Re: TA-DAH!! Kris516 Wedding Review...

DJ: Body Rock, Carle Place, NY B
We booked Body Rock b/c both my brother and cousin used them at their weddings, and we really liked their style…the MC kept it toned down, yet the dance floor was packed with people all night. When my husband and I went to meet w/ them they were great about giving us the same great rates and promised a “No Frill” performance. We didn’t want any light shows, give-a-ways, etc. We knew what kind of crowd would be at our wedding, and that they wouldn’t need incentive to get on the dance floor- just good music. Body Rock never tried to upgrade or sell us things we weren’t looking for which we really appreciated.

About two weeks before the wedding, we met with Body Rock to go over the spot light songs and a generic must play list. We once again explained that our crowd was a beer-drinking-bar crowd – think Boardy Barn crowd gone Thirty. We both explicitly asked for no rap or hip hop. One week later, I decided to email Body Rock a specific must play list – it was no more than 10 songs long.

Come the night of the wedding, Body Rock was on time and introduced themselves. Troy was our MC - the same MC we had requested and seen at my cousin’s wedding one year prior. The wedding got off to a great start – they were playing exactly what we had asked. They did insert the “80s Rock Block” in the middle of the night, when we asked for it to be more late night, knowing our crazy BP would be drunk, and the air guitars and other silliness would come out. When I approached Troy about his last set he convinced me it would be something that would “blow them away.” Quite the contrary. The last set consisted of HEAVY hip hop – so much so, that one of my BMs looked at me, and I gave her permission to tell the DJ to basically cut the crap. After that, the music went back to the style my guests and us were originally enjoying, but I must say, the dance floor really never returned to it’s true self….I could see a lot more people were sitting, and the smokers had gotten antsy and were taking more butt breaks. It was late, so perhaps they just lost steam, but I believe that had Body Rock kept with what we had asked, the dance floor would not have lost steam by night’s end.

They also didn’t play several songs from the Must Play list that I had emailed just one week earlier, nor did they grant a request my HUSBAND made, and they also ignored a song request of one of the BMs.

I gave Body Rock a B b/c if you ask 95% of my guests, they’d tell you they didn’t notice the last minute change in music, or remember the dance floor loosing steam at the end of the night…they’d tell you the DJ was great, and the dance floor was crowded the whole night through. I once again give my BP partial credit for keeping the party alive all night despite the music being played.

Re: TA-DAH!! Kris516 Wedding Review...

CEREMONY & RECEPTION: The Estate at East Wind, Wading River, NY A+
WOW, WOW, WOW…I was really never so impressed with EW than the day of my wedding. I was actually never really wowed w. EW when we booked. It met the criteria of what I was looking for more than any other hall we looked at, but I can’t say I had that “this is it” feeling right away. I knew it had a great reputation for food and service, but I wasn’t in love with the décor. Even though they had just changed out the chairs and carpeting, the whole Victorian theme just didn’t appeal to me. What I did love is that we would be the only wedding in the building, that we could start whenever we wanted, that the Bridal Suite was big enough to hold our BP, that dance floor was large and in the center of the room, and that the CH area was so spacious w/ plenty of room inside and out. I also loved the outdoor ceremony area – with so many flowers out there I knew there would be no need for a single stem from my florist (unless of course, it rained). The other added bonus was that the Inn was on the same premises so there was no need for shuttles to come and cart us to another hotel. Desmonds (at the Inn) promised to keep the bar open late night, and our BP encouraged us to book even though the rates were high. We wound up filling 17 rooms that night.

Come the night of the Rehearsal, I knew we were in good hands. Our MD, Joyce, came right over to introduce herself. We quickly checked in all of our items (Programs, placecards, table #s, personal pictures etc). She actually had a prom arriving in 30 minutes, but you’d never know it. Joyce never broke a sweat or rushed us out of there to get the prom going.

The day of the wedding, Joyce was there again with a big smile and hugs for us. She and Diane (the bridal attendant) were fantastic about keeping our BP organized, and keeping early guests out of site of the Bride & Groom while we continued with pictures.

Throughout the night the service was fantastic. Diane was great with the drinks and food, and even better about getting my bustle to stay up. She greeted me with a smile and safety pins every time I came off the dance floor. Joyce kept checking in as well. I once heard another Bride describe them as magicians – they appear only when you need them, yet you’re never looking for them, and never left thinking, “I could really use _________ right now.” They seemed to be one step ahead of me and my husband the whole night. I know my parents were also pleased with the food and service, and our guests seemed equally impressed. The reception hall I once thought of as “OK”, has turned into one of my favorite places on the Island. The meticulousness of the grounds, rooms and bathrooms can’t be beat. I would highly recommend EW to anyone.

Re: TA-DAH!! Kris516 Wedding Review...

Wow great review and awesome pictures. Everything looks beautiful.

Re: TA-DAH!! Kris516 Wedding Review...

OVER NIGHT ACCOMODATIONS, REHEARSAL DINNER AND BRUNCH: Demonds Inn, The Inn at East Wind, Wading River, NY A
Again, we were hesitant about blocking rooms at the EW, b/c the blocking policy is so strict and b/c the rates are so high. After discussing the options with most of the members of our BP, we felt confident we could fill our block at EW. In the beginning, the blocking policy was very strict, but eventually, the Inn manager worked with us to make the over night accommodations more flexible. The rooms were super elegant, comfortable and clean.

Desmonds kept the bar open pretty late for all the post-partiers, and even when they closed, they allowed us to buy some more rounds and drink in the lobby outside the bar. We had a great time!

Since we got married at EW, it made sense that both our Rehearsal and Dinner would take place there as well. Desmonds offers a pretty good rate for EW Brides. We also wanted to host a brunch the next morning for all of our over night guests. Booking both the RD and Brunch was easy – everything was done over the phone, and no deposits were required. Leslie, the restaurant mgr, was great to work with, and greeted us with a big smile both the night of the RD and the following morning at Brunch.

Personally, I highly recommend hosting some sort of day after brunch. It was a GREAT way to continue the wedding celebration, catch up with guests, and recap the night. I was so much more relaxed at the brunch, and it was a perfect HM send off!!

Re: TA-DAH!! Kris516 Wedding Review...

THE END
That wraps up this review. Thanks for taking the time to read it. I hope I translated the moments how they truly were, and hope that I gave another Bride to be an idea or recommendation that she had not yet stumbled across. I would be lieing if I said I didn’t miss the planning process, or wish to relive the day one more time, but I am also so excited to have finally started my life with my new husband. It is the end of the road, but the beginning of a whole new life, and I couldn’t be more excited and happy to live it out with my best friend. Thanks J.O. – for all you are, and for knowing me better than I know myself.

And to think, the BEST is yet to come!





“TCATC”
6-23-06

Re: TA-DAH!! Kris516 Wedding Review...

beautiful, thanks for sharing with us!

Re: TA-DAH!! KRIS516 WEDDING REVIEW W/ PICS!

GORGEOUS GORGEOUS GOREOUS KRIS!!!!

Re: TA-DAH!! KRIS516 WEDDING REVIEW W/ PICS!

wonderful review! You looked gorgeous!

Re: TA-DAH!! KRIS516 WEDDING REVIEW W/ PICS!

Great Review, looks wonderful!

Re: TA-DAH!! KRIS516 WEDDING REVIEW W/ PICS!

looks like your day was amazing!!! Congrats!!!

Re: TA-DAH!! KRIS516 WEDDING REVIEW W/ PICS!

What a fantastic review!!! It actually brought tears to my eyes. Sounds like you have a fantastic day... and like you said - the best is yet to come!!

Congrats!!

Re: TA-DAH!! KRIS516 WEDDING REVIEW W/ PICS!

Great Review..You looked beautiful!!!

Re: TA-DAH!! KRIS516 WEDDING REVIEW W/ PICS!

Kris what a wonderful review! Your pictures are gorgeous and you had a perfect day!

Re: TA-DAH!! KRIS516 WEDDING REVIEW W/ PICS!

I'm so happy you had such an amazing day!!!

Re: TA-DAH!! KRIS516 WEDDING REVIEW W/ PICS!

wow, you both look so beautiful and happy!

I also have to compliment your parents... they looked fabulous as well! Your moms dress was gorgeous.... I hope my mom can find one like that!

Re: TA-DAH!! MY 6-23-06 WEDDING REVIEW W/ PICS!

WOW, what a great review Kris! You were one gorgeous bride & I love the pictures of when you first saw your DH!!!!

Re: TA-DAH!! MY 6-23-06 WEDDING REVIEW W/ PICS!

KO
I love your review and your wedding day was AWESOME!!!!!!!!!

Love you!!

Re: TA-DAH!! MY 6-23-06 WEDDING REVIEW W/ PICS!

BEAUTIFUL!!!

Re: TA-DAH!! MY 6-23-06 WEDDING REVIEW W/ PICS!

Awesome review!!! Love everything about your wedding!!! You were a beautiful bride!! Congrats!!
Thanks for sharing.

Re: TA-DAH!! MY 6-23-06 WEDDING REVIEW W/ PICS!

Absolutely gorgeous! Duet did an amazing job capturing your day.