MY MAY 21ST WEDDING REVIEW

First and foremost, I’d like to acknowledge liweddings. Without this site, I wouldn’t have much direction. Everyone has been so helpful.

ENGAGEMENT SHOOT: I was engaged in DUMBO Brooklyn, so I thought it was fitting to take engagement pictures there. I used Duet (Jay). Jay was on time, and super sweet. Some of the pics looked like photos out of a magazine. However, there were some sunset shots that I wanted with the bridge in the background, but the photographer couldn’t get it for one reason or another. DUMBO is a great place if you like a trendy/city backdrop. A-

BRIDAL SHOWER: Giardinos in Little Neck (Same owners from Russos on the Bay) The room holds about 80 people maybe more…Beautiful room under a glass pavilion, food was amazing!! The theme of my shower was a cooking/food which turned out to be really cute. A+

THE INN AT NEW HYDE PARK (Reception): Many people don’t know about this hall because it’s only 3 years old, but that’s one of the reasons I liked it. I wanted to be different, and the location was ideal for me…it’s on the Nassau/queens border. The hall is really elegant and old world. The owner, Frank, was really great to work with. He made you feel you were the only one getting married there period. The hall itself was a one wedding at a time. However, they do have other events running at the same time. On the day of my wedding the weather was perfect, so I had outdoor cocktail hour. However, they have a cute Tuscany room in case of rain. According to everyone the food was great. Probably the best wedding food they’ve ever had (And I come from a big Italian family that loves food). The bridal attendants were really helpful, and I had Angel as my maître d. He was great. At one point, chocolate from the chocolate fountain got onto my dress and he whipped out shout wipe from his pocket..Talk about prepared!! The only thing that I was a little upset by in regards to the Inn was that I had signature drinks, chocolate fountain, and an ice luge included in my plan, and they were displayed in odd places and some of my guests didn’t even know I had them. Overall though, it was great! A+

FLOWERS BY MICHELE: John was a sweetheart to work with, and prices were reasonable so I chose FBM. Originally, I wanted all calla lilies for all the bouquets..However, john talked me out of it. He suggested to mix them with Eskimo roses. His reasoning for this was because he thought the callas wouldn’t hold up well in the heat. In the end, the calla lilies held up better than the roses…which makes me think that he pushed them on me to save himself money. The day of the wedding, he forgot to add Calla Lilies in my bouquet all together, but he made up for it…he returned to my house and added the lilies. This was very nice of him. When I got to the hall, I was annoyed at the centerpieces because they were much smaller than the pieces I had seen from the sample. I give them a B-

SATISFACTION GUARANTEED DJ on Jericho Turnpike: I used them for my sweet 16, and they were great then. They were even better for the wedding. I used Jack as my MC and everyone both young and old was dancing all night. They also speak Italian which was great for my side of the family. I had a video montage, and percussionist included which were big hits. After the wedding they sent me a CD of 400 photos they took at the wedding. A+

VALENTiNA BRIDAL in Brooklyn: After trying on over 100 dresses, I finally fell in love with the last one I tried on..A Justin Alexander Couture. It was strapless, with drop waist, and billowy at the bottom. I liked that valentine gives you a free veil, alterations, and underskirt if your dress costs over a certain amount. Originally they told me my dress would be ready in 9 months..however, every time I called they gave me the run around..9 months turned into over a year. Strike 1..my bridesmaids ordered Bill Levkoff dresses there because they got a 10% discount. Everyone’s dress was about 2 sizes too big AND my girlfriends even told them that they thought their measurements were off. Strike 2..When my dress finally came I was so excited, when I went to pick it up 2 days before my wedding they (Sorry for the CAPS..I copied and pasted from a past review I wrote ) HANDED ME A CLOSED BAG WITH THE DRESS INSIDE...SO NATURALLY I OPENED IT TO MAKE SURE IT WAS THE DRESS I ORDERED..AS IT TURNS OUT..IT WAS THE DRESS I ORDERED HOWEVER----THEY PUT TOO MUCH HOT STEAM ON IT AND RUINEDDDD THE SILK FABRIC...MY DRESS WAS BEAUTIFUL THE MONTH BEFORE AT MY FINAL TRIAL NOW IT LOOKS LIKE THE BED AND BATH CRINKLY CURTAINS THE KIND YOU BUY FOR $20. YOU AREN’T SUPPOSED TO IRON SILK, AND THE LADY AT THE STORE DENIED SHE SAW ANY DAMAGES AND PROCEEDED TO TELL ME THERES NOTHING WRONG WITH IT...SO I WENT AND TOOK OUT THE SAMPLE FROM THE RACK...THE USED DIRTY UN-IRONED SAMPLE LOOKED BETTER THAN MINE..SO THEY OFFERED TO PRESERVE IT FOR FREE...WHOOPIE...PRESERVE THE PIECE OF #@ FOR A DAUGHTER I MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE....THEN THEY OFFERED TO SEND IT TO THE DRY CLEANERS..SO I SAID OK...I WENT AGAIN TO VALENTINA TO SEE THE DRESS AND IT LOOKS EXACTLY THE SAME!! THERE was NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT... SO I HAD TO WEAR THE DRESS AS IS—THE OWNER (@@#$#) HAD THE GALL TO SAY TO MY MOM 'YOU'RE JUST COMPLAINING BC YOU REALIZED IT'S AN EXPENSIVE DRESS AND YOU WANT MONEY BACK FOR IT' AND THE OWNERS (#@) HUSBAND SAID 'IT'S NOT A BIG DEAL' ARE U F-ING KIDDING ME??? MY DAY IS A BIG DEAL AND I SHOULDNT BE CRYING AND STRESSING BEFORE THE WEDDING!!!! I'D PAY TRIPLE IF THEY WERE ABLE TO GET ME MY DRESS BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL CONDITION!!! TO TOP IT OFF,..THE DRESS WAS TOO LONG AND I KEPT TRIPPING OVER IT ALL NIGHT FFFFFF-----

DUET PHOTOGRAPHY/Video: I feel duet is very organized. They sent me text messages reminding me of my payments and must take list. Plus I got a lot for my money which is great because photo/video can be expensive. Jay was my photographer, and him and his team where everywhere taking pictures. I recently got back my proofs..but I’m not crazy about some of them. I feel some were taken too far away or were too dark, I also feel that many pictures had the same pose. Overall though, many pictures were nice and they were good for the price. I didn’t get my album or video yet but so far I rate them A-

Mark Of Elegance Limo- I ordered a rolls Royce
and a Cadillac limo..They were on time and clean, my only complaint was that they didn’t put air conditioning in the rolls in advance on my 90 degree wedding day so I sweat on my way to the church. B+

Thomas Knoell- I was obsessed with their pieces and got my headband, earrings, and bracelet there. They were pretty expensive but well worth it. A-

Christy Ann Cosmetics- I’m very picky when it comes to makeup, and I think I do a pretty good job doing it myself..so I’m a harsh critic. Christy made me feel at ease, and made me look beautiful without looking cakey. My only complaint about her was that she forgot to add my fake lashes (I looked great anyway), and she gave me the wrong balance..so I overpaid her $100..I didn’t realize because I was in wedding land and realized the next day. I didn’t bother contacting her because I felt stupid. B+

Alexandra Hair Salon in Middle Village- My
neighborhood hair salon. My hair looked great in the morning but the curls fell out by the evening. But I don’t think that’s the stylists fault, that’s just the way my hair is.

Shoes- Zappos.com Great selection. Mine were peep toe Caparros with a rhinestone buckle in front. The best thing about zappos is that they have a 365 day return policy if you don’t like the shoes.

Favors- I got picture frames from a wholesaler, I
wrote a cute message in them thanking my guests, and I displayed them on easels on the tables. (Potomac Display) A+

Invitations: Long Island Wedding Event Planners..I worked with Christine and she helped me find beautiful encore invitations from encore within my budget. I tried making them on my own, and ordering with online vendors that work from home, but this was by far easier. A+

Bridesmaid’s Jewelry: Carolee.com

Groomsmen’s gifts: Watch for the best man, and wallets for the others. All from Fossil.com
Ring Bearers: Yankee watches (adjustable) from target.com

Flower girl: I bought her a knockoff American girl doll from Michael’s, and had her flower girl dress recreated, I got her pearl earrings from Kholls, and a Wedding Disney Princess coloring book.

Flowergirl Girl Dress: Mygirldress.com It was super cheap, surprisingly good quality, and super cute. A+

Tuxes: My husband got brown tuxes for him and his guys to match my brown and champagne bridesmaids dresses, from a tux shop on Jericho turnpike. The brown tuxes looked amazing and very different. A+

PICTURES AND HONEYMOON REVIEW COMING SOON!!

Re: MY MAY 21ST WEDDING REVIEW

WOW! Sounds like you had a wonderful day! Congrats! Great to hear good things about the Inn

Re: MY MAY 21ST WEDDING REVIEW

OMG! I cant believe that situation about your dress!! I would have killed them!!

Congrats on your wedding and thanks for the review!

Re: MY MAY 21ST WEDDING REVIEW

Can't wait to see pics

Re: MY MAY 21ST WEDDING REVIEW

Congrats