A 9 year long story made [as] short [as possible]- I met Dan at the C-Note in Island Park when he was a drummer for his band in December of 1998. We previously were introduced by mutual friends via AOL a few months prior to meeting in person. I was a 17 year old senior in high school, he was a 19 year old rock star in training
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. We got along great and couldn't stop talking, chatting and hanging out. He asked me to be his girlfriend on January 8th, 1999 & we have been ONE ever since. We complimented each other from the start, as did all of our friends. Our 2 separate groups became 1 big happy family [most the time]. We couldn't have asked for a happier experience. We had a great time, and a horrible time. All through it we stuck together 110% and finally after 7 years on April 14, 2006 Dan proposed marriage. It was the perfect time, we both had discovered ourselves [I think...] and were pretty much established as individuals & a couple. A short while later in October 2006 we closed on our first home. I stayed home at my parents while Dan tore the house up to give us a new life after we married. Our wedding date was July 13, 2007 and you'll hear all the details below
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Let me REALLY start now by saying THANK YOU to all the past brides for taking the time to write reviews to help girls who are in the planning process. I know that they were SO HELPFUL and it really made my wretched planning a little easier. I truly hope this review will be a useful tool to even 1 other bride out there. I just want to contribute & give back a small piece of what I've taken from here. That being said, I begin my review with:
LIWeddings.com- A+
About 90% of all my research started HERE! All the girls I've met are truly great women with great intentions. It was wonderful being able to go to a forum with a million girls who are in the same boat as I was. A huge relief really. Plus- It cured A LOT, let me repeat A LOT, of work boredom
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ENGAGEMENT RING- Jorge- A+
DH bought my ring from a jeweler who recently sold her business so I'd rather not rate the actual store being that it's totally new ownership now. But I will say this much- she had a wonderful man named Jorge working for her who I stayed in touch with & had my wedding band made by. He also made DH's band. He is an outstanding craftsman and made the perfect band to match my e-ring with his own bare hands. I had a few bad experiences prior to working with Jorge so I was VERY critical on him, and he met my every single need 110%.
ENGAGEMENT PARTY- A+
We held our engagement party of about 90 people at my brother's home in Malverne. We used several different vendors so I'll try to list them all to my best ability:
Michaels Arts & Crafts for invitations- A+
Bought a couple of those invitation kits, only cost us about $100, and came out beautifully
Just Announce It on Long Beach Rd. in Oceanside- A+
Ordered our Save The Dates here. We handed them out to our guests at the party. Tara was the owner at the time & couldn't have been easier to work with. It also helps that I grew up with the girl
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Antonio's Italian Deli on Hempstead Ave in Malverne- A+
This food is outstanding. A very critical italian family enjoyed every last bit of food we had. Most of our food was ordered here with the exceptions of the following:
Malverne Deli on Hempstead Ave in Malverne- A+
Catered the steak
Villa Maria on Main St. in East Rockaway- A+
Catered the calimari & lasagna
Osaka on Merrick Rd in Valley Stream- A+
Catered the sushi tray
Malverne Bakery on [where else] Hempstead Ave in Malverne- A+
Made our canoli cake & several pies, cakes, pastries, cookies & any other sweets you can imagine
REGISTRIES- Fortunoffs & Crate&Barrel- A+
Registered for most of my stuff at Fortunoffs like china, bedding, kitchen items etc...
but also registered at C&B for things like my everyday dishes & flatware, & anything to add a little funk to my home ;-D
BRIDAL SHOWER- A+
Broadway Beanery on Atlantic Ave. in Lynbrook
I had no part in any of planning my shower. My mom did almost everything on her own from choosing the place to picking favors [demitasse spoons, purchased at Just Announce It] to hand writing invitations, etc etc etc... My MOH Jessica set up the whole TP dress game with prizes. My BP set up the recipe cards & box. It was absolutely AMAZING! From the food to the service... Just the entire day was beautiful. THANK YOU MA!
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& JESS too
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REHEARSAL DINNER- A-
Gabrielle's Brasserie & Wine Bar on Park Ave in Rockville Centre
We gave an A- only because we were a bit disappointed by the manager at one of our meetings. They had a menu when we first booked them that basically went out of season and they did NOT honor it when we were making our menu a week before the RD. So A- for that. But the dinner itself ended up being just perfect. The waiters were OK. Not the best I've ever had, but good enough. We had the outdoor patio all to ourselves and it was really a nice environment. The weather happened to be perfect for it. Everyone had a great night.
RD Invites- A+
DIY invites printed on parchment paper, tied with green raffia
Lost Vineyards Red Wine purchased at Pop's on Long Beach Rd in Island Park.
