Invitations - Rudman's A+, I found a fleur de lis budget invite online and two other bigger places told me it was discontinued because it wasn't in their books. Sterling made one simple phone call and found it to be available. He also advised me to save money (which he could have made!) by not doing RSVP cards. And considering it flooded last night and half the people couldn't even get to the wedding, that was money well saved!
Misc. stuff - Accent Annex on Labarre A+, they have a little room of guest books, unity candles etc for 50% off, employees were very helpful, nice selection, and it was a steal.
Beauty - Flawless Bride A++, We had 10 bridesmaids, me, 2 flower girls, MOB and MOG plus a stepmom. Heather and her crew arrived at noon as planned and everyone looked incredible. We had to get to the wedding through storm and flood and our hair and makeup was unphased. Everyone looked so gorgeous, I felt really proud, my hubby didn't even recognize my mom! And everyone commented how flawless we all looked, so the name is on point! Can't rave enough.
Photography by Louis - A++, professional, fun, unassuming, and freaking amazing work. My engagements and bridals are like from a magazine. I haven't even seen wedding shots yet but every time I turned around he was there to capture a moment, I can't wait to see!
Rehearsal Dinner Smiley's A+, great price great food great fun...we just did cocktail party option with a room full of small tables so everybody could mingle, really fun.
Limos - Bourbon Street Limousines, D, I'd give them an F but they get credit for flooded streets. Anyway, they never showed, wouldn't answer phone, all 13+ ladies are stuck at home with less than 30 minutes to go and we have no clue what to do. Finally reached someone, he was an absolute jerk about it, and after church, everything had subsided, yet they still didn't show up to take us to reception.
Rolls Royce guy, A++, I have to find out his name, hubby found him on Craig's List, the limo company couldn't show up in a bus or any other way or even answer the phone, but he went through the flood in his little Rolls so we could have a ride to reception. Of course we didn't get the couple in the rolls shot my H wanted (why he rented one) because it was storming, but I sure was glad he showed up.
St. Agnes Church, beautiful, and with such a mess, they were very accommodating and we ended up with a nice wedding.
Southport Hall, A+infinity, I didn't want a typical reception hall, and I definitely didn't get one! But it's an old place with all hardwood floors and rafters, they provide tablecloths and votives for all the tables, it looked perfectly nice, food yummy, amazing prices, and if I do say so myself, and many people told us, funnest reception ever! Even with the flood and only about half of our invitees showing, it was so much fun! Jay who runs the place is so cool and was a huge help to me in many ways in the days leading up to the event. And since it's basically a bar, all the staff is fun and really excited for you. I walked in the side bar and all the bartenders yelled it's the bride! and made shots for me and girls with me. I will say this, people got wasted, which is a good thing and bad:) Anyway Southport reception is the best thing about the whole wedding besides me marrying my baby! And amazingly like 200 people went through a flood to get there, so of course they were the true partiers!
One last, Aucoin Hart rings, beautiful, and great customer service.
Ladies, if you're stressing about minor stuff, remember there is major stuff, like flashflooding!, that you can't possibly plan for, but it will all be okay, and the disasters are the funny part that you will tell your kids. Mom and dad got SUVs and drove through a flood to marry each other!