Review of my Halloween wedding (with amateur pics)...MORE added 11/22! Link to some proofs added on 12/1 on pg.2

I have to say that my day was truly amazing, the best day of my life, I couldn't have asked for anything more perfect!!

I have to start by saying that my constant prayers and obsession with the the weather channel paid off because it was sunny and about 70 degrees!! I was so happy for this because my father spent so much time and money landscaping the yard with 100 mums!!

I got a good night sleep, two of my BM's slept over. I was so calm all morning, just my normal self. I think everyone around me was more anxious and nervous. I finally started getting butterflies when I was driving to my Dad's. I took my own car and had a few minutes to be alone and prepare myself emotionally. After checking out the flowers I went upstairs to my old room (I haven't lived at home in 10 years) to find that my Dad left me a card. My MOH followed me and then Duet wasn't far behind, well I read the sweet card my Dad had written and the first tears of the day flowed. FH sent a gift over with his sister....a diamond tennis bracelet, I almost died. Duet got this on film too. The next was in the limo on the way to the church, it was just my Dad and I and as we turned onto the block of the church he pulled out a 'It's a Girl' cigar from his jacket pocket, it was one of the ones he handed out when I was born. I surprised myself and didn't shed a tear on the way down the aisle until my Dad lifted my veil and kissed me then DH took my hand and I was fine, beaming from to ear to ear I could feel how big my smile was because my face began to hurt but I couldn't stop smiling. Then a little stress reliever.....when we were lighting our unity candle my lit taper fell out of the holder and onto the altar! I gasped and didn't realize that there was a microphone infront of me which picked it up and everyone just chuckled. Burning the church down definitely would not have been a good way to start our marriage!

And now for the review....

BrideSave - (A) I ordered my Maggie Sottero (Daniella) for almost $300 cheaper than the salons. It arrived 2 months early in perfect condition. Customer Service was great to deal with.

Patchogue Floral Fantasyland - (A)
I bought my tiara and veil there. I must have tried on close to 20 tiaras. One woman helped me the whole time and was so patient and honest and helpful. Both arrived in a timely manner with no complaints.

The Wedding Center- (C)
I let my girls pick their own dresses. I picked the designer (Dessy/After Six) and the color (Espresso) and then they were on their own. My 5 bridesmaids ordered their dresses from TWC by choice. I give them a C because while the woman who helped four of the BM's was wonderful, the woman who helped my MOH failed to make sure that the dress she selected came in that color. So we received a phone call 3 days later saying that there was an error, so we had to go back to the drawing board which ate up some time. I also give them a C based on the poor alterations that 3 of the 5 girls received. MOH's dress was strapless and was practically falling off her and I could grab a fist full of fabric in the back, another BM's skirt was way too big. I have no idea what the seamstress did after pinning the girls but the alterations were less than satisfactory.

Cotillion Strings (String Trio) for ceremony- (A+)
I heard them play at a friend's wedding and was thoroughly impressed. They did a private showcase for DH and I and we booked them on the spot. They spent so much time helping us select the perfect music for our mass. I could hear them playing while I was waiting to walk down the aisle and I got chills, the sound filled the church beautifully. Everyone keeps commenting on what a nice touch it was and how moving the music was.

Hair Port (Port Jefferson)- (A+) Btrflygrl gave me this recommendation when 4 weeks before the wedding my hair place disappointed me. Kristen did my hair beautifully, she was so patient and really listened to what I wanted. The day of, myself, my mom and 4 BM's got our hair done. We had so much fun with them and everyone looked great.

Jaqueline Nicole- (A+)
What can I say that hasn't already been said? She waited 45 minutes for me since I was running late from my hair. She was so sweet when I finally arrived and my make-up came out even nicer than the trial. I was more than pleased and got compliments all day. My mom and I both got the airbrush and it truly is cry-proof! I only retouched my lipstick twice all day and night. Even the next morning it still looked fresh.

Ultimate Class Limousine- (A+)
We had originally booked another company but after reading several negative reviews we decided just 2 weeks before the wedding to switch to Ultimate Class. This was one of the best decisions we made. Matt Silver (owner) completely assured me that I would not have to stress over wondering if they would show up on time or at all. He assured me that I would be treated like a princess. He is a man of his word. DH's limo arrived early and both limos arrived early to my house. The drivers, Kevin and Bill, were outstanding. The pick-up car at the end of the night was also early. They even knew that there was a Halloween parade happening in the area and planned an alternate route so we wouldn't get stuck. I now know why they're called 'Ultimate Class'....

Floral Designs by Diana- (B+)
My flowers were beautiful but nothing to die for. I was kind of hoping for flowers to die for. My bouquet was 30 roses and the BM's were 20 roses and 4 callalillies. They were beautifully done but in hindsight I don't think they were the colors I originally agreed on. I thought we had asked for lighter autumn colored/earth tones but they wound up being red, yellow and ivory. I guess this is my fault for not asking for a sample or having the colors written into the contract. I was kind of disappointed that MIL lost a rose out of her corsage in the reception and a BM lost a rose from her bouquet during pictures. MIL also said that some of the corsages delivered to their house already had brown edges. I also wanted fall leaves incorporated into the centerpieces, couquets and bouts but wasn't specific so she used silk leaves that did not look real at all but used real looking silk leaves in our pew bows. My advice, be VERY specific about what you want.

Duet- (A+)
I'm giving them an A+ even without seeing our proofs. Everything that other brides have said is totally true!! We had Alberto and Jay as photographers and Hung as the videographer. Alberto and Hung waited for a 1/2 hour for me to arrive at my Dad's and by the time I got there they had already raided my bedroom and gotten pics of the dress, flowers and accessories (even my blue BRIDE thong which I left on my dresser). As soon as I pulled into the driveway they began shooting. They must have captured every moment, every emotion in the house that morning. I was impressed at how quickly they learned the names of the BP and even some family members although they kept calling one BM 'tall girl' which became the joke of the day. By the cocktail hour our BP was joking around with them and everyone was having so much fun. I have to say that perhaps the one thing I was most pleased with is that they were so unobtrusive yet appeared out of no where to grab a great shot, our guests commented on this as well. I couldn't believe the positions they put themselves in to get great angles. Alberto was balanced on two rocks in a pond to get a shot of DH and I and later Jay was balanced a a stone pillar. They stayed until the very end and packed up when the DJ did. I cannot wait to see our proofs!

Get in Tune- (A+)
Glen is a friend of my MOH and her husband. He did their wedding six years ago so I knew I was getting a high quality DJ. Our dance floor was not empty once that night. We had minimal lights and props which is what we wanted. He really kept the crowd going, our guests have been calling all week saying how much fun he was.

Gene Santorini (impersonator)- (A+) DH and I love Sinatra, so Glen mentioned that he had a guy that does impersonations (voice only) of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Louis Armstrong, etc... We saw his video a couple weeks before the wedding and booked him on the spot. His range is amazing, a truly gifted vocalist. He sang through the first and second courses and dinner. People were getting up to dance even during dinner! On his demo video he did 'What a Wonderful World' by Louis Armstrong and I'd swear it was a CD. DH picked this song to dance with his mom to and Gene was kind enough to stick around and sang it live for them. It was such a nice touch and I don't think there was a dry eye in the place.

Miller Place Inn- (A+)
I can't even begin to describe the amazing job they did! We picked MPI because they only do one wedding at a time and the place just felt so warm and cozy. I knew we had picked the perfect place for us as soon as we walked in. As soon as I stepped one foot out of the limo, the bridal attendant, maitre D and wait staff was lined up to welcome us and handed DH and I a glass of champagne. Delores was our bridal attendant and was phenomenal. Brandon was out Maitre D and he did an outstanding job. Our guests were welcomed with glasses of spiced apple cider. The food was wonderful and they offered seconds to every guest but the portions were already huge. We had a mini-viennese hour and there was nothing mini about it, I could not believe all the desserts, I wish I was more hungry. We've been getting calls all week saying how impressed people were. At the end of the night they packed all of our stuff up neatly and helped load it into the cars. They're advertising is definitely true 'A well kept secret on the North Shore'.

Hampton Inn Brookhaven- (A+)
We reserved a regular room for Sunday night and a suite for Monday night. When we arrived with 3 of our BM's around 12am we were immediately welcomed and congratulated and offered a meeting room to carry on the party. We declined the meeting room because we were wiped! The woman checking us in noticed that we hadn't reserved the suite for Sunday night and inquired so I told her that we didn't want to spend $xx on a suite to just go to sleep for a few hours and DH had to report to the police academy at 7am the next morning, yadda, yadda, yadda.....she felt so bad that DH had to go to work the morning after our wedding and gave us the suite for Sunday night at the standard room rate! Then we get our final bill and come to see she billed us at the standard rate for both nights!!!! We now fondly refer to the Hampton Inn as our 'honeymoon spot' since we won't be going until DH graduates in the spring.

I am a bit sad that it is all over. It was such a perfect day that I would do it again in a heartbeat. For now I'm looking forward to our proofs and video and finally planning a honeymoon. One thing I tried to do was to be conscious of paying attention to the details and taking everything in, although the day was a whirlwind I can honestly say that we enjoyed and savored every moment of it!

I forgot about Mens Wearhouse....I give them an A. We chose them because two guys live upstate, one lives in queens and it seemed more convenient. We used the Lake Grove store for DH and 4 other tuxes with NO problem. The store upstate in Vestal however gave my mother major problems when ordering her boyfriend's tux. The woman kept telling her that he HAD to get the same as the groomsmen and she kept telling her that he wasn't part of the BP, I even indicated that the additional men (fathers, grandfathers, etc.) could pick whatever they wanted. Despite this I still give them an A because on of the GM did NOT try on his tux before hand and was getting dressed an hour before the ceremony when he found that his vest did not fit! He couldn't even get one button closed. He immediately called the Lake Grove store and Amy told him that she would need 1/2 an hour to call around, in the meantime he drove there and they hadn't found another vest in his size. The tailor wound up taking two vests apart and sewing up a new one right there within 10 minutes! He got back to DH's house just in time for pics. Mens Wearhouse saved that GM from my wrath!! I had no idea until late that night.

Here's a link to ALOT MORE amateur pics....Wedding Pics

Re: Review of my Halloween wedding (with amateur pics)...

Congratulations!!!! Everything looked fantastic!

Re: Review of my Halloween wedding (with amateur pics)...

Congrats! You look beautiful. It looks like you really enjoyed your day!

Re: Review of my Halloween wedding (with amateur pics)...

Congratulations! You could not have asked for a better day. Can't wait to see proofs

Re: Review of my Halloween wedding (with amateur pics)...

congrats it looks like you had an amazing day

Re: Review of my Halloween wedding (with amateur pics)...

congrats!! im glad you had an amazing day the weather was beautiful i was so happy for you

Re: Review of my Halloween wedding (with amateur pics)...

congratulations!! I can't see the pics

Re: Review of my Halloween wedding (with amateur pics)...

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Posted by searsc

congratulations!! I can't see the pics

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me too

Re: Review of my Halloween wedding (with amateur pics)...

Congrats, sounds beautiful! My brother got married there 16 years ago and people still rave and ask about it!!!

Re: Review of my Halloween wedding (with amateur pics)...

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Posted by drewsgirl

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Posted by searsc

congratulations!! I can't see the pics

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me too

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I think shutterfly must be having problems because I can't get into anyone's links!!!! BOO!!!!

Re: Review of my Halloween wedding (with amateur pics)...

CONGRATS Sounds like it was beautiful.

Re: Review of my Halloween wedding (with amateur pics)...

The link is working now, don't know what the problem was.

Re: Review of my Halloween wedding (with amateur pics)...

Congrats!! can't wait to see your Duet proofs!!!

Re: Review of my Halloween wedding (with amateur pics)...

You look gorgeous!!!!!!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

Re: Review of my Halloween wedding (with amateur pics)...

You guys look so great and the wedding looks like it was a good time. Congrats!!!!!

Re: Review of my Halloween wedding (with amateur pics)...

Just beautiful!!!! It sounded like a perfect day!!! congratulations!!

Re: Review of my Halloween wedding (with amateur pics)...

Congrats. Oh, I started to cry when you wrote that your Dad pulled out the cigar from when you were born... wait I'm crying again as I type this.

Congrats on such a wonderful day

Re: Review of my Halloween wedding (with amateur pics)...

Congrats. You look beautiful!
My friend got married at MPI last April and it was gorgeous!!!

Re: Review of my Halloween wedding (with amateur pics)...

congrats. it looks like you had an excellent time

Re: Review of my Halloween wedding (with amateur pics)...

Congratulations. Sounds like you had a perfect day!