My 9/3/04 Watermill Wedding

All I can say is that LIWeddings has been very helpful in all my planning. Even though I didn't post a lot (a lurker some might say), I have found this site to be an invaluable resource. so here goes....

~ Rehearsal Dinner- Grandstand Restaurant, Elmhurst, Queens- A George W.- Big fat F
Let me explain. We had our rehearsal the Wed. before our wedding. The day of I heard that the prez. would be having dinner in Queens. I had a good laugh and moved on. Little did I know that after he was eating, he was going to be visiting a firehouse a block away from where our dinner was to be held at the same time that he planned his little visit. The whole area was shut down for cars and there were Secret Service everywhere and helicopters overhead. We had to park very far away and carry the cake and all the gifts. It sucked but we finally got there....1 1/2 hours late!!!! They were great. They have us the choice of adding the time on the end or just paying for 3 hours. Very accommodating. BTW- Bush never showed up to the firehouse!!!!!

~Flowerama, Elmont C+
Like so many of us, I ordered my dress over a year in advance expecting that it would come in with plenty of time. I got concerned two months before and got on the phone. With out going into a whole thing, I was given the run around as to where the dress was (customs, NJ...). The end result was a beautiful dress that I absolutely loved!!!

~www.Veilshop.com A++++
Great website, great return policy and friendly customer service. I would definately recommend!!!

~www.psaessentials.com (invites, save the dates and rice for the church) A++++++
Same as above. Easy website/ordering as well as a quality product.

~www.annabellagio.com (bridesmaid jewelry) A
Had to return one b/c it was damaged and she was very nice and told me not to bother sending it back to them. Less work for me!!!!



~ Watermill- A+++++++++++
I was blown away with the service, food and decor. From the moment we stepped in, we were really treated like royalty! From food and drink and dealing with last minute people showing up and not showing up, they really kept my mind at ease. When my FIL told me the 'great news' (yes, those were his words) that his great aunt-who said she wasn't coming- decided to show up. The kicker was we had no room at tables and she has a wheelchair. Our maitre'd didn't even bat an eyelash. Within minutes, there was a spot for her and I was soooo relieved.
We had the cocktail hour outside and some of my guests came early as we were taking pictures. I was very impressed when I saw waiters coming out with appetizers and drinks for people almost an hour and a half before the CH started!!! I actually turned to Rob and questioned whether or not we would have to pay extra for it :P
The whole night went off without a hitch and we both had a great time!!!!
BTW...we really lucked out with traffic....considering it was the Friday of Labor Day weekend, the US Open as well as the Republican National Convention. Actually, I think that the traffic was light due to the RNC b/c a lot of people got out of the city and therefore weren't traveling that day. It just goes to show you that the things that you that the things that you stress about, turn out to be not really that big of a deal after all.

Now for vendors....
~ Entertainment Tonite A++++++++
Really, really great!!!! I was concerned b/c we met with Guy and absolutley loved him, but I didn't really hear anything about the company on this site. Well, we took a chance and it really paid off. We met with him and gave him our song list and CDs and he played everything we wanted and more. We also said that we didn't want any requests and he was very respectful and professional in relaying that message to some drunk relatives insisting that they knew what people wanted to hear. Great job all around!!!!

~Twelfth Night A+++++++++ so far
Completely professional, on time and very personable. We had Dom as our 5 hour photographer and his brother (name is slipping my mind, sorry) as the 10 hour photographer. I was such a spaz in the beginning...not knowing my right from my left, leaning the wrong way...just a mess. They both were really laid back but getting the job done...just what I was looking for!!!

~Mittermax A+++++++ so far (video)
Travis was amazing. Can't wait to see the final product!!!!

~Jack & Rose B- Final Product D-Service
I know this is a touchy subject on LIW, so I'll keep it brief. I really didn't like the gratuity fees that, according to the contract, 'so many people asked about' was suggested on the final payment. In my book, if you do a good job, I will take care of you. I don't need to be reminded in the contract. When my FI went to drop off the payment the secretary actually asked where the gratuity was. He was floored and caught off guard, so he said he would have it for him the day of. She seemed annoyed and gave him directions on how to label the envelopes and make sure it says Jack on it. We took care of the delivery people and I personally feel that the price of the flowers took care of all of the people who work 'behind the scenes'. Any how, I was happy with the bouquets and the centerpieces. I felt that he could have beefed up the church flowers a bit, but what's done is done.

~A-1 Quality Limousines A++++++++
We booked a party bus for the bridal party for 4 hours. It was brand new, clean and the driver was professional and courteous. Very satisfied!!!!

~Hyatt Windwatch D
We stayed in a regular room the night of our wedding b/c we figured we'd be staying up so late and we were right. The Sat. after our wedding we booked the Presidential Suite. We were told the room was ready and Rob went down to get the key. We had people helping us bring our things to the new room. When we opened the door, we found that the people who stayed in the room the night before let all of there things everywhere. Their phone was plugged in, clothes all over the pace, toilitries in the bathroom...the whole nine yards. I freaked out. We called the fron desk and told them to get someone up there NOW!!!!! Security came up as well as housekeeping. When Rob went down the manager there was a real b@#$h. She said she did us a FAVOR b/c there policy is to leave the people's belongings in the room for 24 hours if they don't show up. His reply was is it also your policy to give people keys to rooms that have not been vacated yet??? Anyway, the manager we dealt with the next day was very apologetic and did not charge us for the room. The whole time I was thinking if that was my room and I walked in to find 6 strangers standing in the middle of my room. I would have died. Luckily, we are honest people...it could have been a complete disaster.

~Honeymoon-Atlantis, Bahamas A+++++++ Sandals F-------------
Since I am a teacher I had to go back to work right away, we booked our honeymoon for a four day weekend we had off for Rosh Hashana. Well, we were dying b/c of all the hurricane activity down there. We originally booked a Sandals vacation and contacted them to see how the resort was. They told us that they were hit hard and that they will be closed for our vacation. This was about 4 days before we were suppossed to leave. We had to quickly try to rebook somewhere that wasn't damaged and booked the Atlantis. We are sooo glad we did. It was great and I would recommend it to anyone. Although I should mention that it was on the expensive side. The reason for the bad grade for Sandals is that no one has contacted us after repeated phone calls about either getting a refund or rescheduling for another trip. Not happy.

Anyway, I think I made up for hardly ever posting!! This is really long...I hope it is helpful!!!
~Tara

Re: My 9/3/04 Watermill Wedding

thanks for the review im glad you had a great day

Re: My 9/3/04 Watermill Wedding

congrats...!!!

Re: My 9/3/04 Watermill Wedding

Congratulations! sounds like you had a wonderful day.

Thanks for the thorough review!

Re: My 9/3/04 Watermill Wedding

Congratulations!!

Re: My 9/3/04 Watermill Wedding

Thanks for the review. I am also using 12th Night for photo and Mittermax for video. So glad you had a wonderful experience with them. I am looking forward to seeing your proofs. Sounds like you had a wonderful day. Congrats!

Kimberly

Re: My 9/3/04 Watermill Wedding

Congratulations! I can't wait to see some proofs!! FI and I are considering going to Atlantis so I'm glad to hear you had a great time.

Re: My 9/3/04 Watermill Wedding

glad to hear everything went well congradulations

Re: My 9/3/04 Watermill Wedding

congrats

Re: My 9/3/04 Watermill Wedding

Congrats to you! I always love to read about great experiences at Watermill.... :)

Re: My 9/3/04 Watermill Wedding

Congrats sorry about the Honeymoon
Where are the pics I want to see pics