My Aug. 29 Review w/Pics....-updated

Review of my August 29, 2004 Wedding

In random order, it seems…

Invitations – www.paperdirect.com - A
I placed the order, they sent me what I ordered.

Dress – www.spiegel.com - A
I ordered the dress on-line, not with the idea of the wedding but just because I liked it. When I got it, everyone thought it would be perfect for the wedding. I didn’t want a wedding gown, this being a second marriage for us both. The only problem, I think it shrunk while in my closet!! OK, maybe I grew?

Weekend Activities –
Explorer Osprey Cruise out of Atlantis Marineworld – A+
Wonderful boat ride, with presentation by a Marine Biologist who was informative without forcing anyone to pay attention. Wine and cheese served. This is a great tour for groups or couples, families, whatever.

Catering for Dinner – Village Deli, Riverhead – A+
Delicious wraps, salads, sandwiches. Perfect way to end the “night before” festivities.

Massage, Waxing, Mani/Pedi – Special Effects, Greenport – B
Massage was great, as were the mani/pedi. However, the waxing left a slight BALD SPOT on my eyebrow!! Fortunately by Sunday (this happened on Friday) it had grown in a little and with a little eyebrow pencil – voila!

Lodging – Home Port B&B – A+
My sisters and I arrive at 2pm the day of the wedding, to dress and all there. The room was lovely, clean, and so tastefully decorated. The hosts were very helpful. We took pictures inside and out, as the house and grounds are so nice. The light in the rooms upstairs was perfect as well. That night, the bed was great (so tired!!) and breakfast in the morning delicious! Also one of the few places that didn’t require a minimum of 2 nights.

DAY OF WEDDING:

Mother Nature – A+++++++
Started off quite warm, but by 5:30 pm when the outdoor ceremony began, it was just perfect.

Flowers – Country Petals, Peconic – A
The flowers were beautiful, although I had changed my mind many times. The groom’s boutonniere was a bit large and foppish, but it was fine. I had expected some extra loose flowers for my hair but she seemed to forget these. And I didn’t remember either until after she had left. The corsages, centerpieces and arrangements were lovely and so fitting for the surroundings. The bouquets were beautiful.

Photographer – Marco Photography – TBD
They arrived on time and took some pics. I felt however that we just kept dong the same poses (cheek to cheek, look into each others; eyes, now kiss) just in various locations. We took pics before the wedding because I didn’t want to miss anything, and they respected my wishes in this regard. We’ll see how the proofs come out. Also they left right after the cake, which we had early since it was a Sunday night, so I am not sure they “got everything”.

Video – Candlelite Video – TBD
I decided 2 days before the wedding that I wanted a video. So I had to go to their office and pay the FULL amount minus $100. I thought this was steep, considering I hadn’t received any services yet – photographer gets paid in 3 equal installments, flowers I paid day-of, DJ gets paid day-of – why must a videographer get almost the whole payment beforehand? I don’t think this is right – if they don’t show up, then what?? Try getting that money back!
Well as it was last minute and I had no choice, I made the payment. The videographer was so unobtrusive, what I really required. Hopefully the video came out well, but I can say he was a very nice guy and really tried to stay on the sidelines.

Cake – Collette Foley Specialty Baking – A++++++
Oh my God this was the MOST awesome thing I have ever seen!! The cake was beautiful, and so incredibly delicious. Everyone was just amazed by it. And the best part, she is NOT over-priced like most of the cake vendors. I have to say I was so please that it came out even BETTER than I could have asked for.

Officiant – Rev. April Gismondi, Church of Ancient Ways – A+++
April was great through out the whole process – always answered my emails promptly and clearly, made wonderful suggestions, and really got to know us as a couple in order to personalize the ceremony. She made us feel like it was so special and as if we were the only people in the world at that moment.

Guitarist – Tomas Rodriguez – A+++
Tomas plays Classical Spanish Guitar, along with many latin-incfuenced pieces. He learned special pieces to accompany my sister in the ceremony. He played all the ceremony music, as well as for the cocktail hour. I think it was special touch to have the guitar, so in tune with the surroundings. It made the ceremony and cocktail hour elegant and off the beaten track, reflecting our appreciation of music.

Soloist – Patricia Gallagher – A+++++
Poor Patty had to sing in German! And she did it wonderfully. Patty has the most beautiful voice I know. And even though the ceremony was out-doors, she has such power that everyone could hear her perfectly. She picked out 2 special songs, totally off the beaten path and with a minstrel-like feel, also in tune with the surroundings. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a soloist for a wedding – sweet, lovely well-trained soprano voice.

Venue – Raphael Vineyards – A+
The vineyard, the building, the vines, the lawn – all so beautiful. It’s not a catering hall, so immediately the guests knew they were in store for something special – magical, a few have told me. I just wish they’d get rid of the white resin chairs and bring in wooden folding chairs for the ceremony…Otherwise the venue is just lovely and we were very happy with the site itself.

Caterer – Grand Cru – on-site caterers for Raphael – A++++++
Food was amazing. My gourmet brother says he has NEVER tasted such wonderful food. Julie was great and set us up on the balcony with our own plate of hors d’ourves so that we would be sure to taste everything. Each thing was better than the one before!! We did the buffet dinner so there was constantly something new to try. Hubby and I didn’t have to get up once as they served us like royalty at our table, although I regret not having visited the stations at least to see how they were set up. Everyone had a great time and just raved about the place. Julie was helpful and attentive throughout the evening, a pleasure to work with. Only thing – my family did not have champagne for the toast. Maybe others didn’t either.

DJ – Absolute Entertainment – C / A
I am giving them 2 ratings --- you will see why --
Jeff was great to speak with, and very attentive and responsive. Price was fair. However….the DJ (Kevin -- but NOT the owner Kevin) paid hardly any mind to our play list. He played what we requested for 1 & 2 dance, cake cutting, bo-k toss and that’s IT. My list was very varied so it isn’t that we didn’t have the “right” music – I knew my guests and what they would like.
I am removing here my personal experiences because they reflect only on the DJ and not the company.
So, I was not happy with the DJ. I called Jeff at Absolute and told him this and he seemed totally surprised –
Today the owner called to apologize. It seems the person we were to get originally was not able to do our event and this is why we got someone else. I am sure he would have been great for a younger group, but we are in out late 30s, and most of the guests even older, so our music taste is not the general wedding music of today I think.
I do not want them to lose business as I think they are professional and try very hard to please. I think we were unfortunate with our situation but I think it was an isolated incident...


Lodging for some guests – Santorini Motel - FFFF --- OK this review will NOT be changed no matter WHAT!!
Uf do NOT EVER stay there or recommend the place!! I didn’t block any rooms, it was guests’ decisions to stay there --- reason: only place around that 1. Accepts dogs and 2. Does not require a 2-3 night minimum. Guests told me there were BUGS in the room, smelled of MILDEW, kitchenette was FILTHY, the breakfast was SCARY….shall I go on? It’s a shame – the place is right on the Sound – excellent location, nice pool…but please, for $179/night (and that was the BARGAIN price!!), I wouldn’t let my worst enemy stay there had I known what it was like. I can’t put in a report because I didn’t see it first-hand but I will suggest to Raphael that they tell people to stay away.

So, if you are getting married - or thinking of getting married – at Raphael – DO IT!!!!! Just don’t stay at the Santorini!!

Honeymoon: Coral Reef Resort in Barbados –
Awesome, wonderful, we loved it….there is a slight problem with the bill that my travel agent is working on and once it is worked out, I will give them a grade….

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Re: My Aug. 29 Review w/Pics....

More pics....

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Re: My Aug. 29 Review w/Pics....

Congrats again Kara!! Your day sounds like it was wonderful & you looked beautiful!! Sorry about the DJ & motel, but I'm glad everything else went so well. Thanks for the review!! I'm even more excited after reading it! :)
Any more pics??

Re: My Aug. 29 Review w/Pics....

Oh leeleeleeleeleelee ....you will be soooo happy with Raphael!! Just don't stay at the Santorini,

Everything was just fabulous, the food, the decor, the waitstaff, everything...Julie even recycled flowers from the previous wedding for us..... just beautiful Can't wait to ge tthe professional proofs...

Re: My Aug. 29 Review w/Pics....

Yay!! So excited!! No Santorini, I promise.
I can't wait to see your proofs!!!
I didn't realize you wore pink, that was so pretty :)

Re: My Aug. 29 Review w/Pics....

Congrats!!!
My guests felt the same about RAphael

Re: My Aug. 29 Review w/Pics....

Congratulations! Glad to hear you had a wonderful day!

Re: My Aug. 29 Review w/Pics....

Beautiful!!! Congrats!!!

Re: My Aug. 29 Review w/Pics....

Yay Kara! You're a Mrs! I can't wait to see the rest of your proofs!!

Re: My Aug. 29 Review w/Pics....

congrats...

too bad about the DJ... but at least your guests didn't say anything...

glad overall you had a great day...!!!

Re: My Aug. 29 Review w/Pics....

Thanks so much ladies....I have a feeling I will be waiting a WHILE until I get those proofs!@ Wish I could have them for oakslady's wedding!!

Re: My Aug. 29 Review w/Pics....-updated

Congratulations

Re: My Aug. 29 Review w/Pics....-updated

Kara! I went back to Raphael this weekend and got so excited. Julie mentioned she ws in the background of one of the pics so I came a hunting. Does that woman ever stop smiling?

No santorini! There are not that many affordable options though....saw a few roach motels this weekend. ugh.

Hooray for Raphael, you have me so pumped!

Re: My Aug. 29 Review w/Pics....-updated

Oh Ryanna you will find a place I am sure.... I loved the HomePort B&B, and it's not even a mile away. But yes, stay away from the Santorini.
I think there is a Best Western in Riverhead, if that's your style. My mom rented a house and my immediate family stayed there. Worke out great for the weekend, and the price was really right!!

Well I got my proofs a while ago but am not happy with them. Although, they do show everyone dancing, so perhaps I was too hard on the DJ in my review. Time to wrestle with the photographer, although I suppose it is too late to fix the pics. Oh well....

Re: My Aug. 29 Review w/Pics....-updated

Your pictures are beautiful, the sky actually looks like a backdrop in some of the pictures!

Re: My Aug. 29 Review w/Pics....-updated

Here are a few more...cake, honeymoon...

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