Hello Ladies! Just wanted to share all our experiences with you and hope it help with your planning process
Venue- The English Manor, Ocean N.J.- The grounds were beautiful, the fact that there is only one wedding at a time makes for an intimate affair, the food was great and our matrie'd Debbie tended to our every need. Our guests raved about the food- and they even brought out seconds for everyone! The cake was included in the price and there was a great selection of styles and flavors to choose from. There was a roomy bridal suite and grooms room for the bridal party to hang in and they brought us food and drinks up while we were waiting to be introduced. I feel like we got soo much for the price we paid ( $120 pp after tax and gratuity)- we had a full cocktail hour with ice sculptures, passed h'dorves, carving station, Asian station with sushi, pasta station ect, salad then came an intermezzo- full course meal, cake, pastry, mini ice cream cones and they set up a goodbye station of coffee and cookies for our guests as they were leaving (big hit) And of course full bar!! I can not think of anything bad to say- they went above and beyond!
DJ- Gerry from Golden Note Entertainment- I first discovered Gerry at a bridal show and was immediately impressed. He had so much energy and our dance floor was PACKED all night. He even checked in on my husband and I through the night and let us know how much time we had left and how we wanted to proceed. He included a black light show where all the guests put white gloves on and did "Hands Up" and "Vogue"- so many people commented that they have never seen it before and how fun it was He was a great addition to the party. I felt as though his price was reasonable- I believe it was $1995. There are other people in the company who come at a smaller price but Gerry is def worth the extra money!
Photographer- KGM Expressions- Kim and Ray are a husband and wife team. Our first encounter with them was when they shot a family session of all the cousins for my grandparents which came out beautiful. We then used them for our engagement shoot on the beach and our wedding. Kim and Ray started shooting at my friends house when we were getting ready and didn't leave us until we got on the party bus the end of the night. Kim even came in and did some boudoir shots last minute when I was getting ready. They were wonderful and understanding when I got cranky and wanted to stop while we were doing all the couples photos. During the reception you didn't know they were there as Ray just danced around with the guests and got some great shots- can't wait to see them all!! I do not have all my notes with me right now but I believe that Kim and Ray charge under 2k!
Videographer- Christine Duggan Films- Christine was recommended by our venue as she used to be the matrie'd and began this company after her children became school aged. Christine was nice- all the work I have seen so far has been beautiful. We are looking foward to the video- she gave us a free honeymoon montage for passing her name along to another client! Her fee was $1595 which is affordable comparable to prices I have seen!
Cocktail Hour Music- JRSoca Steel Kettle Drummers- Came highly recommended by past clients I checked with for references. This was an amazing addition to our cocktail hour which we wanted to be laid back and fun- I think it put everyone in a great moode as if they were on vacation. They came on time, set them selves up and had everyone dancing and swaying around! The fee was $325 for the hour.
Ceremony Music- We used Sweet Harmony Music and hired a violinist named Heather. Heather was accommodating with the fact that our bridesmaid was signing a song and met with her the Friday before the wedding and prior to ceremony to Rehearse. From what I heard ( as she played mostly as guests were coming in) it sounded beautiful. I heard a few negative comments that she was off key. My only complaint is that she came up to my husband and I while we were doing pictures(did pictures prior to ceremony) and told us that she felt a rain drop and could not play if she felt another one as it would ruin her instrument- this might have accounted for my crankiness that I previously stated during out photo session. In the long run- everything worked out and the rain held out all day!! The price for the violinist for one hour was $225
Make Up and Hair- PIN IT UP- Kristen was amazing!! I have to say my make up looked Flawless and got so many compliments all day. Two girls who attended from my office are getting married this year and said they have to use her after seeing mine and the bridal partys make up. Kristen was on time, kept me calm during the process of getting ready and made us all feel great. PIN IT UP Is located in Somerset but they travel to the whole tri-state area. The bridal airbrush make-up was $125 and the girls were $75 each which included fake lashes.
Limo- We used Joseph's Limo Service in Roseland, NJ. We rented a party bus to shuttle guests to and from the hotel- the price for this was $400. The bus was awesome and our driver was a lot of fun- my only complaint is that we really didn't need it because not as many people as we expected stayed at the hotel and the majority of them drove because they didnt want to leave there car at the venue and take a cab back the next day. My biggest concern was drinking and driving so I feel good that atleast I offered this service.
Hotel- Courtyard Mariott by Tinton Falls- Nice place, we did a wedding room block and thought we were getting a deal for our guests but it turned out that it was only like $5 less than the regular room rate- husband and I did get a free room out of the deal which is good and they offered beer and wine at the front desk for when we came back after the wedding.
Cigar Bar- Probably the biggest hit of the whole night- ive never seen so many grown men run somewhere in a pack like this in my life. This was a surprise for my husband so when the DJ announced it after dinner people made a mad dash for the deck. It was part of our favor as well. We used Cortez Cigars in Shrewsburry the roller was very knowledgeable and explained all the different types of cigars to the guests. The fee was about $800 for 100 cigars- which I thought was alittle pricey but I splurged as a gift to my husband and our guests; glad I did!
Florist- Manny at Santos Florist in Newark. Manny was absolutely amazing from the first time we met him until the day of the weddding. He worked with us every step of the way and even talked me out of $3k centerpieces which I thought it was big of him as a businessman. He gave us a 10% discount as my husband is a teacher- he does this for teachers, policeman, firemen ect. I was so happy with all the flowers! He broke the tension and had my laughing the day before when Confirmed making a joke " Were all set for next month don't worry!!" I knew I was in good hands haha!
Officient- Matthew Martin- Fr. Martin was very sweet when we first met with he and his wife in their home in Freehold- he came early and met me in the bridal suite on the day of the wedding to sign the marriage lisence with our witnesses so we did not miss cocktail hour. We went over the ceremony upstairs prior but he seemed to forget that my bridesmaid was signing and we had another reader as he went right into our vowes. I had to remind him during the ceremony- but didn't hold it against him because he was a nice older man and said beautiful things during our ceremony!
Dress- Bridals By Roma- I think many of you probably read my posts on here regarding them...lets just put it this way- DO NOT GO THERE! my dress was beautiful but they sold it other places and I regret not ordering it from Hollywood who did my bridesmaids dresses.
Tuxes- Men's Warehouse- They were OK- my brother caught a glitch that they had the wrong date in the computer system when he went to go fitted but other than that it was convient as the guys were all over the state.
I think thats it...have to go pack for our honeymoon now- going to Sandals in Antigua on Sunday!!
Hope this helps.....good luck to all of you and remember- don't stress too much it will all be over in the blink of an eye!!! BUT the amazing memories, love of your husband, family, and friends will stick with you forever!