First of all, a huge thank you to all of you. There is no way that my wedding would have been as personalized, elegant and just perfect if it wasn’t for all of you. Whenever anyone asked how I thought of something or a little touch that was added, I always said, if it weren’t for LIweddings… So thank you Ron and Liz- I don’t know what I would have done without your help and the wonderful girls here on this site. You guys were mentioned by me SO often for your help that you even got a mention in one of my guy friend's creative picture captioning....
The 05 board has been my home for over a year now and so many of you are special to me that I could never list you all. I especially want to thank those of you who were there for me the morning of my wedding- no sleep for 4 nights, my honeymoon threatened and a groom that was driving me crazy and all of you rallied to insure I got myself in a good mood and enjoyed my day. Luckily, the day greatly improved and I have to say, I had a perfect wedding day. But you were all there when I was about to lose it and that really
made a difference.
On to the review….I am grading 1-10 with a plus or two for those vendors who are outstanding.
Before the wedding:
Wedding Dress: Netbride- 10+- My dress arrived in perfect shape, early and right to my door. I never worried about it not showing up or being altered correctly. After reading all the wedding salon horror stories I know I did the right thing. Plus I saved about $500 on my Maggie Sottero.
MOH Dress: Netbride again- came early, fit perfectly with no alterations and saved my sis $100. I highly recommend this company.
Alterations: Coco in Redondo Beach, CA- 10
Dress was done beautifully but the bustle broke ten minutes into the reception- I don’t blame her- someone stepped right on top of me but I wish I had a pic of the bustle- it was gorgeous.
Invitations: www.InvitationsbyDawn.com – 10+
After months of looking, I finally found the right ones. They were simply perfect, affordable and set the tone for the day.
Rehearsal dinner: Bourbon Street- Bayside, NY- 10+
The room is a little odd- long tables on each side but both of our families rarely sat, only to eat so it really didn’t make a difference. The service was outstanding- no one had an empty drink all night and they even made one last dinner for a friend who flew in late from CA after being delayed all day. She was starving and they didn’t complain even though it was about 10pm. The food was amazing- the shrimp was to die for. And the price was very affordable too.
I did lose it at the rehearsal dinner. This was after no sleep all week and a groom who didn’t mention me in his speech after telling me what he was going to say. I was very hurt since he had such a beautiful speech prepared. I ended up not giving my speech as a result and was crying outside to my sister. Looking back, I was an idiot and lost the opportunity to thank her and my family. It was the only thing about my wedding I regret but I was so tired and overwhelmed, I try not to blame myself too much. My warning- get enough sleep- being not in my own bed was horrible- I should have stayed in a hotel. Do what you can to get sleep since it will take over eventually.
After I got over all the anxiety and stress over things I couldn’t control, I really had an amazing day. All my negative worries dropped away, the minute I saw my husband as I walked down the aisle. He took one look at me and just started crying. I tried really hard not to lose it but you could hear my voice breaking as I said my vows. I was just so in awe of the fact that I found this perfect person to spend the rest of my life with. The feeling I had as we said our vows can’t be described. I just felt pure joy. Everyone said the glow didn’t leave us all day. We really never stopped smiling.
Wedding Day
Hair- April from Creative Hair Designs- 10+
She did me, my sister, my flower girl and grandma she threw in for free! All of our hair looked glamorous and held up all night long- and I was up until 4:30am. She also was the one to actually get me dressed since my mom and my sister were too nervous and running around like nuts. If it wasn’t for April, I would have been naked. She was a godsend. The only thing I wish I did differently was my veil. I wanted them both in the back and April put my blusher in the front. I didn’t have time to even check it out in the mirror. I wish I had taken to time to even look at it. But that wasn’t her fault, definitely was mine.
Makeup- My sister’s roommate, Marissa- 10+
I wish she was for hire but she only did it as my wedding gift. She made us all look incredible. I wish she could do my makeup everyday.
Ceremony- Sacred Heart Church and Monsignor Cooney- 10
My childhood church growing up was perfect for my wedding- it is a very old church so it has a long aisle to walk down- it was really pretty.
Monsignor Cooney was my priest at St. Francis Prep- he was great for the ceremony- funny, told jokes, made us laugh and relax- the ceremony was just right.
Day of Coordinator:Judith Garner- 10
Judith was perfect for a day of coordinator- organized, and on top of things. She really wasn’t needed for major problems since our church, limo driver, photographers and banquet manager were on top of everything. But she was really helpful in setting up the church, organizing the OTT guests to find my mom's house after the ceremony, confirming my vendors, and setting up the hall with my florist and lighting all the candles. She also helped the banquet manager with minor details so I wasn't bothered. It was really helpful just to know she was there if anything went wrong. Luckily nothing really did.
Florist- Jenn from Jenn Blossoms- 8
I really liked Jenn from the start- she was nice to be around and very creative. She also offered a great price since I didn’t need centerpieces, just someone to set up my hall and do personal flowers. I was disappointed in my flowers and my sisters MOH bouquet. Mine looked pretty in the pics but it was very light and the ribbon binding it fell off half-way through the ceremony. It also was not at all what we discussed, it was even a different shape. My sister’s bouquet was tiny, it looked like one for a flower girl. In fact, it was the same size as my throw away bouquet. I was too busy getting ready to really notice but neither of them were what we discussed. It was really my fault- I should have insisted on a sample of both of them. But she did do an amazing job setting up my hall and the cake flowers were incredible. The corsages and bots were perfect. And my bouquet did look ok in pics. So if it had to be a problem in one spot, I guess my MOH bouquet really didn’t make that much of a difference in the end.
Centerpieces- Michael’s- 10+, www.longislandweddingflowers.com- 10+
I really don’t like the smell of flowers in a small room (they remind me too much of funerals) and my banquet hall wasn’t that large. So I found wooden lighthouses at Michaels’ and painted them in the wedding colors. I loved them. With matching napkins purchased off ebay and silk petals, they looked formal enough for a wedding and simple enough not to take away from the spectacular view at my hall. The silk petals were heavy and very realistic looking. Long Island wedding flowers is a great site and very affordable.
Placecards- Mysticniki-Ebay- 10+-
I decided at the last minute not to do votive placecards and needed a new option. I looked in every store but saw nothing I liked. Then I found these- they were perfect- pale purple paper, with a little starfish glued in the corner. They even had a cute saying on the back thanking everyone for coming. I don’t have a pic now but will add one once I get my proofs. They were perfect and very reasonable. I ended up ordering the same paper for my programs and menus and everything looked great.
Programs and Menus- 10++++
Two friends from work helped with this- one created the artwork on the cover of the programs and in the background of the menu and the second one scanned it and created the cover and menu on her computer. All I had to do was add in the type and print them. I could have spent hundreds and not been as happy with the way they turned out. DIY really does pay off sometimes.
Pew Bows-
I can’t grade them since I made them! But I loved them- they were not hard to make either. Take a trip to Christmas Tree Shop if you can- the bows were under $10 for a dozen and much nicer than Michaels. Add some tulle and flowers and you are set.
Limos- Royalty- 9
There was a definite communication problem with Manny and myself. I could have sworn we ordered the Excalibur but the convertible Dalmier showed up. I was very disappointed but they did call to try and get an Excalibur. They were all out unfortunately. But Manny was very apologetic and it DID list the Dalmier on my contract. I really dropped the ball on this one- I should have read it over more carefully. I know that we did decide on the Excalibur with Manny standing there. But not in writing, didn’t happen. READ CONTRACTS CAREFULLY! He just happened to write down the wrong one. However, our car was immaculate, our driver Nick was amazing and he showed up on time and was very helpful. Manny also threw in an extra pick up when I return to NY and I plan on using it when I return in Thanksgiving. So all’s well that ends well.
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Photography- Duet- Day of: 9
Proofs- pending
I had Alberto and Gio- I was very disappointed since I had requested Sung with Alberto and even had it on my contract and no one notified me about the change. Alberto was incredible but Gio was definitely new- he basically just followed Alberto around and was more of an assistant than a second photographer. I wanted Sung for the posed pics since this is his specialty. Gio really had a hard time at the church with my husband and his family before the ceremony. He didn’t really know how to get them organized. But I
think Alberto made sure we got all the shots needed in the end. I will update this when we get our proofs in a few weeks. I also wish the day wasn’t so hot. My parents have no air conditioning in the main rooms and so we couldn’t get ready until the last minute. I know Alberto tried but I hope we got enough shots of my family together before the ceremony. I know we missed a few since he tried to make these up at the reception.
Reception:
Band- Kameleon Orchestras- 10+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
They made the party. I had ten pieces and they sounded like the CD for every song they played. During our first dance, my friend’s husband asked why we had a CD play when we hired a band. That is how good they are. I just wish we could have extended them for an hour but our hall had another event at 11am they needed to set up for. NO ONE left the dance floor at the end of the night. In fact, only two guest left the party at the end even after the banquet manager finally put us all in the lobby and sitting room. They made the party one that no one wanted to leave.
Hall- USMMA- Melville Hall-10+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
This was not a typical wedding hall. There were many pluses to having a wedding here that I recommend brides to be with any military connections to look at this place. I could go on and on with this topic. As my fellow USMMA brides know, Richard, the banquet manager could be really tough to deal with in the beginning. But that was definitely for a reason. He is a true perfectionist. I slowly learned after working with him just to say ok, I trust you. The more I did that, the closer we became. I really felt like my dad was giving us the wedding by the end. He made sure EVERYTHING was just so. He arranged my napkins to look like lighthouses to match the centerpiece, he had every possible appetizer available during the cocktail hour and you did not have to look around a second for food, he upgraded my cake at no extra charge as a wedding gift to me and that just made me cry when I saw it. We just got really close during this wedding planning and it showed. I called him when we got home from the honeymoon and told him to keep the napkins I bought to use for another bride and he got so excited. He just kept raving about how nice everyone was and how wonderful the wedding was. I think it also helped that I added on the gratuity for his staff as well since I really felt they earned it. He said with all the alcohol consumed, he was shocked at how well behaved everyone was and how grateful they were to him and his staff. He really seemed to have as great a time as we did.
Wedding night- USMMA- Melville Hall- We got really lucky getting all the rooms upstairs. 14 of us stayed the night and after the banquet manager left, he gave me a key to lock the front door. Even those who weren’t staying were allowed to be in the sitting room to hang out for the after party. I finally had a drink and got to let loose. It was a wonderful ending to our night. The bridal suite was perfect.
Honeymoon- Sans Souci, Ocho Rios, Jamaica- 10+++++++++++++++++++++++
For an all inclusive, you couldn’t get any better- 24 hour room service with filet mignon and lamb chops, wow! The setting was incredible, the free massage very relaxing in a hut overlooking the water, the water sports were so fun, it was the perfect honeymoon. After all that stress over whether we would even get there, we really lucked out.
Overall, I couldn’t have asked for a better wedding- the threatened thunderstorms never came, my honeymoon went off without a hitch, and I had a smile that wouldn’t go away for days. I think the best part about my wedding, other than my incredible husband finally understanding what all the fuss was about, were the guests- they were smiling, laughing, and having a ball. Everyone bonded and the love flowed in the room. I look at pictures and see my CA friends hanging out and talking to my NY friends, my husband’s boss for Scotland hanging out with my cousins, it was truly amazing how well everyone got to know each other at my mom’s after the ceremony before the reception. Everyone had a great time and in the end, that is all that really matters.
