I have not been a very active poster but since I really valued everyone's vendor reviews, I thought I would share my own.
I live in Los Angeles, but just tied the knot in Newport, RI - after a full week of muggy, miserable weather - Saturday 10-2-10 was easily the most gorgeous day ever. Not a cloud in the sky, a cool breeze, and a great view all around. We used a few friends for certain elements of our wedding - DJ, officiant, reception flowers...but here are some of the amazing local vendors we used. Rehearsal dinner was at my parent's house but Becky's BBQ was a big hit (we ordered the food from there)...
I like to think I'm pretty easy to please so I apologize if these all seem too good to be true (since they all get an A in my book hahaha)
VENUE: New York Yacht Club. This is a private club that my parents belong to - but if you ever have the chance to get married there or attend a wedding there it's an A++++++ EVERYTHING was handled with grace, ease, and style. Julie, the on-site event planner made sure everything was perfect. The food was unbelievable, the set up was gorgeous and I think I can say that I couldn't have picked a better place. Also if there were any issues with the other vendors, I was totally unaware because she kept me smiling all day :-)
CAKE: Mad Hatter Bakery. We did cupcakes and a small cake for us to cut. We did lots of tastings and Mad Hatter was clear and away the winner. And they did not let us down for the big day. A+ We had red velvet, white cake with lemon icing, yellow cake with chocolate icing, chocolate cake with chocolate icing, and carrot cake - I was tempted to eat one of each (good thing Julie at the yacht club set aside cupcakes in our room to stuff in our faces after the reception).
PHOTOBOOTH: PhotoBooth Planet. Biggest hit of the night. When I started planning the wedding, this was the first thing I booked. The attendant was amazing and helpful. Everyone had a blast. We made mustaches on sticks for people to use in the booth and provided our own album (which i liked so it was something we would like to have and not someone else's taste). A+
STRING QUARTET: La Bella Musica. We booked them through GigMasters and it was awesome. I feel like so much was a blur but I know that the ceremony music was beautiful to me. We had them play all non-traditional music (beatles, elvis, journey, etc). It was a big hit with the guests as well. A+ (my only regret is that the best man wasn't fast enough with the tip envelope for them...so i will be sending them an extra check with a tip!)
PHOTOGRAPHER: Kendall Pavan from Zenobia Studios. LOVE LOVE LOVE Kendall. We did photos before the ceremony and a few after. She was amazing. I am dying to see the pics. We did get a great preview at the reception with their ingenious on-site slide show during the reception. The guests loved getting a quick preview. I was just in awe of the shots they got! A+++++
FLOWERS: Sayles Livingston. Sayles made the most gorgeous bouquets for myself, my one bridesmaid, and adorable little balls for the flower girls. They were exactly what I wanted even though at times, I don't know if I even know what I wanted. A+ (my mom's friends did all the arrangements for the tables and if they were in the biz, i would give them an A++++ but i'm not sure they are open for business haha)
HAIR/MAKE UP: Jennie Kay Murphy. Jennie and her team came to the bridal suite to get my mom, my matron of honor, and I primped and ready. Hair and Make Up were perfect. Messy Updo CHECK! Easy, not-overdone makeup? CHECK! A
GROOM'S SHAVE: So the boys didnt' do much primping but my husband did a test run of a straight-razor shave at All American Barber Shop in Middletown (not many places in town offer a shave anymore).... and while I am sure it's a great barber shop (haircuts all looked good), I guess we never should've trusted a man with a beard to give a good shave. Good thing we did a test run on Tuesday before the wedding (my husband ended up shaving himself the morning of the wedding, he's been doing it for the last 20 years so i guess he's pretty good ha). Anyways, they may have some guys there who do a better job but the guy who shaved him was pretty bad. He left tons of hair around his mustache area and on his neck in addition to quite a few nicks. Sorry guys...but i have to give you a D.
Ok well I'm back in LA now and about to unpack the suitcases from Newport and swap out all those jeans and sweaters for bikinis and flip flops....tonight we leave for Tahiti!
Enjoy this time ladies...and remember, it will all get worked out and no matter what you think isn't perfect won't even matter - just HAVE FUN!
Jen