Well....it came and went and the key - we both had a BLAST!! And evidently so did our guests which is such a complement! A few of the boys came over to the house last night for dinner and said the best thing to me..."the next day all we could talk about is how amazing your wedding was. We wish we could have a party like that every year!" That means so much to us! Me especially and it's extra special coming from a guy - one that I never expected to pay so much attention to all the details. So here are the reviews...
Old Red Courthouse - A+:
Everyone one was so corporative and the space was just amazing! Especially when it was all decorated - I think you could transform this place into anything you wish! Linda was a breeze to work with and was very prompt in her email replies and answering any questions the day of.
Armark Catering - A:
The food was delicious and the staff was great! We had enough food for everyone and it lasted for those who wanted seconds. The food choices were simple - pistachio crusted chicken strips, mac and cheese bar (was a big hit!), taco bar with carved brisket and all the fixings, and veggie and fruit display. They also had staff at the bar - they were very nice and prompt with their service...the mixed drinks could have been a little better but everyone was pleased and seemed to enjoy themselves
Dr. Delphinium floral designs - A:
The final flowers were absolutely gorgeous! From the ceremony decor to the reception everything looked great. The bouquets and boutonnieres were beautiful and they did a great job adhering the flowers I DIYed to the branches of the rod-iron trees.
Ducky Bobs - A:
We actually picked up and returned the linens to save costs but the linens we did rent from them were perfect and returning them was a cinch. Very easy to work with
A Very Special Day - A+++:
Cheryl and Richard (DJ) at AVSD were simply awesome! Cheryl helped me when I needed it and answered any questions or tweaking of the contract I needed in a timely manner. Richard was our DJ for the night and we can not thank him enough! He did an amazing job with the ceremony music and reception music. I threw him a few curve balls with my music selection for the ceremony and he delivered it beautifully. During the reception - everything flowed seamlessly and when the party started it went well into the night. Comments made to us such as, "I didn't want to leave the dance floor" and "I didn't want the party to end - I was having such a great time," is a true testament to the genius that Richard is. Not to mention how they transformed the place! The lighting was perfect and created the atmosphere we were looking for. If people wanted to dance and party they could and those who didn't were content to watch and able to visit with those around without distraction.
Amanda with AH Make-up Artistry - A+:
Amanda was awesome from the trail to the bridals to my wedding day. My make-up lasted all night and looked flawless. She did an amazing job considering the interruptions because my wedding planner was not handling the things that I should have never been bothered with (will get to that later). Amanda helped me calm down and talked me though it while she finished my make up. It was hectic but she worked diligently and made it known I was not to be bothered at that moment. She is amazing and affordable which is a wonderful thing to a bride in need! I would highly recommend her to anyone!
Amanda (hair) - A:
This Amanda was also great. She has a great talent with hair styles and could accomplish anything you could ask of her. She is very sweet and great at what she does. For my wedding she made clip-in extensions for me and my hair stayed put all night - through the dancing and partying.
Priscilla of Boston - A+:
Brooke at POB is a great consultant - not only did she help my find my dress but she also helped with my BMs dresses as well. After dirtying my dress during my bridal shoot they assured me it would come out better than new after the cleaning...and it did. I will be taking my dress back to be preserved with them. Mildred, the seamstress, is a miracle worker! She is amazingly talented and a doll to work with. If something couldn't be done she would tell you straight out instead of trying and then you being disappointed. She's great! They are a great group and I would recommend anyone getting anything bridal from them.
Roman's Bakery - A:
The tasting was fun and the people were easy to work with! The end result was amazing and created perfectly to my design. The taste was equally amazing and everyone enjoyed it.
WeddingTX - A+++:
Alex and Elena were wonderful photographers...they were willing to push the envelope when I wanted different shots and let me do some of the imagining for different shots. The engagement pictures were awesome and everyone enjoyed them very much. The bridals were equally awesome...Alex made a special trip to shoot with Elena. They came out beautifully and I could have asked for a better time! The wedding was amazing...they took shots of everything, helped out when my wedding planner failed at her job, and captured all of our special moments carefully and professionally! They boys had a great time with Alex in the Groom's Suite and the girls had fun with Elena in the Bridal Suite with the kids playing and just being so cute. Everyone said how great they were - how they were everywhere and never gave up on a shot. During the family pictures they could tell I was stressed out and helped calm me down while the pictures were being debated. I don't think we took all the pictures they wanted to take because we were stressed and ready to get into the reception to see everyone. I really can't wait to see the final products and pictures and would highly recommend the wonderful pair to any bride!
Rachel with Rachel Events - 
Rachel was my wedding coordinator and did ok up until the wedding, which is where she should have shined...unfortunately she did not shine in the least bit! Everyone around me had lost faith in her about 6 months out - but I held my confidence in her...that, however, began to waver at the rehearsal. She was extremely RUDE to our friends and family treating them like they were children - even the officiant! No one had an easy feeling around her and once she left you could feel the weight lifted off everyone. She was not the "people person" she portrayed and it was clearly evident at the rehearsal. Then the wedding came.....oh boy! Now she did do some good things....brought me a couple of tubs of Cool Whip I needed for the desserts, had the flowers where they needed to be, gathered people together when needed (rudely), and helped with the set up (for about 5-10 minutes). Everything else was done by my AMAZING MOH, my BMs, and my mother. From my encounters Rachel was no where to be found when I needed her. After the ceremony we went downstairs to take family pics...which I had to orchestrate because she had no idea what she was doing or what was going on. I am supposed to be at my happiest then and I was stressed trying to get everyone together for pictures. She was raising her voice to my family and parents and my husbands family as well. Talking very rudely to the kids and others around her. Once those were finally finished - after no help from her - Trent and I took a few pictures alone and then entered the reception. It went downhill totally after that...A drink was not in my hand (as she told me it would be) during the reception...and my husband was not taken care of in the same way as she had promised. We wanted pictures of us signing the wedding license...couldn't find her to find the photographers. After that we mingled a little, did the newly weds game and then the cake cutting. Many people missed the cake cutting because the announcement was not heard. She should have made sure those who were still in the reception room knew the cake cutting was going on! Where was she???? No one knows. Trent and I had no idea what to do up there with the cake...when to cut....when to drink....what we were waiting on....the photographers finally stepped in to help and got some great pictures. I was furious after that...I told my mother to find Rachel - which she finally appeared and I proceeded to tell her that she was not helping and where exactly had she been the past hour?!?!? Her answer: Getting your room together. Really?? After that I never saw her again. I don't know what she was doing...where she was...who she was talking to the ENTIRE night on her CELL phone! Her phone should have been off and all attention on me....that is what I paid for - right??!!
Evidently the things I didn't see where worse....she told my Sister-in-law that the silverware was "Right in front of her face" when she was looking for it, She did not put a bag in our getaway car we needed on our honeymoon (as she claimed she had while "getting my room together"). After we left she gathered the linens in a trash bag, of which she missed two of them, and dropped it at my mothers feet saying, "Here." My mom went to help disassemble the cake stand - turned around and Rachel was gone...like went home gone. She never returned to help clean up - a process that took another hour after she left.
After all I took up for her in the previous months she turned out just as everyone had been telling me she was....HORRIBLE!!!!! This was my wedding mistake - a total waste of money and energy - not to mention having someone I hired be soooo rude to our family and friends. DO NOT HIRE HER!!
Sorry this was so long but I hope it helps other brides planning their very special day!