My REVIEW!! JuLY 26 2009!-LEONARDS OF GREAT NECK, designs by rose, FM entertainment, 12th Night, alldolledup Makeup by Ciara and More!!!!

Okay here goes my review!
I DONT HAVE MY PRO PICS YET BUT WHEN I DO I WILL BE ADDING MORE PICS!

I joined this site in 07 after i got engaged after googling long island reception halls,and im SO glad i did! it is really hard to know everything that goes into planning a wedding and this is a great site to help with that! and get ideas and comments, feedback etc. from other to be brides! all in all, i LIW

engagement....June 2007- Majestic Colonial Resort-Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

It was a total surprise, he picked out the ring on his own and i dont even know how i didnt figure out it was going to happen on vacation!
BTW, i recommend this resort as a honeymoon-its GORGEOUS and 5 Stars!



After the engagement, we booked the RH in September 2007....But i will get to them towards the end of the Review.

FIRST DRESS
Davids Bridal-Northern Blvd. Long ISland City NY
A+
You hear horror stories about Davids Bridal, and I had not one problem with them. I tried on a few dreses that day, and had my mind set on one, until my mother convinced me otherwise. I dont recommened listening to other peoples opinions, i say go with your gut. In this case, i second guessed my dress a million times, but fell in love with it after i tried it back on for a second time!
I had no problems with davids bridal at all, i ordered the dress in a 4, since i am a street size 0-1. and they said i should get a 4, well the 4 came in and it was way too big. So i ordered a 2 and sent the 4 back. had no problems with this, they called me when the new dress arrived, went to go pick it up with no problems!
heres the dress

12TH NIGHT PRO PIC TEASER! BTW

SECOND DRESS...i got a second dress because the first one weighed so much and it was july, so i didnt want to be in it the entire day!
i changed half way through the reception, this dress costs about $380.00 and i ordered it from unique-vintage.com
no problems there, came fast also
A+
dont have a better shot, but here it is....


CAKE TOPPER, PURSE
Advantagebridal.com
C+
I gave them a C+ , because I ordered a different purse, and it took them forever to tell me that they didn’t have it in stock. Then I called them and the lady on the phone was basically trying to force me into buying a purse I didn’t want instead of giving me a refund. No problems with the cake topper though, I will put a pic of the cake so you can see it




INVITATIONS, TABLE CAMERAS
JACKS 99 CENT WORLD-33RD STREET BETWEEN 6TH AND 7TH AVENUES, MANHATTAN
A+
So for invitations I wanted something beautiful, but we were on a budget. My MIL called me one day to tell me jacks has wedding invites. I wasn’t interested because I thought they would be hideous! But I went that weekend to go check them out, and to my surprised liked them and LOVED the price, because everywhere I looked was so expensive!
They cost me$35.00 to make around 100 invites
They were so simple to do, and it comes with a website you go on that basically tells you step by step what to do , also in jacks they have a whole section upstairs with cool wedding stuff. They had table cameras for $3.99 each and im SO glad we got them! The guests were snapping away and using them, we got a lot of good candidi of the wedding!

CANDLES
Candles4less.com
A+
I ordered 75 candles for $30.00 from candles4less.com when they had a sale. No problems here, they came fast and were great around the centerpieces!

CATHEDRAL VEIL
Davids bridal
A+
No problems here as well, brought this for only $150.00 from davids on 6th avenue in the city
Went perfect with my dress



HAIR
i left the hair to the last minute because everyone i could find wanted around 150-250 just to come for the day of and do my hair. i honestly couldnt see myself spending that much to do it. so i said screw it and went the day before my wedding and paid $35.00 at a Dominican salon in queensbridge that i always go to to do my hair!
and it came out fine!

Okay on to the vendors!!

12TH NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY
A+
So far im giving them an A+ even though I havent gotten my proofs, I have a few teasers and I LOVE them!
I had Dom, Vicky and an assistant they brought the day of, I feel bad I don’t remember her name, but she was great.
Dom came on time with the assistant to my moms house, and got some great shots. Hes easy to work with and you can tell he is great and passionate about his work.
Vicky was with DH at his mothers house, and he told me she was great. I highly recommend them, they work is awesome! When we met with Dom I knew on the spot we wanted to book them.



DRESS ALTERATIONS
SARINA AND SONS
FOREST HILLS
A++++
Sarina was excellent to work with! I don’t have her number, but you can google her, she is on 71st street in forest hills, off of queens blvd. She did amazing work with my dress considering it isn’t a straight dress, has ruffles and layers and is in all different overlays going down!
I went one day to get it fitted and altered, went back 1 month later and it fit like a glove!
My second dress she fixed the straps for me and the bottom since iam pretty short, and again fit like a glove! She was great to work with when returning phone calls as well, I highly recommend her!


FATHER DAVID GRAINSON
A++++++
I found father david on this website, and he was wonderful! Our first meeting with him was great, he asked us about ourselves, what we invision for the wedding. We wanted to incorporate our daughter in the wedding, which he did. He made the wedding very personal! Which I loved! DH and I wrote our own vows, we did a unity candle, and fr. David added his own prayers and readings in there.
I had a lot of people crying and asking me where I got fr. David from because he did such a great job!
He is very professional and a great person overall, I highly recommend him!!


FM ENTERTAINMENT
A+++++++
What can I say about FM ent? They were AWESOME! One of my favorite vendors of the whole night!
They kept the party going from beginning to end! I had frank as the MC and the DJ I believe his name was Mikey, he is younger, and played all good music that appealed to my age group and my parents age group. He played almost EVERY song on my play list, which I loved about him!
Frank was awesome with the announcements! Again, I had people asking me if he came from leonards or if I had hired him because he was awesome!
I didn’t get off the dance floor the whole night, and the dance floor was always packed with people dancing!
I also wanted to make a point about their service, each time I emailed or called them I got a quick response, his wife Deidre was nothing but helpful! At our final meeting, I requested spotlights and they told me they don’t have pink like I wanted but frank promised me he would try to get the pink lights. I didn’t think it would happen because my wedding was the next weekened, but low and behold the day of the wedding I had my PINK lights! So they are very accommodating and very professional! Highly recommend them!



DESIGNS BY ROSE
A+++++
Another great vendor which I heard about from this website. They are a mother daughter team who work out of their home office in howard beach ny. I told them exactly what I wanted for the wedding, and they worked up a sample for me a month before, I wasn’t crazy about it because it had more green then laves then I wanted. Rose could tell I wasn’t very happy and I asked if it could be changed to 2 dozen roses instead of the 1 dozen I was paying for, and she said it would costs extra. With that, DH shot my idea down and I left upset. When I got home, I got an email from Rose saying she would add the extra roses for no EXTRA COST! J I was extremely happy that she accommodated me and she even said she could tell I wasn’t happy and wanted me to be happy with the final product!
The day of they were great, came to my mothers house on time for the drop offs, my bo-k was beautiful,just what I wanted, the ceneterpieces were beautiful as well. They were simple since we were on a budget, and to be honest looked sooo pretty!
They have great prices and do great work, so I recommend them to anyone looking for a great florist!

ALLDOLLEDUPNY.COM
MAKEUP BY CIARA
A+++++
I found out about ciara from a recommendation from a fellow LIW’er.
I booked with her in November 2008, she came to my house for the trial, on time, very professional. I sent her an email of a pic of what I wanted my makeup to look like and she got it to the T.
I booked her there, and in around june of 09 she emailed me to get another trial because the last one was so long ago, we didn’t get to met up because of different circumstances, but I was confident she would do well the day of. She was on time arriving to do my makeup, she did a great job, and did it within good timing.
She has great prices, and is professional to work with and a sweetheart, I highly recommend her!

LEONARDS OF GREAT NECK
A++++
I had a WONDERFUL wedding, mostly thanks to Leonards!
I had not one thing go wrong the entire day of my wedding, which is crazy to say but true! Everything went smoothly and nothing went wrong.
DH and I booked in September 07, the price was great. We paid alittle under $100.00 per person for a Sunday 6-10:20 PM reception in July. The ceremony was also there, and everything went great there.
We started right on time, cocktail hour I heard was great, soooo much food from what I saw when I peeked in, and we didn’t do any add on stations. Just the basic stations is a lot of food!

BOOKING B+
I will give them a B+ for booking for the following:
MY original BM was Maurizio and I loved him, he got to my phone calls fast, he was very accommodating, but he left the RH a few months before my wedding.
So they let me move over to Ian, whom we call the “finalizer” on LIW because he finalizes the wedding, and he is your final meeting. So I go to my final meeting and he is talking a mile a minute, teling me about all these add ons which im not interested In. In the beginning, I did add the vienesse hour, and then with Ian I added wine at every table, but that was it.
When my final payment meeting came, I paid him in cash and he looked upset, he had to fill out a tax form and he asked me my information and then when it came to occupation he asked and I told him “Im a teacher” and he said “ So its safe to say youre what?”…again I said “im a teacher” and he said “ok im going to put educator” …whatever the hell that meant, but it pretty much bothered me. Then he asked why im paying in cash, and I explain that DH and I have been saving cash for 2 years and im paying this whole wedding in cash. And he saiid “Oh you don’t wanna leave paper trails…” and I do know what he meant by that which pretty much offended me but whatever, I didn’t pay mind to him because he talked a mile a minute so I knew I would be out of their fast.


Thursday before the wedding I went to drop off my favors, candles, unity candles, picture frames etc..
I typed up a long list of directions for Leonards on what to do and how I want everything set up, I then typed up a long list of all the things I had in the bags and glad I make the directions list because they set up everything the day of the wedding EXACTLY how I wanted, so I recommend doing this all brides to be!
Wish I remembered the guys name whom I gave it to because he helped me greatly with everything because I was driving him nuts with how I want everything and my lists, lol.

DAY OF WEDDING
A+++++
They day of the wedding I was greeted by my matire’d, which was a girl, I don’t remember her name but she was very sweet. And my bridal attendent, melaine, who was very good too.
I have no complaints about either of them. Melanie was around me almost the whole night, asking if I was okay, if I needed a drink, I was missing my mom and DH at one point when I was in the bridal suite and she ran around looking for them for me, she got my daughter extra food made up since she didn’t eat the food in the bridal suite. The matire d was very good as well, she was checking on me too.
The food was EXCELLENT, service was great, the vienesse hour was to die for, we had a cotton candy machine, different pies, milk and cookies station, go diva chocolate, cholocate laquer station, different cake station..there were so many things I didn’t even get to see all of it.
There was another wedding the day of, it was after mind, they made sure we didn’t see each other and kept us apart. They set up a partisioner (SP??) between the chapel and my room (continental room) while her ceremony was going on
I only got to see the other bride, but it was my fault because I ran through the lobby while she was standing there taking pics because I went to take my daughter to the bathroom. I wasn’t bothered by seeing another bride though, that isn’t a big deal to me, as long as the service is good at mine , doesn’t matter to me how hers is going!
The cake was excellent, and I thought it looked awesome for being a free cake!
At the end of the night melanie and my matire d packed up everything for me and DH and waited with us until our limo got there and helped us pack everything!
All in all, leonards gets an A+++++, they did an awesome job, a lot of people tell me it’s the best wedding they have been to. They were so accommodating to me the day of!!






ME AND MY DAUGHTER WALKING




Just remember its only one day! It goes by SO FAST! Take time for you and DH to be together, and just soak everything in because it flashes by!
Also, if youre on a budget, like I was, stay in your budget!
I couldn’t afford expensive invitations, I also remembered that every wedding ive been to ive thrown our the invite, so I didn’t get expensive ones, I even got compliments on how pretty they were! So just remember if you cant afford it, that doesn’t mean you need it. You can always do good and have a great wedding with no so expensive stuff!
All in All i had the perfect day, the weather was PERFECT in the morning, sunny and hot hot hot! i got some great shots, the ceremony was at 430 and around 530 it started to rain on and off, but Dh and i got some shots outside so i didnt care!


HONEYMOON
so our honeymoon was backwards, as are our lives, we had a baby first, moved in together first.,you get the idea lol
we didnt get vacation together off for the whole year of 09 except for in April-and i REALLY wanted to go away so we said screw it we'll do an early honeymoon to jamaica.
so we went to Iberostar Rose Hall suites in Jamaica, montego bay...love love love love this place. so gorgeous! our room was fantastic and it even came with a butler! we didnt use him though lol because i had no idea what to do with a butler and felt kinda bad to use him lol
anyway that vacation was excellent and we had so much fun, we did parasailing and got n the banana boat. i used cheapcaribbean.com and they are awesome to book with, great prices.




****HERE ARE SOME PRO PICS**************

Re: My REVIEW!! JuLY 26 2009!-LEONARDS OF GREAT NECK, designs by rose, FM entertainment, 12th Night, alldolledup Makeup by Ciara and More!!!!

Woohooo!!! Congrats you looked beautiful!!! I love your dress!! I glad to see more Leonard's reviews and im glad that everything went great on your wedding day

Re: My REVIEW!! JuLY 26 2009!-LEONARDS OF GREAT NECK, designs by rose, FM entertainment, 12th Night, alldolledup Makeup by Ciara and More!!!!

Congrats. You were a beautiful bride!!!

Re: My REVIEW!! JuLY 26 2009!-LEONARDS OF GREAT NECK, designs by rose, FM entertainment, 12th Night, alldolledup Makeup by Ciara and More!!!!

You look beautiful! Love the shot of you and your daughter - what a cute photo! Congrats! Oh, and thanks for the budget tips - will have to check out that outpost of Jack's!

Re: My REVIEW!! JuLY 26 2009!-LEONARDS OF GREAT NECK, designs by rose, FM entertainment, 12th Night, alldolledup Makeup by Ciara and More!!!!

GREAT review! You look BEAUTIFUL!!! CONGRATS on having such a great wedding day!!

Re: My REVIEW!! JuLY 26 2009!-LEONARDS OF GREAT NECK, designs by rose, FM entertainment, 12th Night, alldolledup Makeup by Ciara and More!!!!

Great review...love your hair and make-up.

Re: My REVIEW!! JuLY 26 2009!-LEONARDS OF GREAT NECK, designs by rose, FM entertainment, 12th Night, alldolledup Makeup by Ciara and More!!!!

You looked gorgeous on your day. I love your dress. Everything looked perfect. Congrats!! The Iberostar looks amazing.

Re: My REVIEW!! JuLY 26 2009!-LEONARDS OF GREAT NECK, designs by rose, FM entertainment, 12th Night, alldolledup Makeup by Ciara and More!!!!

congrats! glad to hear everything went well

Re: My REVIEW!! JuLY 26 2009!-LEONARDS OF GREAT NECK, designs by rose, FM entertainment, 12th Night, alldolledup Makeup by Ciara and More!!!!

Great review! Congrats!!

Re: My REVIEW!! JuLY 26 2009!-LEONARDS OF GREAT NECK, designs by rose, FM entertainment, 12th Night, alldolledup Makeup by Ciara and More!!!!

You looked beautiful! I love your dress!!!!!

Re: My REVIEW!! JuLY 26 2009!-LEONARDS OF GREAT NECK, designs by rose, FM entertainment, 12th Night, alldolledup Makeup by Ciara and More!!!!

congrats~!!!!!!!

Re: My REVIEW!! JuLY 26 2009!-LEONARDS OF GREAT NECK, designs by rose, FM entertainment, 12th Night, alldolledup Makeup by Ciara and More!!!!

Great review!! You looked beautiful!!!!

Re: My REVIEW!! JuLY 26 2009!-LEONARDS OF GREAT NECK, designs by rose, FM entertainment, 12th Night, alldolledup Makeup by Ciara and More!!!!

congrats...your review was great!

you looked absolutely beautiful...i loved ur first dress ..alot!

Re: My REVIEW!! JuLY 26 2009!-LEONARDS OF GREAT NECK, designs by rose, FM entertainment, 12th Night, alldolledup Makeup by Ciara and More!!!!

Great review you looked beautiful!!! COngrats!!

Re: My REVIEW!! JuLY 26 2009!-LEONARDS OF GREAT NECK, designs by rose, FM entertainment, 12th Night, alldolledup Makeup by Ciara and More!!!!

Great review! You looked gorgeous!

Re: My REVIEW!! JuLY 26 2009!-LEONARDS OF GREAT NECK, designs by rose, FM entertainment, 12th Night, alldolledup Makeup by Ciara and More!!!!

Congrats!!! Thanks for the tips... they are helpful :)

Re: My REVIEW!! JuLY 26 2009!-LEONARDS OF GREAT NECK, designs by rose, FM entertainment, 12th Night, alldolledup Makeup by Ciara and More!!!!

BUMP because i added some pro pics to the bottom!!

Re: My REVIEW!! JuLY 26 2009!-LEONARDS OF GREAT NECK, designs by rose, FM entertainment, 12th Night, alldolledup Makeup by Ciara and More!!!!

You look beautiful! and the pro pics are awesome! So happy i'm using 12th night.

Congrats

Re: My REVIEW!! JuLY 26 2009!-LEONARDS OF GREAT NECK, designs by rose, FM entertainment, 12th Night, alldolledup Makeup by Ciara and More!!!!

Great review!! And your wedding looked amazing! I love the pro pics!

Re: My REVIEW!! JuLY 26 2009!-LEONARDS OF GREAT NECK, designs by rose, FM entertainment, 12th Night, alldolledup Makeup by Ciara and More!!!!

Thanks for taking the time to write this review! You looked beautiful and I love your makeup! We have similar skin tones, so I will def. check out your make up artist! Can you FM me how much she charged you, so that I have an idea, because I am on a budget? I am also using Rose for my flowers, and I am exicited to see how beautiful yours were!