Brides Helping Brides ™ - Future Mulligan's E-PARTY REVIEW!

Future Mulligan Posted: Sep 20, 2007 09:48 AM

Future Mulligan's E-PARTY REVIEW!

Our Engagement Party was Sunday, September 16. I’ve seen so many wonderful and helpful reviews so I figured I’d do one as well – so here is Our Engagement Party review with some professional pictures – and don’t mind the proofs they are a little blurry. ENJOY!

Weather
B

The forecast called for a high of 68 degrees and sunny skies. I can’t really complain about the weather because it could have been much much worse. There could have been clouds and rain and it could have been A LOT colder BUT I was still worried that my guests and I would be freezing – especially since the low for the night was in the 50’s. It turned out to be okay – people brought sweaters and jackets. For those of us out on the dance floor it was perfect. Here and there I put my sweater on but for most of the night it was off and I was comfortable in my strapless dress. Mother Nature gets a B because I would have liked if it was just a little bit warmer.

Future Mulligan Posted: Sep 20, 2007 09:48 AM

Re: Future Mulligan's E-PARTY REVIEW!

Location: The Alice Austen House, Staten Island NY
A++++++++++++++++++

This is “OUR” spot. Since we first started dating we’ve been coming to the Alice Austen House – we come here so often that even our close family and friends know that it’s our hangout. We have seen beautiful outdoor weddings here during the summer months and we always thought it would be nice if we could do something similar. We decided it would be the perfect spot for our engagement party - especially since the spot is very sentimental to us. It’s right off the water with a great view of the NYC skyline and the Verrazano Bridge. The Alice Austen House charges a flat fee for the use of the grounds – all other aspects of the party must be done through outside vendors (or yourself ). Everyone thought that the location was amazing – especially since a lot of people didn’t even know that it existed. It’s one of Staten Island’s best kept secrets. The spot is beautiful and was the perfect back drop for our party. I am SO GLAD that we decided to have our party there!

Future Mulligan Posted: Sep 20, 2007 09:48 AM

Re: Future Mulligan's E-PARTY REVIEW!

Tent: Empire Tent Rentals:
A

We rented a 40’x40’ canopy, 12 tables, 90 chairs, linens, lighting, dinner plates, wine glasses and a 16’x16’ dance floor. Empire came and set up the tent and dance floor the night before the party – we had to set up all the tables, chairs, linens and place settings on our own which we did the day of the party. I had two small issues with Empire - the tables were small – they told us that they would fit 10-12 people but they really were more like 8 person tables. Luckily that was not a problem for us but it could have been. The second issue was that some of the chairs were a little dirty. I don’t think anyone noticed but while we were setting up we did see that some of the seats were dirty or stained.

Silverware: Dollar Store
A+

We got all of the stainless steel silverware from the dollar store – it was so much cheaper than renting it through the tent company. We threw the silverware in the dishwasher the night before and now we have silverware for 90 people that can be re-used.

Future Mulligan Posted: Sep 20, 2007 09:48 AM

Re: Future Mulligan's E-PARTY REVIEW!

Catering: Crown Palace, Staten Island NY
A+

We couldn’t decide on what kind of menu we wanted or what caterer to use and then one day it dawned on me – FH and I are Chinese Food Lovers – and that was how it was decided! We did a Chinese buffet and we got TONS of food for a great price. Our menu had 5 appetizers (steamed dumplings, spare ribs, chicken sate, egg rolls and fried wontons) and 7 entrees (general tso’s chicken, beef with mixed vegetables, sweet and sour pork, shrimp grand marnier, kung pao chicken, vegetable fried rice and roast pork lo mein). Crispy noodles, almond cookies, fortune cookies, chopsticks, a fresh fruit platter, jello and soda were also included. The food was delicious and there was TONS of it! We had so many leftovers that we were giving food away at the end of the party. We had 2 waiters from the restaurant which worked out really well – they went above and beyond – they were great!

Future Mulligan Posted: Sep 20, 2007 09:49 AM

Re: Future Mulligan's E-PARTY REVIEW!

DJ: Dash of Class/Jason Jani
A+

Our DJ was great. He did everything we asked – and he played really good music. He does a lot of his own mash ups and doesn’t just play off CD’s. He mixed new songs and old songs so almost everyone could dance and sing along – including our parents. He did everything from 70’s to hip hop. He was great and I can’t wait to see what he does for the wedding. Jason is my new favorite DJ – and he’s cute!

Invitations: Party City
A

We wanted to find the cheapest invitations possible and we did! We got them at Party City and printed them ourselves on the computer. They were easy to do ourselves and they saved us money. No complaints here.

Future Mulligan Posted: Sep 20, 2007 09:49 AM

Re: Future Mulligan's E-PARTY REVIEW!

Centerpieces/Decorations: Various Stores
A+

We did all the centerpieces/decorations ourselves. We got candles from National Wholesale Liquidators, Hurricane Vases and Tiki Torches from AC Moore, Votive Candles and Sea Glass from Michaels and Favors from Christmas Tree Shops. We set up everything ourselves and I think that the tables looked fantastic. I wanted a really romantic feel – so we bought lots and lots of candles and I think that it did just the trick.

Place Card Holders: I don’t remember!
A+

I can’t remember the name of the website that I ordered the fortune cookie place card holders from – but I will find it! They were a big hit and went with the whole Chinese Food theme. I thought that they were adorable and I loved them!

Future Mulligan Posted: Sep 20, 2007 09:49 AM

Re: Future Mulligan's E-PARTY REVIEW!

Cake: The Cake Chef, Staten Island NY
A+

We purchased a sheet cake from The Cake Chef – we picked vanilla cake with a vanilla custard & banana filling and butter cream icing. The cake was delicious. I am not a cake person and I ate two pieces of it – so it had to be good!

Photographer: Noelle P. Wilson
A+

I found Noelle from a Craigslist ad that was posted here on LIW. She was looking for people to photograph to start up her portfolio – so I contacted her and set up an engagement shoot. We were really happy with the pictures she took so we asked her if she would also like to shoot our engagement party. Not only is Noelle a sweetheart but she also has really reasonable prices. If you like her work you can check her out at NoellePWilson.com – you’ll probably see some of our pictures!

Future Mulligan Posted: Sep 20, 2007 09:50 AM

Re: Future Mulligan's E-PARTY REVIEW!

Airbush Tan: Naturally Bronze, Staten Island NY
A+

I always go to Mike at Naturally Bronze for an airbrush tan when I have an event to go to. He does a great job and like always I was extremely happy with the outcome.

Future Mulligan Posted: Sep 20, 2007 09:50 AM

Re: Future Mulligan's E-PARTY REVIEW!

Hair & Make Up: Salon Envy, Staten Island NY
B

My make up artist cancelled on me 3 days before my engagement party so needless to say I was pretty disappointed. A different artist did it and I wasn’t crazy about the way it came out. It didn’t come out bad – but I felt like I could have done it myself. I had to trim the false lashes she put on AND add more mascara to blend them into my own. I also added mascara and eyeliner to my bottom lashes. Thank God FH is as honest as he is – he made sure that I fixed up her work! After I was done with it, it looked much better. If it was the wedding I am sure I would have been upset with it – but for the engagement party it was fine. FH kept telling me that I looked great which helped. I was happy with my hair – she gave me what I asked for and it was fine. The curls were a little tighter than I expected but she told that they would drop – which they eventually did when the party was over – I think my hair looked the best at the very end of the party. I’m considering a similar hairstyle for the wedding. Overall they get a B.

Espo22 Posted: Sep 20, 2007 09:50 AM

Re: Future Mulligan's E-PARTY REVIEW!

WOW everything looks beautiful, what a great location

Future Mulligan Posted: Sep 20, 2007 09:50 AM

Re: Future Mulligan's E-PARTY REVIEW!

FH and FIL’s
A++++++++++++++++++

We could not have had this party without the help of FIL’s – and they really outdid themselves. They couldn’t afford to pay for the entire party so FH paid for about half of it himself because he wanted me to have a beautiful party. I think that he wanted this party just as much as I did and we both put a lot of work into it. FMIL was a really big help to me – if there was something that FH and I wanted FMIL was at the store the next day picking it up. I’m blessed to have such wonderful in-laws and of course FH is amazing – but I already knew that!

Mizzdimple Posted: Sep 20, 2007 09:50 AM

Re: Future Mulligan's E-PARTY REVIEW!

So different- I love it. and I LOVE CROWN PALACE...lol....

AmandaLynn04 Posted: Sep 20, 2007 09:52 AM

Re: Future Mulligan's E-PARTY REVIEW!

Everything looks great!

yelley77 Posted: Sep 20, 2007 09:53 AM

Re: Future Mulligan's E-PARTY REVIEW!

You guys are HOT!!! everything looks great!!!

jennandrolo Posted: Sep 20, 2007 09:53 AM

Re: Future Mulligan's E-PARTY REVIEW!

your e-party looked great! finally a review of a party in SI lol. The chinese food was such a cute idea,

DNS91308 Posted: Sep 20, 2007 09:54 AM

Re: Future Mulligan's E-PARTY REVIEW!

Great idea using Alice Austen house that is a great location. I cant see any of the pics (stupid work computer) but im sure everything looked great....