Finally!! My August 1st Wedding Review and Review of Hawaiin Honeymoon!! - Updated with Pics!!

OK - I know I've been lazy and a lot of you have sent FM's about specific vendors...so sorry for the delay!!

I'll start with some pre-wedding beauty tips that worked out really great for me -

Crest Vivid White Toothpaste and Premium Crest White Strips -A++ - About six months before the wedding I had asked my dentist about getting my teeth whitened - he told me to try this on my own first because so many people were successful with the Crest strips and didn't have to spend the extra $$ to have it professionally done. I am so glad he saved me the money!! I started using the Vivid White toothpaste about a month before the wedding and saw an instant and huge difference!! I used the Premium Whitestrips the week before the wedding and they worked great too! Yes, they did hurt my teeth a little, but my teeth was SO WHITE (and still are)!

Silk Wraps - A++ - I wasn't going to get nails because my own nails are pretty long, but of course they all started breaking the week of the wedding. I'm so glad that I got the wraps done because I my nails looked perfect and I didn't have to worry about chips at all. My nails stayed perfect throughout the honeymoon also! I would definitely recommend them.

Mother Nature - C - It POURED all morning long - the only weekend day of the entire summer that it had rained like that - so of course I was crying all morning and we were going crazy changing plans for outdoor pictures. The weather ended up clearing up mid-afternoon so we were still able to do some rushed outside pics and still have our outside ceremony so that's good - so I guess the F for the morning weather and the A for the evening averaged out to a C!

Chateau La Mer - A+++ - I cannot say enough of how much I LOVE Chateau La Mer and our Banquet Manager, Nick. There were a couple of little things that went wrong - like the A/C in the bridal suite dying was definitely not fun and there was a little confusion when we first got there because the other wedding's cocktail hour was still on the deck and I was very upset, but all in all - it was wonderful. Once our wedding started though, you did not even know that there was another party upstairs - never even saw any of the people!My only regret is that DH and I didn't seem to have to the time to enjoy it as much as we would have like to! The food (from what I hear from my guests) was phenomenal, the service was incredible. They had food the tables, and drinks in people's hands almost before they could ask for them!! I truly felt like I was the President with the way that Nick was running around for us. He and my bridal attendant Monika, were in constant contact with walkie-talkies and earplugs - like the secret service!! Our ballroom was newly renovated and looked beautiful. THe one things I hadn't been thrilled about when I saw CLM was I didn't like the chairs inside or outside for the ceremony - they seemed kind of old and beat up. About a month or two before the wedding, all the chairs were replaced - so that was great. In addition to all the crazy amounts of food that we had (seconds are served to everyone who wants) Nick surprised us with a chocolate fountain!!! I could not believe it and the guests were astounded!! I truly cannot say enough about CLM and I would not have changed my location even if someone had given me a zillion dollars and told me to have any wedding I wanted - it truly is a hidden jewel!!

Skyline Orchestras - A+++
Unbelievable!!! They were perfect. Everyone was on the dance floor all night long and soo many people came up to us the night of the wedding and called afterwards to say how fantastic they thought they were and how they had never heard a band like them. I spoke to the bandleader, Mike, numerous times and he was so patient and helpful in suggesting songs when I was stuck. He did wonderful with all the Israeli names in my family and my new 9-letter Polish last name!!! We had an unconventional First Dance Song and we gave them a CD to learn it. About a week or two before the wedding, Mike was quite honest with me and told me that they learned it - but it sounded to me that they werent thrilled with how it came out - so they played the original CD version which I loved more anyway!! At one point in the evening, they also played some dance/hip hop songs on CDs that we had brought with us - because the only thing I didn't like about a band was certain songs that I wouldn't be able to hear - so I truly had the best of both worlds! I would use them again in an instant!!

Jack and Rose Flowers
Day of Wedding Flowers - A+
The flowers were gorgeous. I got exactly what I asked for - the bouquets were beautiful and the centerpieces were gorgeous. I had pale lavender and blush roses and I didn't realize that the blush roses were going to come out so pink looking - if I had known that - I probably would have gone with cream, but they were beautiful all the same. Jack also sent a gorgeous bouquet of white roses to me on the day of the wedding - I'm just sad that we ended up giving them to DH's parents because we were leaving on honeymoon!
Other non-flower issues - C
The week before the wedding, I made some changes to the contract - nothing major. They wanted me to come up to the store to re-sign everything and it wasn't convenient for me to drive 45 min to Woodbury the week of my wedding with everything else going on. So, I spoke to one of the assistants on the phone to find out if I could fax the contract over - it was about 24 pages mind you!! She said she would ask Jack and have him get back to me. I waited a whole day to hear from Jack and when I called back the next day, I was told she never gave him the message. Okay...so since it's only a few days before my wedding and I am no longer at work, I do not have easy access to a fax machine and everyone and their mother is trying to fax this 24 page contract back into J&R and they are claiming that everyone's faxes machines must be broken because they are not getting the full thing - I find that hard to believe that it wasn't their fax machine that wasn't working. We even got to the point where three days before my wedding when I was dropping stuff off at CLM, Nick my BM even tried faxing it for me because I was so stressed at the point! None of this should have been a big deal, but I feel like they made things a lot more stressful for a Bride to Be than they had to. Also, there are some, in my opinion, shady components of the sign off sheets that you need to sign on the day of the wedding. Plus, you have a guy following you around FOREVER until you sign off on these sheets and they will not take anyone else's signature - only the bride, even though I was in the middle of pictures!

Duet Photography and Video - ????
I will reserve give a grade to Duet until I am finished with my current situation with them. The day of the wedding they were amazing. We had Eric, Wu and Scott. They were all over the place, taking a zillion pictures, and also were very funny and calming. They knew all my BM's names in about 5 minutes and they were great!! We even opened their tip envelope that we already had made up to add more money!!
So, I get the proofs and I am not happy! There are a lot of photojournalistic shots, but barely any traditional shots - barely one shot of DH and I looking straight at the camera all of them are at really weird 'photojournalistic' angles. At this point, I cannot even pic out a pic for the thank you cards!! There also are quite a few pics that we remember taking, that aren't there!! So, I speak to Duet and go back in to meet with Eric and long story short - they filter the pics and don't give you all proofs - I can't really complain because I have almost 700 proofs. But, Eric says that it's his mistake because he thought I wanted more photojournalistic pics - so he tells me that they are going to go back and print the other pics and to call him in a week. So I call him a week later (which was a week ago) and he tells me he has to call me back. Two days go by and I email Nicole. I get a reply saying that she knows they are working on the proofs and will get back to me in the week - well it's been almost a week already and I need to get moving on TY's already!! So - I am sort of in this limbo right now, waiting and hoping for better pics and hoping there are more good ones!! Duet brides, be very specific on if you want photojournalistic pics, traditional, or both!!! I will update about Duet when I can!

Royalty Limos - A+
We got a really good deal and Manny was very nice to work with. We only need one simple limo to take the girls from the hotel to the park for pictures, then on to CLM. We also used Royalty for the Bachelorette Party because I won a free four hour limo ride (Thanks LIW!!) THe driver we had for the Bach. Party was awesome!! His name was Phil C. I don't know the driver's name on the day of the wedding, but he was a bit of a grump. He really didn't say anything except for complaining about how we were going to run over in time. We also had a very nice limo pick up DH and I at the end of the night to bring us back to the hotel and that driver was cool too - helping DH load and unload car.

Technicolors Salon - Hair - A
Diane and Theresa did our hair. They were very patient with my sister, who did not want anything done to her hair and did a good job on everyone else's hair. I didn't love my hair, but I didn't really verbalize it, and that's not their fault. The only reason they don't get an A+ is I found out after some of my friends had been charged more than the prices I gave them - which I very specifically found out so I could let everyone know ahead of time.
Lynda Lane - Makeup - A
When I had my trial with her, I had the airbrushing done and it looked fantastic! I ended up not getting it for the wedding day because I was very tan and didn't want to cover that up. My makeup looked beautiful and stayed all day - except the lipstick. Lynda seemed to take a long time, but there were only three of us having makeup done, so it was ok. Again, only reason no A+ is my BM was charged more than I was told was the price! But, Lynda's prices are very reasonable and she is a sweetheart!!!

Clergy - Cantor Jeffrey Forman and Reverend Steve Fogel
Ceremony - A
Other issues - F!!
I feel badly saying that because the ceremony was a beautiful interfaith ceremony taking traditions from both the Jewish and Christian faiths.
My problems were really with Cantor Forman, not Reverend Fogel and I wanted to clarify that. Cantor Forman wanted DH and I to email him answers to certain questions about each other to him, which were a surprise to each other and which he was going to incorporate into the ceremony. Literally FIVE MINUTES before the ceremony when we are all up in the bridal suite, he tells me that when DH sent his email, it had a virus and wiped out everything on his computer, including my email - so he didn't our emails and we had to do it over right then - 5 minutes before the ceremony!!! First of all, I don't believe that DH's email had a virus, because no one else ever said anything, but even if it did - do you think you could tell us any earlier???? Even if you called us up the morning of the wedding - I spent HOURS having hair and makeup done and it would have been very easy for me to dictate my thoughts to one of my BM and have them write it down. No, instead you tell us literally 5 minutes before the ceremony starts, so now one of my BM's (ALIKING) is furiously scribbling down our thoughts and I can't even think at this point and it was very upsetting. So, of course the ceremony started late and the Cantor just ended up literally reading the scribbled notes out loud, not trying to formulate our thoughts into any type of story - so that was really ruined for us. I had spent about 2 hours answering his questions and I know DH spent a lot of time on his thoughts too!
Also, a couple of things he said - I was very insulted by. Right after we signed the ketubah and marriage license, everyone is sitting there all quiet waiting for the Cantor to say something congratulatory or nice being that now we are technically married. So this is what he sayshe says - 'OK - let's find the person who responsible for paying me so I don't have to chase you after the ceremony' - OK - we are spending tens of thousands of dollars on a wedding - you really think that we are going to run off with your envelope?
Also - after we signed DH was very excited and said to him and the Reverend - we hope you'll stay for cocktail hour and the Cantor says, in a really snotty tone, 'I don't EAT the food here.' - Yeah - I realize that CLM isn't kosher - but you know what - you could have smiled and said thank you and left it at that!!!

Melville Marriott - A+
We had our room blocks and morning after brunch at the Marriott. We worked with Ms. Millman and she was very nice and helpful. We had a HUGE bridal suite and they sent up champage the night of the wedding. We ended up not having enough people to have a whole separate room for brunch so what we did was invite everyone to join us at the breakfast buffet in their restuarant - the Marriott printed up very nice invitations/vouchers and it worked out nicely because it ended up cheaper than a private brunch would have been.

Quick Honeymoon Review A+++++

We went to Kauai, Molokai, and the Big Island. We ended up extending our honeymoon to 16 days - we had such a blast!! I loved Hawaii and can't wait to go back!! I wish we could have stayed on Kauai and Molokai longer they were sooo beautiful. We stayed at the Sheraton Kauai, the Castle Resorts in Mauna Loa in Molokai, and we switched to the Waikoloa Beach Resort in the Big Island. We ate at a lot of good places but one place that was notable was Kintauro's in Kauai, near Ka'paa, which was the BEST sushi I had ever eaten.
Molokai was completely deserted and we had are own beach villa, private ocean, it was fantastic!!!

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Re: Finally!! My August 1st Wedding Review and Review of Hawaiin Honeymoon!!

wow what a great review!!!! your wedding was wonderful anthony and i had an amazing time and you looked beautiful

Re: Finally!! My August 1st Wedding Review and Review of Hawaiin Honeymoon!!

Very detailed review!!!

Congrats on your successful planning and welcome to the world of married life

Did you not say to yourself while in Hawaii that 'I can live here'? OMG we kept thinking that we should move out there

Re: Finally!! My August 1st Wedding Review and Review of Hawaiin Honeymoon!!

Yay!

I agree with Jan, Michal. Your wedding was gorgeous, and I can vouch for you and tell everyone what a great time we had!!!

Re: Finally!! My August 1st Wedding Review and Review of Hawaiin Honeymoon!!

Thanks for the review

Re: Finally!! My August 1st Wedding Review and Review of Hawaiin Honeymoon!!

Thank you so much! I am glad to hear all the positive things about your CLM wedding too! Was Nick your Maitre'D also?

Re: Finally!! My August 1st Wedding Review and Review of Hawaiin Honeymoon!!

congrats...

Re: Finally!! My August 1st Wedding Review and Review of Hawaiin Honeymoon!!

i love this picture

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Re: Finally!! My August 1st Wedding Review and Review of Hawaiin Honeymoon!!

Congrats! Thanks for the very detailed review.

Re: Finally!! My August 1st Wedding Review and Review of Hawaiin Honeymoon!!

Thank you for the very detailed review! Congratulations and good fortune to you and your husband!

Re: Finally!! My August 1st Wedding Review and Review of Hawaiin Honeymoon!!

I am so glad everything worked out for you on your wedding day with the whether and all.

CONGRATS

Re: Finally!! My August 1st Wedding Review and Review of Hawaiin Honeymoon!!

I am using Duet, Royalty, and Technicolors also. Congrats!!!

Re: Finally!! My August 1st Wedding Review and Review of Hawaiin Honeymoon!!

Congratulations!! What a great review!!

Re: Finally!! My August 1st Wedding Review and Review of Hawaiin Honeymoon!!

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Re: Finally!! My August 1st Wedding Review and Review of Hawaiin Honeymoon!!

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Re: Finally!! My August 1st Wedding Review and Review of Hawaiin Honeymoon!!

Congrats again to you and DH!!!

Thanks for such a wonderful review. I'm glad to hear such wonderful things about CLM...I couldn't wait for your review because our reception is there almost a year to the day after yours. Every review I read about CLM makes me even happier with our decision...I always call it a hidden jewel too and am so thrilled to have that confirmed by the past couple of brides who've had their weddings there!

As for Duet...thank you so much for this useful information. FH and I do want lots of photojournalistic pics, but we also want traditional ones so I'll be sure to make it clear to them that we want it 50-50. Best of luck to you on getting the photos you want...please let us know how it works out!

Lastly, I just bought Crest Vivid White and can't wait to start using it now! yay!

Once again, congrats to both of you...I'm glad you had such a wonderful day!

Re: Finally!! My August 1st Wedding Review and Review of Hawaiin Honeymoon!!

Wow thanks for the detailed review. It was fun to read. Glad you had a wonderful day. Congratulations!

Kimberly

Re: Finally!! My August 1st Wedding Review and Review of Hawaiin Honeymoon!!

Thanks so much for the great review. I too am using duet and your advice on what to tell them is great, I only hope that you get the pic's you were looking for, I would have been disappointed also. I hope it works out. Congratulations.

Re: Finally!! My August 1st Wedding Review and Review of Hawaiin Honeymoon!!

Im adding something to Vouch for MrsWask's review. Her flowers were amazing but this guy from Jack and Rose was seriously stalking her to sign off on the flowers, she was taking pictures and would not leave her alone. It was extermely inconvenient and annoying, especially on a day when you are trying to savor every moment. She was also forced to sign this contract that said she would not say anything negative about the flowers or anything else from jack and rose. I felt that was completely unfair, and the fact that the guy stalks you toill you sign it was BS to me. I mean what bride isnt going to sign it because at that point you are just trying to get rid of the guy, to me it sounds almost unconstitutional, and at that time you are not in the right state of mind to sign such a thing. I mean what if all the flowers died after that guy left and she signed the paper that she couldnt say anything negative about them how is that fair. Im sorry but I thought it was soooo shady and extremely unprofessional to do to a bride on the day of her wedding, im glad i didnt use them.

Re: Finally!! My August 1st Wedding Review and Review of Hawaiin Honeymoon!!

Congrats Michal on your wedding! You looked soooo beautiful and were glowing. I am happy your day went well, outside of a few glitches here and there

Thanks so much for your detailed review, it was definitely worth the wait. I really appreciate your honest reviews of your vendors. And I especially hope that one vendor in particular does the right thing by you!!!!

Good luck and best wishes for a wonderful marriage

ETA: Your honeymoon sounded AMAZING.