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!
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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!
