In June, she started the blog, LI Budget Bride, which is documenting her Long Island wedding planning from her new home base in Raleigh, N.C. That’s where Ariella, 27, and fiance Chuck Anderson (from Smithtown), 28, moved to last year, just after getting engaged. A job opportunity was presented to Ariella, which she just couldn’t turn down and so there they are, planning to get married on Long Island on June 4, 2011.
The challenges are set up in her blog description: “The adventures of planning a Long Island wedding for 150 guests with a $15,000 budget from 500 miles away.”
“I knew that when I got engaged my wedding would be on a $15,000 budget and I know for Long Island that is quite the fete,” Ariella explains. Will she be able to do it?
We’ll be featuring LI Budget Bride here so you can keep up with Ariella’s posts as she plans her Long Island wedding. Just look for a link on the green sidebar to your right.
With the success of “Say Yes to the Dress” now well behind them (the sixth season returns in February), TLC is banking on a brand new six-part series — are you ready? — “Say Yes to the Dress: Big Bliss.” Premiering on October 1 at 9 pm, this offshoot focuses on the emotional journeys of plus-size brides shopping at Kleinfeld for their dream wedding dresses. Are we going to get hooked on this series, too?
According to news reports, about 55 sets of car keys were stolen on Saturday night during a wedding reception at the Woodbury Country Club, leaving many guests stranded and no doubt, pretty angry. According to the general manager of the Woodbury Country Club, while his employees were distracted as they were moving around traffic cones, someone pulled up in a vehicle and took off with the whole box of keys. Police are investigating.
Now I haven’t heard of this sort of crime happening frequently, but it sure is a wake up call for reception venues. For couples getting married on Long Island, this is just one more item to add to your to-do list: When booking your wedding reception, do ask about not only valet parking services, but also about security.
Q: My fiance and I are looking for unique and fun wedding locations that matches our creative personalities. We are both beach lovers (we live on the beach) and would have love to marry in Key West, but don’t want a destination wedding. Overall, we want a wedding that is classy, but as a laid back Key West feel to it. We also love the charm of the historical houses that can be found in places such as Key West. I would love to find a unique place that captures that vibe…preferably on or close to the water but not a necessity. We do have a budget.
A: Marissa, you are not alone in your quest for a unique, laid back venue, one that has charm and has a beachy feel to it, all on Long Island. Take a look at some of our previous Ask Claudia questions on this topic here and you’ll find a good number of specific venues that might meet your requirements. In addition, here’s one more idea: check out Dreamer’s Cove Inn & Spa in Aquebogue. This little hideaway overlooks Peconic Bay and you can get married right on the beach. It has a romantic and rustic ambiance that sounds like what you are looking for!
We love radio station WPLJ-FM. And we’re excited to tell you that we’ve put together an incredible Bridal Beauty Giveaway Contest exclusively for WPLJ — New York’s top radio station — and for you, with prizes valued at well over $5000!
For anyone getting married on Long Island or other parts of New York — How would you like to win:
A brand new, gorgeous designer wedding gown by David Tutera of WE TV’s “My Fair Wedding” fame? You can win one of five David Tutera gowns, sold exclusively at Bridal Reflections, plus a whole lot more –
Your wedding gown cleaning and restoration after the wedding by top notch professionals, Arthur Copeland Cleansers
A custom headpiece and veil by Long Island’s superb designer Boutique de Voile
Fabulous bridal manicure, pedicure, hairstyle and makeup by Salon 230 West
Professional facial treatments at the Medi-Spa at Schlessinger Eye and Face
The total value of this magnificent prize is over $5000. And all you have to do is click here to register. But hurry and do it right now — this contest runs for only four weeks (ends September 16, 2010). We’ll feature the winning bride-to-be right here … Good luck!!
Ladies, Bridal Refelections has some great trunk shows going on, and during these events, you can get a special discount of 15%!
In the Carle Place location, 80 Westbury Ave, Carle Place, 516.742.7788:
August 27th-29th Lazaro Maids Fall 2010
Featuring the new Fall 2010 Collection, not yet in stores. Outfitting a picture perfect wedding party with unique colors, fabrics and modern styles, Lazaro provides every bride with the dress that best expresses her personality and sense of style. Special pricing at this event. By appointment.
August 27th-29th Badgley Mischka
Stunning bridal gowns reflect the glamorous Hollywood stars of the forties. Known for exquisite quality beadwork, the Badgley Mischka signature style is simple, streamlined and thoroughly elegant, always with an ‘element of interest’ such as a unique silhouette or luxurious detail. Special pricing at this event. By appointment.
In the Massapequa store, 3 Broadway, Massapequa, 516.795.2222:
August 26th Denise Leli Headpieces, Veils, and Accessories. Special Pricing at this event. By appointment.
For the 11th year in a row, the “Today” show is holding a couples contest for an all-expenses paid wedding, to be aired live on October 6th. It’s down now to four engaged couples for viewers to vote on. Now we don’t want to sway anyone because all four seem like lovely couples, all with an interesting story. But keep in mind that Greg Merante is a Long Islander, from Hicksville (he’s engaged to Lauren Ulatowski, who hails from Niagra Falls). Here are all of their “how we met” stories.
Our sponsors, London Jewelers, are experts when it comes to engagement rings and wedding bands. And they’ve shared their knowledge on what to look for in a diamond, what’s hot and in style right now in engagement rings, and more. Just take a look below.
We love radio station WPLJ-FM. And we’re excited to tell you that we’ve put together an incredible Bridal Beauty Giveaway Contest exclusively for WPLJ — New York’s top radio station — and for you, with prizes valued at well over $5000!
For anyone getting married on Long Island or other parts of New York — How would you like to win:
A brand new, gorgeous designer wedding gown by David Tutera of WE TV’s “My Fair Wedding” fame? You can win one of five David Tutera gowns, sold exclusively at Bridal Reflections, plus a whole lot more –
Your wedding gown cleaning and restoration after the wedding by top notch professionals, Arthur Copeland Cleansers
A custom headpiece and veil by Long Island’s superb designer Boutique de Voile
Fabulous bridal manicure, pedicure, hairstyle and makeup by Salon 230 West
Professional facial treatments at the Medi-Spa at Schlessinger Eye and Face
The total value of this magnificent prize is over $5000. And all you have to do is click here to register. But hurry and do it right now — this contest runs for only four weeks (ends September 16, 2010). We’ll feature the winning bride-to-be right here … Good luck!!
Brides, finding a unique, yet functional gift for your gal pals can be a challenge. So here’s an idea for a thank-you present that will have your bridesmaids saying many thanks to you — Long Island-based Lissé Leggings are not your run-of-the-mill leggings. Highly stylish (they come in capri, high-waist, mid-waist, tight ankle and flair and in a variety of shades!) and comfortable, they also eliminate the tummy roll with a four-way control top panel that flattens the belly. Take a look at these before and after photos! Priced at $58 they are available for purchase at Bloomingdales and on Long Island, at Lester’s, 90 Northern Blvd. at Glen Cove Rd. in Greenvale and 350 Rte.110, Huntington Station; and Jill Scherer, 1376 Old Northern Blvd., Roslyn. (Get yourself a pair too — they pack perfectly for honeymoons!)
