Bachelorette - South Beach, Miami, FL, Bridal Shower - Mims Restaurant, Syosset, NY, Rehearsal Dinner - Tesoro Ristorante, Westbury, NY

Review of Pre-wedding Affairs:

Bachelorette Trip: 4/09 South Beach, Miami: A+++++++++++++++

I went with five of my girlfriends to South Beach, Miami for four nights and five days and it was the best trip I could have ever asked for. We stayed at a boutique hotel on Ocean Drive that was very nice (although we had some issues at check in .. but we are all from LI so we put them in their place and they ended up doing right by us) It was called The Strand (http://www.thestrandoceandrive.com/) and they had a really nice little pool on the rooftop overlooking the ocean which was surprisingly never really full (even during spring break season) and was private enough for us to really enjoy our time there. They had complementary popcorn, water and apples and a menu from one of the restaurants downstairs with a waitress who will take your order for food and drinks and bring it up to you. The rooms were small (not great as far as closet and drawer space) but they were very clean and tastefully done and looked as if they were very recently renovated. We stayed in a suite and put three girls in each room (2 in the bed and one on a pull out sofa in the den) so it was a bit crowded but if we stayed there two to a room it would have been more than enough room. There was a kitchen and den area attached to each room which made it easy to make drinks for pre-gaming. We hit up a bunch of the restaurants and bars on Ocean Drive the first day or two and then we ventured out to a few places on Lincoln Ave and hit up a good amount of clubs which were amazing. For my “bachelorette night” we went to Prime Italian for dinner and it was AWESOME! The food was amazing. I don’t eat meat but I was told by my girlfriends that the “big meatball” was out of this world. Our waiter was hysterical, he ended up bringing us a “penis cake” which was made of gourmet yodels, fried oreos and vanilla ice cream. It was the best desert I have ever had!!!! The entire trip was a blast although at this point its a bit of a fog due to the excessive partying. All in all, the days were relaxing, the water is crystal blue and the nights were… well they were Miami nights.. we did it up right!!

Bridal Shower: 5/09 Mims Restaurant, Syosset, NY: A+++

My bridal shower was really a nice time. Mims does a really nice job of renting out the restaurant for private parties during the day. We had mine on Saturday afternoon from 12-3. The food was great as it always is there and from what I understand the prices were very reasonable. My mother and MOH were awesome at throwing the party and made it more fun and less of a boring gathering than usual showers. We played a few games but the two I liked best were the Newlywed Game and the ‘Guess Who Gave it to You, Lingerie Game’. The Newlywed game was my favorite. My husband was taped ahead of time being asked questions and giving the answer and then I sat in front of the group of women in the restaurant and we all watched the video and they paused it each time my husband was about to give an answer so that I could give my answer to see if we said the same thing. It was really a great time and I must say we did really well! The other game was fun too. My MOH emailed all the young women at the party ahead of time and asked them to bring a pair of underwear or some type of lingerie and to write a little card to go with it that gives hints to me about who bought it for me and I had to guess who it was. The only problem was that some of the people I didn’t know that well who were friends with my mom participated and it was awkward for me to guess who wrote the card lol. Just make sure only your friends participate and it will be an wonderful addition to your shower. We rushed through gifts because we were running out of time and I had all of my 7 bridesmaids tearing open gifts and throwing them at me so I could read the card and thank the people who gave it to me. It was a bit chaotic but certainly it wasn’t boring like most gift giving sessions at bridal showers and it ended up being pretty comical. Mims did a great job of serving mimosas and bloody mary’s and kept the flow of the party moving at a nice pace. My mom had small but pretty flower arrangements on each table and we gave out a little favor but other than that the ambiance of Mims is nice enough that you don’t need to go out of your way and spend money on decorations.

Rehearsal Dinner: 6/09 Tesoro Restaurante: Westbury, NY: A+++

My rehearsal dinner was great. We rented out the back room at one of my favorite Italian restaurants; Tesoro’s. The food was amazing as always and the room was nice because it was totally secluded from the rest of the restaurant. We had about 50 people which was slightly tight so if you have more than that I don’t suggest it but if you have 50 or less this was a great option. Tony is the owner and he knows my mother from her frequenting the restaurant for years so he took really good care of us. We didn’t bother with decorations, flowers or music because the place was nice enough without doing that and it was really fun to just have everyone in the room together to talk and celebrate the occasion. Everyone had a great time and the waiters actually kept up with all the drink orders which was awesome! We chose the buffet option so people could walk around and talk to one another and be more free and less stuffy but I have done both buffet and sit down at the restaurant and they do each very well so it doesn’t matter what you choose. I definitely recommend.

Good Luck!

Re: Bachelorette - South Beach, Miami, FL, Bridal Shower - Mims Restaurant, Syosset, NY, Rehearsal Dinner - Tesoro Ristorante, Westbury, NY

The Strand is awesome...I stayed there twice! I was thinking South Beach for my bachelorette party as well :)

Re: Bachelorette - South Beach, Miami, FL, Bridal Shower - Mims Restaurant, Syosset, NY, Rehearsal Dinner - Tesoro Ristorante, Westbury, NY

I just got back from my bachelorette party in South Beach!!

We stayed at the Mondrian and it was sick!!

Ocean Drive has gotten a little run down in the past few years.

Re: Bachelorette - South Beach, Miami, FL, Bridal Shower - Mims Restaurant, Syosset, NY, Rehearsal Dinner - Tesoro Ristorante, Westbury, NY

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Posted by skeener

Review of Pre-wedding Affairs:

Bachelorette Trip: 4/09 South Beach, Miami: A+++++++++++++++

I went with five of my girlfriends to South Beach, Miami for four nights and five days and it was the best trip I could have ever asked for. We stayed at a boutique hotel on Ocean Drive that was very nice (although we had some issues at check in .. but we are all from LI so we put them in their place and they ended up doing right by us) It was called The Strand (http://www.thestrandoceandrive.com/) and they had a really nice little pool on the rooftop overlooking the ocean which was surprisingly never really full (even during spring break season) and was private enough for us to really enjoy our time there. They had complementary popcorn, water and apples and a menu from one of the restaurants downstairs with a waitress who will take your order for food and drinks and bring it up to you. The rooms were small (not great as far as closet and drawer space) but they were very clean and tastefully done and looked as if they were very recently renovated. We stayed in a suite and put three girls in each room (2 in the bed and one on a pull out sofa in the den) so it was a bit crowded but if we stayed there two to a room it would have been more than enough room. There was a kitchen and den area attached to each room which made it easy to make drinks for pre-gaming. We hit up a bunch of the restaurants and bars on Ocean Drive the first day or two and then we ventured out to a few places on Lincoln Ave and hit up a good amount of clubs which were amazing. For my “bachelorette night” we went to Prime Italian for dinner and it was AWESOME! The food was amazing. I don’t eat meat but I was told by my girlfriends that the “big meatball” was out of this world. Our waiter was hysterical, he ended up bringing us a “penis cake” which was made of gourmet yodels, fried oreos and vanilla ice cream. It was the best desert I have ever had!!!! The entire trip was a blast although at this point its a bit of a fog due to the excessive partying. All in all, the days were relaxing, the water is crystal blue and the nights were… well they were Miami nights.. we did it up right!!

Bridal Shower: 5/09 Mims Restaurant, Syosset, NY: A+++

My bridal shower was really a nice time. Mims does a really nice job of renting out the restaurant for private parties during the day. We had mine on Saturday afternoon from 12-3. The food was great as it always is there and from what I understand the prices were very reasonable. My mother and MOH were awesome at throwing the party and made it more fun and less of a boring gathering than usual showers. We played a few games but the two I liked best were the Newlywed Game and the ‘Guess Who Gave it to You, Lingerie Game’. The Newlywed game was my favorite. My husband was taped ahead of time being asked questions and giving the answer and then I sat in front of the group of women in the restaurant and we all watched the video and they paused it each time my husband was about to give an answer so that I could give my answer to see if we said the same thing. It was really a great time and I must say we did really well! The other game was fun too. My MOH emailed all the young women at the party ahead of time and asked them to bring a pair of underwear or some type of lingerie and to write a little card to go with it that gives hints to me about who bought it for me and I had to guess who it was. The only problem was that some of the people I didn’t know that well who were friends with my mom participated and it was awkward for me to guess who wrote the card lol. Just make sure only your friends participate and it will be an wonderful addition to your shower. We rushed through gifts because we were running out of time and I had all of my 7 bridesmaids tearing open gifts and throwing them at me so I could read the card and thank the people who gave it to me. It was a bit chaotic but certainly it wasn’t boring like most gift giving sessions at bridal showers and it ended up being pretty comical. Mims did a great job of serving mimosas and bloody mary’s and kept the flow of the party moving at a nice pace. My mom had small but pretty flower arrangements on each table and we gave out a little favor but other than that the ambiance of Mims is nice enough that you don’t need to go out of your way and spend money on decorations.

Rehearsal Dinner: 6/09 Tesoro Restaurante: Westbury, NY: A+++

My rehearsal dinner was great. We rented out the back room at one of my favorite Italian restaurants; Tesoro’s. The food was amazing as always and the room was nice because it was totally secluded from the rest of the restaurant. We had about 50 people which was slightly tight so if you have more than that I don’t suggest it but if you have 50 or less this was a great option. Tony is the owner and he knows my mother from her frequenting the restaurant for years so he took really good care of us. We didn’t bother with decorations, flowers or music because the place was nice enough without doing that and it was really fun to just have everyone in the room together to talk and celebrate the occasion. Everyone had a great time and the waiters actually kept up with all the drink orders which was awesome! We chose the buffet option so people could walk around and talk to one another and be more free and less stuffy but I have done both buffet and sit down at the restaurant and they do each very well so it doesn’t matter what you choose. I definitely recommend.

Good Luck!

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i <3 tesoro's. I used to play soccer with Tony's (the owner) daughter. Amazing food!!!!

Re: Bachelorette - South Beach, Miami, FL, Bridal Shower - Mims Restaurant, Syosset, NY, Rehearsal Dinner - Tesoro Ristorante, Westbury, NY

I was hoping to do my Bachelorette Party in Vegas but this review makes me to want to do it in Miami!!!! SOUNDS AWESOME!!!

Re: Bachelorette - South Beach, Miami, FL, Bridal Shower - Mims Restaurant, Syosset, NY, Rehearsal Dinner - Tesoro Ristorante, Westbury, NY

I love Tesoro! Tony is great. Thanks for posting a review!