Hi Everyone-
I finally got married on August 21st and thought I would follow suit with other brides who posted their raves regarding vendors. I hope the following will help anyone who is in the midst of decision making with various vendors. Here goes:
Rehearsal Dinner-A++++++++
Brick Alley Pub-Sue Sperling was amazing planning our rehearsal dinner. She was extremely accomodating and had great ideas. We had cheese and crackers to kickoff, chowder, clamcakes, spring rolls then two carving stations with salad, garlic mash potato's, vegetable, rolls. Everyone had a great time and the venue allowed for our guest to migle with everyone. Tobi who was worked the dinner was extremely helpful and our guest were waited on hand and foot. All guest were extremely happy!
Ceremony A+
St Lucy's in MIddletown RI. I have to say I didn't want the ceremony to end. Father John did an amazing job, he was funny and really made it personal. Our soloist, Melissa Murphy Leite brought the church down, she had everyone in tears with her beautiful voice!
Venue A++++++++++++
Fort Adams on the North Lawn (not the Eisenhower House). This is the most amazing venue on the island! The newport Bridge is right smack in front of the Fort, Newport Harbor to the right. Our cocktail hour was held outside the tent right on the water. Lori was amazing to work with and what a site to have pictures taken. It was a gorgeous day and the night was spectacular with the bridge lit up and all the 12 metre yachts sailing by the tent during the dinner hour. All guest were amazed! This is the best kept secret in Newport!
Tent A+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Newport Tent was amazing! Anyone thinking of an outdoor wedding please contact Billy at Newport Tent. He is wonderful, easygoing and extremely accomodating!
Tent Decor A++++++++++++
Kelly DeBeau from Exquisite Events. She is extremely talented and did an amazing job. Our guest are still talking about the tent decor and how classy it looked. Everyone felt they were in a ball room.
Caterer A++++++++++++++++++++++++
Russell Morin was off the charts! The hor d-eourves (spelling ??) were unbelievable and our guest told us they just kept passing and passing and passing food around. Not once did our guest have to seek out an appetizer which is exactly what we wanted. the dinner was DELICIOUS! We started off with ceasar salad, beef tenderloin or portabello chicken and had strawberry shortcake. The staff came around with seconds and I thought they were just doing that for the wedding party but our guest told us they have never been to a wedding where they came around with seconds. Everyone raved about the meal and they are still talking about it. I can't say enough!!!!! Book Russell if you haven't yet! Kathleen Geasey was great to work with and she was extremely attentive. They also did our Brunch with the Newlyweds and everything was great....
Band A++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Cover to Cover-BOOK THEM!!! They were outstanding!!!!! Frankie is fabulous to work with and they learned our first song Follow Through by Gavin DeGraw and it was like having Gavin there himself. The dance floor was never empty and I have two friends who's daughters are getting married and they want to have them play at their weddings! I can't say enough about them!!!
Florist A++++++++++++++++++++++++
Toni Chandler-wonderful, gorgeous, breathtaking!!!! Our bouqets, tables, etc were gorgeous! All female guest were blown away by the centerpieces which really made the tent pop with the navy blue linens. Toni is easy to work with and I can't recommend her enough.
Photographer A+++++++++++
Kate Lucey was great, she was very calming and really put me at ease. I can't wait to see the pictures.
Videographer A++++++++++++
MaryLou Browning, she was fabulous and I didn't even know she was there! I can't wait to see the video
Weekend Wedding Coordinator A+++++++++++++++++++
Judy Carrol from Papers, BOOK HER! Anyone who is looking for someone to assist them for the weekend Judy is your person. She was so helpful and you didn't even know she was there until you needed something she was right there before you knew you needed it. My parents were thrilled to have her as part of our weekend!
Save the Dates and Wedding Invitations A+++
Papers-very classy, efficient !!!!!
Dress/Veil C-
Cinderella's. I did love my dress and the reason I marked a C- was more the experience I had at Cinderella's it really left a sour taste! The day I picked out my dress Scott was amazing, he was attentive and really made the day special. I felt after I bought the dress plus my bridesmaids dresses and referred two friends there who also purchased dresses my positive experience would continue but I was WRONG! The few times I called to schedule fittings, etc. the staff was rude, abrupt and argumentative. When I spoke with Scott regarding the way I was treated he blew me off. I also ordered my veil from them and when I tried it on it was obviously not the veil I purchased. I was told it was, I owned it and if I wanted to order another one I could but on my dime. It did work out in the end for I took my dress, veil and just dealt with the seamstress at that point who was great. This behavior was also viewed by my Matron of Honor, mother and two bridesmaids who were equally disappointed. My sister in laws friend had the same experience but I am one who always gives people a chance and form my own opinion, boy I wished I had listened.
I think I got everything!!!! It was alot of work but all the vendors worked so well together and there wasn' t a thing I would have done differently. I was also able to stay within my budget which was not over the top. I am going to miss these folks for they were so fun to work with.
Good Luck girls! Enjoy this time for it goes very fast!