my 7/14 wedding!!

Everything was PERFECT!!! and I was amazingly clam the whole day!!

In May either Cira or Clemgr said that the little things will be noticed...and that is absolutely right...all these hours of planning will pay off!!! If you don't have the little things noone will notice...but when you do...People DO notice and it makes everything so much nicer...some examples...I asked guests to bring pictures with the bride and or groom and themsleves for the guest book and it came out great...I also left a polaroid for people to take pictures and it turned out so great!!! I printed photos of flowers on photo paper for my table names (with the name on the bottom) I used unique place cards...definitely something people talked about...MIL smuggled in Cuban cigars from Mexico (she lives in AZ) and people loved them...I could go on and on...but I know you want to hear about vendors!! I really couldn't be happier with my choice of vendors!!!

* bridal suite in bay shore (631)666-0700...they did a great job on alterations...I cut off my train and it was the best decision I made about the dress...people commented on the dress that it was simple, elegant and classy...exactly the adjectives I wanted to hear!! One seemstress would not take the hips in for one of my BMS (aline dress) but another did and it looked better taken in...so insist that it happens!!

* woodstock day spa and wellness center in east norwich...a little on the pricey side, but great...I took my BMs there the day before and everyone MUST do this...at least for yourself...schedule it in like you would a meeting with a vendor!!

* Dawn and Laurie (hair) and Pam (makeup) Bocu Salon in commack (631)499-1300...they were 5 min early and did a great job on everyones hair...it felt weird to have a lot of makeup on, but hopefully the pictures will make up for it!! We wnet over about 20 min...this is the only part where I got nervous...but they said they have never finsihed exactly on time...so tell whoever is doing your hair that you are leaving 30 min before you really are!!

* all star SUPER!! my limo was 30 min early...the driver came in and chatted with all the girls and got himself a cup of coffee...the limos were VERY clean and at the end of the night...when we were all talking and saying goodbye...the driver very professionally said we are running late...we have to get going...

* wild rose of course I have not seen their work, but Bill (and Marie) were great to have around...Marie kept me calm in the morning...talking to me...and Bill was VERY unobtrusive...I barely noticed him at times...he asked us some great questions and even DH wants to come with me to see the raw footage!!

* vip again...I haven't seen their final product, but John and Kathy were great to work with...they got everyshot I wanted (write all your must have photos down in advanced so you don't forget anyone...) they did some really cool 'poses' with us...I really cannot wait to get the proofs!!

*Towers Flowers (631)242-0070 - this was one vendor I didn't worry about b/c it is a friend of the family, but I gave them such a vague idea of what I wanted...and what they produced was exactly what I imagined!! true artists!!

* encore fantastic!! they played everything I could have wanted and my MIL and DH's uncle (both professional musicians) say next to them at the cocktail hour and they raved about them!!!

* spin around sound Tom and I don't remember the other guy (sorry!). they played everything on my play list and NOTHING on my do not play list!! People RAVED about the music (:p to all of you who made fun of me and my long do-not play list )
also many people commented on how they did not speak a lot...everyone loved the music choices and the way SAS put them together!! it is possible also to please DH and have Led Zepplin, Pink Floyd and the Doors during dinner and still have guest use the words classy and elegant!!

I know barry mannilow is on a lot of do-not play lists, but I love copa cabana and played it...I am so happy I did! the dance floor was PACKED and I saw my 3 year old (new) niece singing EVERY word!! I was shocked that she knew them all!! (her father also loves barry!!) anyway...go with your gut...just b/c one person does or doesn't play something doesn't mean it should make your decision...

for the mother/son dance, we were going to play DH's father's recording, but MIL forgot the CD in AZ!! so 2 days before the wedding we picked out 'In my life' byt he beatles!! it was PERFECT for them...and just shows you how things that go wrong can turn out even better!!!

* land's end
THE BEST DECISION I MADE!!! I didn't do anything but look pretty, b/c of the women there (there were mostly women working there) I never had a want or need!! the food was spectacular...and it was worth it to have my guests BLOWN AWAY with the taste...I am so happy I had a tasting, b/c I wasn't able to eat much...I had gained 4 pounds after the last fitting and the dress would not let me eat...lol...but it gave us a chance to go around and meet our guests at least 3 times...

they started everything early for us as well...we didn't have any sort of rehearsal and did not need one...they lined us up and told us when to go!! REALLY GREAT!! (I just hope I tipped enough...)

* Audrey's bakery...just have to add in how fantastic the cake was!!! I rarely can say that a wedding cake tastes fantastic, but this one does!! so all of you lovin oven brides are in for a great treat!!

* huntington hilton...the only not so great choice I made...we didn't get ANYTHING for being in the bridal suite (and didn't need a room so big either - for any of you wondering) and the decor was quite old! but as my dad says 'if this is the worst thing that happens, youre doing well'

montauk manor FABULOUS!! we are waiting a month to go on our honeymoon and I am so happy...I would NOT want to have to pack for Europe while the final wedding preparations are going on) so we decided to go away for a few days to Montauk...a perfect place for this...the town is so cute and quiet and serene...unlike the Hamptons sometimes!! the manor was awesome...the room was great and the ground spectacular...I highly recommend it for ANY reason!! you won't be disappointed!!

thanks for all of your support through my planning...the thousands of hours paid off and I am sure they will for you as well...I am still on such a high from the wedding, I can't imagine PMS (post marriage syndrome!!) but I still have all your weddings to read about, a honeymoon next month and possibly a dog in the future (DH wants - lol)

happy planning to everyone and a heartfelt and sincere thank you!!!

I hope I got everything...

email me if you have ANY questions!!

Re: my 7/14 wedding!!

Hey Erica!

I'm so glad everything turned out so well! Congratulations!

Re: my 7/14 wedding!!

I was thinking about you on your wedding day and even made a post saying I was wondring how you were and how nicely the weather was for you!
Can't wait to hear about your honeymoon and see you wedding pics.
I wish you and your husband a healthy, happy & long life together and I hope as an 'experienced' bride, you'll still continue to give us brides to be your input and good advice!
All the best to you and yours.
Jennifer

Re: my 7/14 wedding!!

Erica,

Happy happy days! Your day sounds wonderful and you sound soooo happy! The little things do count and my guests are still raving about what we (I ;-0) did!
I was crossing my fingers for you all day and it turned out great .... what did I tell you about the weather channel !
Join us on the newlywed board - we just had a get-together and are planning another one next month.

Congratulations and I'm so happy for you!

Cira

Re: my 7/14 wedding!!

CONGRATULATIONS! I'm glad everything was so perfect!

Re: my 7/14 wedding!!

Congratulations!

Question: You brought your own cigars? How did the hall or you distribute them. We were thinking of doing the same thing but I don't want them to flop.

Re: my 7/14 wedding!!

Congrats to the MRS! It sounds like you enjoyed every minute of it. Have a happy honeymoon and when you get a chance, post a little more info on your hair/make-up people And definitley let us know how your video comes out. I booked Bill and Marie, too.

Re: my 7/14 wedding!!

I am so glad to hear your wedding day was perfect. I do think I was the one to say the little details are noticed (as I'm sure others have said as well), and it sure makes your feel worth it :) Every ounce of planning I did was so worth it, as I am sure you agree with.

I hope you'll be back soon to post some pictures before you head off to Spain (which I also can't wait to hear about!!).

Congrats on becoming a Mrs. It was such a beautiful day on Sunday.....

P.S. I live in East Norwich and know of the Woodstock Wellness Center. I've been asking around about about as we are relatively new to the area and I am so glad to hear your reviews on it. I can't wait to go check it out - is there a particular person you would recommend?

Re: my 7/14 wedding!!

Congratulations to you!! So glad your day was everything you wanted and more. I am also a Lovin Oven bride and am in the process of picking the cake. I know what you mean by the food. Enjoy your honeymoon when you leave and enjoy your new life!

Re: my 7/14 wedding!!

Congratulations on your perfect day!!! Post some pictures if you can

Re: my 7/14 wedding!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

I am so glad everything went perfectly!!

Re: my 7/14 wedding!!

CONGRATULATIONS! Everything sounds beautiful, I'm so happy for you. Post pics when you can! I'm nearby in North Babylon so I'll definitely have to check out Bocu Salon and Towers Flowers.

Hope you enjoy every minute of married life!
All the best to you and your new husband!

Jen (Paiz)

Re: my 7/14 wedding!!

Best Wishes and Congrats!

Re: my 7/14 wedding!!

WOW, sounds like you had the Perfect Day!!!
I am so happy for you and your new hubby, All your hard work was well worth it. Thanks for making the time to give us a full report on all your vendors.

I look forward to seeing your pics, (especially since I booked john too) Thanks to info from you.

So I want to Thank you and Wish you a happy and healthy (and Long) Married Life!!

Congrats again
Kimberly

Re: my 7/14 wedding!!

Congrats
I am so happy everything turned out as great as it did. You both deserve all the best.
Post some pics when yo have a chance.
Thanks again for all your help and advice on the board. Hope you stay to shed some light on all of us brides to be

Re: my 7/14 wedding!!

Thanks everyone!! We are so happy!!

Cira...the weatherchannel website was telling me 0% chance rain...well I heard there were a few drops...but that all cleared up...good thing I didn't feel them...:)

Stef...I gave my hall the cigars and they put them in our 'cordial' room during the last hour...we didn't get cigar boxes (apparantly that raises the price of Cuban cigars??) so they put them on a great silver platter...

chmlengr...sorry about the misspelled name before...glad you knew it was you...you totally remotivated me to keep going when I was pooping out...I only hopw I do that for other brides-to-be...woodstock was great...I don't remember ANY of the girls names...sorry but the reports were all good!! it was $80 for 1 hour message...

Re: my 7/14 wedding!!

Congratulations and best wishes to you and your husband. I'm glad everything turned out so well!

Re: my 7/14 wedding!!

I am so glad to hear that your day went well!!! Definately post more pictures when you have them! Congratulations!!!!

Re: my 7/14 wedding!!

Hey Yabbo,

Congratulations! I am so glad taht you had a wonderful and beautiful day. You deserved it. Best wishes for the future.

Re: my 7/14 wedding!!

Congratulations Erica!!! I'm sooooo happy for you...from your report it sounds like you had the most magical day!! All the best...
I can't wait till you get your proofs back - being that I'm using VIP too (you were the one who told me about him in the first place, so thanks for that!). Congrats again and enjoy each other each and every day...