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New York-New York City

Review and Recap for other brides

I see so many posts about these things, so I figured I would just share my list of vendors and why I liked them.  Use them if you want!! And good luck.
The big thing for me was budget, almost all of the vendors include their pricing on their site.

My wedding was --- darned near EFFORTLESS.  No stress, people were shocked about my lack of running around.  And these are the people who made it easy!

Location:  Chelsea Piers Sunset Terrace - great location, fun creative, beautiful view of the water!  Friendly staff, thorough with your walk through, timeline and prepping you with odds and ends.  The room to dress in is not fancy though but, for me it was fine.  Your guests have to pay to park and you will pass the ice rink - but, none of us cared.

Catering:  Jason's Catering - it's required if you use that space.  Kathy is WONDERFUL to work with.  Great selections, food is freshly prepared.  We did a buffet, more than 30% of the guests had seconds!

Dress:  Went to Kleinfeld's but bought at RK Bridal.  Would you believe a dress I loved at Kleinfeld's was beat out by the dress I purchased at RK!?! And it was cheaper. Go there mid-week around 11 am NO ONE IS IN THERE! All of the consultants gush over you!  

Shoes:  Endless.com - I bought some sexy shoes.  I still wear them.  They are blinged out sandals.  Originally, I bought Kate Spade - Gracious shoes at $350 -- returned when I found the pair for me!!

Alterations:  I live in Westchester, I went to LaRobe by Leah.  She knows her stuff! She is not going to rob you at all and she beats the prices of any bridal shop!  My only regret ladies...I picked up my dress three weeks-- never tried it on again-- before my wedding and KEPT DIETING so my dress was huge when I got married!

Makeup: Niki Manavi!  Super nice woman, I asked her to stay as my guest! My guests messed up my walk down the aisle with all the freaking gasping! They thought I fell out of a magazine.  And we got that look without having met or having a consultation so she knows her stuff.

Car Service:  We hired LimoRes.  My wedding was SMALL - we opted for Escalades.  We paid to drop off and pick up -- we did not hire for the "day."  They are easy to order from, very nice, our driver was EARLY and very helpful with all of our bags.

Photography:  VESAWP - Peter is THE MAN!  Friends and casual acquaintances said we looked like we were in a magazine.  Prices are very reasonable!

Videography:  eMotions Pictures - Chris...WOW!  The film was great.  He uses two cameras for your ceremony as a part of the regular price! He is super nice and creative.   

Floral:  Cityiris - Patrick and Josh became my unofficial wedding planners.  They did my invitations for FREE!  They were great to work with -- incredible vision.  They offer florals, runners, invitations, table rentals, gobos -- complete decor.  I had HUGE pomander and dripping crystals to stand under for the ceremony.  Very thorough.  Pricing beats Verde and a couple of other places I went to. They took my carnations budget to a vandia orchid level!!!

Hope it helps and good luck!!!




Re: Review and Recap for other brides

  • edited December 2011
    I think I saw your wedding highlights on Chris' website.  I'm working with him too.  You look great.  Thanks for the reviews.  
  • prusgirlprusgirl member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    You're welcome!  Chris is great!!!
  • edited December 2011
    thanks for all the helpful hints! much appreciated!
  • skeliaskelia member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011

    Did you hire a DJ or live band? Please recommend.

  • prusgirlprusgirl member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I had a DJ but, I wasn't in love with him. I can recommend Touch of Class DJ's.  Great group but, they were booked.
  • edited December 2011
    If you don't mind me asking, about how many people did you have at your wedding?  Did you find that a lot of your guests danced?
  • prusgirlprusgirl member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I had 50 in total (I rsvp 54).  The demographic of my group were not heavy dancers, they were their to socialize. 

    The space allowed dancing for about 30 people. All but seven of my guests danced at some point during the evening.  The highest points were when the DJ played a Michael Jackson medley.  I danced with all the men in attendance.  And they loved it!  Largely because, I love to dance and I knew all the MJ video steps.

    The lowest point I saw three people dancing.  Because I emphasized to the DJ the importance of having at minimum 10 people on the floor at all times.  I cannot give him a good review.  He refused to change songs to more motivating music.
  • edited December 2011
    Thanks, I really appreciate it.  I'm expecting around 50 people too.
  • prusgirlprusgirl member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    You're welcome.  Congratulations and good luck!

    When you are planning your reception with this small a group keep in mind this...

    #1.  What do YOU want to have as your take away from the evening?  If you want to see a lot of dancing, make sure your DJ is great -- if you are low key just make sure your guests don't expect too much.

    #2.  Be realistic about your guests.  I have never stayed until the very end of a wedding.  Yet, I had the audacity to think everyone would stay until the end at mine.  I should have cut down one hour of my reception and had a very intimate space or had continued to party at the 40/40 club which was in the area.

    #3.  Design your space well.  I asked for a space that was a little unconventional for the Sunset Terrace.  They usually do rounds but, I did the royal banquet style so that more people sat together and as people left, I regrouped them over again.


  • missUVmissUV member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Thanks for all the info - I'm also trying to pull off an affordable smaller wedding. Any chance you can share what your budget was and what you spent pp?
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