**Pre-Wedding Vendor Rating Thread**

Lots of girls come back after their wedding and rate their vendor as excellent for the day but hard to get in contact with or great to work with all along but late on the wedding day.

For all those Brides 2 Be...Rate your vendors as of right now.

This might be helpful to future brides considering vendors.

IMO, while their performance on the event day is sooooo important....how they were to work with all along is important too.

So, come on...RATE THOSE VENDORS!!

**If you are already married, Play Pretend and rate as if your day hasn't taken place yet**

Ceremony: St. Catharine's in Brooklyn
Grew up at this church so they will basically do whatever I want. LOVE IT! That's the Bridezilla in me.

Reception: Ariana Waterfall in West Hempstead, LI
Love them! Have them on my speed dial! Answer any questions I have...no matter how dumb!

Limo: ????
No Idea...I will keep you posted!

Florists:
Trina from Expressions Floral Design
My Absolute Favorite Vendor so far!!!
We email eachother as if we have known eachother for years and just chat away about everything!!! Her work is great and her prices are awesome as well. Easy to track down. Takes 2 minutes!
--Hired her to do my centerpieces. Am very confident in her work 150% and when I say 'Do what you want'--she is the only vendor I intend to really let do what she wants.

Make Up: FM me for her info
She is wonderful!!! Free Trials (as many as it takes) and will travel anywhere. Very Sanitary!

Hair: ????
Not sure yet! Will keep you posted

Invitations and Favors: Invitations by Cathy @ Sweet Nut Hut
WONDERFUL PERSON!!! Flexible hours and will order for you before even receiving deposit or payment. My favors came in one week and are sitting in her store!
--Picked up my favors and love them!!!

Travel Agent: Dawn @ Cruise One
Wonderful!!! Gave me the best quote and gave me all sorts of tips about our Honeymoon. Very satisfied! Works from home. Vendor on LIW!

Photography - Daniel Krieger.
Joanne is the photographer for the day. We are also using them for our video. They are a family owned company and have been flexible with all of my requests. All of my emails and phone calls are returned, and every question and concern is put to rest. So far I couldn't ask for anything more. I chose them over Patken because, even though I liked Patken's work, I felt that Dan offered something much more.

Limo - Sir Oliver. We used them for my sister's wedding and bach. party. That was one of the reasons we booked them. They were negotiable w/pricing and when I asked to re-do my contract when we changed venue's, it wasn't a problem.

DJ - Tom from Elegant Entertainment. He is not from this board, but he did both my sister's weddings, as well as a friends wedding and was excellent. What even more excellent? HIS PRICE.
He is not always quick to return phone calls, but he is professional and I have no concerns about my wedding day!

Bridal Suite in Centereach. I don't know. I have been a bridesmaid for several weddings, and always used them. For whatever reason, my BM is on her 4th fitting because they did a sloppy job sewing. The good news - it's being fixed!

Bridal Reflections in Massapequa - They have been wonderful. I just wish they would stop trying to sell me a bra! LOL!!!!

Vicky - Anastasia hair salon - Great Neck - I found her from Denise Venti. She was booked for my day so she recommended Vicky. What a great girl!! She is doing both my hair and make-up and she is bring her assistant to do my 6 BM's. She returns all phone calls promptly and really works with you so that you get the look you want. Her trials are inexpensive too!

Flowers - Flowers By Brian - I love their work. I'm not thrilled with their customer service - but overall it has been a pretty good experience. Again, they are flexible and negotiable.

Villa Lombardi - They have been excellent with everything. I can't say a bad thing about them, except that they have 2 wedding's at a time, and you don't know what room you will have until both parties head counts get in. That's been pretty stressful!

Invitations - Party Block. We did them online. They came out really nice and were delivered in days.

Really a long time ago, but all vendors still in business (that's a good sign)

East Meadow Jewish Center-A+++++++++ Food, service and just as attentive before hand. The place was beautiful.

Flowers:A+++
Atlantic Floral-Beautiful Flowers and extremely reasonable. I shopped 6 other florists before I picked them.

Photography:A++++
Lady Kat, not very widely know, but very artistic and not typical photography. Pauline basically taught me how to pose for a picture. I shopped at least 5 other photographers. I thought my husband would change his mind about marrying me!

Hair:A+++
Salon Gino-Westbury. They were great for the wedding party, but I stopped using them afterwards due to change in management.

Make-up-Christine fro Estee LauderA+++++
Pure genius and I like the way I do make-up better than anyone else.

Bridal Reflections-Carle Place A+++
Not a bad word I can say. They even steamed my veil which I didn't buy from them. Unfortunately, they ripped it but ended up replacing it for me. I almost had a heart attack, but they were very professional.

Niteflight Productions A++++++
Perhaps the best band I have ever heard. I was so glad I found them since they are not as widely known as some others. Easy to deal with and always available to answer my ridiculous questions.

Sandals St. Lucia A++++++
We loved it so much we went back a few times. It was our dream vacation.

What a great idea!!
Ceremony & Reception - Fox Hollow
They messed up on the prices they orriginally quoted us (about $9pp increase) but made up for it by adding alot of free extras & lowering the min. Since then everything has been great! They have accomodated all of my picky & strange requests. Plus they let me go by last Sat to take pics - I took 2 rolls & they didnt say a thing!
Photographer/Video - Sherwood Triart
Have been good so far - always return our calls very quickly, threw in double the TYs & extra 5x7s for free & split one of the 44 pic parent albums for free w/no charge for an extra cover
DJ - Body Rock
AWESOME! They worked with our budget and even call evry few months to check up on our planning - not in an annoying way either. Last time they gave me some great tips on putting together the must play & don't play lists.
Limos - Alexis Limos
A little tough to get an appointment with but they were nice & accepted our expired coupon (6mos old) and gave us the $200 off!!
Invitations
SoHo Letterpress - I have called for 4 months & never got a response. I've tried all different hours and day, I tried emailing & nothing. So much for a good baregain on letterpress!
Piccolo Press - Been very helpful so far, may use them, downside is they do all the designs by email & you don't get to see all the motifs/styles. Prices are reasonable & they respond fairly quickly considering its Scottland.
Marsville Letterpress - very quick with sending FREE samples, good designs, prices are really good b/c in Canain currency (30% off listed price)
after all this I'll probly decide I dont want letterpress!!
Flowers by Brian
Only had 1 meeting - good prices for what I wanted (all roses no filler), spent 1 1/2 hours with us, easy loaction, Sat hours - still have to shop around! Can't wait to meet with Laurie & need to make an appointment with Trina!!

**please don't mind my spelling errors, my keyboard is broken & they won't let me buy a new one...**

Duet: So far they have been easy to get in touch with and the engagement proofs were great! Prices are very fair and offer alot!

Silver Star Limos: They have been the only limo co. in Westchester County that I have not heard anything negative about. When we went to see the cars that were all shiny and clean! We can call the week of and get any upgrade we would like for free!

Arcadia Floral: Beauitful show room. Prices are average. Top quality flowers and beautiful samples that came out exactly how i wanted.

Glen Island Habour Club: Prompt attention from day one. We have never had to wait to speak with someone. Food @ tasting was better then any resturant I have been to. So far they have been amazing! and worth every penny!!!

RK Bridal: Everything has come in correct and one time. The service has been ok but the place it very big and the service is not very personalized. So if you are looking to save and don't really care about them knowing who you are then go for it!

Kings Brass Trumpeters: They were the 1st vendor we got after booking GIHC- so far so good.

Jimmy Dee Music Productions: They made our choice easy- there video presentation @ their showroom featured mostly all Glen Island Weddings so we were sold! They seemed to have the most class out of all the DJ we met with.

Hairlooms: For my veil and headpiece the expeience was overwhlming and they offered the best service, spent an hour or personal service with me and made me feel like a princess.

Invitations: Tulli's Printing- a family friends so we got a good deal! Ink Spun is doing the addressing - I will have them back in 2 weeks. Prices are very inexpensive!

Sonic Design For invitations, programs, favor tags, and fortune tellers.

I 'met' Stef over two years ago when she was a bride and I was a wee hoping-to-get engaged girl. I was IN LOVE with her creativity from the start. Also, she has always been super nice and generous with her ideas. So when she began her business I was very excited and she has been so much fun to work with - also she is very patient as I am a PITA!!! I am so sad that all I have left to do is my program text b/c working with her has been so much fun.

LA Blossom Laurie has also been very patient with me as I change my mind like every week about what flower other than blue hydrangea I want. I also went through major c-piece indecision and she always acted as if I was totally sane to obsess over galvanized pails! I swear I have like 20 FM's titled 'Galvanized Pails?' in which I sound like a complete nutjob and she always came back with great ideas.

LA Productions SHe is my day-of coordinator and all I can say is anyone who can put up with my dad for over an hour gets an A++++ in my book. HE was the bridezilla! ALso, Laurie did my calligraphy and I received many compliments.

Danfords So far, so good! I also drove them crazy with my cocktail-table or regular table dilemma. They have been very patient.

OK, I'll play too!

Ceremony/Reception: The Sephardic Temple in Cedarhurst - So far they have been EXCELLENT! The place is absolutely magnificent and I have not heard one bad thing from anyone who has ever been to an affair there. Avi has been a pleasure to work with. The first time I called him he was away and called me back from Florida! I knew right then that this was someone I was going to enjoy working with!

Photographer/Videographer: Duet. Well, what can I say! Just read all the posts and you will know why I love them. We did our caual day shoot with them on Wednesday and had so much fun! People kept walking by us and were asking if we were models or actors! Someone even said, 'Oh, they must be filming a movie or something'

Flowers: Dalsimer. David is a pleasure to work with. He worked with our budget and id very friendly. After only speaking with a few times, I feel like I have known him forever. As soon as I met him, I knew he was someone I was going to enjoy working with.

Dress: Rivini dress bought at Kleinfeld's. I have had a wonderful experience so far. My dress came in about 6 weeks earlier than expected and everyone I have spoken with has just been so great. I have my first fitting on October 2 so I will update this after that.

BM Dreses: Jim Hjelm dresses bought at Bride's Best Friend in Engelwood, NJ. They were wonderful to work with. Dresses are due in mid September so I will update then.

Tiara: Bridal Fashion Mall Tiara My headpiece was shipped out the day I ordered it! I got it 3 days later.
Since it is relatively inexpensive, I was expecting it to be really flimsy. It is so beautiful!

Band: Next Faze. I LOVE THEM!! When we went to the showcase, we sat down and about 5 minutes late my FH went to the office to sign the contract! We watched their DVD but wanted to see them live. They are so great!

I will update this review as I go along...

this is a great thread!!!!
Church: 10
St. Christophers Baldwin
im not a very involved member, nor is my family, but its where my brother and I have made our communions, confirmations, and had our baptisms too!! Its such a pretty church and i always imagined walking down that isle!

Officiant: 10+++
My fathers cousin is a priest!! he is the most soothing, amazing person! I am so excited to have this important part so personalized

Hall: Jericho Terrace 10+
they have answered all of my questions thus far,however I am farely far away from crunch time so its hard to tell!

Duet: 10+
they are the sweetest people, not pushy at all, their work speaks for itself, and they are soooo flexible!!!!! I have called a few times, i think its a cell phone and gotten a machine, emailing is a much easier way to get an immediate response (though nichole does call back asap)

Jack and Rose: 10++++++
I cant even wait for my design session. FH is even excited!!! I went w/ FH and FMIL and we spoke for over 2 hrs and had a blast. I honestly wasnt too excited about flowers before meeting w/ jack ( i figured anyone would do a nice job and was more focused on other tings) but now I am just soooo excited about them!

Limos: Royalty 10
so far so good, we went there knowing what we wanted, the escalade and the bmw 745i for the girls, and booked on the spot. their prices seem comparable, if not better than others i have heard, and the cars are in amazing shape.

DJ: Tommys Tunes: 10++ thus far
Had a great meeting with Joe E., what a sweetheart!!! I was expecting their prices to be very high, and they were not at all! i am sooo excited to have Joe doing the MCing and having Gene sing, He is just amazing.

Hair and make up I have NO IDEA who i am using. I dont know where to go dress shopping either!! So that is it for now!!! hope this helps!

OK so far i have:

Fox Hollow..so far so good, i go to plan my menu this tue so i can add more then.

Flowers by Brian...I loved meeting Cindy, she was EXTREMELY helpful. I really was going back and forth about what i wanted and she was able to see my vision. I went to see my sample cp..wasn't thrilled but they added 12 more roses and it looked perfect..No extra charge!

Laura from LA Productions...LOVE HER. Highly recommend her..She was sooo patient with all my questions emailing me at 10 pm!

Royalty Limo...so far ok. Good price

Taralei..LOVE HER. She did my hair exatly the way i wanted it.

Jillian from Gorgeous Faces...I loved my trial.

Proline...So far i like them. Had my engagement pics done and i love them!

Christ the King Church...have been wonderful especially Deacon Tony (who is marrying us) He is such a lovely person.

In the Mix DJ...Excellent..i know this because we booked them immediately after seeing them at my friends wedding...GREAT MC!!!!

Bridal Reflections Massapequa...LOVE THEM AND GLORIA..She made me try on this dress that i thought i wasn't going to like..Ends up i absolutely loved it

Zizi (seamstress) so far very nice and helpful.

Denise Leli..absolutely stunning tiara...it was perfect. but she is very pricey imo..

Bridal Suite of Centereach..very good so far. service has been excellent

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Posted by exotica776

this is a great thread!!!!
Church: 10
St. Christophers Baldwin
im not a very involved member, nor is my family, but its where my brother and I have made our communions, confirmations, and had our baptisms too!! Its such a pretty church and i always imagined walking down that isle!

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we are getting married in the same church. i am not active in the church at all, but my mom goes every sunday and volunteers every now and then for things. i went to school there too, so i am familiar with it in that aspect. hope all goes well.

Flcata - You come up with the Greatest ideas!!!!

Cermny & Reception: Ariana Waterfall in West Hempstead, LI
Simple elegance at great prices. Owner & staf VERY helpful

Limo: Royalty Limos
Manny/Owner worked a great package deal for me. We spent a sunday afternoon getting in & out of all their limos & finally found what we wanted. BMW 745i I recently added another limo & he was good on his word re the prices.

Florists:
Aroma Florist in Baldwin, LI
Met with them today - they are doing my CP's. May do bridal party also
Took time to take abt how i want the weeding to 'feel' & look like.

Makeup by Okasana
Her work is great & truly artistic. Prices are awesome as well.

DJ - SMoothDJ Rus
Love his site & his reviews are Excellent.

Hair: My sis

Video- Mittermax - AWESOME work!!

Photo - 12th Night - My e-pics are stunning - prequel (sp) to my wedding pics. Dom is soo easy to work with.

RH: Astoria World Manor : I attended a retirement party there last year, and enjoyed it very much. When I spoke to Joe, he took the time to break everything down and get the most for our money. You know how sites have a price range listed in magazines? When I made my calls, no one ever told me what was available for the less expensive options- they just wanted me to pay the highest they had available.

Twelfth Night Photography: Since we are from Brooklyn, we REALLY didn't want to trek all over Long Island looking for vendors. So I narrowed it down to 12th Night and another vendor, met Dominic and Claudia, and was hooked. He was kind and generous BEFORE he booked us, and that was important. I really appreciated that he encouraged us to do some stuff on our own, like the thank yous, so we could save $.

Flower Michele Florist: I saw a CP here that i totally fell in love with, saw that it was made by Flower Michele and went straight to them! John made me feel very comfortable, and was able to give my my dream flowers for the budget I had set. Also, I VERY much appreciate that they are travelling to Brooklyn at the crack of dawn on my wedding day. I was turned down by other vendors in long island because of how far i live.

High Voltage: I had seen Vinny work at another party, and liked his style. In addition, his reviews from brides here are terrific, and his packages can't be beat.

Rosalie, Wedding Coordinator, Expression Wedding Design: Of all my vendors, she has had to deal with my craziness the most! I made a long list of things I would need someone to do, that my MOH (my 17 year old sister, I do not have a bridal party) will not be able to handle. Like my favors, invitations, distributing tips and final payments the day of, dress shopping ( I wanted an objective opinion), and MOST IMPORTANTLY, keeping the peace the day of the wedding. My family and FH's will meet for the first time at the wedding, and I suspect it will me somewhat volatile. I trust her to keep the peace.

As I am sure you can tell, I am extremely budget conscious. What I love about ALL of my vendors is that I was able to keep to my budget without sacrificing quality. I hope that helps!

RECEPTION: Woodbury Country Club. They have been absolutely wonderful thus far. Like one of the other girls our banquet manager left, but whenever i have called and spoken to anyone, they have been a pleasure to speak with.

PHOTOGRAPHER: Natasha Staszek. She is just PERFECT. Not only is her work STUNNING, she has answered any and all questions quickly and nicely. Every time that we speak with her, she tells us to call if we think of anything, etc. and you can tell she really means it.

BAND: The Mystic. They are professional, fabulous, and curtious. They have also kept in contact with us, and we are totally looking foward to our meeting next month. This is another vendor that has blown us away!! Theyre wonderful.

ATTIRE (WEDDING GOWN, VEIL, FG DRESS, BM DRESSES): Adriennes. I know that there has been some bad reviews about this place. BUT I love them. I have found them to be so helpful and nice to me. I have had a really great experience with the girls there. I find them all to be so sweet to me... and i have to tell you I have some B!TCHY BM.

MOMS DRESS: Commack Wedding Center. DO NOT GO TO THIS PLACE. I hate them. Please note, this was just MY OPINION. I do not want to upest or freak anyone out. But I was angry that they were making my mom order a dress WAAAAAAAAAAAAY bigger than what she shouldve. We havent gotten the dress yet. we shall see!

INVITATIONS: Precious Collection. This company is terrific. Really. They were fast and perfect. They even called me a few times b/c they had questions for me and they were SOOOO nice and helpful. LOVED THEM

GROOMS ATTIRE: Giorgio Armani. My FH had his tux made there a number of months ago. We go to a lot of black tie affairs so he will be wearing this again and again and again and again. I have to say that he looks so hot in it!! yeaaa

I have to say that we have had very good luck so far.. Please FM me if you want anymore info!!

Jennifer

I LIKE THIS THREAD!

RECEPTION: WATERMILL A++++++
I love everyone there. They make you feel like your the most important person in the world. The want your day to be about you, the food was beyond amazing, and i dont have one single worry about being in their hands..

DJ-TOMMY TUNES A++
Again, they are very well known for their professionalism and that attracted them to us. I think they are slightly more pricey for the package but I think that music is a big part of the night and so it was worth the extra few hundred to know we were in capable hands!


FLOWERS- LA BLOSSOM A++++++++++
As every one on here says, LAURIE IS THE BEST! I knew I was booking her from her FM's ALONE! I never met with anyone but her and I love her energy, her memory is AMAZING, she remembers the littlest details from MONTHS ago and her work says all their is to say

LIMO-SERENTITY( unknown) But a pleasure so far to work with!

HOTEL ( oot's and us)-COURTYARD BY MARRIOT A++++
The sales rep I worked with was a saint...They beat EVERYONES price by a TON and I e-mailed her 15 times in one day and she answered every single one! CANT WAIT TO USE THEM!

MAKE-UP-JACQUELINE NICOLE- A+++++
Amazing job! SO sweet, FREE TRIAL for Bride! I booked her on the spot!

PHOTO/VIDEO- ADA
A+++++
HEard some mixed reviews on LIW about them yet after meeting everyone there I LOVE them, not a doubt in my mind about them. They have a TON of books from digital to regular to show you and we were VERY impressed.

BM'S DRESSES- COMMACK WEDDING CENTER B-
So far they have been ok...We havent dealt too much with them but the 3 times I was there they were all ( 4 people) eating and complaining about how they had no time to eat. Was weird it happened each time. They only helped one girl, the other two I assisted, even pinned the dresses for them after I asked for pins like 4 times. I think that their prices are good, they have a great selection and overall just need some more attentive staff in the BM dept.
Tried Bridal dresses on there as well, and I had a great experience with those girls, they were GREAT!

MY DRESS- DAVIDS BRIDAL B-
The reception area staff is evil. They are always rude, when your there or when you call you get an attitude. The girls who helped me with teh dresses were dolls and the prices and selection cant be beat.

TRAVEL AGENT- IN AND OUT TRAVEL A++++
So far so good!!

Reception - Flowerfield A++++ - They have been so awesome. Everything and anything I want they will get or have. I wanted a certain drink and they are getting the ingredients for me and will have them made. I asked them for so much and Meaghan our BM has always been there to answers everything. Even when one day I called up to make sure that the butter did not have a cover on it with the Flowerfield logo

Invitations (and so much more) - Kathy from Follow Your Heart A++++ - She has been so great too. Everything I want she had. My invitations came out great and everything comes in soo quick. She is great. Thank god I have her/

Coordinator - Laura from LA Productions - A+ so far. She has been very nice and helpful but when it gets closer I will have a better review on her

My Dress - Bridal Reflections Massapequa - A+++ - They have been great and always treat my like a princess. My first fitting is next week

BM/Mom's Dress - Macy's Bridal Salon - B - They are very annoying and must have called 4 times to let my mom know her dress was in. And they only do fittings Tues and Thurs 1-8. That has been the hard part

Florist - Petite Florist - Nothing yet. I know his work is amazing but I will let you know more in Nov.

Band - Renegade - A+ - We have heard them
a hundred times so far and they are great!! Dave is so easy to work with.

Church - St. Thomas the Apostle - I don't want to post my rating because then I will go to a bad place. They have the most difficult people to work with. Ugh. Don't get me started

Photography/Videography - Silverfox - A++++ - They are awesome. I love everyone there and there work is just amazing. We had our e-pic shoot with them and our pictures came out great.

Limo's - Pace Limos - Don't Know yet

Travel Agency - Congenial Travel - A+++ - I have changed things on them a 100 times and they have been so helpful and patient with me

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Posted by smm2675

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Posted by exotica776

this is a great thread!!!!
Church: 10
St. Christophers Baldwin
im not a very involved member, nor is my family, but its where my brother and I have made our communions, confirmations, and had our baptisms too!! Its such a pretty church and i always imagined walking down that isle!

---

we are getting married in the same church. i am not active in the church at all, but my mom goes every sunday and volunteers every now and then for things. i went to school there too, so i am familiar with it in that aspect. hope all goes well.

---

oh that is so awesome!!! i love driving by and seeing brides out there!!! FH is so scared about the church part.... we arent having a full mass, just a ceremony. did they let you book the church that early? so far they have been very sweet, we should be getting our pre cana notice soon, which we are soooo not looking forward to! the only thing that kind of stinks is how strict they are w/ what you can throw, no rice, birdseed, rose petals, etc.!!