My Wedding Review and Perceptions Proofs

Hello everyone! I wrote a book so be prepared.... : )

! So much to write I don't know where to start. I cannot begin until I give credit where credit is due - I have to express a heartfelt thank you to EVERYONE on this board who has listened to and helped me along the way. Especially at the end. Even if I didn’t respond, trust me – I heard you and I thanked you.

Okay so should I start with the good, the bad, or the funny? Hmm, I will just recount the day from start to end…..

Mild panic began when the groom missed the rehearsal. No joke. To his credit, he made it in time to say “I do” but his absence caused mistakes the next day. Hahhaa very funny now but not so much that night.
But real panic started at midnight after the rehearsal dinner when I took my veil out of it’s box to find that my chapel length circle veil was a cathedral octagon (?) – it was completely uneven (I mean, one side fell to my elbow, the other to my fingertip). My sister (and MOH) was trying on her dress and realized it was an inch too long and she couldn’t walk in it! First order of business the morning of was MOH off to the tailor. Then with hair dresser already at the house waiting for me, I join sis at the tailor to try to fix the veil. If fix = make worse, then mission successful. So I took a scissor to my own veil and finally broke down in tears. It was time to call in a pro. Thank God I had made a visit to Nelson D’Leon the week before and knew he was on Long Island that very moment. Would you believe that this man drove to my house an hour before my wedding, re-cut my veil, and personally placed it on my head to make sure it was perfect? When insisting I give him something for his magic and kindness, he refused and said “sweetie, you are a bride – there isn’t a thing in the world you shouldn’t have on your wedding day”. Happy tears all around and off he went (I am sending him flowers once I develop a picture of us).

Did I mention it was a TORRENTIAL downpour that day? With all that went on that morning, I barely noticed.

Church went over fine with some minor glitches that only I noticed. One BIG retarded moment of mine - I had my father host a little gathering at the house in order to fill the gap b/w the church and the reception. Would have been nice had I remembered to INVITE PEOPLE! Hahahahha! Such a moron. Daddy was eating finger sandwiches for 2 weeks straight. I still feel terrible about that one.

The rest of the day/evening went wonderfully until the very end of the night when a fight broke out in the ballroom and someone had to be quietly escorted out. Groom had a bit much to drink (he was chugging JD in the limo ride before the ceremony!) and passed out in the hotel room… And the rest is all the vendor reviews below:

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HAIR - Maya from Cosmetic Artistry – B+

Maya was very patient with me, came to my house at my convenience for the trial, and tried 3 different styles on me. My reasons for not giving her an “A” were more my own fault. Had I not been so stressed I would have been able to better articulate exactly what I wanted. In the end, my hair came out “fine”.

MAKEUP – Jacqueline Nicole – A+

She arrived early, very professional, great to work with. My lipstick tuned out a llllliittttle more red in the pictures than I had imagined but maybe I am just not use to seeing myself that way. Would use her again in a heartbeat.

DRESS – Peter Langner from The Wedding Salon of Manhasset – B

Despite my turmoil, this salon was nothing but accommodating and nice. My seamstress, Kasey, did a great job taking a size 12 sample down to a 4. However, whatever weird bustle she concocted did not hold up b/c I had to run out of the ballroom after my first dance after almost falling twice. It was tied underneath with tiny ribbons that did not want to stay tied (you can see them dangling down at my feet in some of the pictures) and I couldn’t move without stepping on a big chuck of it. It took 4 girls, the attendant, and what felt like an hour out of my wedding to safety pin my dress up.
If I had it to do over, I would have bought a brand new dress, not a sample (they NEVER fit the same when they get altered that much – didn’t tell me that when I bought it….). And I would buy one with a simple bustle! : )

FLOWERS – Flower Michele – A++

By far my favorite vendor to work with. So friendly, from the first time I called. They spent HOURS with me, reworked my choices like 5 times and Michele even DROVE to my REHEARSAL DINNER to personally bring me my hair flowers for the next day so no one would have to worry about them. Kudos.

TRANSPORTATION – All-Star Limo – A+

I researched the heck out of all the limo companies b/c I have seen some breakdowns and people left stranded etc. This company is a little pricier than some of the others but their cars are in perfect condition, they don’t lend them out, they are fully licensed etc. and someone will answer the phone 24 hours a day. My driver was the sweetest man who made sure we were taken care of every second – even reminded my father to grab his house keys so we didn’t get locked out. Book with Debbie – she will negotiate.

PHOTOGRAPHY – Perceptions – A

I have to say that I was nervous about this choice b/c at the time of booking Anthony had just opened his own business and their weren’t many reviews on him or his work. It was a great choice. He did some wonderful work even in the rain. He was funny, persistent and got the job done. Even brought an extra photographer with him. Not as many full length or action shots as I would have liked but then again, I didn’t specify that on my request list…. He took a LOT of close-ups. Overall very happy with the outcome.

RECEPTION - Carlyle on the Green – A

Awesome. This place totally lived up to its reputation for service, quality, décor, everything. I was never at a need for anything. My bridal attendant, Barbara, was a Godsend and literally hand-fed me some morsels from the cocktail hour. It all went soooooooo fast I am sure everyone says it but I never thought sooo many people would want a piece of me at the same time that my head was literally spinning. Before I knew it, my 1 ½ hour cocktail hour was over! I was in it for 10 minutes tops! I asked Barbara to bring me some lamb chops b/c that was the only thing I could remember off the top of my head that I put on the passed horderv menu! I did get a chance to taste the seafood crepe and sooo declicious I went back for another. I heard the coconut shrimp and the beef Wellington were the absolute best and I am so sad I didn’t get a taste. I smartened up at dinner time and had Barbara wrap EVERYTHING up. The desert café which was a complete hit. We had it in the ballroom b/c our party was small. Food was amazing and I am a food snob!

MUSIC – Spin Around Sound – A
I was having so much fun dancing that night that I decided mid-evening that I wanted to scrap the BoK toss b/c I didn’t want to clear the dancefloor. For whatever reason, I was not allowed to do this. Maybe I needed to talk to the matre D or something, I don’t know. But when Tom came up to me and said “BoK toss in 5 minutes” and I said “No, forget it – I don’t want to do it!” I kinda thought that would be that. But it happened anyway. No biggie. Other than that, he played everything I asked except for the last song. THAT annoyed me. But it really didn’t matter b/c my husband was too wasted to dance it with me anyway! Hahahah! So I still give them an “A” b/c in terms of the guests and the party, I heard nothing but awesome things about the music and I was overall pleased.

PIANIST– Ray Cohen – A+

I want to invite this man over for dinner - that is how sweet he is. I heard him play one night at the Plaza in the city and fell in love. After gabbing with him, I find out he was Sinatra’s pianist (yes, for real) and my father LOVES Sinatra so…. Needless to say, he is way expensive. But oh so cute this little old man. Worth it.

Okay..... now that you sat through all that.... HERE ARE SOME PICS YEAH!
- hope this link works.....

7/23/04 Wedding

Re: My Wedding Review and Perceptions Proofs

You look beautiful! I love your pictures, they are so nice. Congratulations to you and your new husband! Where was the honeymoon?

Re: My Wedding Review and Perceptions Proofs

Stunning bride and pictures! Congratulations!

Re: My Wedding Review and Perceptions Proofs

First of all, congrats on your wedding

You review was great, and your pictures are just amazing! You look more beautiful than any model I've ever seen .. you should be in a bridal magazine !

Your proofs are very creative .. I especially love the close ups of you, and the shots under the umbrella .. gorgeous!

Thanks again for sharing your day with us... best wishes for a wonderful marriage

Re: My Wedding Review and Perceptions Proofs

Laura, you looked fabulous!!! You picked the perfect dress, I'm so happy everything worked out. Congrats

Re: My Wedding Review and Perceptions Proofs

Your photos are GORGEOUS! The rain makes them so atmospheric and cool. You looked radiant, and it sounds like the day was great. Congratulations!

Re: My Wedding Review and Perceptions Proofs

Congrats!! I was waiting for your review of Carlyle. The pictures were beautiful.

Re: My Wedding Review and Perceptions Proofs

Congratulations!!! You look stunning and your pics are really really gorgeous!! Despite your bustling woes, I'm glad you finally decided on that gown because you looked really amazing in it!

Re: My Wedding Review and Perceptions Proofs

Great pics ... Congrats!

Re: My Wedding Review and Perceptions Proofs

You and your DH are GORGEOUS!!! Congratulations to both of you! I'm glad you're day turned out wonderful after the rough start.

Perceptions does amazing work...I'm beginning to wish I had booked them instead!!!

Re: My Wedding Review and Perceptions Proofs

CONGRATS!!

YOUR WEDDING PICS ARE AMAZING!!!!!

Re: My Wedding Review and Perceptions Proofs

your wedding photos are absolutely gorgeous. anthony is such a great photographer and really captures the beauty of a bride on her wedding day :)

Re: My Wedding Review and Perceptions Proofs

Probably the most beautiful pics I have seen..and to think you were worried.

Re: My Wedding Review and Perceptions Proofs

GORGEOUS!!!!!!!

Re: My Wedding Review and Perceptions Proofs

You look amazing and your wedding looked great also.

CONGRATS

Re: My Wedding Review and Perceptions Proofs

Congratulations. I loved your pictures. You came out beautifully in all of them.

Re: My Wedding Review and Perceptions Proofs

Absolutely gorgeous! You, your day, your pictures, everything!!!

I'm a Carlyle Bride too! Can't wait!

Thanks for the reviews!

Re: My Wedding Review and Perceptions Proofs

Wow! Congrats! You look beautiful! I love all the romantic black and white pictures in the rain under the umbrella!

Re: My Wedding Review and Perceptions Proofs

laurapete you have FM

you look amazing and I am using three of your same vendors. I am so thrilled they all worked out---perceptions, flower michelle and the carlyle!!!!

Re: My Wedding Review and Perceptions Proofs

Laura, Congrats!!!! . You pics are beautiful.