was call her with the promo code from the online coupon. Well, when they went to pick them up it wasn't taken off. That was annoying!!
Well, at the end the percentage was taken off. I'm not sure if it was from them hearing me yelling over the phone as I was speaking to my brother. Whatever it was, it worked out! The tuxes fit great!!

Bridal Attendant Gifts
ThingsRemembered (Westfield Mall..Bayshore and Smith Haven) A+, B
and 'In Style' (Smith Haven Mall) small store in the middle of the mall. A+
At 'In Style' I bought my girls necklaces and earrings sets. They had lots to choose from and really nice stuff. Excellent Service!!
At ThingsRemembered in the Bayshore mall I bought all the GM gifts and parent gifts. Excellent service and the lady that works there is so friendly and nice. I went to the Smith Haven ThingsRemembered first, which I purchased my girls photo albums with their names engraved. I Loved the albums but I don't think the service is half as good as the Bayshore Mall.

I wanted to Save the BEST FOR LAST before I do my TA and HM review:

VILLA LOMBARDI'S A+
AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Villa Lombardi's was not even on our list of halls to check out. My friend kept telling me to just go to take a look. So, I did.
I thought it was really nice when I first entered. But, once I saw the cocktail hour room, I was in LOVE! It was GORGEOUS!!!! I new from that moment, this is the place.
Villa Lombardi's was Phenominal, from the service to the food. They make you feel like your in a storybook wedding. Anything you need they are right there to get. This is not only for the bride and groom but for your guests too. You get up they fix your napkin, they get you a new drink before you are even finished with the one you have. I kept hearing from my guests how fantastic everything was. Some said,'That they never seen a cocktail hour have that much food'. They were amazed with the Full Vienesse Hour, which I may add my guests kept raving about.
Our Maitre' D Kathy was Fantastic, from the moment we walked in, to the very end. Anytime I would tell her her anything, she was right on it. She had everything packed up for me at the end of the night. She even loaded up my parents car.
Our guests are still talking about Villa Lombardi's and I think they will for years. This place is not only gorgeous, but the service is Impeccable. It is worth every penny you pay. For Future Villa Brides, ABSOLUTELY nothing to worry about, they take care of everything!!!!!!!!!
Here is a pic of Villa's lobby, before it was renovated:



What it looks like after being renovated, What it looks like now...


The cocktail hr room:



Here's some pics of our wedding, I'm sorry that they are only unprofessional pics. I have my proofs but need to get them scanned. I don't have a scanner. But, as soon as I scan my Proofs, I will Update my Review. I hope you enjoyed reading my Review. If you have any questions at ALL, please do not hesitate to send me FM.

Thanks Everyone!!!!

Cont 'd

Wanted to put my Travel agent and HM review separate:

Travel Agent
Leslie@Travel Solutions...(LIW Vendor) A+

Leslie was wonderful through the whole HM process. She was sooo helpful and patient. I would send her email with questions and she would reply very quickly. Leslie is also a Sandal's Specialist. She was GREAT to work with.
She also called DH and I up at the our hotel room the first night we arrived. She wanted to make sure everything was fine. How Sweet is that?
Totally Recommend!!!

Honeymoon
Sandals in the Bahamas.....

We wanted to go somewhere that had blue water. Especially, since I have never experienced anywhere like that. We also wanted to go to a place that had a short plane ride.
So, we decided on the Sandals in the Bahamas. We booked a HM Concierge Room with an Ocean View.
When we arrived at the resort we had to wait a bit to go to our room. While we waited they passed around champagne. Which I thought was a nice touch.
Our room was nice, very clean. We had a mini bar that was filled up daily. Our View from our Balcony was Beautiful!! It was so relaxing!
The beach at Sandals were Gorgeous, white sandy beaches and turquiose water. We LOVED it!! They had 2 pools. The main pool had live music, which was really cool. The other was a little more secluded.
During out HM we went to the straw market, which is down town and it's only $1.00 to get there from bus. The bus stops right outside the resort. Loved the straw market. We thought it was so much fun. You can really get some great deals. You need to be a fast talker. Talk them down, it works!
We also visited Atlantis, on Paradise Island. I always wanted to go there. It was very nice, but extremely expensive. DH bought 2 slices of pizza and a drink and it came to $17.00.
A bottle of water was $5.00. Also, as a visitor you are not allowed to use their pools or beaches.
But, other than that the aquarium is nice. It is definitely worth seeing.
Sandals also has a private Island called Sandals Cay. It's free to take a boat over for everyone that is staying at Sandals. I honestly, thought the Island would be better. I have heard such Great things about it. I was anticipating it to be Fantastic!!!
The water wasn't as clear as it was over at Sandals. It may of been from the weather that day. It was a bit cloudy out. I learned from a Bahamian lady on the plane that, If there are clouds out, the water is not as nice. She was Totally Right!!!!
You should definitle go and check the island out if you are there. It was a nice 10 min boat ride.
Dh and I went jet sking while at Sandals. It wasn't part of our All-Inclusive, since it's a motorized water sport. But, it was worth paying for. Soooo much Fun!!!!!!!!!!
Now, on to the negative.
The first 3 days I was sick. I don't know if it was the food or the water not agreeing with me. I thought at first it was just me, since I have a weak stomach to begin with. But, on the second day DH (who has a rock stomach) got sick. He recovered quickly and was fine. I stopped drinking their ice and stuck with bottle water. Oh, and I didn't eat any of their fruits or vegetables. I did have there mixed drinks. Which they use ice for, but I couldn't help myself.
I seemed to be sick only at night, so It didn't ruin any of my day activites.
I really don't know what it was. My stomach was basically sick the whole time I was there. But, It was tolerated easier after the 3rd day.
Another thing with Sandals I wasn't happy with was their restuarant hours. You never seem to know when a restuarant was open. It would be open one night, then be closed for the next two.
We did receive a list of restuarants but didn't have their hours of operation. That was Completely Annoying!!!
Even when we asked our Concierge for hours, they would say one was open but when we got there it would be closed.
Last negative thing was we were not allowed to get room service unless you were in a higher suite. Which I thought was ridiculous. We could only get room service for breakfast. They left you a list in your room of what you could order for breakfast and what time you wanted it to arrive.
Besides the negative things I mentioned, We had a GREAT time!!!
All the workers at the resort are really friendly.
It was a FUN HM!!!


Restuarants I recommend are:
Spices--Great Breakfast
Casanova's--Italian Cuisine. Good place for dinner. Have to dress up.
Royal Cafe--Great for Lunch or snacks. Dinner is good there too. You eat outside.
The Crystal Room--Reservations Required.
Fancy and Great Service! Need to dress up.

One last thing, you must try the Hummingbird. I have never heard of it and I'm not sure if you can get it at other tropical Islands. But, this mixed drink is soooooo Yummy!!! You have to try it.

Here are some HM pics:

We are getting drinks, no it's not a Hummingbird it's a Bahama Mama:


At the Straw Market:


Look!! There is fish in the water swimming with me.


This is at Sandals:


One of the pools:


View from Balcony:



Atlantis:



Us at Atlantis:


In the Aquarium at Atlantis:






There are a few more HM pics in my album.

GREAT review Michele. You know I waited for it.
It sounds as though everything was perfect. I am happy for you. Congrats. You and DH look so nice and relaxed.

Everything looked beautiful!! I am so glad you had such an amazing day. I love your dress and the BM dresses. The center pieces were adorable and everything just semmed to fit together so nicely. Congratulations!

Awesome review!!!!!!!! You looked awesome! I love your dress!!!!!!!! I have never seen almonds in a flower shape like that! I want to redo my favors now.

I'm so glad All For You worked out for you too! Weren't they absolute dolls? They calmed me too on my wedding day.

If you need a scanner, I'm not too far away! In fact, I won this scanner through LIW, so it should be used by more brides. Let me know! I really mean it.

We were going to go to Sandals in the Bahamas, as it was our first choice. But since we're both meteorologists we found out it had a chance to be a bit chilly for our honeymoon. We want to go there! Don't you love the swim up bars?!?!?! I was speechless on our honeymoon.

We're both married!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats Michelle!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for the honest review if the Sandals resort! I'm learning from you and will speak with Leslie about what you pointed out!

Congrats again!!!!!!!!!! You're married!!!!!!!!!!

AWESOME Review ~ you look so beautiful! Congratulations!

Great review! Congrats!

congrats! You looked beautiful

Wonderful review! You looked beautiful!

beautiful! Congrats

thanks for the review and the pics...I love the color of the bridesmaids dresses

you look absolutely amazing

you looked beautiful! good to see you loved all your vendors, especially timexposures nice review for the honeymoon, the bahamas is awesome!

Congrats, fellow Villa bride! You looked absolutely LOVELY!!!!