My 8-8-09 Supersized Review: Waterfront Wedding, teal & pink; shells & ribbons - Lands End, A Current Affair, Wild Rose, Lovin Oven Florist, & so much more. UPDATED FOR NORTH ISLAND PHOTO REVIEW!
I have updated this with my beautiful Album Pages from North Island Photography. See the third post where I start with my North Island review. I have added some album layout posts.
The photos from the actual day are from North Island Photo unless otherwise noted. Photos from other occasions are not.
First let me thank LIW
How could I have done this without LIWeddings. The help and guidance from all of you girls have been amazing and it kept me excited and calm through the wedding process. I loved having you girls to give me opinions, answer questions, help with ideas and just to vent to. I met some great girls both virtually and in person. I love LIWeddings and recommend any bride on Long Island to become an active member of this site. The more you use it the more you will get out of it.
The Big Wedding Book by Mindy Weiss A+
I got engaged on a Friday night, by Sunday my BM was over with this book in hand. This book saved my life. I had no idea where to start and this book walked me through the e-party completely. It was less important once I found LIW but I still can’t tell you how many times I referred to it, even to help other LIW brides with their questions. The book is amazing and tells you everything you need to know about planning a wedding.
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THE ENGAGEMENT PARTY!!!!
Well let’s just say, Hannah put a bit of a damper (literally) on my engagement party. It was scheduled for my backyard on Saturday and we had a rain contingency plan of having it at Bayberry Beach and Tennis Club in the clubhouse. Bayberry may be dry, but that is not a place you want to be in a hurricane or tropical storm. So when Hannah hit we had to scramble to move the party to Sunday. That included calling ALL of my guests. We lost a lot of guests, but it was still a great party. The weather on Sunday was GORGEOUS!
E-Party Food: Lessings A+
First of all my experience with Lessings has always been wonderful and my e-party was no exception. When we had to postpone for Hannah the Lessings were very accommodating and they worked with us to move the party to Sunday. Sunday they came with their truck early in the morning and set everything up. They even took over doing the decorations for me so that I could go get ready. The maitre d was wonderful and she made sure that Jason, my dad, my mom and I had a chance to eat and she kept our drinks flowing constantly. The food was incredible, especially the passed hors d’oeuvres. Also we had a bee infestation, probably from the storm. I was so worried about the bartenders who were surrounded by bees all day long, but they didn’t let it stop them from doing an incredible job. They truly went above and beyond.
E-Party Cake: Audrey’s Fine Baked Goods A
I knew I wanted a double heart cake. I looked online for pictures and I couldn’t find the perfect cake. So I brought Audrey’s a few different pictures and had them create one for me. I told them I wanted it to be turquoise and pink. I was so excited when I saw it. It was perfect. It was exactly what I wanted it to be. It was also super delicious. We got yellow cake with raspberry fruit filling in one heart and chocolate fudge in the other. We also got a ton of pastries and cookies from Audreys. I have to say, I have never in my life seen dessert go that fast at a party, especially cake. It was a huge cake and there was hardly any leftovers. The only reason they get an A and not an A+ is because when Jay went to pick up the cake on Sunday morning they had forgotten to decorate it. But that was really because of Hannah and us having to postpone the party by a day. Still Audreys came through. They called the decorator who went back in on his day off and finished the cake for us. Then they delivered it to the house with more then enough time before dessert was served. So they only lost their plus for the little bit of worrying I had to do.
I RANK AUDREY’S TWO MORE TIMES IN THIS REVIEW. I felt that each time I used them deserved their own review, because the cakes/cupcakes were so different.
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E-Pics: North Island Photography A+
I have to be honest, I do not love my e-pics, but that is no fault of the photographer. He did a wonderful job. I am unhappy with my outfit choice and this line started to appear in when I smile, under my nose that was never there before. That was the first time I noticed it, so a lot of the pictures from the engagement shoot I am really unhappy with. If I could do it over I would wear a dress (colored) and ask him to keep an eye out for that line. But his photography was beautiful, as was the backdrop where we shot them. It was going to rain any minute, which made for a beautiful sky, but it also made the whole session super fast. But he was great. He started shooting the minute we got out of the car and he took over 100 pictures in the short time we had. He is great at directing us and so easy to work with. Again the pictures themselves were beautiful, me, not so much.
Despite me being unhappy with myself however we managed to find several photos I love which is a testament to how good he is.
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MY BRIDAL SHOWER!!
I have to say my Bridal Shower was FANTASTIC!!! It was everything that I wanted it to be and more. My mom did the most amazing job.
Bridal Shower Location: Bayberry Beach Club A+
Its Members Only and my parents are members, but I felt I should review it anyhow since it was so fabulous. The fact we had a sunny day helped, but the shower along the water was spectacular. The room was perfect for the 60 something guests and everyone was so happy with the location. The club manager was so helpful and everything was set up how my mom wanted, she just had to go in and decorate. DH’s family is still talking about it, especially the kids, who loved being at the club. They went in the pool, played in the sand, and still enjoyed some of the party. My mom did all the decorating herself including the floral centerpieces. Many people told my mom that it was one of the nicest showers they have ever been to.
Bridal Shower Food: Lessings A+
Once again the Lessings come through. People were raving about the food well after the shower had ended. We had a brunch and the food was terrific. The French toast was so yummy I had the maitre d get me seconds and we had an omelet station that everyone loved. The only alcohol served was a champagne punch and it was unbelievably good. I can’t believe how many compliments my mom got.
Shower Cupcakes: Audreys Fine Baked Goods B+
They were yummy and super cute, though the cute bride and groom figures on them did not come from Audreys. My mom got them at Fat Cat Paperie in Center Moriches. My only complaint was that the turquoise ones were turning people’s mouths, skin, clothes (and something else the next day)… a greenish blue color. The cupcakes really didn’t need to be that dark. FH told them light turquoise, not dark teal. Because of the food coloring I waited to get home to have one, I loved my dress to much to stain it, but I had a pink one and it was soooo good. I totally recommend using Audreys, I just don’t recommend blue food coloring.
My Shower Thank You Notes: A Stationary Studio A-
My bridal shower Thank You notes were so cute. I got so many phone calls and e-mails complimenting them. I saw them on “The Stationary Studio” (www.thestationarystudio.com) and knew I had to get them. I had a few issues with my order, but they fixed the problems without a hassle.
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BACHELORETTE PARTY: Ocean Beach Fire Island A+
Island Mermaid, CJs, Housers, my parents boat
It was SO much fun. The girls all met at my house for drinks. My parents drove us to Fire Island on their Sea Ray, which the girls decorated with bachelorette party gear. My mom got all the girls who came matching headbands and my BMs matching tiaras from Joanne’s Fabrics. On the way over we had a champagne toast on the bay. Dinner was at the Island Mermaid. I love the Mermaid and Scott (the owner) was excellent. He had a large table all set up for us and my parents were able to park the boat there all evening while they went off with friends. We got stamped before the leaving the Mermaid and ended up back there for dancing. Dinner was terrific and everyone loved it. We also went to CJs for Rocket Fuels and Housers were we hung out for a long time. Then after a great night my dad drove us home on the boat at about 3am. I have the best dad.
I love Fire Island and it is a great place to go for your bachelorette.
Bachelorette Party Cake: My friend Deirdre
I’m not rating it, just showing it off!!! She is starting to make wedding cakes for people, but not commercially just yet. She plans to one day though.
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REHEARSAL DINNER INVITATIONS: Hallmark A
My mother in law bought these, but we picked them out together. It was actually the only part of planning I really got to share with her. I loved the invitations, they were perfect for the venue and fit the theme of the wedding without taking away from the look of the wedding day.
REHEARSAL DINNER: Snapper Inn C (My MIL thinks this is kind.)
The place is beautiful, it’s a super location and the room they gave us was great. But the Snapper Inn on a Friday in the summer might not be the place to have a rehearsal dinner. It was a mob scene. The parking lot was full but anyone who said they were with the rehearsal dinner had no trouble getting to the valet, but they had to know to say that and we weren’t told about it ahead of time. My grandfather only found out after arguing with the parking attendant. At 88 years old he had to walk to the Snapper Inn from far away and then after arguing with the parking attendant, found out he could use the valet for private parties and had to walk back to get his car. It would have been nice if someone had warned us. Thankfully my grandfather called us and we called everyone else, but that added extra stress. The servers were nice, the food was great and everyone loved the spot… but honestly the service was HORRIBLE!!!! We got there at 7:30 and we got served dessert about 11pm and that was only after my BIL, who is a restaurant manager, got involved and told them to move it along. Half our guests left before dessert because it was getting so late. I had this plan of unwinding with karaoke with some of my BMs after the dinner, but we didn’t get home until almost midnight. They were overbooked with events and not prepared for it. It was painful.
Birthday Cakes: Manhattan Sweets A+
We brought in our own cakes because we had two birthdays and one was my MIL who hosted the Rehearsal Dinner. So because we were having cake on Saturday we went to Manhattan Sweets in Islip and got a Silk and Satin Cheesecake and a Raspberry Mousse cake. They were both beautiful and delicious. I didn’t have the Raspberry but my mom raved about it. The silk and satin is sinful. It is really one of the best desserts I have ever eaten. I get it all the time and I totally recommend it.
Bridesmaid/Reader Gifts: Ross Simons / China A (Also DOJ)
We got real pearl necklaces on sale from Ross Simons. The clasp is small but they were very beautiful pearls for a reasonable price. The girls all seemed to like them and they went beautifully with the dresses. I also got pearl earrings for the girls, which my father picked up for them when he was on business in China. They don’t match the necklaces perfectly, but they looked good together. For the readers I got black pearl necklaces also from Ross Simons. Someone had told me on LIW that the Ross Simons pearls were poor quality but I thought they were really great for the price.
The Girls Day of Jewelry and Gifts: Pic by North Island Photography
Readers Necklaces:
Groomsmen Gifts: The Perfect Sign (http://www.theperfectsign.com) & Pub Sign Store (www.thepubsignstore.com) B+
The signs were great. They are huge, but great. The only problem is they didn’t come in their own individual boxes and finding boxes for them was very difficult. I ended up having to make them out of Uhaul boxes and cut myself a few times in the process, good thing I wrapped them weeks in advance. Honestly I don’t understand why they would ship them all in one box. Why would you order that many if it wasn’t a gift. My other complaint was there were a few messed up spots on them. Like Jay’s cousins had a few paint splotches. Though no one else seemed to notice. I also had to clean them all with a rag, they were covered in saw dust when they arrived. Also getting them to the Snapper Inn for the rehearsal was a bit of a trick. But all in all they were a big hit and the guys really loved them.
Most of them came from the Perfect Sign.
This one for the best man came from The Pub Sign Store. The Perfect Sign’s were cheaper, but the Pub Sign had some that the Perfect Sign did not, like the one Jason got his brother below. This one was also in perfect shape, no paint splotches and clean. I don’t know how it would have been packaged had we ordered multiple signs, since we only got one from them.
Bridesmaid Bags/DIY: Bealls - Florida A
This was the best find. These bags matched the BM dresses perfectly. I didn’t want bags that said Bridesmaid on them, I wanted something they could use again. I was so excited to find these bags. I think the BMs will use them again and they looked so beautiful with the dresses. To make them Bridesmaid bags my mom and I made tags that the girls could remove later.
Bridesmaid Flip Flops : Kohls A
I couldn’t believe Kohls had flip flops that matched the dress and they were really cute. I was very excited by this. It was nice to have all the girls in matching flip-flops and it insured that they would be comfortable later in the night. By the way if you are taking pictures outside on sand, rocks or a boat it is a good idea to get your girls flip-flops. They were much happier having them. All the beautiful pics I have of the bridal party on the bow of the boat would not have happened if the girls had been in their heels.
Picture by North Island Photography
Bridesmaid Tanks : DIY A
I got the shirts from Old Navy and they were not the best tanks but they were cheap. Then I ordered the rhinestone letters from Amazon.com. My mom and I put them together. They came out really cute.
Picture by North Island Photography
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Save the Dates: Mom & Dad / Fat Cat Paperie A+
I love, love, loved my Save the Dates. I came up with the concept, my father took the pictures, and my mother designed the post card. Then we had them printed at Fat Cat Paperie. They gave us a great deal, did them quickly and they came out great. They were also easy to work with.
Invitations: Fat Cat Paperie A+
I got so many compliments on my invitations. I wanted something unique and I really had a vision of what I wanted. We sat down with Pam at Fat Cat and together we came up with a concept. Pam was great to work with. They were quick to make changes when I asked for them. The invitations came out great and I got so many compliments on them. There are a few things I would change about them, like having lined envelopes. But I am nit picking, everyone loved them the way they were.
OOT Bags/Water Bottles: A Christmas Tree Shop/DIY A+
The bags were a pain in the butt, because I was covered with sparkles when I was making them. But they were $.89 each, pretty and the right colors. In each bag we had two water bottles that we put our own labels on. My mom made the labels. We also put in two bags of chips, a bag of M&M cookies, an individually wrapped Entenmanns crumb cake, some candy, sunscreen, wipes, tissues, advil, and Rolaids. Also each bag had a copy of my film, “The Many Faces of Fire Island.”
SHAMELESS PLUG FOR MY DOCUMENTARY!!!! : The Many Faces of Fire Island
Picture by North Island Photography: