I have been searching for about two months now on a beach wedding in Suffolk. We are looking at different beaches and talking with the park departments. I like the idea of Smith Point Beach. We were looking into a beach association about 5 miles from there for the reception. (We are planning Aug 2004). We are looking at it this weekend. People tell me to really look close at the place and especially take a drive by the area at night. Since the reception would be at night. People keep telling me that area can be nice but has bad areas? Any imput on that ladies? We have a friend who is a deacon and is going to preform our ceremony. He also owns a pub and can get us a great deal on food prices and liquor. Our friend is a DJ and said he would do our wedding as a gift. My mother is going to pay for the photographer and videographer. My soon to be hubby works for a DMC company and does all the party planning for corporate events so we have a lot of connections. It is just trusting these people to come through. Should I have friends sign contracts?? Any imput would be greatly appreciated!
prncssrachel
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Re: Unique situation for my wedding
Hi, Welcome and Congrats! I would definitely work something out where you can get these people to sign contracts. I know it is awkward, but this is your wedding day, adn you don't want to be left without food or music, etc. Not that you will really need it, but just incase. JMO. Good Luck!
hsdfl
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Re: Unique situation for my wedding
Thanks I really feel weird but with all these people willing to help I guess we would need it. You know everyone says 'If you ever need anything.....' but when it comes right down to it where are they? Or you get excuses. This is what happens to me so it makes sense to do contracts. Does anyone know about the Shirley/Mastic (I think ?) area. That is where Smith Point is right? I have only been here 2 years. Lucky if I can find my way still LOL! Thanks again!
daisybride
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Re: Unique situation for my wedding
I say you definatley need a contract. Although it may be awkward these people are professionals and they should understnad. I have heard nightmares about 'friends' not coming through in these situations. Unless the person is an immediate family member (and event hen its iffy) I would get a contract signed. Best of Luck
daisybride
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Re: Unique situation for my wedding
BTW Your wedding sounds beautiful!!!!
smooch
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Re: Unique situation for my wedding
hsdfl, I grew up in Shirley - but North Shirley all the way up by the Expressway. The area is okay. Yes, there are some bad areas, but doesn't everywhere have bad areas? I think you'll be fine. Smith Point is great, and I think you'll really like it!
MrsM
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Re: Unique situation for my wedding
I grew up in Shirley and my parents still live there. I'll be the first to admit that there are areas that I probably wouldn't want to live in, but if you're concern is that people won't feel safe driving there at night, I think that shouldn't be a fear at all. They are just driving on William Floyd Parkway which is a main highway. Nothing really unsafe about it. No one's going to get car jacked or anything. Smith Point is a beautiful place to hold your ceremony. I spent so much time there as a kid. I wish I could have my ceremony there but everytime I try to plan an outdoor event, it rains. Good luck with the planning but I wanted to reassure you that you shouldn't worry about that.
michele31
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Re: Unique situation for my wedding
My first concern is RAIN or bad weather or super hot weather and BUGS. Consider ALL of these prior to hosting an outdoor event. You cannot control ANY of those elements and you need to be prepared for all of them. The mosquites can be awful at night outside, especially with food and lights all around you.
Next: I know it is tempting to allow a friend to 'do you a favor' and save money. I do not agree with doing this. I mean, if your friend owns the DJ company or can get you a discount that is fine but that means your friend is WORKING your wedding, not hanging out, not drinking, no enjoying it like your other guests. Is that fair to him/her? And your friend is also not legally obligated to fufill the agreement sso if a week before the wedding, he needs to run out of town for a family emergency or gets sick you have NO DJ!! And nothing to do about it either. It is VERY risky and not always worth the money it saves you. So, get a discount if you can but don't hire a friend.
A girl on another board hired a student from NYU to take wedding photos for her and guess what? He didn't show up that day- he said he didn't feel well or something like that. So she had ZERO photos other than what family took. Hire professional to do their jobs and allow friends/family to be guests and enjoy your day. JMO
