9/15/07 Backyard Wedding in 6 weeks Review!!! It didn't rain!LONG No really it's like a book! Sorry

Hello ladies, well first thank you all for your support. I was so worried and very upset about the weather and you were all very supportive and nice!! So thank you. Also some may think it is tacky, but I am mentioning prices for certain things that I thought were great deals just to share the wealth. If any one wants info on any of the vendors mentioned please FM me!! Also the pictures are in my 'Wedding Review' album.

The weather... A- It rained early on so it made setting up difficult, the invites said 2pm but because of the weather I was still in sweat pants setting tables at 1:45 but the day ended up BEAUTIFUL!!!!!

The tents tables chairs and linens- A the guys at G & S tent were great, they blew away all other rental places their price was over $300 less!!! We had some minor communication problems but everything worked out great.

MY HAIR FFFFFFFFFFFF--------!! I freakin HATED it I was sooooo pissed off. I did everything for my wedding myself, all of the planning the decorating, the foot work , did my own, make-up, and I made ALL of the food for 80pp!!!! The ONE thing I decided I would have done was my hair. I do my hair myself beautifully but with every thing else I had to do I decided to just have it done. I mean how hard is it to put some loose curls in with the front back with a barrette???? Obviously it was rocket science for thios hairdresser!!! After 2 1/2 hours I couldn't stay for her to try to 'fix' it anymore. The last 1/2 hour I was just crying in the chair. I was crying so hard when I left there my hair looked TERRIBLE. I am about 25lbs heavier than I usually am ( i just had a baby 3 months ago) but not to be vain at all but I have very thick healthy and beautiful hair it's the one thing about myself physically that I like right now , and she managed to make me hate it!!! It felt and looked like straw, and my hair which is naturally wavy holds a curl really well, I don't know what she did but the curl just fellout and looked stringy and damaged. I was heart broken So even though I still had so much cooking and preparing left to do I had to take more time out to try to fix what she had done. So the ceremony was supposed to start at 2;30 but I wasn't ready until about 3:15!! And my hair looked over processed and terrible. I just didn't have time to wash it out and start allover again so I just had to try to fix it, but there was just so much product in my hair not to mention the 'teasing' I swear after I left the salon I looked like peg bundy after a bender. Even after I fixed it , it still looked terrible. I guess I can't stress enough how much this upset me.Even when I came home (crying) my MIL who is the most positive person I know said ' it's not that bad!!' Now I don't know about you ladies but I had higher aspirations for my wedding day6 about how I would look than ' not that bad!!!!'

Ok I'm sorry I just can't say enough about my disappointment. Honestly I could go on for about another 1/2 hour but I won't subject you any more.

Dress and veil -A- It would've been an A+ but I hadn't tried it on since I had bought it 5 weeks before. When I first bought it it fit PERFECT and I couldn't wear a bra, with a bra it was to tight (armpit fat!!!) anyway I guess with all the running around I lost weight because when I tried the dress on (right before walking down the isle) the top was almost falling down!! so I just had to walk very erectly. And right after the ceremony my SIL went out and bought me a bra one of those cheap overly padded ones, and it held the dress up perfectly! Thank God the last thing any bride wants is to flash the guests!! LOL The veil was perfect

Grooms suit and shoes A+++ Karako Suits it was very affordable and he looked very sexy, and they did alterations right there! And the shoes were great and on sale.

Invites-A+++ Party City my friend printed them for me they looked beautiful I got alot of compliments on them ( and they were only $19)

Reverend A+- She was a friend of my mothers she did a wonderful job. She did everything we wanted.

Bagpiper A+ Andy from nypdpipesanddrums did a great job and again VERY affordable

Photographer B but it's my fault I made such a big deal about not wanting any 'posed' shots that I didn't get alot of the pictures I would've liked and again it wasn't her fault she really tried but I was being difficult. However Mirium is so nice she offered to have me and DH get dressed again and have her take some more shots when she drops off our prints. I'm going to take her up on that. She was really nice and tried her best to make me happy. Also very affordable.We got 6 hours 2 8x10s 2 20 page books one album with 200 pics 25 thank you cards and all our proofs for $525!!! You can't beat that!!

Flowers A+++ San Giorgio Florist we didn't get alot just 3 bouts 5 corsages and my bok but they were all beautiful and under $100 my Bo-k, bout and corsages were mostly ivory roses, but DH had Bells of Ireland on his

A special thanks to Armyofbrides who came to my house to lend me two 10x10 canopies in case it rained!!

Food A+++ I hope you don't mind me tooting my own horn!! Cooking everything was A LOT of work but it was worth it. I made Chicken Francese, Baked Ziti w/ fresh mozzarella and basil, Sausage w/ Tri- Colored Peppers and tomato chutney, Crispy Kielbasa w/ beer marinated sauerkraut,as well as Caesar and tossed salad, Insalad Caprese, Brushetta with toasted garlic baguettes, Gourmet Cheese platter, Regular Cheese and meat tray, Herb Deviled eggs, and several other things. Everyone loved the food and I had made more than enough( 6 trays more than enough) some people even had thirds and I still had that much left over!!

Children's Tables and stuff- A+++++ As amazing as it sounds you would've never know that there were 25 kids at the wedding, DH and I moved DS swing set to the side of the house along with his sand box and the children's table. I made little wedding favor boxes for them filled with puzzles crayons, a mini craft project and more, I also bought a bunch of activity/coloring books(oriental trading and the dollar store) and several board games like checkers and chess. I also set up a cooler on the kids side (away from the bar) filled with water and juice. I hired two neighborhood girls to kind of keep the kids corralled. And they did a fantastic job they came over at 3pm and stayed until 9pm. A number of parents commented on how great the girls were. It was nice the parents could relax a bit and the kids had a great time!! Pile on the pinata and Chocolate fountain and it's a wonder that over half the kids cried when it was time to leave. It was great!!

Cazzny ( blackjack table) B- They were there on time with the table and the dealer was nice, but when my friends wanted to play for money she gave them a problem, which bothered me a bit. I mean come on it's my backyard for God's sake who cares!! When I talked to her she lightened up a bit.

Decorations/Centerpieces-The wedding arch I got from Party city and decorated it with lights ivy and roses, my friends decorated a small table to put the unity candle on, I did balloon centerpieces 3 one silver two white on each table , some around the tent and some tulle and balloons in my screened porch where the buffet was. Other than that on the tables I have my favors gift wrapped, wedding bubbles, toasting glasses with strawberries and champagne, and a little wedding confetti around the middle with the wedding camera. The kids table had the favor boxes crayons coloring books cute wedding place mats, and colored balloons. Other than that nature was the decoration.

Shoes A++- Bridal Boutique Westbury I needed a thicker heel since I was going to be outside but everything I found looked like a 'old Lady' shoe and my dress was tea length so you could see the shoe but they had the perfect shoe, feminine and sexy with a just thick enough heel and they were comfy.

Waitresses- A+++++ Mary Ellen and CIndy were a God send they kept the buffet table filled the food warm and the dishes cleared, I was still running around alot but without them I wouldn't have been able to enjoy my wedding at all!!

Slipper basket A++++ That was a BIG hit!Woman really appreciated it. I got 14 pairs of assorted color Chinese slippers from the dollar store, a basket from ac moore that I decorated with fake flowers and tulle the whole thing was $21 but in reality priceless!!!

Make-up- B I did my own and it came out very nicely but I would've liked to have false eyelashes but I just could not do them myself. I bought a kit from Smashbox ( my favorite makeup) and it came out great and lasted all day and night!!

Beach Bum Tanning East Meadow Spray tan!!! A++++++ I went Thursday night (they are open 24hrs) it looked perfect my hands and feet looked great too!!

Cake and chocolate fountain A+++++ The chocolate fountain was a HUGE hit with the kids and adults!!! I was very busy running around but I did notice the crowd around the fountain, I had strawberries, bananas, pound cake, and the best thing ever Rice krispy treats I have to tell you it's a chocolate fountain must have!!! I didn't have the huge 5' fountain it was a smaller table top version but it was great and because it was smaller I wasn't as worried about it getting knocked over. The cake was very good (once it got there!!!) My MIL ordered 2 sheet cakes from Costco one with apricot mousse filling the other cream cheese. It was her job to pick up the cakes. Well at 5:30 my mother asked when the cake was coming out, so I in turn asked MIL. Her response was 'thanks for reminding me, I'll go and get it' Thats right folks she FORGOT the cakes!!! Can you believe it!! Luckily , I had gotten, pastries, cookies and of course the chocolate fountain to hold the guests over.

Ceremony A++- Dh and I picked a nice poems to start and we custom made our vows by taking bits and pieces of different ones we liked and ended with a nice Celtic blessing. Our mothers also wanted a unity candle so we had that as well. It was a very sincere ceremony, nothing was said that we didn't write the whole thing lasted less than about 5 minutes, but it was heartfelt and romantic.

Reception location: Our Backyard AAAAA++++++ I am so glad that I didn't cave in to my SIL, Mom or MIL and have to wedding in some church basement!! I was so worried about the weather but it turned out PERFECT. It was a little stressful in the morning though. I wanted to have all of the tables, bar, and kids table set up the night before, but because of the rain alot had to be done at the last minute on Saturday . The funny thing is since everything was planned in 6 weeks and I did everything myself I never had a chance to get 'the wedding jitters' until literally right before we walked outside together. And Thank God DH and I were walking out together because I wouldn't have made it. My heart was pounding in my chest and I couldn't breathe, but DH took my hand and kissed me and out we went. But because of the late set up of the tables and my 'hair' issue the wedding started 45minutes late, but right before DH and I walked out together the Reverend made an announcement apologizing for the delay but pointing out how ' the bride did EVERYTHING for the wedding ' and everyone applauded which was nice,and because it was at our house it wasn't a big deal, the waitresses were passing appetizers and the bar was open, so it was a very welcoming atmosphere. That was the great thing about having it at home, there was no time limit, no one was getting kicked out in 5hrs so everything had a relaxing fun feel to it. People were still at my house at 10pm. Even with the less formal set up, it was still such a blur. With planning it all doing all the cooking ( no I didn't do ANYMORE cooking once the wedding began)and keeping track of both of our kids I don't think I sat for more than 2 minutes at a clip. It seemed like I was always running, and just getting into the house took 1/2hr or so, because I'd stop to talk. The day flew by, and actually it seemed like DH and I weren't ever in the same place at the same time!! lol The only thing about having it at home was that it was so relaxed, there wasn't a set schedule or anything. In a hall you are told 'ok now it's the first dance, now is the toast,it's time for dinner, or when to cut the cake' DH and I were just kind of winging it!! It was kinda fun that way though the whole affair went at our (and our guests) pace. It was a beautiful, fun and all out wonderful day. We have a fantastic time, and the guest couldn't say enough about how great everything was. It was the most beautiful day I could've hoped for. With all the 'little' things that went wrong the fact is I married my soul mate and best friend in front of our children, family and closest friends and we could've been happier or more in love it was my fairy tale ending......and they lived happily ever after!!!

Honeymoon- We are not having one now, we have a 3 1/2 month old and DH owns his own business so he can't take time off. But We might do something for our first anniversary. But everyday with him is a vacation so it's OK

Re: 9/15/07 Backyard Wedding in 6 weeks Review!!! It didn't rain!LONG No really it's like a book! Sorry

beautiful wedding... and your hair looked beautiful!
Congrads!

Re: 9/15/07 Backyard Wedding in 6 weeks Review!!! It didn't rain!LONG No really it's like a book! Sorry

omg!! you did an amazing job! i wish i can vote you for bride of the week, i feel you deserve it!!!
its incredible that you cooked for 80 people.. and see the weather was perfect for you!!!
i actually couldnt wait to hear your review and see how things went!! i am so happy for you everything was a hit!
sorry about the hair drama, it does suck, but at least the weather held up!

and congrats !!!

Re: 9/15/07 Backyard Wedding in 6 weeks Review!!! It didn't rain!LONG No really it's like a book! Sorry

i am so amazed that it took you 6 weeks to bring your own wedding together!!!!!you deserve the best quickly planned wedding celebration award and all the hard work that you put it into it. you also look radiant and beautiful. this my applause to you for a beautiful wedding and congrats and best wishes to you and dh, and your family.

Re: 9/15/07 Backyard Wedding in 6 weeks Review!!! It didn't rain!LONG No really it's like a book! Sorry

OMG everything looked great - and i LOVED how your hair looked and I really LOVE your hair color - you looked beautiful.....

your sons are SO CUTE!

it looks like you guys had a really fun time - it looked like a really fun party! i am so glad it worked out for you!! and the food looked yummy too!

Re: 9/15/07 Backyard Wedding in 6 weeks Review!!! It didn't rain!LONG No really it's like a book! Sorry

everything looks beautiful! Congrats!

Re: 9/15/07 Backyard Wedding in 6 weeks Review!!! It didn't rain!LONG No really it's like a book! Sorry

You looked beautiful! Looked like such a fun time! Congratulations!

Re: 9/15/07 Backyard Wedding in 6 weeks Review!!! It didn't rain!LONG No really it's like a book! Sorry

wow!!! everything looked beautiful - congratulations!!

you should be so proud that you did all that work yourself!!

Re: 9/15/07 Backyard Wedding in 6 weeks Review!!! It didn't rain!LONG No really it's like a book! Sorry

wow, congrats! it all looked amazing.

this is really what a wedding should be about....having a great time with family and friends!

Re: 9/15/07 Backyard Wedding in 6 weeks Review!!! It didn't rain!LONG No really it's like a book! Sorry

You look gorgeous!!! I love your dress and veil! And well done you -- I can't believe you cooked all that food for your own wedding!!!!!

Re: 9/15/07 Backyard Wedding in 6 weeks Review!!! It didn't rain!LONG No really it's like a book! Sorry

Great Job putting all that together in such little time! Sounds like it was great!!

Re: 9/15/07 Backyard Wedding in 6 weeks Review!!! It didn't rain!LONG No really it's like a book! Sorry

Congrats! I'm so glad the weather cleared up for you! Everything looked wonderful!

Re: 9/15/07 Backyard Wedding in 6 weeks Review!!! It didn't rain!LONG No really it's like a book! Sorry

You did an AMAZING job. Your children are beautiful. Your hair look wonderful. I LOVE the color. Congratulations!!!

Re: 9/15/07 Backyard Wedding in 6 weeks Review!!! It didn't rain!LONG No really it's like a book! Sorry

Great review!!!! it looked like an absolute blast!!! you were gorgeous,your DH looked handsome, and your children are beautiful...you should be very proud to have planned such a beautiful event!!!!

Re: 9/15/07 Backyard Wedding in 6 weeks Review!!! It didn't rain!LONG No really it's like a book! Sorry

Congrats! You two look so happy and everything was beautiful.

Re: 9/15/07 Backyard Wedding in 6 weeks Review!!! It didn't rain!LONG No really it's like a book! Sorry

Congrats on your wedding. You did an amazing job. Pat yourself on the back.

Re: 9/15/07 Backyard Wedding in 6 weeks Review!!! It didn't rain!LONG No really it's like a book! Sorry