Official Vanderbilt Mansion,Oakdale Thread

damn, i typed a whole thing and it was gone saying i have to log in.

oh well.
But anyway, VM is great. all my quest raved about the place, how different and beautiful it was especially compared to a regular catering hall.
And the food they loved it.
I love the sushi during the cocktail hour.
Our bridal attendant and matre d were awesome.
It was just awesome through the planning I dealt with maryann and caroline.
Carolin even find me towards the end of the night in the bathroom by the conservatory to say goodnight.
Good luck to futer VM brides. I look forward to seeing your review and pics!!!!!!

Hi WeezieNY - your wedding was BEAUTIFUL!!!! That is my utmost favorite pic and will try my hardest to recreate it.


What cake fillings is everyone going to have and for past VM brides, what did you have?

Wow, butterfl2878, I am really impressed how much you have gotten done. I feel so lazy. I come home and usually watch tv. I gotta get more done especially because I am going out of town for work for 3 months! Yep! I come back 2 weeks before the wedding, Insane I know!

I will come back twice for meetings, shower and fittings!

I realized I asked a question and didn't answer it myself. I had looked at the Vanderbilt MUSEUM and loved it!!!! I was dying to have my reception there but then came the site fee - $12,500. Yikes. We went to look at Lands End and liked it a lot but it felt just a little too catering hall. I saw that they had the mansion and my mom and I stopped over there on the way home from Lands End and I saw it and knew. Character and elegance with water! How can you go wrong

Bump for VM Brides!!

New Link added......

Audrey's Bakery Cake Options Page!
VM Wedding Cake Options

mcc101
Thanks for that link to Audrey's! That is so helpful! I looked at all the ones included and there are a few that I might go with. I can't wait to do my cake tasting.

Me too!!! I actually know which cake design I want - I absoutely loved this cake - I think it was IreneinChicago's cake. So I may go with that but go with real flowers on top.......I wonder if he will customize the cake with a different filling......I can't wait to set up my meeting regarding the cake!

I asked Maryann about the chocolate. She said they are from the bakery.. I think. They come a few wrapped in Cellophane with ribbons. i will ask her again. But that is what I remember. She said that I could give her the ribbon and they would add it when they are making them.

I am also looking at some other favor ideas. I just think the ones I like are too much money and the cheaper ones... are well cheap and no one will use them. I originally planned on using a coffee/tea theme. Every other place gets personalized coffee or tea and a coffee scoop and tea infuser. But I saw the coffee scoop recently and it was really small and cheesy looking... So now I may give just the personalized coffee and tea bad to each guest.

OH yeah Why did I choose the VM. Well I wanted something different.. I was looking at the vineyards and either they were too expensive.. OR they wouldn't call me back....RUDE. girls suggested the VM to me. I went and fell in love.

What do I have done...

I finished the kissing bells for the table. I have kind of picked out what I want for bokays..not centerpieces yet. I ordered the program kit, haven't ordered invitations yet. Got some suppiles for the 'we Do' letters. Made some ribbon wands. Booked all the vendors..except the trumpeter for the church. Got tiara and veil. Got silk rose petals.

Left to do... Get dressed fitted
Pick out shoes, undergarments, jewlery etc.
Go for hair makeup trials
Pick out tuxes
Make more ribbon wands
Order invites
Print programs
Meet with florist to discuss ideas
Make flower girl pomador (spelling?) balls
Paint 'we do' letters
Get table cameras, make instructions
Toasting flutes
Something for a sign in book
Make photo/card cube
Sparklers
Meet with DJ/ and photog, plan lists for must take pics and song lists
Pick out cake
Figure out the favor situation
Book church trumpets
Make pew bows
Decide on ceramony music/readings
Bridesmaid groomsmen gifts

Oh boy.. my head is spinning

I am dressing up the bathroom with votives and rose petals! I think that will be fine!

What style of cake is that mcc101? My computer stinks and it's hard to see the detailing.

Wow Patricia!!! You have alot done! I really need to get the move on.......Thank you for asking Maryann.

Today I finsihed registering in one store and need to go back to Fortunoff and Pottery Barn.....I decided on a head piece and ordered it - coming all the way from France! Also, I finally began ordering BM dresses. 2 BM gowns ordered and 9 more to go!! I still have to finalize my flowers which I think I am going to change the color scheme again....I still have to decide on a limo comapany and start my cd wedding programs, petal cones, etc., decide what to do with invitations, OH BOY! Just thinking of what else I have to do is hurting my head!

Mary, I plan on doing the same thing with the bathroom. The cake has a scroll like look to it...I just plan on showing them the picture...I am sure they have a better picture to show.

One different thing that I am doing that I have not ever seen before is making car air fresners that I wil ask Maryann if the Valet people can put on everyone's rearview mirror so when they leave for the wedding, they have something else waiting for them in their car....hopefully I will get to do it and people would appreciate it.

MCC101 --Hi!
How are you making the air fresheners? Cute idea!!
I was thinking potpouri in a hanging sashe'. Could we do this cheap????

mcc -I love the idea of the car freshners. Very unique!

Butterfl - My invites came in Last week too! It's so exciting. I am in the process of tracking down friends for their addresses, it's so hard. 4 more to go!

Other than that I just had a make up trial and am leaving town for work this weekend. Work is really getting in the way!

Question for those of you having the ceremony at the Vanderbilt, are you having a musician or dj at the ceremony? And is the ceremony inside or outside?
thanx

HI Ladies,

Yes, I am making he air freshners with the organza sashes and potpourri - then a tag that thanks them them for coming. It's simple and easy and I haven't seen it done before!

Can't wait to see pics of both of your invites!!

BriDec05, I am having ceremony in Brooklyn.....sorry I am of no help but I think whether you have it outside or inside it will be beautiful!!! GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

I went to the tasting last night. Everything was sooo yummy. My poor dad who is the pickiest eater in the world will only be able to eat the filet.
I have to say my dad's point on this earth is to be completly inappropriate and embarass me at all times. He was really freaking Maryann out. He told her we were have a midevil theme and we were bringing in statues and jousting (we're not). Then he told her he wanted pigs in a blanket. She was really nice and said she can do that no problem... So he goes how about mozz. stick and buffalo wings and a large screen tv? Maryann just stood there and was like......well she didn't say much. I don't think she got his very strange humor. Oh well. I am waiting for the call for her to call and refund all my money cuz she thinks we are strange. I have a crazy and really fun family. We were laughing and walking around the whole time. The food was great. There were a couple of dishes that were not on the menu we orginally got. She said they were testing them and we could have anything from last night or the menu. We also loved the upgraded wines but she said we could like upgrade one table that knew wines and not the rest of the wedding that might not care. I thought that was a really cool suggestion.

So to sum it up.. food yummy, my family..nuts, maryann...freaked out by my dad, my dad.. happy he has filet and pigs in the blanket and he is allowed to order his first course from the kids menu.

Glad everything worked out! I would have had fun with your dad if I was there!