wEDDING REVIEW 1/15 RUSSO'S

Typically I just read from this website and rarely post. I have gotten so many wonderful recommendations and great advice that despite my shyness I had to write a review. I have found reviews the most fun and helpful.
Here goes, please remember that is all my opinion and that I do not wish to offend anyone. FM me if you want pricing or more info on any of my vendors.

Let’s begin.

Dress-Bridal Reflections –Carle Place
This was the one and only store I went to. I picked the third dress I tried on. As much as I was excited about getting a dress, I wasn’t excited about attempting to fit into those size 10 samples. Michele the salesperson was wonderful and found the perfect dress made by Christos. The price was beyond my anticipated budget but oh well. I put a $500 deposit down and waited three months to finalize sizing. During the three months I read terrible reviews of this place. I got panicky and tried to cancel my order. The manager was not very friendly. I think we all know her by name. I didn’t get my way. But I checked with the designer and this brand was only sold in 1 other store in LI and 1 in Brooklyn and a couple in Manhattan. So my choices were limited anyway and I loved the dress so I let my hesitations slide. Overall I was very happy. The seamstress Lee was a darling. I don’t know why anyone would complain about this woman and I gave her a run for her money.

Bridesmaid Dresses-Bridal Suite Huntington.
I found the girls dresses and I shopped around for pricing. They offered the best. The bridesmaid dresses in Bridal Reflections were very overpriced. And this location suited most of my bridal party. They were friendly and prompt. Only 2 girls got their alterations done and I didn’t hear any complaints.

Tuxes-Tuxedo Park Huntington
This place was picked completely by location. Practically every groomsman was from the location. I think they were a bit expensive. We even negotiated a bit on price. At first they weren’t offering the groom a free tux. I thought that was always the case. We did get 10 tuxes from them. I also thought the ring bearer tux was too expensive. But apparently that is the costs. They were very nice and helpful. My husband showed up on the wedding day wearing an ivory vest when I know I picked out a black one. But he didn’t remember himself so I guess it was both of their mistakes. It looked good regardless. I haven’t heard any complaints from the groomsmen.

All Star Limos-Farmingdale.
They were beyond helpful and nice. We had a regular limo 14 passenger and a Rolls Royce. They are by the far NOT the cheapest. However, with the money we got incredible service. The day before the wedding we added an additional car for the groom’s parents and they were acceptable and willing to help. It was a really cold day and the Rolls Royce doesn’t really do well with the heat but what do you expect from a very old car. They provided car service pick up at the end of the reception back to Suffolk county (reception was in Queens) and then we added an additional airport pick up only 4 hours later to go back in the same direction we came from and they didn’t even blink. When the airport car came to pick us up at 4:30am the different driver congratulated us right away.

Counterpoint String Quartet-Ceremony.
We got married in a very small catholic church that I grew up going to. We had a full mass and other than doing the normal pre-cana we weren’t restricted by any rules. We opted not to have an organist or a singer and simply a string quartet. I looked around early on and the prices for this were just way out of my league. Then I came across gig masters and found Counterpoint. Christina was helpful right away and sent me a sample CD. Their price was so much cheaper than anyone else so I kind of felt unsure but went with it. Then as the months passed by I read reviews with them and felt better. I had an extremely difficult time getting in touch with her 1 month before the wedding to give her payment and confirm. In the end it all worked out. But it got me nervous. It was also around the holiday time and I think she was really busy.
But they sounded great and I was so happy that I went this route.

Pedestal’s Florist-Mineola
At the time of planning my catering hall required us to use their house florists. We had the choice between Pedestals and Stefan’s. I met with only Pedestals. I was happy with out initial visit and their pricing. It was more than a lot of my other married friends used (especially Burton’s pricing) but I went in thinking a lot more and was happy with the estimate. We saw our sample centerpiece roughly two months prior and I hated it. I was actually infuriated that they even showed me this sample. My choice for centerpieces was branches with orchids. It was in a clear tall vase. Well, the water was dirty and I told them that I felt like it looked like the bottom of a fish tank. Phyllis knew I was angry before I even spoke and told me right away that they would fix it. The second time was much better. I still felt that they could have put more orchids in the sample and told her I would pay for it but she hushed me and said it would look great. Well the day of and I still think they could have been a bit fuller. My bouquet was gorgeous. It had at least 3 dozen roses but I wanted it to be more lily of the valley with some roses and it was the opposite. They did warn me that Lily of the valley wouldn’t hold up in the cold weather and it was certainly cold that day. They did make a mistake on my mom’s corsage. The flowers arrived on time. If I had a choice I probably wouldn’t have picked them. But I definitely think it could have been worse. The total was a bit expensive.

Brett Matthew Photography
This was the second photographer we saw and we booked them right away. They sold it well. But of course with all the time in between you start to second guess yourself. Their video prices were ridiculous and the time of booking we weren’t sure we were even going to get video. So it was photos only. Ray was our photographer. He was really nice and actually did a friend’s wedding a few months before. The black and white photographer (I think Cathy) was great and friendly and Ray’s assistant made me laugh the whole day. They didn’t bother us once after the reception started. I already got my proofs and there are plenty great pictures to get an album. After talking to some people I don’t even think their photos were too expensive. But I have a feeling that the album will cost me a small fortune. I think I would have rather gone with our first photography visit. I don’t even remember her name but it was just her and not some big studio. You never know who you get when you go through a big studio unless you specify them at the time of booking. We were lucky. My only advice was if you choose them pick a photographer at time of booking and see his/her work.

Bliss Productions Inc.
So we decided to get video. I heard all these great reviews on Bliss so we checked them out first. My husband and I looked at each other when they played the demo. We felt like we were watching a movie. Their editing was magnificent. To be fair we did for once look around at other options. This was mostly due to pricing. So we went back to B rett M atthews to check them out and thought since we were getting photo there they might give us a break. No break. Their price actually went up since the time we booked photo there. And after seeing Bliss it wasn’t even comparable and more expensive.
Bliss was my favorite vendor. Jerry was nice and sweet and just fantastic. I don’t even remember him there other than when he congratulated me after the ceremony. I will give more feedback when I get my video

Russo’s on The Bay-Reception
I went to several reception halls. They either had the décor I wanted but not the food. It was hard and some places were just way out of my league with pricing. I am not Italian and did not want some big Italian thing of a wedding. But it was tasteful in my opinion. Yes, we were announced coming in an elevator through the floor that was definitely not my choice. But at the time it was pretty fun. We could have simply not gotten this wedding for this price anywhere else. The food was endless. The service was impeccable. Joey V was our maitre’d and was great. Our parents got constant phone calls with applause over this place from guests. We were very happy.

Royal Caribbean-Adventure of the Seas
I haven’t been on a cruise since I was younger and didn’t expect to have so much fun. My husband and I had an amazing time. I can’t wait to go on another cruise. This left out of Puerto Rico and sailed around the southern Caribbean. It was truly great. You must get the balcony.

Sheraton-Old San Juan
We stayed in Puerto Rico for 1 night after the cruise. There really wasn’t much other than the beach and we aren’t beachy people. Originally we booked with the Wyndham at Old San Juan. Apparently it changed names. We didn’t know until we asked the cab driver. The hotel was nice and decently priced.

Animal Kingdom Lodge-Disney World
We love Disney world. But after coming back from the Caribbean, Florida was cold. They were having a cold spell and we weren’t packed appropriated. The hotel was nice but in my opinion not worth the money. It is far away from the other parks and if I was going to sit on a bus for 25 minutes for each park I could have paid a lot less for a hotel off of Disney grounds. Disney world is expensive, so expect to spend $$ there.

Favors/Misc.
We purchased Pindar wine from Bottles & Cases in East Northport. They were by far the best price. Each bottle was less than $5.00.
We wrapped them in wine bags I purchased on papermart.com. They were just as nice as I saw them on the web for. I also ordered ribbon for the programs and they had great prices.
I bought place card frames at wrap with us in Syosset. Great prices, my mom purchased the shower favors from them as well.

I think that's it. Good luck. Hope this helps someone.

Re: wEDDING REVIEW 1/15 RUSSO'S

sounds like you had a great day congrats

Re: wEDDING REVIEW 1/15 RUSSO'S

congrats

Re: wEDDING REVIEW 1/15 RUSSO'S

First off Congratulations!!! I also wanted to say I'm glad everything went so well at Russo's. I have been looking for reviews for so long and this was a pleasant suprise. Post pics soon and Congrats again!

Re: wEDDING REVIEW 1/15 RUSSO'S

congrats...

Re: wEDDING REVIEW 1/15 RUSSO'S

Congratulations! Russos on the Bay is a gorgeous place. Glad you had such a great day.

Re: wEDDING REVIEW 1/15 RUSSO'S

congratulations! Thanks so much for the review!

Re: wEDDING REVIEW 1/15 RUSSO'S

Congrats!! Can't wait to see pics

Re: wEDDING REVIEW 1/15 RUSSO'S

CONGRATS!

Re: wEDDING REVIEW 1/15 RUSSO'S

Congrats!

Re: wEDDING REVIEW 1/15 RUSSO'S

Congrats!

Re: wEDDING REVIEW 1/15 RUSSO'S

congrats!!!

Re: wEDDING REVIEW 1/15 RUSSO'S

Congrats!

Re: wEDDING REVIEW 1/15 RUSSO'S

Sounds great. I just heard about Wrap with us this weekend. Their website is so huge I don't even know where to begin. Glad you had a good exerience with them.

Re: wEDDING REVIEW 1/15 RUSSO'S

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Posted by sunflowers74

Sounds great. I just heard about Wrap with us this weekend. Their website is so huge I don't even know where to begin. Glad you had a good exerience with them.

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Wrap with us is GREAT!!!!! I went back twice to stock up !!!

Re: wEDDING REVIEW 1/15 RUSSO'S

congrats! Great review!

Re: wEDDING REVIEW 1/15 RUSSO'S

GREAT REVIEW AND CONGRATS!!!!! DO YOU HAVE ANY PICTURES.

Re: wEDDING REVIEW 1/15 RUSSO'S

Thanks for the review...I will definitely be looking into bottles and cases for favors as well.

Re: wEDDING REVIEW 1/15 RUSSO'S

Thanks for the Review. Congrats!!

Now how about some pics!