I know, it has taken a long time, but i keep waiting for the perfect night when DH and i can do this in one shot, together, but that doesn't seem to be happening, so I will do it in pieces and let him chime in at the end! Sorry so long!
Overall - Perfect. really, just a wonderful, blissful day. i just cannot convey the positive energy that i felt. it was like all the people around me were just sending me love. i know that sounds corny. but i really believe that. everyone was having a good time and the weather was gorgeous, so the happier i was the happier everybody was and vice verse. unfortunately, the day was over in a flash. We found the wedding site around thanksgiving and booked for April. We had about 5 months and we did everything long distance. I got every single vendor from this website. LIW helped me have the most amazing wedding of my dreams. I am so grateful to the website's hosts and to all the women on here!! What a truly fantastic forum!!!
Advice - The only advice i have for the ceremony is to set your mind and set your intention that you are just going to sit back and relax and enjoy everything and everybody. and don't let anything upset you. and you will enjoy it!
Weather - A++++ i love the Sun! thank you! and thank you to everyone who said prayers for good weather! take that snow and rain!
I guess I will start from the top:
Invitations / Programs / Guestbook - LA Productions - A+ (creativity & artistic design) / B (timing/organization) - I love Laura from LA Productions. She is so gosh darn sweet. And she is very very talented. She worked with us and really listened to us and created such beautiful invites that were really us (they were out of recycled, plantable seed paper and were gorgeous). Plus, she kept making little adjustments until it was absolutely perfect. She also did beautiful programs and a guest book that i will cherish forever. Plus unexpected extras like a program basket that is beautiful and a framed copy of our invitation that made me cry! The only 'bad' thing (and it wasn't really bad because she corrected it before the wedding) was that we were really pushing it on timing. this ended up being a slight problem with the programs because DH's brother's name was spelled wrong (his last name, which is DH's name too and his parents'). Understandably, DH was upset and wanted it fixed. Poor Laura, she stayed up all night to get it done before the wedding. I hate to say anything negative about her at all, so i almost didn't include this review, but i wanted to tell you all what incredible work Laura is capable of. Everyone loved our invites and programs. They really set the tone for the day!! (simple elegance, with a natural flare!) Admittedly, we didn't give her enough time for the programs or the invites. Plus, she had a LOT going on at the same time as our wedding prep. DEFINITELY use LA Productions, you will NOT be sorry. Just insist on a final proof after all the changes have been made and leave plenty of time (i think this would apply to any invite/program vendor!). You will be sooooo happy with Laura. She is a rare gem!!
Hair - Jennifer from Fairytale - A+. Jennifer is so sweet. she drove all the way from Merrick to my parents' house in Setauket (at least an hour) to be there before 8 am on a Sunday. Plus she did a magnificent job and she is a total bargain (always good). Would highly recommend her! Here is a pic of my hair from the back, with orchid in it.
Make-up - Jacqueline Nicole - A+ - I love her!!!!!!! I was totally running late, and she was very calm about it and finished me in like 20 minutes! Plus, she gave me great products to keep me lasting all day (and yes, the lip pencil will be your best friend too!). Although, i really only needed lips all day (and a little powder for my shiney nose). I did the airbrush and it was awesome. Everyone said i was radiant. (i think it was 50% me and 50% JN's work!) oh yes, and I had a HUGE pimple on the tip of my nose (i knew not to use new products right before the wedding, i knew this but i did anyway! the rest of my skin was nice!) and JN totally took care of it. i don't think you could tell in the pictures!
Both JN and Jennifer did me and my mom at my parents' house, while the bridal party went to a salon to get their hair and stuff done. We did this by default because JN and Jennifer could not handle 11 girls in one morning (so they went to a salon that was open on Sundays - Hairport in Port Jeff if anyone is interested FM me). BUT, what ended up happening is that my mom, dad and me had a little bit of peaceful time alone together (for like an hour and 30 minutes) which was really nice, before the craziness happens. Would highly recommend that!!!!!!!
hmmm, what next , how about
LIMO - Encore - B+ - all pretty good, except for the driver! I have to say, i was not going to have a limo. We had the ceremony at the same place as the reception so I didn't think we needed it. but it was nice. it kept us kind of on time. My mom ordered it last minute. she went with this company that is really close to the house and that she passes everyday on the road (so it was easy for her). I hadn't really heard much about them on this site (other than that they were out of business). They arrived fairly on time, but got running late when the GMs were not ready! and The driver was kinda nice, but the man almost felt my wrath let me tell you. We were running about 30 minutes behind (which was okay, because i had left alot of fudge time in between - i thought anyway). Well, he practically got us lost on the way to Dowling. Listen, i know the darn way okay. but he questioned me and said he was going to go the way he knew, the right way. we were all in the limo partying and having fun so it wasn't a big deal, but i had that, OMG i am late feeling (although i don't think anyone noticed but FH!). well, he got us there but his 'right way' took us about 20 minutes longer, which feels like an eternity when you are late for pictures!!!!!!!
oh and a '14 passenger limo' does NOT fit 14 people (unless they stiffed us). We barely fit 10, and that was using the front seat. good thing one of the GMs drove! just FYI.
Photo/Video - Imagine Studios - A+ for day of - I have not seen my photos yet, but i must say Lia and Nelson (and Paola) were just amazing the day of. Goodness, they are so nice and so good! i just felt lucky the whole time that I found them (thanks to LIW). They took care of so much and made lots of things better (just enhancing the way we posed and what we did etc). And there were a lot of little things that I didn't expect that they did (interviewing our BP and parents for the video; Nelson kept reminding me (nicely) to lift up my dress so it didn't get dirty) just little things. And they are very professional. Cannot wait to see my proofs. I promise I will post some!
I think that is all for tonight. Tomorrow the really good stuff: Vanderbilt Mansion / Music by Michael / LA Productions, and whatever else i forgot!
