Getting Ready for the Ride of Your Life

By David Rattiner

Getting married can be stressful. But luckily, here on the East End we are surrounded by experts in the field who are willing and able to make one of the most important days of your life perfect.

There is much to do when planning a wedding. Needless to say, it's a good idea to make a list of things that need to be done and cross them off as you go along. Couples should select a date for their wedding soon after becoming engaged. After all, it is the countdown to this day that will help organize and determine planning schedules.

Traditional weddings take place in a house of worship. Meet with a pastor, rabbi, etc. to see if the ceremony site is available for the wedding, and to learn about any religious requirements needed prior to getting married there, as well as any rules and regulations for the church/synogogue.

The next step is to pick the reception site. A few favorite places in Montauk for weddings are Gurneys Inn and the Montauk Yacht Club. Gurneys offers it all, from views of the Atlantic Ocean, a full salt-water spa and incredible service. The Yacht Club is another great choice for sunsets, a club feel, first-class treatment and gorgeous surroundings. The place has been completely renovated and offers fabulous wedding packages and options.

In East Hampton, the Baker House 1650 offers a state-of-the-art spa with indoor pools, Jacuzzi, steam shower and a lot more. East Hampton Point is a gorgeous restaurant that offers an incredible sunset view and outstanding, high-end food. Fabulous guest rooms and suites makes it a great choice. Time stands still on the deck overlooking the water and the white glove feel of the place satisfies all. A bit farther west, the Southampton Inn has 90 guest rooms, luscious lawns and gardens as well as a traditional ballroom and a four-star chef.

The Inn and Spa at East Wind is a grand wedding location in Wading River. It's incredible, with a fairy tale-like ambiance. Large gardens, grand ballrooms and a fantastic spa make this a great wedding location. Trumpets on the Bay in Eastport has wonderful water views and a European look of fresh flowers and fine dining.

Woodbury Country Club is an 18-acre property that provides a tropical setting with the ability to accommodate 350 guests. The fountain-filled reflection pool and lakeside gazebo are gorgeous. Giorgio's at the Foxhill Country Club in Baiting Hollow brings 45 years of experience as a wedding location, with amazing gardens and a golf course.

You may decide to have the reception, a rehearsal dinner or other wedding-related event at your home. In that case, it's all about rentals. James O'Neill, at Hampton Party Rentals (631-283-4646), is an excellent resource for tents and tables.

When selecting a photographer, remember that they tend to book quickly, particularly if they are well recommended. Research and choose one early on in the wedding-planning process. The photographer's personality is also very important. He or she will be spending the entire day with the couple and should be someone both you and your guests will like. Some East End photographers to consider are Kataryna Zill (631-926-4087), Elizabeth Sagarin Photography (zgorinphoto.com) and Creative Photography and Video (631-744-7230).

When choosing a dress, you are definitely going to want to go to an expert. Wedding and bridesmaid gowns can take several months to order and be tailored. It can also take some trial and error finding a dress shop that meets the needs of a bride and her attendants. So it's best if this fun part of wedding planning is done early on. While there are no set rules for gown selection, it helps if the bride and her attendants use the same shop so that styles will be complementary and service and alterations can be organized with minimal fuss.

If the wedding is taking place during a peak party season, such as prom time, reserve tuxedos several months in advance. All of the groomsmen should rent from the same shop to be uniform.

When it comes to invitations, you shouldn't mess around either. Couples should leave ample time to look through invitation sample books or do research on the Internet. They should decide on a style that best suits their wedding, based on its formality, the time of day and the wedding colors. Having this out of the way is a big step.

Many couples forget to factor limousine or car rentals into their wedding-day plans. Whether it's a limo, Rolls-Royce, horse-drawn carriage or a party bus, the bride and groom should arrange for transportation for themselves and their attendants to and from the church and reception site. You can give East End Limo a call and reach Tommy Hill at 631-726-7400 or contact Beach Limos, owned by Lorin DeBennedetto, at 631-324-5466.

With these important decisions made, the bride- and groom-to-be have only a few things left to do as their wedding draws nearer. Planning a wedding is never easy, but it is so worth it when it all comes together.

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