wedding/vendor review 10/12/02

Hi everyone. Just got back from my honeymoon in Aruba. We stayed at the Divi Divi all inclusive and it was very nice, nicest part was to spend 8 un interrupted days with my new husband. It rained so hard on my wedding day. I give a lot of credit to the people who say the rain on their wedding day didn't bother them. It really affected me a lot, it didn't ruin my day of course, but I was very sad about it. We were absolutely poured on from the time I got up in the morning to have my hair/makeup done, right through the church, pictures, and reception.
dress David's bridal - 500$ - they weren't the nicest there, but I absolutely loved my dress, I was so comfortable in it all day. I had the alterations done at La Bru in Garden City on Franklin Ave., because of all the horror stories I heard about Davids Bridal. I had it hemmed and also taken in at the waist and the shoulders adjusted, for about $145 which I thought was very reasonable. I dealt with the owner.
tuxes Rays formal wear in Franklin Square. There were no problems at all and they were very friendly and courteous all the time.
Limo - Royalty we had only the big party bus/ This was so great and convenient especially since it was pouring rain. The driver was good. All I would say is that for a 14 or so person bridal party, it was a lot for one driver with one umbrella, it would have been nice if he had an assistant.
photography/video-Duval I am going to try and hold my tongue here until I get the proofs back. If you use Duval, do not use Roy. He was awful and had me in tears from beginning to end. He does not have the personality to do a wedding, he ran for his car after the ceremony without taking any pictures outside the church because it was raining, we constantly had to find him to take pictures, it was awful. I don't know our videographers name, but he was very good and didn't mind the rain he was also very unobtrusive. I am very jealous of the brides who said their photographer was unobtrusive. All I remember about my father/daughter dance is him making us stand still to take pictures. So much for holding my tongue. I will post again after seeing my proofs. I went with them because of price, but I can definitley say, I would have gladly payed double to not have that aggravation on my wedding day.
EAB Plaza for pictures - my friends thought I was really going to lose it here. We walk in (afer paying $150 in advance to do so - and there are FOUR HUGE BLOWN UP TURKEY/SCARECROW/ ETC. all over the place. I wanted to die. We had to take pictures in one tiny corner. We should have gone directily to the hall. Nevermind that you go there bc it's raining, and you have to walk 1/2 mile across to get to the front door since the limo can't get up that far. I wouldn't recommend them, at least not for the fall.
Hall-15th and West/Nassau County Bar Assn - all in all everyone was impressed with this place. It was cold so the fireplace was on for the cocktail hour, which was nice. Everyone raved about the food. We wound up with about 185 people and had plenty of room. My only compaint is that there was no bridal attendant or anyone assingend to the bride and groom. No one to get us drinks or make sure we had h'ordoerves and whatever. Also the cake that was included wasn't good. And, I had maple candy shipped from canada to be put on the cookie plates for dessert. they went so fast, everyone loved them. then I get home and am unpacking the stuff from the hall, to find two full boxes of them. She should have put them all out - I didn't get it.
hair/makeup NV Salon in Huntington =- these people did a great job. I never went for a hair trial or anything, and she was able to do exactly what I wanted, it looked great and held all day despite the rain. My makeup also looked good, although I haven't seen many pictures yet. It was pretty bad to have this done at a salon rather than home bc of the rain, but due to family stuff I really didn't have a place to get ready.
I'm getting a little fried so will post again as I remember. I did have a good day, our ceremony was beautiful and I am definitley able to say I had fun at my reception. It wasn';t the perfect day I had worked so hard for - but all that really matters is that I was lucky enough to find the man of my dreams and have him propose and now we are partners for life!

Re: wedding/vendor review 10/12/02

Can't wait to see your pictures....

It is suppose to rain this weekend for my wedding too! Hope it doesn't make my day too miserable!

Re: wedding/vendor review 10/12/02

Thank you for giving us your vendor review. We all look forward to hearing about everything. I'm sorry that you were so unhappy with the photographer. Hopefully you will be very happy when you get the photos.Sorry to hear about the problems with EAB. Thats terrible!
I also bought my dress at Davids Bridal. I took it somewhere else to get the alterations done. I love my dress.
I'm looking forward to seeing your pictures. I'm sure they will be beautiful!

Re: wedding/vendor review 10/12/02

Hi Welcome back !!!
So sorry quite a few things didnt turn out the way you planned, but like you said, the most important thing did, you still had a good time, and you married the man of your dreams

How was your HM in Aruba?

Re: wedding/vendor review 10/12/02

I'm sorry to hear you had to deal with the rain & a jerk of a photographer... I'm sure your pictures will be lovely and the memories of the aggrivation he put you through will fade... The honeymon though sounds awesome. Aruba is supposed to be amazing!

Congratulations!

Re: wedding/vendor review 10/12/02

Congratulations!! Can't wait to see pictures. I am sorry about the trouble with your photographer. Did you complain about it?

Re: wedding/vendor review 10/12/02

Congrats to the New Mrs.
Best wishes
cant wait to see Pics
Kimberly

Re: wedding/vendor review 10/12/02

Sorry a few things about your day didn't go as you suspected It's tough when you put so much thought into such a big affair and things like being squished in a corner for pictures have to happen... I am glad to hear you kept your cool and enjoyed your special day! Make sure you post pics!

I'd like to know a little about this Divi Divi place in Aruba.. whenever you get a chance... I'm debating between Aruba and the Bahamas! Thanks!

Re: wedding/vendor review 10/12/02

I'm so sorry for the hardships on your day, but hopefully you'll be able to look back fondly of the day and be able to laugh at these things. Like you said what matters is that you have the man of your dreams and a lifetime of happiness in which to enjoy each other.

I hope you are absolutely thrilled with your pictures so that dealing with that SOB will be well worth it.

8 days in Aruba sounds like just what you needed. Hope you enjoyed every minute. Welcome back - be sure to post pics when you can.

Re: wedding/vendor review 10/12/02

It rained on my wedding day too and I can totally relate about the photographer being a jerk, mine was horrible as well, however after everything is said and done you are MARRIED to the man you love

Congratulations

Re: wedding/vendor review 10/12/02

I was thinking about you last weekend when I called my cousin and she told me that it had been pouring all day . I'm sorry to hear that your day did not go as planned but I'm glad that you were still able to enjoy yourself.

Best of luck to you and your new husband.

Re: wedding/vendor review 10/12/02

Could you give a little more info on the Divi Divi? My aunt stayed there many years ago and she loved it, I am considering going there. How was the food, the rooms? And congratulations on your wedding, I agree with you about the rain, it sounds like you kept the right attitude though!!

Re: wedding/vendor review 10/12/02

I am glad you had a nice day, despite rain and a jerk photographer. And I am even happier that you had a nice HM. I am sure you needed the relaxation.
I hope to see photos soon!

Re: wedding/vendor review 10/12/02

Jpsgirl, I would love to hear how the DJ was...can you tell me about Music by Michael? Also congrats on your wedding, I cant wait to see pics!

Re: wedding/vendor review 10/12/02

Congratulations!! Sorry about the rain, but I'm sure everything was beautiful. Good Luck!

Re: wedding/vendor review 10/12/02

Music by Michael was very professional just like I knew he would be. He played most of my requests, and none of my do not plays, and even came to me when some of DH's drunk friends were badgering him to play a song to get my permission. My photo montage was absolutely great, everyone loved it - I am so glad I did it. Hope this helps!

Re: wedding/vendor review 10/12/02

Welcome back and congratulations! I am so sorry to hear about the photography disappointments I will keep my fingers crossed that your proofs come out better than you expect!

Can't wait to see you on the newlywed side!

Re: wedding/vendor review 10/12/02

cool
show us pics! I had breakfast at the bar last week
they have good food there
tammy

Re: wedding/vendor review 10/12/02

Congratulations! I'm so sorry about the photographer, rain and EAB. That stinks! I will also keep my fingers crossed that your photos come out better than you expect.

Re: wedding/vendor review 10/12/02

Congrats to you and your hubby! I'm sure your pics will be beautiful - my girlfriend also had a photographer than had zero personality and was very annoying, but in the end she forgave all b/c her pics were awesome.