Our SPECTACULAR 9/18 Hamlet Wind Watch (Hauppauge) Wedding! WIth: Flowers by Brian, Camelot, Unique Visions Studio AND SOME SAGE ADVICE!

I have not been the most active poster but have been an extremely active board stalker . I am also kinda photo shy which is why faces are blocked out (also to protect the innocent).

I would like to thank all of the ladies who are active posters who gave me dozens of wonderful ideas, answered my questions that had been previously answered hundreds of times, and provided support when I hit some rough patches. I could not have planned this wedding without all of you. Now on with the show…

STDs: Magnet Queen, A+

I loved my STDs. We submitted a photo of ourselves and the design team turned us into a cartoon. The turnaround was very quick and the design was whimsical. I shopped around for STDs for quite a bit and found MQ to have the most sturdy and unique magnets.

Bridal Shower: Alias Smith and Jones, A-

My bridal shower was not a surprise because I no longer live on Long Island (*tear*). My sister, Mother and BM all planned a very casual and lovely affair. My only complaint was that AS&J could use a bit of updating on the interior. Other than that I know the prices are reasonable and food was delish!

Invitations: William Arthur (A++) purchased at Just Announce It! Oceanside-now CLOSED (A+)

I have never in my life started and successfully completed a crafts project. I was so envious of the ladies on this website who created such pretty invitations all by themselves. With that said, I headed to the Papery to browse invitations. I was stunned by the prices-there was no way I was paying what they were charging despite my love of stationary. It turns out that my Mom went to JAI and they had the same exact invites I wanted at the Papery for hundreds less. They were simply elegant and we received tons of compliments.

Shoes: Sandy’s Shoes Massapequa, A+

My options were limited because I wanted a shoe with a very small heel. I looked around for a while and I came up with the Coloriffics shoe. They were extremely comfortable. Sandy’s had a great selection of shoes for all formal occasions. Though I didn’t purchase any of their jewelry I tried on many lovely items. It’s worth a trip!

Dress: A++
Dress Shopping/Purchase: B-
Priscilla of Boston, Roslyn Heights (now of Manhasset)

I love my dress. The moment the fabric was slipped over me and I looked at myself in the mirror I just knew I had found “the one”. It gave off an “old Hollywood” vibe that I wasn’t necessarily looking for but embraced immediately. When I came to PoB my attendant was somewhat off-putting. Almost like she was annoyed we were there looking for a gown in a gown shop. With that said, SHE was the one who suggested I try the gown I ending up falling in love with and for that I will be forever grateful.

As soon as the deposit was placed service was very spotty and I never really became comfortable with her or any of the staff at PoB. I hesitated to ask questions because of the attitudes. In the end I decided to get alterations done elsewhere because of my unease. I would not hesitate to recommend PoB for a gown because they are all simply splendid but I cannot give the staff glowing reviews.

BM Dress: Bridal Reflections Massapequa (A), style: Impressions 1736 (A+)

I had one MOH and one BM. Shopping was a breeze. The girls tried on roughly a dozen dresses and agreed on one after 15-20 minutes. I was very easy in letting them get what they felt most comfortable in. I literally did not choose my wedding colors (black and white with green as an accent) until that day when my sister asked “so what color are we ordering?” I think we were all more focused on eating lunch down the block than spending hours draped in chiffon and satin.

Men’s Warehouse, Groomsmen and Father Attire: C

I knew going into Men’s Warehouse we were going to have issues. The reviews are less than stellar, and the service we received at our first appointment left me nervous. But, we are a couple that live in Washington, DC, our wedding was on Long Island, and we had men located in TX, NJ, NY and beyond. Our options were limited.

We went with what I thought was the simplest and most classic tux design. We chose an all black tux, with a black vest and a black bowtie. After the first appointment I went online to confirm our order because the sales associate could not figure out how to work his printer and this alone made me nervous. Well, the associate neglected to include pants for our group. Though it would have made for interesting and artistic wedding photos, I preferred our Groomsmen in pants and went back to the store to express this sentiment. It was only then that I found out that they also did not have the correct color vest on record. I was very calm the entire time and finally got everything squared away after 3 visits.

The morning of the wedding my father realized he was missing a button on his vest. No big deal, but this upsets my Mom because:
1. it looks kinda crappy, and
2. she didn’t want to incur charges for damage that wasn’t his responsibility.

When she placed a call to MW that day the sales associate was immediately nasty- my Mom ended the phone call without resolution because she did not want to get upset over something so trivial before the wedding.

Bottom line: If there is anything that can be done to avoid using MH to furnish your tuxes, please do so. And if you prefer the men in your wedding party in pants then triple check the order was entered correctly.

Groom’s Tux and Best Man’s Tux: FM me for details! : A+++++

In the interest of full disclosure the proprietor of this business is now my brother-in-law. We were so lucky to have my husband’s brother cut a suit just for him. His suits are simply exquisite and though he is based in Chicago he frequently travels to NYC for business.

Bridal Accessories- Hair Piece, Birdcage Veil and Bracelet: Tri-County Flea Market: A+
Earrings: TJ Maxx: A+

My Mom and I have joked that we could open up our own boutique with all of the costume jewelry that we have accumulated this past year. I knew tri-county existed but never gave it a chance until one of the LIW brides posted about Barron’s. After my first visit I was hooked. Barron’s was fantastic but so were the other vendors. This is where I also purchased earrings and my bracelet as well as a host of other pieces that didn’t make the final cut. Also, I developed an addiction to horseradish pickles. Yum.

Rehearsal Dinner: Swiss Tavern, Lynbrook B-

We booked here because we were getting married at St. Agnes Cathedral and did not want to bother with the crowds and parking challenges that can accompany a Friday evening out in Rockville Centre. The location is roughly 2 miles from the cathedral with ample parking for all 20 guests. The restaurant is newly renovated and boasts a simple, clean and delicious menu. I specifically opted for a place that had this type of menu so I wouldn’t “over do it” the night before the wedding. The food, drinks, and space were all lovely. The service, however, was terrible. There were only two servers for the entire restaurant. That’s two servers for a party of 20 and anyone else who wanted to dine there that evening. Our party was divided into four tables (which actually worked very well) and each table received all courses at a different time. In fact, my table hadn’t even received its appetizers while our guests at the table next to us were ordering dessert. In all, I would go back to this place to enjoy a tasty, quiet dinner but would not recommend for larger parties or those who may be in a rush.

Weather: A+

Spectacular day. Saturday, September 18, 2010 was a perfect example of why I love the fall (well, technically the end of summer). Yes, it was on the warmer end but the humidity was very low, the sky was bright blue and evening was exceptionally comfortable. We could not have been blessed with better weather.

Hair: Technicolors, Rockville Centre, A+

Nikki (who is now at Salon Osio in Oceanside) did a tremendous job on my hair with both color and style. This is a great option for brides who don’t mind the idea of going to a salon rather than having someone come the house. It’s cheaper, too!

Transportation: A, Camelot Limos

We only needed one 10 passenger limo. Joe was awesome and always happy to accommodate one of my dozen contract amendments. The driver (Chris) arrived to my house early and was very professional and helpful. In fact, he was downright dreamy and both of my bridesmaids were kinda disappointed when they noticed his wedding band. When I started to (mildly) panic a the church Chris was the one who talked me down off of the proverbial ledge, telling me about his wedding that occurred just months prior.

One thing that made me a bit uncomfortable was the tipping with Camelot. I had seen on the LIW boards many times that tips were NOT included. However, on my contract it read “INCL”. When I called to clarify first they told me “no, they’re not included” and then when I spoke with Joe he said “yes” they are included, as indicated on my contract. My issue isn’t so much with the additional cost, but my husband and I didn’t want to cheat anyone out of a tip especially if it is customary and expected. In any case, we tipped anyway because having worked in the service industry in a past life I know how oversights can occur. I would have rather over-tipped than not at all, especially for a job well done.

Photography Round 1: “E for Effort” Ananda Lima http://www.anandalima.com

Ananda was the first vendor that I booked after we got engaged. The photographer that I originally wanted had already been snatched up by an LIW bride, so that photographer recommended Ananda. I immediately loved her style of photography, her price point, and her demeanor. Seven weeks before my wedding she sent me an email explaining how she sustained a hand injury (I think from too much stress) and was wondering if she could be released from her contract. Though I felt bad for her and genuinely believed that she was telling the truth, I could have refused her request. I decided to cancel the contract because I had my own interests in mind. I did not want the quality of our wedding photographs to be compromised for any reason. I am not sure that she is still shooting weddings, but I would not hesitate to recommend her.

Photography Round 2: A Unique Visions Studio: http://uniquevstudio.com
B+

Nina and Alex from UVS answered my plea for a photographer 7 weeks before my wedding. I basically hired Nina and Alex on the spot with limited feedback from LIW because they were available and within our budget.

Nina and Alex were prompt and professional. I never met them before our wedding day (whole living out of state thing again) and my sister and Dad were one ones who dropped off my deposit. My sister explained that my husband and I were not interesting in posing and would like more organic shots to be captured. Other than a 20 minute painless “family time” photography session before the cocktail hour my husband and I did NO posing.

I was very pleased with most of the pictures that we received however, there were a few items that that I felt were neglected. For instance, there were no pics of our guests at the CH, very few of our guests with the cigar rollers, no pictures of how our room looked overall, etc. I guess I was kind of disappointed because it looks like there are ¼ the number of people at our wedding than we actually hosted. This is my fault because I just guess I wasn’t specific enough. Overall, we have some very beautiful pictures and that’s good enough for me.

Flowers: Flowers By Brian, Joseph: A++

The flowers were a gift to my husband and I from my parents. Consequently, my Mom was obsessed with all things flowers. We had appointments all over the island and our last appointment was with Joseph at FBB. He was amazing. Full of energy and ideas, Joseph was just the man we needed for the bride who really had no vision.

The centerpieces were spectacular, as were the bouquets. Wonderful job!


Hamlet Wind Watch Golf and Country Club, Hauppauge: A++++++++
http://www.hamletwindwatch.com/

The Hamlet in Hauppauge is not as popular as some of the other venues on the LIW boards, and I have made it my mission in life (or at least until my wedding high runs out) to remedy this. It truly is a hidden gem that deserves more praise!

Rewind: My then-fiancé and I booked the Hamlet WW in August of 2009 after weeks of searching for a venue that met the following criteria:

1. One wedding at a time
2. 100-125 person minimum
3. Saturday evening affair
4. Kept within our moderate budget
5. Nearby hotel with reasonable rates that could accommodate a wedding with mostly OOT guests.
6. Well maintained grounds and interior

In the interest of full disclosure, my husband and I were not the ones running around from venue to venue- my saintly Mother was. Like I have probably mentioned a half dozen times already, we don’t live on LI. After about three weeks of getting long distance reviews on just about every reception venue on LI from Mom she called to let me know that she placed a deposit on the Wind Watch (!!!) for our desired date. My heart sank because while I knew she was doing something out of love, I felt like I was cheated out the experience of finding our own venue.

When I first walked into the Hamlet I thought “Hmph. Meh”. It certainly fit our list of criteria, but where was my *WOW*?? I wanted a *WOW*! After walking around the property for about a half hour my then-FH and I decided to proceed as planned because we knew our time and options were limited. Besides, they say Mom is always right.

A funny thing would happen whenever I dropped by the Wind Watch on subsequent visits: I began to like it more and more. I know it’s not common for brides to take this approach when searching for a venue, but I gradually fell in love with the place.

The evening of the wedding was magical. Everything was presented exquisitely.
The service was wonderful. The food was incredible-there were raves all around from start to finish. And the room that just barely elicited a “meh” out of me a year prior simply took my breath away. The staff had done such a wonderful job completing my vision that I could not have asked for anything more. The banquet room is surrounded by floor to ceilings windows that when the sun begins to set a romantic hue is cast throughout the entire space.

One thing I will say is that I spent a lot of time picking out just the right flowers and table accents to make the room look as it did. The devil was in the details but it sure paid off in the end!

Music: Soul Revival Band A+++++ www.soulrevivalband.com

A M A Z I N G. I know the decision to book a live band or a DJ depends on several factors--personal preference and budget are two that come to mind. Live music was the ONE THING on which I wouldn’t budge and I am so glad I stood my ground. This band was unbelievable, had the dance floor packed all evening, and was one of the more reasonably priced bands to boot. If any upcoming brides are considering hiring a band please please please do yourself a favor and check these guys out. You will not be disappointed.

Cigar Rollers: La Rosa Cubana Cigars, A+ www.larosacubanacigars.com

Huge hit! We were fortunate because the weather we had lent itself to people mingling outside. Men, women, young, and old all loooved these cigars! The only thing I didn’t like was that we tipped very nicely before he even started rolling and found out later that he had placed a tip jar on the table. I thought that was tacky and if I had seen it happen I would have said something. Other than that they were perfect and reasonably priced!

Miscellaneous:

Menus and Place Cards: Documents and Designs www.documentsanddesigns.com: A++ They came out really well, worked within my timeframe and answered a dozen of my silly questions. They are a bit pricey but their work is invaluable for the bride who is allergic to DIY projects.

Jordan Almonds: Oh Nuts! www.ohnuts.com: A+ Fast, fresh and reasonably priced.

Personalized Matches: www.theknot.com : B The box of matches arrived damaged-as if the ink on the boxes wasn’t completely dried when the matchboxes were packed. When I called and explained to the Customer Service rep I was told that it happened all of the time and a replacement box was on its way. The second shipment arrived still damaged-though not as bad as the first box. I decided not to pursue it because, hey, how long can one bride spend on matches?

Carbox: A+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ME!
Ok, so I totally lied when I said that I am allergic to crafts. I just really hate doing them. Actually, I forgot I did this one until I saw it in my photo album. All I did was get a box wrapped in fabric at HomeGoods and had my Dad cut a hole in the top (I delegated that part). Then I glued some ribbon around the edges of the hole. Did it look as striking as one of the fancy-schmancy boxes you see all over? Absolutely not. But it only cost me about $11 and 45 minutes of my time and we still had a bunch of envelopes in it at the end of the night!

Advice to offer: Please take with a grain of salt

• Just because you don’t see a particular vendor or trend mentioned on the LIW boards, do not dismiss it immediately. We are blessed to be located so close to Manhattan that there is so much talent and so many resources out there. Please don’t limit yourself!

• Honor your style: I have to admit there were times when I got caught up in “trends” and looked to mimic exactly what other brides were doing. I was lucky because I have a Mom and sister who were able to rein me in many times. Not that all trends are bad, they just aren’t all “me”. Make sure that your overall bridal look represents you and not what bridal magazines and online chat rooms are telling you is a “must”.

• Budget: Keep telling yourself over and over again “It’s just one day”… No matter how many times I heard “it’s going to go by so fast” it never really sank in until the day after. Just remember that before spending an entire paycheck on something that will likely go unnoticed by 90 percent of your guests.

• Size matters: Bigger is not always better. My husband and I both have freakishly small families and a modest group of friends-I know this is not the case for many brides out there. However, if you have any control over the size of the Bridal Party my recommendation would be to keep it small. I know some brides may disagree with me because they have had fabulous experiences with large parties, and that’s wonderful. I however, did not. I had one BM who basically bullied her way into the bridal party and I regret not standing my ground. I won’t go into details but she was excised from the guest list after a display of unforgivable behavior. When our wedding day came I was SOOOOOOOO GRATEFUL that I did not have to deal with her or the drama that always followed. I should have just done what my gut told me to do from the beginning! The only reason why I am including this is because I see many posts about girls who regret including certain people and I hope to save at least one bride from the frustration that I had to endure.


Again, thank you for all of the support and ideas. I wanted to write this review for all past and future brides on the LIW boards, but needed to write this review for myself to serve as a reminder for how lucky we were to have such a wonderful day. My wedding was more spectacular than my husband or I could have ever wished for, and a great deal of the credit goes to you. Thanks for reading!

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Re: Our 9/18 Hamlet Wind Watch (Hauppauge) Wedding!

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Re: Our 9/18 Hamlet Wind Watch (Hauppauge) Wedding!

So gorgeous!!! My sister got married at HWW and I remember how amazingly gorgeous it was. I'm so glad you liked them!

I have to admit, I laughed outloud at your trials with MW. My FH really wants us to do tuxes there since he has so many out of state groomsmen, but I don't want to -- especially after hearing your horror story. Thank you for sharing!!

Re: Our 9/18 Hamlet Wind Watch (Hauppauge) Wedding!

great review! thank you!!!

Re: Our 9/18 Hamlet Wind Watch (Hauppauge) Wedding!

Your pics are gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Our 9/18 Hamlet Wind Watch (Hauppauge) Wedding!

Great review, thank you!

I love the picture of your rings in the almonds!

Re: Our 9/18 Hamlet Wind Watch (Hauppauge) Wedding!

Beautiful!!!! The tips at the end are great!!!!

Re: Our 9/18 Hamlet Wind Watch (Hauppauge) Wedding!

Thanks for sharing!!!

Re: Our 9/18 Hamlet Wind Watch (Hauppauge) Wedding!

Thank you for including your tips they will come in handy. You had a very pretty wedding.

Re: Our 9/18 Hamlet Wind Watch (Hauppauge) Wedding!

thanks for the great review! Your wedding looks and sounds amazing!

FH has had problems with MW in the past and we are so hesitant to use them but half his GM are OOT! I hope there are other options!

I had a similar experience at POB when I got a BM dress there for my sisters wedding and I did not want to ever go there again but their wedding gowns called to me...I loved so many on their website, I had to try them on so I went into the city instead and the customer service was a million times better!!! so far, so good! fingers crossed!

Re: Our 9/18 Hamlet Wind Watch (Hauppauge) Wedding!

Thanks for the review! Congrats on your wedding!!

Im thinking about making my own card box, we will see though. Did you write that you can pay the store to wrap the fabric around the box? What type of box did you use?

Re: Our 9/18 Hamlet Wind Watch (Hauppauge) Wedding!

Congratulations Date Twin!! Yes, we did have a spectacular day!! Couldnt have asked for better weather!

You looked beautiful!!