My 3/31/2006 Review-Floral Terrace, ADA Studios, Pedestals, The Projekt, Marie Katz & Royalty

Let me start by saying, with almost 2 years of planning, I never thought I would see the light at the end of the tunnel! In the end, our wedding day was the most incredible moment in my life! I still remember locking eyes with my DH as I walked down the aisle! That image will be forever stored in my head! Ok, now onto the review:

Mother Nature: A+++++++++++++++++
We could not have asked for a better day! March truly went out like a lamb with sunny skies & temperatures in the mid 70’s! It felt more like an early summer day & I could not have been more thrilled (especially considering we were all sleeveless)!!

Invitations By Dawn: A+
I ordered my invitations very early on as I had all intentions of having them out in late December! Within 2 weeks, I had my invitations in hand & could not have been happier. Originally I was a little skeptical with ordering my wedding invitations on the internet & not truly seeing them complete until my order was already paid for. All reservations were put aside when I started dealing with Invitations by Dawn! The process was so painless & I had a “draft” copy sent to me ahead of time! I highly recommend them, especially if you want amazing quality & a fast turnaround!

Papermart: A
I ordered 3x3x2 boxes for our donation favors after searching high & low for the best price! I could not believe the deal & the fast service. Once I had received the boxes I needed, I went ahead & ordered the ribbon needed to seal the boxes! I was 100% satisfied with the products & the service I received.

Bridal Garden-Bethpage: A+
I ordered my wedding gown, bridesmaid dresses & mother of the bride dress here! I had dealt with the Bridal Garden back in 2003 & really loved their professionalism & also the friendliness of their staff, so I knew this was the place for me! We worked exclusively with Collette.

Both my wedding gown (Private Label by G, Signature Design) and the bridesmaid dresses (Bill Levkoff) were ordered back in November 2004. We were told the dresses would be in somewhere between 4-5 months! Sure enough, March 2005 came & all the gowns were in and were stored for all of us until our fittings began. When my gown came in, I must have gone to see it almost every 3 months just to make sure my accessories would match! Luckily they were very accommodating!

My mom ended up finding her dress here also! Again, knowing the past experience we had, my mom knew the quality we were getting.

We did have a little problem when it came to alterations, but everything was handled professionally & everyone was satisfied in the end. First off, my mom’s gown came in & the undergarments (purchased there) were not fitting her properly, so my mother was upset but didn’t want to cause a commotion. I called Collette the next day & told her, mom would like to come in again and re-try on the gown with new undergarments purchased. They were very accommodating & sure enough, once we did this, the gown fit the way my mom liked!!!!



Barron’s, Tri-County Flea Market: A+
After hearing such great reviews on LIW, I knew I wanted to look here first. Sure enough, the first time there, I found the tiara I wanted! The price was right, so I knew I had to jump on it! I could not have been happier with my selection! After doing one hair trial, I noticed some crystals were missing from my tiara. I went immediately to Barron’s & they fixed it for me, NO CHARGE!!!!

Once I knew how I was wearing my hair, I went back to purchase my veil & blusher! Originally I wanted something simple but after looking at the selection, I opted to go with something that would truly capture my dress.

St. James Roman Catholic Church: Seaford: B
From start to finish, everyone over at St. James was a pleasure to work with. This was neither my husband nor my parish, but we had just purchased a home in the area, so we figured this would be the best way to start out! Deacon John, married us & he truly kept us calm through the entire process. I use to get monthly calls leading up to the day from him, checking in to make sure we were still on track!

The only reason I had to give them a B was, about 3 months before the wedding, we received a phone call from the Deacon explaining to us that there was another wedding scheduled for 5PM. It was stressed to us that we needed to be On Time & not late. This rubbed me the wrong way, just as I thought it was their mistake for booking something so close! We knew we could not change our time slot (4PM) as the invitations were already in the mail. I was worried that we would not have ample time for pictures but in the end, everything worked out (even though we were 10 minutes late)!

Pedestals: A++++
I can not even begin to tell you how happy I was with my flowers! I worked with Robert & he made our experience nothing but a pleasure! I knew that I didn’t want an ounce of white in my flowers & Robert was there to offer me so many ideas! I was very strong minded in the fact that I wanted my bouquet to be orange roses. Robert loved the idea & even had me add calla lilies into my bok! In the end, I left everything in his hands because I knew I could trust him! Every meeting we had went smoothly & every time we met, we would add another color to the bok’s. I also knew that I did not want high centerpieces but would much rather have something that hugged the tables. Robert gave me tons of ideas and I was thrilled with the end product!

When the flowers arrived at my parent’s, I could not be happier with the combinations & the quality! I did not stop getting compliments all night & still to this day, get compliments on them! Working with Pedestals & especially Robert was such a pleasure, I would recommend them to everyone!!!

Band: The Projekt: A+++
When we started to plan our wedding, I was very against getting a band. I always loved the DJ effect at weddings. The band was my husband’s only request, so I had to cave in & let him have it! As I started our band hunt, I knew we needed a band that was able to play everything from oldies to hip hop. We saw The Projekt at a band showcase at Jericho Terrace and right away knew this was the band for us! Both Cookie & Jennifer (singers) were in the crowd singing their hearts out. All the members upbeat personalities really showed when they preformed! I was so happy to find out that they were available for our day! With the weeks leading up to the wedding, Cookie & I were playing email tag with our playlist for the night! When I tell you, not one song was missed!

Our dance floor was packed the entire night & wonderful comments are still pouring in! There were times during the night I had to look over at the band to see if it was really them singing because they sounded so much like the original! They kept the crowd going with songs by Frank Sinatra, Jackson 5, Andrea Bocelli, Barry White & even hip-hop songs! The most amazing part, The Projekt learned both our first dance song (You’re My #1, Enrique) and the groom/mother dance song (May You Always, McGuire Sisters). Both songs were identical to the original.

Make-up: Marie Katz: A+++
Marie was so wonderful to work with! My MOH, Kiddo115 recommended her to me & I called & set up a trial! From the moment I met Marie, we hit it off. I knew I wanted the airbrush makeup done just so that I knew that I would not have to worry all night! I am not a person that wears a lot of makeup, so the airbrush was perfect! I didn’t even feel like I was wearing any. Marie arrived at my house by 1PM the day of and by 1:30 I was complete & ready to get dressed! By 1am (when the reception ended) I still looked as good as I did when she first

Limo’s: Royalty: A+
As soon as we met with Manny at Royalty, we booked! We knew we needed the Esclade for our big bridal party & they were more then willing to accommodate us! The limo arrived at my husband’s parents’ house on time. Our driver (don’t remember his name) was wonderful! Kept us all laughing all day long & really made the entire experience wonderful!

Photography/Video: ADA Studios: A++
When we got engaged, I knew I wanted to work with Big John and his assistant Sue at ADA Studios. He had done my bil’s wedding in 2003 and their pictures were magnificent. Big John was a pleasure to work with! His personality keeps you going all day long! John had called me the week of the wedding to go over some things & he assured me that we would have a good day no matter what! Sue & John arrived promptly at 2PM & were ready to go! Of course I was not dressed yet, but John started his photography by taking some shots of my little nephew getting dressed! Considering John had worked with the majority of our bridal party, it made it easier to coordinate shots! John was to the rescue when he noticed some dirt on my train prior to church! Out came the shout wipes & out when the stain!

I picked my proofs up on Wednesday & I could not be happier with the results! Every picture that I requested, was there! There is absolutely not one bad shot in the bunch! John really captured every moment throughout the day & even some surprise shots that I didn’t know he took! I have looked over my proofs about 10 times already & I can honestly say, I relive my wedding everytime I see them!

Our video was also shot by a subcontracted company through ADA. We worked with Hal who was such a pleasure to work with! Again he had done by bil’s wedding in 2003, so I knew that I was getting quality from the moment we booked! I still have not received my video but I am eagerly awaiting it!





John from Ballroom dance Long Island A
About 1 month prior to the wedding, my husband & I decided that we really needed to get some type of guidance when it came to dancing. I thought it would be too late to contact anyone but I figured it was worth a shot! Once I spoke with John, he reassured me that we could do 4 lessons & be set for the wedding. Sure enough, that is what we did! I give him lots of credit for working with my husband, who has no rthymn! John helped us to learn steps & coordinate them into our first dance! No one in our families knew that we took lessons! To see their faces as we danced our first dance, was priceless!

Floral Terrace: A++++++++++++++++
I don’t even know where to begin with words when it comes to the Floral Terrace. We worked along with Marianne & honestly I would not have had it any other way. When we first considered booking the Floral Terrace, we were not sure if we could make the minimum. Marianne worked with us & finally in July 2004, We booked!!!! One of the biggest selling points for us was, 1 wedding at a time & the ballroom was to die for! Through the grapevine, we had heard so many good things about FT, that we really knew that we would not be disappointed. Fortunately, we were able to attend two weddings (one being PIZZ2306) prior to our own, so we were able to sit back & see how our own guests would be treated! Of course we were not disappointed!

George & Frank were anxiously awaiting our arrival & came out to the limo to greet us! We warned out guests ahead of time that there was going to be a ton of food & that they would not leave our reception hungry! I honestly can say, I could not believe my eyes when I saw the amounts of food that were awaiting our guests in the cocktail hour. With that said, as we made our rounds during the cocktail hour, you could see that everyone was truly enjoying their meals & the comments began to flow! By the time dinner came out, our guests were unbuttoning their pants just to make room! But no one was complaining! My husband & I both sat back anxiously watching our guests faces when the waiters came around & started to ask if anyone wanted SECONDS!!! No one could believe all this food was really there for them to eat!

My husband’s other request was for the full Viennese hour! So sure enough, after we cut our cake (which was so yummy), the VH was presented to our guests in the foyer! I happened to love this because it didn’t interrupt with anyone that was dancing on the dance floor! From the moment our guests started to leave, the wonderful comments started to flow. My parents & in-law’s are still getting phone calls from guests raving about our wedding! To top things off, we requested the remaining food from the cocktail
hour be packed up & sent home as we still had out of town guests staying for the weekend! Sure enough, we left with over 13 trays of food! My husband & I are more then thrilled & satisfied with the service & quality we received!

My Maid of Honor: Kiddo115: A+++
There is no way my wedding would have taken place without her! We have been friends for over 25 years & honestly she is more like a sister to me! When I got engaged, there was no doubt in my mind, I was asking her to be my maid of honor! She went above & beyond her call of duty when it came to things like, my shower & bachelorette party. She kept me calm through it all! Not to mention, as she is performing her MOH duties, she is also planning her wedding which is in 2 months! Funny how everyone at the wedding still thinks we are sisters & can not believe we are only friends! Thanks for everything Erin! You have always been there for me & I know you always will be! I am looking forward to returning the favor & being your MOH!!!



LIW: A+
Last but certainly not least, I have to thank Ron and Liz for this site! I joined in April 2004 & never thought I would become as addicted as I did! Everyday it was something new, meeting new people and gaining new ideas. If it wasn’t for LIW, I would have never known that I had to hand cancel my invitations or that a bathroom basket was necessary! Also, I need to thank LIW for the friendships I have gained! Through the wedding process, I have met some wonderful people but I can honestly say, this is were I gained the friendship of both leese & PIZZ2306!

Surely it was no surprise that we were all Floral Terrace Brides, but still, we have formed a bond that will live on! Honestly, both of these girls have played such an important role in my wedding planning on this site & in our own personal lives. Between daily emails (who could count) & phone calls, these girls kept me calm & kept me strong! Through all the headaches & rants, they both listened with open ears & made me realize what was important! I guess it was easy for us to form our friendship as we were all living parallel lives as we planned our weddings all within 8 weeks of one another!!!

Honyemoon-10 day Eastern Caribbean Cruise-NCL Dawn
We did a 10 day Eastern Caribbean Cruise aboard the NCL Dawn! It was great to leave out of NY, so we did not have to worry about flight delays or anything! Once we left our house on Thursday afternoon, we were officially on our Honeymoon!! We had an amazing honeymoon but were a disappointed with the food selection on the boat Considering this is a “freestyle” cruise, you have the option to eat in 11 different restaurants. It seemed that the food selection was not varied & it seemed we were eating the same stuff over & over again. It also was very discouraging that on Good Friday, we were forced to eat dinner at the Buffet, because all menus did not include a fish dish! That was our only complaint! They even threw a Happy Honeymooners party the second day at sea. It allowed us to meet all newylweds that were married around the same time! We thought it was a very nice touch!

We visted St. Thomas, Tortola, St. Maarten, San Juan & Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas! While in Tortola, I did the one thing I have always wanted to do, we swam with the dolphins! It was the most amazing experience! We also did some snorkeling & just relaxed. This was one of the longest vacations that we had been on together! The major reward, my hubby won big in the casino onboard!!!

Our Proofs

Our Honeymoon

Update: We received our video this weekend! I have already watched it 5 times & everytime, I cry! It is amazing how you can actually relive you entire wedding & remember exactly how you were feeling at that time!!!

Re: My 3/31/2006 Review-Floral Terrace, ADA Studios, Pedestals, The Projekt, Marie Katz & Royalty

CONGRATS!@

Re: My 3/31/2006 Review-Floral Terrace, ADA Studios, Pedestals, The Projekt, Marie Katz & Royalty

Great review!

Congrats to you & your DH

Re: My 3/31/2006 Review-Floral Terrace, ADA Studios, Pedestals, The Projekt, Marie Katz & Royalty

OMG, Don't make me cry!!!!!!!!

My only regret (as you know) is not seeing you live on your wedding day. I am coming over when you get your video back to see it!!!!!

You were gorgeous and I am so happy to have become friends with you. I wish you and Jay a lifetime of happiness!

Re: My 3/31/2006 Review-Floral Terrace, ADA Studios, Pedestals, The Projekt, Marie Katz & Royalty

great review.
congrats on everything!!!!!

Re: My 3/31/2006 Review-Floral Terrace, ADA Studios, Pedestals, The Projekt, Marie Katz & Royalty

Great Review!! Congrats!

Re: My 3/31/2006 Review-Floral Terrace, ADA Studios, Pedestals, The Projekt, Marie Katz & Royalty

Congrats!!!

Re: My 3/31/2006 Review-Floral Terrace, ADA Studios, Pedestals, The Projekt, Marie Katz & Royalty

congrats! you guys looked amazing!!!!!

Re: My 3/31/2006 Review-Floral Terrace, ADA Studios, Pedestals, The Projekt, Marie Katz & Royalty

CONGRATULATIONS Kissy!!!!!!!!!!!!! Your pics are beautiful, everything looked wonderful!!!!!!!!! So glad to hear that you had a great day, I'm really happy for you!!!!!!

Re: My 3/31/2006 Review-Floral Terrace, ADA Studios, Pedestals, The Projekt, Marie Katz & Royalty

Congratulations you look absolutely gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: My 3/31/2006 Review-Floral Terrace, ADA Studios, Pedestals, The Projekt, Marie Katz & Royalty

Congrats! Your photos look wonderful and I love your colors!!!

Re: My 3/31/2006 Review-Floral Terrace, ADA Studios, Pedestals, The Projekt, Marie Katz & Royalty

I'm with Lisa, you're gonna make me cry over here! Geez.. nice job on the review missy lady! As always, you have a way with words

I couldn't be happier that your wedding day turned out to be just as you always dreamed! You deserved the best day, and you got it!

Re: My 3/31/2006 Review-Floral Terrace, ADA Studios, Pedestals, The Projekt, Marie Katz & Royalty

Congrats! Your review is great! Your pictures are beautiful!! You look beautiful!!

Re: My 3/31/2006 Review-Floral Terrace, ADA Studios, Pedestals, The Projekt, Marie Katz & Royalty

You look SOOOO BEAUTIFUL!!!! OMG!!!! Sooo happy u had such a nice day!!!

Re: My 3/31/2006 Review-Floral Terrace, ADA Studios, Pedestals, The Projekt, Marie Katz & Royalty

Great Review lady!!!!

Re: My 3/31/2006 Review-Floral Terrace, ADA Studios, Pedestals, The Projekt, Marie Katz & Royalty

Your review was wonderful, FH and I are going on the same cruise line for our honeymoon. You looked very beautiful. Congrats again

Re: My 3/31/2006 Review-Floral Terrace, ADA Studios, Pedestals, The Projekt, Marie Katz & Royalty

Congrats!!!! That was an awesome review and your pictures are magnificent!!! Looks like you had a wonderful day!! All the best to you and your husband!!!

Re: My 3/31/2006 Review-Floral Terrace, ADA Studios, Pedestals, The Projekt, Marie Katz & Royalty

you look great! would you mind trying to repost the pics of your flowers? I am using pedestals as well, but i couldn't see the pictures you tried to post of your flowers!

Re: My 3/31/2006 Review-Floral Terrace, ADA Studios, Pedestals, The Projekt, Marie Katz & Royalty

Great Review! You looked gorgeous!!! So happy everything went perfect. Congrats!

Re: My 3/31/2006 Review-Floral Terrace, ADA Studios, Pedestals, The Projekt, Marie Katz & Royalty

what a wonderful review, thank youfor sharing..