**UPDATED w/More Reviews! - WEDDING PICS & MINI REVIEW - Bourne Mansion, Flower Michelle, Fourth Generation, Cakes by Mona, Audrey's Bakery, DreamTeam, Captain Bills and more =)

hi ladies!!!

I wanted to put a mini review up on our page because I know there are a few Bourne Mansion brides out there who may be interested in hearing more about the venue and also because I used a good amount of LIW vendors! So here we go:

Bourne Mansion (Ben, Steve) - A++++ I can't rave enough about the mansion and Steve. Steve was unbelievable on the day of the wedding - everytime we turned around he was handing us a drink and helping us with everything. At one point in the night my dad was outside with his friends and Steve came over to see how he was doing. My dad said 'it's great - but would be better if we had 20 glasses of port', Steve immedietly got on his headset and in 5 minutes had 20 glasses of port outside for my dad and his friends - I truly can say that Steve TRULY made the wedding night amazing - in every way!!!! If you are getting married at the Bourne - definitely make sure you get him for your wedding. The food and service at the Bourne was unbelievable - definitely top notch. I was super impressed by the cocktail hour and the desserts (we had the v-hour) - amazing!!!!

Flower Michelle - A+++ - I absolutely loved FM and working with John - he was amazing. He really took my vision and made it happen! The bo-ks and the centerpieces and cocktail hour arrangements were just beautiful - more pics to come for sure! I have to say that the tree that we had made for the entrance to the mansion was just stunning - I can't even put it into words - John is truly talented and will definitely make your flower dreams come true!!!

Cakes by Mona - A+ she did our sailboat grooms cake which I thought turned out very nice. I sent her tons of pictures and I guess I was expected it to be a bit less white - since the deck of the sailboat is wooden - but I thought she did a nice job and it tasted amazing.

Audrey's bakery - A+++, they did our cake - which I thought was amazing!! It tasted and looked beautiful, just like I imagined it would! They did a great job.

Dress (Monique Lhuiller - bought in San Francisco) - A+++++ - I saw this dress in a magazine, tried it on and bought it on the spot - just so comfortable and so me - I was super happy with it and the alterations.

Hilton Garden Inn - Ronkonkoma NY - A++++++++ I cannot give this hotel a better rating - they were fabulous! We had over 100 rooms reserved for our wedding (we are all out of towners) . We had a friday night cocktail hour, a hospitality suite on saturday and a tented brunch in the courtyard on sunday - they were amazing! From beginning to end they made us and our guests feel like we were at a five star hotel - Cindy (the events manager) was unbelievably amazing!

The Lauren Kristy - A++ - we had a 3 hour paddle boat cruise for our guests on saturday morning - it had brunch and cocktails - the guests raved about the foood and the drinks and the boat ride in general (it went around fire island).

Mill Pond Golf Course - D - we also had a golf outing for our guests on saturday (they could choose to do the boat or the golf outing). We are still dealing with them because a few guests that rsvpd for the golf did not make it that day to the event and they told us that we would not have to pay for the guests that did not show (they told both my husband and my father that on that day). It turns out they still charged us and the owner is telling us that his staff was wrong - well if we had known that we would have found people to fill the spots - just very unprofessional! which is a bummer because the course is very nice - ugh!

Captain Bill's - Rehearsal Dinner - A++++ Amazing - I love captain bills, the service, the setting and the food were all amazing. We did the buffet and it was perfect - we were able to mingle during the cocktail hour and they had passed appetizers and drinks on the balcony - then a buffet dinner. It was great all around. The owner there is just amazing - so so sweet!

DreamTeam (new york city swing) - band - A+. We got the 10 piece band (dreamteam) from NYC Swing. I thought they were very professional and everyone loved the music. They even learned new songs for us (including our first dance song) and were very amazing with requests beforehand etc. The only thing was they screwed up our introductions and left out my moh and one of the best men - other than that I thought they were great - although a bit too loud. I think we should have gone with the 8 piece band personally - especially in the bourne mansion.


DJ - FOURTH GENERATION - A+++++++
So we did the band from 8-12am and then a DJ from 12-1. It was PERFECT! everyone loved it! and the DJ was amazing - he even gave us a mix cd afterwards of all ofthe songs he played at our wedding. He was so super nice and talked to us about everything we wanted played and played them all - he was great - very professional and just awesome! Everyone would not stop talking about him...

***UPDATE:
Thanks ladies!!!

2 more I forgot!!!

Sarah Merians Photography - Leo - A+++++ - he was amazing! My cousins used him for their wedding as well and we were just blown away by his photos. He did our enagement pictures as well and made us feel so comfortable. I can't wait to see the final product - but Sarah Merians is definitely one of my favorite vendors!


Love in Progress - Motoko - Videographer - A++++++, Motoko has an awesome style and has sort of an indy vibe - i totally loved her the second I saw her site - take a look. She does amazing work and also takes lots of suggestions for the style of the video as well as the music etc. I can't wait to see it!

***UPDATE - some additional ones:

Lighting - Ken Longert Productions - A++++,
They did our lighting for our reception - we did pinspots on the centerpieces and some backlighting on the walls and organ etc. They did an amazing job and were very well priced - I definitely was super happy with the lighting and considering you spend so much money on flowers it totally made it all worth it for them to be lit up -I really loved the results!!!

Planner - Lindsay Landman Events - Lindsay Landman - A+++++++++ - I'm not sure I could have lived without having Lindsay and Allison on my wedding day and in the months leading up to the wedding. We hired them in December and they immediately took over all of the details for our wedding weekend. We had lots of events planned for the wedding weekend and were providing transportation for all of our guests. They helped plan the rehearsal dinner, the cocktail reception on friday night, the golf outing and boat outing on saturday for our guests, the hospitatlity suite, the transportation, the save the dates, the invitations, the lighting and ALL of our vendor contracts - they really were amazing from beginning to end - I am not sure what we would have done without them. I defintely , 100% recommend Lindsay - FM me if you have any questions! Oh - and Lindsay also did our wedding programs, our cocktail napkins, our matches and bathroom towels etc - (worked with Carlson Craft)

Invitations - Village Invites (NYC) - A, I was very pleased with our invitations - and they took a good deal of planning as they were booklets wit hall of the wedding weekend information - there were just a few mix ups that made me a bit frustrated and they took a long time from the initial planning stages to receive the first proof so that was frustrating. Overall they did a lot of great work in the desiging of our monogram etc - so I think in the design they definitely get an A.

Gold Star Limo - Rolls Royce - A+. The car was definitely beautiful - a bit old - but still in great shape. The driver was super super sweet - I really was pleased with this vendor!

School Bus - First Student - transportation for rehearsal dinner - A++++++, we rented a school bus to take our guests to the church and rehearsal dinner - it was the best idea! So fun and so much cheaper than any other transportation option - loved it!

Variety Florists - A++ they did the flowers for our rehearsal dinner and the reception. We worked with Heather and she was wonderful. I thought she did a really nice job all around and was super helpful in coming up with some ideas.

Welcome Bags- A++++ - this was a bit of a DIY project. We wanted to have a kind of Go Green theme, so we had canvas tote bags (Spirit tote bag - 4 dollars a piece with impriniting!) made with a sailboat image on them and then bought matching water bottles with the same sailboat image printed on them. We also put in the bags some organic snacks, some local LI magazines and a small No-Ad bottle of sunblock. We also included an itinerary booklet as well as info about local activities - everyone loved them and were carrying the bags around all weekend - it was great =) and not expensive at all!

Favors - A++++ - the favors were also a DIY project. We bought little celophane bags and made little tags for them (pictures to come) we then filled them with all candies made in San Francisco (where I live) - we also made a donation to the Starlight foundation and so we included a little scroll in the candy bag. Everyone was eating the candy on the bus on the way home from the reception it was great.

• 
• 
• 
• 

Re: WEDDING PICS & MINI REVIEW - Bourne Mansion, Flower Michelle, Fourth Generation, Cakes by Mona, Audrey's Bakery, DreamTeam, Captain Bills and more =)

• 
• 
• 
• 

Re: WEDDING PICS & MINI REVIEW - Bourne Mansion, Flower Michelle, Fourth Generation, Cakes by Mona, Audrey's Bakery, DreamTeam, Captain Bills and more =)

• 
• 
• 
• 

Re: WEDDING PICS & MINI REVIEW - Bourne Mansion, Flower Michelle, Fourth Generation, Cakes by Mona, Audrey's Bakery, DreamTeam, Captain Bills and more =)

oh! one thing I forgot

T-Carlton's Spa - A+++++++++

Again - an amazin vendor. I had 14 people there on Saturday getting their hair and makeup done - they let us use the outside patio for drinks and food that we had catered - and I had my hair done by Donna - who is just FABULOUS! Honestly - she did an amazing job! Everyone was super excited about both their hair and their makeup!

• 
• 
• 
• 

Re: WEDDING PICS & MINI REVIEW - Bourne Mansion, Flower Michelle, Fourth Generation, Cakes by Mona, Audrey's Bakery, DreamTeam, Captain Bills and more =)

your gown is AMAZING.!!!! beautiful cake also!!!! thanks for the review!

Re: WEDDING PICS & MINI REVIEW - Bourne Mansion, Flower Michelle, Fourth Generation, Cakes by Mona, Audrey's Bakery, DreamTeam, Captain Bills and more =)

You look gorgeous...everything looks beautiful CONGRATS

Re: WEDDING PICS & MINI REVIEW - Bourne Mansion, Flower Michelle, Fourth Generation, Cakes by Mona, Audrey's Bakery, DreamTeam, Captain Bills and more =)

absolutely gorgeous!! your dress is stunning and absolutely perfect for you!!!

Re: WEDDING PICS & MINI REVIEW - Bourne Mansion, Flower Michelle, Fourth Generation, Cakes by Mona, Audrey's Bakery, DreamTeam, Captain Bills and more =)

Thanks ladies!!!

2 more I forgot!!!

Sarah Merians Photography - Leo - A+++++ - he was amazing! My cousins used him for their wedding as well and we were just blown away by his photos. He did our enagement pictures as well and made us feel so comfortable. I can't wait to see the final product - but Sarah Merians is definitely one of my favorite vendors!


Love in Progress - Motoko - Videographer - A++++++, Motoko has an awesome style and has sort of an indy vibe - i totally loved her the second I saw her site - take a look. She does amazing work and also takes lots of suggestions for the style of the video as well as the music etc. I can't wait to see it!

Re: WEDDING PICS & MINI REVIEW - Bourne Mansion, Flower Michelle, Fourth Generation, Cakes by Mona, Audrey's Bakery, DreamTeam, Captain Bills and more =)

You looked beautiful! Everything did!

Re: WEDDING PICS & MINI REVIEW - Bourne Mansion, Flower Michelle, Fourth Generation, Cakes by Mona, Audrey's Bakery, DreamTeam, Captain Bills and more =)

You look gorgeous!!!!!!! Everything looks so beautiful... congrats!

Re: WEDDING PICS & MINI REVIEW - Bourne Mansion, Flower Michelle, Fourth Generation, Cakes by Mona, Audrey's Bakery, DreamTeam, Captain Bills and more =)

I cant get over your dress!! its jaw dropping.. simple elegant but very detailed.. wow

Re: WEDDING PICS & MINI REVIEW - Bourne Mansion, Flower Michelle, Fourth Generation, Cakes by Mona, Audrey's Bakery, DreamTeam, Captain Bills and more =)

Congrats, your reception looks gorgeous...what a classy and timeless dress...luv it

Re: WEDDING PICS & MINI REVIEW - Bourne Mansion, Flower Michelle, Fourth Generation, Cakes by Mona, Audrey's Bakery, DreamTeam, Captain Bills and more =)

what a stunning gown! you look beautiful..congrats to you

Re: WEDDING PICS & MINI REVIEW - Bourne Mansion, Flower Michelle, Fourth Generation, Cakes by Mona, Audrey's Bakery, DreamTeam, Captain Bills and more =)

Re: WEDDING PICS & MINI REVIEW - Bourne Mansion, Flower Michelle, Fourth Generation, Cakes by Mona, Audrey's Bakery, DreamTeam, Captain Bills and more =)

your dress is amazing!!!!!

Re: WEDDING PICS & MINI REVIEW - Bourne Mansion, Flower Michelle, Fourth Generation, Cakes by Mona, Audrey's Bakery, DreamTeam, Captain Bills and more =)

your dress is amazing!!!!!

Re: WEDDING PICS & MINI REVIEW - Bourne Mansion, Flower Michelle, Fourth Generation, Cakes by Mona, Audrey's Bakery, DreamTeam, Captain Bills and more =)

WOW! I love your dress and the DECOR

Re: WEDDING PICS & MINI REVIEW - Bourne Mansion, Flower Michelle, Fourth Generation, Cakes by Mona, Audrey's Bakery, DreamTeam, Captain Bills and more =)

WOW!! You look stunning!! Beautiful gown, everything looked great!! congrats!!

Re: WEDDING PICS & MINI REVIEW - Bourne Mansion, Flower Michelle, Fourth Generation, Cakes by Mona, Audrey's Bakery, DreamTeam, Captain Bills and more =)

wow your pics are gorgeous...i was at the bourne mansion in May my pictures are in my album and the funny thing is the bride had a similar dress and hairstyle as you...the organ in the room was donated by her uncle which made a nice touch...you looked beautiful congrats!!!!!!

Re: WEDDING PICS & MINI REVIEW - Bourne Mansion, Flower Michelle, Fourth Generation, Cakes by Mona, Audrey's Bakery, DreamTeam, Captain Bills and more =)

Everything is just absolutely gorgeous! I am in LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE with your dress! Congratulations, beautiful bride, beautiful wedding!