Oct 1 Review - Raphael - Long

Our wedding day was amazing. I took it 'all' in and stayed so relaxed! It was amazing!

The night before the wedding, Thursday, we had a buffet dinner for our out of town guests. It was mainly my relatives from Wisconsin and Chicago and a friend from Seattle and our friend Darlene from Denver who was officiating the wedding-friends from South Jersey and my family --it was great! We had bought salads and pre-made wraps from Costco and we made chocolate chip cookies and it was my mom's birthday as well, so we served a birthday cake and she opened gifts. It was first time she met her grandaughter, so it was an emotional evening.

The wedding day, well I had everything written out as to WHEN I had to be WHERE. I screwed the first appointment up!! I thought my hair was 10:30 and that I had to leave the house at 10am, well, I had to leave at 9am for the 9:30 appt. LATE for that!!! Thank god the appt after me cancelled, so that went smoothly.

Afterwards I picked my mom up and we drove out to the Bed & Breakfast in Laurel we were staying at for our wedding night, and the Hostess gave us the 'run' of the house for the day as well. We arrived at noon, the makeup person arrived at 1pm, the photog at 2pm and all smooth sailing!!!!

So that is a run down the start of the wedding...now for the review...

Mother Nature: AA+++++++++ Considering the entire week was RAIN- Friday was PERFECT! I felt blessed and I was happy!!

Hair-A+: (free of charge)--Tonia from R Tonz in Port Jefferson. She was great, she is a family friend and she came to the wedding
and is great w/ updos! She sent me on my way w/ gifts--

MakeUp: Andrea of Avon A+--she is a vendor on here. She is sweet and gentle -she was right on time and she even came bearing GIFTS too!!!! Girls, try her!!

Dress: I loved my dress!!! Bridal Suite of Centereach--A+ I worked w/ Amy and she was a doll. Alteration were great, I was very anal about how the dress should be and they were great and I no problems at all! Free gift here as well.

Shoes: A+ Varones of Sayville: Wonderful, Loved my shoes, they were so helpful!!!

Jewerly: (earrings) Macys--I bought about 6 pairs of earrings at Macys and 4 at Lord & Taylor, narrowed it down to 2 pairs and returned the rest.

Bed & Breakfast: Cranberry Hill in Laurel..AA++. Caroline, the Hostess is a sweet lady. So accomodating and her home is beautiful. We had the Veranda Suite and it had french doors at each end that took you to terraces...we also had all the other rooms booked--the photographer was able to use so many things in the house as props, it was so perfect. The breakfast the next day was WONDERFUL, --I can go on about this place, it is hidden, you will be happy if you stayed there. I highly recommend it and want to go back again. The Suite's bathroom is beautiful. All the rooms are! We received a gift from Caroline as well!!!

Photographer: AA++ Spellman Studios. We had Christine Spellman and she was wonderful! Call her, book them. I never knew she was around, the has a great eye. So professional, on time, dressed nice and clean, as well as her assistants. I called her the next day to thank them --

Flowers: AA++ Christopher Devon, Flowers by Marie (Holbrook). Marie works out of her home. She is soooo nice and so accomodating and I felt blessed to find her. I was changing my mind all the time and then at the end I left it all up to her. WOW, she blew me away!!! My bo-k was perfect as well as the girls flowers and the centerpieces and we had a centerpiece made up for the wine bar, WOW...I will post a picture when I can, but let me tell you it was everything I wanted and she is incredible. Her prices were perfect--People were just blown away by the flowers!!! Call her, meet w/ her!

Cakes/Cupcakes: Collette Foley--AA++--she was wonderful!!!! Gorgeous wedding cake and delicious and the cupcakes-wow--beautiful, grooms cake- the best!!!!! She is in Bayside and she was amazing and so nice and so kind and so talented. I loved my cake and all the cupcakes. Another amazing vendor!!!

DJ: Get In Tune: We had hired the dj, the saxaphone player for the cocktail hour and a percussionist to play w/ the dj....Honestly, A+, I must have been in such a fog, because I never heard the sax player, or the percusionist or the music...But I saw them and they were ON time, presentable, kind, considerate, nice, and the ceramony music was play and all went on w/out any hitches. I would recommend them any day. We had Andy for the MC....but we really didn't need an MC, but we had him.

Raphael: AAA+++..AMAZING, Wonderful, Perfect, what can I say, it was perfect for me. The guests raved about the food, the place, how beautiful it was, the tons of food, how great the food was, it hasn't stopped. Julie was terrific, our bridal attendant was super!!! I can list so many positive praises for them, but if you are even considering Raphael, go and visit them, go for a food tasting, go visit again, you will not be sorry w/ them. Someone said they felt like they were at a 'movie stars' wedding. That it was first class all the way and all we heard all night was how great the place and the food were...

Day after Brunch and Chef Donnell--he was wonderful A++ again. His quiche was the best. We hired Donnell, I found him on Craig's List and we emailed back and forth and I explained that I just needed someone to cook the food for the brunch....For 3+hours and $200 and digital photos we got more than we expected. He was so professional, on time, totally prepared and he came w/ help. We will be using him again for dinner parties or whatever. FM me if you want additional info, and his email address....It was the best decision we made for the brunch. Scott said no...but he was so happy we did it...Donnell was making omlets, eggs, bacon, he was great!

My Husband: Wonderful. Since the wedding day he has been great, loving, sweet, happy, laughing, he has been the best. He made mini cheesecakes and mini mousse cakes (he is a chef) and the were out of the world A++..guests were taking them home in doggie bags!!!! If anyone wants something like this at their wedding lets us know. He was already hired for thanksgiving to make one of each -of regular sizes for someone!

Did I forget anything? I loved my day.

Oh, the Officiant - Darlene--she is a family friend, I loved all she said and did and she made it so special. AA++

WeezieNY--A++ she made our card holder--tiered wedding cake...We received so many compliments on it. It is beautiful. FM her for details, she did a great job, and she is so nice!!!!

I am happy, can't wait to see pictures, I cried a lot from joy..

OHH---invitations and cry packets and signature book all from Laura at LA Productions!!! AA++ She is wonderful, but we all know that already. She was great, and if you haven't called or met her yet, what are you waiting for!!! Pick up the phone and meet w/ her!!!

I would recommend everyone one of the vendors I used, they all were great for me and I'd do it all over again!!!! FM me w/ any questions or numbers or anything!!!
If I left anything out, let me know!!!!

Honeymoon was in Cabo San Lucas-Mexico for 2 weeks and it was great, but more on that later....

Re: Oct 1 Review - Raphael - Long

congrats...

Re: Oct 1 Review - Raphael - Long

Congrats! Your day sounded beautiful. Can't wait to see your pics!

Re: Oct 1 Review - Raphael - Long

Congrats

Re: Oct 1 Review - Raphael - Long

I had heard of your florist -- my boss used them and said she is VERY reasonable since she works from home. Do they have a website? I couldn't find it. Thanks!

Re: Oct 1 Review - Raphael - Long

I have the info at home; I will forward to you tomorrow, the website is 'ok' i will FM her # to you tomorrow. She is a sweetheart!

Re: Oct 1 Review - Raphael - Long

Congratulations Sandra!! So glad that everything turned out so great!! I can't wait to see pictures!!!!!!

Re: Oct 1 Review - Raphael - Long

COngratulations!! I am also considering being married at Raphael next Sept. How was the weather? Was it too cold to be outside? Did you do anything to complement the vineyard theme? What hotel did you recommend to OOT guests?
Many thanks!
Nicole

Re: Oct 1 Review - Raphael - Long

thanks for the review!!!!
congratulations, Cant want it see pics!!!!!!

Re: Oct 1 Review - Raphael - Long

Congratulations. Everything sounds great.

Thanks for the review.

Re: Oct 1 Review - Raphael - Long

CONGRATULATIONS!!! Great review - can't wait to see pics and hear about Cabo!!!!

Re: Oct 1 Review - Raphael - Long

Congrats!!!! Enjoy married life!!!! Sounds like you had a wonderful day!!!

Re: Oct 1 Review - Raphael - Long

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Posted by SandraLynn

Did I forget anything?

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PICTURES.....WE WANT PICS!
Congrats Sandra!!!!!!

Re: Oct 1 Review - Raphael - Long

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Posted by SandraLynn

I have the info at home; I will forward to you tomorrow, the website is 'ok' i will FM her # to you tomorrow. She is a sweetheart!

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Congratulations on your wedding. Everything sounded wonderful. Can't wait to see pictures and how beautiful Raphael looks decorated for a wedding.

If you have the chance I'd love to get the info for your florist as well.

Re: Oct 1 Review - Raphael - Long

congrats :)

Re: Oct 1 Review - Raphael - Long

Sandra, wasn't October 1 just amazing? The weather was PERFECT!!!

Congrats!!! Please post pictures!!!!!!!!

Picture Added -Oct 1 Review - Raphael - Long

Well I can't make it any smaller, so I guess there is no First Dance Photo! hmmm

Re: Oct 1 Review - Raphael - Long

Hooray! So happy for you Sandra! now I am looking into half of your vendors - especially the breakfast guy!

I'm sure you looked radiant!

Many Congrats to my fellow Raphael Bride!!

Re: Oct 1 Review - Raphael - Long

I want to come to your wedding next year!!!