My 9/20 Wedding Review - LONG!!

Hi everyone - I'm back!
Thanks for all your kind posts from before I left.

Let me first say (like everyone always does) that everything was just amazing. We had a beautiful weather (a little warm) and I was just ecstatic all day long. I definitely have some good reviews . . .
(I'll rate all my vendors on a scale from 1-10 10 being the highest score).

Hair - 10 - My SIL and two of her friends did everyone's hair (They all used to work at Christoper Jon's in Sayville - one still does and the other works from home now as does my SIL). Everyone's hair came out great.

Make-up - 10+ - Ellen from Christopher Jon's - she came to my SIL's house and, let me tell you, she was superb! Everyone looks absolutely beautiful.

Limos - 10 - Classic - They were great - Showed up almost 1/2 hr early to pick us up to take us to the hotel (Harrison House) for pictures and then got us to the church early as well. Dominick was awesome (he was my driver and he actually runs the company). I was really pleased with them.

Flowers - 8 - Hedgecock Florists, Rego Park (Sans Souci's house florist) - My bouquet was okay - a little small (smaller than the BMs) so I was not totally in love with it. The BM flowers were really pretty (orange and burgandy calla lillies). The only thing was, the florist tied them with bright orange ribbons (I gave him a swatch of the dress). It ended up looking nice but it was strange that he took it upon himself to pick out a different color ribbon.

My dress - two ratings - 8 for the store and 2 for the alterations - Burtons Bridals, Huntington - It was very affordable and everything went well all along. At the final fitting they needed to do another hem. When we picked the dress up, they insisted I not try it on since it was already pressed. Big mistake. Day of the wedding I put the dress on and the hem is not hemmed! There is a big fold in the dress at the bottom but it isn't sewn up. Also, the underarms of the dress (the dress was sleeveless) were so high up under my arm and so tight that, two weeks later, I still have bruises! It was very painful all night. So, to sum it up, Burtons was great, their tailor was definitely not. My sister's (MOH) dress was also messed up at pick-up (she tried it on) - The hem was totally uneven and they had to it over on the spot.

Tuxedos - 8 - Men's Warehouse - They all looked great. Apparently there were two mess-up's with size. One was straightened out by over-nighting a new vest to a GM but the other (due to some problem with the FEDex plane) didn't get there in time so one GMs tux was a bit too small. The price and service was great though so I can't complain. I would, however, suggest that if you use them, instruct BP to only get measured by the tux specialist in the store. The guys that had messed up sizes were measured by other salespeople.

Ceremony - 7 - St. Luke's, Sea Cliff - What a mess! The priest messed up the whole ceremony! He didn't know how many readings, called up readers at the wrong times, etc. It, of course, was still beautiful but I sure am glad they can edit the video!

Reception - 10+ - Sans Souci, Sea Cliff - OMG - Spectacular! I can't even begin to describe how great this place was. Cocktail hour was supposedly amazing (I missed it), dinner was insanely good (yes, I actually ate my meal - most of it anyway), the cake was great, the service was incredible . . . I could go on forever. Carol (banquet manager) was my maitre d for the night (the normal one had a death in the family) and she was beyond wonderful. There was not one problem or concern all night. I had an absolutely amazing time.

Photo/Video - 10 (maybe a 10+ once I see the proofs) - Imagine Studios - They were awesome! I know the pictures will come out great. They were so nice and accomidating. All of the guests commented on how unobtrusive they were. So far, I am totally happy with them.

DJ - 10+ - Albert Lee Music - One word - FABULOUS! The dance floor was packed all night. He played so much stuff of my song list (I am shocked he found it all). He mixed it up really nicely - my new-wave 80's, a little motown, etc. So many people asked for his info at the end of the night. Jose (the DJ's assistant/dancer) was great - so funny!

Hotel - 9 - Harrison House - We took pics there beforehand and then spent the night. Rooms were pretty nice (like a Hilton) and the outside of the hotel was gorgeous. Great price - $139 for the night!

Honeymoon - 10 - Amalfi Coast, Italy - Amazing! I will write a whole other post for that.

I must've left something out - Oh well . .

I will get you all pictures asap!

Re: My 9/20 Wedding Review - LONG!!

Meghan you are back...I am so happy all went well. Congrats. I wish you and your hubby all the best. I know you will be happy with your photo and your video. We had the same vendors and I am still looking at our proofs. You will have a hard time picking.

All the best and congrats

Re: My 9/20 Wedding Review - LONG!!

That was so quick - Thanks Shamma!!
Imagine was incredible - I am sure I will thrilled!

Re: My 9/20 Wedding Review - LONG!!

Wow, 2 wedding reviews in one day. That's great. Bets wishes for a wonderful marriage. CONGRATS!!!!!!

Re: My 9/20 Wedding Review - LONG!!

Congratulations and best wishes to you both. I cant wait to hear about Italy. We were just there as well. I cant wait to go back.

Re: My 9/20 Wedding Review - LONG!!

Congrats Meg, everything sounds perfect - I'm so happy for you. Can't wait to see your pics!

Re: My 9/20 Wedding Review - LONG!!

Congrats, Glad you had a wonderful day, Best Wishes in your new life.
Kimberly

Re: My 9/20 Wedding Review - LONG!!

Best wishes, can't wait to see the pics

Re: My 9/20 Wedding Review - LONG!!

Congratulations! Look forward to seeing your pictures.

Re: My 9/20 Wedding Review - LONG!!

Congratulations! Tell me about the Amalfi Coast - We're heading there in May (with my family). We haven't made any plans yet, so I'd love to hear your recommendations.

Re: My 9/20 Wedding Review - LONG!!

Thanks for sharing. I look forward to the pictures.

Re: My 9/20 Wedding Review - LONG!!

LisaT - I just posted a review of my honeymoon - Feel free to email me with any questions. You're going to love it!

Re: My 9/20 Wedding Review - LONG!!

Congratulations and best wishes to you and your new hubby!

We are also taking pictures at the Harrison House beforehand - were they accomodating even though you did not have your reception there? I am staying there the night before with my bridesmaids. Also, were you able to take pictures inside without a problem.? Did you have to speak to someone or just go on their grounds and start taking pictures? Thanks - Vivian

Re: My 9/20 Wedding Review - LONG!!

Hi Vivian -
You definitely need to contact Marc Greco to find out if it is okay for you to take pictures there. If there is a wedding that day, he might not let you. My wedding was a Friday and there was an affair that night so I could take pictures there but had to be out by 4pm. I ran into Marc at about 3:30 (I was resting in a chair about to leave) and he said 'so, when are you leaving?' Okay, that was subtle! They definitely weren't that nice but the pictures, I'm sure, will be awesome. The pictures inside were fine. The photographer just had a few problems with cars and people right in from of the building outside that got in the way a few times.
Hope this helps -

Re: My 9/20 Wedding Review - LONG!!

Hi Meghan,

Thanks so much for getting back to me. I already spoke to Mark and as of now there is nothing booked that day. I am getting married Friday, Dec 13th and the photographer is coming at about 2. He said we'll be done around 5pm. Mark told me I had to check back with him mid Nov to see if something is booked - but he doubts it. From talking to him on the phone he did not seem too thrilled that I was going to take pictures there. I hope it works out because I do not have a plan B.

Thanks again,
Vivian

Re: My 9/20 Wedding Review - LONG!!

You will be fine.
You're right - Marc just seems permanently annoyed.
If there ends up being an affair that day, you could always start pictures an hour early. I doubt he'd make you leave before 4pm. My photographer got there at 2pm and we were done by 3:30pm (and she took pictures of me getting dressed).
You'll be fine - don't stress!

Re: My 9/20 Wedding Review - LONG!!

Congrats Meg !!!!
I'm glad everything went well, and dont' worry about the priest, like you said, good editing will fix that, lol !!!!!!
I'm going over to check out your honeymoon now. . .

Re: My 9/20 Wedding Review - LONG!!

Meg -

Congratulations. Glad to see your experience with the Sans Souci was just as good as ours. It really is a wonderful, hidden gem!!

I look forward to seeing some pictures!! I'm off to read the honeymoon review....

Re: My 9/20 Wedding Review - LONG!!

sorry to hear about your dress but I am glad you had a beautiful day!
Congrats!!!

Re: My 9/20 Wedding Review - LONG!!

Welcome back! It sounds like you had a wonderful wedding! Thanks for the vendor reviews. I am having my alterations done at Burtons too, and now I am a bit nervous Cant wait to see your pics!