8-8-08 Review - Jericho Terrace, Bridal Suite Huntington, Davids Bridal, Macys Manhasset, Burtons, Duet, Body Rock, Rev. April, S&S Tux, Legend Limos, Lemon Tree...updated 8/24/08

Our 8-8-08 Wedding



I am thrilled to be writing this review. The reviews on this board have been so helpful with my planning.

Our wedding day can be described as very happy. It went fairly smooth. My mom was a wreck the whole morning, which drove me nuts, but I was otherwise calm. The weather was perfect. Not too hot at all and it did rain I think at times but never when we were out taking pictures outside or during the ceremony (JT has those sky lights and lots of sun was coming through).

I hesitate to say it was the best day of my life only because I feel I have to say it was. The anxiety and stress for things to go so right..I don’t know. Something so happy shouldn’t be so stressful! The day of was terrific but some things did go not as planned! As of right now, I choose Thursday on our honeymoon as the best day of my life. We were tired of the sun so we went to the movies. We saw Baby Mama and ate chocolate. I don’t remember anything else about that day but it was calm and quiet and simply fun and comfortable and special because we were together and we had no other cares in the world.

Important points:

1) The shorter the engagement might be better as far as planning goes (however, there are other good reasons to have a long engagement) Its just, the planning dragged on and on for months- I was sick of it by the time of the wedding!

2) Its you and your husband’s day one hundred percent. The day is memorable to you two but to everyone else its mostly just another wedding. Its too hot, its too cold, people don’t feel well, the music is too loud, its too much food to enjoy it all! But to you its perfect and no one else is thinking about your wedding after the fact except for you two and maybe your very close family and friends.

3) On the plane: dress in layers – I was freezing the whole way back home and too cheap to buy the jetblue blanket. Bring ear plugs –PLUGS – not head sets or head phones – I mean plugs – the tvs did not work on the plane so no need for the headsets and my mpv player did not work – we think the songs got deleted some how when we went through the metal detector!? And a baby decided to scream and shriek and cry for 5 hours straight so bring ear plugs !!!!

4) Pack ALOE. I thought if we wore screen block (30 and 50) we would not get burned but I did and the only store open late with Aloe charged us 17$. I left the store refusing to buy it but my husband snuck out of the hotel later that night claiming to get water but came back with the aloe for me!

5) Pack extra hair rubberbands. I only had the one I wore on the plane going and I lost it out in the ocean snorkeling 3 days before we went home! I refused to by a 6$ ‘scrunchie’! So used bobby pins (thankfully, thoughtlessly thrown in after the wedding night into my makeup bag) to hold a messy bun the rest of the days!

The best parts:

Taking pictures at home with my family and bridal party – so much fun

Husband – stayed with me the whole wedding night, going table to table. I totally thought I would loose him that night but he was always there.

Making my brother my Man of Honor was the best decision I ever made:

I wore my veil the entire night!!!

My Dad had his own birthday cake thanks to Jericho Terrace and everyone sang just like I wanted.



I loved my cake and glad I did not settle on a cake topper just to have one.





My Somethings:

Something borrowed – tiara from my aunt
Something Blue – my underwear
Something new – my dress and veil
Something Old – my great grandma’s ring

Special items:

My grandma made my ringbearer pillow, my garter ( He threw a dollar tree one, I am keeping the one grandma made), and my money pouch. I have been looking forward to these things for so long. I knew she would make beautiful gifts for my wedding.



Review of Venders:

Star Angel Nails – Levittown - A
My nails- a bridesmaid and I had silk wraps put on. My mom goes here on a regular basis. We have tried other places and this place does the best job. They are not always too friendly but you’re not there to make friends and they work hard. They look natural and lasted the whole honeymoon in the sun, salt water and pool.

Ulta 3 – Levittown - F
My mom went for a hair trial a few months before the wedding. It went well and she made an appointment for her and a bridesmaid for the day of the wedding. When she called the week of the wedding to confirm, she was told that there was no record of her appointment and they could not fit her in. She was told that the girls she made an appointment with no longer worked there. She asked if they move the customers to another stylists when a worker leaves and was told she’d need to speak to a manger. Her name and number was taken for the manager to call who never called her back.

Lemon Tree – Levittown A +
So, after Ulta 3 dropped mom, she called Lemon tree who was very accommodating. Both mom and bridesmaid looked beautiful! On the day of, the stylist was running late which made mom anxious but the other stylist was in touch with her stylist via phone and she was on her way and mom was back home ready with more than enough time.

My day of hair and makeup has caused me a lot of stress this year but it all turned out fine despite my worrying:

My hair – My friend’s sister did my hair. It was such a special gift. She did it exactly how I wanted it.

Barrons – Tri County Flea Market – Levittown – my veil – A
It matched my dress (ivory), it was beautiful and affordable and done on time.

My tiara – borrowed – from my Aunt – very generous loan! It was placed in such a way that I felt like it was not ‘too much’ as I did not want a lot of sparkle, just enough.

My make up—I looked natural and like me just how a wanted. Mom and I did it together. She was a stressball that day and I knew she would be which is why I was worried about her doing this herself but she insisted it was the right route. I had trials at salons and I did not like it. I called a lot of makeup artists and it was all too expensive. We spent a lot of money on make up (mac, Loreal,revlon and dior) and practiced a lot even with a friend’s mom who knows makeup and now I get to keep the makeup. It all worked out in the end.

The Bridal Suite of Huntington – A+
http://www.bridalsuiteofhuntington.com/
My dress – I went to so many shops Nassau/Suffolk border to try on dresses in November 2007 – it took a few weeks but I finally found it. It was the very last one I tried on and picked by the sales lady and so many others almost made the cut but this one was it-it found at The Bridal Suite of Huntington. It’s a Anjoligue. The expected arrival date was May 30ish and boy was it late! The Bridal Suite of Huntington was always sweet from day 1 and always helpful especially towards the end. There was some trouble getting a swatch but we did eventually get one. They were on top of tracking my dress and we trusted them. They assured as that they have never missed a wedding! Apparently with the earthquakes in China many dresses were being shipped in later than planned. They had a more expensive (no extra cost to me), different designer, brand new, my size similar and pretty dress put a side for me if in case mine did not make it (I was calm about this but many other people were freaking out around me) but it did come in and my first fitting was July 7th and it fit like a glove with very little extra alteration needed. I loved it. I loved my double bustle since I had so much fabric – my under layer and top layer needed a bustle and it was so puffy and cute!
http://www.anjolique.com/ourcollection/largeview.aspx?id=178&page=13§ion=Bridal



Davids Bridal - Westbury, Lake Grove A+++
The girls picked whatever dress they wanted - two were in light brown and two were in dark brown. i choose who got what color. they were all beautiful. none of the girls got their alterations done there. one girl had her dress shipped to her home state in NC and it got there on time with no problems. we didnt always get the quick service but its really easy to service yourself there as long as there is an open fitting room. do what you got to do. pretty dresses, good prices. fast service. my mom ended up using them in a pinch. two hours before closing on 4th of july David's Bridal really came through for us.



Macy Manhasset - F -

My mom originally spent almost $1000 on a silk dress and alterations from this store, they measured her, ordered the wrong size, said they could fix it with alterations, butchered the alterations. and after two visits with alterations, mom did not want to keep paying for alterations and at this point it was too close to the wedding for her comfort so we went to Davids Bridal and she looked beautiful in her $200 dress.

Rev. April Gismondi – A +
http://www.liweddings.com/vendors/officiants/churchofancientways/
Rev. April was always accommodating and a pleasure to work with during the planning process. She always encouraged us to call with questions but I always feel email is more convenient and she always responded quickly and always helpful. Our ceremony was personal and still fairly traditional and exactly how we wanted it. Our favorite vender and we wouldn't have had it any other way. The only thing is that she wore a black rope when we had requested white! ? She continues to be helpful after the ceremony with my name changing questions. Jericho Terrace’s ceremony room was beautiful. We received so many compliments from our guests about her services. We plan to use her for the welcoming/blessing of our future children.







Jericho Terrace – http://jerichoterrace.com/flash/index.html - B
This was the first place that we visited when we started searching for a reception hall. No other place we visited afterwards compared. Its just so pretty and I loved the inside as so many places have a prettier outside than inside and I didn’t want to be disappointed if it rained. My attendants, Irene and Billy were great! Always by my side. Irene always made sure we had food and drinks and Billy fixed my bustle even though by the end of the night it just didn’t last! Jose, my maitre D was on top of everything important. We had a lot of special requests with the order of things, speeches, my Dad’s birthday, special dances, not seeing Frankie before the ceremony and all was done perfect and in coordination with my other venders.
My ONLY complaint and its kinda big to me was that the food, though delicious was rushed. People hardly had time to finish one course before a next was being put out. I had a guest who is a chef and he said the timing was set for a wedding to end at 11pm. I had requested that the cake ceremony be done between 10:30-10:50 but it was done at 10:15 and served by 10:45 (I didn’t realize it till it was too late) People were leaving my wedding so early, by 10:45 and most were gone by 11:15 and all, including me by 11:30 when we had the hall and DJ till 12am! This made me feel like it was a bad wedding. ? I know when we signed the contract I was hesitant about the time for many reasons: 1) till 12 is a long day after working all day, and 2) most of our guests where older or younger with young children or lived far. But I was assured that 12am was a bonus and a great thing to have and it stinks because I paid the DJ that extra hour.
I also am second guessing the push for NY steak. We were strongly advised by JT to pick the NY steak instead of the Filet Mignon because ‘most people return the filet as its thicker so more difficult to cook, the flavor is in the bone and the NY looks bigger so people feel more satisfied’ but the bone was so big on my husband’s he hardly had any meat and when we thought about it, we realized at any restaurant the filet is more money so didn’t we get ripped off?
Overall, I think JT is really great and they were always helpful when we called with questions and for the most part my day went the way I wanted. Maybe they rushed the cake because they could tell what kind of population our guests were?
PS: i keep getting so many compliments on JT.















Marriott - Uniondale-
It’s a nice place but too much money and not worth it. Its hard to grade this one. Its really our own fault for having a miserable time there. It’s a nice hotel but costly. I wish we found a hall that was an inn/hotel because this was a waste of time and also kind of an inconvenience after the wedding. It was a waste of money as we got there about 12 15ish AM. We were starving and room service and the restaurant was closed. We had no car because our families insisted on driving us if in case my husband drank too much (even though he never drinks too much) and we only had enough money to buy one drink from the vending machine. It took my husband 45 minutes to locate an ice bucket that was not in our room, and find the ice machine as it was on a different floor. When he got back it took him an hour to get me out of my dress because of all the buttons (and he had no nails to grab the tiny string loop off the buttons and then the two corsets.

DUET – http://www.duetwedding.com/index.php/intro Grade – B -
We had Sam and a video guy..I forget his name! Starts with an H. Before the wedding we had some trouble with Duet not wanting my husband to speak to the video people but he worked it out and he got to meet the video guy beforehand and his concerns were addressed.
Day of, Sam and the video guy were right there the whole time and I think they got everything! I did have to express my desire to take more pictures outside strongly but I think this is more due to Jericho Terrace than Duet. They kept bringing us inside for pictures and I kept saying I want outside!!! I paid Duet for video/photo till 11:30pm but they left at 11:15 because my wedding ended up ending early (see above) Sam asked at that time if there was any other shots I wanted taken. At the time I could think of none but now I can think of a good bunch I wish I took! But I can think of so many that I cannot wait to see. I kept thinking of pictures to take and was grabbing people from all over and Sam was always there and ready. Mom was upset that he didn’t automatically know who do take pictures of but he doesn’t know our family and who is who!?
UPDATE: My pictures are beautiful but I am slightly disappointed in the editing. And there are so many people we didn't get pictures of. I thought with a small wedding (as duet explained - 1 photographer would be enough) i thought i would have pictures of EVERYONE but i don't. I wish I wish I wish I made a must take list - of whos to take.

Here is a vent I posted about the editing:

My photographer took beautiful shots, but I am disappointed by the editing. We got the smallest package with two cds - one edited (has 505 pictures -its supposed to be the collection of the best and most useable) and the unedited (those 505 plus a bunch more for a total of 1300) no album or anything. i went though everything -so much fun!!

My vent:

There are about several excellent pictures that I feel are worthy of the edited bunch 'supposed to be the best ones' but they are actually useable imo so i guess it does not need to be "edited" There is not much difference in the edited and unedited versions- slight change of lighting?

My friend used Dan Wagner and he edited the pictures perfect! He took out garbage in the room, a hand bag that shouldn't have been there, exit signs, ect I have all this stuff in my photos. My roof as well as all my neighbors has that tree fungus? stuff on all the roofs that its like dark discoloration and it spreads to al the houses' roofs from the wind - i feel that should have been edited out. there are pictures by the fire place with a mirror and in the mirror there are strangers. I think he could have been more creative with that with like my bridal party side in the mirror and the guys below type of stuff.

In the edited bunch there are pictures of people with their eyes closed and i thought that was my luck and it was the best of the bunch he took but when i went to the unedited cd i found the same picture with everyone's eyes open! why edit the wrong picture!?

I have enough to frame and make a beautiful album .. so i am thrilled but also grateful that my husband knows how to do photoshop and we will be editing ourselves.

I recommend that u find out exactly the type of editing your photographer does beforehand so you are not disapointed - I should have realized they were "photojournalistic and au natural" beforehand but i was in wedding perfection la la land.

Burtons – Flowers – B-
http://www.flowersbyburton.com/
I ended up liking my flowers very much. However, I had no clue what to expect as when I left my final meeting I felt sad and overwhelmed. During the final meeting, it went very fast and near the end I wanted to review our choices (aka Burton’s choices). I said I was unsure about the bridal bo-k and Burtons said “ Well whats there not to be sure about?” I know he was trying to get to the point and find out exactly what I didn’t like but I thought the tone was rude. I went in there requesting peonies (not in season) or poofy flowers and was shown very small flowers. He said he was going to order me oceana roses – very big roses but he had no pics of them to show me. These roses ended up being in the centerpieces, which is nice, but I wanted them in the bo-ks too. but honestly the flowers were lovely. I once read on here that if guests do not request to take home the centerpieces it’s a bad sign and my guests did not go for them so that made me kinda sad. We had to practically beg people to take them and eventually they all went.. They delivered the bo-ks and bouts earlier than they said they would and this made my mom anxious that they’d die before the ceremony but they held up just fine all night. The throw away bo k is cheesy and fell apart in the air. I wanted to throw my real one too but hesitated about it and ended up giving it to a special bridesmaid. I def. knew I didn’t want to keep it.





DJ- Body Rock – B +
http://www.bodyrockdj.com/main.html
I have no clue what the names of the DJ or MC was. I never even met the DJ or saw him!!! The MC introduced himself beforehand and was nice. He reviewed everything with me before it happened and he was not overpowering. No yelling at guests, which was great. He played everything on our music list. We had special requests and everything seemed to coordinate well with the Maitr D. The only thing that didn’t go as asked for the brother-bride dance- all guests were supposed to be invited to join us on the dance floor but he didn’t tell them too. Maybe he thought it was sweeter to just let us be. Everyone enjoyed the choice of Rainbow Connection. Lots of awwws and clapping. he food was non stop so little time for dancing. We got a lot of compliments on the dance music and we always had people on the dance floor when they had the opportunity. Body Rock also did my Uncle’s wedding and they were great then too. Oh- but B- for the ceremony- I think it was a little choppy the transition of songs

LIMOS – B+
http://www.legendlimos.com/
They were great to work with beforehand. We kept adding things (added another limo, changed the times a lot ) and asked a lot of questions. Affordable price too I think. Got us there safe. I got the white limo and husband got the black limo as requested . Frankie got there early. Perfect. Mine was about 5 minutes late and that of course made mom very nervous. When he got there he had to clean out the limo 0from the previous party but he did this quickly. We made it on time but we did make some wrong turns, which made me nervous! But I DO recommend them.

S&S Tuxedos – Hicksville A ++++++++++++++++++++++
http://sstuxedo.kpsearch.com/df/default.asp
One of my favorite venders. These poor people. I really have to call and apologize and thank them. The night before, at our rehearsal dinner the guys were talking and one of them said he got a white vest! But all the groomsmen were supposed to be black vests and all the other guys had black vests. Now normally we would really question this particularly lovable but goofy guy but his girlfriend confirmed that it was indeed white not black! So, at my rehearsal dinner I call the tux place and they apologize and say he can come back and exchange it. When we got off the phone we ‘re talking about who is going to have time to do this as this groomsman was working that night, overnight and until the afternoon the next day and one thing led to another and my Mother in Law calls back the tux place and I have no idea what was said but she got one of the tux workers to come to the house after the store closing to drop off the vests. She said they were so nice about it too as it was ‘there mistake.’ They brought two black vests in different sizes and one fit perfect. However, the next day the groomsman realizes he actually had a black vest the whole time!! S&S really came through for us though! The guys looked great!!

We were taking professional pics at my house before the limo came. And as we were done my brother realizes he is not wearing is vest (he had it ) but forgot to put it on so in all my pre-wedding shots with my brother/Man of Honor it looks like he has a regular suit on! Oh man!






FAVORS – Special thanks to Tcotier – another poster on here who gave me her extra placecard frames – I just had to buy a few more to have enough! I also ordered personalized yankee candles – in cotton scent, already wrapped and labeled pretty, and of course, almonds – they were delicious from ohnuts.com

I didn’t have time to put the Italian-reasoning- saying on the almonds and I am not sure if placecard frames are necessary as it took so much longer to do the placecards but they are a nice extra.
We made our unity candle from Michaels and wrapped the almonds in tulle and ribbon from Michaels. Got the extra placecard frames at the 99cent buy store in Bellmore on Newbridge Rd

SHOES – a place in Commack –forget the name- popular on here. They were so comfortable – a dyable.

I got them dyed ….a great place….. he was so sweet and understood how important the right shade of ivory was to this crazy bride… he mixed so many colors togehter to get the perfect shade.
Cherrywood shoe Repair A++++ in Wantagh, NY



Aruba was awesome......

Message edited 9/21/2008 11:24:47 AM.

Re: 8-8-08 Review - Jericho Terrace, Bridal Suite Huntington, Burtons, Duet, Body Rock, Rev. April, S&S Tux, Legend Limos, Lemon Tree....

more pics:

1st pic is bridesmaid who got her hair done at lemon tree - pretty!

Image Attachment(s):

Message edited 9/21/2008 11:25:46 AM.

Re: 8-8-08 Review - Jericho Terrace, Bridal Suite Huntington, Burtons, Duet, Body Rock, Rev. April, S&S Tux, Legend Limos, Lemon Tree....

Image Attachment(s):

Message edited 9/13/2008 8:04:45 AM.

Re: 8-8-08 Review - Jericho Terrace, Bridal Suite Huntington, Burtons, Duet, Body Rock, Rev. April, S&S Tux, Legend Limos, Lemon Tree....

Message edited 9/21/2008 11:32:23 AM.

Re: 8-8-08 Review - Jericho Terrace, Bridal Suite Huntington, Burtons, Duet, Body Rock, Rev. April, S&S Tux, Legend Limos, Lemon Tree....

you looked amazing and so radiant!

congrats

Re: 8-8-08 Review - Jericho Terrace, Bridal Suite Huntington, Burtons, Duet, Body Rock, Rev. April, S&S Tux, Legend Limos, Lemon Tree....

congrats!

we are getting married at JT as well - and dont know what steak to chose - my FH says true steak lovers will prefer the NY Strip - b/c that is a steak eaters steak - but im on the fence with it

Re: 8-8-08 Review - Jericho Terrace, Bridal Suite Huntington, Burtons, Duet, Body Rock, Rev. April, S&S Tux, Legend Limos, Lemon Tree....

Congrats!!!!

Re: 8-8-08 Review - Jericho Terrace, Bridal Suite Huntington, Burtons, Duet, Body Rock, Rev. April, S&S Tux, Legend Limos, Lemon Tree....

u look beautiful!

Re: 8-8-08 Review - Jericho Terrace, Bridal Suite Huntington, Burtons, Duet, Body Rock, Rev. April, S&S Tux, Legend Limos, Lemon Tree....

Everything looks lovely congrats

Re: 8-8-08 Review - Jericho Terrace, Bridal Suite Huntington, Burtons, Duet, Body Rock, Rev. April, S&S Tux, Legend Limos, Lemon Tree....

Absolutely stunning....really! You were a beautiful bride Elizabeth. And your review is so sincere and genuine...you really are a doll! Everything looked gorgeous......Congratulations and Welcome Back Mrs.!!!!

Re: 8-8-08 Review - Jericho Terrace, Bridal Suite Huntington, Burtons, Duet, Body Rock, Rev. April, S&S Tux, Legend Limos, Lemon Tree....

Congratulations! Thank you for an excellend and very detailed review. Also getting married at JT and at the Oak Room as well. Good to know about the steak and the fact that your party was rushed. Our wedding is also supposed to go until 12 am so this is surely something to discuss because we do not want to be rushed into ending the weddding early.

Re: 8-8-08 Review - Jericho Terrace, Bridal Suite Huntington, Burtons, Duet, Body Rock, Rev. April, S&S Tux, Legend Limos, Lemon Tree....

Congrats!

Re: 8-8-08 Review - Jericho Terrace, Bridal Suite Huntington, Burtons, Duet, Body Rock, Rev. April, S&S Tux, Legend Limos, Lemon Tree....

nice review! i agree with the dragging out of planning (2 yr. engagement for me lol)

Re: 8-8-08 Review - Jericho Terrace, Bridal Suite Huntington, Burtons, Duet, Body Rock, Rev. April, S&S Tux, Legend Limos, Lemon Tree....

Congrats, you looked beautiful!

Re: 8-8-08 Review - Jericho Terrace, Bridal Suite Huntington, Burtons, Duet, Body Rock, Rev. April, S&S Tux, Legend Limos, Lemon Tree....

Congrats!!! Everything looked fantastic!

Re: 8-8-08 Review - Jericho Terrace, Bridal Suite Huntington, Burtons, Duet, Body Rock, Rev. April, S&S Tux, Legend Limos, Lemon Tree....

Great review, Very helpfu!
You looked beautiful too!

Re: 8-8-08 Review - Jericho Terrace, Bridal Suite Huntington, Burtons, Duet, Body Rock, Rev. April, S&S Tux, Legend Limos, Lemon Tree....

Thanks you for the wonderful and detialed review! Everything looked very nice! Congrats!!!!

Re: 8-8-08 Review - Jericho Terrace, Bridal Suite Huntington, Burtons, Duet, Body Rock, Rev. April, S&S Tux, Legend Limos, Lemon Tree....UPDATE: more non-pro pics in album

Beautiful review!!Pics are beautiful! Congratulations!!

Re: 8-8-08 Review - Jericho Terrace, Bridal Suite Huntington, Burtons, Duet, Body Rock, Rev. April, S&S Tux, Legend Limos, Lemon Tree....UPDATE: more non-pro pics in album

Great review..........CONGRATS!!!!!

Re: 8-8-08 Review - Jericho Terrace, Bridal Suite Huntington, Burtons, Duet, Body Rock, Rev. April, S&S Tux, Legend Limos, Lemon Tree....UPDATE: more non-pro pics in album

Great review

Re: 8-8-08 Review - Jericho Terrace, Bridal Suite Huntington, Davids Bridal, Macys Manhasset, Burtons, Duet, Body Rock, Rev. April, S&S Tux, Legend Limos, Lemon Tree...updated 8/24/08

bump - added professional pictures!!

Re: 8-8-08 Review - Jericho Terrace, Bridal Suite Huntington, Davids Bridal, Macys Manhasset, Burtons, Duet, Body Rock, Rev. April, S&S Tux, Legend Limos, Lemon Tree...updated 8/24/08

Congratulations! You were such a beautiful bride and everything looked perfect. I love that the girls got to choose their own dresses!

Re: 8-8-08 Review - Jericho Terrace, Bridal Suite Huntington, Davids Bridal, Macys Manhasset, Burtons, Duet, Body Rock, Rev. April, S&S Tux, Legend Limos, Lemon Tree...updated 8/24/08

very helpful review and you looked beautiul!

Re: 8-8-08 Review - Jericho Terrace, Bridal Suite Huntington, Davids Bridal, Macys Manhasset, Burtons, Duet, Body Rock, Rev. April, S&S Tux, Legend Limos, Lemon Tree...updated 8/24/08

GREAT REVIEW! CONGRATS!

Re: 8-8-08 Review - Jericho Terrace, Bridal Suite Huntington, Davids Bridal, Macys Manhasset, Burtons, Duet, Body Rock, Rev. April, S&S Tux, Legend Limos, Lemon Tree...updated 8/24/08

Beautiful wedding !!!! You looked gorgeous on your day