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my 7/14 wedding!!

Original post by yabbobay

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!!
Diane Posted:

Re: my 7/14 wedding!!

So glad your day was everything you hoped and dreamed. Congrats!!!@@@ You are finally a NEWLYWED
tarakinspa Posted:

Re: my 7/14 wedding!!

Yipee you are back I have been patiently waiting! I am so happy for you!! Sounds like all the planning paid off! Glad to hear John from VIP was a pleasure to work with and I will definetly take your tip on giving him a must have shot list as long as he doesnt get annoyed with it. Sounds like everything was perfect except have you gone on a honeymoon? you are doing that later right.
You looked fab I cant wait to see more pictures!
yabbobay Posted:

Re: my 7/14 wedding!!

tara...if he was annoyed...he didn't show it at all...
J&A Posted:

Re: my 7/14 wedding!!

CONGRATS!

Best wishes for a long, healthy and happy life together!!!
berlykim22 Posted:

Re: my 7/14 wedding!!

Erica,
did you give John a written list of most shots (people you wanted in the shots, actual poses you wanted, etc) or did you give him pics you collected of most shots, or both?

You look great and cant wait to see more pics.
kimberly
AlisonMT Posted:

Re: my 7/14 wedding!!

I've been off the boards because work has been crazy, but, even if this is a few days late, I wanted to say a big CONGRATULATIONS!!! It sounds like everything was just wonderful...and you looked fantastic too!

It's also great to hear your rave reviews of Land's End. That's where I'm getting married next July, and it is such a relief to hear these things (not that I really doubted it would be amazing there! ). The only thing I was concerned about, actually, was my dad's big interest in that cigar room. I told him I'm ok with it if they only go there AFTER dinner, since I am terribly allergic to smoke and didn't want to have to wade through it if I needed to go up to the bridal suite or grab a cordial in that room. How did you handle other (i.e., cigarette) smoking, btw? I would really prefer if people don't smoke at all indoors...do you think it's weird to ask them to go outside?? I seem to recall Gina telling us that brides often make that stipulation...

I'd also be curious to hear more about your hairdresser in Commack. That's where my folks live and where I'll be the morning of my wedding. My mom is having fun right now 'testing' out places for me, since I live out of town. Can you tell me where they are located so I can tell her to go check it out? Thanks in advance!!

Alison

[email protected]
ddunne23 Posted:

Re: my 7/14 wedding!!

Glad your day was perfect! I am also using VIP and am glad you have great things to say about them! I'd love to see the list you gave them! My email is [email protected].

yabbobay Posted:

Re: my 7/14 wedding!!

here are some pictures from the table cameras...they are scanned so not the best..

the centerpieces...



the programs and favors...



our coloring is awful...but you can get some kind of idea what the outside of the hall looks like...


yabbobay Posted:

Re: my 7/14 wedding!!

Allison...the cigar hour is ONLY the last hour....DH's friends were bugging him all day about when it would be...and I'm glad it was the last hour, b/c otherwise they would have stayed out there the whole night...

I would talk to Gina about the smoking issue...if you want to please your dad you could have them close the door...but honestly I didn't smell anythign (and we had smelly Cuban cigars)

otherwise many people were happy smoking cigarettes on the deck outside the cordial bar and by the cockatil hour...so if its a nice day...no problem making everyone go outside...

as for you and the smoke...you will never have to go in to get a cordial...whatever you want will be brought to you and I didn't go up to the bridal suite once the cocktail hour started...no need...they get all your stuff together for you!!
AlisonMT Posted:

Re: my 7/14 wedding!!

That's good to hear!
02bride Posted:

Yabbobay

What did you do about transportation to Lands End? Did you have the limo pick all the girls and guys up? Did you see each other before the ceremony?

yabbobay Posted:

Re: Yabbobay

We had a limo pick up me and my girls from getting our hair done at my moms house...and DH and his family got a limo both ways (so they could drink..lol)

GM met us there...

we saw each other before hand and it was the best thing we could have done...I was so relaxed all day and it was nice to get the pictures out of the way...I was alos able to hug and squeeze him and say things to him without an audience there...

but I am not really traditional so it depends on your preferences..although if you are getting married at your hall it would be a shame to miss your cocktail hour...that is where I individually greeted everyone! in lieu of a receiving line...
02bride Posted:

Re: Yabbobay

I'm definitely seeing him before the ceremony. Did you guys arrange anything special?
As far as limos go, I think I'm going to get one for me and my girls and my FI said he and the guys will meet us there. I just hope they get there on time!
Thanks for your suggestions!
yabbobay Posted:

Re: Yabbobay

our photographers and video set it up so that they had a camera pointed at him and at me and then they sent him in to see me...I can't wait to see the pics..

I was nervous that the guys wouldn't get there on time as well, but they were there and dressed before me...

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