I'M MARRIED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (part 1)

Hello my friends - I am back and officially a married woman!!!! As everyone says, it was the BEST day of our lives - never in a million years did I think it would be as wonderful as it was...I always thought I would be devestated that it rained, but we didn't care one bit. Yeah, people missed the ceremony, and yeah, people were late to the cocktail hour due to traffic, but in the long run I am married to the most wonderful man on earth, and that's all that matters. And it was the most wonderful day! Here is a review of our vendors.....

Stewart Manor Country Club - A+
They exceeding our expectations - in a word WONDERFUL. The decorations for the holiday season were out of this world. The most perfect place for a festive winter wedding. The food was fantastic (from what we hear), the cake was absolutely yummy. The centerpieces that were included in the hall were very festive and fresh. The hall set up my placecards exactly the way I asked them to, which was a major concern of mine because it required a lot of work. Every little thing I asked them to do was done, and they never complained once. Our maitre'd was James, and was an absolute pleasure to work with. He was ALWAYS THERE!!!!!! Whenever we needed something, it was like he was reading our minds - just incredible.

They had the fireplaces lit as we requested, and just made the room just that much more BEAUTIFUL. We received compliments all night long!! I highly recommend them, and we are so happy with our decision!! To all my fellow Stewart Manor Brides - NO WORRIES!!!!!

Flowers Burtons - A+
Again, Burton's was INCREDIBLE. I have heard some comments over the last year and a half of being here that they are less expensive, and therefore you get what you pay for - NOT TRUE!!!!! My bouquet was exactly what I asked for - even more beautiful than the photo I supplied. It had lavender roses, white stephanotis and frosted pinecones. We ordered a mantle piece for my MILs fireplace and they matched it perfectly to my bouquet, and threw some calla lillies in there to match the BMs bouquets- simply gorgeous. But the chuppah was my FAVORITE part. It looked so much better than I could have imagined. They also matched that perfectly to my bouquet. The entire top of it was flowers - NO GREENS, except a little ivy that I requested. It was the most beautiful chuppah I have ever seen in my life.....and I've been to a lot of weddings!!!!!!! The took the top off after the ceremony, and we put it in front of our head table at the reception. I highly recommend Burton's!!!!

Limos Coachman Limos - A+
I cannot say enough about this company and what they did for us. Alan was just a doll - I can't believe how much he helped us out. For those who remember, we found out 3 weeks before the wedding that EAB cancelled out on us for pics. Alan quickly made a phone call to the Uniondale Marriot and worked everything out. The next day that fell through, and then Alan called the Melville Marriot and worked everything out again. He even went there to meet the desk supervisor for us to make sure everything was ok. If that wasn't enough, he then calls us the night before the wedding and upgrades our 14 passenger lincoln to a 18 passenger 2003 Escalade!!!!!!! FOR FREE!!!!!!! Alan was just our angel and we will never forget what he did for us!

The drivers for the day were professional, courteous, well dressed and SUPERIOR in terms of help!!!! They made sure we had everything all the time, helped us with our procession and knew exactly where they were going - never a problem. We had a reception pick up and they were exactly on time - not one problem. We highly recommend Coachman to anyone!!!!!!!!

DJ DJs Unlimited - A+
David was our MC (not sure of the DJs name). They played EVERYTHING we requested, and we provided them with a pretty extensive list. Chris really isn't into dance music, so we provided them with a lot of alternative and rock music, and they played it all, at the appropriate times. People were constantly on the dance floor - even friends who NEVER DANCE!!!!!! David was not overpowering at all, and the music was enjoyed by all. Even the catering staff at Stewart Manor said it was the best wedding music they've ever heard. They said when they heard some Ozzy, Guns n Roses, Janes Addiction and Violent Femmes, they knew it was gonna be a great night - and it was! Again, another vendor we would HIGHLY recommend!!!!

Photographer VIP Studios - ?
John and Kathy were very easy to work with - I allowed them to use their artistic expertise to help make photo decisions. They spent the entire day with us - from 2:30 - 12:00, and never complained - always in high spirits. They met us at my MILs house in Carle Place, went to the Melville Marriot for pics, then to the chapel in Woodbury, then to the reception hall in Garden City. The people at the Melville Marriot were less than helpful (not even worth getting into - but the bottom line it was free to take pics there, so who am I to complain), but John and Kathy quickly found a place to take pics that were great. I found them to be extremely unobtrusive, and I have a feeling they shot A LOT more than the minimum guarantee of 350 proofs. You can't beat the price either!!!!! Guests at the wedding made me laugh because they said John had about 7 different cameras around his neck, and nobody was safe from a pic!!!! I post proofs as soon as they come in. So far I highly recommend!

Makeup Jacqueline Nicole - A+
Not much more to say but WONDERFUL. That girl is just awesome and so talented. My face broke out like a banshee, and I don't know how she did it, but for hours you COULDN'T TELL!!! I really felt like a queen - I really felt beautiful - and I owe it all to her. She also did my mom and MIL and they too looked so beautiful. I would highly recommend her, and if I ever need my makeup done again, she will be the first one I call.

Hair William Matt Salon - B
Now, let me say that my girl Marianna did a wonderful job - my hair looked so much better than I had hoped. I have to give a B grade though because the owners booked a manicure with her in between my appt., so I was sitting in hot rollers, that turned ice cold for 45 min. I could have been done about 30 min. earlier than I was if they hadnt done that. They just seem a little money hungry. When Marianna found out I needed to be home at a certain time she started rushing. I told her to please take her time, and so she had 2 girls work on me curling my pin straight hair. She was a doll - but unfortunately I will not use the salon again, just because it was MY day and I felt they could have gone out of their way a little more to make me feel that way...

Gown Alfred Angelo from Lynbrook Bridal. A+
My gown I must say came out BEAUTIFUL - I truly felt like a princess in it. The alterations were great, except that I think I lost about 2 pounds during the week just from stress, and because I have a smaller frame, 2 lbs made a difference, so it was a little long. I almost fell on my face when walking thru the arch at the reception, but despite that, it was gorgeous!!

Also, I decided last minute that I wanted a small white fur shawl. Lynbrook bridal put a rush on it, and it came in a week - just in time for the wedding, so BIG compliments to them on that. They were always friendly, and basically took me on time for my scheduled fittings...

Please read Part II!...