Do I Have to Make My Sister My Maid of Honor?

There are other ways to include your sister if you choose another maid of honor.

Choosing your bridal party is a big decision. And when it comes to choosing your maid of honor, you’re going to look to your nearest and dearest, as this will be your ‘person’ throughout wedding planning. But you’re probably asking yourself, “do I have to make my sister my maid of honor?” 

The short answer is no, you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. But you should ask yourself a few questions before making your final decision. Should your sister be your maid of honor, or should it be your ride or die bestie since elementary school?

What are your expectations in the role?

Some brides lean heavily on their maid of honor. From accompanying you to vendor appointments (think dress shopping) to planning the bridal shower and bachelorette party and just being there for moral support, your maid of honor’s responsibilities can seem endless. You should think about what you expect your maid of honor to do and how much you want them involved in your wedding planning. If you need someone by your side throughout the process, and your sister isn’t really a planner, she may not be the right person for the role. 

How close are you to your sister?

Do some soul searching with this question. You should know in your heart if you want your sister by your side as your maid of honor. If you grew up thick as thieves and she’s still the person you run to first, then you’ll know it’s the right decision. But if you’re not that close, and you have a childhood friend who you consider family, then she might be a more appropriate choice.

Who do you want by your side?

Another soul searching question. Who is it that you want standing beside you – literally and figuratively – on your wedding day? Being a maid of honor is a big responsibility, even if you don’t want them too involved in your planning process. Usually they’re the ones signing your marriage license and standing next to you as you say your vows. They hold your bouquet, fluff your dress and make you shine. So really think about who you want that person to be.

MORE: 6 Things to Wear When Dress Shopping

How do you break the news?

If you’ve decided not to make your sister your maid of honor, it might be tough to break the news to her. You know your sister best, so you’ll know in your heart how to let her down gently. While she may be hurt, just remember it is your wedding and it’s not about anyone else – not even your sister.

And remember, there are other ways to include her in your wedding without making her your maid of honor. She could be part of your bridal party, she could read something during your ceremony, or she could give a speech at the reception. You could even do a special dance with her! You can definitely be creative in the ways you include your sister in your wedding day.

MORE: How to Incorporate a Special Guest Who’s Not in Your Bridal Party

This is your wedding, and you should do things your way. Just because it may be ‘tradition’ to make your sister your maid of honor, that doesn’t mean you have to follow it. In fact, you may want to ditch the titles of ‘maid of honor’ and ‘bridesmaids’ altogether, and just have a group of your family and friends that helps you plan. Whatever you decide, just know that your wedding will be the best day ever.

MORE: Not having a bridal party? Here’s why that’s awesome

A BOLI favorite gets a new name and image. Introducing Heritage House Photo,  formerly Stephen Mayo Photography

Brides of Long Island have come to know Stephen Mayo as one of the best wedding photographers around, thanks to his incredible eye for detail and his honest, compelling imagery. 

Now, Stephen is transforming his photography brand into something that truly reflects his vision and his values – what was once Stephen Mayo Photography is now Heritage House Photo. 

• MORE: Stephen Mayo Breaks Down the Importance of Sticking to a Schedule

“Heritage is something that is special to me, as I get older and my children get older,” Stephen said in a recent interview. “I want to remember those special moments that are happening presently, and if we don’t place importance on them, we forget.”

Fully understanding his role in his couples’ legacies, Stephen has always strived to create meaningful memories of life’s beautiful milestones. “A big part of my process is learning about what couples value, what they are excited about, and most importantly, what is their story,” he explained.  “I’m very aware that I’m creating their first family heirloom, and I imagine future generations going through the wedding album and seeing their story – not just the people. This sense of legacy brought me to the name ‘Heritage House.’”

For Stephen and his team, ‘Heritage House’ is more than just a new name – it’s a mindset that will inspire their future. “Our photography business is growing and we want a brand that would be something we can grow into together, something that aligns with our values more closely,” he detailed. “We believe that all couples deserve to remember. Life is unpredictable and memory fades. We want the couple to look at their wedding album from 20 years ago and be reminded of the special day. We want our photographs to spark a chain reaction and bring back all the memories and how they felt.”

“It’s more than just looking better, we have soul searched and thought deeply about the ‘why’ behind the brand,” Stephen continued. “What’s exciting is that this fresh perspective will be infused into the way we accomplish everything.”

Despite a brand overhaul, the care and craft that earned Stephen his reputation will remain. “Brides can expect the same luxury experience from me and my team,” he assured. “We take the time to search for those little moments throughout the day, we guide our actions to see the people that are most important to you, and we ensure that they are present in your photographs. Those photographs will be immersed with the life of the wedding so that it will remind you of such in the years to come.”

• MORE: You + Ring Leader = Stress-Free Wedding Planning!

You danced, you dined, you sparkled! Now, meet the vendors who made the magic happen. 

We’ll be honest — we’re still pulling sparkles out of our hair! This year’s Summer Soirée was one for the record books, and we’re thrilled to have met and mingled with so many beautiful brides from our community. 

Now that we’ve all recovered, let’s take a moment to celebrate the incredible wedding professionals that made this year’s Soirée magical. Their talent and dedication to our community is unmatched, and we’re grateful for all the hard work they put into this event!

• MORE: 5 Alternatives to a Bouquet or Garter Toss

Photography

Michael John Photography, a BOLI Preferred Vendor!

DJ

Long Island Sound, a BOLI Preferred Vendor!

Live Guest Portraits

Devine Brides

Beauty Station & Admin Hair and Makeup

Bridal Rush, a BOLI Preferred Vendor!

Audio Guest Book

Calling All Guests, a BOLI Preferred Vendor!

Balloon Display

Milan Event Experience, a BOLI Preferred Vendor!

Mirrored Backdrop

East Coast Party Co, a BOLI Preferred Vendor!

Gelato Truck, Espresso Martini Truck & Aperol Spritz Truck

Dolce & Gelato Catering, a BOLI Preferred Vendor!

• MORE: How Ring Leader Completely Transforms Your Wedding Planning

BOLI Marquee Letters

Alpha Lit Long Island, a BOLI Preferred Vendor!

Couches, High Tops, Entrance Walk-Thru, Ticket Booth & Wall

DJC Events

Charcuterie Station

French Boards & Bites

Pizza Truck & Dance Floor Cannoli Vendor

The Sicilian Wheel, a BOLI Preferred Vendor!

Outside Drinks

Cork & Keg

Phone Booth

LI Music Boutique

Photo booth

Fresh Face Photo Booth, a BOLI Preferred Vendor!

Linens

The Finishing Touch, a BOLI Preferred Vendor!

Florist

Lauren Taylor Floral Elegance, a BOLI Preferred Vendor!

Videography

Silverfox Studios, a BOLI Preferred Vendor!

Live Bridal Models

Bridal Salon of Huntington Village, a BOLI Preferred Vendor!

Content Creator

Slick Creations, a BOLI Preferred Vendor!

Event Planning

Full Throttle

Elite Wedding Planning, a BOLI Preferred Vendor!

Revel a Bloom

Event Invitations

Red Letter Day Invitations & Design, a BOLI Preferred Vendor!

Suffolk Transportation

Azure Limousine, a BOLI Preferred Vendor!

Exit Station

Hostess with the Mostess, a BOLI Preferred Vendor!

Body Gems & Glitter Tattoos

We Adorne You

Dancers

Phoenix Entertainment NYC

• MORE: The best wedding planning app is here

Your guests will be on the dance floor all night long with the best Long Island DJs!

For some brides it’s the most important part of wedding planning – choosing the perfect DJ! From the ceremony and your walk down the aisle to your first dance as husband and wife, you’ll  want everything to be perfect when it comes to music. And remember: a DJ is so much more than music these days! Most offer a variety of extras like photo booths, zap photos, party favors and uplighting to make your night memorable. The possibilities are endless when you choose the right DJ.

There are so many great Long Island DJs, you probably don’t know where to start. Well, Brides of Long Island has done the work for you with our list of the 23 best Long Island DJs that will be sure to meet all of your needs.

Absolute Entertainment
With over 30 years experience, Absolute Entertainment is a full-service entertainment company. Sparkler towers, giant lettering, photo booths, and of course excellent DJs and MCs to create the perfect night music-wise with you! Absolute represents over 20 catering halls on Long Island, including all of the Lessings’ venues.

MORE: Read more about Absolute Entertainment 

High Voltage Entertainment
High Voltage Entertainment wants you to know they are more than just great music! They offer photographers, live musicians, event coordinators and dancers to start. Their event coordinators cater to your needs and create the day you want.

Long Island Sound DJ Entertainment
If you want to make a personal statement, LI Sound is the DJ company for you. From their top-notch emcees and DJS, to their state-of-the-art accent lighting, your wedding guests are sure to be impressed and won’t leave the dance floor.

Everlasting Productions
Everlasting Productions isn’t just your DJ – they will guide you to create an unforgettable experience for you and your guests. They know it’s not a show – it’s your wedding day and it’s all about you. They want your guests to be dancing, celebrating your love and making lasting memories. Founder AJ is ready to create the wedding event you’ve always dreamed of.

L.I. Nights Entertainment
With over 20 years experience, Chad and the staff at L.I. Nights Entertainment will work to ensure a one-of-a-kind wedding. They create perfect, customized timelines for you to maximize the amount of partying on the dance floor.

Dynamic Beat Entertainment
This close-knit family will make you one of their own as they plan your very special day with you. At Dynamic Beat Entertainment, they celebrate alongside you, your loved ones, and your cherished guests and work to ensure your special day shines with the very best in entertainment.

MORE: How to create the perfect playlist 

Genesis Events
If you want to make lifelong friends, look into Genesis Events. The owners want to get to know you, your likes, your dislikes, how you and your future spouse met, and what you were like as kids! This way they can throw you the best wedding ever.

Variety Music
Variety Music knows that one of the most important aspects of your wedding is the music, which is why they will create a classy, fun and lively atmosphere for you and your wedding guests. They also offer bi-lingual MCs to cater to all of their clients.

Studio 27 DJs
‘Get a real job!’ is something the owner of Studio 27 DJs has often heard. But this is his real job and he loves it! At Studio 27, they are constantly dreaming up new ways to give you the most unique and amazing wedding day.

MORE: Studio 27 breaks down what makes them stand out 

Get Your Groove On DJ Entertainment
If you really want to get your groove on, then look no further than Get Your Groove On DJ Entertainment. Their staff is energetic and ready to make your wedding the party of the century! They also offer photo booths, Zap photos and much more!

Tommy’s Tunes
For over 30 years, Tommy’s Tunes has raised the bar in DJ entertainment. Tommy’s Tunes offers an array of customized services to fit any budget and any party size.

TLC Entertainment and Event Group
Sophisticated, exciting, and most importantly, customized for you. This is the wedding experience that TLC Entertainment and Event Group offers all its brides. Creating a fun, unique atmosphere is what they proudly offer, and they can’t wait to entertain your guests.

WiredUP NY
The staff at WiredUP NY strives for nothing but perfection. They create the perfect atmosphere for all types of wedding celebrations. Making your wedding a special day that you’ll never forget is something WiredUP strives for.

MORE: First dance songs that still stand the test of time 

Partytime Entertainment
It’s time to party with Partytime Entertainment. Being a part of your day is fulfilling for the Partytime DJs and emcees. They work hard to ensure your wedding leaves your guests saying ‘Wow, that was the best night ever.’

Fourth Generation DJ and Entertainment
With more than 30 years experience. Fourth Generation DJ and Entertainment make it their mission to make all of your wedding entertainment dreams come true. From a traditional affair to an over-the-top banger and everything in between, the DJs and emcees at Fourth Generation will be there every step of the way.

Top Tier Entertainment New York
Top Tier Entertainment is a full-service event production company. With everything from photographers to DJs, film making and live music, Top Tier will make your wedding a night you’ll never forget.

Events by Elite Entertainment
Events by Elite Entertainment offers bilingual DJs and emcees. They work side-by-side with you to make sure all of your music is perfect. And don’t forget to ask about a photo booth or uplighting!

Gotham Events NYC
This boutique production company is all about extreme professionalism, hands-on customer service, and the utmost attention to detail. Gotham Events NYC will leave no stone unturned when planning your special day.

Sensational Sounds DJ Entertainment
Sensational Sounds works to ensure that your wedding reception will be a celebration that you’ll remember with joy and happiness, laughter and special moments you shared with family members and friends.

GTP Productions
Anthony at GTP Productions will personally walk you through the exciting process of selecting the music for your wedding, from beginning to end. The most important thing to him is making sure that the music fits you and your future spouse. He works to ensure that each wedding is customized and the playlists are unique to every couple.

Michael Riker Events
Michael Riker Events hosts one event a day to ensure their brides get their full attention, from the beginning of their wedding until the very end. Each couple works with owner Michael Riker, who will understand your vision, listen to your ideas, map out the flow of your wedding, and then make your special day as fun and entertaining as you dreamt it would be.

Crowd Control Entertainment
With 25 years experience, Crowd Control Entertainment specializes in creating the wedding of your dreams. The DJs are the best in the business, always making sure the dance floor is packed all night long. And if you’re looking for a full entertainment shop – Crowd Control offers uplighting, lounge furniture and so much more.

Ello Entertainment
Owner Joseph Mondello – also known as DJ Ello – began his career as a club DJ. Originally into house and dance music, Ello Entertainment caters to all genres for every wedding he DJs. DJing isn’t a job for Joseph, it’s his passion.  Joseph brings upbeat energy in music and packed out as well as professionalism and a calm demeanor.

MORE: Entrance songs guaranteed to get the party started

Swindell and his wife Courtney held a Nashville bash ten days after they said ‘I do’ in front of family members.

Country music star Cole Swindell and his new bride Courtney celebrated their wedding throughout the month of June! The newlyweds said ‘I do’ in a private California ceremony before jetting off on their Turks and Caicos honeymoon. Ten days later, they were back home throwing a big Nashville bash.

Cole and Courtney met at a NASCAR race, then fell in love a few years later while working together on one of his music videos. They were engaged in 2023. Their intimate ceremony was held at Chateau de Ninis in Sonoma County with only family in attendance, according to Brides.

Their June 22 reception was held at Cortina Farms, a private estate just outside of Nashville. According to Courtney, Cortina Farms felt like guests were transported to Italy with a small-town Tennessee vibe. The couple didn’t walk down an aisle or say their vows –  they just wanted to celebrate their nuptials with their 250 guests.

Courtney wore a Katherine Tash dress for the reception party, which she found at a Nashville bridal salon. According to Brides, Cole wore a tan tuxedo from Hugo Boss, and paired it with a coordinating cowboy hat and a pair of white Tecovas.

MORE: What you feel when you find THE dress

The pair worked with wedding planners Josiah Carr and Justin McGregor, the team behind SAMKOMA, for both their ceremony and reception. Courtney told Brides that it was important both events felt the same with different aesthetics. Their theme? Organic and whimsical, with a few southern touches. The couple incorporated nods to their home states in their reception details – from the napkins, menus and even the cocktail hour trays. They also served Raising Cane’s famous fried chicken from a food truck. According to Brides, the couple honored Cole’s late father on their seating arrangement wall.

MORE: 6 Reasons Why You Should Hire a Wedding Planner

Their first dance was to “Forever to Me,” a song that Cole wrote for Courtney. She told Brides that dancing to the song in front of their loved ones was a very special moment. As the party continued, Courtney was joined by her former professional NBA dancers for a ‘honeybee dance.’ Toward the end of the night, the bride traded her Badgley Mischka pumps for a pair of cowboy boots and cowboy hat to match her husband.

In Brides of Long Island’s Monthly “Mrs.” series, we profile some of our members’ unforgettable weddings. This month, Nikki talks about a special moment with her father, as well as a Stonebridge Country Club staff member who made her wedding day perfect.

A little competition led to a love connection for Nikki and Tim. Over 10 years later, the pair said ‘I Do’ in the church that Nikki grew up in, and partied the night away at Stonebridge Country Club, a BOLI preferred vendor.

A Little Long Distance Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Nikki and Tim met through mutual friends the summer before she started college at James Madison University in Virginia. “He caught my eye because he was cheating at beer pong,” she said, with a laugh. They balanced their long distance relationship for two years before Nikki eventually transferred back home. “It wasn’t easy,” she explained. “I didn’t have a car, and he was working full time. But we managed to make it work.”

Almost 10 years later when the pair were established in their careers, Tim proposed to Nikki. “It was perfect,” she said. “Just me, him and our dog Hunter in our home. Very private, which is what I wanted.” Afterwards, they celebrated with their families at her parents’ home.

MORE: Offering the trifecta of terrific wedding day services, the team at Studio 27 is one any couple would love on their special day!

Narrowing Down the Details

Since they got engaged around the holidays, they started looking at venues the following January. “I’m a planner,” she explained. “I wanted to hit the ground running. And since I had an idea of what we wanted for our wedding day, it was easy to narrow vendors down and cross them off my list!” After touring 13 venues, they decided to book their May 11, 2024 wedding at the very first venue they saw – Stonebridge Country Club. “I loved how beautiful and open Stonebridge felt,” Nikki said. “It has sort of a rustic vibe that we were looking for, with a little bit of glam – which makes our personalities perfectly. Also, it helped that it was on a golf course, since my husband is a golfer.”

After they booked Stonebridge, the rest of the vendors fell into place for Nikki and Tim. The most important vendor for them, though, was the DJ. “We love to dance and have a good time. And the best way to get people to dance is to have the perfect playlist,” she said. “Studio 27 [a BOLI preferred vendor] did not disappoint. Our DJ played songs to keep everyone on the dance floor all night long.”

As for those little details that Nikki planned, they made sure to include their dog Hunter on their special day. “He was on the cocktail napkins, and we had a special drink named after him,” she said. She also made sure to include her grandparents with charms in her bouquet.

MORE: How Ring Leader Completely Transforms Your Wedding Planning

Those Extra Special Moments
Getting ready with her mother and sister was an important and special aspect for Nikki. But it was her first look with her dad that really stood out that day. “My dad doesn’t get emotional, but when he saw me walk down the staircase, he started to tear up,” she said. “It hit me too, as I was his first daughter to get married. It was just really special for me.” Later on, as they waited for the limo to take them to St. Anne’s Church, Nikki said her father calmed her nerves as she realized all eyes would be on her. “He said, ‘you’ve done this before at your Sweet 16, and I’ll be right there with you,’” she said. “It was just so reassuring to know that everything was going to work out and be wonderful. And it was!”

MORE: I’m a Shy Bride – How Do I Handle Being the Center of Attention?

The man of the hour though (besides Tim of course!) was Terrance from Stonebridge. “Everyone raves on BOLI about how he’s the reason their wedding went so smooth, and I honestly didn’t believe it,” she said. “Until our wedding day. He really is THAT good.” From serving drinks on the dance floor to wiping sweat off of Tim’s forehead while he was dancing, Terrance made sure everything went off without a hitch. And at the end of the night, he actually drove Nikki and Tim to their hotel. “Our shuttle driver was impatient, so I told him to leave without us,” she said. “When we were ready, without hesitation, Terrance drove us to the hotel. He made sure from the second we walked into Stonebridge to the second he dropped us off that everything was perfect.”

Do Something That’s “You”

Nikki said she loved the BOLI Facebook page. “I looked up all of my vendors, I connected with other brides who gave me honest answers to my questions,” she said. “It’s such an amazing community, and helped all the way through to our honeymoon planning.”

And she hopes to continue helping other brides now that she’s graduated. Her first piece of advice: “it’s never too early to start planning!” She said that planning early really helped keep her stress levels low throughout the entire process. “Just know that nothing is finalized until about a month before your wedding,” she said. “So, even if you book a florist at the beginning of planning, you can change your mind about your flowers until closer to your wedding.”

As far as your wedding day, Nikki said she and Tim made a point to take several moments throughout the night to just look around and see what was going on. “Everyone says it goes by so fast, so we made sure to take those moments to appreciate all of the love in the room.”

And lastly, do something for yourself. “We got an espresso martini cart, and it was the best decision we made,” she said. She explained that she and Tim love espresso martinis, so it was only natural to incorporate the cart from BOLI Preferred Vendor Dolce and Gelato Catering into their wedding day. “Everyone kept saying, ‘this is so you,’” she said. “And I think it’s important to make sure to incorporate something that encompasses you and your future spouse.”

Vendors:
Venue: Stonebridge Country Club, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Photographer/Videography: Studio 27 Photography, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
DJ: Studio 27 DJs, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Florist: Dalsimer Spitz and Peck
Pew Bows: Pew Bow Rentals, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Hair: Isabella BeBeautiful
Makeup: Makeup by Vic
Cake: Batter Up Bakery
Transportation: Sir Oliver
Espresso Cart: Dolce and Gelato Catering, a BOLI Preferred Vendor

Polling your bridesmaids will set expectations early, and save some headaches and heartbreaks in the long run.

You spent HOURS on those bridesmaid proposal boxes, and your girls didn’t have to think twice before screaming “yes!” Now that you’ve got your bride tribe firmly in place, it’s time to get down to business. There are lots of moving parts to planning a wedding, and one of those parts involves getting your bridesmaids on the same page. 

There are lots of things your bridal party will need to agree on — dress budgets, bachelorette locations, and bridal shower themes just to name a few. While creating a group text may seem like the easiest way to get all the information you need, in reality it’s a little more complicated. Finance talk can be a bit awkward, and some of your bridesmaids may get in over their heads if the majority approves an expense that goes beyond their means. This can lead to resentment on both sides, and may even result in your bridesmaid leaving the bridal party (or worse, the end of your friendship).

None of us want our wedding planning to be filled with drama, so the easiest way to avoid this scenario is by polling your bridesmaids. 

• MORE: Am I a Bridezilla Because My Bridesmaids Can’t Afford My Wedding?

How to poll your bridesmaids

Polling your bridesmaids? Yes, it’s a thing! Just like companies send out surveys to gather customer data, think of a bridesmaid poll as a quick profile of everyone in your bridal party. You can get all the pertinent details on money-related matters, style preferences, timeline needs, and more. 

The easiest and most efficient way of polling your bridesmaids is with the Ring Leader app. All you have to do is add your bridal party, and bam! You can send them a survey on any variety of topic. 

Because Ring Leader allows you to poll your bridesmaids anonymously, you’ll get honest answers about everything. So the bridesmaid that can’t swing a $400 dress and $1500 bachelorette trip won’t feel pressured when another bridesmaid okays the price! This is the best way to ensure that your entire bridal party is comfortable with each and every wedding expense. 

You can also choose to poll your bridal party through something like a Google Form or an old fashioned paper ballot. But remember — you’ll need to spend time sifting through the answers and organizing the information you recieve. When you’ve got venue tours, DIY projects, and dress shopping on your agenda, you may not have enough time to play data analyst. 

• MORE: 16 Must-Have Photos with Your Bridesmaids

Questions to ask when polling your bridesmaids

If it relates to your bridesmaids, you can poll them on it! Here are a few example questions:

• What is your budget for a bridesmaids gown?
• Would you prefer a specific style of gown?
• Are there gown styles that you don’t feel comfortable wearing?
• What’s your budget for a bachelorette trip?
• What’s your preferred location for a bachelorette trip?
• What are your upcoming conflicts?
• What’s your dress size? Shoe size? Bust size? 
• PJs or Robes for the wedding morning?
• Do you want professional hair & makeup for the wedding day?
• Are you willing to help set-up and clean up for the bridal shower?
• Are you interested in making any DIY items for wedding decor?
• Do you have any dietary preferences?
• Do you prefer silver or gold jewelry?
• Are there any wedding planning activities you’d like to help with? Are there any you’d like to avoid?

What to do after polling your bridesmaids

Once you’ve collected all the information, you’ll be ready to make some important decisions regarding your wedding. While you may have some lofty plans in mind, be sure to consider what your bridal party is willing and able to do. Making some compromises and tweaks to your original ideas, if needed, will allow everyone on board to have a great time — including you! 

• MORE: How Ring Leader Completely Transforms Your Wedding Planning

The word “anniversary” now has a new meaning! But should you still celebrate your dating anniversary after you get married?

It’s a date you’ll remember forever — your wedding anniversary! The years that come are sure to be filled with date nights, themed gifts, and beautiful reminders of your love for one another.

But before you said “I do,” chances are you and your spouse celebrated the day you solidified your relationship. Dating anniversaries are special too, and many couples wonder if they should still celebrate it after exchanging rings. Does your dating anniversary still matter after you get married? BOLI, we’re here to tell you — yes! Here’s why.

• MORE: 11 Places to Take Engagement Photos on Long Island

It honors your beginning

Whether you choose to celebrate your first dinner, your first kiss, or the first time you defined your relationship, that moment signifies the start of your lives together. Think of your dating anniversary like the opening credits to your favorite movie — you can’t get to all the good parts without pressing play!  

Your relationship will come with many reasons to celebrate. Why limit everything to just one day? Take the time to honor each part of your lives together differently. Your dating anniversary is a way to remember the excitement, anticipation, and hopeful ambiguity of your early years. Remember what it was like hoping that “ding” from your phone was a text message from them? Or feeling butterflies in your stomach when they suggested hanging out over the weekend?  

• MORE: What to do With Your Dress After Your Wedding

How to celebrate your dating anniversary

If your first thought was “oh no, now I have to think of a wedding anniversary AND a dating anniversary present,” don’t worry. There are no hard-and-fast rules for celebrating dating anniversaries (there aren’t for wedding anniversaries, either!) You can choose to celebrate any milestone in a way that feels right for you as a couple.

For example — say your first date was dinner and a movie. Try whipping up the same meal you had that night, and finding the movie on Netflix to watch again. Can you say “sense memory?” Reliving some of the same events from your past will remind you of all the fun you had when you first started dating. And it doesn’t involve lots of planning or money to pull off! 

Sometimes life gets in the way, and even a “Netflix and chill” kind of night seems impossible to squeeze in. If circumstances prevent you and your spouse from taking a few hours for yourselves, try sharing a special memory from your dating anniversary with each other. Mark the occasion with a picture from the day, a text message recounting a conversation or funny moment, or just a quick “I love you.” The gesture doesn’t have to be grand to be meaningful.

Your relationship will grow and change as time passes — be sure to recognize each of your beginnings with reverence, laughter, and love!

• MORE: Download Ring Leader and take the stress out of wedding planning

 

You’re bound to find the perfect gown at one of these bridal salons on Long Island.

It’s finally time to go wedding dress shopping! Whether you have the designer and style picked out or you want to try on a little bit of everything, here are 17 best bridal salons on Long Island where you’ll definitely find your perfect gown!

Sayville Bridal
Sayville
If you’re looking for a personalized, one-on-one experience, then Sayville Bridal should be on your list. The shop is closed for each of their clients during appointments. Owned by a mother-daughter duo, you’ll become part of the family when you leave!

Bridal Salon of Huntington Village
Huntington
This is a full service luxury bridal boutique filled with designer gowns at desired prices. Located in the heart of Huntington Village, its team of bridal consultant professionals have over 20 years experience. The Bridal Salon of Huntington Village is dedicated to making sure you look and feel absolutely stunning in your gown.

Bella Bridesmaids
Huntington
These two friends are new to the Long Island wedding industry – but they have experience that is top notch! Bella Bridesmaids offers a unique and customized experience shopping for bridesmaids’ dresses!

Blu Rayne Bridal Boutique
Commack
Get a full hands-on experience at Blu Rayne Bridal Boutique. At this dress shop, they’ll work side by side with you to choose the perfect gown for your wedding day.

MORE: 15 Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding Gown

Bridal Suite of Centereach
Centereach
If you’re looking for a modern experience with an old-fashion twist, then the Bridal Suite of Centereach is for you. You get one-on-one time with a bridal consultant, who will be with you and your gown the entire time – from choosing ‘the one’ to alterations and more.

North Fork Bridal Shoppe
Wading River
Shopping for a dress should be fun and not stressful – and the team at North Fork Bridal Shoppe want to make sure it stays that way! Each of their suites are private for you and your besties to relax and be comfortable while you find your dress gown.

Kerianne Meehan New York
Huntington
If you want a custom made, one-of-a-kind gown, run don’t walk to Kerianne Meehan New York! She is the founder, owner and designer, and she’s waiting to bring your gown vision to life.

Burton’s Bridal
Melville
Burton’s one-on-one policy is to ensure all of their brides get the best customized experience. They can make anything happen with your gown, so it will be easy to bring your vision to life.

The Wedding Plaza
Floral Park
The Wedding Plaza is a one-stop shop for the bride and the groom! As a valuable member of your wedding team, the staff is there for you every step of the way to make sure you and your fiancé look your best on your wedding day.

The Bridal World
Freeport
A family owned boutique, The Bridal World creates a warm and inviting atmosphere so all brides feel comfortable trying on their gowns. If you make your appointment during the week, you’ll get lucky enough to have the whole shop to yourself as you browse their beautiful dresses.

MORE: What you feel when you find THE dress

Bridal Salon of Dix Hills
Huntington
With a staff that has over 20 years experience and a seamstress with over 30 years experience, Bridal Salon of Dix Hills has tons of designer gowns for every budget.

Max Bridal
Syosset
What started as a small shop in Mineola has now turned into a full service bridal salon in Syosset – at double the size, double the staff, and double the amount of gorgeous designer dresses. With a 90 minute appointment, you’re bound to fall in love with ‘the one’ at Max Bridal.

Village Bridal
Babylon
Village Bridal is a family owned and operated bridal boutique in Babylon. Its staff is both excited and honored to be a part of your special day, and they’ll work hard to find the gown that makes you look and feel your best.

Bridal Reflections
Carle Place
With three locations – two on Long Island and one in New York City – Bridal Reflections’ staff has 50 years experience. Family owned and operated, Bridal Reflections’ consultants always pay attention to every detail to ensure a great shopping experience.

MORE: 6 of the Most Popular Wedding Dress Silhouettes – Which One Should You Choose? 

Ivory & Main
Sayville
This is New York’s first exclusively plus size bridal gown boutique. Ivory & Main focuses on brides sized 12-32, but all brides are welcome to shop! In addition to all different dress styles, they feature wedding accessories to complete your wedding day look.

Bridal Suite of Bay Shore
Bay Shore
This family owned bridal shop has been around since 1964. The tight-knit team is ready to help you find your dream gown, and help your mother, mother-in-law and bridal party find the perfect dresses for your big day.

Here Comes the Bridesmaid & Mom
Bethpage
If you’re looking for the perfect bridesmaid dresses (or a gown for mom), Here Comes the Bridesmaid & Mom is the shop for you. They specialize in helping bridesmaids, mothers and brides! They are appointment only, so make sure to call before heading in with your bride tribe.

Once you’re ready to go dress shopping, keep these tips in mind:

• Have an idea of the style of dress – if you’re unsure, check out Pinterest or the BOLI page for some inspiration
• Bring a few friends and/or your mother and future mother-in-law. The fewer people might make it easier to choose in the end.
• Keep an open mind! Just because you have your heart set on a mermaid gown – try on that A-line. You might surprise yourself.

MORE: 6 Things to Wear When Dress Shopping

-Speak up! If you don’t like something, make sure you say so. You’re spending a lot of money to look your best. Make sure it’s the perfect dress for you! And remember, it’s OK to shop around.

We can pretty much guarantee that if you check out one of the 17 best bridal salons on Long Island, you won’t be disappointed. Happy gown shopping!

MORE: What to Do With Your Dress After Your Wedding

After a lengthy legal battle, Hayley Paige has reclaimed the rights to her work and name. Here’s what the future holds for one of BOLI’s favorite bridal designers.

Read on for a special offer from Hayley Paige, exclusively for BOLI brides!

A little over three years ago, the BOLI community rallied around bridal designer Hayley Paige as she embarked on an epic legal battle. It was one that would put her portfolio and even use of her own name in jeopardy, and could have cost the rising star her entire career. 

But now that rulings have been determined and cases are closed, Hayley Paige can be “Hayley Paige” once more. 

“I feel so energized,” Hayley said in an interview with Brides of Long Island. “I think I just never anticipated this outcome. I really grieved my name and I thought I wasn’t going to be able to work in the industry for a few more years. And now, I have both and I own the intellectual property. So it’s a whole sundae of a celebration.”

• MORE: BOLI’s Ultimate Wedding Dress Timeline

“This is the first time I’ve really started something from the ground up.”

Not one to let legal woes keep her in limbo, Hayley Paige pivoted from the bridal industry in 2020 and opened She is Cheval, a specialty shoe brand that continued to carry her unmistakable style. “She is Cheval has been a labor of love because this is the first time I’ve really started something from the ground up,” she explained. “In my previous chapter, all I had to focus on was the design and persona and the storytelling. With She is Cheval, I really had to think about inventory management and learning an entirely new trade set in making shoes. My specialty is in dress design, and while some of that is transferable, the mechanics of a shoe are totally different. You can’t tailor a shoe.”   

The key, Hayley says, was allowing herself the room to grow. “Something that I really focused on going into it was just saying ‘I’m going to learn as I go.’ I knew there would be mistakes made, and I prepared myself with the idea that people may not even like me in shoes! So I set that expectation to be very based in reality. And I’m grateful, because I can take a lot of the lessons I learned into this new chapter.”

“I really enjoyed pushing the fashion boundaries in the bridal space.”

Now that she’s reclaimed the use of her name and previous work, Hayley’s plans for the future are robust. “I’m really looking forward to reigniting the signature Hayley Paige DNA, and celebrating the past Hayley Paige bride as well as moving the aesthetic ball forward,” she described. “I really enjoyed pushing the fashion boundaries in the bridal space. I loved being super specific and doing novelty fabrics that weren’t common.”

She’s also excited for the partnerships and collaborations that will evolve over time. “I want to make sure that I am still carrying that torch as much as I can, and getting the industry excited because there are so many wonderful designers out there,” Hayley continued. “I think there’ll be a lot of collaboration opportunities as well, whether that be with the bride or stores or other designers. It’ll be fun to explore all of that.”

• MORE: 6 Things to Wear When Dress Shopping

“I think what’s important is being able to go through setbacks without losing your enthusiasm for what you want to accomplish.”

Hayley had valuable words of advice for the small business owners and entrepreneurs in BOLI’s ranks. “When you go through these setbacks, it can really challenge your confidence, your credibility, your excitement for things,” she explained. “I think what’s important is being able to go through setbacks without losing your enthusiasm for what you want to accomplish. It’s a lesson in resilience, but you can also spin it on the other side – it’s a test if you’re able to go from massive success to massive success while keeping your humility. Things can go really, really well and then they can go really, really bad. And who you become when you’re practicing your trade or developing your skills is important.”

“I want to do right by as many people as I possibly can.”

More than anything, Hayley is grateful for the support from her community. “It was a big undertaking to jump into a new space like shoes, and whenever you do something new, you look for validation and you look for connection,” she said. “I had so much support and inspiration coming directly from my community that it makes me want to be able to give it back. I want to do right by as many people as I possibly can.”

For Hayley, part of “giving back” is always keeping the lines of communication open. “I’m not an authority, but I’ve definitely learned a lot. I’m a very approachable person, so if someone gets inspired or wants to reach out to me directly, I encourage it. I try to get to all of my DMs.” 

Another part of giving back? A special offer, just for our Brides of Long Island community:

Use code SHELOVESLONGISLAND for 15% off your purchase at SheIsCheval.com!