Official DeSeversky Center Thread

I just hit my 3 month mark this past Monday. Yikes! I'm a bit behind because I'm working full-time (in NYC) and starting my own business.

I still don't have transportation (but my DOC is working on that), a videographer (we weren't going to have one, know we've changed our minds), and our ceremony mucisians (but I have a friend in the music biz helping me with that).

My DOC is Laurie Savino. She's a bit more expensive than Rosalie whom I've also interviewed. Laurie's been great. She got me a great deal on a florist (and since my theme is Spring on Long Island...I'm using a variety - and he's been just great). She's been to deSeversky with me to renegotiate some contract points with Debbie. She's found odds and ends for me like flicker candles (you cannot put lit real candles on any mantle or on the big main table in the front hall), and a raclette heater (basically a different type of fondue, real popular in Europe that we're doing at cocktail hour instead of chaffing station). Lots of other stuff too that I won't bore you with.

As far as ceremony. I am having mine on that back patio (weather permitting, please keep your fingers crossed for me!). You can also have it on the lawn back there - supposedly they are setting up a gazebo in the back - anyone seen it? But those are really the only places they allow the ceremony do to noise & neighbors.

My invitations are going to print tonight. I get my envelopes next week so I can start having those addressed, and they'll go in the mail in 3 weeks.

Let me know what exciting things you all are up to as we're counting down to the Spring/Summer DeSeversky weddings! Good luck all.

Oh my gosh Pam, you have done so much with negotiating with Debbie. Sounds like you've got everything under control.

What are flicker candles? I was planning to use candles on that front table, but I didn't realize we weren't allowed. Ugh.

I am focused this weekend on booking our rehearsal dinner.

Other than that, the rest of March will be working to get FH to pick out a tux and buying our bridal party gifts.

Once April hits, I'll be busier with my dress and the BM dresses scheduled to arrive and then sending out invites.

It's starting to get to crunch time ladies! I'm getting really excited.

Flicker candles are basically battery operated candles - they have a little bulb inside them that flickers. I thought they'd be real cheezy - but they are absolutely deceptive. They look real (depending on how close you get to them of course). They'll be perfect for mantles - that front hall table might be a challenge though. I'm putting my escort cards there, so people might be close enough to realize they're not real.

Not absolutely perfect...but a solution nonetheless.

Oh -I didn't know they had a house florist and had never thought of this before. Thanks for letting us know.

What is the name of the florist?

Pam everything is sounding great and really coming together. Do you need any recs for transportation?

We have just sent out our save the dates, updated our registries, made our wedding webpage, but still need to find ceremony musicians. My dress just came in and I tried it on for the first time - that was exciting. We are still waiting for our invite sample to come in to make sure that is the invite we want. Next we need to start decorating our guest polariod album.

135 days left to go for me

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Posted by greta

Have any of you thought about your dinner menu? I am having my sister's shower there and it's time for me to make up my menu- just curious if anyone heard that certain dishes are better than others? thanks.

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Everything I have had there so far has been great!!!!! I do not have any favorites.

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Posted by Tina120206

I was just there this weekend and spoke to Debbie. Has anyone ever used the house florist/decorator. Debbie mentioned it to me and it made total sense. Since my wedding is in December and the house would be decorated, the house florist/decorator could be extremely helpful in making sure things matched and helping me save money for things not needed or they would be provided for the mansion. Just wondering if anyone knew if they were really good for bo-k's and other stuff. I believe they are out of Roslyn.

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Also, very curious about the house florist. Please, let me know who this is. Thanks.

I would LOVE a rec for a transportation company! Also...know of any videographers on the cheap? We weren't going to have a videographer - and we've changed our minds. But all we want is someone to document the day - no big flashy editing and music...just a clean & simple documentation of the ceremony/reception.

I just emailed Julliard to ask about ceremony musicians. I'm going to call over there shortly if I don't hear back. I've heard great things about the Julliard students - but not sure yet on cost/availability. I'll let you know right after I talk to them, but that may be a route you can take.

Also...I'm a bit in a panic. Debbie has not returned my emails (well over a week now) and I know from past experience that it's a waste of time to call her. My DOC has also been trying to track her down with NO LUCK! Has she been on vacation?

Yeah for you and trying on your wedding dress! So much fun!

-My invites went to print yesterday
-I'm going shoe shopping/undergarment shopping tomorrow because my dress is due in in about a week or so.
-This weekend we're working on tuxes, favors & wedding rings
-Need to work with Debbie/Chef Rizzuto on the menu but she's not getting back to me, ugh!
-registry, done
-flowers, done
-dj, done
-still need videographer, ceremony musicians, transportation but hoping to have these nailed down by the end of this weekend.

This is going to be a challenging 2 1/2 months!

Keep me posted!
Pam

I found contact and other information on the school's website. Specifically here:

http://www.juilliard.edu/college/career_hire.html

Hi Pam
Limo - Royalty - gave us a great price!!!! We got 1 limo which will pick me and the girls up first then go get the guys. Since we are doing the ceremony on site we need to get our 3 hour use of the limo :). Bobby from Legend Limo also gave me a great price as well.

US Limos (On jericho trnpk - in mineola?)- 13/14 passeger van $70 (plus tax and grat) each way for each van. (This is from the Glen Cove Mansion to Deseversky).

I have the phone numbers at home if you need them. Let us know if there is anything else we can do to help

Please let me know what you find out about ceremony musicians. We did not get videographer because we do not like how they have tripods and are in everyones face. But a subtle documenter would be nice - Good luck!

Debbie unresponsiveness is so annoying! I am not aware if she is away or not, but someone should be returning her calls al least if she is away. Did you try emailing her?

Thanks so much for the transportation details. If you have a chance, would you please send me their phone numbers that you have at home? That would be sooo helpful. I'm going to try to make appointments with your recommendations this weekend!

I did email Debbie, several times. My DOC has called her several times. I have prided myself on being the anti-bridezilla...but, I just may have to show some teeth here pretty soon. It's really rough to spend that much money on a place to not have them return your calls less than 3 months before the big day. (sorry girls, just venting).

I'll follow up with you once I hear back from Julliard, hopefully by end of day today or sometime tomorrow (just left a voicemail also).

And, yes - the tripod, in everyone's faces is exactly why we didn't want a videographer. I'm just worried that after the fact, I'll be dissappointed that I didn't have a video of the day.

Anyone have any recommended honeymoon travel agents? We normally plan our own travel, but we're thinking of going to Hong Kong, Thailand and Malyasia and those are pretty uncharted territories for us - and I'd like to get some professional advice.

Anyone have a travel agent they just love and would recommend? Southeast Asia experience a plus!

I am glad to hear everyone's planning is going so well. I can't believe the Spring and Summer are upon us. This year has really flown by!
Pam I do not know if you have already picked out your transportation but we went with All Star and I definitely would recommend them. We went to four other places and found the service and the limos to be the best there. If you do have interest ask to speak to Debbie there she is so helpful, professional and nice.

My plans are coming along although I am paranoid I am forgetting something. Does anyone else feel that way?
I have the following done:
Dress
Bridesmaid dresses
Flowers
Photographer and Videographer
Band
Church
rehearsal and rehearsal Dinner
Save the Dates (went out in Oct)
DOC
transportation (Limos and bus for guests)
Hotel accommodations for guests
Honeymoon

Things I need to do:
Programs
Menus
Invitations (which I plan to do tomorrow)
Place Cards
Table Numbers
Favors
Undergarments
FLower Girl Dress (this weekends task)
Tuxes
Fitting (Dress comes in beginning of June)

I think that covers it but I am afraid I am forgetting something.
Does anyone have any suggestions on where to go for shoes? I am just starting to research that.

Well you're way ahead of me!
Would you give (FM me if you prefer) me the phone number for All Star? Thanks for the recommendation!

I finally got a response from her last night - 10 later! I think it took her about the same amount of time to return my DOC's phone calls. I understand that they are super busy there right now, and I think her son's been in the hospital or something. But 10 days is scary.

She's always responded right away in the past, so I'm going to call it a fluke and not worry about it anymore. I've got enough to deal with at 79 days to go!