Bourne Mansion Review 8/28/04 (with pics)

Sorry I keep bumping this review, but I added some new vendor info and a new website that Spelman Studio's made for us. I also answered some questions people had about the vendors.


The Bourne Mansion:
A+++++++
I just want to say that the Bourne went above and beyond my wildest dreams. It was so beautiful! It was all picture perfect. We has Isais as our Maitre 'd, and he was very accommodating (yes, we asked and received 6 entrees and 3 6oz. lobster tails, thank you Peter Lessing!!) We could not have asked for a more fairy tale-like wedding, even if we tried. All Bourne Mansion brides, have no fear, they did a magnificant job. No detail was overlooked(and I asked for a lot to be done, I brought them 13 boxes of my personal belongings, pictures, candles, etc, to put out). The nets on the back lawn were not removed, but noone was down there except for me and my husband when we were looking at the plane.


Flower Michele:
A+++++ Once again, John outdid himself.
He made my dream centerpeice, (I searched high and low for the wrought iron tree centerpiece that I saw in a magazine, only to find it set up at his florist when I went for the interview) It looked magical, with the centerpieces lit up with hanging candles, and berries dripping off of the 'branches'. I now have approx. 25 dozen roses all over my house, because the DJ forgot (Opps...) to announce that everyone should take the centerpieces apart to take the flowers home. Oh well, more for me!!

Spelman Studios photography and video:
A+++++
What can I say, Christine and her crew have once again outdid themselves. I feel confident giving them this review before getting back the proofs because they have done an engagement photo shoot and have put our engagement party pictures into an album form for us. The quality of her work is outstanding and she is very detail oriented. And, she is like a personal wedding coordinator (a wealth of information, she recommended Flower Michelle and THIS website, for which I am forever grateful!) She made a signing board for our bridal party to sign on the matting, which is absolutely breathtaking. She is very highly recommended, please make sure to check her out before booking anyone else for your wedding. www.spelmanstudio.com

DJ Tommy Tunes
A: Joe played exactly what I wanted him to. No participation songs and geared towards the younger crowd. I was a bit nervous because we were unable to meet with Joe, our MC, prior to the wedding. And we had a few confusing things that we were requesting, and songs that are not well known. But he pulled through for everything. There were at least 30-50 people dancing at all times, and no one was hanging out outside in the back during the reception (my biggest fear, since a few brides from the bourne told me that they had all their guests in the back of the mansion after dinner because it was so beautiful out there. and it is, but every bride wants a rockin party.

NYPD Bagpiper Band:
A
A great last minute add-on. I was a bit hesitant, because I didnt want to bring down the party, but people were up dancing and clapping. One piper even got us up, and had us dance, with Roy wearing his hat, during one of the songs. It was great . Not too long, but got the party started. However, it was a bit pricey for the 15 minutes that they played.

Wedding Salon of Manhasset:
A+
So, the story of my dress...
I was looking through a home magazine years back, and stumble across a magnificant dress. So, I secretly tuck the pic away in my undie drawer (me, want to get married...never). but low and behold, 3 years later I get engaged. So, after 4 moves, I still had the pic. So, I call every store in the tristate area. It is a discontinued Lazaro dress. But, The Wedding Salon can order it. I tried it on, and fell in love (it was boxy and huge on me, but I didnt care). I ordered it, and Maria, the seamstress whipped up the most wonderful dress that fit me perfectly. She did such a great job. (After 6 fittings). She even gave me a chest!!


M & V limo's:
A
They were prompt for the wedding day. Had a bit of trouble with the best mans limo going to pick up his date. Drivers were great, and I didnt notice any major problems (Saturday was very hot and humid, so of course the AC wasnt cooling our groomsmen that have glandular sweating problems, but hey, It was almost 95degrees out.)

Jacqueline Nicole Make-up:
A++
I have never had my makeup professionally done, so I was nervous. And none of my BM's have either, and many of them are very particular of their makeup. They turned their noses up to having their makeup done by her. But...when they saw how mine came out they all asked her to do theirs too, which I thought was hillarious. I booked her for me and my mother in law. Jacqueline Nicole ended up doing 4 peoples make up. Look at the pics to see for yourself.

Gina from LI Wedding Planners
A+++
She was my peace of mind. she really did a great job coordinating the day. She also added the touches, like monogrammed toilet paper. Highly recommended. Plus, she was married at the bourne as well, so she knows the in's and out's of the place.

Veil from Tri-County: A
Very good job and affordable. Looks the same as higher priced veils, and had a small velcro strip so I could take the cathedral length off and wear the finger tip at the reception.

Plane with a sign:
A
Teddy
631-969-3598
www.nationalskyads.com
[email protected]
I will find out from my husband (giggle, still getting used to that!) who he used. It was a surprise for me. It flew for 20 minutes, coming back around many times. I believe it was $550. We even had Gina, our coordinator, call up to him while he was flying to come closer so we could read the sign better, and he did!!


St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church in Babylon:
Beautiful. They met with us many times, and Father Rich delivered the most beatiful homily. He did a nice job, even without the help of the deacon. They said no rose petals, but we did it anyway.

Dove Release :
WhiteWings NY Dove Releases
Macy 631-366-3122
http://www.whitewingsnydovereleases.com/
A+++
Brought the doves (carrier pigeons that fly back home). The handler gave us a reading to read before releasing them, and it was beatiful . Highly recommended.


Rehearsal Dinner
Palmers bar and grill: Plainview, NY
A+
Delicious, in one word. They set up the tables for 45 people in a big square, banquet style, in the middle of the resturaunt. And they went above and beyond our expectations (extra food, great service, yummy)

Cake and Grooms Cake
Audrey's Bakery: Sayville
A:
Did a great job on the groomscake . Perfectly what we asked for. Our wedding cake was almost what we asked for. It was a mosaic tile cake (off of brides.com). We gave a pic, and asked for burgandy, fuscia, and burnt orange colors, but got a pink and purple mixture. But, It was a lot of work and was absolutely beautiful.Plus, I was not organized enough to give him swatches of fabric to match, so my fault.

Bridal Tea:
Judy
[email protected]
At the MOH's house. I set up the backyard with my silver and china. I hung the drapes ffrom the awning. A woman, Judy, catered it. with a real english high tea menu. We had scones, clotted cream and jam, and finger sandwitches on a three tier platter. It was to die for.



Take a look at our website.


www.jeanineandroy.com