In Brides of Long Island’s Monthly “Mrs.” series, we profile some of our members’ unforgettable weddings. This month, Raina can’t stop raving about how her now-husband Greg helped her plan their dream wedding.
(Photo courtesy of RF Photography)
With Raina doing the research and Greg joining vendor meetings, this perfect power couple planned their special Sept. 7, 2025 wedding. The most important thing for the pair though? Making sure they stayed grounded and remembered the day was an exceptional way to share their love with their family and friends.
A Chance Meeting
Raina and Greg are both sober and met through a mutual friend at a meeting in 2022. Two years later, Greg proposed in Maine, at a summer lake house that has been in his family for years. “It’s such a special place for him, and now it’s such a special place for us,” she said. He planned a romantic dinner, complete with a slideshow on a boat. “We watched the sunset and he was playing music,” Raina said. “I felt like I was in a movie.”
Hit the Ground Running
Raina wasted no time diving into wedding planning after their engagement, starting in August and quickly discovering Brides of Long Island. “I wouldn’t have been able to plan my wedding if it wasn’t for this group,” she said, grateful for the guidance to secure vendors early. With so many brides recommending to book at least a year out, she and Greg locked in most of their major vendors right away. The fast start gave them a sense of calm later on. “I thought we’d get to chill a little more,” she said. “Once I saw what needed to be done, we switched gears and then we were able to relax in between.”
For both Raina and Greg, the venue was the top priority. They spent two weekends touring six or seven locations, knowing they wanted an on‑site ceremony, an outdoor element and a space that felt warm, intimate and classy. Water’s Edge, a BOLI Preferred Vendor, ended up being the last venue they visited. The moment they walked in, everything clicked. “It was just like magic,” Raina said. “It checked all the boxes.”
Throughout the whole wedding planning process, Greg was there – something Raina was grateful for. “I handled the research and scheduling,” she said. “And Greg was fully involved, joining every tour and vendor meeting. He’s amazing.”
(Photo courtesy of RF Photography)
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Feeling Beautiful and Calm
Despite waking up to a stormy morning, Raina stayed surprisingly calm as she got ready for her vows. By the time she and her bridesmaids arrived at the venue, the rain had finally stopped — only for her to discover the ceremony was being set up indoors. She trusted her instincts and politely advocated for the outdoor ceremony she’d always envisioned. “We’re going outside,” she told the team, as long as it wasn’t actively pouring. The staff dried the space, the skies held and she got the ceremony she’d dreamed of. Looking back, she’s grateful she spoke up. “If I didn’t say anything, we were going inside, and I would have been disappointed.”
MORE: 6 Reasons Why Rain on Your Wedding Day Can Be Awesome
Raina also felt truly beautiful on her wedding day, thanks to Be Beautiful Brides, the hair and makeup team she calls her favorite vendor.
The day was rounded out with thoughtful personal touches: cocktail napkins featuring a sketch of her dog, a signature drink inspired by Maine and a celebration centered around the family and friends who mean the most to them.
(Photo courtesy of RF Photography)
Staying Grounded
The best part of the day was the way Raina and Greg kept returning to each other, grounding themselves in the love that brought them there in the first place. “Whenever the excitement felt overwhelming, we’d reconnect with a glance or a touch, reminding ourselves that this day is about us and our love,” said Raina. Writing their own vows made the ceremony especially intimate, and being sober allowed them to take in every detail with total clarity, something she describes as deeply meaningful.
Their first dance to “I’m With You” by Vance Joy felt like fate, especially after hearing him close with that very song at a concert just weeks before. “We actually took dance lessons before, so we could do more than just sway back and forth on the dance floor,” Raina added.
The night also held a joyful surprise with her mom: a choreographed Zumba routine the two performed together after a quick outfit change, a nod to the classes they each love. It was a playful, personal and heartfelt moment that delighted their guests and gave Raina a second special dance beyond the traditional one with her dad.
(Photo courtesy of RF Photography)
MORE: 5 Reasons Why You Should Choreograph Your First Dance
The Perfect Day
All of their vendors went above and beyond to create the perfect day for Raina and Greg. Tommy Tunes, a BOLI Preferred Vendor, kept everyone on the dance floor the entire night. The bridal attendant at Water’s Edge ensured that Raina always looked her best. Melissa at Tripguy Travel, a BOLI Preferred Vendor, planned their honeymoon to Paris and Greece.
And Raina can’t forget to give Brides of Long Island another shout-out. “I don’t know how I could have planned our wedding without this group,” Raina said. “It was so helpful to read all of the vendor reviews, and get helpful tips on different ideas from my bridal shower to the morning of.”
Now that she’s settling into newlywed bliss, Raina wants other brides to make sure that the excitement is greater than the stress. “The day is about love, positivity and happiness,” said Raina. “There’s no reason why the negatives should outweigh that.”
(Photo courtesy of RF Photography)
Vendors:
Venue: Water’s Edge, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Photographer/Videography: RF Films & Photography, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
DJ: Tommy Tunes, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Florist: Bella Flowers
Hair/Makeup: BeBeautiful Brides
Dress: The Bridal World, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Maid of Honor Dress: Here Comes the Bridesmaid, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Invitations: Red Letter Day Invitations and Design, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Cake: Dortoni’s in Levittown
Tuxedos: Men’s Wearhouse and Esquire Tuxedos, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Transportation: Sir Oliver Limousine, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Dance Lessons: Xtreme Rhythm Weddings, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Honeymoon (Paris & Greece): Melissa at Tripguy Travel, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
(Photo courtesy of RF Photography)