My 5/14/2005 wedding review -- Milleridge Cottage

First, let me say that we had a wonderful day. Everything went very smoothly – better than we ever thought possible – and we had a great time. Many of the disappointments I’ll mention below didn’t even register with me until long after the day was over. Please feel free to FM me about anything. Again, overall, we had a fabulous day – it just may not seem that way as I analyze each vendor.

Uncontrollables – He came through for us with great weather (rain had been predicted) and no traffic on the LIE!

Limo – Joe Pal Limo
Perfect!!! On time, clean, correct cars, patient – just perfect! They did a great job for my cousin’s wedding a few years ago, which is why we booked them.

DJ – High Voltage
Vinnie and his assistant were fantastic! My most low-maintenance vendor by a mile. We sent Vinnie some CDs and instructions and he took it from there. He really read the crowd well and had all guest groups up dancing throughout the day.

Chocolate Fountain – Schakolad
Our guests loved the chocolate fountain and haven’t stopped talking about it three weeks later.

Personal Flowers – Donald Hedgecock
Bouquets arrived on time and were just as I had wanted. His prices are fantastic and Donald and his staff were very nice to work with.

Gown – Birnbaum and Bullock
One of the best decisions I made was to buy my dress at the B&B sample sale in October. While still pricey, my dress was half price. I went back to them for alterations and was able to work with Birnbaum and Bullock themselves through the whole process. I’ve been a BM several times and always hated the bridal shop experience. I’m so glad I was able to avoid it for myself.

BM Dresses – Aria
On the day of the wedding, I kept saying to anyone who would listen how great the BM dresses looked. Aria’s dresses are silk, so I was able to get a similar material to my own dress. The try-on and ordering process was very easy. There was a problem with the dresses after they arrived, but Aria was extremely professional and resolved the problem by making all new dresses at their own cost.

Reception Hall – Milleridge Cottage
The good: The reception ran very smoothly and on time. FH and I thought the food was great and the guests raved about it, too. Several guests commented on how much they liked the room and what an elegant wedding it was. Cake was great (chocolate cake with cherry filling with butter cream).
The not as good: Rain had been predicted for the day, but there was no rain in sight by the time we arrived. That said, the first thing I noticed was that the patio did not appear ready to have part of the CH outside. I think my first words out of the limo were, “It’s ten to one. I want the umbrellas up and ready for guests to be outside for the CH in ten minutes.” HELLO – it’s a beautiful spring day, I shouldn’t have had to mention it.

During my final meeting with the Milleridge, I gave them a detailed list with explicit instructions on what to do with the items I brought. At least one of those instructions was ignored, without explanation. I was also disappointed with my DOC and her assistant for not catching this omission, too.

The item that’s really been bugging me for the past three weeks is that our banquet manager described that a part of the room and the back patio area would be set up in a certain way and it wasn't. I didn’t really notice it during the wedding, but now that I see pictures of guests standing where the outdoor tables should have been, I’m really disappointed that this wasn’t done. I don’t know who I’m most disappointed with about this – me for not taking a minute to check every detail of the room myself before the guests entered, my banquet manager and maitre d for not having this set up, or my DOC for not making sure it happened. It’s not something that guests noticed; it just would have made the party nicer and it was what we were told we would have. Had I realized this during the reception, the matire d’s tip would be in my pocket now, not his.

The wait service FH and I had at the beginning of the reception was great, but then it waned as the day went on. It got so bad that I even went to the bar to get my own drink because, darn it, I was thirsty!

Day of Coordinator – Elaine DeLuca
Aside from the disappointments I mentioned above and some issues at the rehearsal, Elaine and her assistant Danielle (or Daniella?) were fabulous on the wedding day. They kept us moving along and dealt with problems that reared their ugly heads throughout the day. The day would not have gone nearly as smooth without Elaine.

Photo and Video – Queens Bridal Center
Fernando, our photographer, was very nice and fun to work with. I was shocked when he came up to me with nearly an hour left to the reception and basically said he had two pictures left and asked if I wanted any other specific pictures before he left. The contract stated that he was to stay and photograph the entire reception – not to try to leave nearly an hour early. Elaine dealt with him and he stayed.

Our proofs are fine and we’re generally happy with them. We’re very disappointed that he did not get a picture of one of the groomsmen and his wife. We specifically asked, in writing, for separate pictures of each of the BP with their SOs. Unfortunately, some of the other pictures are overexposed, so our plan to give each BP an enlargement of them with their SO was foiled.

Mike was our videographer and, from what little contact I had with him, he was very nice. Video to follow in 4-6 months. ETA: The problems with the photographer pale in comparison to those with our video. let's hope they can fix it

CP Florist – Milleridge Florist
FMs are welcomed!

Tuxes – Mens Warehouse
Saving the “best” for last, per say (you may have noticed that these reviews are in descending order). MW ordered the wrong pants for FH and one of the groomsmen, so FH and the groomsmen had to make a second trip to MW to get the right ones. The second trip took place the day before the wedding and completely messed up FH and my plans for the already busy day. Returning the tuxes wasn’t much better. Each store seemed to have their own policy about returns and some of the groomsmen were charged late fees (which were later refunded after FH called). IMHO, the convenience of multiple locations wasn’t worth the stress of them sending the wrong pants.

Wedding night hotel -- Sheraton Long Island
I nearly forgot the one that belongs at the bottom of the list. Our suite was ready when we arrived, clean and comfy. However, we were supposed to have champagne, strawberries, chocolate and breakfast included in our rate and we got none of the above. Also, we blocked rooms there for 20-30 guests and most of them had no hot water. I was so embarrassed that I recommended a hotel that turned out to not meet basic expectations for hot water!

We had a brunch there, too. The brunch was good and went smoothly.

I know I’m missing reviews of some of the smaller vendors like invites, favors, programs, RD, shoes, hair, etc. Will provide reviews upon request.


Edited to make it shorter.

Message edited 12/19/2005 5:08:59 PM.

Re: My 5/14/2005 wedding review -- Milleridge Cottage

having resizing issues...

Message edited 12/19/2005 5:09:23 PM.

Re: My 5/14/2005 wedding review -- Milleridge Cottage

Message edited 9/20/2005 9:58:04 AM.

Re: My 5/14/2005 wedding review -- Milleridge Cottage

Message edited 6/27/2005 10:19:56 AM.

Re: My 5/14/2005 wedding review -- Milleridge Cottage

You look amazing!!! Congrats!

Re: My 5/14/2005 wedding review -- Milleridge Cottage

You look beautiful! congrats!

Re: My 5/14/2005 wedding review -- Milleridge Cottage

Congratulations! I'm sorry for the disappointments but you looked so happy and absolutely beautiful!!!!!

Message edited 6/2/2005 10:42:15 AM.

Re: My 5/14/2005 wedding review -- Milleridge Cottage

Thanks for the review, Congrats!! Beautiful Pics!

Re: My 5/14/2005 wedding review -- Milleridge Cottage

You looked beautiful... Congratulations!!!

Re: My 5/14/2005 wedding review -- Milleridge Cottage

You look beautiful.

i just recently booked queens bridal center in mineola. may i ask which one fernando is from?

Re: My 5/14/2005 wedding review -- Milleridge Cottage

BEAUTIFUL! CONGRATS!

Re: My 5/14/2005 wedding review -- Milleridge Cottage

Thanks!

I booked through Mineola.

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Posted by amstellitelady

You look beautiful.

i just recently booked queens bridal center in mineola. may i ask which one fernando is from?

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Re: My 5/14/2005 wedding review -- Milleridge Cottage

You look beautiful. I am glad everything went well overall, despite some minor glitches. Congratulations!!!!!!

Re: My 5/14/2005 wedding review -- Milleridge Cottage

Congratulations!! You are a beautiful bride.

Re: My 5/14/2005 wedding review -- Milleridge Cottage

Very nice! I like the pic with the city in the background!

Re: My 5/14/2005 wedding review -- Milleridge Cottage

Beautiful pics!! So happy you had good weather and a good time despite a few small glitches!

Can't wait to see more pics!

Re: My 5/14/2005 wedding review -- Milleridge Cottage

Absolutely Beautiful!
morepics More pics

Re: My 5/14/2005 wedding review -- Milleridge Cottage

Congratulations!! you looked awesome!!

Re: My 5/14/2005 wedding review -- Milleridge Cottage

Congratulations!! Love the pics!

Re: My 5/14/2005 wedding review -- Milleridge Cottage

Congratulations

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Message edited 7/13/2005 12:27:55 AM.

Re: My 5/14/2005 wedding review -- Milleridge Cottage

Thanks for sharing!! Which Mens Wearhouse did you use?

Re: My 5/14/2005 wedding review -- Milleridge Cottage

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Posted by riniko

Thanks for sharing!! Which Mens Wearhouse did you use?

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Happy with QBC?

Hi Lilacwine! I have an appointment on Tuesday with Ferdnando. I got a little nervous when I read your post about him leaving early. Looking back, would you have booked QBC if you could do it over? Thanks!

Re: My 5/14/2005 wedding review -- Milleridge Cottage

congratulations!