The Brides' Review - Mini July 3, 2006 review

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Mini July 3, 2006 review

KarAnthony Posted: Jul 04, 2006 05:24 PM+

KarAnthony MEMBER SINCE: 6/05 TOTAL POSTS : 833 WEDDING DATE: Jul 03, 2006

Posted: Jul 04, 2006 05:24 PM

Mini July 3, 2006 review

I didn't post too much, but loved the site and thought I would give a mini review while everything is fresh in my mind.

Mother Nature: A- I heard it was going to be beautiful and it was for half the day. We had some light rain showers but after the pics were done and while we were driving in the limo. Very romantic! It was HOT though!!!

Hair: Jennifer Z (don't know how to spell her last name): A
Despite some recent posts about her, I was totally impressed with her skill and professionalism. She was the first one to show at my Mom's and stayed until all the girls were happy, including me! My hair did end up quite nappy at the end and it had nothing to do with her. Note to girls who bought hair pieces. Mine was not curable, although the place I bought it from assured me it was, yeah right. It got gross when the hot iron hit it and became irreparable. But, my hair looked exactly like I wanted it and lasted the majority of the day, despite humidity, sweat and heat!!

Jen is a sweetheart and my girls looked stunning!

Makeup: Patty Burgess A

Patty was great! My makeup came out even better than my trial and everyone complimented me all night!!! She was great and all my girls loved their makeup, highly recommended.

Photography: Christina Bohn

Day of A+++

I may name our first child Christina lol!

She was on time, unobtrusive, and worked her butt off. I think she probably burned 5,000 calories running around taking shots all day and night. She was with us from 1pm until 11:30. I cannot wait until we see our pics, but have NO DOUBT they will be everything I have dreamed of! She was the vendor I was most excited about!

Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church: A+ Father Ryan said a beautiful mass. We did the prayer of the couple and everyone was very impressed he even made reference to it during his homily.

The music was great and my best friend's father sung Ava Maria, I highly recommend if you have someone you know with a great voice to have them sing, it really adds to the ceremony in a very special way!

Pictures at the Vanderbuilt in Centerport: B

I was so excited to get my pics there, and Carol was very helpful in the planning. However, the minute we pulled up I noticed this huge (and ugly) Romeo and Juliet medieval looking stage in front of this beautiful staircase I wanted pictures of. I was so disappointed also to see a HUGE white poster advertising the play in the middle of the courtyard. We paid a lot of $$$ for use of the facilities and I feel they disregarded the grounds. Not to mention there was a huge hole in one area that made walking through very dangerous.

All in all I was happy with the facility because I know Christina took beautiful shots!

Reception: Carltun on the Sound

We feel in love with this place!!! The room is so classy and elegant and it looks as if you are on a cruise ship! I loved that none of my guests had been to a wedding their before!

Planning stage: B-

Day of: A
The woman we dealt with changed some things around on us during the planning stages and we were left with some uneasiness... However the day of, she really stepped up! Her and my bridal attendant was around us the whole time and made sure our guests had the best service possible!!!

The food was incredible, the dessert and cake was absolutely delicious!!!

Band: Music by Chaser A-

We feel in love at a wedding when we first started dating dancing to chaser so we knew this was the band we wanted for our wedding from the beginning!

They have great sound and also play local venues which I think is important for wedding bands to play so they know how to read the crowd well.

I would have liked to have met in person during the planning process but they seemed to prefer email and phone calls for details, which worked out fine and everything sounded fantastic. They had our guests up there all night and raving about it, all I keep hearing is that band is phenomenal!!

The only wish I did have was that they took fewer breaks. I was assured during the planning process that they would be taking turns and there would always be 3 people up there during break times. Well after the introductions, first dance, second song and speeches they went into a break. Um, that was 25 minutes into the night? Our maitre De was great she went up to them and asked them to continue playing and they did. Then I saw them all down stairs and there was canned music at one point. When I approached the band leader about this, (you definitely grow a set of you know what during your wedding day)

he said, oh it's only been 2 minutes. Ok, whatever, they played amazing and our guests were having a great time so I am happy with we had them!

Limos: T & R (aka 110 Limos): A++++ They were awesome for my bachelorette party and for the wedding day. They upgraded us to a bigger limo, well they sold the 14 person so by default we got the Navigator, not bad if I do say so myself! We had a Rolls which was adorable, and I loved being in it, despite it not starting for 5 minutes on my way to the church and being a thousand degrees, but it was totally worth it!!!!

Oh and my flowers: Laura's Floral Elegance A+++

Another vendor I was so excited about. My bouquet was stunning, the bridesmaids and MOH held roses with the pink tips and for the reception we bought silver julep cup vases and they put 2 dozen white with deep pink tip roses in them. I wish I could take a centerpiece with my on my honeymoon

Love, Love, Love them!!!!!!!!!!

My Gown, David's Bridal. Purchase: A Alterations: D

There is one woman who is awesome though, have Angela and only Angela work on your gown.

Bridesmaids gowns: Burtons A-

Alterations are ok, ordering great, prices great. No major complaints, I loved the gowns. Bill Levkoff 2 colors of purple with a sash. Gorgeous!!!!!!

Well, off to pack for Hawaii!!!!

I will post pics when they get emailed to me!!!

Thanks for all the help in the planning process.

Oh and don't forget:

It is your day, speak up if something is not what you thought, most of the time your vendors will change it for you with no problem.

Enjoy the moments before seeing your FI, we were so excited to meet eyes and I will treasure that moment forever!

Have wonderful bridesmaids! Pick those you Love and Care about b/c they can be a big help if you have wonderful girls as I did, they are and amazing group of ladies and were genuinely so very excited for us!

Oh, and on a side note, try to spend time with your hubby that night if you know what I mean. We did and it was so worth it despite feeling completely exhausted. (Don’t expect to sleep the night before…

Don't be sad when it's over, your life is just beginning and I am not sad because I loved my day and to go back would take away from the feeling of uniqueness and specialness.

Adios fellow 06' brides!!!!! Best of luck to you all!

snydl40 Posted: Jul 04, 2006 06:50 PM+

snydl40 MEMBER SINCE: 3/06 TOTAL POSTS : 9193 WEDDING DATE: Oct 07, 2007

Posted: Jul 04, 2006 06:50 PM

Re: Mini July 3, 2006 review

Great review-I can't wait to see pics! It sounds as though you had a beautiful day! Congrats!

ali120206 Posted: Jul 05, 2006 08:53 AM+

ali120206 MEMBER SINCE: 10/05 TOTAL POSTS : 4385 WEDDING DATE: Dec 02, 2006

Posted: Jul 05, 2006 08:53 AM

Re: Mini July 3, 2006 review

Congratulations! I can't wait to see pictures.

ewickens Posted: Jul 05, 2006 09:01 AM+

ewickens MEMBER SINCE: 1/05 TOTAL POSTS : 13578 WEDDING DATE: Sep 16, 2006

Posted: Jul 05, 2006 09:01 AM

Re: Mini July 3, 2006 review

Congrats!!!!!! Can't wait to see pictures of your beautiful day!!!!

DandS Posted: Jul 05, 2006 09:23 AM+

DandS MEMBER SINCE: 1/06 TOTAL POSTS : 3996 WEDDING DATE: Nov 25, 2006

Posted: Jul 05, 2006 09:23 AM

Re: Mini July 3, 2006 review

Great review!!! Congrats and I hope that you and DH enjoy your HM!

I can't wait to see pictures!

cjb88 Posted: Jul 05, 2006 12:12 PM+

cjb88 MEMBER SINCE: 11/04 TOTAL POSTS : 7313 WEDDING DATE: Apr 08, 2006

Posted: Jul 05, 2006 12:12 PM

Re: Mini July 3, 2006 review

congrats!!! I cant wait to see pictures!!

curliegirl Posted: Jul 05, 2006 12:46 PM+

curliegirl MEMBER SINCE: 11/04 TOTAL POSTS : 2727 WEDDING DATE: Oct 29, 2005

Posted: Jul 05, 2006 12:46 PM

Re: Mini July 3, 2006 review

Congratulations!! Everything sounded so great, can't wait for pics!

Lissy3077 Posted: Jul 08, 2006 11:59 AM+

Lissy3077 MEMBER SINCE: 9/05 TOTAL POSTS : 6274 WEDDING DATE: Jun 30, 2007

Posted: Jul 08, 2006 11:59 AM

Re: Mini July 3, 2006 review

congrats!!! Can't wait to see pics

Mary08 Posted: Jul 08, 2006 12:50 PM+

Mary08 MEMBER SINCE: 6/06 TOTAL POSTS : 34 WEDDING DATE: Sep 27, 2008

Posted: Jul 08, 2006 12:50 PM

Re: Mini July 3, 2006 review

congratulations... sounds like you had a great day!!!

beautyq115 Posted: Jul 08, 2006 01:18 PM+

beautyq115 MEMBER SINCE: 12/04 TOTAL POSTS : 16776 WEDDING DATE: Jul 16, 2006

Posted: Jul 08, 2006 01:18 PM

Re: Mini July 3, 2006 review

Congrats Karen! A little birdie told me she had an amazing time...of course I wanted to know every little detail! So glad you had a great day!

KarAnthony Posted: Jul 18, 2006 10:58 PM+

KarAnthony MEMBER SINCE: 6/05 TOTAL POSTS : 833 WEDDING DATE: Jul 03, 2006

Posted: Jul 18, 2006 10:58 PM

Re: Mini July 3, 2006 review

Posted by beautyq115

Congrats Karen! A little birdie told me she had an amazing time...of course I wanted to know every little detail! So glad you had a great day!

Your pics are beautiful, glad your day was beautiful as well!!!!