My 9/1/02 Wedding Review...very long...

Hello ladies...just got back from our honeymoon yesterday and wanted to post my reviews...

Windows on the Lake - despite what negative reviews i had seen, i felt confident that they would do a great job and they did not disappoint me one bit. the ceremony was going to be outside but had to be moved inside because of the rain. the room they have for ceremonies was too small for all of my guests so they converted the reception room into the ceremony location and had all the tables moved and chairs and everything set up before i even knew what was happening. we had forgotten the tops for our chuppah stand and had nothing to secure the chuppah with but they fixed that as well. the maitre d, marie, was incredible and took care of every little detail. people have been raving about the food and how nice everyone there was and how beautiful it was. the cocktail hour (or cocktail 5 minutes for me...) was so good, there was tons of food and it was all delicious.

Flowers by Burton - another VERY happy bride from Burtons...my flowers were exactly what i had wanted and my girls bouquets were perfect. the centerpieces also EXACTLY what i wanted and everyone said they were gorgeous. mike really listened to what i wanted and made my wedding so lovely. i never even saw them setting up, when i was taking pictures i asked what time the flowers were coming and they were already there. all the flowers were fresh and vibrant and not a lot of green. the hand-tied bouquets we just so pretty. i'm going to stop now because i could go on about burtons forever.

4th Generation DJ - this is windows house dj. had some reservations because i didn't know anyone who had used them but i really liked them during a showcase. there was not a minute of the reception that the dance floor was empty. the emcee talked just enough to get eveyone moving but not so much to be intrusive. we had decided to change our entrance song last- minute so about 20 minutes before the reception we handed them a phish cd and told the what song to play. it was awesome. best into of a wedding i have ever seen (of course i am a bit biased...)

VIP Studios - again, perfection. he got there one time (i did not!!) and took the pictures of the guys first. once the girls and i got there he took all the group shots. it was raining all morning and so whenever there was a break in the rain he got us out there to take photos. i really wanted pictures by the lake, and so he got out his huge umbrellas and we took some in the rain. got the bottom of my dress a little dirty but totally worth it. throughout the reception i kept seeing people i wanted pictures with and he took every shot i wanted. his assistant was amazing as well.
We also did our video through VIP and although i know he was there, he was so not in the way that i honestly can't remeber anytime i felt like the video camera was in my face. he shot film through the pictures in the morning and the entire reception. i know they were all there until the end. i can't want to see the pictures and video.

Mark of Elegance limo - we left my birks in the limo (which i had planned on wearing once the ceremony was over) and i freaked out a little but he came right back and my shoes were hand delivered by limo. it was pretty funny because people who know me know i love my birks and to see a limo deliver them to the reception got a few laughs. the limo was very nice and clean and on time (even though i was running late) and the driver was great.

Hair and Makeup - Hair was done by my maid of honor's boyfiend's mom who works in a salon that i can't remember the name of (if anyone wants her number, i can get it). she did me, mom, and most of the bridesmaids and we all have completely different hair types but everyone looked gorgeous. i would highly recommend her so if anyone wants info, email me. Makeup was done by Juanita who works at the lancome counter at broadway mall. i never ever wear makeup but she did an amazing job and it came out exactly as i envisioned. she really listened to each of us and gave us all the look we wanted. everyone was happy and from the few pictures i've seen from guests so far, the makeup stayed on all day.

Officiant - Eva Ceskava, a UU minister from UUFH. the ceremony was so beautiful and she wrote the most lovely words. she really got to know us and took a lot of time in writing the ceremony. i think every thing she said fit craig and i perfectly.

Honeymoon - we went to LA and Vegas. we really wanted to stay in the US and be back in NY for today. In LA we stayed at the Renaisannce Hollywood, which was just built last year and awesome. We did all the touristy type stuff and had a great time. In Vegas we stayed at the Venetian which was also incredible and again, we just did the touristy stuff. OUr flight home last night almost stayed in baltimore because of fog which really got us nervous because we weren't flying today under any circumstance. but, it worked out and we are home.

THANK YOU to everyone for all of the advice and support through the planning. i had a perfect day and what everyone says about it all coming together is 100% correct. good luck to all the brides!!!!!!!!

Love,
Jill

Re: My 9/1/02 Wedding Review...very long...

Congrats Jill all the best to you for many many years of happy togetherness.

Re: My 9/1/02 Wedding Review...very long...

Congrats! Best wishes and happiness always.

Re: My 9/1/02 Wedding Review...very long...

Thank you for sharing your review with us. I'm glad everything was so great. I'm using Burtons also and am glad you were so happy with them. Post some pictures when you get a chance. we would love to see them.

Re: My 9/1/02 Wedding Review...very long...

Congratulations! All the best.....

Re: My 9/1/02 Wedding Review...very long...

Congrats, I am so glad you had such a wonderful day.

Post pics when you get some.

I am also using VIP, so I am always glad to hear good reviews.
Enjoy your new life together
kimberly

Re: My 9/1/02 Wedding Review...very long...

I am so glad you had a beautiful day. Please post photos...

Re: My 9/1/02 Wedding Review...very long...

Hey phunkykat

What Phish song did you use for your entrance?

Re: My 9/1/02 Wedding Review...very long...

Hi Jill,

Congratulations!! I am happy to hear everything went so well. I am also using 4th Generation for my wedding next April. I am happy to hear that they were so good. Can you let me know the name of the MC that they used?? I really want someone who will get everybody moving.

Thank you,
Nancy

Re: My 9/1/02 Wedding Review...very long...

Congratulations! I'm so glad everything went so smooth. Enjoy life as a newlywed. All the best!!

Re: My 9/1/02 Wedding Review...very long...

congrats, glad you had a wonderful day,
god bless you & fh

Re: My 9/1/02 Wedding Review...very long...

Congratulations. Welcome to wedded bliss

Re: My 9/1/02 Wedding Review...very long...

Congrats! Nice to hear such nice words about eva, she is performing our ceremony on Oct. 11th
:)

Re: My 9/1/02 Wedding Review...very long...

Congratulations! Sounds perfect.
Can you give me information about how to contact your officiant & the price? Thanks.

Re: My 9/1/02 Wedding Review...very long...

Congratulations to you and your new husband. I can't wait to see the pictures.

Re: My 9/1/02 Wedding Review...very long...

thanks for the good wishes everyone. we are picking up table cameras tomorrow so i promise to post some tomorrow night.
rvcpl - we used first tube, which we took off of live phish #5. we couldn't really use any of the shows i have on disc because of crowd noise but the 'live' series i guess are plugged into the soundboard because it isn't very loud. it was a HUGE hit by the way...all of the phish phans were thrilled and those who've never heard of phish kept asking what the music was.
nanjoe - i'm sorry but i honestly cannot remember the emcee's name!! i think the dj was damien. if you call 4th gen and speak with jennifer, she can look up our file and tell you. he really was amazing, i think you'll be happy with their work and they were so nice to deal with.
carrieann - since you know eva, i'm sure you know what a warm and kind and incredible person she is. all of that flowed into our ceremony and it was such a beautiful service. i'm catholic, craig is jewish so we didn't want to be too religious but at the same time wanted some religion and spirituality. she found a perfect balance. i get a little teary just thinking about some of the beautiful things she said.
sheppy - her email addy is [email protected]. she is truly one of the nicest people i have ever met. we got her through the fellowship and the fee was $500. however, she has just taken a new position withing the UU organization so i am not sure what her fee is now.
i hope that answered all questions. if anyone wants to know anything else or needs more details, feel free to email me [email protected]. pics to follow tomorrow.
goodnight all and thanks again for everything! :)

Re: My 9/1/02 Wedding Review...very long...

congrats, cant wait to see pictures!!

Re: My 9/1/02 Wedding Review...very long...

Congrats on a beautiful day - can't wait to see pics.