November 18, 2006 Review! EastWind, High Voltage, All Star, Amore......
I can’t believe I am writing my review. I was engaged for 2 years, and we have been together for 7, so I never thought the day would come soon enough. Well, it flew by. I miss it; I want to have a wedding everyday! It was the best day of my life.
Some advice. Don’t plan to early, or too late. You have to find a happy medium. I planned many things too far in advance, and therefore if I needed to cancel, I would have lost my deposit-so I didn’t. But yet, the weeks leading up to my wedding, I was actually bored! I had nothing left to do, I was done! So, that was the great part. I was able to relax, spend time with my now husband and enjoy the last few days as an engaged couple.
Also, I would not have had such a perfect day without this website. Your ideas, encouragement, laughs, ect. It’s just so nice to have a place where I could talk about wedding stuff 24/7 and no one would care!
A special thanks to all the ladies that supported me- you know who you are.
Sorry if I can’t remember where I got a lot of my stuff, it’s been 2 years since I got some, and I may forget.
EastWind Caterers-Country Gardens
Day of-A+
Before Wedding-B-
My fiancé and I would always drive by the EastWind on our way to pumpkin picking and such each year. I always said that is my dream place, but never thought I could afford it. Turns out, I could! They gave us the cheapest rate of anyone I spoke to and the place is just spectacular. We booked with Shannon, but unfortunately she quit. The people we had to deal with afterwards we not so great. The menu coordinator never called my vendors to ask how many people were attending, and also, she charged us wrong not once but twice. All was made up for however, when they gave us a great deal on the Viennese hour. The day of EastWind was perfect perfect perfect. I felt like a princess all day long. I didn’t have to worry about a thing. The food was AMAZING too! John, our Maitre D so wonderful and I think my attendants name was Dawn, who was also great. I am hearing compliments every day from people.
Photography-
Hilite Studios (Mike) (Awaiting album)
& Laura from t w o g i r l s a n d a c a m e r a A+
I hired Laura because I wanted some photojournalistic shots. I was looking and looking for months, and finally I saw her site and met her and booked her on the spot. She is the sweetest person and really knows her stuff. On the day of the wedding she arrived on time, and was totally unobtrusive while taking the shots. It felt like I had a friend there taking pictures of me, she was great. And the pictures are more amazing then I ever could have imagined.
DJ-High Voltage Sounds (Vinny & crew)-A
We also book Vinny on the spot. We heard such great things, and he was so nice and not at all salesman like or pushy. The day of the wedding he was also wonderful, I kept hearing the songs I requested and everyone kept coming up to me saying they loved the music choices. The only negative thing was I was talking to my friend, and she didn’t like how he didn’t play many dance songs, but that is partly my fault. I knew it would be an older crowd at the wedding and I didn’t want much of those party songs playing. Plus, everyone was getting along so well and talking, so they didn’t want to dance, they were having too much fun at the tables. He did forget to do the centerpiece thing, but that didn’t bother me much at all. Overall, he is one of the nicest guys you will meet, and I am so glad he was my DJ. I would highly recommend him!
Videographer-Amore Productions (Mike) (Waiting for Video)
Also, what a nice guy. I could hardly even notice he was there! He was SO unobtrusive and he really knows what he is doing. He is the vendor I was most excited about and most happy with.
Limo- All Star -A+
Our driver was Joe- all I have to say is I love him! He was the sweetest guy ever! He even gave me a kiss and said I looked beautiful! He arrived early and the limo was clean. He drove perfectly and was just so great to be around. If my and my husband need to take another limo, we are definitely calling All Star and requesting Joe!!!
Tuxes-Rogers (Centereach)-A
Husband had no complaints. He said they got everything right and everyone looked good! What more can I say?
Flowers- Cathy’s Boutique (Bohemia)-A+
I got them basically for free because my friend’s mom works there. They were so beautiful.
Hair-Carmella (my usual hairdresser) –A
I didn’t know if I should add her in here or not cause she normally doesn’t do wedding hair, but she did a great job and she deserves acknowledgement.
Makeup- ME!!!!! A+++++ lol
I went for trials and I wasn't happy with anything. I bought nice makeup and brushes and did it myself! It came out perfect I must say! :)
Ebay- A+
I got soooo many things from ebay from my invitations, to hair clips, veil to candles. I can’t remember everything!
Honeymoon-12 day “Exotic” Southern Caribbean Cruise Norwegian Cruise Line-C-
I was sadly disappointed in this. So many things went wrong- I had to write them a letter asking for our money back. We are still waiting to hear from them. Let’s see, some of the things that went wrong:
-stung by jellyfish while snorkeling
-toilet broke
-sheets dirty
-slipped on wet floors twice
-remote broken
-safe broken
-weird odor on boat
-shoes were terrible
-burnt from coffee
-phone didn’t work
It was just not what we were hoping for at all. I would have rather spent a quarter of the money and stayed at a Bed and Breakfast somewhere. Oh well! By the way we went to:
Grenada
St. Thomas
Barbados
Antigua
Tortola
Dominica
Dresses-
I got my dress (2nd one) from a place in Bellport. The lady had gone out of business in Patchogue and sold her stock at an outlet. It was the dress of my dreams and it was only $200! I couldn't pass it up! So, I sold my original dress for the same price I paid on craigslist. It all worked out!
My mother in law also got her dress there. My mom bought hers from JC Penney and my Matron of Honor bought hers from my friend! Her friend had dropped out of her BP and turns out it was the same size color and style I wanted! Perfect!!!!
Alterations- Cathy Butera-A +
She charges so little- 140 for me I think (included a purse and she changed the slip) and I think everyone else was 40 bucks? Everyone looked amazing. A lovely lady to work with!
My Shower-Brick House Brewery (Patchogue)- A
Great service and perfect sized room!
My Rehearsal Dinner- Empire (St. James)- A
This is a Chinese restaurant we love. They are always great there!
I know I forgot some things, so as I remember them I will try and post them
Some advice. Don’t plan to early, or too late. You have to find a happy medium. I planned many things too far in advance, and therefore if I needed to cancel, I would have lost my deposit-so I didn’t. But yet, the weeks leading up to my wedding, I was actually bored! I had nothing left to do, I was done! So, that was the great part. I was able to relax, spend time with my now husband and enjoy the last few days as an engaged couple.
Also, I would not have had such a perfect day without this website. Your ideas, encouragement, laughs, ect. It’s just so nice to have a place where I could talk about wedding stuff 24/7 and no one would care!
A special thanks to all the ladies that supported me- you know who you are.
Sorry if I can’t remember where I got a lot of my stuff, it’s been 2 years since I got some, and I may forget.
EastWind Caterers-Country Gardens
Day of-A+
Before Wedding-B-
My fiancé and I would always drive by the EastWind on our way to pumpkin picking and such each year. I always said that is my dream place, but never thought I could afford it. Turns out, I could! They gave us the cheapest rate of anyone I spoke to and the place is just spectacular. We booked with Shannon, but unfortunately she quit. The people we had to deal with afterwards we not so great. The menu coordinator never called my vendors to ask how many people were attending, and also, she charged us wrong not once but twice. All was made up for however, when they gave us a great deal on the Viennese hour. The day of EastWind was perfect perfect perfect. I felt like a princess all day long. I didn’t have to worry about a thing. The food was AMAZING too! John, our Maitre D so wonderful and I think my attendants name was Dawn, who was also great. I am hearing compliments every day from people.
Photography-
Hilite Studios (Mike) (Awaiting album)
& Laura from t w o g i r l s a n d a c a m e r a A+
I hired Laura because I wanted some photojournalistic shots. I was looking and looking for months, and finally I saw her site and met her and booked her on the spot. She is the sweetest person and really knows her stuff. On the day of the wedding she arrived on time, and was totally unobtrusive while taking the shots. It felt like I had a friend there taking pictures of me, she was great. And the pictures are more amazing then I ever could have imagined.
DJ-High Voltage Sounds (Vinny & crew)-A
We also book Vinny on the spot. We heard such great things, and he was so nice and not at all salesman like or pushy. The day of the wedding he was also wonderful, I kept hearing the songs I requested and everyone kept coming up to me saying they loved the music choices. The only negative thing was I was talking to my friend, and she didn’t like how he didn’t play many dance songs, but that is partly my fault. I knew it would be an older crowd at the wedding and I didn’t want much of those party songs playing. Plus, everyone was getting along so well and talking, so they didn’t want to dance, they were having too much fun at the tables. He did forget to do the centerpiece thing, but that didn’t bother me much at all. Overall, he is one of the nicest guys you will meet, and I am so glad he was my DJ. I would highly recommend him!
Videographer-Amore Productions (Mike) (Waiting for Video)
Also, what a nice guy. I could hardly even notice he was there! He was SO unobtrusive and he really knows what he is doing. He is the vendor I was most excited about and most happy with.
Limo- All Star -A+
Our driver was Joe- all I have to say is I love him! He was the sweetest guy ever! He even gave me a kiss and said I looked beautiful! He arrived early and the limo was clean. He drove perfectly and was just so great to be around. If my and my husband need to take another limo, we are definitely calling All Star and requesting Joe!!!
Tuxes-Rogers (Centereach)-A
Husband had no complaints. He said they got everything right and everyone looked good! What more can I say?
Flowers- Cathy’s Boutique (Bohemia)-A+
I got them basically for free because my friend’s mom works there. They were so beautiful.
Hair-Carmella (my usual hairdresser) –A
I didn’t know if I should add her in here or not cause she normally doesn’t do wedding hair, but she did a great job and she deserves acknowledgement.
Makeup- ME!!!!! A+++++ lol
I went for trials and I wasn't happy with anything. I bought nice makeup and brushes and did it myself! It came out perfect I must say! :)
Ebay- A+
I got soooo many things from ebay from my invitations, to hair clips, veil to candles. I can’t remember everything!
Honeymoon-12 day “Exotic” Southern Caribbean Cruise Norwegian Cruise Line-C-
I was sadly disappointed in this. So many things went wrong- I had to write them a letter asking for our money back. We are still waiting to hear from them. Let’s see, some of the things that went wrong:
-stung by jellyfish while snorkeling
-toilet broke
-sheets dirty
-slipped on wet floors twice
-remote broken
-safe broken
-weird odor on boat
-shoes were terrible
-burnt from coffee
-phone didn’t work
It was just not what we were hoping for at all. I would have rather spent a quarter of the money and stayed at a Bed and Breakfast somewhere. Oh well! By the way we went to:
Grenada
St. Thomas
Barbados
Antigua
Tortola
Dominica
Dresses-
I got my dress (2nd one) from a place in Bellport. The lady had gone out of business in Patchogue and sold her stock at an outlet. It was the dress of my dreams and it was only $200! I couldn't pass it up! So, I sold my original dress for the same price I paid on craigslist. It all worked out!
My mother in law also got her dress there. My mom bought hers from JC Penney and my Matron of Honor bought hers from my friend! Her friend had dropped out of her BP and turns out it was the same size color and style I wanted! Perfect!!!!
Alterations- Cathy Butera-A +
She charges so little- 140 for me I think (included a purse and she changed the slip) and I think everyone else was 40 bucks? Everyone looked amazing. A lovely lady to work with!
My Shower-Brick House Brewery (Patchogue)- A
Great service and perfect sized room!
My Rehearsal Dinner- Empire (St. James)- A
This is a Chinese restaurant we love. They are always great there!
I know I forgot some things, so as I remember them I will try and post them
