The Brides' Review - My 11/27/04 Review-Added a few pics

Stacey04 Posted: Feb 10, 2005 11:20 AM

My 11/27/04 Review-Added a few pics

Here is my review, sorry for any delays. Any questions about anything, please FM me. Let me know if I forgot anything.

We’ll start with the before the day vendors.

Netbride.com – Bridesmaid dresses
We got Bill Levkoff dresses, and my girls probably saved between $50-75. They got measured, and I ordered the dresses according to the biggest measurement, like you are supposed to do. The girls were swimming in their dresses. I was annoyed about that. But a family member knows a seamstress, so they weren’t outragesouly charged to have them fixed, so that was okay at least, just a pain in the neck.

Bridal Reflections, Carle Place – My dress
I originally saw my dress in another store, but had not heard great things about the seamstresses there, and a friend of the family had recently got married and was very happy with the service at Bridal Reflections. My dress was more expensive then the other store, but when I told them I saw it cheaper, they gave it to me for that price.
My seamstress was Angela, she was very sweet, and did a good job. My dress was strapless and I am top heavy and wanted removable spaghetti straps added in case I was uncomfortable. I put them on right before the reception started, and one kept popping off. Finally I said forget it and just took them off. I loved the bustle I got, but we took a family photo about an hour into the reception and I sat on the floor, when I got up the person standing behind had been on my dress and ripped one of the loops for the bustle, so that had to be pinned, kind of often b/c the dress was heavy, after awhile, I said I don’t care anymore. (That was some details not about the store. LOL, but dress related nonetheless.)

Shoe Elegance – My shoes
They don’t have the biggest selection, but I found shoes I liked there, they were only $50, and they dye for free. They were pretty comfortable, but by the end of the night my feet did hurt some, but I think no matter what shoes you wear, they will hurt a little.

Barons, Tri County – My veil
Got my veil, it was $40, can’t really beat that, 2 tier, fingertip length, rolled cotton edging. Very pretty.

Favors – Follow Your Heart
Kathy is so sweet! She was very helpful, and when I got the favors, we talked for about an hour! We gave the marble cheese plate and knife. She had the best price around, and believe me, I got around. As far as I know, everyone loved them, it was a little different, and I guess useful for some.

Stacey04 Posted: Feb 10, 2005 11:22 AM

Re: My 11/27/04 Review

Invitations: Precious Collection
I ordered the invitations on-line, had no problems, got a sample in the mail before I ordered. Then saw a proof before they printed them all. They were perfect, and not too much money. I think the total was about $330 for 150 invitations, reception cards and response cards, also inner envelopes.

Calligraphy – Stacey04
I did all my inner and outer envelopes on my computer, return addresses and all. I must say I think they came out really nice, I used a beautiful font (tried to match it to my invitation font) and probably only computer savvy people would know they were done on the computer. Maybe I will do that on the side!! FM if you want to see a sample or details! LOL

Hair - Diana
She is a new vendor here, recommended by me, she is my husbands aunt! She did my hair and my girls, she really is very talented and so sweet and down to earth. Even if she wasn’t a family member, I would definitely go to her. Loved my hair, wanted something simple, but elegant, she will listen to what you want, and if you bring her a picture, you will get that.

Make-up – Tina
Aunt Diana recommended me to her, she did a great job. She was very sweet and listened to how I wanted to look.

Spotlight Photo and Video
We used Dan the photographer from Spotlight, he was really great. He was recommended to us by friends that used him. Got our proofs back as soon as we came home from the honeymoon they were ready. We have about 400-500 (I think, maybe more) film shots and about 250 digital shots. I was very, very happy with my proofs and am having a hard time picking pics for the album. There were a few shots missed, but that is more my fault b/c I didn’t tell him I wanted them, and did not think of it that day.

Vinnie, the owner of Spotlight Video, was our videographer. He was great also. They both just had great personalities. Haven’t seen our video yet. But he was great to work with.

Stacey04 Posted: Feb 10, 2005 11:23 AM

Re: My 11/27/04 Review

Royalty Limos
We got a Lincoln to take the guys to the church and drop them off, and a 1931 Plymouth for me and my parents, then a 14 passenger Lincoln to take the BP. I was a little worried about me and DH fitting in the Plymouth, with my dress and all, but it was what he wanted and it was fine, we had plenty of room. The drivers for all the cars were so nice and all the cars were clean and on time. They had the champagne for us when we got to the place to take pics.

Tuxedos – DiRe Formalwear
This place is next to Royalty Limos. They give you a 10% (I think that’s how much) off the top of the tuxes if you get your limos at Royalty. The guy there, Manny I believe, was so nice and helpful. DH’s was free, and we were also entitled to a second free one, but instead of getting a second, we were able to make everyone elses about $20 cheaper. I think that was a good way to go. DH had no problem picking it up, he and his BM picked up theirs a day earlier than you are supposed to, b/c with Thanksgiving and all, he wanted to have it before the day before the wedding.

Flowers by Freyhammer
They are my local florist, have always gone to them, found them to give me the best price. I had my own vases, paid $2 a piece, there were leftover favors from our E-party, so we used them. The CP’s were 2 bunches of white tulips, with a little filler. Bok’s were pink roses of all shades, Bout were white roses. I was very happy with my CP’s. Exactly what I wanted simple and elegant. When I look at the pics of the tables now, sometimes I think maybe I should have gone a little bigger, but they were pretty and I didn’t want anything huge.

Votive Candles – Ikea and Cudge.net
Got the votive holders from Ikea, they were I think 4 for $2. Go the votive candles from www.cudge.net, they were about $10 for a case of 72.

Grooms Cake – Chalet Pastry Shop, Great Neck
I got a grooms cake for my DH, b/c it was his birthday. It was a surprise, the band sang happy birthday to him, then they brought the cake out! It was great!!! They made a baseball shape cake with the Yankee emblem on it, happy birthday, with candles too. It came out really great. Soon after we got to Leonards our matri’d was going over a few things with me and she said, so you have 2 cakes, and I said no only one, then mouthed to her that it was a surprise. My MOH told me that DH said to her no, but we’ll take 2 cakes, LOL.

Band: Code Bleu from Skyline Orchestras
We went to a showcase for Code Bleu and knew right away that we wanted them. They are reasonably priced considering their talent. We actually made sure the band was available when we went to book the hall. Everyone raved about them, and I think they were just a pleasure to work with.

Church: St. Joachim’s in Cedarhurst
The priest is so nice there. DH’s aunt belonged to that church (who passed away) and that is the main reason we had it there. The church is a small one compared to others and I had both my parents walk me down. The aisle was a little small, so that was kind of a problem. First my dad stepped on my dress, at least twice, then my mom, and I didn’t like the sound it made, so I kind just left them in the dust. I felt bad, and I’m sure it looked funny, but I didn’t want to wind up with my boobs sticking out or something. LOL.

Leonards
We had a very good experience booking with Leonards. Our banquet manager was very nice. I was a little worried about there being another bride or 2, but I asked when we booked if the room next to us was booked and they said it was a sweet sixteen, so I didn’t care. I didn’t see any other brides while there. Our CH was on the first floor, and as far as I know everyone said the food was amazing. DH and I did attend the cocktail hour to say hello to everyone so we wouldn’t have to do it during the reception. Our Matrie’d and bridal attendant were really great.

The bridal attedant followed us around while we were taking pics to give us drinks or anything else we wanted. She even carried my lipstick around b/c of all the kissing (and wine drinking), I kept needing to reapply.

They took us from the cocktail hour about 10 minutes before it was over, and we hung out in the bridal suite for about 20 minutes until everyone was in the room so we could make our entrance.

Only DH and I made the “grand entrance”. I think it was so much nicer this way. I know people do it to honor their BP and parents. My dad was so relieved that he didn’t have to do it.

The room was really beautiful, basically just as I had pictured it would be. I don’t remember what salad we had, but I remember it being good. The dinner was excellent also. They served DH and I first, which was great b/c when we were done eating, we went to the bridal suite for a breath, then we walked around a little and talked to people.
Leonards also did the cake, they did a great job, I just wanted a plain one with the fondant, so it would look nicer, then had the florist put some flowers on it.

Honeymoon – St. Lucia and Antigua
Dh and I stayed in Sandals St. Lucia Grande Hotel. It was really nice. We were there for 4 nights/5 days, but by the time we got there, and had to check out we really only had 3 full days. But we loved it, we got basically a regular room there because we would be there a short amount of time, but it was great. We were in the perfect spot, close to lobby, bars, beach. Loved it. I also liked that you could go to the other Sandals resorts to have dinner or whatever else you want to do there. We were only able to go to one of the other restaurants, aside from the ones in our hotel, b/c they were already booked.
The island itself is so beautiful, but we didn’t do any of the adventures, we just wanted to lay in the sun and drink Mudslides. LOL I think this hotel was really wonderful and all we wanted, I would definitely recommend going here.

Sandals Antigua
The Sandals resort was okay. They call it a village and I didn’t realize why. There are small 2 or 3 level buildings, with about 20 or so rooms in each, scattered over the property. DH and I got the Honeymoon room there b/c we would be there for 6 days. Well, although this room was beautiful, it was the furthest away from everything, and after being in St. Lucia where everything was at our fingertips, it was an adjustment. (We were lazy)
We did have a pool right outside our room, but the pool with the bar was kind of on the small side.
The water in Antigua is actually bluer and clearer than the water in St. Lucia. We did a “shopping” day trip, and went into the little town, they had a casino there, and a place where the cruise ships dock, although there weren’t any while we were there. I would definitely recommend going to Antigua, just not the Sandals resort there.