The Brides' Review - My wedding day review - Riviera 9.3.06

denise2006 Posted: Sep 28, 2006 10:30 AM

My wedding day review - Riviera 9.3.06

9/3/06

This was the happiest day of our lives and it was just PERFECT!!!!!!! I couldn’t have asked for more!!!

The Weather: A++++++++++
I was an absolute basket case about the weather for the week leading up to the day. I was crying, depressed, just a mess! The Tropical Storm Ernesto was here for Saturday, but then cleared out by Sunday morning/wedding day. All our prayers were answered, as I was having an outdoor ceremony and cocktail hour and was expecting the worst, but hoping for the best. I was smiling ear to ear on our day!!!

Dress - Lillette’s, Baldwin: A+
Worked with Jeri, and she found me the most beautiful discontinued LaSposa by Pronovias gown, that the owner wanted her daughter to wear!

Alterations - Lillette’s: A-
The dress fit PERFECTLY, but I had to do 3 fittings, and the first time they messed up my appointment time. The alteration room can get a bit hectic in the evenings!

Bridesmaid Dresses - Burton’s: A-
The dresses came right on schedule, but one of my bridesmaids said they gave her an attitude about something. All in all a wonderful place to get a cheaper price.

Veil – My Best Friend
She made my veil, and it was PERFECT! Thanks JM! SO special.

Shoes – The Shoe Boutique, Westbury, A
Forgot what style I got, but apparently they were the most popular. My feet were killing me by the end of the night!

Hair – Jenn Z: A (LI Wedding vendor-not sure if she still is)
My hair was perfect, and I got many compliments! She also did my MOH and FG’s hair, and it was just great! She was a ½ hr late b/c she got lost, but everything worked out.

Make-up – My Sister! Not for hire ?
She did an amazing job with all MAC cosmetics!!!

Tuxes – Men’s Wearhouse, Carle Place: B
We decided on this place because all our groomsmen were from out of town. When we first ordered it was great. All our guys got measured back home. When my FH went to get measured, it was pretty chaotic, and the girl doing it was quite rude. All our guys ended up picking them up on LI, and one of the guys’ shirt and vest were too small. Everyone else’s was fine.

Invitations – Mulberry Street Invitations A+
mulberrystreetinvitations.com
Found this company through ebay, when I was looking for handmade paper invites. Pretty much a mom&pop store (but two women run it) They did beautiful work and even sent me more invites for free when I needed some more! Highly recommended.

Envelopes – Inkspun A+
Very quick service, and also sent me more printed envelopes for free when I needed them.

denise2006 Posted: Sep 28, 2006 10:32 AM

Re: My wedding day review - Riviera 9.3.06

Flowers – Burton’s: A+
I have known them for year to do beautiful work, and I was blown away at my centerpieces, and all my ceremony flowers and bouquets. They are the best! See yourself!

Photographers – DUET: A (day of), Photos (TBD)
We had Jay and Danny . They did all the posed shots we requested at the house, and then before the ceremony at Old Westbury Gardens. They were like paparazzi, and I can’t wait to see the proofs!!! They were very funny and took so many pictures. I highly recommend them and Jay. The only thing I wanted when we booked, was some rolls of film being shot. I love the way film looks and really wanted it. They called me the week before and convinced me that they don’t use it anymore, and that digital will be better, and they use better cameras for that. No biggie, I’m sure it will be fine!

Photos before wedding - Old Westbury Gardens A
They were very accommodating, and helped set up mine and DH’s first meeting of the day privately. It was a little muddy in spots b/c of the rain the day before, so I had to tippy toe around (a golf cart would have been nice, but I didn’t care then) They took us around and were very friendly and accommodating. It’s a beautiful location for photos, and I can’t wait to see them all!!!!!!

Videographer - Creative Media – John Braile: A
John was great. He does very un-obtrusive work, and is very friendly and easy to work with.

Limos – Royalty: A+
They were early, friendly, and really a pleasure. Our drivers were awesome and this company is definitely recommended!

Cake Topper – My Mom!! A++++++
I actually go the idea from another LIW bride about 2 years ago. My mom took these Simpsons figures and really ran away with them! It was a big hit and looked so beautiful!

RingBearer Tux/Flowergirl Dress, Baron’s – Tri County A+++
We got everything we needed at Baron’s! They can’t be beat for their prices and most adorable stuff! We got their gloves and shoes there too!

Ceremony/Reception - The Riviera A++++
We couldn’t have asked for more from the staff here. My BM was Victoria and she was the BEST. Really made us feel special and that we were in good hands. She took care of us from beginning to end!
We had Robert Jay for our Maitre D. I know now, why everyone loves him and highly recommended him! He knows what he is doing, and is very calm and cool the day of the wedding. He has answers for you quickly and is just a pleasure to work with. He helped me get stains off of my dress, and was definitely having fun w/our guests too. My guests loved him!
My Bridal attendant was I think (forgive me!) Tara. She was great, and always asking me if I need something.
We had our ceremony there, and it was everything I wanted, by the water, outside on a beautiful day!
The food and drinks were wonderful and everyone raved about it!

DJ – Vinny, High Voltage A+++
Vinny is the best!! We booked him thanks to the recommendations on LIW, and it was a great choice! He did everything we wanted, and dealt with my 10,000 lists, revisions and e-mails!!! He played and didn’t play everything we asked for, and was very accommodating to our percussion player, and our videographer who set up audio through his equipment. He did our ceremony too, and it was perfect! He also let my husbands band play through his sound system! He is highly recommended! Thanks Vinny!

Cake - Black Forest Bakery:A
Tom was great to work with, and he does beautiful work. The cake was delicious and beautiful, with the fresh flowers I asked for (orchids). The only thing that was wrong was that the top layer was supposed to come off and put aside, so our cake topper would fit. That wasn’t the case, but I don’t think anyone noticed the topper was too big.

Officiant - Reverend Deb: A+ (LI weddings vendor)
She was the only person we met for this job, and we knew we had to look no further after we met her. She was very sweet, cool, and perfect for what we wanted. She did a beautiful ceremony and I couldn’t have asked for more!

Steel Drum Band – Jah Pan: A+
We had them for our cocktail hour (1 ½ hrs) and it totally was perfection. They are expensive, but it was a gift to myself. I loved it. We got to enjoy our cocktail hour for a good hour, and everyone said how great they were.

Wedding Night Hotel – Huntington Hilton A-
The room was great, but their bar closed at 2:30am, when we were still partying! They also didn’t have a room for last minute guests, but then “found one”, when they saw that they were friends of ours.

Honeymoon, Tahiti (Moorea & Bora Bora) A++++
We booked with Hillside Travel (Jeri) in Hicksville, and had the time of our lives. It is the PERFECT honeymoon spot. No kids around, exotic, romantic, and just wonderful. I didn’t like the food all that much, and everything was very expensive. I recommend bringing your own liquor with you if you go! Tahiti is THE Place for honeymooners! We MISS IT!!!!!!!!!!! We stayed in Moorea for 4 nights at the Pearl, and 4 nights at the Bora Bora Intercontinental Thalasso.

Last but not least, LIW! A+A+A+A+
I got endless tips, advice, and non-partial advice! Thank you all for making this place great, for crazy *** brides! ?