In Brides of Long Island’s Monthly “Mrs.” series, we profile some of our members’ unforgettable weddings. This month, Brandi shares how her vendor PowerPoints helped bring her garden wedding vision to life.
(Photo courtesy of Heather Jean Photography)
Brides always know what they want, but Brandi took clarity to the next level. To make sure every detail matched the picture in her head, she created PowerPoint presentations for her venue and photographer, outlining everything from décor placement to must‑have shots. Her careful planning paid off, turning her garden wedding into the exact day she’d imagined.
A Sunset Proposal
Brandi and Daniel’s love story started long before wedding planning ever entered the picture. They ran in the same friend group in high school. After graduation they began dating and never looked back, navigating college with ease. She commuted to FIT while he dormed at Monmouth University, making the hour‑and‑a‑half drive or quick train ride feel effortless. “There was no real long distance there, so that was good,” she laughs.
Eight years later, in June 2024, Daniel proposed during a sunset sail in Split, Croatia, a moment Brandi describes as “the most perfect ever.” She had been slightly suspicious of the mysteriously un‑shared booking, but played along as the captain introduced “photographers helping with marketing.” As the sun dipped low, they asked the couple to pose back‑to‑back, and when Brandi turned around, Daniel was on one knee. “It was amazing,” she says. “And since I have family in Croatia, they were the first people to see us engaged. It was just so special.”
(Photo courtesy of Heather Jean Photography)
A Garden Party Vibe
Brandi and Daniel wasted no time once they returned from Croatia. “We started planning probably on our flight back,” she says. Still in the airport, they submitted inquiries to a handful of venues, though the bulk of their planning didn’t begin until August. They toured 10 locations, knowing their top priority was finding a space that could host a daytime outdoor celebration. “We knew we wanted an outdoor wedding during the daytime,” Brandi explains. “I always loved the idea of serving brunch. It felt so unique and fun.”
The Vineyards at Aquebogue, a BOLI Preferred Vendor, ended up being the last venue they visited, and while the rustic lobby wasn’t their style, the outdoor grounds immediately won them over. Brandi even asked if guests could enter directly through the garden gates to fit her garden‑party vision and the staff didn’t hesitate. “They said, ‘No problem, we can totally accommodate that,’ and I was sold,” she says. With their date secured in early August, they turned their attention to the next major vendor: photography. “Because we were having a daytime garden party wedding, finding someone who could capture the colors and airiness of the day was super important to us.”
Brandi’s décor vision was just as intentional as her vendor choices, and her now‑famous PowerPoints became the backbone of bringing it all to life. She worked closely with photographer Heather of Heather Jean Photography, a BOLI Preferred Vendor, sending over a full mood board with “the vibe,” specific poses, must‑have family shots and exact spots on the property she wanted to use.
“On the day of, she and her second photographer actually had printouts of that PowerPoint,” Brandi says. “It was so fun seeing them go through it like, ‘Okay, we got this, this shot is next.’” She created an equally detailed presentation for the venue, mocking up the ballroom, ceremony space and every setup element in Canva and PowerPoint. Without a planner, it was her way of ensuring total clarity — and it worked. “They both said it was the best thing anyone could have given them,” she says. The result was a pastel, floral garden‑party dream, complete with a guest dress code, a flower‑wall photo booth and 150 hand‑poured candle favors that guests still rave about.
(Photo courtesy of Heather Jean Photography)
Perfect Day Magic
The week leading up to Brandi and Daniel’s wedding kept everyone guessing with steady rain, shifting forecasts and a bride refreshing her weather app every few hours. “I was so scared it was going to rain,” she says. “We could not have the ceremony inside. It would have totally defeated the purpose of booking the venue.” She turned to a little superstition for backup: the Etsy Witch. “It was the most perfect day,” she laughs. “And then the whole week after was a heat wave. It was the best $12 ever spent.” With the sun shining, their first look by the waterfalls became one of the most emotional moments of the day. “We did private first vows, and it just felt like the two of us were there,” she says. Though their families were watching quietly from the patio above. “We’re the first in our generation to get married, so everyone was just so excited.”
Vendor magic carried the day from start to finish. Heather delivered exactly the airy, colorful garden‑party aesthetic Brandi envisioned and then some. “She actually sent us previews by 2 a.m,” Brandi says. “I woke up on Sunday and already had 50 photos. I couldn’t believe it.”
Their maître d’, Mike from The Vineyards, was another standout. “Words can’t describe how happy we were with him,” she says. “He went above and beyond.” Body Rock Entertainment kept the dance floor packed all afternoon, weaving Croatian music into the playlist so Brandi’s relatives who flew in could celebrate in a way that felt like home.
After the ceremony, the couple slipped away to the bridal suite for a quiet moment, sharing cocktail‑hour bites and practicing their first dance. “We were like, I can’t believe the day is here. It was the most perfect day,” she says. “People still talk about how amazing the food was. A year later!”
(Photo courtesy of Heather Jean Photography)
Soak It In
Brandi leaned on Brides of Long Island throughout her planning — mostly as a search‑bar superuser. “I actually found our photographer and videographer through Brides of Long Island,” she says.
Now on the other side, her advice is simple: enjoy every second. “Just soak it all in,” she says. “We were on our honeymoon wondering what we were going to do now that we’re not planning a wedding! We loved the whole process. And the whole day goes by so fast – so just take it all in and enjoy.”
Vendors:
Venue: The Vineyards at Aquebogue, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Photographer: Heather Jean Photography, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Videography: JL Wedding Films
DJ: Body Rock Entertainment
Florist: Something Borrowed Blooms
Makeup: Dana Hassett Makeup
Dress: Lotus Bridal
Cake: Audrey’s Bakery
Tuxedos: Victor Talbots
Tablecloth/Runner Rental: The Finishing Touch, a BOLI Preferred Vendor