Mrs.PJ's reviews

I stayed the night in the Jacuzzi Suite with my MOH and BM the night before the wedding...and we got ready there the day of the wedding. We had breakfast brought to the room (which was quite good actually!). I had the staff bring an empty mini-frig to the room so we could have cold bottled water and snacks ready...that was no problem at all and was cold and ready when we first arrived. I gave a list to the front desk of everyone that would be coming up that day, including my mom, hair, make-up, florist, and photographer and no one had any problems getting to us. I also had arranged for them to do a thorough cleaning of the room once we left, so it would all nice and neat once DH and I got there after the wedding. The staff at this hotel is exceptional!! From the valet, front desk staff, room service, to the bellman...everyone was just so pleasant and accommodating. And a little plus...a Starbucks attached to the lobby...nice touch! LOL I would highly recommend Grand Bo!!

This website shows pictures true to quality of there merchandise. I ordered Tuck Top Boxes, Double Faced Satin Ribbon, and Gift Bags. When I received the order I was more than surprised that the quality was better than I had ever imagined compared to how much I paid. The ribbon quality especially was great! They definitely exceeded my expectations. Highly recommend.

Sherri met with me one afternoon at a Starbucks close to where I work, and was definitely convenient for me. It was a comfortable and relaxed environment. We talked about wedding stuff...then the conversation just flowed about our lives/etc. and the time just flew. We really enjoyed talking and getting to know each other...I knew she was the one after that. I emailed her periodically throughout the process asking question and getting suggestions and recommendations...she never steered me in the wrong direction. She recommended our cake vendor, forist, and limo company that we used...all working our perfectly! We had our final meeting nine days before the wedding...Sherri came over to our apartment, my mom met us there...and we went over details for over two hours. Up until that point, I was feeling a little stressed about several little things I still had to get done. After our final meeting I was so calm and relaxed. At the rehearsal the day before the wedding, I handed over everything to Sherri, and I mean everything that needed to be placed somewhere at the wedding...cake serving set, placecards, guestbook, favors, programs, menus, photo memory display, bathroom toiletry baskets, and even our wedding bands! She took great care of placing everything perfectly and just as directed. The only decision that was left to the day of the wedding, when I arrived at Maison, was whether we were using a microphone for our outdoor ceremony. I didn't want our officiant to have to hold a cordless microphone, nor did I want a stand to be in the photos...and I was also worried about that yucky feedback noise that sometimes creeps up. So, I made a last minute decision to nix the microphone. One minor flaw...the videographer was not notified of this, so he did not place a tiny microphone on the groom so the video could pick up the sound...he thought there would be a regular microphone for the ceremony and his equipment would have picked that up fine, but it wasn't used. As a result, on our wedding video, you can barely hear us saying our vows...it's minor I know, but was a little disappointing. However, Sherri was still amazing and all our guests loved her...I can't let this one little flaw disappoint me since her services were truly great! I would recommend her any day!

Throughout the planning process, it was important for us to find vendors that we "meshed" well with...and Jay was definitely one of them. It didn't hurt that he'd worked with Scoobie, and the both enjoyed working with each other...and also that friends recommended him. We didn't want a cheesy DJ with props and cheese...we got a classy DJ who kept the party going all night long. He knows how to read a crowd. From before the ceremony to the end of the reception, Jay went above and beyond to make sure we were good...he even brought us ice water while taking our after ceremony photos. He did the music for our ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception. I would highly recommend Jay!

VIP was recommended by my DOC...we just needed a transfer limo from the hotel where my girls and I got ready, to the wedding location. The driver was there plenty early and he was polite & friendly. It was a seamless transaction, from getting them the signed contract and credit card to hold...to the day of service.

Scoobie photographed our wedding and his assistant. From the beginning we both felt very warm and welcomed. DH asked me on the way if he had to say anything, or ask any questions...he truly didn't want to go. Once we got there, boy was it a different story...I think he asked more questions than I did. Bottom line, you want to feel comfortable with your photographer. We clicked 100% with him and that was that...no need to meet with anyone else. Scoobie shot our engagement photos at Rollins College and on Park Ave. in Winter Park...and on the wedding day, him and Rae Marie met us at the Grand Bohemian Hotel for pre-wedding photos, then they drove to Maison to meet up with the guys for their shots while my girls and I were in the limo on our way. Everything was seamless. Throughout the night, all our guests were telling us how much they loved him...he fit in so well, sharing the shot he just took with guests periodically...they just loved that! I would highly recommend Scoobie, he truly loves what he does, and it shows!

Finding a florist was probably the most difficult process during our planning. We first met with Greenery Productions and all was well until a little "FSIL mishap"...and that kind of fell apart at the seams to say the least. Nothing against Tommy with GP, he was great, but I was just so embarrassed after that incident that I just wanted a clean slate. We met with two other florists, but something still wasn't sitting right...finally, a co-workers of my mothers had a daughter that just got married and they used Lee Forrest for their floral...we saw the pictures...my DOC also HIGHLY recommended him saying that he was one of her favorite vendors. Needless to say, I ran to the phone to set up a meeting. I went with my mom to meet with Lee...I brought some photos (minimal) and shared with him what I was looking for. From the beginning I could tell that we were on the same page. Although Lee's quote was not the least of them all, I knew that he would bring my vision to life...and that he did. I had a few minor changes towards the last month before the wedding which were no problem at all. When Lee dropped off the bouquets at the hotel...I was so pleased I think my eyes starting tearing up! They were exactly as I had pictured...even better! I couldn't wait to get to the ceremony/reception site to see the rest. When I got there I walked into the decorated reception room and was just blown away. It was absolutely gorgeous...and at that point I was happy about the "mishap" that happened early on in our florist search...because if it hadn't of happened, I wouldn't have found Lee Forrest! The ceremony site was just as perfect...along with all the other details. I would highly recommend Lee Forrest for ANYTHING floral...he and his staff are fabulous!

Ceremony & Reception: From the first meeting, Brittany, the coordinator at Maison was great. I emailed her throughout the planning process, from January 2007 when we booked, all the way up to the week of the wedding...she always responded timely and never acted like I was a bother. She gave great suggestions and was always extremely pleasant. The staff there is very classy, every single one of them. Our guests had nothing but great things, no one was left thirsty, whenever you got up, you came back to your seat to find the napkin folded...everything was kept looking nice and refreshed the entire evening. Maurice attended to us at our tasting, and we requesting him to also be there for our wedding...he always made sure DH and I were pleased and had everything we needed. Maurice even brought some passed hors d'oeuvres to us and our family during photos while all our guests were enjoying the same at the cocktail hour. DH and I didn't really get to have any during photos...so after photos were done, before we were introduced into the reception, we got a little private time alone...and they had a plate with a sampling of all the hors d'oeuvres just for us! Maison had vendor relations for linens, and they also rent out gold chiavari reception chairs at an unheard of price. The ceremony was held in the North Lawn, the cocktail hour in the South Terrace, and the reception in the Gallerie Room. We had approximately 125 guest and fit very comfortably. I would highly recommend Maison Jardin for any function!

Caterer: Growing up in Orlando, I'd heard of Maison Jardin long before we started planning our wedding. They have been around as a restaurant for years, and rightfully so, their food is fantastic. In October 2006, they went from a restaurant to only doing private functions. The tastings are private...you set up a time/day with the coordinator and it's like you're going for dinner out. DH and I went with my parents for our tasting...we had the soup, salad, and combo entree plate along with dessert (in place of wedding cake). We made some minor changes after the tasting...for example, we asked that all the Filet Mignon be cooked medium instead of medium rare...no problem. Brittany was very helpful in assisting us during our menu selection. She helped us choose a good variety of hors d'oeuvres for the cocktail hour...then our dinner selection, we opted for a soup, salad and combination filet mignon & chicken wellington entree so the guests would have a little of each instead of choosing solely chicken or beef. There were also vegetarian and childrens dinner options. The food was outstanding...serving hot foods hot and cold foods cold. All the guests were pleased. If you have a function planned at Maison...you should have no worries about the food being good! Highly recommended!

isa was recommended by my hair stylist...she works at Stella Luca Salon in Winter Park and does both hair and make-up. She also has a great personality and is truly talented and makes you feel comfortable...big plus!

After hearing about several tuxedo rental shops, we decided to go with Men's Wearhouse. DH had been there to purchase suits and such in the past and we'd had good experiences with them. We chose the newer Waterford location for its convenience. Our first visit was easy and fast...simple, you look through the photos, checkout the sample pieces they have and you're done. We pretty much knew what we were looking for beforehand...DH in a classic black tux, with ivory vest and tie, and the other guys and dads in same except for the black vest and tie. DH got his tux free since he had so many others renting, and he even found another coupon on their website that got $20 off each of the other rentals. There a couple little mix-ups along with way. My dad bought a suit the same day we selected everything, they had his measurements already in the computer from that and said they could use those for his vest size...he was only renting the vest and tie combo since he wanted to purchase a nice black suit (looked just like the rented tux). About two weeks before the day, I got a call from them saying they still needed his sizes, I mentioned to them that they should have that in the computer...they said they didn't. I called my dad...of course he was iritated, he's a busy man and didn't have time to go down there just for them to measure after he already thought it was taken care of. So, he called them and fussed a little...and his measurements magically appreared in the computer! Nice. Also, they gave DH a hard time when he brought in the $20 off per rental coupon, even though you can use it with the grooms rental free coupon. At that point, through the years, we've given them many sales, so the customer service could have been better....more seamless.