7/14/02 - about time!!!

here is what I wrote last year about my wedding....

Everything was PERFECT!!! and I was amazingly calm the whole day!!

In May either Cira or Clemgr said that the little things will be noticed...and that is absolutely right...all these hours of planning will pay off!!! If you don't have the little things noone will notice...but when you do...People DO notice and it makes everything so much nicer...some examples...I asked guests to bring pictures with the bride and or groom and themsleves for the guest book and it came out great...I also left a polaroid for people to take pictures and it turned out so great!!! I printed photos of flowers on photo paper for my table names (with the name on the bottom) I used unique place cards...definitely something people talked about...MIL smuggled in Cuban cigars from Mexico (she lives in AZ) and people loved them...I could go on and on...but I know you want to hear about vendors!! I really couldn't be happier with my choice of vendors!!!

* bridal suite in bay shore (631)666-0700...they did a great job on alterations...I cut off my train and it was the best decision I made about the dress...people commented on the dress that it was simple, elegant and classy...exactly the adjectives I wanted to hear!! One seemstress would not take the hips in for one of my BMS (aline dress) but another did and it looked better taken in...so insist that it happens!!

* woodstock day spa and wellness center in east norwich...a little on the pricey side, but great...I took my BMs there the day before and everyone MUST do this...at least for yourself...schedule it in like you would a meeting with a vendor!!

* Dawn and Laurie (hair) and Pam (makeup) Bocu Salon in commack (631)499-1300...they were 5 min early and did a great job on everyones hair...it felt weird to have a lot of makeup on, but hopefully the pictures will make up for it!! We went over about 20 min...this is the only part where I got nervous...but they said they have never finished exactly on time...so tell whoever is doing your hair that you are leaving 30 min before you really are!!

* all star SUPER!! my limo was 30 min early...the driver came in and chatted with all the girls and got himself a cup of coffee...the limos were VERY clean and at the end of the night...when we were all talking and saying goodbye...the driver very professionally said we are running late...we have to get going...

* wild rose of course I have not seen their work, but Bill (and Marie) were great to have around...Marie kept me calm in the morning...talking to me...and Bill was VERY unobtrusive...I barely noticed him at times...he asked us some great questions and even DH wants to come with me to see the raw footage!!

* vip again...I haven't seen their final product, but John and Kathy were great to work with...they got everyshot I wanted (write all your must have photos down in advanced so you don't forget anyone...) they did some really cool 'poses' with us...I really cannot wait to get the proofs!!

*Towers Flowers (631)242-0070 - this was one vendor I didn't worry about b/c it is a friend of the family, but I gave them such a vague idea of what I wanted...and what they produced was exactly what I imagined!! true artists!!

* encore fantastic!! they played everything I could have wanted and my MIL and DH's uncle (both professional musicians) say next to them at the cocktail hour and they raved about them!!!

* spin around sound Tom and I don't remember the other guy (sorry!). they played everything on my play list and NOTHING on my do not play list!! People RAVED about the music (:p to all of you who made fun of me and my long do-not play list )
also many people commented on how they did not speak a lot...everyone loved the music choices and the way SAS put them together!! it is possible also to please DH and have Led Zepplin, Pink Floyd and the Doors during dinner and still have guest use the words classy and elegant!!

I know barry mannilow is on a lot of do-not play lists, but I love copa cabana and played it...I am so happy I did! the dance floor was PACKED and I saw my 3 year old (new) niece singing EVERY word!! I was shocked that she knew them all!! (her father also loves barry!!) anyway...go with your gut...just b/c one person does or doesn't play something doesn't mean it should make your decision...

for the mother/son dance, we were going to play DH's father's recording, but MIL forgot the CD in AZ!! so 2 days before the wedding we picked out 'In my life' by the beatles!! it was PERFECT for them...and just shows you how things that go wrong can turn out even better!!!

* land's end
THE BEST DECISION I MADE!!! I didn't do anything but look pretty, b/c of the women there (there were mostly women working there) I never had a want or need!! the food was spectacular...and it was worth it to have my guests BLOWN AWAY with the taste...I am so happy I had a tasting, b/c I wasn't able to eat much...I had gained 4 pounds after the last fitting and the dress would not let me eat...lol...but it gave us a chance to go around and meet our guests at least 3 times...

they started everything early for us as well...we didn't have any sort of rehearsal and did not need one...they lined us up and told us when to go!! REALLY GREAT!! (I just hope I tipped enough...)

* Audrey's bakery...just have to add in how fantastic the cake was!!! I rarely can say that a wedding cake tastes fantastic, but this one does!! so all of you lovin oven brides are in for a great treat!!

* huntington hilton...the only not so great choice I made...we didn't get ANYTHING for being in the bridal suite (and didn't need a room so big either - for any of you wondering) and the decor was quite old! but as my dad says 'if this is the worst thing that happens, youre doing well'

montauk manor FABULOUS!! we are waiting a month to go on our honeymoon and I am so happy...I would NOT want to have to pack for Europe while the final wedding preparations are going on) so we decided to go away for a few days to Montauk...a perfect place for this...the town is so cute and quiet and serene...unlike the Hamptons sometimes!! the manor was awesome...the room was great and the ground spectacular...I highly recommend it for ANY reason!! you won't be disappointed!!

thanks for all of your support through my planning...the thousands of hours paid off and I am sure they will for you as well...I am still on such a high from the wedding, I can't imagine PMS (post marriage syndrome!!) but I still have all your weddings to read about, a honeymoon next month and possibly a dog in the future (DH wants - lol)

happy planning to everyone and a heartfelt and sincere thank you!!!

I hope I got everything...

email me if you have ANY questions!!

Re: 7/14/02 - about time!!!

Erica - your wedding was great, I had the best time, and the details did make a difference. I loved your vendors so much that I used 3 of them!!

Re: 7/14/02 - about time!!!

Sounds like everything went wonderfully -- thanks for posting your review (better late than never! ) and for your tips on the little things!! Congrats!