My New Complete 4/13 Wedding Review (Edited & With PIX!)

I know, it has taken a long time, but i keep waiting for the perfect night when DH and i can do this in one shot, together, but that doesn't seem to be happening, so I will do it in pieces and let him chime in at the end! Sorry so long!

Overall - Perfect. really, just a wonderful, blissful day. i just cannot convey the positive energy that i felt. it was like all the people around me were just sending me love. i know that sounds corny. but i really believe that. everyone was having a good time and the weather was gorgeous, so the happier i was the happier everybody was and vice verse. unfortunately, the day was over in a flash. We found the wedding site around thanksgiving and booked for April. We had about 5 months and we did everything long distance. I got every single vendor from this website. LIW helped me have the most amazing wedding of my dreams. I am so grateful to the website's hosts and to all the women on here!! What a truly fantastic forum!!!

Advice - The only advice i have for the ceremony is to set your mind and set your intention that you are just going to sit back and relax and enjoy everything and everybody. and don't let anything upset you. and you will enjoy it!

Weather - A++++ i love the Sun! thank you! and thank you to everyone who said prayers for good weather! take that snow and rain!

I guess I will start from the top:
Invitations / Programs / Guestbook - LA Productions - A+ (creativity & artistic design) / B (timing/organization) - I love Laura from LA Productions. She is so gosh darn sweet. And she is very very talented. She worked with us and really listened to us and created such beautiful invites that were really us (they were out of recycled, plantable seed paper and were gorgeous). Plus, she kept making little adjustments until it was absolutely perfect. She also did beautiful programs and a guest book that i will cherish forever. Plus unexpected extras like a program basket that is beautiful and a framed copy of our invitation that made me cry! The only 'bad' thing (and it wasn't really bad because she corrected it before the wedding) was that we were really pushing it on timing. this ended up being a slight problem with the programs because DH's brother's name was spelled wrong (his last name, which is DH's name too and his parents'). Understandably, DH was upset and wanted it fixed. Poor Laura, she stayed up all night to get it done before the wedding. I hate to say anything negative about her at all, so i almost didn't include this review, but i wanted to tell you all what incredible work Laura is capable of. Everyone loved our invites and programs. They really set the tone for the day!! (simple elegance, with a natural flare!) Admittedly, we didn't give her enough time for the programs or the invites. Plus, she had a LOT going on at the same time as our wedding prep. DEFINITELY use LA Productions, you will NOT be sorry. Just insist on a final proof after all the changes have been made and leave plenty of time (i think this would apply to any invite/program vendor!). You will be sooooo happy with Laura. She is a rare gem!!

Hair - Jennifer from Fairytale - A+. Jennifer is so sweet. she drove all the way from Merrick to my parents' house in Setauket (at least an hour) to be there before 8 am on a Sunday. Plus she did a magnificent job and she is a total bargain (always good). Would highly recommend her! Here is a pic of my hair from the back, with orchid in it.


Make-up - Jacqueline Nicole - A+ - I love her!!!!!!! I was totally running late, and she was very calm about it and finished me in like 20 minutes! Plus, she gave me great products to keep me lasting all day (and yes, the lip pencil will be your best friend too!). Although, i really only needed lips all day (and a little powder for my shiney nose). I did the airbrush and it was awesome. Everyone said i was radiant. (i think it was 50% me and 50% JN's work!) oh yes, and I had a HUGE pimple on the tip of my nose (i knew not to use new products right before the wedding, i knew this but i did anyway! the rest of my skin was nice!) and JN totally took care of it. i don't think you could tell in the pictures!

Both JN and Jennifer did me and my mom at my parents' house, while the bridal party went to a salon to get their hair and stuff done. We did this by default because JN and Jennifer could not handle 11 girls in one morning (so they went to a salon that was open on Sundays - Hairport in Port Jeff if anyone is interested FM me). BUT, what ended up happening is that my mom, dad and me had a little bit of peaceful time alone together (for like an hour and 30 minutes) which was really nice, before the craziness happens. Would highly recommend that!!!!!!!

hmmm, what next , how about
LIMO - Encore - B+ - all pretty good, except for the driver! I have to say, i was not going to have a limo. We had the ceremony at the same place as the reception so I didn't think we needed it. but it was nice. it kept us kind of on time. My mom ordered it last minute. she went with this company that is really close to the house and that she passes everyday on the road (so it was easy for her). I hadn't really heard much about them on this site (other than that they were out of business). They arrived fairly on time, but got running late when the GMs were not ready! and The driver was kinda nice, but the man almost felt my wrath let me tell you. We were running about 30 minutes behind (which was okay, because i had left alot of fudge time in between - i thought anyway). Well, he practically got us lost on the way to Dowling. Listen, i know the darn way okay. but he questioned me and said he was going to go the way he knew, the right way. we were all in the limo partying and having fun so it wasn't a big deal, but i had that, OMG i am late feeling (although i don't think anyone noticed but FH!). well, he got us there but his 'right way' took us about 20 minutes longer, which feels like an eternity when you are late for pictures!!!!!!!

oh and a '14 passenger limo' does NOT fit 14 people (unless they stiffed us). We barely fit 10, and that was using the front seat. good thing one of the GMs drove! just FYI.

Photo/Video - Imagine Studios - A+ for day of - I have not seen my photos yet, but i must say Lia and Nelson (and Paola) were just amazing the day of. Goodness, they are so nice and so good! i just felt lucky the whole time that I found them (thanks to LIW). They took care of so much and made lots of things better (just enhancing the way we posed and what we did etc). And there were a lot of little things that I didn't expect that they did (interviewing our BP and parents for the video; Nelson kept reminding me (nicely) to lift up my dress so it didn't get dirty) just little things. And they are very professional. Cannot wait to see my proofs. I promise I will post some!

I think that is all for tonight. Tomorrow the really good stuff: Vanderbilt Mansion / Music by Michael / LA Productions, and whatever else i forgot!

okay, i think i figured out posting pics. let me try this one.

BMs at RD:


in the limo, riding to the groom


Chris and I seeing each other for first time:


my gorgeous BMs at the beach:


BMs with FI:

More review,more pics please

Beautiful

oh yeah, i did it!!!!!!! Shamma and Thrilled everybody else, thank you for teaching me!!

okay, now you have created a monster, here are a few more!

The cute GMs and of course FI!


Vanderbilt Mansion courtyard (pic doesn't do justice!):


Our Ringbearers being escorted in (not a very good pic unfortunately):


My parents escorting me down the aisle (they were so proud I love this pic because you can see my dad sneaking to hold my mom's hand, so cute!)


Man & Wife!

Gorgeous! More! More!

OH MY GAWD! You looked so beautiful! Everything was just GORGEOUS!

BEAUTIFUL!!! Congrats!!

You looked beautiful!! I love your dress and the girls dresses. The colors of the BM dresses and flowers look so pretty together. Congrats!!

If the day was half as good as the pics then you are one lucky bride! You loooked like you had so much fun!!!

I can't wait for mine

ok, DH just called to say he will be late! so i will finish our review. So weird that he is my HUSBAND. WOW.

Rehearsal Dinner - Stony Brook Yacht Club - A+ - It was awesome. and delicious. If you are looking for something that is slightly casual, on the water, but fairly formal, and have a pretty big party (40 or more), this is perfect. They do not advertise because it is a private club, but you don't by any means have to be a member. The only negative is that they area bit tough to get a hold of, if you are close i suggest going there. Here is a pic of the view, this is me and FH 'practicing':


Florist - Sugar Magnolias - A+ - TULIPS in April ROCK! WOW, Heidi was terrific. She was the only florist i found who said she could do ALL tulips without them falling down or opening too much!! she shared my vision of all one flower, and didn't try to talk me into combining calas or something else with the tulips. And they did last most of the day. they started to 'fall' a little bit, but it was minor and i think i was the only one who noticed. She is a little expensive, but looking back she was worth it!! Anyone who wants to do all tulips, the only thing I would suggest is get 2 Bouts for your man (those things get totally crushed!) Here is a pic of me that I don't like but it is the best one i have of my BO-K.


Bakery - Audrey's Bake Shop - A+++++ - They are apart of Lovin Oven and the cake is part of the cost at the Vanderbilt Mansion. Except, if you don't go with a house cake (which they have plenty to choose from) it costs extra to add things like flowers, etc. Thomas the baker did a 'tulip cake' just for me and didn't even charge me extra. he said he had never done one and wanted to try it. He was wonderful to work with and even got my dad involved. i sent him tons of pictures of purple tulips! IT turned out awesome. Here is a pic. The tulips were great color purple that doesn't come out here very well. On top, instead of a topper, he made two tulips lying down side by side. It was perfect and very different. everybody loved it!


Vanderbilt Mansion - A+++++ - I could not say enough. they were fabulous!! i didn't have to worry about anything. The staff was impeccable and the Maitre D Susan we phenomenal!! She even did my bustle!!!! and I even had a bridal attendant. WOW, i just cannot tell you how many people complimented me. They had a wonderful time and enjoyed all of the little extras. The food was excellant. Not only the entrees (I had Sea Bass, Filet mignon, and the duck, plus the vegetarian) but also the appetizers (i cannot spell the H word) and the cocktail hour food. Plus the hospitality before the ceremony!! everyone loved the fruit kabobs. They also decorate the Mansion so well for your event. and the wait staff was terrific too. My MIL asked me if she could tip her waiter because he was so good (and she is pretty frugal). Plus, Carolyn, the site manager is just so organized. she had use get all of our stuff to our by the Thursday before the wedding which really helped focus us and get all the big stiff out of the way early. and i had some complicated favors and she handled their placement with ease. plus, we got to arrive early for photos (even though the bride was a little late because of the stupid limo driver who knew the 'right' way!). she was awesome about that!! she had the bridal suite all set up with yummy food and sushi for FH and drinks etc. PLUS, she let FH drive the corvette up onto the great lawn for pictures!!!!!!! (some of you know we had a 1965 corvette for photos). that was AWESOME!! and not something you see everyday!
all is all, the Vanderbilt mansion gave the best wedding i have ever been too, plus, they took care of everything so i could sit back and enjoy it!!

the only negative thing, and this is not their fault, is that not everyone knew about the bar which was in the lobby (mostly the older people) so they felt uncomfortable ordering drinks, because they thought they would have to pay for them (again, this is an older person thing and they haven't been to a wedding in a while). My mom finally explained it to my nana and the old ladies proceeded to get drunk!!!!! Next time (HAH ) i would ask that my old aunts and nannie get special attention, but i was so busy that I forgot! if i had asked for that, i have no doubt that Carolyn would have done it!!

I am just so happy with the vanderbilt mansion. I am so glad that i found them!!

DJ - Music by Michael - A++++ Michael is just amazing. i cannot say enough good things about him. he is professional and very good. plus, he can do whatever you want! He is excellant for out of town brides, because he has this awesome database on the internet where you can pick your songs at your convenience. FH and I literally would do it at like 2 in the morning! he got everyone up dancing and they danced the whole time. They literally started dancing after our first dance and some of them didn't stop, not even during dinner! But he played terrific and appropriate music all night. he played somethings i would not have suggested (like Motown) but the crowd loved!! and then by the end of the night he played the harder stuff. He was FABULOUS! oh yeah, and he handled the acoustics really well (since it is an old mansion that was a concern). totally great job!!

Honeymoon - North Carolina Great Smokey Mountains (Cashiers) - A+ - we had a peaceful and romantic honeymoon, just the four of us (the dogs got to come!) in a cabin in the woods. it was wonderful. Plus, on the drive home, we stopped in the furniture capital and spent all of our wedding money!

Great review and beautiful pictures!! Congratulations

Beautiful pics Congrats!!!