Out of town brides

Hi, is anyone else an out of town bride??
I live in Virginia, but I grew up on Long Island, so I am getting married there. It's so hard to try and get everything together living so far away!!

I'm one and actually live in VA too (around the DC area). I've definitely found this a bit challenging at times, but overall I'm sure it could have been a lot worse. This site has been a god-send for me, since at least it makes my trips up to NY more efficient. For instance, last August I was up there for a week and pretty much knocked out all my major vendors - DJ, Photo / Video, Florist, and Ceremony Musicians. Pretty much all thanks to what I learned here to narrow my choices and making appts. prior to going up there.

Also, as I'm now buried in the details of this -- I've found that there is a lot I can start or accomplish from here, such as favors, invites, candle placecards, etc.

Best of luck with your planning! It will come together

I am in St Louis and planned most of the wedding from here! It was a pain but most of my vendors were really great about it and worked about my schedule.

ME ME ME!!!
FH and I both grew up on LI and just moved to FL this past year - but of course we're still getting married in NY b/c that's where all of our guests live!

It hasn't been that hard thanks to technology... The florist thing is a bit daunting, but we could look up pretty much everything on the internet of course, and the bands we could watch on DVD and get info via word of mouth.

i live in Alexandria, VA too! this site has helped me a TON! and saved so much time. pretty much a lot of the shopping around has gone by the wayside...just can't see 10 florists, view their work, talk to them, etc, for example, and then decide...i've had to e-compare them online, write a few, call a few and decide by the email exchanges and phone calls. because a lot i've chosen is based on the experienced recommendation on LIW i'm confident all the vendors are great!

LOVE LOVE LOVE LIW!!

I live in FL but grew up in NY. It is difficult at times, but this website helps a lot. I think it has helped me the most by helping me narrow down vendors. This way when I do visit NY to meet vendors I don't have 15 to see. I have 5 or 6 that I know will be great and I just have to pick which one I like the best. Good luck to you

I'm not even on the East Coast! I live in Redondo Beach, CA but grew up in Queens. It does make the planning difficult. If I didn't find this site, my wedding would have been so much more expensive and I am sure I wouldn't have been happy with all of my vendors. I also found two other girls getting married at my unique wedding site so I can FM them with questions I have. Like someone on here said, this site made it possible for me to go to NY and book all my vendors in a week.

About the band, I took a leap of faith and booked mine off a DVD. They have been turning out great. I can reach the band leader no problem, he answers all my questions and I have heard nothing but good reviews.

Wow, I can't believe how many of you live VA! I am really stressed because I just got engaged in December, and I am getting married in August. When I was home over Christmas I picked my reception hall, but that was all I was able to get done. Two of my Bridesmaids live there so hopefully they can help out. I don't even have a dress yet!!

Do any of you Northern Virginians know of places I can look for dress??? Please help!

i loved Hannelore's in Old Town! Beware-closed on mondays. I got all my BM dresses there and they are altering my gown. I could have gotten my dress there, but my FSIL wanted to take me to Kleinfelds and I ended up getting it with her.

Hannelore's

You might want to reach out to the DC knotties for bridal salon ideas too. I'm sure they could help

I planned my entire wedding from Chicago. I also had a short engagement of 9 months. This site was very helpful. It was also helpful to make calls before your trips home to ask vendors questions and check on availability. Definitely make appointments before you get to NY. Give yourself at least 2 hours between them in case they run long, you are late or get lost. Also try to get directions to their offices/studios before your trip.

My first trip to NY was a disaster bc I didn't make appointments or do research before hand. But my next trip, I booked my DJ, Photo/video, and florist. It was all bc I did the legwork before.

Good Luck..... It can definitely be done with a little organization.

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Posted by katieshope

Wow, I can't believe how many of you live VA! I am really stressed because I just got engaged in December, and I am getting married in August. When I was home over Christmas I picked my reception hall, but that was all I was able to get done. Two of my Bridesmaids live there so hopefully they can help out. I don't even have a dress yet!!

Do any of you Northern Virginians know of places I can look for dress??? Please help!

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There are two little bridal shops that I forget the name of...one on Duke St across from the Baja Fresh/Giant/Lonestar.
The other is in the little shopping center at the corner of Duke and Pickett.
I also like the Jessica McClintock store in the Tysons mall.
FM me if you need better directions.

i am in the DC area too (rockville) i went to hannalorres (sp) too and the woman who helped me was NOT nice i was with a friend because my mom isnt here and she thought i was playing F*ck-around and wasting her time. i was bummed i had heard such good things about them (i ended up gettng my dress at home at Lillettes in baldwin)

BRidal Imagaes in Rockville is also supposed to be great...and for fun there is always sandy from the apprentice's place too...but i heard her staff can also be kind of rude

FH and I are both living in the Boston area!

I grew up on LI and he grew up upstate, outside of Syracuse. We both went to different colleges in Massachusetts then moved to the Boston area after college, which is where we met. We're having the wedding on LI because that's where I'm from and where much of my family lives now (including my parents who are paying, thank goodness!).

It's a tough job planning a wedding while in grad school in another city, but my MOH (my older sister) got married 3 years ago, so she and my mom know what they are doing and have been a HUGE help. As have the ladies on LIW! Good to know there are others like you all out there in my situation. Any other Boston ladies?

Okay, how funny is that that so many of us live in DC!!!!! I live in Centreville and am planning my wedding up in New York and would be MORE than willing to help in anyway.

Yesterday, actually, I went to this place called Bridal Shoppe in Manassas (Exit 47B off 66West/ 4th traffic light on left in Sudley Shopping Center) Okay, anyway, I went on and tried on over 10 gowns. The most helpful, wonderful place. I worked with Michelle and she was so patient and understanding. You don't need an appointment during the week and here's the thing I liked (actually I think michelle said they were the biggest vendor of dresses- not sure if she was lying though ) What I liked is that every section was labeled- 'Traditional-sleeveless' 'Tulle-sleeves' I loved that because usually I'm just runnning around going crazy. As for the prices....after you find your dress, shop around to make sure they have the cheapest price because I'm still looking around to make sure I can't get a better deal.

Depending on your finances, if you are looking for more high end, I think its called Kathleen's boutique in Alexandria (it starts with a K, FM me if you want more info and I'll look it up) Beautiful dresses, but I couldn't find anything under $1500 with most above $2000)

It is really hard being from out of town and I completely understand where you're coming from. I am an enthusiast on the 2005 board, and have gotten SO much information/advice from them. Another option is 'searching' the boards by putting in vendors name and getting honest reviews from everyone. Heck, I booked Flowers by Michele without even seeing the store just because of the reviews alone. NExt weekend I am going up to do DJ's and photographers all in one weekend. It'll be busy but its kind of like I just want to get it over with. For anyone out of town, I can always give you the package information to save you time, just FM me and I don't mind doing it.

Anyone who ever needs anything, please let me know and I would love to help, tell you my experiences or beg for your help

I really have to start looking for dresses! My mom called me today at 5:30 and said in exactly 7 months it will be all over, and you'll be married!! I started freaking out, 7 months left and I don't have anything done, except for the recetion hall!!!!