OUR 07/11/09 WEDDING AT LEONARD'S OF GREAT NECK

www.liweddings.com: I was ecstatic to find a forum of women where I could chat about all things wedding without someone thinking “When the h3!! is she going to stop talking about her wedding?!!!” So many of the ladies on this site are so helpful and it has been a pleasure.

Save the Dates
DIY/Vista Print A+
www.vistaprint.com
I was very happy with the quality of the magnets from Vistaprint, but in the end I decided against sending out the STDs. I was on such a budget crunch I thought it wouldn't be so bad if a few folks did STD and made other plans!

Bridal Shower
C& J Favors and Balloons
(718) 282-0044
candjfavours&balloons

Cleo is so talented at what she does. She is so creative and so easy to work with. You can see for yourself what love she pours into each job she does.

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Re: OUR 07/11/09 WEDDING AT LEONARD'S OF GREATNECK

Invitations
DIY A+++++

The invitations where made by me. I was inspired to do so when I was unable to find exactly what I had in mind and the times that it came close, the price was not what I had in mind! I enjoyed making the invitations and got rave reviews on them, so I must say that they were worth the effort.

Menus, Table Numbers, Seating Chart, Petal cones and Programs: DIY A++++
All made by hand by yours truly. The table numbers were truly a labor of love. They came out fantastic, but took hours to complete.

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Re: OUR 07/11/09 WEDDING AT LEONARD'S OF GREATNECK

Favors: Quality Logo Products
The guests were each given a ball point pen that read our names and wedding date. I'm all about functional favors. I didn't want to spent money on something that people would leave on the table or dispose of once they got home. The pens were definitely at hit! They were placed in a white box tied with pink ribbon and set one at each place setting.

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Re: OUR 07/11/09 WEDDING AT LEONARD'S OF GREATNECK

Wedding Gown, Bridesmaid Dresses, Dad’s Tuxedo
The Wedding Center : B+
3 Crooked Hill Road, Commack, NY
(631) 499-7890

My experience with the Wedding Center was very pleasant. Helene in the bridal gown department was very attentive and helpful throughout the processes. There was a mix up with the ordering of my gown. The numbers were inverted and when I went for my first fitting I thought I was going to have a heart attack. The attendant opened the bag and IT WASN'T my dress. They told me not to worry and that they would take care of everything and the y sure did. The correct dress was in the shop within 2 weeks. This is the reason they got a B+.Thank God!!! Cheryl in the bridesmaid department was actually the one who picked out the bridesmaid dress. She showed me the gown on the hanger and it was something that I wouldn’t have looked twice at, but she urged me to try it on and the rest was history. She even gave suggestions on how to best coordinate with the groomsmen’s attire. Jay in the tuxedo department was the best. He was so patient with my dad and extremely helpful. The sexy seamstress, whose name excapes me at the moment, was awesome. All the alterations were PERFECT! Bob was also very good and friendly with us.

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Re: OUR 07/11/09 WEDDING AT LEONARD'S OF GREATNECK

Veil: Ebay seller Veilsbylana A
Great price, fair quality. I could NOT see myself paying $200 for a piece of tule. This veil was just what I was looking for, for the right price. Transaction with this ebay seller was nice and smooth.

Blusher: Barrons Tri County Flea Market
3041 Hempstead Tpke, Levittown, NY 11756
(516) 579-4500 3041
Mr. Karen is so sweet. Even though I didn't purchase my veil at Tri County he was able to match the blusher perfectly to my veil and it was ready in just a couple of days. He's fabulous!

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Re: OUR 07/11/09 WEDDING AT LEONARD'S OF GREATNECK

Tiara: David's Bridal
This was my something borrowed from a friend. It was purchased from David's Bridal. A+

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Re: OUR 07/11/09 WEDDING AT LEONARD'S OF GREATNECK

Mother of the Bride/Mother of the Groom Dresses and Shoes
Estelle's - A+++
1600 Broadhollow Road, Farmingdale, NY
(631) 420-0890
I knew exactly what shoe I wanted to wear, but as always I was scouting for the best bargain. I checked out a few different stores, but Estelle’s offered the most competitive pricing. Bridesmaid shoes were also purchased at Estelle’s. The girls were all happy with the shoes and will be able to wear them again. Also a special thanks to Dr. Scholl's for his insoles and to the no slip grips purchased at Bakers shoes!

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Re: OUR 07/11/09 WEDDING AT LEONARD'S OF GREATNECK

Flower girls' Dress
Burlington Coat Factory : A

There was no way that I saw fit to pay almost as much as an adult dress for a child’s dress. This is why I headed straight to Burlington. The dress was $27. It originally came with multi-colored flowers. I purchased silk petals from Michael’s and had my cousin’s mother-in-law swap the flowers for the roses. She did a phenomenal job; no one ever knew the difference. The only bummer was when I saw the exact same dress at Lobel’s in Sunrise mall for $15. The moral of the story go to Lobel’s after Easter sale!

Ring Bearer's Tux and Shoes
Attias Flea Market - A+
5750 Sunrise Hwy (at Broadway Avenue) in Sayville Tel 631.244.5755 Fax 631.567.1424
The tux was nice and cheap. Special thanks again to his grandmother (my cousin’s mother-in-law) for also creating a bow tie to match the flower girls' dresses.

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Re: OUR 07/11/09 WEDDING AT LEONARD'S OF GREATNECK

Flower girls Shoes
Crafty shoes: A
We purchased the girls’ shoes, my mom’s shoes and handbag there. All of the items were died there. However, mom’s shoes and bag did not match her sample piece. They gladly re-did the die job no problem. Their customer service is amazing. I haven’t gotten that kind of treatment in a shoe store in a long time. They don’t even allow you put the shoes on yourself. They are serious about service!

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Re: OUR 07/11/09 WEDDING AT LEONARD'S OF GREATNECK

Tuxedos
Stillman’s Tuxedos- A
Martense St. & Flatbush Ave.
Brooklyn, NY

The price of the tuxedo rentals was very good at Stillmans. The customer service was good. The representative did his best to help us find ties that closely matched the swatch of the bridesmaid dresses. Tuxedos were nicely fitted and the guys looked great.

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Re: OUR 07/11/09 WEDDING AT LEONARD'S OF GREATNECK

Day of Jewelry
Bridal Reflections - A+++++
80 Westbury Ave., Carle Place, NY
(516) 742-7788

I had fallen in love with the earrings at another store, but was not convinced about the price. I walked into Bridal Reflections for the purpose of finding MOB and MOG dresses and there were my earrings. I figured I’d humor myself and ask for the price and to my surprise they were $30 less that the other store.

Bridesmaid DOJ was purchased at Jewelry Plaza on 28th Street. Fabulous find!

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Re: OUR 07/11/09 WEDDING AT LEONARD'S OF GREATNECK

Wedding Bands: These were purchased on 47th Street in the Diamond District. Great deals to be found down there. A+

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Re: OUR 07/11/09 WEDDING AT LEONARD'S OF GREATNECK

Hair:
My hair was done by Jude in Brooklyn, NY. She was wonderful. She didn't mind taking my mom and I early and was so accomodating. She gave me exactly the look I wanted. A+++++

Bridesmaids hair was done by Yonnett. She was so wonderful to come to the hotel and do all the girls' hair so that we would save on time. A+++

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Make up: A Flawless U
Priya P.
(347) 371-2336
My favorite vendor of all!!! Make up was done by Miss Priya P. Make up artist to the stars. She has made up the likes of Demi Moore, Sarah Jessica Parker and many others. I was so honored that she was able to fit me into her schedule. She did a better job than I could have ever imagined. I do not normally wear make up and my DH does not like make up, so the challenge was on. She made me look so naturally flawless. It's so true when she says 'A flawless you' I love love love Priya. A++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Thank God for Anastasia's Brow Enhancing Serum . My eyebrows were butchered by an overzealous waxing lady and this serum brought them back better than ever!

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Re: OUR 07/11/09 WEDDING AT LEONARD'S OF GREATNECK

Photography: Photography In Style -A++++++
150 Jerusalem Ave., Massapequa, NY
(516) 209-3865
I was extremely happy with this vendor who came highly recommended by a dear friend. John was so patient and creative with the pictures that he took. I feel like he did a great job of capturing the sentiments of the evening. John creates a wonderful website for each couple that is comprised of engagement pictures and wedding pictures. He is so awesome to work with. Photography In Style is proof that great photography doesn't have to cost you your life savings!!! If you are looking for quality photography at a fair price check them out.

Check ours out

Our Photography In Style Website

Videography: Ultimate Sound Djs Photo & Video - A++
(718) 204-1938
Pierre was our videographer. He did a great job on our video, which I watch quite often. To all of you debating on whether to have videography. GET IT!!! It is so worth it. I spent much of the night running around and was left wondering if my guests enjoyed the evening, but once I saw the video....I saw what a phenominal time everyone had!!! I got to see so many things that I missed.

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Re: OUR 07/11/09 WEDDING AT LEONARD'S OF GREATNECK

DJ/MC:
Ultimate Sound Djs Photo & Video A++++++++++++
(718) 204-1938
Raphael was our DJ and he was AWESOME. We had such a diverse crowd and so many different types of music to be incorporated and Raphael pulled it of seamlessly. He Rocks! Janiera was marvelous. She is such a professional and kept the party running smoothly. I highly recommend Ultimate Sound DJs. Frank takes his business very seriously and knows how to treat his customers.

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Re: OUR 07/11/09 WEDDING AT LEONARD'S OF GREATNECK

Flowers: Flower Michele B+
20 Westbury Avenue, Carle Place, NY 11514
(516) 663-5100
The personal flowers were gorgeous. The ceremony set up was just what I asked for. The centerpieces are were I take issue with Flower Michel. Dealing with John was great. He showed me a sample of my CP and it was amazing. It was so full of roses and hydrangeas and very little green. So when I saw my actual CPs I was very disappointed. I felt like I had gotten the old 'bait and switch.' I called after the wedding to discuss this with John, I didn't get him and I was told that he would call me back, but I was never called back. So disappointing considering that this was the vendor I was least concerned about given their stellar reputation.

ATTENTION FUTURE LEONARD'S BRIDES: These are not the chairs that they automatically place outside. I had to specially request these chairs.

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Re: OUR 07/11/09 WEDDING AT LEONARD'S OF GREATNECK

Limo: Royalty Limousines A
315 Franklin Ave., Franklin Square, NY
(516) 326-9100
Joe, the owner, gave us very competitive rates, which I was pleased with. The drivers were very nice and helpful with keeping my gown clean and one driver even helped my dad with his bout! The cars were clean and looked good. The only downside was that the AC was not working in the Escalade limo. Thank God it was not your usual sizling July day!

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Re: OUR 07/11/09 WEDDING AT LEONARD'S OF GREAT NECK

Leonard's of Great Neck : B-
555 Northern Blvd., Great Neck, NY
(516) 487-9700
My BM was Antonio and everything was pretty smooth with him. I feel like the breakdown occured with the staff that is responsible for the actual execution of all the plans. It does not seem like the folks who you plan with for all those months actually communicate with the teenagers who run the show. My Maitre'D was a young woman who I had exercise extreme restraint with. The Bridal attendant was kind of in the background. My pastor was an hour and a half late and this Maitre'D kept asking ME what I wanted to do. As upset as I already was, that did not help. She asked me if I wanted to cancel the wedding with all 170 guests waiting outside. I gave her specific instructions on how to lay my monogrammed aisle runner and she still managed to put it upside down. When she was asked to correct it she repositioned it using very visible MASKING TAPE. The horror!!! Then the kitchen staff proceeded to display the wrong cake until they were informed by a guest that it was not the right cake. The guests later told me that the food served for the main course was not as good as the cocktail hour food and that the lemon in the lemon cake tasted like it had gone bad. The guests thought the place looked very regal as I did when I first saw it.

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Re: OUR 07/11/09 WEDDING AT LEONARD'S OF GREATNECK

Cake: Cakes by Jay
318 Main Street
Farmingdale, NY
(516) 674-8115
The cake was perfect. Jay is so wonderful. We were so on the same page with everything. It was like 'Jay, get out of my head!!!' The cake was beautiful and delicious. It was everything I wanted in a cake. A++

Cake topper: DIY A++++++

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