4-22-06 Review - Floral Terrace, Starlight Express, LA Productions, Franklin Square Photgraphers, Royalty, Jay Becker, Sandals Royal Bahamian and more...

I have been on LIweddings since December 04 when we got engaged – I was really more of a lurker then a poster but the information I got was so incredibly useful that I know my day would have not as been as perfect as it was without it. I hope my review is helpful! I know every vendor is getting my high mark of A+ but I swear they deserve them, everything was perfect and I would not change a single thing, not even the weather!

Weather – B – It was supposed to literally monsoon the day of the wedding but it held out more or less and it just started drizzling as we left the church and went to the hall so we totally lucked out. To future brides – honestly, do not freak out over the weather – YOU CAN NOT CONTROL IT, and I swear, the day of, it doesn’t matter if it is 40 degrees and nasty, the day itself is so much bigger then the weather that it doesn’t even matter.

St Robert Bellarmine Church – A+ - It is such a beautiful church. They were so easy to deal with and they gave us free reign to do whatever we wanted (like aisle runner, petals, mass time). The singer and organist they provided were amazing and so profressional.

Sword of Light Pipe Band (Pipes & Drums of Local Union #3, I.B.E.W.) – A+ - Wow, were they great, we had three bagpipers and a drummer that played outside in the nasty weather about an hour before the mass and then as everyone left. It was such a nice touch that everyone loved. It sounded so cool pulling up and hearing them play!

The Royal Brass – A+ - Hearing the trumpets start playing as we waited in the back of the church was unreal, it is actually still giving me chills right now just thinking about it. They sounded so great playing along with the organ I could not recommend them more. The sound is just so overwhelming!

Jay Becker Florists – A+ - We worked with Eddie for over a year before the wedding and he put up with all my flower madness in stride! The attention they give you was definitely something I had never seen. I went out on a limb and had all my colors be blue and orange for the Mets and Islanders and was nervous of how the flowers would look but boy did they nail it, everyone kept raving about them. The flowers were gorgeous and stayed so fresh the entire day (over 12 hours). All of the bouquets and centerpieces were so full and the pew bows added so much to the church.

Royalty Limos – A+ - We used them for my bachlorette party and had Roy and they were great so I knew we would be fine for the wedding. The day of we had Roy again and Mike as our drivers. Mike was so great, he came right in to introduce himself and was great at putting me at ease. He even was very helpful in getting my 93 year old grandmother in my aunts car! The cars (Escalade and Chrysler 300) were immaculate! They even showed up about 20 minutes or so early. It was so fun driving with the “Here comes the Bride” horn. The beverages they provided were plentiful. They had a red carpet outside the church and the runner was very nice. In the back of the church it was like Roy and Mike were family – they stayed with me and my dad calming us down, running to get us water and just making sure everything ran smooth – they were so great!

Franklin Square Photographers – A+ - They were the first and only photographers we looked at and booked them on the spot. Phenomenal is an understatement. From day one they put me so at ease. Not only are they unbelievable photographers and videographers but they are amazing people, we truly feel like we are part of their family now. I know some people find them expensive but they are worth every penny and then some, I could not picture our wedding without them. There were five of them at our wedding and you never even knew they were there. Our proofs are amazing, I have no clue how I will be able to pick out the ones for our album, there is literally not one bad picture out of about 1000 of them. I literally could not recommend them more. They definitely have customers for life with us because they will definitely be doing any pictures for us that we ever need. We have not gotten the video yet but we have no doubt that it will be just as amazing as the service and products that we received so far. Our engagement picture was also great – I didn’t even want one really but boy am I glad we did, it is such a great picture of us with our Met hats on and everyone absolutely loved it when we displayed it at the hall ! They are so much fun to be around, we even tried to convince them to come out with us after the reception but unfortunately they had to get up for a wedding the next day?

LA Productions/DOC – A+ - We worked with Laura all along but she was unavailable the day of our wedding so we had Jill and Jess. From day one we were treated like we were family. This was seriously the best investment we made. Originally of course my mom was totally against it because she never heard of a DOC and definitely did not think we needed one but after she met Laura she booked her on the spot. Not only did Laura have such GREAT ideas along the way, she also kept us completely organized and put up with my many emails! Jill and Jess are seriously THE BEST, they literally did EVERYTHING – there are so many little things that you would never even think of and they take care of it all. They were with us the entire day and again, I could not picture my wedding without them. The decorated my house, got me dressed, kept us on schedule and everyone in line, checked in on the groom, helped take care of grandma, set up the church, did the photo guest book that is seriously the greatest thing to have and look back at – it is so much fun and all the guests thought it was great! They added such nice touches to the hall and even packed up my parents car at the end of the night. I could go on and on about how great they all were but there is not enough room.

Oksana/Makeup – A+ - What an absolute sweetheart and amazing makeup artist! She was such a great presence to have with us that day as we got ready. She was there bright and early at 7am! Everyone was so happy at the work she did and let me tell you at 3am I was scrubbing the makeup off my face because it would not come off – it stayed flawless all day. She really made everyone look amazing and brought out different things in everyone and we were all so different! I could not recommend her more!

Starlight Express – A+ - I love Vinny (the MC and owner)!! From the first night I met him I loved him. We are definitely fun people but we did not want any group dances or annoying mc’s or anything like that and they absolutely nailed it. The dancefloor was packed the entire night! Several people even asked me if they could get a copy of the playlist because the music was so great. They played exactly everything that we wanted and exactly everything we did not want. And Vinny was absolutely perfect as the MC, we could not have asked for better. If you can I can not recommend getting the plasmas with the extra photographer more– everyone LOVED the pictures they put up there all night and the photographer was phenomenal – he was everywhere and got the best candid shots. I have an album full of about 300 pictures that he took that are so much fun. The slideshow they did was so nice and they even gave us dvd’s of it!

The Floral Terrace – A+ - I don’t even know where to begin. We went in to meet with the BM Marianne and we were floored with what the offered us – we booked them on the spot. She is seriously the best, I could not believe that she actually talked me out of adding things so she was obviously not pushy at all? It was actually so much fun dropping off payments with her because we got to catch up and chat.
The place is beautiful and I could not imagine having to share my hall with everyone – we loved the fact that it was one wedding at a time. They could not have been more accommodating at all, they literally did everything we asked of them. From having beer from Pennsylvania to making an AMAZING Mets Ice sculpture they did it all.
The day of they literally treat you like Royalty – they were all standing outside (in the rain no less) to greet us when we arrived. They set up the garden room to welcome our guests that got there early with crudite, appetizers and plenty of drinks – so much that many guests thought that was the cocktail hour! The cocktail hour was unreal, there was souch an enormous amount of food – and it wasn’t like some places that just repeat the same dish over and over to make it look like a lot – everything was different. There was so much food, I think there was stuff I didn’t even see. We had the full baby pig, the seafood boat (A HUGE HIT), the vodka slide (people were amazed at this), they did our signature cocktails and there was plenty of seats and tables for everyone.
The bridal suite may possibly be bigger then out apartment. The BP loved the separate dining room and the fact that the suite was stacked with EVERYTHING that was at the actual cocktail hour. It was great because we all filled up on food and then were able to go mingle at the cocktail hour. It was funny how the one maitre d George was so insistent that I eat and he kept bringing me food. The fact that you get three maitre d’s and two bridal attendants is amazing – us, our family and the BP never wanted for anything! George, Frank and Danny ( I feel terrible that I can not remember the other two names) were so great that I can not put it into words. They did not leave our side the entire night – my drink would be almost empty and without even having to ask it was refilled so quickly. Frank even got on a ladder and hung up a college banner for us outside the reception room and at one point George even took my shoes off and got my flip flops on! The room looked amazing and the food was beyond plentiful and delicious. Everything was so good I am getting hungry just thinking of it. Not only did me and my DH get surf and turf but they gave us a platter of all of the other choices, it was unreal. Our guests could not believe the amount of food and that they came around asking people if they wanted seconds. Every table had their own waiter and everyone was so pleased with the attention they received. The bars were always attended to and you never had to wait for a drink if you got up for one (since the waiters brought you most of the drinks) The cake was beautiful and extravagant and really yummy and the Viennese hour was like walking out to a carnival. My parents literally received several “Thank You” cards from some of our guests to thank them for inviting them to such an affair and that they have never seen anything like it. People are still calling them as well raving about everything. FT sent my parents home with so much food that they could not fit my aunt in the car and she had to get a ride with someone else! Obviously I could go on and on and I am probably missing some stuff but FT was PHENOMENAL and could not recommend them more.

Macys Bridal/Manhasset (My Dress, all my BM’s dress and the MOB dress) – A+ - Everyone was a pleasure to deal with. They had a good selection and good prices. They were very accommodating – especially since most of my bridal party was from out of town and we had one last minute order.

Sandals Royal Bahamian – A+ - to be honest I was a little nervous because I heard some horrible reviews of this place but know that we went, I have no idea how anyone could say anything bad about it. The place was spotless, the service was great and the staff could not have been nicer. There was a great food selection and the food was so incredibly good. The bars were great and nothing was watered down at all. The room was amazing and we splurged for the butler service which was some of the best money ever spent – they did EVERYTHING for you. We had 24 hour room service and would bring anything you wanted, they booked our tours, reserved us lounge chairs and umbrellas, hooked us up at the best restaurants, and just were always so helpful. Every night they would set up our room with music, candles, rose petals and chocolate strawberries etc.
I could not recommend this place more, it is such an easy flight from NY and then they picked us up in an awesome Rolls Royce and the hotel is only like 10-15 minutes away.
We used Jan at Island Shores to book it and she was so helpful – she even sent us a beautiful arrangement of flowers the first day we were there.

Re: 4-22-06 Review - Floral Terrace, Starlight Express, LA Productions, Franklin Square Photgraphers, Royalty, Jay Becker, Sandals Royal Bahamian and more...

Great review, I'm using Vinny from Starlight and Oksana. I'm glad you were happy. Can't wait for pictures.......

Re: 4-22-06 Review - Floral Terrace, Starlight Express, LA Productions, Franklin Square Photgraphers, Royalty, Jay Becker, Sandals Royal Bahamian and more...

Great review - esp about the Sandals resort b/c that is where FH and I are going!!! YAY!!!

Can't wait to see photos!!!!!!

Re: 4-22-06 Review - Floral Terrace, Starlight Express, LA Productions, Franklin Square Photgraphers, Royalty, Jay Becker, Sandals Royal Bahamian and more...

Yayeeeeeeee, I'm so glad you had a wonderful day!!!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! Thank you for your review, it was great to read!!! I'd love to see some pics!!!!!

Re: 4-22-06 Review - Floral Terrace, Starlight Express, LA Productions, Franklin Square Photgraphers, Royalty, Jay Becker, Sandals Royal Bahamian and more...

More pics -

Re: 4-22-06 Review - Floral Terrace, Starlight Express, LA Productions, Franklin Square Photgraphers, Royalty, Jay Becker, Sandals Royal Bahamian and more...

wonderful review, you look gorgeous. Congrats.

Re: 4-22-06 Review - Floral Terrace, Starlight Express, LA Productions, Franklin Square Photgraphers, Royalty, Jay Becker, Sandals Royal Bahamian and more...

Congratulations!!!

Re: 4-22-06 Review - Floral Terrace, Starlight Express, LA Productions, Franklin Square Photgraphers, Royalty, Jay Becker, Sandals Royal Bahamian and more...

Great review, thanks for the pics!

Re: 4-22-06 Review - Floral Terrace, Starlight Express, LA Productions, Franklin Square Photgraphers, Royalty, Jay Becker, Sandals Royal Bahamian and more...

Congrats fellow FT bride! So glad it was wonderful. They throw a wonderful affair!

Re: 4-22-06 Review - Floral Terrace, Starlight Express, LA Productions, Franklin Square Photgraphers, Royalty, Jay Becker, Sandals Royal Bahamian and more...

GREAT review...I already saw some of your gorgeous proofs on FS Photog's recent weddings. I am using them for my Nov. 25th wedding so I sort of stalk their recent weddings section on their website to see their amazing work...so glad you had such rave reviews about them! I am FMing you with questions...who you used and where'd you do engagement photos...I need to do mine soon.

Also so happy to hear what you wrote about Royal Brass. I have wanted to book them for months but my FH is still up in the air about the idea of trumpets...he keeps saying to me 'what do you think you're royalty or something' - he thinks people will think we're snotty with trumpeters at our wedding. But I think I have convinced him....my 4 yr old nephew is obsessed with trumpets and has a toy trumpet and we live for my nephew so I've had my nephew begging my FH to have trumpets at our wedding...I think he won him over and I hope to book them this weekend!

Beautiful...everything sounds like it was amazing....CONGRATS!

Re: 4-22-06 Review - Floral Terrace, Starlight Express, LA Productions, Franklin Square Photgraphers, Royalty, Jay Becker, Sandals Royal Bahamian and more...

Awesome Review!!! You made a beautiful bride!! Congratulations!!!

Re: 4-22-06 Review - Floral Terrace, Starlight Express, LA Productions, Franklin Square Photgraphers, Royalty, Jay Becker, Sandals Royal Bahamian and more...

Congrats!!!!!

Re: 4-22-06 Review - Floral Terrace, Starlight Express, LA Productions, Franklin Square Photgraphers, Royalty, Jay Becker, Sandals Royal Bahamian and more...

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Posted by Shannondon

Great review, I'm using Vinny from Starlight and Oksana. I'm glad you were happy. Can't wait for pictures.......

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So am I...they are both awesome!

Great Review and Congrats!

Re: 4-22-06 Review - Floral Terrace, Starlight Express, LA Productions, Franklin Square Photgraphers, Royalty, Jay Becker, Sandals Royal Bahamian and more...

Congrats to another fellow FT bride! They honestly know how to make their brides/grooms happy!!! You looked gorgeous! Love your flowers!!

Re: 4-22-06 Review - Floral Terrace, Starlight Express, LA Productions, Franklin Square Photgraphers, Royalty, Jay Becker, Sandals Royal Bahamian and more...

Congratulations! Glad to hear your wedding and honeymoon went exaclty how you wanted it to go! You looked beautiful!