My August 25 Wedding!!! :)

Well, we could not have had more perfect weather! It was the best day of the summer!! :) About 78 degrees, no humidity and SUNSHINE! Ahhh...we were lucky.

Anyway, our wedding was wonderful! I was so worried about everything coming together, but everything works out just like you planned it.

I cannot believe that 2 years of planning are over, but I must say that I'm a bit relieved. Now hubby and I can just relax and focus on being married.
Finally, every phone conversation between my mom and I doesn't have to be all 'wedding related.' Yahoo!! :) Now it's time to help my sister plan HER wedding!!

Here are my vendor reviews. I have no major complaints at all...I was always doubting my choices, but I must say that I did end up making the right decisions!

Reception: Windows on the Lake
I had heard horror stories about this place on this site, but it was GREAT! The food was wonderful, everyone was super nice and helpful and those obnoxious salespeople that work there were nowhere to be found. The place is very clean and smells GOOD, contrary to what others have written. Hee hee... The night flowed smoothly and there were no problems at all!!

Limo: M&V limos
This was my only vendor that I was not overly impressed with. The limo was gorgeous and spotless, but I was told it held 18 and the 13 of us BARELY fit. It was a tight squeeze for the long ride from Bellmore to Ronkonkoma! The driver was going about 85mph on the S.S. parkway! And, to make things worse, the limo that was supposed to pick us up at the end of the night never showed up!! We were stranded for about an hour until Mike's parents drove us to the hotel. We called M&V the next day and they did offer us a ride to the airport at 4am the following day, which we accepted.

Flowers: Colonial Florists
I worked with Irene and the flowers were SOOOO beautiful, just like I pictured them. I would highly recommend going there....very reasonable prices and high quality work!

Photographer: Gray Studios
I used Stephen and he is sooo nice and fun to work with. He brought his wife along as an assistant, which was cute. I think he got some great shots, I cannot wait to see the proofs! He was fast, too, and we got to go to about 30 minutes of our cocktail hour. :) He was very non-intrusive (is that a word??)

Hair and Makeup: Maximus Spa and Salon (Merrick)
Ahhh...they are AWESOME! I used William for hair and Claudia for makeup. They both did an amazing job, I was soo happy! My two sisters also got their hair done and I swear I have never seen such amazing updos before. People were commenting on how wonderful our hair looked all night long!!

What am I forgetting?!

Bridesmaids dresses: Lillettes
Some slight problems here, but everything worked out and they definitely made up for their mistakes by giving all of my girls FREE alterations!

DJ: Sonimax
I love this guy. His name is John and he works alone and usually only does private parties in the Hamptons or Manhattan, but he is sorta a friend of the family so we were able to snag him. He has a wonderful British accent and is so sweet (and reasonably priced too)

Okay, I think I got them all now. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!!! Happy planning to you all and thanks for all of the advice over the past year or so!!!!!!

melissa

Re: My August 25 Wedding!!! :)

sounds great!! congratulations!!
post some pictures when you get them!!

i also booked mv limos..im a bit nervous now with what you said..although the guy we booked with was very honest about the limos...he said the ones that they advertise as 14 passenger really fit only 11-12...

Re: My August 25 Wedding!!! :)

Congrats!!!!!!!! Sounds great! I'm so glad everything turned out beautifully for you-I love reading reviews on this board
Post some pics when you can!
Happy Married Life!

Re: My August 25 Wedding!!! :)

Congrats!!!!!!!!! So glad to hear everything went well! How does it feel to be a Mrs?! And more importantly, shouldn't you be busy doing something else with your hubby?!lol

Re: My August 25 Wedding!!! :)

Melissa, congratulations! Glad you had a wonderful day....you'll have to visit us on the 'other' side now!

Re: My August 25 Wedding!!! :)

I'm sure the limos will be fine...at least he was honest!!

I forgot to mention that we went to Jamaica for our honeymoon! We stayed at Couples Sweptaway in Negril for 7 days. It was wonderful there. The only bad thing was that it POURED each day from about 1:30pm to about 6:30pm. Thunder, lightening, the whole nine yards. Didn't realize that it was hurricane season there...hee hee. Other than the constant rain, it was a great trip and we love it there! Despite what people say about how you have to be so careful of the 'natives' in Jamaica, they were SOOOOO nice. We had lots of fun. :)

Re: My August 25 Wedding!!! :)

First off Congrats!!!!!
You worried for so long for no reason
Next. what's up with M&V? I was thinking of looking at them but they left you stranded?
I think thats so unprofessional even though they offered you a 'makeup ride'.
And they told you it fit more than it could?
Why would they say that?
All in all, I am just happy for you that everything turned out beautifully, especially the weather!
God Bless you & FH.

Re: My August 25 Wedding!!! :)

I am glad you had a beautiful day and a great time.
I also booked M&V Limo. I am glad he offered to make it up to you, but I think this just reminds us all to follow-up with the limo companies 2 weeks before, 1 week before, 3 days before and the day before, plus remind the drivers of ALL plans for that day. What was his excuse for the mistake?

Re: My August 25 Wedding!!! :)

Congrats to you and good luck to you and your new husband as you start your lives together!

Re: My August 25 Wedding!!! :)

Sounds like everything was amazing...Post pics if you can. Enjoy your married lives together!

Re: My August 25 Wedding!!! :)

Congrats! Enjoy being newlyweds

Re: My August 25 Wedding!!! :)

Congrats!!! Sounds like you had a wonderful day!

Re: My August 25 Wedding!!! :)

Congrats! I'm glad you had such a wonderful day.

Re: My August 25 Wedding!!! :)

Congratulations! I am glad you had a great day.

What kind of problems did you have with Lillettes?
I ordered my dress there and the girls also ordered their dresses from there and now I am little concerned. Thanks!

Re: My August 25 Wedding!!! :)

I wouldn't be too worried about Lillette's. I love them, but you just have to get on their backs sometimes. We ordered the BM dresses in August 2001...by late July of this year, they had still not come in yet. It turned out that they weren't even being made yet, possibly due to Lillette's never ordering them. (not totally sure though) We got the dresses LAST MINUTE, so it was nerve racking! :) I would still recommend them, just call them a lot to check on your dresses!

Re: My August 25 Wedding!!! :)

can you answer our questions about M&V?
Thanks

Re: My August 25 Wedding!!! :)

M & V did not really offer an excuse as to why no one ever came to pick us up. They acted dumb and then finally said 'well, it wasn't really written in the contract.' HA! He told us it did not have to be there (in the contract) because their wedding packages ALL include a pick up from the reception. Whatever...I'm just glad that we got a ride to the airport the next morning. I suggest that for ALL vendors, you make sure that everything is clearly written in your contract!! BTW: we did confirm numerous times with M & V the few days before the wedding.

Re: My August 25 Wedding!!! :)

Again, another limousine company that showed lack of professionalism!
Yes get everything in writing always! But for them to act dumb....hmmm!
well i am just glad that didn't bring you down on your day!

You Must Have A Clear, Concise, Written Contract!
If you end up in court disputing your limo driver, the judge will say is 'Where is your contract?' Make certain there is a written contract and that everything you expect of them is in writing. If they refuse or give you nothing but a bunch of verbal claims, get up and leave. Do you think they will remember 10 months from now what they promised you? A written contract will help them remember. You want the contract to state the type of limousine, how many it seats, and what package you chose. The contract must also state how long you have the limousine for. This is very important. You don't want the driver holding out his hand for more money when you least expect it. The contract must also state what the overtime rate is for each vehicle. If they refuse to do this for you, get up an leave. Any reputable business would have this information on a standard contract without question. The contract should also list who your driver will be. Now is the time to pin them down. Then you have a basis for a claim later. If you interviewed any drivers that you liked, then have their names placed on the contract. The contract should show how much deposit you gave, and how much is owed

Re: My August 25 Wedding!!! :)

Congratulations on a wonderful day! All the best...

Re: My August 25 Wedding!!! :)

Many congratulations and best wishes for the future.