Planning for our big day

Vendors

Photographer www.mattramosphotography.com
Our package includes-
Wedding Day Coverage:  
·          Matt Ramos & Assistant Photographer
·          Nine Hours of Signature Wedding Coverage
·          Reception Slideshow (images from your wedding day)
After the Wedding & Products: 
·          Online Viewing & Ordering Site for 9 Months
·          $500 Album Credit to Use Towards Album(s) of Choice
·          Online Album Slideshow Presentation & up to 3 Free Edit Sessions
·          Web Resolution DVD of Images (Upgradeable to Master at Any Time)
·          $75 Built in Print Credit Towards Prints of Choice
·          Free Touch-Ups, Cropping, Color Conversion, etc. on all Ordered Images


    Below are some pictures from Matt (with his permission of course!)

 

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Reception - Nicotras Ballroom (Hilton Garden Inn)

Our reception/ceremony site is Nicotras Ballroom at the Staten Island Hilton Garden Inn.  We are getting married outside our reception hall (weather pending) in a gazebo.  We have a huge tented room for cocktail hour and the ballroom for our reception.  We are expecting around 200 people.  Below are some pictures from the website. (www.nicotrasballroom.com).  Here is what our package includes http://www.nicotrasballroom.com/menus/signaturemenu.html

DJ - M2M (Music to the max)

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We are using M2M DJs.  The owners of the company are actually old neighborhood friends and gave us a great deal.  We have two 50 inch LCD plasmas (for video montage and live feed through the night).  They will be on the stands as shown with uplighting.  We also have lights for the dancefloor, LED uplighting (that changes colors) throughout the room and draping for behind the DJ booth (the opposite wall is actually a huge glass window that overlooks a forest).  This is one vendor I'm really, really excited about!

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Engagement party -Arianas Catering Hall, Staten Island B+

Engagement photographer
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http://conveyweddings.com - B-
I totally love the shots that Cynthia got for us (and we had the first hour free, so who can really complain!), but communication was horrible.  We weren't even sure if we were shooting the day of (b/c of the weather) and she wasn't answering her phone for most of the morning (kinda stressfull!!).  I then asked her for some pictures about two weeks after so we can print them for our upcoming engagement party.  She then sent low resolution pics...ugggh...had to re-email her and she apologized or whatever.  She gave us 25 shots, which was agreed to, but we weren't able to pick what pictures we liked...kinda weird.  But for $85, I really can't complain. 

Boudiur photographer -
http://leahstaffordphotography.com - A+
I booked Leah way back in Feb for her marathon session in NYC in July.  I was excited/nervous when the time finally came and took my best friend Shannon for support.  I had such a blast and the hour and a half flew by.  I was allowed five outfit changes (we only got around to four), an hour and a half shooting time (that flew!!) and we shot in a penthouse in midtown Manhattan.  I would totally recommend her to any girls looking to do boudiur pictures!!  I was blogged about a week after the pictures and my dvd is currently in the mail!!  I decided to make my album on my own (with Picaboo) just b/c I like to have creative control.
 

Florist - Floral Sentiments  www.myfloralsentiments.com The owner Camille is a family friend and has decorated my sisters bridal shower and rehearsal dinner, as well as my Mothers bridal shower and wedding.  She has a really creative eye and I can't wait to see what she dreams up for me!

Videographer - www.videoillusion.com

Our package includes:
All day coverage, un-cut master tapes
Choice of editing and music, custom opening
Unlimited effects, re-cap of day
25 baby pictures, 15 honeymoon pictures
3 straight run dvds plus un-cut dvds

Baker - Rinatas bakery (cake is free with wedding package!)

Ceremony musicians -www.mariestack.com We are having a string trio perform during our ceremony (haven't decided what songs to be performed yet)

Interfaith Officiant Susan Turchin.  http://www.weddingwire.com/biz/susan-turchin-creative-wedding-ceremonies-new-york/18a31c9350e8651d.html We met with Susan and instantly knew we wanted her to marry us.  She is educated in all religions and completely open minded.  I can't wait to see what ceremony she dreams up for us!

Hair & Makeup - Beyond Hair www.beyondhairinc.com  I've been going to my hairstylist April for about eight years and I couldn't imagine anyone else doing my hair on the big day.  I will be having full makeup and an updo.  Beyond Hair was also voted one of the top 100 salons from Allure Magazine :)


Bridesmaid dresses - Ordered the girls dresses in March from www.netbride.com.  Will post full review as soon as they come in (end of August).  So far, they have been very helpful and responsive to emails when I had any quesitons.

Wedding dress - Park Avenue Bridals www.parkavenuebridals.com A+ (so far!!)
I went to Park Avenue Bridal through a recommendation from the New Jersey knotties.  I was a little apprehensive at first b/c it is a small shop and they didn't have any of the dresses that I wanted to try on.  Although, they did have a beautiful selection of Jim Hjelm, Alvina Valente, Demetrios, Maggie Sottera and Allure.  I worked with Ginny and she was fantastic.  She actually pulled a dress that I would've never thought to try on.  It was exactly what I was looking for, exactly on budget and it is brand spanking new from a trunk show, so it isn't even for sale yet on the shelves.  I'll update with the alteration process through them also :)

Grooms/Groomsmen tuxedos - We are renting their tuxedos from www.menswearhouse.com.  I will post a review as we go...

Honeymoon travel agent - Nancy Finn from www.myislandgetaways.com.  So far, Nancy has been great to work with...Excellent communication and has alot of knowledge about our destination!

Belly dancer - booked Mariyah from www.easterndancer.com.  We booked her based on her reviews and youtube videos, but haven't had the chance to see her in person yet :(  Will post reviews when we see her!  She will perform for an hour about halfway through dinner.

Rehearsal dinner - Our rehearsal dinner will be held at Lorenzos restaurant at the Hilton (where our ceremony & reception are).  We are having a four course, sit down dinner in the wine room.  The room is really cozy with a wine cellar and fireplace.  www.lorenzosdining.com