My June2, 2007 wedding!! AfterHours DJ, Flowers by Burton, and many more! UPDATED!!! With Pics

I would like to start by thanking LIW. While I know there has been drama on here as of late, there is no way to get me off this site! Everyone is so helpful and friendly and just the great group of woman I have had the pleasure to talk to over the last year. You have all listened to me complain about my MIL and her issues and have given me some solid advice that I can take with me for the rest of my life.

LEADING UP TO THE DAY OF: Let me start by saying that I was a pretty calm and collected bride the whole way through planning. While yes I gave myself 2 weeks to do a lot of DIY projects, none of them were crucial so if I didn’t finish I wasn’t worried about it. They were more to keep me busy than anything else. Well the night before the wedding I stayed at my moms and relaxed and DH went with some of the GM and his dad fishing out of Captree. Well, we all go to sleep and I was having trouble getting comfy in my old room at my mom’s. All of a sudden I started to have panic attacks realizing that I forgot things at our apt. I texted messaged DH and told him when he got home to check for the envelope for the limo, to make sure he took the cake topper, unity candle, programs, bubble baskets, and cake knife with him to his parents. He sent me a response saying the check wasn’t there so I freaked and checked my car, thank god it was there!

DAY OF: The following morning we got up and Dad showed up to start our hair. The next thing I knew, my mom, MatOH and 1 BM were done the rest had showed up and were dressed and it was 1pm!!!! I wasn’t even dressed yet. So as I’m getting dressed the photographer showed up, my FG’s and their parents, my brother, and our limo all before 2pm! That’s when I realized I left my garter at home. So I rushed a message to DH to stop and get it. He never answered, so I worried a little figuring out how to make a detour to stop at our house on the way to the reception. Needless to say that’s also when I forgot my blusher. Oh, well. We got to the church and 2 of our friends were playing the bagpipes, the guys hadn’t made their way into church yet, they were busy bsing with the guys on the tower ladder who were there to do our honor guard. Well, my photographer shooed them all in and then we followed. That’s when I got nervous and my heart started to pound. Then it was my turn to walk down the aisle. I locked arms with mom and my brother and just zoned in on DH. Once we got there and made our way to the altar is when he decided was a good time to tell me he had my garter. I wanted to smack him for being inappropriate but couldn’t.
So on with the review:

ADVICE: This has been given by a few people but I couldn’t agree more: Relax, something always goes wrong and whatever it is will be something to laugh about later. Try your best to get 5 minutes alone with your new DH sometime after the ceremony before the end of the evening to just sit and soak up that you are officially MARRIED!!! And last, during dinner just sit and look around at everyone who came. Try to look at the room with everyone in it, these are all people who truly care about you and are honored that you invited them. Look at the tables and how pretty the room looks too. We didn’t get to do any of it except during dinner, and the day went by so super fast we wished we had.

WEATHER: 10
Mother Nature
During the planning process Mother Nature decided to give us the rain. Every time my Mom and I went to meet with a vendor it poured!
But I woke up the morning of and it was sunny, hot and humid. I was a bit bummed that it was sticky but happy it wasn’t raining.

CHURCH: 10++++++++++
St. Anthony of Padua Church

I can not rate the church itself but I grew up going to this church so I love it and knew since I was 6 that it was going to be the church I got married in. the rating is for everyone who worked with us. The ladies who were our coordinators were fabulous. They made sure at our rehearsal we all knew what we were going to be doing and kept everything moving. The day of they kept everyone in line and moving down the aisle. Brother Fran helped us decide on our music and did a fabulous job.
We didn’t have one of the priests be our officiant, we had Msgr Boesel from DH’s church and he was just so sweet. I only wish I had met him before the day of. DH’s family has a long history with him. He married all of MIL’s siblings including her and FIL. And after Sept 11th he was “Evan’s savior” (his words not mine) so it was a no brainer that we were going to ask for permission to have him marry us.
St. Anthony's

HONOR GUARD & TOWER LADDER: 10+++++++++++++++++++++++
Plainview Fire Department

It’s hard to rate your friends, but I don’t want to leave them out of my review. Evan is a lieutenant in the truck company. Ever since we started talking about getting married he’s been talking about having his truck and guys there. Being that Memorial Day was the week before they thankfully didn’t have to do much to clean the tower ladder. I had been making jokes that I wasn’t going near it if it wasn’t clean.
The GM came in the department van and the honor guard came in the truck. They hit the sirens as they got to the church to let us know they were there. It was so hot that day and they were in full class A uniforms I felt so bad for them. They looked amazing though on the steps of the church as we came out. The pike poles are really heavy after a while and they were dying in the heat.
PFD

BRIDAL GOWN: 10+++++++++++++++
Bridal Suite of Huntington :LIW Vendor

We went here for my dress after a not so happy experience at David’s Bridal. A girl I was friends with got her prom dress there and had a great experience. They also carry Alfred Angelo and I fell in love with a dress from a magazine. They didn’t have it in the red, but they had the ONE! It was the second dress I tried on and fell in love. My Mom got her dress there also. From the beginning they were so nice and knowledgeable and helpful. I can not say enough good things about them!
front of dress back of dress

FITTINGS: We went in for our first fittings and of course it was pouring!!!! But I had a great time. They all helped and put in their opinions on how to bustle my dress. They ****** me into my dress and pinned me all up. My Mom’s fittings were more complicated, because of her beaded overlay. My only advice is to have your last fitting about a week prior to the wedding, not the month before. In the weeks leading up to the wedding I lost about 10lbs. While they ****** me into my dress to the point I was afraid I would be the “leaning bride” afraid of sitting I lost most of my weight in my bust. The dress fit perfectly around my waist but the bust was a little big.

SHOES: 10
DSW

I had originally wanted to wear a pair of very high silver heels with my dress, being that DH is 6’7” and my BM were going to be wearing silver shoes. After some thought I realized that I was crazy and don’t wear heels often enough, my feet would be killing me before the ceremony was over!!! Not to mention I’m a klutz and would have sprained something . My Mom went to the DSW in Commack and was looking for her shoes and found a pair for me also. Funny enough they are the same shoes just different colors. I fell in love with them, they were white and short heeled. My Mom also got my bridal sneakers there.

VEIL & HEADPIECE: 10++
Barron’s at Tri County

MIL bought my headpiece there as part of my birthday present. We had gone there for something else and I fell in love with it. My Mom and I went back another rainy night and ordered my veil. Everyone that works there are so nice and helpful and the end result was just breath taking. I had a blusher made also but forgot it at my mom’s the day of (#1 of the wrong things that day)
veil & headpiece

BM DRESSES: 9
Wedding Center in Commack:

I give them an 9 only because of the mix up with the girl’s dresses. From the very beginning there was one woman we kept getting every time was great. I went originally with my mom and MatOH to look at dresses. I didn’t want to bring all 8 of my BM at the same time afraid of too many cooks in the kitchen. We narrowed it down to 2 dresses and the following week I went back with almost all of my BM’s. We decided on one dress and they all ordered them.
The only problems we had with them, were they switched the dresses on 2 of my girls, thankfully they were the same size so it wasn’t too big a problem. The other problem was we had to rush order a dress, because we added one more BM to the mix. We were told the dress would be in in the middle of April and it came in the 2nd week in May. It wasn’t the end of the world but it was cutting it really close for fittings. My BM’s who had they fittings there had some issues with getting them small enough. As is typical the dresses were enormous on the girls, and they had some issues getting the busts taken in due to the beading on them.
BM Dresses

David’s Bridal: 9
Lake Grove location

All I have to say is I love the new location. Everyone was helpful, nice and the store was really clean. The only reason we went here was my MatOH is pregnant!!!! Her original dress was not going to fit and I had an extra dress due to one BM dropping out. It didn’t fit. We made a mad dash to David’s with a swatch of the dress and found one that not only fit her, but was so close in color you can barely tell. The beading is different but she was the MatOH so what difference does it make?
MatOH Dress

FLOWER GIRL DRESSES: 10+++++++
Their mother my cousin Tricia

When DH and I were deciding on who would be in our BP I had no doubt in my mind who I wanted as my FGs. We went up to Mass. Last July for my Aunt & Uncle’s 50th wedding anniversary and asked my cousin’s if we could have the honor of having their daughter’s as our FG’s.
That said, I did not want them to have to schlep down to LI to get dresses. I emailed Tricia a picture of my dress and the BM dresses with a swatch, and let her pick whatever she wanted. Tricia found dark red sashes and bows that matched the BM dresses and they looked so super cute. I was afraid of them being so far away that they would feel left out, but we did our best to stay in constant contact with them and include them in everything we were doing.
FG's

TUXEDOS: 4
Town & Country Tuxedos LIW Vendor

We had met with a representative at a bridal expo DH and I went to. They had an offer for $80 per tuxedo and half that for the RB. Being we had a large party and had heard good things about them we went there. I only went to the first outing, since and I quote “If I can’t see your dress you can’t see my tux” I wish I had pushed the issue more. After the first meeting at their store, the guys all started to have problems. The price changed to $140 per and they wanted to charge DH for his!!! It apparently didn’t include the vest and shoes?! At this point I wanted to change vendors, but DH didn’t want to. Our BM, DH and another GM went down there and raised some h#*l about DH’s tux, and they conceded into giving it to him for free. The problems continued when my brother had to send them a physical check for his deposit because they wouldn’t take a credit card over the phone. He lives in NJ, was going to school for his nursing degree and working when did they expect him to come in? Anyway, when he did go in he got a massive attitude from the sales person and was told that they weren’t sure if they would have enough tuxes for all the guys due to prom season, excuse me? They had all gone to be measured already and you have 2 locations, granted it was 12 adult tuxes, and one RB. There should be no reason not to have enough.
The day of 2 of the GM and DH have ivory shirts, instead of white. DH was given a white one too, thankfully. And 1 of the GM pants were about 3 inches too short.
Advice: Try on your tuxedos before you leave with them!!
tuxes close up of tuxes

INVITATIONS: 10+++
Our friend Kelly

One of our friends works for a printing company and had access to wedding invites. She was so great to work with and I can’t thank her enough for all her help. We had the books at my mom’s house for about 2 weeks before we decided on them and then had them within the week.

FLOWERS: 10++++++++
Flowers By Burton

After many rainy nights, and florists, we went to Burton’s on a recommendation from one of our friends. DH, my Mom and I went on another rainy night to talk to them. We loved them immediately and they had a great price and ideas. We had originally discussed doing 3 pillars in different heights with a ring of roses and hydrangea, but came to find out the Melville Marriott does no allow open candles. Burton’s immediately came up with a great idea and they come out perfect!!!
They arrived on time, early in fact, and had everything just perfect.
BM's My bo-k cp's

LIMOS: 10

Serenity Limos :LIW Vendor

We won an 8-10 passenger white stretched through one of the expos. Unfortunately the guys in our party were all too tall and there just too many to fit in one and we didn’t want 2 separate limos.
We gave the limo to DH’s parents (without a thank you I might add) but from what I’ve been told the arrived on time didn’t get lost, and listened to my instructions of they weren’t allowed in the front of the church.
We would have used them for our limo bus but there’s was red. I don’t know why, but I’m glad we didn’t get it because we saw one and I just didn’t like it that much.

Dynasty Limos :LIW Vendor

My family has used Mayfair limousines for everything, so when it came time for us to pick a company with a limo bus we went right to them. They use Dynasty limos for the bus and set everything up for us. I went to see the limo and really liked the idea that there was enough room for everyone to sit comfortably with enough head room to stand up and walk into the limo, and there were steps for me to step up into with my dress. The limo was clean and had enough water. There was supposed to be champagne but I don’t remember seeing it. It was alright though because we had a cooler full of beer anyway. Which was supposed to be for the Pipe band but they ended up drinking most of it so we stopped at the Mobil on the Run and got about 4 more cases for them.
The limo was nice and early, spotless, the driver was really nice knew where he was going.
I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking into a bus.

MUSIC: 10+++++++++++++++++++++
After Hours DJ - LIW Vendor

We were given their name from the Marriott and they are a LIW vendor. While they aren’t their house DJ they do recommend them. Phil was great to work with he did an awesome job keeping everyone up and dancing. My mom complained the music was a little loud in the beginning but I don’t think it was, but he turned it down anyway. I have absolutely no complaints and loved working with them. I also did a lot research through LIW on DJ’s being that I have heard some horror stories and After Hours didn’t have a single one.
They even
got my brother to dance!

Nassau County Firefighters Pipes & Drums :

I love these guys! DH is their Drum Major and learning to play the pipes. We have a great time hanging out with them and couldn’t imagine not having them involved in some way. At first DH wanted them to be inside the church playing Canon in D as I walked the aisle but thankfully one of the guys in the band and Brother Fran nixed that idea. Since 2 of the guys had already learned it they played it as we were coming into the church.
The whole band came in during dinner and played their hearts out. I’m trying to get the video someone took so you can hear them.

Matt & Rob outside church

Right after they played: Pipes & Drums

MAKE UP & HAIR: 20+++++++++++++++++++++++++
My MatOH & Dad

My MatOH A.J. is a makeup artist and did my makeup for my wedding. She did a fabulous job and even managed to cover my blue crayon tattoo for the day.
Her Dad is a genius when it comes to my hair. He’s the only one I will trust to do anything to it. He made me a platinum blonde one summer and has been doing my updo’s forever. I did have a hair trial with him more for fun more than anything else. It came out even better on the day of than I had expected. It stayed all day and didn’t move at all, even when we pulled veil out.
hair

PHOTOGRAPHY:10++++++++++
Michael's Photography

Robert did my MatOH wedding last year and her pictures were amazing! I had gone to another vendor on my own and couldn’t get out of there fast enough. While I know there are others out there who do gorgeous work, but I didn’t want to look anymore. We went the following weekend and booked him.
Rob was great when we sat for our epics was the first time DH had met him. He has a bit of a raunchy sense of humor but kept Evan smiling the whole time.
The day of he showed up not only on time but early and ready to go. He helped me put my necklace on because the catch was too small He kept us smiling and laughing the entire day and I can’t wait to see my proofs!
proofs

RECEPTION AND HOTEL: 10+++++++++++++++++++++
Melville Marriott

We originally were working with Dena, she was who sold us on the Marriott. However she was moved to a different location and we started with Debbie. From the very beginning Debbie was totally understanding and open to the pipers coming to the cocktail hour and to play during the reception. When we went to finalize the menu, it was the first time DH met her. We had been to a wedding recently had pigs in a blanket. I know that’s not what you call them at a catering hall, but we wanted them too. Needless to say that’s all I ate during the cocktail hour. At this meeting is when my darling in-laws decided to announce they wanted to do a veanise (sp?) hour. Well, they dragged their feet until the Monday before probably driving Debbie insane and then decided to do an ice cream bar instead. Debbie didn’t complain or make any comments once. I didn’t help the situation with wanting a special cake, I never got to go and see the baker with my schedule, so 2 weeks prior I told Debbie I trusted her and whatever she thought would be good was fine by me. We had decided on a chocolate cake with canola filling. The only bites DH nd I got were the ones we fed each other but it was scrumptious.
The day of she was fantastic. She was so professional the entire time and made sure that we had everything we needed. She knew where our entire BP, my mom and DH were at any given time.
We also had our Matre-D Oscar. He was great and funny too. Oscar made sure we always had a full glass and that we ate as soon as dinner was served. When my mom and Evan found that we had crashers Oscar and Debbie got so upset that they had the entire wait staff on alert. They were good though they kept alluding them. My mom and Evan told them they had to leave, they came back, Evan told them they had to leave, they came back. The 3rd and final time he took the 4 biggest guys from the band (still in kilts) and basically told them if they didn’t leave that the guys were going to throw them out. I found this all out the next morning. I would kill for a picture of the guys with their bouncer faces on in kilts
Our only complaint was that the room was warm. It was really hot that day and they had the AC cranking, it just didn’t seem to want to cool off. But everyone had a great time anyway.
The food was amazing, the staff was great, theres just no way to put into words how happy DH and I were with everything at the Melville Marriott.

HONEYMOON: TBD

We haven’t decided on where to go yet, DH has one more part of his AMT license and then we are good to start looking. So keep your fingers crossed that he passed on the 21st!


ETA: Update: DH PASSED HIS TEST!!!!!!!
I also couldn't figure out the pics so I added them as links

Re: My June2, 2007 wedding!! AfterHours DJ, Flowers by Burton, and many more!

Thank you for the great review! I can't wait to see pictures!!! Congrats!

Re: My June2, 2007 wedding!! AfterHours DJ, Flowers by Burton, and many more!

congrats! can't wait to see pics!!

Re: My June2, 2007 wedding!! AfterHours DJ, Flowers by Burton, and many more!

Thanks for the comprehensive review. I love your balanced attitude about things. It was great how much you could incorporate the talents of friends and family in your wedding preparations.

Re: My June2, 2007 wedding!! AfterHours DJ, Flowers by Burton, and many more!

great review!!!!

Re: My June2, 2007 wedding!! AfterHours DJ, Flowers by Burton, and many more!

thanks for the thorough review. Congrats to you!

Re: My June2, 2007 wedding!! AfterHours DJ, Flowers by Burton, and many more!