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I'm Married!! My Review...

jlf41 Posted:

I'm Married!! My Review...

Hi Ladies. First, thanks to everyone here for all of your help and support this past year. LIW is an invaluable resource.

Here is my belated review from my 3/29 wedding.

Bridal Reflections: A
The selection and service at Bridal Reflections is amazing. The women on the alterations side were great to me- I was always rushing in from the LIRR having to rush back to NYC on the LIRR and they went out of their way to take me right in and get me out quickly. The dress was just gorgeous - they had removed the sleeves for me. There was some drama at the end with me not being able to step into the dress (of course I never tried until the last fitting) and the sweet patient tailor took care of it without a problem. My cousin also had a great experience with them. I highly recommend BR.

Myglassslipper.com: A
Ordered my Grace shoes from here. THe first pair had a stain and I had to send them back. They quickly sent me a new pair without a problm. Their selection is tremendous in all price ranges and their prices are competitive. Big plus that you can return the shoes for refund if you don't like them.

Veil Shop - 38th between 5th and 6th: A-
I used the woman here that my cousin had found. THe selection is much bigger than C&H. I have to say the woman here is exquisitely patient and accomodating. She makes everything by hand and her pieces are gorgeous and reasonably priced. I was not happy with the headpiece at first and she redid it for me without a problem. I also went back a couple of times to have the veil changed and she also took care of that. In the end, I did not wear the headpiece at all- not because I didn't like it, I just decided to go with a different look. (I am going to sell it here if anyone is interested- I will post a picture).

Rogers Tuxedos- A+
We used the shop in Centereach. There are a couple of other ones. I cannot tell you how much I love this place. First of all, my DH looked HOT! But more important, they had given one of the groomsmen the wrong color tie. He didn't realize until an hour before we were leaving. They drove out with the correct tie- 45 minutes away! Highly recommended.

Netbride.com: A+
Like the other brides here who have used netbride, I thought they were great. You cannot beat the prices and the dressed come quickly in perfect condition. My cousin became pregnant after we ordered the dresses. Netbride sent her extra fabric at a cheap price within two weeks. The girls looked absolutely gorgeous (they already were…) but the dresses were just perfect!

Best Western East End: A
We took this place over! It is a small hotel in RIverhead, perfect for any East End weddings. It is beautiful and clean. We had the rehersal dinner there as well as breakfasts both SAturday and Sunday morning. The service and food were amazing. The banquet coordinator is just a doll and really worked her butt off for me. They gave us a great group rate. Unfortunately, there was one small problem. The cleaning lady stole some things from my room Saturday night. The management got them back for me and assured me she would be terminated. It was quite upsetting, but could happen anywhere. Overall, I am extremely happy with the job they did.

Hair- Maggie from LaCombe in Port Jeff: A+
Maggie is a sweetheart. I went for 2 trials, because that is just crazy me. I decided in the end to wear my hair up with flowers. She has great vision and talent and is SOOO patient and sweet. She did seven of us that morning without complaint and everyone’s hair was really perfect. Very different, yet so each of us. We were all thrilled.

Hampton Jitney: A
We used the Jitney to rent a large bus (55 passenger) to take the guests and the bridal party around for the day. I also rented a small limo from them for my dad and I. THe limo was okay- but I wasn't too concerned about it anyway- I never even went to look at it. The bus was the best thing we did and everyone said that. ALl the guest staying at the hotel didn't have to worry about driving. THe bus will make up to six trips for the day for one price (the only company I found who would make that many). THey didn't even charge us for the little bit of over time.

In Full Bloom: A
THis is a small shop in Farmingdale. Keyth was our designer and he was amazing. He is creative and funny and honest. He was very patient with me. He is very up on what is modern yet classic. He takes a huge amount of pride in his work and he sets everything up himself. He took a ton of pictures of the flowers that day for his own portfolio! We did all red roses with hydrangea and eucalyptus berries. THe girls bouquets were perfect and the centerpieces were just breathtaking- full and lush. My bouquet was beautiful but he built it rounded in the front and flat at the back so you could hold it against your body. I was not thrilled with that, but whatever! He also did candles and petals all over the hall and two huge altar arrangements. He came back to the hall after the ceremony to transport the flowers from the church and set them up in the hall. I got so many compliments on the flowers.

VIP: A
John is just a doll. He is so easy to work with and so quick. He blended into the crowd and just worked his magic. He brought an assistant named Jessica. (Easy for me to remember!). She was sweet and excited and encouraging. Maybe a little too flirty with some one of the guests, but overall I really liked her. We'll see...

Perfect Parties: A+
THe owner is a friend of my DH's from childhood. He did an amazing job. He read the crowd and kept everyone up all night. He even made us two CDs- one with music he piped into the cocktail hour and one with all of our special songs. He called us several times that week before, all excited, after he had found some songs we wanted just to make sure they were the right ones. He made the party for sure.

To be continued in the next post...
jlf41 Posted:

Re: I'm Married!! My Review...

The Vineyard Caterers: A+
What can I say? The place is absolutely gorgeous. I know it is far out east, but it is worth the trip. They did a stellar job from the minute we walked in to the second we left. The bridal suite and grooms suite were stocked with drinks and snacks. The maitre’d John was a superstar. He was on top of everything and catered to not only my DH and I, but our entire bridal party (especially my pregnant cousin) and our parents. They served wine to the guests who came early and even opened the cockatil hour up early for us. The cocktail hour was stupendous. The amount of food was almost too much and it was beautifully displayed. All of the food there is fantastic- we got so many comments on the chateau briand. One guest practically licked his plate! They poured their own vineyard’s wine, which is such a nice touch, and came around with platters of seconds of the entrees. They made me a chocolate ganache cake which was beautiful and delicious. We didn’t even freeze the top layer- we at it the next day! I can’t say enough about the job they did – Vineyard brides, you will not be dissapointed.

The little details I worked so hard on were definetely appreciated. THe ceremony was very important to us. We wanted it to be intimate and reflective of us as a couple. A friend designed the program cover for me and I made a program booklet with the bridal party's names, the ceremony order and songs and the reading. We also put in special dedication to my DH's brother who passed away. We decided to light a candle on the altar in his memory. We had a trio sing before the ceremony and two songs during the ceremony. THey were absolutely amazing and the only thing that brought me to tears all day. We wrote our own vows and designed alot of the ceremony ourselves. It was perfect and many of the guests said it was the most beautiful ceremony they had ever witnessed. My grandfather, the stoic family patriarch that he is even cried!!

In the hall, we decorated the mantles and furniture in the recieving room with candles and family photos. I also set up large table with the WE DO letters and framed photos of our guests wedding pictures. We were able to collect about 70 of them and it was the hit of the night. People really were surprised and honored to be recognized like that. I made up menus for the tables and my mom made these standing table numbers with wooded letters from woodenletters.com. She painted them bronze and they were gorgeous. (The Vineyard wants to buy them from us.) A friend made our favors- wedding cake shaped cookies in glassine bags. Each was decorated and different and everyone thought it was a unique and beautiful addition.

As you can tell, everything really worked out perfectly. What you realize however, is what matters most that day is the people who are there - your friends and family, not the details. Two of my DH's groomsmen's wives were unable to attend at the last second. One was home with the sick baby and the other had miscarriage the night before. I was so sad not to have them there and it is the only thing I would change in the end. That day is all about the love you have for your DH and for your guests. Remember that and you will not be dissapointed.

We are leaving on Saturday 4/12 for a spontaneous honeymoon in Barbados. We never planned a honeymoon for a bunch of scheduling reasons, but it looks like next week works and may be the only week we have off together for a long time. So we put Hawaii on hold for now and are really looking forward to the beautiful beaches of Barbados.

Thanks again for everyone’s help. I will oost pictures ASAP. Can't wait to join the newleywed board!
groovypeg Posted:

Re: I'm Married!! My Review...

Sounds like you had a wonderful day! Congrats!
Tammy5-03 Posted:

Re: I'm Married!! My Review...

It sound like everything was perfect. I am so happy for you. I can't wait to see the pictures. Congratulations.

Stacey1403 Posted:

Re: I'm Married!! My Review...

Yeah good for you!!!! Glad you had a wonderful day!!! I second Rodger's Tuxedo's, Theresa is a good friend of mine!!!
IrishTracy Posted:

Re: I'm Married!! My Review...

CONGRATS!! Sounds like you had a great day! Please post pics!!

Betty Posted:

Re: I'm Married!! My Review...

Congratulations!! It sounds like the perfect day!! Have a great time on your HM
mims107 Posted:

Re: I'm Married!! My Review...

Congrats!!!!! I am so glad you had a wonderful day!!!
sept20yay! Posted:

Re: I'm Married!! My Review...

congrats!!!! Wow! sounds like a great time!

bride2be2004 Posted:

Re: I'm Married!! My Review...

congratulations! i'm glad your day turned out beautiful!

christy Posted:

Re: I'm Married!! My Review...

best wishes for a long and happy marriage! Also, I look forward to your pics!

Fran M Posted:

Re: I'm Married!! My Review...

Glad to hear you had a wonderful day. Congratulations!

jennbaby Posted:

Re: I'm Married!! My Review...

All the best & Congrats!!!!
Irishbride Posted:

Re: I'm Married!! My Review...

Congrats and best wishes!!! I am having Chris from Perfect Parties and VIP for my wedding. Its good to hear good reviews.

cw0904 Posted:

Re: I'm Married!! My Review...

Thanks for the review!! I am using VIP too. Have a great time on your honeymoon. Can't wait to see pics!!!!
Robeymuse Posted:

Re: I'm Married!! My Review...

Congrats, it all sounds amazing. Can't wait for the pictures!
NYCMeghan Posted:

Re: I'm Married!! My Review...

sounds like a wonderful day! can't wait to see the pictures!

lltravis Posted:

Re: I'm Married!! My Review...

Congrats on what sounds like a beautiful day! I hope you enjoy your time in Barbados! Can't wait to see pictures!!

sparkette Posted:

Re: I'm Married!! My Review...

Congratulations!! Sounds like a wonderful day!!!

Can't to see the pictures!!!!!
JR515 Posted:

Re: I'm Married!! My Review...

Congratulations! Have a great time in Barbados.

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