Cassarino's vs Patken

My opinion is that Cassarino is overpriced. Yes they are good, buy you can get just as good work for less money. I recommend Rich O'Connor in Massapequa. He does all the work himself, and what I have seen Is really nice and the price is reasonable.

Hi Kate,

Thanks for your response. I was afraid that you were talking about Adriennes! I hope I don't run into any probles; they seemed very nice and the place is beautiful, but I didn't find my gown until 8 months before my wedding, so I am concerned about their timing. Plus, I couldn't find the gown of my dreams, so I fell in love with the bottom of one, and she's going to make special poet sleeves and re-shape the neckline for me - I just hope they don't try to pull a fast one! I had heard one other complaint about Adrienne's, with regard to timing, but I felt like they cared about my dress as much as I did, so I ignored it! I guess I should call and check - I'm getting married in November, and I ordered the dress in Feb. How long did your gown take to come in? They told me 6-8 months, and I really only had 8 1/2 months, so I told her I need it in 6 for sure, especially so they could do my alterations! I feel like time is slipping away from me !!! I'm glad everything turned out OK, I will keep on top of them now for sure!! I also fit the sample gown I tried on.... Thanks again! Becky

Susan, I used them for both video and photography and was v. pleased. I interviewed 4 different shops before choosing them and found their prices to be comparable and quality good. Moreover, their basic video is considered a deluxe at most other shops. And because my wedding was in March (off season), they took 10% off of both packages.

They took 240 shots at my wedding. Rob A was our photographer, Jerry our video guy. I'd definately hire again. Good luck!

Thanks for your response. I was afraid that you were talking about Adriennes! I hope I don't run into any probles; they seemed very nice and the place is beautiful, but I didn't find my gown until 8 months before my wedding, so I am concerned about their timing. Plus, I couldn't find the gown of my dreams, so I fell in love with the bottom of one, and she's going to make special poet sleeves and re-shape the neckline for me - I just hope they don't try to pull a fast one! I had heard one other complaint about Adrienne's, with regard to timing, but I felt like they cared about my dress as much as I did, so I ignored it! I guess I should call and check - I'm getting married in November, and I ordered the dress in Feb. How long did your gown take to come in? They told me 6-8 months, and I really only had 8 1/2 months, so I told her I need it in 6 for sure, especially so they could do my alterations! I feel like time is slipping away from me !!! I'm glad everything turned out OK, I will keep on top of them now for sure!! I also fit the sample gown I tried on.... Thanks again! Becky

We didnt go with Cassarinos b/c we went with a photog that my fiancee knew well but this is true re: the video. Their $1300 video was $1700-$1800 elsewhere that we looked. RE: photos, one thing I didnt care for with them was that it seemed you had to pay extra for alot of things that were included in the one we went with (Wright Studios in Queens) like converting to B&W and it was $55 per pic for colorizing the bouquet in the B&W pics. and they said they take a minimum of 150 pics (my place does 250 min). Im glad to hear what Karen said about the 240 pics taken at her wedding. They do have a good rep though, I grew up in Whitestone so I knew of them for years. Good luck.

I went to a girlfriend's wedding this weekend, and they did something so cute, I HAD to share with you ladies.

We just booked Patken this weekend, and are very pleased. I too also went to the Mineola office, and it was busy but I think that's where brides pick up their proofs. So we went to the Lindenhurst office and Tammie there was a sweetheart. We got to look through each photographers own book and select the one we wanted. When we compared a similar package with Cassarino, we saved almost $800. We definetly got a lot of pics for the money, and she threw a lot of extras (B&W at no charge). Personally, I like Patken's style a lot more.

I went to a girlfriend's wedding this weekend, and they did something so cute, I HAD to share with you ladies.

In interviewed Wright as well! Honestly, the only reason I didn't go with them was b/c all the photographers whose work I liked weren't available on my wedding day. And I wasn't thrilled w/their video.....But I love all the backdrops in their studio :o)

I was married in St. Andrews on March 25th and went to school there as a child. Where did you go to school? Where are you getting married?

How wonderful - I didn't know anyone else who knew them too!

We havent booked a videographer yet. We are not using them for that, we thought they were expensive by a couple hundred $$. So we are still looking but truthfully I havent been looking at anything wedding lately, We are going on vacation in 11 days so when we come back, we are going to go full steam ahead. Karen, we spoke before (via email)-you were kind enough to share a few of your photos from Milleridge. We are having the reception at the Cottage on March 17th. I know St Andrews church. I grew up in Whitestone but I live in Forest Hills now. My fiancee grew up in Bayside. We are having the ceremony at St Kevins, he went to school there. We are having Paul the owner of Wright do our photos. We got to meet him. Also they have done weddings for a few of his family members and friends so we had some really good feedback on them already. How is married life? Im glad you are sharing some of your experience with we brides who have yet to see how it all works out.

Have the dinner beforehand, or just have desert (cake/coffee) afterwards since a full dinner that late may be too heavy before bedtime :-)

Sorry for not remembering our email exchanges.
:o(

A thousand apologies. Honestly? Most things before and immediately after the wedding are a big blur. I'm only now just starting to get in touch with life again. I'm usually a real sharp cookie and the wedding thing just made me dizzy! Much to the happiness of my friends, my husband and my employer, I am back on track.

Hi Sue!

Good luck with your search. I was very impressed with Patken's professinalism as well as how honest they were with pricing and how to get the most for your money. They really showed us ways to save and was able to make a custom package to our needs. We booked reight on the spot. I am a picture person and decided that I'd rather get a bigger photo package than a video. I didn't even look at theirs though. Patken's style was more for us then the "posed" look of some other places.

I'm so glad we already had vacation planned before the whirlwind of engagement/wedding plans began. We probably would have not done it so we could save the money but I am so very much looking forward to it - San Francisco, Redwood Forest & Yosemite. It is good to hear additional nice comments about Paul & Wright Studios . Yes, Pat is wonderful, she was so helpful and really threw in additional stuff. When it came to being iffy on their video (the price was kind of high), Paul said he could work with any videographer so he wasnt pushing their services on us and also regarding getting the negatives, Pat said we could have them do reprints or we could get them done elsewhere. You dont always hear comments like that these days. I like your glowing endorsement of marriage...very nice. Afterall, that's what this is REALLY about. I have been trying not to feel "crazed" with plans because loving and marrying my boyfriend (oop's -"fiancee") is the gift here and I try to never lose sight of that in all the planning. Thanks for your kind words. Did you use the Milleridge florist? How was the bakery with the cake planning? (I may have asked you this before)

I have stressed this to the banquet manager and also to the person with whom we set menus. I tend to get light headed in the heat...or in stress(great, huh?) so I need to make sure I eat.

E, I upgraded my centerpieces from a 1/2 dozen to a full dozen white. They were so beautiful - each table was nicer than the next. And it only cost another $15 per table to upgrade (my table upgrade was included in the ** package). The arrangements in the bathrooms and bridal suites were also very creative and colorful. I was expecting daisies and carnations and was given irises, tulips and roses! In wonderful colors!

One thing I learned - when I upgraded, I dealt directly w/the florist, not the banquet office. That way I was able to charge the upgrade on my Visa instead of paying cash through the banquet office. Just a tip!

I never met w/the bakery b/c I found a picture of a cake that I liked and gave it to Tiffany. She did the rest. We had a devils food cake w/fudge filling and ivory icing. YUM!!! I was so busy that night that I almost left w/o tasting it - but a grabbed a forkful on the way out the door!

Hi Susan & Andrea,

I LOVE that picture of th groom kissing the bride's neck!