My 3/27/10 wedding - Westbury Manor, Franklin Square Photography, FM Entertainment, Royalty Limos, Clear Skin

Bridal Shower
Bob's Place, Floral Park - A+
The food was fantastic. My favorite was the croissant French toast. The waiters were very attentive. The room was beautiful. Would definitely recommend it.

Invitations
K&B Printers, West Hempstead - A++
I was originally going to print the invitations on my own. After getting aggravated trying to print my engagement party invitations, my mom suggested that we go to K&B to look at their invitations. They are a local printer and my mom?s office uses them for all their printing. Kit (one of the owners) gave me 3 huge invitation books to look through. She told me to take my time and feel free to call her with any questions. DH and I went through all the books and had such a hard time trying to pick an invitation because there were so many beautiful invitations to choose from. Once we decided on our invitation, Kit printed up a sample for us and in about a week had all of our invitations. I couldn't?t be happier with our choice.

Bridal Gown, Bridesmaid Dresses, MOB Dress
Paradise Bridal, Patchogue - A+++

Bridal Gown
Paradise Bridal was the 2nd bridal shop that I went to. I went to Paradise based on recommendations from the LIW girls. I?m a plus size girl and the wonderful ladies of LIW said that Paradise had a nice selection of plus size dresses. They were right. I spent about 3 hours trying on dresses and not once did I feel pressured by my bridal consultant (Cherise). I went in not really knowing what kind of dress I was looking for and Cherise pulled a few dresses just so I could get an idea. We found one that I liked, but I still wasn't?t convinced, so we went back into the racks and continued to look. We tried on a few more dresses and found one that I loved. The sample dress was strapless, but Cherise knew that the dress had optional cap sleeves and pulled them out of a drawer. She put them on the dress and it looked beautiful. I went back a few weeks later to find my veil and Rosie helped me go through lots of headpieces and veils. She was very patient as we mixed and matched and tried to see what looked best with my dress. Throughout all the alterations, they were wonderful. I never had to wait more than 5 minutes for the seamstress. There were even a few times that I got there early and they were able to take me right away.

MOB Dress
The day we went for my bridal gown, my mom took a quick look inside the MOB room at Paradise Bridal saw how many dresses they had, and decided that she was going to go back to Paradise to look for her dress. We went on a Friday morning and the sales lady helping us was very nice. We were the only people in the MOB room. We spent about 2 hours trying on dresses and not once did the sales lady try to rush us. She kept pulling dresses off the rack until my mom found one that she loved. Throughout the alterations, they were spectacular.

Bridesmaid Dresses
We went to order the girls dresses on a Monday night and it was such a smooth process. I knew exactly what dresses I wanted because I had looked at other places before ordering. I showed the girls in the bridesmaid department the dress and they had the 2 BM's?s that were with me try the dress on to make sure that I still wanted it. They quickly took their measurements and told me to just have the other girls come in and tell them my name and wedding date. Within a week, the rest of my girls had ordered their dresses. The dresses arrived in December for my wedding in March, which gave them plenty of time for alterations. Only 1 of my BM's?s had their dresses altered there, and she didn't?t have any complaints.

Tuxedos
Tuxedo Park, Carle Place - C-
Our first consultation with Tuxedo Park went very well. They man helping us (Harry) was very friendly and had DH try on many different tuxes. (We did not want to go to Men's Wearhouse because of tuxedo problems from other weddings). We found a tux that we liked and had DH get measured. Harry then gave us all the information that we needed to pass along to our other groomsmen so that they could get measured. A few weeks after we ordered the tuxes (on Dec 7 actually), my mom and I went back to Tuxedo Park to put some money down on the groomsmens tuxes as part of a christmas present. At that point, the girl in charge of the front desk (Alison) told us that when the groomsmen came in for their measurements, they wouldn't be asked for a deposit. Fast forward to Jan 2 - we had a fitting party for our groomsmen (we had Tuxedo Park get sandwiches, soda, beer, etc). On that same day Alison was extremely rude to DH and the groomsmen. I had also gone with them to make sure that they were all getting the right tuxedo and to pick out the ties/handkerchiefs for the fathers. She asked the groomsmen for deposits (even though there was only a balance of $50 for each tux and she had also said the groomsmen wouldn't be asked). When I told her that on Dec 7 she told me that they wouldn't be asked, she got all huffy and told me that she never would have done that. Then after our junior groomsman had been measured, she came over to the table where the boys were sitting and told them that they were finished and it was time to leave. I don't mind her telling them that they were all finished with the measurements, but she was extremely rude in the way she said it and I also didn't like the fact that we had paid for the food and there was still a lot left. Harry was polite throughout our whole process.....from initial consultation to the picking up of the tuxes. It was Alison - the supposed customer service person that was nasty and rude to us. Unfortunately she can not be avoided, so I would think twice about using them. The positive part was that since they were a recommended vendor for Westbury Manor, the boys were able to leave their tuxes with the maitre'd at the end of the night and they didn't have to worry about returning them after the weekend.

Wedding Day

Hair and Makeup
Clear Skin - West Hempstead - A++
All my girls went to Clear Skin for their hair and makeup. Their hair and makeup all came out amazing.
Debbie did my hair, my mom?s hair, my MOH's?s hair, and one of my bridesmaids hair and she did a fantastic job. She?s been doing my hair for awhile and I knew I wanted her to do it the day of the wedding. I went for a trial a few weeks before and we played around with a few different styles. We found a half up/half down style with curls and decided that would be the best for the wedding. She did an amazing job on my wedding day. I could not be happier. My hair stayed great through the night and even held up and looked great the next day.
Lola did everyone?s makeup. Everyone kept telling me how amazing I looked. Lola really did a fantastic job.

Flowers
The Flower Shoppe - Franklin Square - A+++
I used a local florist for my flowers. I didn't not want to spend a lot of money on my flowers. I met with a few other florists, and the Flower Shoppe gave me the best deal. The florist sat with me at our initial consultation and asked me what kind of flowers I liked, what I had in mind for the wedding, etc. She said that she would do whatever I wanted. I met with the florist again a month before the wedding and went over all my flower selections. I had decided to change some of my flowers, and that in turn decreased the price. The florist readjusted my original quote and I saved about $100 on my flowers. I absolutely loved my bouquet, which was made of ivory roses and pink carnations. All my girls carried a mixture of hot pink and light pink carnations. The bouquets lasted for a full 3 weeks after the wedding. I loved the quality of the flowers and the service that I got from the Flower Shoppe that I told my FSIL to use them for her wedding in 2012.

Photographer
Franklin Square Photography - A+++++++++++++++
Franklin Square Photography did my brother?s wedding back in 2007 and when I got engaged, I knew I wanted to use them. I met with Keith and he did a customized package for DH and me. A few days before the wedding he called to confirm everything. He told me that he would be at my mom?s house at 2 pm. Keith and his crew (Sara, the photojournalist and 2 videographers) showed up about 1:55. They spent a few minutes scoping out places to take pictures. By 2:05, we had started taking pictures. He began with pictures of only me, then moved on to the pictures of my family, then the pictures with me and my girls. Sara took all the photojournalist shots throughout the day and they were great. Keith spent about 2 ½ hours with me, then went over to church to take pictures of DH, his family, and the boys. Keith somehow beat the limo to Westbury Manor and pulled us out of the limo right away so that we could get pictures in the garden while it was still light out. He took great pics in the garden and throughout the whole night. Every time I needed him to take a picture, he was there. All I had to do was wave my hand and he came running. I was asking for a lot of out of the ordinary pictures and got them all. I had my proofs back 10 days after the wedding. I can?t wait to see my video, I?m sure it will be amazing. I can?t stop telling people how great Franklin Square Photography is.

Limos
Royalty Limousines ? A++
They are in Franklin Square, where I lived and I knew a few people who used them. I thought they were wonderful. We had reserved a limo bus and an 8 passenger limo. They gave us a great price on the 2 vehicles. The limo bus was supposed to show up at my house (where DH was getting ready) at 4:15 and they showed up at 3:45, which made me very happy. Then the 8 passenger limo showed up at my mom?s house at 4:00, even though they weren't?t supposed to be there until 4:45. I loved that they were early to both places. The driver of the 8 passenger limo was very friendly and helpful. He made sure that all the girls got into the limo and that I was comfortable on the drive to church (eventhough it was only 4 blocks). I didn't?t ride in the limo after church, DH and I went with everyone else in the bus and my mom, stepdad, aunt, uncle, and grandma all went in the limo. My mom said that when the driver saw my grandma, he even went over and helped her to the car. The driver of the limo bus was great too. He made sure that we had fun on the drive from church to Westbury Manor. One of my BM's?s who got married in April even requested him to drive
the limo for her wedding.

Church
St. Catherine of Sienna in Franklin Square ? A-
This was the church that I went to as a child. I did not have one of the priests from the parish do the wedding. I used a family friend instead, who also happens to be a priest at the school where I teach. I did pre-cana through St. Catherine?s and the moderators of pre-cana were very friendly. The only issue I had was with the music person. It took awhile for me to track her down. I kept leaving messages with her and with the people in the church office. She was also supposed to show up at the rehearsal so that we could pay her and she didn't?t. She showed up the day of wedding, which was good, but according to DH, she demanded the $ right away and luckily, he had the $ on him. I had to give them an A- because of the music person.

DJ
FM Entertainment ? A++
I thought they were fantastic, especially for the price. I didn't?t have a crazy list of must play or do not play songs ? I pretty much left it up to them. Frank was my MC and Paulie was the DJ. They kept the dance floor packed all night. When a few of my cousins had requested songs, they ran it past me to make sure that it was ok. When my mom had requested a dedication to my Godparents (who had been married for 35 years just a few days before my wedding), Frank made sure that it was ok with me. I couldn't?t have asked for a better DJ.

Reception Hall
Westbury Manor ? A+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I can?t tell you how much I loved the people at Westbury Manor. From the minute I first walked in the door to look at the place in 2008 until the second I walked out the door at the end of the reception. Natasha was my banquet manager and from day 1 she dealt with all my questions and concerns. At our final meeting she made sure that the kitchen staff knew one of our groomsmen was allergic to peanuts and that they needed to be kept out of our desserts. Pam was our maitre?d and Marisabel was our bridal attendant. Both of them were absolutely amazing. Every time DH or I needed something, they were right there. They also took great care of our mom?s and bridal party letting them in and out of the bridal suite and even hunting down my grandmother?s lost jacket at the end of the night.
As far as the food at Westbury Manor, people are still raving about it. They said everything at the cocktail hour was delicious (I wish I had more of a chance to eat, but every time I tried, someone else stopped to talk to me). They loved the fact that they had 7 dishes to choose from for the main course. We had the cookie craze for dessert and everyone said that it was great. My mom, who isn't?t a big fan of ice cream, absolutely loved it. I loved the chocolate fountain as well as the rest of my guests. My cousins couldn't?t get enough of it. Our wedding cake was very moist. I?m not a fan of cake to begin with, but I thought it was really good. They sent us home with the top layer of the cake as well as the leftover pieces. I ended up eating it for breakfast the next day.


My professional photos

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Re: My 3/27/10 wedding - Westbury Manor, Franklin Square Photography, FM Entertainment, Royalty Limos, Clear Skin

Beautiful! Congrats to you and hubby..

Re: My 3/27/10 wedding - Westbury Manor, Franklin Square Photography, FM Entertainment, Royalty Limos, Clear Skin

Great Review! And congrats on being a MRS!! Everything looked beautiful!

Re: My 3/27/10 wedding - Westbury Manor, Franklin Square Photography, FM Entertainment, Royalty Limos, Clear Skin

Thanks for the review..glad you had a great time

Re: My 3/27/10 wedding - Westbury Manor, Franklin Square Photography, FM Entertainment, Royalty Limos, Clear Skin

I edited it to add the tuxedo place....i forgot about that the 1st time around...DH read and told me i forgot it

Re: My 3/27/10 wedding - Westbury Manor, Franklin Square Photography, FM Entertainment, Royalty Limos, Clear Skin

great review congrats!

Re: My 3/27/10 wedding - Westbury Manor, Franklin Square Photography, FM Entertainment, Royalty Limos, Clear Skin

Congrats!

Re: My 3/27/10 wedding - Westbury Manor, Franklin Square Photography, FM Entertainment, Royalty Limos, Clear Skin

Awww Dawn!!! Great review!!!