It's About Time: My 8/29/04 Chateau Briand Wedding Review

OK, I guess I may as well get this thing started. I'll start now, and work on it some more over the next few days.

Let me start by saying that I waited this long to do the review to see if one of my vendors could redeem themselves. Now that I'm done with them, I can give you all a complete story, from start to finish.

Adam and I had a beautiful wedding day. The weather was gorgeous, and so many people we loved and cared about were there. As Adam says, 'There was so much awesome that when things went wrong no one noticed except us'. It's very true.

Pictures, both amateur and professional, can be found at http://www.rachel-and-adam.com/gallery

So, let's begin at the beginning, shall we?

Bridal Dress: David's Bridal, Danbury, CT - F.
I have posted about the problems with this place on numerous occasions. You can do a search.

David's Bridal, Carle Place, NY - B.
I needed to exchange my gown after losing 30 pounds and a few dress sizes. I took the dress into the Carle Place store, they helped me find the proper size. The only dress in my size in the style I needed however was very dirty. They ordered me a new one. It came in with colored beads, as opposed to the white beads I had wanted. So they put a rush order in and got me the right dress. All of this happened in roughly one month's time. The staff was courteous and went out of their way to correct the problems Danbury had given me.

Bridal Alterations: Karin Yngvesdotter. A+++
Oh My Goodness, how many wonderful things can I say about Karin. She has got to be one of the nicest people in the whole world, and one of the most talented seamstresses I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. She TOTALLY got me, and my style, and the dress. Definitely a Favorite Vendor, I only wish I could use her again for something else. Check out the reception pictures on my site for a look at my bustle, which was just PERFECT.

Bridesmaid Dresses: David's Bridal, Danbury, CT. Service: D. Dresses: A
I love the dresses my girls wore - they were beautiful, they all matched, and everyone looked fantastic. That said, getting proper help from the sales staff at David's in Danbury was quite honestly one of the worst experiences I've ever had to undergo. Many of the sales associates pretended not to know which dresses I had chosen (Ummm, just pull the file), or would try to sell my girls the WRONG DRESS. Honestly, the only reason this wasn't a complete failing grade is that the dresses came in weeks sooner than expected.

Bridesmaid Alterations: Each girl got her own done in her own way (most actually did their own themselves or with their mom's help), but I just want to say one more thing about David's Danbury. My BM Michelle was a size 4. They talked her into ordering the 6, saying we can take it in if necessary. Well she brings it in for alterations, and they say, Why didn't you get the 4? This is huge on you! Then the seamstress tries to sell her a SAMPLE gown that is several shades off the original. I am just grateful that Michelle had the sense to refuse the other dress.

Tuxedos - Dante Tuxedo, Westbury, NY - A++
These guys know what they are doing. There is no doubt about that. Courteous, friendly, and professional. They even ordered just the vest and tie for my Jr. Groomsman cousin when my Aunt insisted on getting his suit from a tux shop in New Jersey. Dealing with them was an absolute pleasure. Highly Recommend.

Chateau Briand, before the day of: A.
I'm putting this now, and the rest of the CB review later for reasons which you'll later understand. However I'll start by saying that CB was one of the best decisions I made in regards to our wedding. DH had his Bar Mitzvah there, so that made the place even more special. Kerry, our Banquet Manager, was an absolute Doll. The staff was very friendly. The only reason this gets an A and not an A+ (or more) is because of one particular person, David, who made our menu planning a difficult ordeal. I went back a few days later, spoke with a different person, Lisa, who is AWESOME, and ironed everything out. David was a Maitre 'D and I made it clear to Lisa that I did not want him as our Maitre 'D, and she didn't argue or try to defend him. She simply said no problem, and we moved on. This is one of the best things I can say about CB. Many times people will take it very personally when you complain about a staff person and argue with the person who has the complaint, or try to defend the staff person's actions (there is an example of this coming later in the review). I was very appreciative that this woman simply accepted my complaint and fixed the issue.

Planning and Organization: Perfect Wedding Planner - A
I had a wonderful experience with this branch of the Scotto Bros. business. Giovanna, who was my planner, sat down to meet with me on a moment's notice once when a vendor had reduced me to tears. I'm sad that she's since left PWP.

Invitations: Perfect Wedding Planner - A+++
How much do I love my invitations, even now, a year later? This is what they look like. PWP gets an added bonus for their help in printing new envelopes for the response cards, as my parents put our house up for sale and were expected to move before the response date somewhat out of the blue. Giovanna did her best to get us the new envelopes for free, but was unable to. No matter, they got us the new envelopes VERY quickly and for a minimal cost.

Flowers: Also Perfect Wedding Planner.
Before and After the wedding - A+
Day Of: B
Christopher Manuel is an absolute Genius. I sat down with him and we went over what I wanted and he got it right away. He was a joy to work with and he gave me a great price.

Sadly, he was not in charge of actually putting my flowers together on the day of the wedding. My personals were late. The BMs bouquets were gorgeous, however the two MOH bouquets were not any larger than the others as I had requested and paid for. My bouquet was not at all what I wanted. I wanted a blue bouquet - Blue Hydrangeas and Delphinium with accents of Stephanotis and White Roses. We said 80% blue, 20% white. Well, the hydrangeas weren't very blue at all, in fact they looked almost white in many pictures. This could've been fixed if the flowers were on time. But they were not. Also, the hydrangeas in my centerpieces were not quite blue, and look somewhat wilted in many pictures, IMO. And finally, I was supposed to receive a tossing bouquet. I did not, and needed to throw my *actual* bouquet, which was caught by my 9 year old cousin the FG. Well I wasn't about to ask for my flowers back from a little girl, was I?

I would like to say, however, that everything else was perfect. The BM bouquets were (again) GORGEOUS, the boutonneires were lovely, the mothers', grandmother's and aunt's corsages were just what I needed, and my cake. OMG my Cake. They provided flowers for the cake and honestly, that was the first thing I noticed when I walked into the set up reception room.

I talked to Chris Manuel a day or so after the wedding about everything that had happened. He was SO Nice about it, and apologetic. To make up for the loss of the bouquet, he made me a new one, this time with the correct color flowers. Also, he gave me gift certificates to eat at Scotto restaurants to help make up for the other problems. This, Ladies and Gents, is a prime example of Good Customer Service. No vendor is perfect 100% of the time, but when they can do something that makes you feel like it's been made up to you, they can redeem themselves.

EDITED: because I remembered the names of the wonderful and less than wonderful people at Chateau Briand! I'll say it again - Lisa is INCREDIBLE!

Bridal Party Gifts:
Things Remembered, Roosevelt Field - A+
Nothing but good things to say here, folks. Good price, good quality. One of our GMs has an unusual name, and he was very excited to get something that had his name on it, for the first time in his life!

Victoria's Secret, Roosevelt Field - A+
It is not every day that you find a customer who wants EIGHT kimonos in the same color, but the ladies at Vicky's Roosevelt came through for me. They called around and found every last robe. It was very helpful.

Julz33 - A+++ This was such a HUGE hit, Julie, and I never got to properly tell everyone about it. Julie made my bridesmaids these adorable little hand creams and lip balms with custom labels and everything. The girls loved these items even more than they loved the VS robes.

Officiant - Rabbi Bradd Boxman - A++++++++++++

I'm sorry, girls, Rabbi Boxman lives in Baltimore, and did our wedding because he's an old family friend. But let me tell anyone who wants to get married in Baltimore or just lives in Baltimore and needs a good Rabbi, a good Spiritual Leader, Rabbi Boxman is the most wonderful Rabbi Ever. The ceremony he led had my friend's husband, whom I'd met ONCE before that day, and is in the military reserves in tears.

Cantor Orna Green - A++++++++++++
Orna is also an old friend of the family, but she is at least somewhat local. She is in New Jersey, and has a beautiful voice. I don't know if she does weddings often, but I was certainly pleased with her performance in our ceremony.

I'll write more later, I gotta get back to work.

Everything sounds great- I'd love the contact info for your seamstress, would you mind FMing it to me?

TIA

Oh, here's a quick write up I can do between files:

Wingate Inn, Garden City - A+

I would give them an even higher rating if the rooms were all ready at check-in time. However everything else was perfect, no other complaints. Tarah Burke, one of the managers, is a lovely person and she took GREAT care of us.

What is this??? Is this....your REVIEW??!?!?!

WOW!!!!!!

All kidding aside I know your day was beautiful!!!!

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Posted by hbradio

What is this??? Is this....your REVIEW??!?!?!

WOW!!!!!!

All kidding aside I know your day was beautiful!!!!

---

Hey, I *know* it's late.

Thanks, it was a beautiful day. But I haven't gotten to everything yet. I shall continue momentarily.

And so, we continue.

I believe now would be a good time to write up my photography/videography studio. I'm sorry, this is going to take awhile because I wish to give credit where it is due, but not where it is Most Certainly Not Due.

Cassarino Studios
Service Before the Wedding: A
Day of Photojournalist: A+
Day of Videographer: A+
Day of Traditional Photographer: D (I'm being kind)
Service After the Wedding: C-
Proof Quality: A
Video: B+
Bridal Album: A+
PoB Album: B+
PoG Album: B-
Enlargements: B-

Some of you may know that the photography/videography was quite honestly the most trying decision I had to make. I met with more photographers than with any other category of vendor. During this time, my Dad was in and out of the hospital due to complications with Angioplasty, and FIL's Brother was in the hospital having suffered some sort of cardiac arrest that put him into a coma and gave him brain damage. He passed away shortly after all this.

It is here that I want to make a point very very clear: No Bride's Recommendation, even mine, is Fool Proof. Cassarino Studios was not only recommended by the Scotto Bros., but also was lauded by several respectable brides here on LIW, and my particular main photographer was suggested by a very respected LIW bride. She told me how much she loved this photographer, Laura G., how much she loved Laura G's pictures, and how much she loved Cassarino Studios. I liked the quality of work I saw from Laura, so I booked her. I'll even state for the record that Laura was the photographer for Cassarino's owner's wedding. I really thought I was in good hands.

My next mistake was not making arrangements to actually *meet* Laura G. until maybe a week or so before the wedding. Adam and I went to Laura's house to chat with her, so that I could get a few details ironed out. Laura had absolutely *no* interest in anything we had to say, she was so busy talking. When I was finally able to get a word in edgewise, I asked her about a schedule for the pictures, so that I could inform my family what time they should arrive. The basic framework I had worked out with (big) Razz, Cassarino's owner, was that Laura would arrive at 8, we'd take some hotel pictures, go over to the Garden City Gazebo to get a few Bridal Party Shots, then head over to the Chateau Briand photo studio to get all the family photos out of the way before the ceremony. My Rabbi had requested that all of this be done by 11, so that we could do the Ketubah signing before the ceremony which would start at 11:30. CH was to start at 12, Reception at 1. We did not want to miss our CH. We did not want to miss our party. Razz's only condition to all of this was that I Be On Time. OK. I Will Be On Time.

At Laura's house I start to bring this up to go over it with her, and she says, I'm coming at 9. I said, Ummm, Razz said 8. No, I'm coming at 9. We'll take all your family pictures during Cocktail hour. Oh, and by the way, the bride is always late. You want all this stuff done, YOU NEED TO BE ON TIME.

Mind you, I can't get in a word edgewise, so I can't even argue this point with this woman. I go home, draw up a schedule of the day along with must take picture list, and drive over to Cassarino the next day to meet with Big Razz again. He calms me down, and promises to talk to Laura. He is good friends with her, he'll make sure he knows that I'm a VIP and that she'll be there whenever I want her. I show him my schedule for the day (which has Laura start taking pictures at 8:30 in the hotel), and he Okays it, but once again reminds me that I HAVE to be on time. If I'm not on time, I will not get all the things I want. So I agree once more, that I will be On Time.

Morning of the wedding comes, I am up at 4 with a few of the BMs eating bagels, making coffee, in our Suite at the Wingate Inn, Garden City. Hair and Makeup arrives at 5, right on schedule. Jim, Cassarino's photojournalist, shows up with an assistant (that I didn't know about previously) early, and starts shooting away. Both Jim and his assistant were professional, courteous, and friendly. I'll also say that they took some beautiful shots. I'm in the makeup chair at this time, somewhat stressing out over being on time. I Need To Be On Time. For this reason, No One is telling me what time it is. The limos arrive. I told them to be here at 8:30. Why aren't we starting pictures yet? My cellphone rings. It's Laura. She doesn't know where the Wingate Inn is, and is lost. So now we have to give her directions. (Interjection: I do Not Believe that she didn't know where the Wingate was. I lived on Long Island for all of two years total, but I knew where the Wingate was. She's a Photographer. LOTS of girls get ready at the Wingate. And for the Love of G-d, it's on Stewart Avenue, practically next to the Meadowbrook!!!!! How do you not know where the Wingate is? What's worse, How do you not make sure you know where you're going before you have to be there?)

Laura arrives eventually (with her assistant, whom I only had found out about a few days beforehand) and we start taking pictures in the room. Lovely lovely.

We go down into the lobby, where Adam's and my first sight moment is set up. Hug kiss, beautiful moment, all caught on film. Everyone is crying, happy, excited.

My schedule had us in the lobby at 8:50, in the Limos at 9, and at the Gazebo by 9:15. This, I'll reiterate, was OKAYED by Razz when I asked him if I was expecting too much.

No one is telling me what time it is. I look up in the lobby of the Wingate, and there is the Biggest Clock In The World Telling me that it's 9:25. I'm frozen in my tracks, and exclaim 'Oh My G-d We Are So Late.' I've since been told that this reaction had some of the National Guardsmen staying in the hotel drop their cereal spoons and reach for their guns in fear.

My friend who went to pick up the bouquets has arrived with them finally, and I see that they are not perfect, but am so stressed out over the time that I let it drop. We run into the limos. Just as I'm getting into the car, Laura pulls me aside and says 'You know, we don't really have time to take pictures with the whole party at the park. We'll be much better off if just you and your fiancee get out at the park.' I'm not happy about this, but I'm ONCE AGAIN so freaked out about the time (because Laura and Razz kept telling me that I had to be on time) I okay it, and only one BM and GM accompany us at the Gazebo (not for them to be in pictures, but just to keep us sane). You can see in these pictures though that I'm very conscious of the fact that we're behind schedule, and I'm very nervous.

We head back over to Chateau Briand, where everyone is waiting for us. The videographer, Ken, is there, and he shakes my hand. I still don't know what time it is (because I've really lost it by this point), but we are told not to go straight upstairs, but to stand by the limo for more pictures. Ummm. It's just a limo. I have family members and bridal party members who I am more interested in pictures of, and we are running late, and aren't you the person who wanted to be so conscious of time? Nevertheless, we get a few limo shots and head upstairs.

OK, now I am *really* stressed, because the CB people are keeping me informed of the fact that we're running behind. Also, they've set up their chuppah in the ceremony room, when I don't want theirs, I want to use the one I've rented. OK, it'll get taken care of (and it does). We take family shots, bridal party shots, and lots of chaos ensues. You'd think that an assistant would be there to help with getting people together for each shot, but of course, no. The Bridesmaids and Groomsmen are beside themselves trying to calm me down. But I keep hearing Razz's words in my head 'You're not going to get what you asked for if you're not on time'. Also, it finally dawns on me that Laura's got a LOT of Chutzpah to tell me to be on time and then show up (what I later discovered was) FORTY MINUTES LATE.

Ok, so we have the ceremony and all goes beautifully. The entire guest list is crying over everything Rabbi has said and Orna's beautiful voice.

Cocktail Hour comes, and Adam and I go off into the Bridal Suite to have a little alone time before we go enjoy CH. When we come out, one of my BMs informs me that her boyfriend told her that the Photographer had to reload the film in her camera, and so missed some people coming down the aisle. Several friends who are photographers told me that this is what you bring an assistant for, and were SHOCKED when they saw her stop and reload. Well, nothing I can do about it now.

We get into our reception, and everything is lovely. Party starts, we're having a blast. Then Laura decides it's time to take us out for pictures around the grounds. I'm not thinking, so I go. But as we're walking around, we hear that the DJ has now played a half-dozen of the songs we've specifically requested, and now we've missed them. I asked the photographers if we can go back to our party now, but by the time we get back in, it's already too late, they're serving salad and everyone's sitting.

At this point, I'm Done with Laura. Done. She's driven me crazy telling me that I have to be on time and then showing up late. Making my entire wedding day Run Late. I tell her to get the shots of my friends and family enjoying the wedding, and the various events of the wedding still to come, but that I am not posing for her anymore, because I want to actually have the opportunity to enjoy my wedding day.

OK. So on the dance floor she goes. At one point she yanked my friend Abbie off the floor by the elbow to get a shot. She took NO PICTURES of the special spotlight dance I'd given to my parents, even though it was such a beautiful moment that the WAITSTAFF at the CB was crying. She doesn't even bother to consult my parents or Adam's parents about the family table shots we've asked for, and they were never taken. All in all, about a 25 of the 60 must take pictures I asked for were never taken. 60 is a SHORT LIST, wouldn't you ladies agree? In fact, I compiled the majority of that list from the handbook Cassarino had given me.

During all this time, Jim (photojournalist) and Ken (videographer) are being very sympathetic to my issues with Laura. However I'm very sad to say how many pictures there are of me crying on my wedding day.

I did, eventually, get to calm down and enjoy our wedding. If you go over to the site, there are a Lot of pictures of me smiling and having a blast. The day was not a complete wash. But I want to give the full story here.

And I'll continue later on, once I get home from work and have dinner, okay?

Congrats! Sounds like you had a great day! Sorry about your bouquets though, but I'm glad you liked your BM's bouquets at least.

WOW- not fun wedding photographer! SO SORRY!!!!!

Sorry I didn't continue last night, ended up getting tied up elsewhere.

Anyways, so the Photography story continues.

I went back to Cassarino the Tuesday after the wedding, as they are closed on Mondays and we weren't leaving for Florida till the next day. I spoke to Razz, who was very apologetic, and surprised that Laura G. had been so unprofessional. It was then that he suggested that he upgrade the package somehow, maybe include a CD of all my proofs? I agreed that that would be a good start, provided the proofs were good. He said that we should hold off on any further discussion until the proofs came in. I was fine with that.

When the proofs came in, I picked them up, and was pleased with the quality of many of the pictures. I was disappointed that in many of the pictures taken after I found out how late we were, I was obviously upset, whereas before I knew the time, I looked happy and pleasant. The Photojournalistic shots were Gorgeous, and I was very pleased with them. Well, with the exception of the few where I'm crying, of course. Actually, there's a great shot of Adam where he's got this great 'You guys are driving my wife nuts, Stop it' look on his face. I was disappointed to discover how many shots were not taken from my list. It was then, also, that I discovered who had been missed walking down the aisle. It was no one important, Only The Maid Of Honor(sarcasm).

I spoke with Razz again about the missing shots. By this time, I had picked out about 70 proofs for my 60 shot album. He told me not to worry, that they would take care of me. He was upgrading my album, and I should come in with 100 of my favorite pictures for my album design session. Wow, 100? That's quite an upgrade from 60. Too good to be true.

When we came in for our Album design session, we had our 100 favorites (as seen on the website). Razz then said, Ok, we've decided to upgrade your album to 70 shots. Ummm, I was down to 70 favorites, you knew that, why did you tell me to bring 100? So now I've got to cut 30 shots from an entirely new perspective. Ok, fine, we did it.

Now we're discussing enlargements. One of the coolest parts of my package was an 11x14 b&w with hand painted flowers. I had the photograph chosen, but requested that the flowers be painted in the colors they should have been, rather than the colors they were. Razz said this was no problem, to write what I wanted on the back of the proof in question. I did.

It was also during this meeting that we discussed our video. I told Razz that I didn't want the Baby photo or Honeymoon photo montage, that I had only paid for the bigger package because I wanted a Chaptered DVD rather than an unchaptered one. I then told him what songs I wanted. He did not say there was any problem with these songs, and that the video would be ready in a few weeks.

ETA one last thing about this meeting. We also discussed, once again, the CD of all the proofs on it. He said it would be available to me when I picked up the final album.

A few weeks later I called to inquire about the video, and was told, Well, we are waiting on your baby photos and honeymoon photos. I reiterated that I did not want them. Oh, well, we're waiting for the CD with your songs on it. In the contract, it states that if you don't pick songs on their list, you have to provide them. This was fine by me, but why couldn't Razz have told me that these songs weren't on the list when I submitted them in the first place? Furthermore, I picked songs by The Beatles and Elton John. Rediculously Generic Choices. At this point, I'm fuming, and I request that they go buy the songs for themselves considering all that has happened. They refuse. OK, fine, I want my video so I bring them a CD with the Elton John song as well as a Nickel Creek song I prefer, seeing as I have to provide them with the music anyway.

The videos come almost two months later. I bring my parents their copy, and it has no sound. Checked on multiple VCRs. Other tapes checked in those VCRs were fine. So my parents call Cassarino, and speak to someone who has the nerve to insinuate that my parents don't know what they're doing, and then finally caves and offers to send Mom and Dad a DVD copy.

The video itself is OK. I am frustrated with a few things that they left in that really should've been edited out (ex: MIL making a very rude comment about me), but really, it's okay. Not as lovely as I've seen other brides have. But, like I said, OK.

ETA: I forgot to mention that I had paid for a chaptered DVD. I got one, but there is absolutely no rhyme or reason to where the chapters fall. It's not like ceremony here, first dance here, Cake cutting here, or anything like that. It's like, hmm, now would be a good time for a new chapter, right in the middle of this song where people are dancing. Makes No Sense.

So finally we get the call that the albums are ready. Adam and I made arrangements to drive up from Delaware to pick it up.

I was concerned, I'll admit, because Razz said I'd have final approval on the albums before they were bound, and I had never been contacted. Just one day I get a phone call that the albums are ready, come get them.

We walk in, and I'm braced. My album is gorgeous, just as I had designed it. I'm disappointed with my parents' album, as well as my ILs' album, as they are flush and not matted albums. The reason this is not good is because in many cases, the pictures are different angles across two consecutive pages, so you're turning the book constantly, especially in my ILs' album. This isn't an issue when the album is matted. Also, there's a photo that I had asked if it could be sufficiently lightened for my Mom's album. They said yes it could, but if it couldn't leave an alternate picture, and I could make the final decision. IMO, the picture is not lightened sufficiently, and Adam agrees. Nevertheless, I'm accepting, and both my parents and my ILs are ok with it.

Now onto the enlargements. Ok, everything is alright. I don't 100% like the way they cropped certain pictures, but that's very minor. However, the 11x14 b&w with hand painted flowers is especially disappointing. Why? Because they painted the flowers as they had been, not as I had wanted them, as I had WRITTEN on the back of the proof!

Then I find out there's no Proof CD. No one knew it was supposed to be made. Everyone's calling around, trying to figure out how this happened. The only answer, though, is that I will need to leave my negatives behind and come back up to Long Island when the CD is ready. I'm very annoyed and frustrated by this point, understandably. We leave, and we're halfway back to the car when the staff guy comes chasing us out, asking for $300! I look at him and say, I'll give you $300 when you give me that proofs CD. He says no, that's not possible. So I go off to get the money at the bank next door. While I'm gone he offers Adam the chance for them to drop the $300 if I'll drop the proofs CD. Basically it's an opportunity to be DONE with Cassarino and not have to deal with them ever again, which by this point was Fine By Me.

And that is the very long story of my experience with Cassarino Studios. Please take it for what it is - no more than my experience.

Later: The Rave Reviews of All The Vendors Who Helped Make Up For These Problems!

wow...
we met with Cassarino when we were looing at photographers and were not pleased at all with the way they treated us during that short meeting. apparently, we weren't crazy!

sorry you have gone through all of that!!!

Im so sorry to hear about your photos, that is the one thing you cherish and hang on to.
Thanks for the information, I was going to use them b/c of the fact that they are scotto brothers recommended, but now I will think have to think about that.

Thanks, girls. I'll take a little time after 5 before leaving to write up some more.

Just so you all are clear, though - There are Some REALLY beautiful pictures from the wedding that the photographers took, and they're on our website, we were just heartily disappointed with the lack of professionality and the affect they had on our day and after.