My July 4th Wedding
Hi All!
I haven't been on here since March (we were busy looking for a house, then the closing and of course last minute wedding details). I hope you have all been well!
July 4th was amazing! The weather was incredible and the day was like a dream come true. Two years of planning really paid off! Everyone who attended had a wonderful time.
Here are the reviews of my vendors (I have always enjoyed reading other brides' reviews) and I hope these will help all the future brides make decisions.
Bridal Gown - Paloma Blanca from Princess Bridals in Farmingdale. Dress was gorgeous and Princess Bridals did an excellent job with the alterations (only one alteration was needed). The salespeople are very nice (not pushy) and everything turned out well. Highly recommended.
Bridesmaids Gowns - Impression from Cathy's in Lindenhurst. The dresses came out great, all alterations were done well and none of the girls had any problems. Highly recommended.
Hair - Donna from Perfect Touch in Syosset. Recommended by Jaqueline Nicole. She did a wonderful job and everyone's hair stayed in place the whole entire day. Very nice and easy to work with. Arrived early. Highly recommended.
Makeup - Jaqueline Nicole - What can I say that hasn't already been said? What a sweetheart! What a talent! She arrived early and did all of our makeup (me, 4 girls and 2 moms). Everyone's makeup stayed on all day and all night. She really worked hard to make everyone look good. Highly recommended.
Photographer - Glenmar Studio in Roslyn. Our photographer (Danny I think) and his assistant were wonderful. They arrived early and took beautiful pictures of me, my family and bridesmaids at the house. They worked efficiently and were pretty unobstrusive the whole day. When they arrived I said that we all wanted to be at the cocktail hour and we were. I also asked for specific pictures to be taken and they all were. No problems. I already have my proofs (800 of them) and they are beautiful. It will be hard to make choices for the albums. Highly recommended.
Florist - Flowers by Matthew in Wantagh. The flowers were gorgeous, fresh and lasted all day. They arrived early (Matthew delivered them himself) and the reception hall looked beautiful as well. The bouquets and centerpieces were all fuller than I expected. People raved about the flowers (and my budget was low for flowers). I kept it simple and elegant with a dash of colors. Matthew also through in some last minute things (we need a couple of extra bouts, balloons and another wristlet and he threw all of these in for no cost). He would not accept a tip either. Very honest and straightforward. Highly recommended.
Limos - All Star in Farmingdale. Arrived early, both cars were spotless and very well kept. Both drivers were very nice and did all the things they were supposed to. The Phantom V Rolls is beautiful. I called all my vendors the Monday before my wedding to confirm all details. All Star called Thursday night to confirm again and also called Friday morning to provide me with a number and name in case we had any problems. Highly recommended.
Reception - Woodbury Country Club. WOW. Amazing. It was like I had dreamed my wedding would be. The place was immaculate, very beautiful and everyone was so nice to us. The staff were incredible and our banquet manager Peter did a wonderful job coordinating everything. The cocktail hour was amazing as was all other food that evening. My cake topper and serving set were washed, wrapped in the original packaging and boxed up along with the table cameras, a bottle of champagne and some other goodies. We spent a lot on the reception and I'm glad because it showed. Our guests really enjoyed themselves and the pictures prove it. Highly recommended.
DJ - Body Rock in Carle Place. The only vendor I had a 'problem' with. They played the wrong version of our first song (All the Way by Frank Sinatra). Instead of playing the original version, they played some other version with a woman singing. I requested the original too! We also had a 2nd dance that was supposed to be played later on in the night. They played it 2 or 3 songs after our first dance. I requested 4 other songs for the evening and they played 3 of them. No one else knew of these 'problems', so everyone enjoyed themselves. The dance floor was packed all night. They did have the place jumping which is what I wanted. The parent dances were done exceptionally well (we requested that 1/2 way through the songs, that the MC should announce that all fathers and daughters come out to the dance floor and all mothers and sons come out). It was very well done. We did not do the garter toss or bouquet toss. Instead, we presented the bouquet to the couple who was married the longest (my grandparents at 65 years won). All married couples were brought out to the dance floor and the MC would announce 'anyone married less than 10 years sit down, 20 years, etc). My grandparents were the last people standing (well planned of course). This was done well. Recommended, but triple check everything!
Videographer - Wild Rose. I haven't seen my video, but I have no worries at all. Bill was amazing and very unobstrusive. What a nice guy! He was there all day and I know how hard he worked. I can't wait to see my video!!! Highly recommended.
Honeymoon - Southern Caribbean Cruise on the Carnival Destiny --- amazing. It went so fast! We had a suite and it was so beautiful. Aruba, Barbados, Martinique, St Thomas/St John were incredible. Snorkling, diving over shipwrecks, booze cruises, 4x4 tours were the icing on the cake. We flew Jet Blue and they were great too. No problems at all. Highly recommended.
Did I miss anyone? The day went so fast! Take a few minutes here and there to sit back and watch everyone and take it all in, because the day flies by!
Research your vendors and double and triple check everything especially special requests. Be nice to your vendors-- they are there to serve you! If you are nice to them, then they are nice to you and I feel they will do a better job. Be forceful when you have to, b*tch a little if you need to and be straightforward with them. I booked most of my vendors 2 years in advance and I would check in with them every so ofthen.
Pick your bridesmaids carefully. I can't believe the amazing job my girls did with the shower, bachelorette party and my wedding day. They are my friends and they really went above and beyond the call of duty. After my shower, I sent each girl flowers at their offices to thank them. We had a blast up in Foxwoods for my bachelorette party and the wedding was amazing. They looked so beautiful and I was honored that they were a part of my special day. They all worked together (I'm sure there were times when it was hard) and they pulled it off! I love you guys!
Be nice to your parents! It's their day too! Mine worked so hard to make my day so special and I am amazed at how well everything was done.
I will post some of my proofs tomorrow. Here's one that was taken by a relative.
I just wanted to thank all the girls that offered advice and opinions over the last couple of years. I think we all learn from one another and this site has been a godsent.
Love and happiness to all!
Karen
I haven't been on here since March (we were busy looking for a house, then the closing and of course last minute wedding details). I hope you have all been well!
July 4th was amazing! The weather was incredible and the day was like a dream come true. Two years of planning really paid off! Everyone who attended had a wonderful time.
Here are the reviews of my vendors (I have always enjoyed reading other brides' reviews) and I hope these will help all the future brides make decisions.
Bridal Gown - Paloma Blanca from Princess Bridals in Farmingdale. Dress was gorgeous and Princess Bridals did an excellent job with the alterations (only one alteration was needed). The salespeople are very nice (not pushy) and everything turned out well. Highly recommended.
Bridesmaids Gowns - Impression from Cathy's in Lindenhurst. The dresses came out great, all alterations were done well and none of the girls had any problems. Highly recommended.
Hair - Donna from Perfect Touch in Syosset. Recommended by Jaqueline Nicole. She did a wonderful job and everyone's hair stayed in place the whole entire day. Very nice and easy to work with. Arrived early. Highly recommended.
Makeup - Jaqueline Nicole - What can I say that hasn't already been said? What a sweetheart! What a talent! She arrived early and did all of our makeup (me, 4 girls and 2 moms). Everyone's makeup stayed on all day and all night. She really worked hard to make everyone look good. Highly recommended.
Photographer - Glenmar Studio in Roslyn. Our photographer (Danny I think) and his assistant were wonderful. They arrived early and took beautiful pictures of me, my family and bridesmaids at the house. They worked efficiently and were pretty unobstrusive the whole day. When they arrived I said that we all wanted to be at the cocktail hour and we were. I also asked for specific pictures to be taken and they all were. No problems. I already have my proofs (800 of them) and they are beautiful. It will be hard to make choices for the albums. Highly recommended.
Florist - Flowers by Matthew in Wantagh. The flowers were gorgeous, fresh and lasted all day. They arrived early (Matthew delivered them himself) and the reception hall looked beautiful as well. The bouquets and centerpieces were all fuller than I expected. People raved about the flowers (and my budget was low for flowers). I kept it simple and elegant with a dash of colors. Matthew also through in some last minute things (we need a couple of extra bouts, balloons and another wristlet and he threw all of these in for no cost). He would not accept a tip either. Very honest and straightforward. Highly recommended.
Limos - All Star in Farmingdale. Arrived early, both cars were spotless and very well kept. Both drivers were very nice and did all the things they were supposed to. The Phantom V Rolls is beautiful. I called all my vendors the Monday before my wedding to confirm all details. All Star called Thursday night to confirm again and also called Friday morning to provide me with a number and name in case we had any problems. Highly recommended.
Reception - Woodbury Country Club. WOW. Amazing. It was like I had dreamed my wedding would be. The place was immaculate, very beautiful and everyone was so nice to us. The staff were incredible and our banquet manager Peter did a wonderful job coordinating everything. The cocktail hour was amazing as was all other food that evening. My cake topper and serving set were washed, wrapped in the original packaging and boxed up along with the table cameras, a bottle of champagne and some other goodies. We spent a lot on the reception and I'm glad because it showed. Our guests really enjoyed themselves and the pictures prove it. Highly recommended.
DJ - Body Rock in Carle Place. The only vendor I had a 'problem' with. They played the wrong version of our first song (All the Way by Frank Sinatra). Instead of playing the original version, they played some other version with a woman singing. I requested the original too! We also had a 2nd dance that was supposed to be played later on in the night. They played it 2 or 3 songs after our first dance. I requested 4 other songs for the evening and they played 3 of them. No one else knew of these 'problems', so everyone enjoyed themselves. The dance floor was packed all night. They did have the place jumping which is what I wanted. The parent dances were done exceptionally well (we requested that 1/2 way through the songs, that the MC should announce that all fathers and daughters come out to the dance floor and all mothers and sons come out). It was very well done. We did not do the garter toss or bouquet toss. Instead, we presented the bouquet to the couple who was married the longest (my grandparents at 65 years won). All married couples were brought out to the dance floor and the MC would announce 'anyone married less than 10 years sit down, 20 years, etc). My grandparents were the last people standing (well planned of course). This was done well. Recommended, but triple check everything!
Videographer - Wild Rose. I haven't seen my video, but I have no worries at all. Bill was amazing and very unobstrusive. What a nice guy! He was there all day and I know how hard he worked. I can't wait to see my video!!! Highly recommended.
Honeymoon - Southern Caribbean Cruise on the Carnival Destiny --- amazing. It went so fast! We had a suite and it was so beautiful. Aruba, Barbados, Martinique, St Thomas/St John were incredible. Snorkling, diving over shipwrecks, booze cruises, 4x4 tours were the icing on the cake. We flew Jet Blue and they were great too. No problems at all. Highly recommended.
Did I miss anyone? The day went so fast! Take a few minutes here and there to sit back and watch everyone and take it all in, because the day flies by!
Research your vendors and double and triple check everything especially special requests. Be nice to your vendors-- they are there to serve you! If you are nice to them, then they are nice to you and I feel they will do a better job. Be forceful when you have to, b*tch a little if you need to and be straightforward with them. I booked most of my vendors 2 years in advance and I would check in with them every so ofthen.
Pick your bridesmaids carefully. I can't believe the amazing job my girls did with the shower, bachelorette party and my wedding day. They are my friends and they really went above and beyond the call of duty. After my shower, I sent each girl flowers at their offices to thank them. We had a blast up in Foxwoods for my bachelorette party and the wedding was amazing. They looked so beautiful and I was honored that they were a part of my special day. They all worked together (I'm sure there were times when it was hard) and they pulled it off! I love you guys!
Be nice to your parents! It's their day too! Mine worked so hard to make my day so special and I am amazed at how well everything was done.
I will post some of my proofs tomorrow. Here's one that was taken by a relative.
I just wanted to thank all the girls that offered advice and opinions over the last couple of years. I think we all learn from one another and this site has been a godsent.
Love and happiness to all!
Karen
