In Brides of Long Island’s Monthly “Mrs.” series, we profile some of our members’ unforgettable weddings. This month, we spoke with Katie Osterman-DiBlasi about how she fully enjoyed every aspect of her wedding, thanks in part to her amazing day-of coordinator!
(Photo courtesy of Silverfox Studios)
Katie Osterman-DiBlasi is the first to tell you that she loves food. Which is why it was fitting that she was hungry on a bunny slope when her now-husband Larry proposed after six years of dating. “He proposed to me as I was hangry on top of this little bunny slope and he promised me pancakes afterward,” she says. “And it was great. That’s our story.”
Pandemic Planning
Katie and Larry got engaged in January of 2020. They had no idea what would be in store in the next few years leading up to their wedding. According to Katie, they started looking at venues that February. She already had an idea of which places she wanted to look at, as she explains that she had bookmarked venues since they’d been together for a while. After about 15 venue visits, Katie and Larry chose the Watermill, a BOLI preferred vendor. “They give you about 10 choices for dinner!” she says. “They had a bacon bar!” It was clearly an easy choice!
They settled on July 1, 2022 as their wedding date – which gave them plenty of time to plan, even as the world shut down.
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After choosing their venue, Katie says they booked Silverfox Studios, a BOLI preferred vendor. But as things started to shut down, and vendors starting zooming clients, Katie slowed her planning for a bit. While she did book her hair and makeup early, she waited until the end of 2021 to book other vendors, such as her florist, DJ and transportation. “I think I was very lucky with how everything went with getting vendors and seeing them,” she says. “I would call and they were super kind and nice.”
(Photo courtesy of Silverfox Studios)
Feeling Comfortable
In addition to having a fun wedding, Katie wanted to make sure she felt comfortable and like herself. So finding a makeup artist was her top priority after booking the Watermill and Silverfox. “I wanted that feeling of being comfortable with someone who understood what I wanted on my face and [what] to look like,” she explains. Katie spoke with five makeup artists and had three different makeup trials with artists who used airbrushing. She chose Naturally by Nikki and she was thrilled! “I felt like the most beautiful that I’ve ever felt!” Katie adds that Nikki’s demeanor helped calm her nerves on her wedding day. “She made me feel more like myself,” she says. “I felt like me, but emphasized. That’s what she calls it.”
Nikki from Ink & Ivy, a BOLI preferred vendor, also helped keep Katie calm as she got ready. Both Nikkis assured her the day was going to be great and that everything was going to be perfect. They were right, of course!
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Someone else who kept Katie calm on the big day was Maeve, her day-of coordinator. “She did so much! I didn’t even know some of the vendors’ names at the Watermill who were helping us,” says Katie. This was because Maeve took care of everything. From keeping the day moving along, to dabbing away Katie’s sweat, Maeve was on top of it.
(Photo courtesy of Silverfox Studios)
Next Adventure
The theme of Katie and Larry’s wedding was sunflowers. “Those are my favorite things ever, basically.” She says her friend made the table numbers and place cards with sunflowers on them. “It made me happy to see them!”
Instead of a guest book, Katie says they had a sign that encouraged their guests to leave them notes, ideas and suggestions of where to take their next adventure together. “It was a bucket list sign for people to suggest places to go and things to do in their lifetime; experiences they wanted us to have.”
(Photo courtesy of Silverfox Studios)
Her wedding day was the best day ever, she says. From the first look at photos at Blydenburgh Park to the choreographed first dance and alternative music set, it was all so fun, she says. “It was dancing all night. And that’s all I wanted to do – dance and eat.” In fact, she says, because she took the photos before the ceremony, she actually got to sit down at her cocktail hour! “The bridal attendant brought us plates of food, people would come and say hello to us,” she says. “I just worried about enjoying the day and I did. I didn’t leave the dance floor. I ate all of my food. I enjoyed the heck out of it.”
Do What You Want
As most BOLIs do, Katie found the group extremely helpful in her planning. She utilized the search bar for reviews and suggestions. “I don’t think I could have done anything without it!”
And now that she’s graduated, she encourages other brides to “do what you want!” She explains that she and Larry paid for their wedding, so if she wanted something, she got it. “Always make sure you are your main advocate. And don’t worry about what other people want.”
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(Photo courtesy of Silverfox Studios)
Vendors:
Day-of Coordinator: Maeve Dowd – Flutes & Finesse
Venue: Watermill, a BOLI preferred vendor
Photographer/Videography: Silverfox Studios, a BOLI preferred vendor
DJ: Studio 27, a BOLI preferred vendor
Limo: Mark of Elegance, a BOLI preferred vendor
Florist: Lindenhurst Village Florist
Hair: Ink & Ivory, BOLI preferred vendor
Makeup: Naturally by Nikki
Officiant: Aviva Sala from Church of Ancient Ways, a BOLI preferred vendor
Invitations: Magnet Street
Dress: Max Bridal, a BOLI preferred vendor
Bridesmaid Dresses: Here Comes the Bridesmaid
Cake: Dortoni
Tuxedos: Rico’s
Hotel: Residence Inn Hauppauge
Dance Lessons: Xtreme Rhythm, a BOLI preferred vendor