We're Back and We're Married!!!!!
Well, despite the monsoon on the 26th everything was perfect!!! First, thank you to all of you who helped me out over the past year and a half!! Whether suggesting vendors, answering questions on etiquette or just listening to me vent, you helped me out in so many ways, I'll be eternally grateful! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Okay, let's see - where to begin...
Rehearsal Dinner - Papa Joe's in Deer Park. As most of you know, this is the place of one of LIW's GTGs. The food was DELICIOUS and there was so much of it. They were so attentive to our every need all night. I highly recommend it!!!!!!
Fairytale Makeovers: Jennifer and her 2 assistants arrived at 4:00 am to begin my, mob and my bm's hair & makeup (yup 4 in the morning!). Everyone looked beautiful! They did such a great job and we had so much fun!
Church - St. Cyrils & Methodius in Deer Park. I may be biased, but the ceremony was BEAUTIFUL! Everyone raved how beautiful the church was (they had candles set up from Easter going down the aisle of the first several pews, which was such a pleasant surprise - and truly made the feel of the church even more beautiful.) We added the 'Hands' reading after we exchanged rings, and people were blown away. I thought I would have been nervous, but I truly enjoyed every minute!
Flowers - Flowers by Michele: Flowers arrived early and looked GORGEOUS!!! Exactly how I pictured. Some of the boutineers didn't last too long, I guess cause of the weather, and they did give DH an extra just in case which was nice. Our centerpieces were 2 glass swans which I'm sure were a pain to deal with, but John did such a good job and they came out BEAUTIFUL! Everyone raved about the flowers! John was so accomodating to me, a neurotic bride, and so easy to work with.
Limo - Royalty Limo - Also arrived early and were extremely helpful with getting us around in the rain. We had the Escalade, and a 10 passenger limo, both in great condition. The only complaint was that the sunroof/moonroof on the escalade leaked slightly with the rain. They sent a limo afterwards to take the parents home and then took DH and I to the Garden City Hotel. Then they gave us a limo to the airport the next day.
Photographer - Michael O'Neill - Michael was a complete joy to work with. I should have my proofs within the next few weeks so I'll have more to report on that front shortly. Due to the rain, we couldn't take the pics @ Belmont Lake that we wanted so we took pics at the church and then DH and I went to his studio. However they offer a 'weather guarantee' so they will take us out again on a sunny day to have the pics at the park and @ John Anthonys that we wanted.
Videographer - Michael O'Neill - Unfortunately, I don't remember the name of the videographer, but he, too, was a complete joy to work with. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product.
DJ - Get in Tune - Glen was the perfect complement to our reception. He played all our requested songs, except some of the Greek songs we requested. But this was more because none of my Greek family showed any interest in dancing. The dance floor was packed the entire day, which I was worried about, since I had heard day weddings were more difficult to get everyone going. We had the added percussionist with the DJ, and she let everyone come up and play the bongos, drums, etc. along with the music. It was so much fun, even DH's Grandmother and Great Aunt got into the action. Great photo opps!
Finally our reception - JOHN ANTHONYs ON THE WATER!!! For any JA brides - you have absolutely no worries!!!! Everything was perfect! Our attendant was so sweet and was by our side every time we needed something. The food was DELICIOUS (I tried a bite of every course). The cocktail hour was fantastic (from what I heard). We arrived half way through and they made us a plate of 2 of everything that was at the cocktail hour. Since we didn't get to have our petal toss after the church with the weather, the Maitre D suggested that our BP do it on our introduction. They dropped petals on us as we came through the arch. Then we danced our first dance on a bed of rose petals!!! Our 'package' included the cake which was also delicious and our wedding night at the Garden City Hotel, which was unbelievable, and a place we'd never go to on our own!
HM - Southern Caribbean cruise on Royal Caribbean. DH and I have never cruised before and were blown away at every turn. Each port we visited was more beautiful than the next! We visited 5 islands in 7 days, which was perfect! The service was unmatched and the people we met were so sweet! What an unbelievable experience!
So, like I said, despite the weather it was the perfect day! I can't believe it's all over, but am looking forward to relaxing with DH and starting a family shortly - send some baby dust my way, girls!
I hope I didn't forget anything. If anyone has any questions let me know - I'll try and post pics soon!
Mrs. Jennifer Graff (oh man that looks weird!!!)
Okay, let's see - where to begin...
Rehearsal Dinner - Papa Joe's in Deer Park. As most of you know, this is the place of one of LIW's GTGs. The food was DELICIOUS and there was so much of it. They were so attentive to our every need all night. I highly recommend it!!!!!!
Fairytale Makeovers: Jennifer and her 2 assistants arrived at 4:00 am to begin my, mob and my bm's hair & makeup (yup 4 in the morning!). Everyone looked beautiful! They did such a great job and we had so much fun!
Church - St. Cyrils & Methodius in Deer Park. I may be biased, but the ceremony was BEAUTIFUL! Everyone raved how beautiful the church was (they had candles set up from Easter going down the aisle of the first several pews, which was such a pleasant surprise - and truly made the feel of the church even more beautiful.) We added the 'Hands' reading after we exchanged rings, and people were blown away. I thought I would have been nervous, but I truly enjoyed every minute!
Flowers - Flowers by Michele: Flowers arrived early and looked GORGEOUS!!! Exactly how I pictured. Some of the boutineers didn't last too long, I guess cause of the weather, and they did give DH an extra just in case which was nice. Our centerpieces were 2 glass swans which I'm sure were a pain to deal with, but John did such a good job and they came out BEAUTIFUL! Everyone raved about the flowers! John was so accomodating to me, a neurotic bride, and so easy to work with.
Limo - Royalty Limo - Also arrived early and were extremely helpful with getting us around in the rain. We had the Escalade, and a 10 passenger limo, both in great condition. The only complaint was that the sunroof/moonroof on the escalade leaked slightly with the rain. They sent a limo afterwards to take the parents home and then took DH and I to the Garden City Hotel. Then they gave us a limo to the airport the next day.
Photographer - Michael O'Neill - Michael was a complete joy to work with. I should have my proofs within the next few weeks so I'll have more to report on that front shortly. Due to the rain, we couldn't take the pics @ Belmont Lake that we wanted so we took pics at the church and then DH and I went to his studio. However they offer a 'weather guarantee' so they will take us out again on a sunny day to have the pics at the park and @ John Anthonys that we wanted.
Videographer - Michael O'Neill - Unfortunately, I don't remember the name of the videographer, but he, too, was a complete joy to work with. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product.
DJ - Get in Tune - Glen was the perfect complement to our reception. He played all our requested songs, except some of the Greek songs we requested. But this was more because none of my Greek family showed any interest in dancing. The dance floor was packed the entire day, which I was worried about, since I had heard day weddings were more difficult to get everyone going. We had the added percussionist with the DJ, and she let everyone come up and play the bongos, drums, etc. along with the music. It was so much fun, even DH's Grandmother and Great Aunt got into the action. Great photo opps!
Finally our reception - JOHN ANTHONYs ON THE WATER!!! For any JA brides - you have absolutely no worries!!!! Everything was perfect! Our attendant was so sweet and was by our side every time we needed something. The food was DELICIOUS (I tried a bite of every course). The cocktail hour was fantastic (from what I heard). We arrived half way through and they made us a plate of 2 of everything that was at the cocktail hour. Since we didn't get to have our petal toss after the church with the weather, the Maitre D suggested that our BP do it on our introduction. They dropped petals on us as we came through the arch. Then we danced our first dance on a bed of rose petals!!! Our 'package' included the cake which was also delicious and our wedding night at the Garden City Hotel, which was unbelievable, and a place we'd never go to on our own!
HM - Southern Caribbean cruise on Royal Caribbean. DH and I have never cruised before and were blown away at every turn. Each port we visited was more beautiful than the next! We visited 5 islands in 7 days, which was perfect! The service was unmatched and the people we met were so sweet! What an unbelievable experience!
So, like I said, despite the weather it was the perfect day! I can't believe it's all over, but am looking forward to relaxing with DH and starting a family shortly - send some baby dust my way, girls!
I hope I didn't forget anything. If anyone has any questions let me know - I'll try and post pics soon!
Mrs. Jennifer Graff (oh man that looks weird!!!)
