5/1/10 Review w. pics in album: Crest Hollow Country Club, Patken, Fine Time Ent., Flowers By Brian, Always in Style Limos, etc.

I feel like I never read a lot of reviews on many of the vendors I chose, and since almost all of them surpassed by expectations, I figured I would give some kudos. I can't get my pics on here, so I put some in my album.

Crest Hollow Country Club: A+++++++++++++++++++

Everything was perfect and exceeded my expectations. DH had some concerns because we went there the week before to drop off our final list and table plans, and the entire back where our cocktail hour (outdoor and totally worth it) was supposed to be was ripped up with mounds of dirt everywhere. He freaked, but Mitch, our BM reassured us that everything would be put in place by the following weekend (May 1). He was right! The cocktail area looked like a resort in South Beach. the food was awesome, the table service and bussing were excellent. My BA, Sandy was the most attentive person in the world...even when I got a little sick. Ralph, our Maitre'de was very detail oriented, and made our night run so smoothly. I used the Emerald room, which has a very different shape, and reminded DH of a cruise ship. It certainly didn't feel like we had 280 people in there. The room was so airy and spacious. It was perfect. I can't thank CHCC enough for their professionalism, awesome food, awesome dessert (we had Viennese), and perfect grounds for the best day of my life.







Patken Photography: A+++++++++++++++++++++++

We had John as our photographer, and Mike as our videographer. They were patient, kind, and attentive as well. I felt so comfortable with them, and most of the wedding, I didn't even know they were there. John was AMAZING with DH's family, and with my nerves. He talked to me, calmed me down, was sensitive and kind. John and Mike were professional and moved the pictures along smoothly, with just enough time left for me to bustle my dress and fully enjoy my cocktail hour. I can't wait to see the pictures, which should be ready next week.

Fine Time Entertainment: A+++++++++++++++++++++

Jeff, our main dj played the best mix of music. Everyone was up, young, old and in between. We told him that we loved oldies, so he weaved them in between other sets of music. We had lighting underneath two plasma screens set up by the dj assistants. One of the dj assistants walked around and took 127 pictures during the cocktail hour and wedding. He scrolled through them on the plasmas, as well as some baby pictures we gave in and cool movie clips that went with the music. He actually followed around the professional camera man and took some of the same pictures he did. Most of the pictures in my album are from him. At the end of the night, they gave us a disk with all of the pictures on it, and I have a little taste of what's to come from the professional ones. They were also great mcees, and really got the crowd moving. I have had at least 40 people call me this week to compliment the music...how great the mix was, how the dj was conscious of the volume of the music when people were eating, how no one felt like they had to scream, and how much fun the dance floor was because of the djs! This was by far our best and favorite part of the wedding!



Flowers By Brian: B+

My bouquets were beautiful. The color was perfect and they were sized just right. My cake decorations were also very pretty. The altar stands at church were plain white, which is what we wanted. The only thing that upset me was that they sent dead flowers to my sisters for the table arrangement. I got dressed and took all my pictures there, and they were supposed to send a centerpiece for the table. It was dead, but they apologized and sent a new one as soon as my sister called, saying that the driver had taken the wrong one to us. Also, my mother's corsage was dead in about 20 min. It may have been the heat. The centerpieces were beautiful and we bought the glass, so it was really nice for our guests to be able to take home the vases as well.



Bridesmaid Dresses: B+
My bridesmaid dresses were not 'bridesmaid' dresses. They were regular dresses that I found and liked on newport-news.com. I originally was going to do a black and white wedding, for the purpose of my bridesmaids being able to use the dresses again. I wanted black dresses. Then one of my friend's passed away and a foundation was started in her name, with her favorite colors...black and hot pink. So I revised my black and white, and I am glad I did. In my search for a reasonably priced black dress, I found a mesh overlay dress on this website by accident. I showed my bridesmaids and they all fell in love with it. They said it was the most comfortable bridesmaid dress they ever wore...better, it was $46.00. The reason why I didn't give it an A is because two of them had problems with the zipper, and everyone needed to get the shoulders altered. Other than that, everyone loved it, and it was a great contrast to the flowers. I bought them a pink pashmina to go with it. Below are pictures of a few of my bridesmaids, and my two sisters by the car.



Always In Style Limos: A+++

We had a limo bus for the bridal party, which was AWESOME! It was sooo cool inside, and I wish we had a further ride from the church to the hall, because I was having a great time partying in there. We also rented a cadillac, which had a hard time started and running on the road, at first. This wouldn't have been a problem, except that it was hot, without air conditioning, which the owner told us about beforehand. I almost had an anxiety attack in the car because of my nerves, which may have made the heat worse. However, the service was impeccable. The owner of the company actually drove our bus...so cool!

Invitations: Weddinginvitationsbywrapwithus.com: C

I loved my invitations. They were beautiful, but I wasn't sent all of the pieces I paid for at first. Some of them were defectively printed as well. When I called the place I ordered them from, the woman made me fax her over copies of the defective items, like I was lying. Okay, no big deal...after I faxed them over, they sent me more, but in the wrong color. I called again, and no one ever got back to me. We ended up having enough invitations, which was fine, but still frustrating!


Macy's Registry: D

I have had so many problems returning things off my registry and received 3 pieces of broken china. Annoying. I was put on hold for over an hour because when I returned stuff, the gift card for 700 dollars didn't work properly and I couldn't use it. I used to love Macy's but have had so many problems with the registry!

Bed Bath & Beyond: A

Awesome return policy, and great coupons! What else can I say?
Hair: Trisha from Nino’s Salon A +++++
Trish has been my friend since I was 16 and has been doing my hair since I was about 18. She is awesome and the only person who ever listened to me about my hair. She put extensions in my hair, and kept it simple. I refused to wear a tiara…I just didn’t want to, so she worked her magic, and gave me long soft curls, that last for a long time, and left a nice wave when they started to wear out. I loved my hair!

Makeup: Lisa at Christy’s Salon A+++++
Lisa is also my friend. She did an awesome job, airbrushing me, and putting some fake lashes in. She Couldn’t make it to the wedding that night because she had to go to Miami, but she left me with all the necessities for touchups. I didn’t want anything too unnatural. She put some soft pinks on my eyes, and on my cheeks, and a pink gloss. I loved it. It wasn’t too much to make me look cakey, or too little to make me look like I forgot it was my wedding day. I’ll get better shots of it with the pro pics.


Hope this helped! FM me if you want any other info!!! It was the best day of my life!!

Re: 5/1/10 Review: Crest Hollow Country Club, Patken, Fine Time Ent., Flowers By Brian, Always in Style Limos, etc.

congrats, and thanks for the review, can't wait to see pics

Re: 5/1/10 Review: Crest Hollow Country Club, Patken, Fine Time Ent., Flowers By Brian, Always in Style Limos, etc.

congrats again!

Re: 5/1/10 Review: Crest Hollow Country Club, Patken, Fine Time Ent., Flowers By Brian, Always in Style Limos, etc.

Great!!! I'm so excited to see Crest Hollow now

Re: 5/1/10 Review: Crest Hollow Country Club, Patken, Fine Time Ent., Flowers By Brian, Always in Style Limos, etc.

Great review! I can't wait to see the pictures!!!

Re: 5/1/10 Review w. pics in album: Crest Hollow Country Club, Patken, Fine Time Ent., Flowers By Brian, Always in Style Limos, etc.

congrats! and great choice for BM dresses and flowers. the flowers pop beautifully against the dresses!

Re: 5/1/10 Review w. pics in album: Crest Hollow Country Club, Patken, Fine Time Ent., Flowers By Brian, Always in Style Limos, etc.

Thank you! FINALLY a recent CHCC review!

Re: 5/1/10 Review w. pics in album: Crest Hollow Country Club, Patken, Fine Time Ent., Flowers By Brian, Always in Style Limos, etc.

Congrats! Everything looked beautiful

Re: 5/1/10 Review w. pics in album: Crest Hollow Country Club, Patken, Fine Time Ent., Flowers By Brian, Always in Style Limos, etc.

Thanks for the reivew!!! The pics in your album are great!

Re: 5/1/10 Review w. pics in album: Crest Hollow Country Club, Patken, Fine Time Ent., Flowers By Brian, Always in Style Limos, etc.

Congrats and thanks for the review! I'm very sorry about your friend

Re: 5/1/10 Review w. pics in album: Crest Hollow Country Club, Patken, Fine Time Ent., Flowers By Brian, Always in Style Limos, etc.

thanx for the great review!!! everyone looked beautiful

Re: 5/1/10 Review w. pics in album: Crest Hollow Country Club, Patken, Fine Time Ent., Flowers By Brian, Always in Style Limos, etc.

Thank you for the review!! I'm a CHCC bride and I'm soo happy they did a good job! Your pics look amazing!

Re: 5/1/10 Review w. pics in album: Crest Hollow Country Club, Patken, Fine Time Ent., Flowers By Brian, Always in Style Limos, etc.

Congrats date twin! Great review....have to get mine done now.

Re: 5/1/10 Review w. pics in album: Crest Hollow Country Club, Patken, Fine Time Ent., Flowers By Brian, Always in Style Limos, etc.

Thank you for the review!!!

Re: 5/1/10 Review w. pics in album: Crest Hollow Country Club, Patken, Fine Time Ent., Flowers By Brian, Always in Style Limos, etc.

I found youuuuu... we need to talk Melissaaaaaaaaa! Help a sista out! I miss you!! :)
<33 Lara

Re: 5/1/10 Review w. pics in album: Crest Hollow Country Club, Patken, Fine Time Ent., Flowers By Brian, Always in Style Limos, etc.

Thanks for the great review of CHCC
I was also thinking about going to Christies for my makeup because they have done a great job at other functions i have gone too so ty for the review on that as well