DFW343's 3/21/2010 Wedding Review part 1 PRE WEDDING stuff including Broadway Jewelers, Vista Print, Budior, pics, Bach/Shower stuff and more!

LIW has been the best resource for my planning so I feel it only fair to give an extensive and honest review. I also have made lots of friends on here whether it be virtual or IRL. As some of you know, my Dad was diagnosed with cancer right after I got engaged and died a short while after. I did not get to enjoy my engagement because of that and sometimes I was putting off planning. This site got me right back on track!!!

Before I go on the best advice I can give is to do what YOU want, don’t go crazy spending money and lose site of what is important, RESEARCH, and most importantly, try not to fight with your FHs. It’s very hard not to be stressed at this time, but you need to remember why you are getting married; LOVE! Also, order more invites than you think. People come out of the woodwork!

Engagement ring, Broadway Jewelers, Massapequa-A+++++
I had no idea what I wanted when H and I first discussed possibly getting engaged. I was 40 and really thought it would never happen lol. H bought his Mother here for opinions after getting recommended and BJ did not disappoint! I am so happy with my engagement ring. It is perfect, unique, and goes with my tiny hands perfectly. H did a great job picking out the perfect ring with really nothing to go on! I went to BJ to get it cleaned a couple of months later and they were so nice. I was going to get my band there but….
Wedding band, Michael C. Fina, Manhattan-A+
Michael C was having a HUGE sale! Up to 75% off and they are across the street from my job. I HAD to look...and I found the perfect band! It was over my budget but marked 50% off! It is worth far more what I paid but I will never part with it! I also was going to wear my Mom’s first wedding band in between so it also went with that.


H’s Wedding band, Good Old Gold, Massapequa-A+
We went in wanting Tungsten. Got white gold. Reasonable, friendly, highly recommended


Fast Fix Jewelers, Queens Center Mall- A+++
They sized and dipped my rings and they still look great!

Engagement pictures, Sharon Bushman -A++++
Sharon was recommended from another photographer I met (I do modeling and make up part time). I loved her style and how she captured moments. She is very reasonable too!
I am very happy with the shots she took. We used one for our engagement announcement as well as our wedding guestbook photo frame.


Engagement announcement, Vista Print-A
I didn’t want to spend a lot but needed to get the date to people. They were cheap, fast, and they came out great.

Boudior shoot, Findorion photo-A++++++++++
I LOVE CLAIRE! I found her on a modeling site. I wanted the pics to be taken in my apartment because I wanted them more personal than taking in a hotel. I took then all around my apartment, but she did things like ask me where else was special and I said we eat at my coffee table and have the best convos there so she made me pose on it. I couldn’t print them as H has two kids (I paid for pic taking only, did my own make up) so I made a slideshow on Windows Movie Maker and waited until our two year anniversary to email it to him! If I did not book a wedding photographer, I would of booked her for the wedding! I booked her for Rock the Frock as well!
These are the less racy ones:



Bridal Shower, Bonfire Grill, Forest Hills-A++++
MIL and my SILs planned this for me along with my best friends. They wanted simple to hold about 30 people. It was a brunch and the food was terrific. I was never without a drink either. I wish it was longer lol! I wore jeans and a nice top to “act” surprised. Very casual atmosphere but elegant enough for a celebration! People still rave about it!

Bach party, Roosevelt Hotel and Keegans, overnight at Hotel Novotel Manhattan-A+
First drinks in a nice hotel lounge then some raunchy Karaoke. Couldn’t ask for more and it was only 5 other girls. You don’t have to have a HUGE crew to have a good bach party, ladies! I had a blast although I don’t remember some parts and was called Lady Ga Ga ever since (???????????)

Rehearsal dinner, O’Lavador, Jamaica, Queens-A+
We had people in town form Italy for our wedding. I have eaten here many times and the food is awesome and you can be as loud as you want even though the back room is very upscale. My dress was a Bebe dress I got a while back and never wore. I found it in my closet and said OK that’s it, wearing this! Don’t go nuts ladies! It’s just a RD!

Mother of Bride Dress Suit, Totally You, Bellmore-A+
You know in the movies how they stereotype the typical Jewish Mother? Ya know, you can never please her and she gives everyone a hard time? Totally unreasonable? That’s my Mom. So if she found something there, anyone can!!!!!! Loved the ladies here!

Mother Of Groom Dress, Princess Bridals, D
My MIL loved her dress and the alterations were good. I am giving them a D for two reasons. It took FOREVER for my MIL’s dress to come in although they promised 3 months.. She ordered it WAY in advance (she was more excited than I was about my dress lol).
Why a D? I went with her to look at it. They asked me where I got my dress. I told them and showed them my dress (I had just printed pics to show some people that day). The owner went on to say how that dress was all wrong for me, would not be able to be taken in, and the BERATED and PUT DOWN the place I bought it.
That is very bad business. You never put down another place! Also, if you were smart, try to talk me into a second dress or an accessory. Make me like you so I will buy recommend. Nope instead, you made me have doubts and give you a bad review.

Invites, TheAmericanWedding.com-A
I wanted to not spend so much here. We decided to do this online. The first search H did, he picked these right away. It was our colors and little did he know it matched my first dress! A little time consuming to put together but one snowy day was all I needed. My one regret was not doing labels. Handwriting them was such a b&^ch! Do labels! It’s NOT tacky if done right! Also, order more than you think. I had to go to Michael’s to make more last minute. Got one of those kits which was such a PITA Forgot to take pics. Will update (Rock The Frock photographer took).


Matches and bridal party gifts, The Knot-A+
No problems here! Won’t bore with pics.

Re: DFW343's 3/21/2010 Wedding Review part 1 PRE WEDDING stuff including Broadway Jewelers, Vista Print, Budior, pics, Bach/Shower stuff and more!

I love love love the b-pics! What a great idea having them done in your apartment. It definitely makes it that more special! I bet DH will never look at that coffee table the same way again!

Re: DFW343's 3/21/2010 Wedding Review part 1 PRE WEDDING stuff including Broadway Jewelers, Vista Print, Budior, pics, Bach/Shower stuff and more!

Re: DFW343's 3/21/2010 Wedding Review part 1 PRE WEDDING stuff including Broadway Jewelers, Vista Print, Budior, pics, Bach/Shower stuff and more!

Love the first part of your review!! Your b-pics are amazing!!
Great wedding advise, and ITA every bride should order more invitations, people do come out of the woodwork!

Re: DFW343's 3/21/2010 Wedding Review part 1 PRE WEDDING stuff including Broadway Jewelers, Vista Print, Budior, pics, Bach/Shower stuff and more!

awesome!!!
LOVE your b-pics... that last one is AWESOME and so unique...

and has anyone ever told you you look like Marisa Tomei?

Re: DFW343's 3/21/2010 Wedding Review part 1 PRE WEDDING stuff including Broadway Jewelers, Vista Print, Budior, pics, Bach/Shower stuff and more!

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Posted by Im_My_Own_Princess

awesome!!!
LOVE your b-pics... that last one is AWESOME and so unique...

and has anyone ever told you you look like Marisa Tomei?

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thanks ladies and yes..that and Theresa from HONJ...um, yeah OK.

Re: DFW343's 3/21/2010 Wedding Review part 1 PRE WEDDING stuff including Broadway Jewelers, Vista Print, Budior, pics, Bach/Shower stuff and more!

Oh My God! I was going to say the same thing!!
You really do resemble Marisa Tomei!!! BEAUTIFUL!

Also, I LOVEEEEEE your boudoir pictures!!! Would it be possible to get the contact information for your photographer??

Re: DFW343's 3/21/2010 Wedding Review part 1 PRE WEDDING stuff including Broadway Jewelers, Vista Print, Budior, pics, Bach/Shower stuff and more!

Oh wait, I'm an idiot. I didn't realize you posted it in the review! Thanks!!

Re: DFW343's 3/21/2010 Wedding Review part 1 PRE WEDDING stuff including Broadway Jewelers, Vista Print, Budior, pics, Bach/Shower stuff and more!

Your B pics are prob one of the best ive seen!!!!!!!!! you look amazing!!!!!!!!