In Brides of Long Island’s Monthly “Mrs.” series, we profile some of our members’ unforgettable weddings. This month, we spoke with BOLI Devin Kilmetis about how she incorporated her relationship in the reception and what it meant to say their own vows during the ceremony.
(Photo courtesy of Ein Photography)
Bride of Long Island Devin Kilmetis grew up with her husband, as they both had mutual friends. Years later, they said I do in front of their family and friends. And even though Devin thought she’d be too nervous to say her own vows in front of everyone, she says she’s glad she changed her mind.
Friends Turned Soulmates
Devin grew up in Bethpage, while Thomas grew up in Hicksville. She says they sort of knew each other through mutual friends, but didn’t start dating until they attended Oneonta. Two-and-a-half years after they started dating, in August of 2020, Thomas proposed while on vacation in Miami. “I didn’t want anything crazy, so he did it before we went out to dinner in our hotel room. It was just us two,” she says.
(Photo courtesy of Ein Photography)
Smooth Planning
Shortly after they got back from Miami, Devin says they started looking at venues. “We pretty much started planning right away,” says Devin. “I was right on it when I got engaged.” Originally planning a New Year’s Eve wedding, they were worried about COVID and the winter weather, so they chose May 21, 2022 as their wedding date at the Mansion at Timber Point in Great River, a BOLI preferred vendor. “We loved the whole indoor/outdoor location, and the golf course,” says Devin. “My husband plays a lot of golf.”
Timber Point had a package of vendors for Devin and Thomas to choose from. “They pretty much guarantee the date that we had,” she says. So, they didn’t have any issues booking their vendors. They used most of Timber Point’s vendors, with the exception of the photographer.
MORE: 40 Questions to ask your photographer
Of course, Devin used the BOLI page for recommendations and information. “That’s how I found my hair stylist – Bridal Rush (a BOLI preferred vendor),” she says. “I actually used BOLI a lot for honeymoon recommendations too – we went to Greece.”
The most important vendor to Devin? “The photographer,” she explains. “I needed someone that was going to help with the timeline of the day and how to be posing.”
The most stressful part of planning? “The invites!” she says. Devin used Minted, but had some trouble getting the addresses just perfect on the envelopes. Other than that, Devin says her planning process was smooth.
(Photo courtesy of Ein Photography)
The Perfect Day
Devin chose pastel colors for her theme with lots of dusty pink, tans and ivory. “I didn’t do anything stark white.” For table numbers at the reception, Devin and Thomas put pictures of places they’ve visited together. And their signature drink was named after their dog. Their wedding favors? “We had a to-go doughnut wall,” says Devin.
As a surprise the morning of the wedding, Thomas upgraded Devin’s wedding band. She knew he was doing it, but wouldn’t show her until their wedding day. “He upgraded the diamonds to go all the way around. That was something special for the two of us the morning of,” says Devin.
They wrote their own vows. Devin says she doesn’t like being the center of attention and got nervous thinking about saying them in front of everyone. To calm her nerves, “We were just going to say them to each other before and not in front of everyone,” she says. “But then, the day of, we decided to just do it. And I’m so happy we did.” She adds that once they were saying their vows, it felt like just the two of them and didn’t even notice the crowd.
(Photo courtesy of Ein Photography)
MORE: I’m a Shy Bride – How Do I Handle Being the Center of Attention?
Go With the Flow
Devin says the change of plans with their vows didn’t even phase their officiant. She adds that he was able to adjust the flow of the ceremony with no issues. “He was amazing,” she says. “We literally booked him a few weeks before the wedding. And then we changed our plans the morning of. He was great.” She adds that their ceremony was really customized and exactly how they wanted it to be.
So, what advice would Devin give other Brides of Long Island? “Don’t stress out so much about the wedding day.” She explains that she was really stressed about the day itself and if her guests would have fun. “But when the day comes, you’re not really thinking about that. Everything just flows from one thing to the next,” she says. “You don’t have time to think about being stressed.”
(Photo courtesy of Ein Photography)
MORE: Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff
She also suggests that brides make sure everyone who will be involved in the wedding or photos have a good timeline of the day. “Make sure you tell everyone specifically what time to get there, so there’s no confusion,” she says.
Devin says her wedding day was truly the best – with beautiful weather in Mid-May. She loved the bridal suite at Timber Point too, which has huge windows overlooking the golf course. “Everything was just really good.”
(Photo courtesy of Ein Photography)
Vendors:
Venue: Mansion at Timber Point, a BOLI preferred vendor
Photographer & videographer: Ein Photography
Hair: Bridal Rush, a BOLI preferred vendor
Makeup: Beauty by Alana Michelle
Florist: Ken and Eva’s Flower Cottage
DJ and Photobooth: Absolute Entertainment, a BOLI preferred vendor
Officiant: NY Officiants (Christopher Muhlhauser)
Invitations/table numbers/signs: Minted
Signature drink sign: Etsy (PublicRoadPrints)
Bridal Shop: Max Bridal, a BOLI preferred vendor
Bridesmaid dresses: Bella Bridesmaids, a BOLI preferred vendor
