Thank you to everyone on this site for your helpful posts and pictures! I got a lot of useful information, tips, and ideas and answers to any questions that I had. I apologize for the long review, but I wanted to be very thorough because I found it helpful when past brides did the same.
We’re totally into decorating/entertaining …and a bit tooo detail orientated. With a lot of research, the diy route for a bunch of things and most importantly a lot of time, we were able to create a perfect day for us.
DATE: We would have never guessed that our wedding would be the day before Thanksgiving. Everyone was supportive of our choice and we actually got a lot of great deals, some of which were really unexpected. We did go through a few extra steps to make the day and the day after enjoyable for everyone. Also, my dad hosted Thanksgiving for his family so they didn’t have to worry about anything (they were all oot). We figured people would either have a half day or take the day off so we made our reception later in the afternoon but still early enough so it wasn’t a super late night for anyone who had to cook the next day. We checked the time the sun set that day and created our time frame: Full Mass: 1-2, CH: 4-5:30, Reception: 5:30-9:30, Jazz: 9:30-10:30
WEATHER: The farmer’s almanac predicted reallllly cold weather & snow. I thought it was totally fine for the end of November. No rain, snow or wind. It wasn’t super sunny or cloudy. It was a bit chilly…I think in the 50’s to mid 50’s but we all took pics outside and survived. I am ALWAYS freezing and I didn’t wear anything over my strapless dress (but I was prepared with a $5 shawl).
CHURCH: St. Peter of Alcantara, Port Washington
I wanted to get married in the church I grew up going to, but it was too far from the RH (it’s in Jersey and we were having our wedding on LI). DH’s family belongs to this church and it was fine. The meeting with the priest was easier than expected. He just talked with us and didn’t ask crazy questions. We requested the monsignor who no longer does weddings, but is a close family friend, so we were in good hands as far as the mass. The music director was another issue. He said one thing and then another. He made me a bit angry. I talked to him numerous time and confirmed the selections (with him AND the monsignor) and sent him a ton of details. Right before the wedding he decides to tell me I can no longer walk into the song I chose (Time to say Goodbye by Bocelli) and that he will not play the unity candle song because he doesn’t have the sheet music. Needless to say I was mad. I had my DH fix everything with the monsignor because I REFUSED to deal with this man anymore. Everything was taken care of because I went out on my own and found him the sheet music and had the priest talk to him about my entrance song. I am so happy to never have to deal with him again.
Day Of: Everything went fine although we had thought we only had the Monsignor we also had another priest helping him…not a big deal. I don’t even remember the music because I was just so concerned with not crying! I did notice that the responsorial psalm was not the one we selected or printed in the programs but I didn’t really care about that.
CEREMONY MUSIC: MAS Music – (Marie Stack)
The church offered us other musicians but they were way over-priced for just 1 hour. Originally we wanted the strings with just the trumpet, but were advised for parts of the full mass we would need the organ (I’m not too sure as to how true this is but I didn’t argue with the church). So we hired Marie who accompanied our organist and was able to play both the violin and trumpet. She did whatever was asked of her and was great. Her prices are very reasonable!
FLOWERS/DECOR: Flower Michele, Mineola (John)
He is amazing and very patient; we had to meet with him so many times because of all our crazy details. We used him for our flowers, fabric, and the lighting.
Personals – Bride + Bms: Peonies (with a hint of raununculus and French anemones). Moms: Calla Lillies. FG: Basket with anemones. Groom: Mini Cymbidium Orchid w/copper leaf. Groomsmen: Chocolate Cosmos w/copper leaf. Dads: Callas
*Just a note about the personals - I wanted just French anemones for the bm boks b/c I saw it in Martha Stewart and it looked awesome. John warned me that the French anemones alone were very fragile but said he would do it if I SWORE to tell the girls to be super careful. I think he made an executive decision day of to give the girls peonies as well because the French anemones which were in their boks were very tiny and not like the ones in the magazine. I was fine with the change because the peonies looked beautiful (and were pricier anyway so it wasn’t a bad change).
