Bride on a Budget - My 11-8-08 Wedding Review

After a few hiccups and mishaps, I'M MARRIED!

Sadly, my MtOH, my dear beloved cousin, couldn't make it - she's pregnant and due in 3 weeks and she's been having a rough time with the pregnancy and at the last minute she couldn't make it but all along all I cared about was the health and well being of her and her little baby girl. So now, we'll just wait in anticipation for the arrival of baby Hazel!

The biggest issue is my photographer didn't show up He sent someone in his place and the result was not good. The pictures came out nice but he was difficult to work with and in a lot of the pics I'm not smiling because I was so annoyed. But, I'm not going to stress over it - we had lots of family take tons of pics (still waiting for them) and I am just DONE stressing over wedding stuff!!! He DID give me (or rather the Best Man) three discs of the raw pics. I still need one more (I'm missing pics of the cake cutting and the latter part of the night).

A few words about my great vendors . . .

Fantasia Bridal, Rocky Point: I decided on getting my dress and my bridesmaids dresses there because not only are they in my neighborhood but I heard such great things about them and their seamstresses. I'm so happy with my decision. I went to two other places before here and they treated me the best, had the best suggestions and Maria (Marie?) did an outstanding job on my custom work! I had sheer sleeves added and instead of just adding them, she added navy silk cuffs and shoulder 'straps' and the most beautiful embroidery.

(Pro Pics)






Barrons, Tri County Flea Market: Got my veil and headpiece at Barrons. Sweet people to work with and my veil was made for me (as opposed to buying 'off the rack). Really great selection, patient people to work with and of course, the best deal.

Pipeline Kilt Rental, Pompton Lakes, NJ: We didn't have many vendors to choose from, but they offered the best price and package and luckily, the Best Man lives nearby so he was able to pick everything up and bring it back. The boys had a great time going for their fitting and the owner was a real pro!
(Pro Pics)






Melinda, House of Styles, Miller Place: As I mentioned, I was on a budget. Instead of 'hiring' one of the more popular wedding hairdressers, I went to my Aunt's hairdresser for my hair. I love Melinda! She's such a sweetheart and did such a beautiful job on my hair. My hair is a menace in it doesn't hold a curl for anything. But my hair held up for most of the day/evening and I just love how it came out. I gave her a pic (the one of Jaime Lynn Siegler that's always floating around here) and I think she nailed it perfectly.

Jennies Limousines, Port Jefferson Station: I booked the limo literally 6 days before the wedding. I spoke to Jennie herself and she was nice, courteous and accommodating. They offered me the best price for a simple pick up/drop off and our driver (Jennie's husband) was just great. Nice, funny and made the ride so relaxing.

Bagpiper - FDNY Emerald Society: I originally was speaking with Gerry but he couldn't make it at the last minute so we had Tim. He did a wonderful job and was so nice. Plus, it felt good to be 'supporting' NY's bravest.

(Pro Pics)




Rev. April Gismondi: Can I tell you how much I LOVE this woman? She was SO wonderful - everyone absolutely loved her. Sweet, wonderful and a real 'take charge' woman. I wrote the ceremony and emailed it to her, she added her own touches and it was beautiful. DH wanted to surprise me with a handfasting ceremony - he had the best man pick up a sash in our tartan and he pulled Rev. April to the side and asked her if should wouldn't mind adding it to the cermony so last minute. Of course she wouldn't mind! She added it and it was beautiful and seamless. Did I mention how everyone just loved her? I felt bad I didn't get to say goodbye to her but DH did. I also would have loved to get a pic with her

(Pro Pics)




Polish American Independence Center, Port Jefferson Station: DH and I were on a super tight budget so we just rented a hall and hired a caterer separately. Joe at P.A.I.C. was absolutely wonderful and the hall is so nice inside. They took good care of us!

Villa Sorrento Restaurant, St. James: Villa Sorrento catered the food and it was just amazing. We had three servers/attendants and they went above and beyond. They didn't just serve the food - they took such good care of DH and I, making sure we weren't stressed, had a drink in our hand at all times, having plates of food on our table waiting for us - it was as though we had THREE personal attendants all night long.

(Pro Pics)




Benkerts Bakery, Centereach: We ordered our cake through Villa Sorrento and they got it from Benkert's Bakery. Marble cake with chocolate mousse filling and buttercream frosting - it was SO yummy! I LOVE rainbow cookies so for my shower my mum got me a rainbow cookie cake from there and that was fabulous as well.

(Pro Pics)



Spin Around Sound DH is a music snob. He also hates 'let's get this partay started', glow-in-the-dark necklace throwing, electric slide-leading type DJ's. One day, flipping through a bridal magazine, I saw a two-page ad that started with 'Do you hate . . . ' and it proceeded to list everything DH hated about DJs (what can I say, he's a tough customer). I thought, this is too good to be true - there's NO way we'd be able to afford these guys. They're too perfect for us! I sent a quick note via their website and within two days I received a package in the mail, including a nice, handwritten note. Even nicer - they were within our budget!!! I called immediately and spoke with Tom, the owner, and set up an appointment. He was so enthusiastic and was really into our music selections. Excellent to work with (it helps he has similar tastes to me and DH!) and just an absolute pleasure. Our DJ for the evening was Rio and he did an outstanding job.

(Pro Pic)


And last but not least, Moi We were on an insane budget so I did A LOT myself - STDs, Invitations, Cardbox, Programs, Bubbles, Seating Cards (candy bars with the wrapper as the seating instruction), Centerpieces (glass cylinders with floating candles that doubled as table numbers), the Flowers (bouquets, bouts, corsages), the Menus, heII - even my makeup and setting up the hall the morning of! I must say, what I saved in money I lost in sanity

If I can offer any words of advice for brides to be, they would be - what may seem like a big deal is really not that important. Limos, cardboxes, what MIL is wearing, what mom is wearing, who's getting on who's nerves, is it gonna rain the day of - it's all so, so insignificant. Really, it is. We had the honour of attending our dear friends' wedding a week before ours and let me tell you, it puts it all into perspective - the day is about YOU and YOUR FH(DH). Your love for one another and your commitment to one another and most importantly - it's not the day . . . it's the rest of your life.

Some of my DIY (Pro Pics)

BIL with my cardbox and some of the bo-ks



My Bo-k and the menu




Here's some more Pro pics . . .

Re: Bride on a Budget - My 11-8-08 Wedding Review

I hope your MOH and her daughter is okay.
Who was your photographer? Did you mention who it was? Maybe I missed it. Regardless, you looked beautiful. I love everything!

Re: Bride on a Budget - My 11-8-08 Wedding Review

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Posted by lucamon

I hope your MOH and her daughter is okay.
Who was your photographer? Did you mention who it was? Maybe I missed it. Regardless, you looked beautiful. I love everything!

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Aww, thanks. They're fine. The pregnancy isn't at risk it's more my cousin being in a lot of discomfort.

The photographer isn't a vendor here and I've had tales of woe since the beginning with booking a photographer so I didn't bother mentioning who.

Re: Bride on a Budget - My 11-8-08 Wedding Review

Congrats! Great review! Lots of the things I spent $$$$ turned out to be awful anyway. Glad you saw through that from the start!

Re: Bride on a Budget - My 11-8-08 Wedding Review

I'm so sorry about your photographer - that is terrible. But on the upside your wedding was beautiful, as were you! Congratulations to you and your husband!

Re: Bride on a Budget - My 11-8-08 Wedding Review

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Posted by Mimacat

Congrats! Great review! Lots of the things I spent $$$$ turned out to be awful anyway. Glad you saw through that from the start!

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Thanks Mima!

Everything about your day came out beautiful - it really did! And the best part - you got an awesome partner out of the deal!

Re: Bride on a Budget - My 11-8-08 Wedding Review

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Posted by nycgirl79

I'm so sorry about your photographer - that is terrible. But on the upside your wedding was beautiful, as were you! Congratulations to you and your husband!

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Thank you! And Happy Anniversary to you!!!

Re: Bride on a Budget - My 11-8-08 Wedding Review

Looks great Congrats!!!!!!


You looked beautiful!

Re: Bride on a Budget - My 11-8-08 Wedding Review

Sharron great review!!!!! You looked beautiful, I loooooveeedd how they added the navy on the sleeves. Looks perfect.

Re: Bride on a Budget - My 11-8-08 Wedding Review

sharon the blue on your dress looks gorgeous - its looks perfect on you, you are so so so pretty! love the kilts, the DIYs, everything looked great!

Re: Bride on a Budget - My 11-8-08 Wedding Review

THIS DRESS IS SO BEAUTIFUL WITH THE NAVY I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!!

I haven't seen detail on the sleeves like that, and the way you incorporated the plaid on the flower ribbon, with the kilts, and the navy on the BM's, itt's all just beautiful. Budget or not, I think your wedding party looks AMAZING!!!

Re: Bride on a Budget - My 11-8-08 Wedding Review

Wow the kilts look so amazing!!!!!!!! Everything looks so beautiful! Congrats!!!!

Re: Bride on a Budget - My 11-8-08 Wedding Review

Great review- you look so beautiful in the pictures! I love your flowers

Re: Bride on a Budget - My 11-8-08 Wedding Review

everything looked great! Congrats!!

Re: Bride on a Budget - My 11-8-08 Wedding Review

Congrats!!! Sorry to hear about your photographer, your family and friends probably took more fabulous pics anyway, so I wouldn't be too worried. FH and I are also going to be on a tight budget. I see you did a lot of DIY. I would really love to know how you did your B-K's ( I think you did such a lovely job with them!!)? Also, if there is anything that you found that you saved tons of money on!!

Thanks and again congrats!!!!

Re: Bride on a Budget - My 11-8-08 Wedding Review

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Posted by NYYankeeGirl72

Congrats!!! Sorry to hear about your photographer, your family and friends probably took more fabulous pics anyway, so I wouldn't be too worried. FH and I are also going to be on a tight budget. I see you did a lot of DIY. I would really love to know how you did your B-K's ( I think you did such a lovely job with them!!)? Also, if there is anything that you found that you saved tons of money on!!

Thanks and again congrats!!!!

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Thank you!

In all honesty, I think the BoKs caused me the most stress (I didn't go to a wholesale florist). If you're going to go DIY with the flowers - GET YE TO A WHOLESALE FLORIST! As for the assembly of the BoKs it was my Aunt and Cousin (MdOH) that did the best job of getting them nice and tight for me. Just start criss crossing them and wiring them.

I found I saved the most money on the flowers (about 200.00 with the flowers and materials) and the biggest has to be the invitations. Some girls go as far as actually cutting and assembling the pocketfolds but those I bought premade. I bought everything at Fat Cat Paperie in Center Moriches (damn! I left them out of my review ) and I showed Pam my design and she said what I was doing could easily cost up to 1300.00 (and I belived her because I priced them). In the end I spent about 375.00 on the materials. Everything else I designed myself on the computer and printed and cut everything myself.

Thanks ladies!

Re: Bride on a Budget - My 11-8-08 Wedding Review

This is a budget wedding? Everything looks fantastic- CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Wishing you health and happiness

Re: Bride on a Budget - My 11-8-08 Wedding Review

great review everything looks great

Re: Bride on a Budget - My 11-8-08 Wedding Review

I love LOVE your sleeves on your dress. So elegant and just the matching of the embroidery is just outstanding. The wedding looked like a blast and you and dh look so lovely. Gotta love the kilts!

Sorry about the photographer but such a lovely looking day.

Re: Bride on a Budget - My 11-8-08 Wedding Review

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Posted by MrsCastanedain09

This is a budget wedding? Everything looks fantastic- CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Wishing you health and happiness

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thats what i was thinking