June 10, 2006 Review - Westbury Manor, Gino's Tux, E-bay Vendors, and lots more.....with PICS [B](update about WM)[/B]

A++++ - EXCELLENT
A+++ - GOOD
A++ - OKAY
A – NEEDS SOME WORK
B – NOT HAPPY
C – VERY POOR

PLEASE BE AWARE, I AM VERY CRITICAL IN THIS REVIEW AND VERY HONEST! I FEEL AS THOUGH I AM MORE OF A BRIDE-ZILLA NOW, THEN I WAS BEFORE THE WEDDING

Enjoy the review.

MOTHER NATURE: A+++
For a week of non stop rain and horrible weather, on June 10th, the sun came rolling in. It was a little windy in the AM, but the rest of the day was beautiful!!! Perfect for a noon ceremony outside in the garden.

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Message edited 7/6/2006 2:25:32 PM.

Re: June 10, 2006 Review - Westbury Manor, Gino's Tux, E-bay Vendors, and lots more.....with PICS

WESTBURY MANOR: A
All the staff was very accommodating. The hall was clean and very beautiful. Lorainne (Maitre D’) was very helpful and kind. The Bridal Attendant was fabulous. I was upset at the fact that the ceremony was extremely unorganized and this was due to NO rehearsal. Apparently, the WM does not have rehearsals because it is a small ceremony. I had strict instructions (yes I was a bridezilla) that was not followed. See, the WM has a quick rehearsal with the wedding party 30 minutes before the actual ceremony….I was not present; I was taking pictures. Everything, from the line up, to the release of doves, and the hand ceremony was messed up and I blame it on the fact that there was no rehearsal. Besides this drama, I was under the impression the Chuppah was going to be decorated, there was not one flower….$575 for what?? Other than this, the grounds were beautiful and the staff was nice.

I also found out, other guests were in the bridal suite. We were lied to when we were told “only the Maitre D and bridal attendant have the key to the room.” Other staff let them in!

We were informed that if we get under the amount paid for, we get to take home those dinners. We were not given them and being a bride, this was not the first thing on my mind.

I gave the WM specific instructions on how I want things set up; wish bowl, memory candle…..EVERYTHING was wrong!!

The food was incredible! They did a great job on the cocktail hour, which we had outside. No complaints – food was excellent!

I had contacted the WM about the meals we paid for but never received. They contacted me back and we are picking up our meals tomorrow evening. The communication with the staff is great - they always return calls.

Message edited 7/6/2006 2:27:03 PM.

Re: June 10, 2006 Review - Westbury Manor, Gino's Tux, E-bay Vendors, and lots more.....with PICS

DEACON / CANTOR: A++
They were great and what a team they made. They were recommended by the WM. Even though the Hand Ceremony was messed up, this was not there fault. They were never made aware that the Best Man and Maid of Honor was going to do the readings. Also, after we kissed, they started to chant “Oh Mazel Tov and” and the music went on. No one made them aware that we were not walking down the aisle yet, instead we went over to the grass to release doves. It was the most unorganized event I have ever been too.

Re: June 10, 2006 Review - Westbury Manor, Gino's Tux, E-bay Vendors, and lots more.....with PICS

WHITE WING DOVE RELEASE: A++++
This vendor was great. She communicated with me very well before, during, and after the wedding. It was a beautiful asset added to our wedding ceremony.

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Re: June 10, 2006 Review - Westbury Manor, Gino's Tux, E-bay Vendors, and lots more.....with PICS

FLOWERS: B
I will not give the name of the vendor because they are friends of the family and I was a bit disappointed with my bouquet, and my bridesmaids bouquets was not was I requested. Also, my MIL was unhappy with her corsage. All the centerpieces were beautiful, but again not what I asked for.

My bouquet looked like a bunch of scallions and my bridesmaids had these big ugly ribbons attached to their bouquets....mama mia!!

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Message edited 7/5/2006 1:44:52 PM.

Re: June 10, 2006 Review - Westbury Manor, Gino's Tux, E-bay Vendors, and lots more.....with PICS

BODY ROCK ENTERTAINMENT: A+++
Great music, friendly staff. They played all the music we wanted and more. I am not putting the blame on this vendor, however, when they announced the Best Man to come up and make a speech, they did not include the Maid of Honor (who had a speech all written out and I found the speech at home the next day in all our left over wedding supplies ?).

Re: June 10, 2006 Review - Westbury Manor, Gino's Tux, E-bay Vendors, and lots more.....with PICS

PATKEN PHOTO: A++++
Vinny was great. He was there on time and it was a pleasure to have him take our photos. He was extremely patient and NOT so annoying. We got our photos done before the ceremony and a little after and we were able to join our guests at the Cocktail Hour for about 25 minutes.

Re: June 10, 2006 Review - Westbury Manor, Gino's Tux, E-bay Vendors, and lots more.....with PICS

SHOES: A
After Sandies Shoes ordered me the wrong pair; they accommodated me and my bridesmaid by giving us 10% off. They also died the shoes in two days. They were great!

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Re: June 10, 2006 Review - Westbury Manor, Gino's Tux, E-bay Vendors, and lots more.....with PICS

TUXEDOS: A++++
Gino’s tuxedos in Farmingdale on Rt. 109 were great. All our GM and fathers rented from here and the only thing I would say is, “try on the tux the day of pick up, because it may be a little big.” A few of our GM experienced this and they altered them on the spot. Staff and service is excellent!

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Re: June 10, 2006 Review - Westbury Manor, Gino's Tux, E-bay Vendors, and lots more.....with PICS

DRESS: A
I bought my dress from the Bridal Suite in Centerreach. The staff was extremely helpful; however, when I was ready for alterations they wanted to charge me an arm and a leg…..so I took my dress elsewhere. The shipping was speedy. I ordered a Maggie Sottero dress and it came in in 3 months.

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Re: June 10, 2006 Review - Westbury Manor, Gino's Tux, E-bay Vendors, and lots more.....with PICS

ALTERATIONS: C
I brought my dress to Renates in Lindenhurst because they local and this is where we purchased our BM dress and MIL’s dress. I was very happy with them in the beginning and they said they were not going to charge me as much as the Bridal Suite in Centerreach, but they did. My alterations could have been made better; everyone including myself was tripping over my dress. 3 out of 5 of my BM were unhappy about there alterations as well and my MIL had a pull in her dress when she picked it up.

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Re: June 10, 2006 Review - Westbury Manor, Gino's Tux, E-bay Vendors, and lots more.....with PICS

SLIP: A++
The Bridal Suite in Centerreach order me the slip I really wanted; a 5 bone slip to give the ballroom appearance. It definitely gave the ballroom effect; however, it was very uncomfortable, so we took the string out and put elastic in. Because of the weight in my dress, the slip kept fall down, causing me to trip.

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Re: June 10, 2006 Review - Westbury Manor, Gino's Tux, E-bay Vendors, and lots more.....with PICS

VEIL: A++++
I purchased this from an e-bay vendor (Lana’s Wedding Accessories). I received exactly what I paid for. I loved it. Perfect. To be quite honest, I didn’t even want a veil so I bought something very simple which included only one tier.

Re: June 10, 2006 Review - Westbury Manor, Gino's Tux, E-bay Vendors, and lots more.....with PICS

GARTER: A+++
I order my garter from an e-bay vendor (enuffyaya ). It was exactly what I wanted!


JEWELRY: A+++
I purchased the “day of” jewelry from the show case in Renates Bridal located in Lindenhurst. I love it. It incorporated beads and rhinestones just like my dress.


TIARA: A++++
The tiara was my something “borrowed.” My mother lent it to me and it looked perfect!

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Re: June 10, 2006 Review - Westbury Manor, Gino's Tux, E-bay Vendors, and lots more.....with PICS

HAIR / MAKE-UP: A+
My cousin did my hair and it turned out great. It started to come out in the middle of the wedding, but thank G-d she was there to fix it. She owns her own beauty salon and brought one of her co-workers with her to do my make up. I was satisfied.

Re: June 10, 2006 Review - Westbury Manor, Gino's Tux, E-bay Vendors, and lots more.....with PICS

KETUBAH: A++++
We purchased this Ketubah from an e-bay vendor (Art by Shoshana) and we are very happy. She sent me proofs (e-mail) before shipping the product and she made corrections until it was perfect. It is beautiful!

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Re: June 10, 2006 Review - Westbury Manor, Gino's Tux, E-bay Vendors, and lots more.....with PICS

VENT:
My MOH did not read or make a speech at all during the wedding. Because the Deacon/Cantor read the Hand Ceremony reading, she was denied of this. And because the DJ did not announce the MOH up with the Best Man for a speech, she was denied again. I am so upset at this. What makes it worse is, I had two other bridesmaids read a reading for the dove release, because MOH was supposed to do the Hand Ceremony. She is as upset as I am.

ADVICE
Before the wedding day, communicate with every vendor.....because of the lack of communication with the DJ, they were not aware of the Dove release and started playing the song to return down the aisle to soon. I can't stress it enough....communication will make your day go smooth. I am very well organized and communicated well (I thought) with my vendors, I guess it wasn't enough.

Message edited 7/6/2006 2:30:22 PM.

Re: June 10, 2006 Review - Westbury Manor, Gino's Tux, E-bay Vendors, and lots more.....with PICS

Excellent review!! You looked beautiful

Re: June 10, 2006 Review - Westbury Manor, Gino's Tux, E-bay Vendors, and lots more.....with PICS

thanks for sharing your review - you looked AMAZING! Glad the day went well!

Re: June 10, 2006 Review - Westbury Manor, Gino's Tux, E-bay Vendors, and lots more.....with PICS

Great review and thank you for being as honest as you can

You looked gorgeous

Congrats to you and your DH

Re: June 10, 2006 Review - Westbury Manor, Gino's Tux, E-bay Vendors, and lots more.....with PICS

nice review. I am sorry not everything went as you expected.
Did you go over your ceremony with your officiant beforehand?
Also, WM didn't provide flowers for your ceremony?

Re: June 10, 2006 Review - Westbury Manor, Gino's Tux, E-bay Vendors, and lots more.....with PICS

wonderful review, you look gorgeous. COngrats again.

Re: June 10, 2006 Review - Westbury Manor, Gino's Tux, E-bay Vendors, and lots more.....with PICS

great review !!!!!!!!!!

Re: June 10, 2006 Review - Westbury Manor, Gino's Tux, E-bay Vendors, and lots more.....with PICS

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Posted by LaurenluvsTJ

nice review. I am sorry not everything went as you expected.
Did you go over your ceremony with your officiant beforehand?
Also, WM didn't provide flowers for your ceremony?

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Re: June 10, 2006 Review - Westbury Manor, Gino's Tux, E-bay Vendors, and lots more.....with PICS

Wow, we had so many similarities - same gown (Capri), same hoop skirt (I had 4 bones), same hall (Westbury Manor), dove release (we used Love is in the Air), and same honeymoon (French Polynesian islands)

So sorry that you had some mishaps but it still looks like you had a gorgeous day Congratulations!!!!