Links

We have found some awesome places to help us out during this journey, it would not be fair if we didn’t share! This page is a work in progress and we will continue to update this as we find more helpful sites.

These are just a few of the favorites we have, feel free to send a note on our Tip Jar page for specific questions, we are more than happy to help!

Wineries in New York State

  • Uncork New York! – ever have a day you want to go out and do something different? Check out a few wineries together or better yet, rent a van/bus/driver a few friends and go have some fun!
  • Shawangunk Wine Trail – best trail for the Hudson Valley area
  • Winery Weddings Guide – I just stumbled upon this site and wished I had found it 5 months ago! It pulled all the wineries I had to go through brochures and google excursions for all into one concise spot. A definite site to check out if you are looking to have a wedding or event at a winery!

DIY Help For Weddings

  • Weddingbee.com – great for when you have an idea or are thinking of something but are not sure how to do it. Not only inspires you to think (and think you can actually do something) but also to show you by a normal person how to do something
  • theknot.com – great for inspiration, not the best for actual how-to’s
  • Joann Fabrics - go here to find the nearest store location and then go there because you will never get the amount of insight off their websites versus actually going there, talking to people and being able to pick-up something and look at it
  • Michaels – NEVER go buy something at full price here! with the amount of 40% off coupons you can get in the mail or online you are sure to save $

Photographers

  • Kyle Carlos – not only do we feel extremely comfortable with him but he took the time to create some great shots at a really great price, highly recommended for those couples looking for a laid-back, affordable, and patient photographer in the Philadelphia/NJ area. He DOES travel!
  • Michelle Arlotta – we found Michelle through an awesome network of photographers in the NY area. She came highly recommended! We held an initial meeting to make sure we were all a good fit for each other and not only has she helped us think more about how we want to remember our wedding 20 years from now, she has also helped us figure out other pieces of the wedding.
  • The most important step here is to network with photographers. Reach out to a few you like and if they are not available or not in your price range ask who they could recommend. That is how we found ours!

Jennilee’s List of Go-To Vendors:

  • DeAnna’s Country Shoppe Bridal Boutique – DeAnna is extremely patient, only books a few brides per year so she can give you personalized attention that you deserve. I loved my initial meeting with her and she helped me choose a dress that when I show people they all say, “wow! that is so you!” who would have imagined DeAnne could help me find that kind of a dress in one hour of getting to know me?!
  • Pretty Bird Bridal - I found Dorothy through online referrals and I also liked some of what I saw on her site. Unlike other vendors I spoke with she was prompt with answering all my many questions and thorough. We finalized our whole agreement within a month, and we live in two different States!

Sites That Make Cents!

  • ING Direct – we chose to help pay for some of our wedding. Not only is it the most important day of our lives (so far!) but we also wanted to ensure our parents still have $ leftover for their future unborn grandchildren! How else are they going to spoil them rotten?! We put our money away into a high interest savings account so we ensure we get the most bang for our bucks!
  • TD Bank – we already had a shared checking account but it is just so much easier when you have one of these. not only does it streamline your payments (you do not each have to write a check) but you can easily keep track of your finances

Guys Club

  • Temple of Groom – so you gave her that long-awaited ring and you are genuinely interested in the wedding and want to figure out how to help? check this site out for some good tips
  • Deborah Finn Rittenhouse Jewelers – after scouring both NYC and Philadelphia’s Jeweler’s Row’s Eric found all to be a bit too pushy and a bit too expensive. After a lot of research he found Deborah who owns a boutique jewelry store. She only works with you as long as it takes to get exactly what you want. Unlike most jewelers Deborah will be honest with cost, quality and what looks great. We have found a trusted jeweler in Philly and she is right by Rittenhouse Square! She also helped us choose our wedding bands.

When You Feel You May Be Going Insane…