In Brides of Long Island’s Monthly “Mrs.” series, we profile some of our members’ unforgettable weddings. This month, we spoke with Bianca Johannes about the one thing she did for herself on her wedding day that she’ll never forget.
(Photo courtesy of The Glenmar Studio)
Bianca and Eddie Johannes had the perfect wedding day. From the beautiful venue to their amazing day of coordinator, Bianca says nothing went wrong and everyone had an amazing time at their August 2022 wedding.
Back to Where It Began
Bianca says she and her now-husband Eddie met in law school in 2013. They started dating in 2014, and in November of 2020, Eddie proposed. She explains that Eddie brought her back to the law school where they met. “It was where we parked on our first date,” she says. “That’s where he proposed.”
Smooth Planning
And just like their easy and simple engagement, Bianca says the planning process went smoothly too. A few months after they got engaged, they started to look at venues. Bianca says she doesn’t like to shop around. So what did she do? She and Eddie researched a bunch of venues online, and “devoted a weekend to seeing as many venues as we could!” They looked at eight venues across Long Island, and eventually settled on Sea Cliff Manor.
But what was she looking for in a venue? “To be honest, I really didn’t know what I was looking for! My husband wanted something by the water, though,” she says. She adds that she wanted a venue that had good food. The decision maker? “Sea Cliff really fit because we listen to old timey jazz music,” she explains. “And we found out that Sea Cliff used to be a restaurant that Frank Sinatra frequented! So, we were like, ‘oh, it fits.’”
(Photo courtesy of The Glenmar Studio)
When it came to the rest of her vendors, Bianca says she and Eddie worked off of the preferred vendor list that Sea Cliff Manor recommends. She says she used the Brides of Long Island Facebook group to research all of the vendors she eventually booked. “Even though they were on Sea Cliff’s preferred vendor list, I wanted to see what people thought about them.” She adds that she had no trouble booking any of them, as they were lucky that all of the vendors had their date available.
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The Perfect Day
Aug. 27, 2022 was the most perfect day for Bianca and Eddie’s wedding. And even though the Sinatra singer they booked for dinner got COVID at the last minute, she says everything went according to plan. And that was mostly in part to her day of coordinator Cassidy, of Cassidy Coordinates. “I really appreciated her because I felt really comfortable to ask her questions,” says Bianca. “She’s incredible.” Bianca says she was able to go to Cassidy with any and all questions.
Bianca says she was so comfortable with Cassidy, that at one point during the day, her underwear wasn’t placed correctly under the dress. So what did Cassidy do? “She went right under my dress and re-positioned it for me!” She adds that Cassidy also helped her put her contact lens in! “This is why you have a bridal bestie!”
(Photo courtesy of The Glenmar Studio)
Other vendors who went above and beyond for Bianca and Eddie include Photo Envy, their photo booth, and Mike’s Delights, the after wedding food truck. Bianca says she contacted both vendors at the last minute, and both came through for them. Stephanie, of Photo Envy, gave them a photo album at the end of the night that included photos and messages from their guests! “It was a really nice touch.”
Mike’s Delights featured three food items from fast food restaurants, an array of candy, chips and soft drinks. Bianca says they arrived an hour before the reception ended, and stayed an hour after so all of their guests could take treats to go. “It was a great setup. And they didn’t make people feel bad for going back multiple times.” She adds that since she and Eddie didn’t actually get a chance to visit the truck, they packed them up a to-go bag with everything that was featured!
(Photo courtesy of The Glenmar Studio)
Those Standout Moments
While everything was perfect, there were several moments that Bianca says really stood out to her. The first? When Eddie started crying as she walked down the aisle. But what did she do? “I started laughing hysterically! I didn’t understand why he was crying.” The second moment was a more serious moment. “My dad is not a big talker, and out of nowhere, he requested to make a speech during the reception,” she says. “It was really sweet and heartfelt. I will always remember that.”
(Photo courtesy of The Glenmar Studio)
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Do Something For Yourself
What piece of advice would Bianca give to another BOLI? “Figure out something that you want to do that day for yourself, so that you’ll remember it,” she says. “And do it.” As most brides will tell you, the day goes by very fast and you want to do something that you won’t forget. “For me, that was eating everything during the cocktail hour!” Bianca explains that she was so excited for the appetizers and when picking the menu, that she just had to try everything. She says her bridal attendant literally stood guard over a table during the cocktail hour while she tried everything. “It was great. I felt like a king!”
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(Photo courtesy of The Glenmar Studio)
Vendors:
Venue: Sea Cliff Manor
Church: St. Mary’s Nativity
Photographer/Videography: The Glenmar Studio, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Photo Booth: Photo Envy
DJ: Variety Music, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Florist: Black Dahlia
Makeup: Sam Ruh
Dress: Bridal Salon of Dix Hills, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Alterations: Alterations by Gina
Bridesmaid Dresses: Azazie
Cake: Saint Honore Pastry Shop – Port Washington
Tuxedos: The Black Tux
Limo: Camelot
Day of Coordinator: Cassidy Coordinates
Food Truck: Mike’s Delights
