Married and SOOOO HAPPY!!! (Long)

Hi girls! Got married last night and am actually in today's New York Times, if you could believe it! Just wanted to post a quick review before I get some much needed sleep, pack for Hawaii, and make a little marital love!

First of all, my wedding was by far and away the best day of my life!!! My husband and I had the time of our lives!!! We were on the dance floor and did not leave each others side the whole night. The weather was perfect and the whole day was a blissful joy! Having said that, some vendors were winners and some were losers! I am going to be very HONEST with you girls and tell it like it is.

First, the Winners....

Creative Compositions (Photography)-
A++++++++++++++
The award winners of the night. They were nothing short of amazing!!! Everyone was asking me for their number all night! Ernie, Ruth and Dennis all came early and stayed later than the contract stipulated. They had the BEST attitude and made my whole family laugh beforehand and be comfortable. They were so professional too and made sure to get every shot I wanted and then some. Ernie and Ruth were all over the place that night. While they were unobtrusive, they did not stop shooting all night!!! They must have gotten so many great pictures. So soothing!!! They made me soooo happy!!! Creative Composition girls, nothing to worry about. They are worth every penny. A HOMERUN, as my mother called them.


Ken James Orchestras A+++++++++++
They were AMAZING!!!! The dance floor was full all night long and I got more compliments on the band then ever. The singers (10 piece band) came out onto the stage and interacted with my husband and I. We were having so much fun hamming it up for them. I don't have one thing bad to say about them. He was controlling, but made the party great!

Wild Rose Video- A+++++++++++++
Bill was unbelievable! He came early, stayed late, and was so unobtrusive. Guests commented that he was everywhere and got everything! Also, on a personal note, I was miserable about the fact that my florist messed up everything so badly (see below) and he tried to make me forget it when I was tearing up before the ceremony. He was so much fun to be around before the beginning of the party. Another winner vendor!

Elaine Deluca- (Day of Assistant) A+++++++++
HIRE HER! HIRE HER! HIRE HER! I did not think I needed this day of coordinating service and thought I was the most organized bride I knew always comfirming and reaffirming everything with everyone. But as you will learn on your wedding day, something always goes wrong, and when it did, Elaine was my insurance. From fixing problems with my florist to bustling my dress (came with me to fitting) to getting food for the vendors, to arranging for DH and I to enjoy our food and wedding cake later on in our hotel, assisted in everything and made me feel secure even with the time crunch that we faced! She steamed wrinkles out of my dress when they appeared, chalked the dirt on the dress that came from taking pics outside (brought the steamer and chalk with her), reassured my father how to walk down the aisle, communicated from me to the vendors while I was otherwise occupied. Could not have gotten through the day without her, IMHO.

Bouchelle (Make Up)- A++++++++
The best Make up Artist I have ever met. I am so picky and she was great and natural. A calm, zen like experience to be around, kept putting makeup on me as needed. Stayed late for no more money.

The Losers:

Stefans Florist- F
They messed everything so royally. It was the worst experience ever and no one could pay me to go back to them. My colors were SOOOO wrong even though I had everything in writing, my flowers were dead (the photographers told me not to accept it- unaccceptable condition), nothing that was on my contract was there, the staff was soooo rude- yelling at Elaine, my mother, my bridesmaids.... My mother cried in the bathroom for 30 minutes after they told her off!!! They were just asssistants they said so they could act that way. They said that they didn't know anything, they weren't the bosses, so we couldn't yell at them like that. There apparently was no boss. The florist I had worked with for months, who promised me he would be there when I confirmed never showed up. I still don't know why. It hurt my feelings at the time, It was heartbreaking, but the rest of my vendors were so supportive through the chaos. My FIL got on the phone and yelled at them
and finally the owner, a senile jerk came. But by the he they arrived to get things right, the ceremony time had come and the room was basically incomplete. So the ceremony room looked empty in terms of flowers and the cocktail hour was incomplete. I didn't have my bouquet for formal pics. It was not until the reception that things looked nice.

Ladies, DO NOT USE THEM! It was awful! They were the worst!!

But other than that, the day was great. Sorry so long! I am so excited to be married. It feels so good and I love looking down on that ring finger. I love TJ so much, it means nothing to me now.
Love you guys!!! I'lL post after the HM!!!