Meryll83's SBP/Citrico's/Morocco PJ - Update: Trip Report now underway!!

[Beep]

Awww Meryll. That's a real shame. Come down to Birmingham one day and I'll take you to Shirley where I went yesterday. They were brilliant and I had a really good time.

I've just posted a reply on my PJ but they didn't have the Lynette in any stockists in Birmingham, Cheltenham, Solihull, Warwickshire or Cornwall when I checked.

Would the seamstress in the shop be able to alter a dress to what you are looking for? I don't know how they could do the Lynette top on a Capri Royale but they might be able to give you something similar. The Lynette really is beautiful and I'm sure if they had one yesterday I would have gone for it instead of the Royale. But then again, I fell in love with the Royale.

Keep trying honey, you'll get what you want :goodvibes

[meryll83]

The Maggie website is down at the moment.... grrrrrrr...... but thanks for letting me know those shops that didn't have it, it makes my search a bit smaller!

Hopefully Leeds or Newcastle have shops that stock them, but I'm going to ring in advance to make sure if they have the dress once I find out where more stockists are.

It might be that I finally find one and when I try it on it'll look awful but at least then I'll know.
To be honest, my friend said she looked around at some more dresses while I was changing and they only seemed to have about 2 Maggie dresses in the whole shop!

It was the fact that they didn't even have anything remotely similar that bugged me most I think, and that the shop assistants didn't really try looking.
There were probably only about 6 dresses with proper straps in the shop, all the others were just strapless ones with crappy little shoestring straps that you could put up if you wanted.

Oh well, I didn't expect to find anything in shop 1, the first one I tried on was probably the best!
Hopefully tomorrow the Maggie site will be alive again and I can also get booked into some local shops for next weekend.

I'm so glad you got yours sorted, and go you for bartering - I might have to bring you with me next time!!

[meryll83]

Me and Julie went to the Disney Store yesterday after our somewhat unsuccessful dress shop experience and I brought up that Gemma had suggested we all wear Mickey ears of some shape and form for the hen day.

Julie then blurted out that she'd bought me these little beauties:
http://www.laughingplacestore.com/images/products/3455M.jpg
So pleased, coz I was gonna have to get me some of these anyway!!:goodvibes

Turns out she bought them when they went to WDW this October as she didn't think they were available here and we wouldn't be back at Disney before the wedding.
So sweet! :love:
She was gonna get Simon the groom ears but they wouldn't have travelled home well (not that they'd get airsick, just they're not easy to pack!:rotfl:) but I said he probably wouldn't have worn them anyway, although if they were a gift he really couldn't refuse to wear them could he?! :lmao:


Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the Maggie Sottero website is STILL down so I can't continue the hunt for the Lynette just yet.
Will probably get the local shops rung this afternoon to have a nosey there this weekend.

[meryll83]

I just rang up the York Maggie Sottero stockist again to ask about the possibility of ordering a Capri Lynette before I rang anywhere else to try and hunt it down and the woman I spoke to (sounded an older lady, so not any of the girls we dealt with at the weekend) said they can order a sample dress in for a cost of £20!! :banana:

She’s gonna check it is available and hasn’t been discontinued and get back to me to see if I want to order it!
Fingers crossed!

She still didn’t sound overly enthusiastic but this is defo cheaper than return petrol money anywhere else I reckon!!

Oh, and apprently samples always come in a size 10, so it may be a bit of a squeeze but hopefully I can manage it just for the purpose of the overall effect!!


If they can’t order it for whatever reason then it’s back to the drawing board I guess, coz it’ll mean no-one else can order it either I presume :sad1: but this is good news so far :goodvibes

Booked in at our largest local shop this Saturday, so you never know, I may find something else and not need the Lynette anymore....:rolleyes:

[meryll83]

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr :headache:

Apparently Maggie Sottero no longer have a sample of this, the woman from York just left me a message.



I wonder if this means it has been / is being discontinued?

:sad:

[orangetiggs]

I was told that as long as its on the website it can be ordered but you would then ahve to find a sample so you can see if you like it. I loved loads of dresses in magazines and on websites and tried them and they were awful on or the material was not nice

[meryll83]

I think perhaps the dress itself can be ordered but not a sample.

Sigh. Guess I'll have to go back to the plan of ringing round other stockists to see if they have one in.

Or maybe I just need to give it up as a bad job.....

[dislovr]

don't give up! not compeletely. I say try other maggie pick up dresses. Try other dresses with a similar top. And find out what your style is and what looks best on you. Before I tried on the royale I tried on a bunch of dresses with tops like the lynette because I thought maybe I would get it without seeing the auctual dress. Well....straps auctually made me look bigger. It brought more attention to my big broad shoulders and I found out the strapless people are more inclined to look at my ****s than my large shoulders :rotfl:

Don't be discouraged yet! Good luck and keep us updated on everything!

[Beep]

You're not having a lot of luck with our friend Lynette are you?! Do you think the shop are pulling a fast one on you by saying they can't order a sample, or that they just don't care?

The shop I went to in Birmingham said they could order it in for me but to be fair they didn't check if it was available.

If it is being discontinued and isn't available to order from here the only other thing I can suggest is getting it from the internet, but then if you don't like it you're stuck.

I would try a couple of other stockists and ask them to see if they could order it. You wouldn't be commiting to anything, just asking. If you've got your heart set on this one then it would be worth trying.

I thinkthe problem with the Lynette is that is so unique with the styling on the top you would be hard pushed to find anything similar.

Good luck with it sweetheart x

[meryll83]

Thanks for the support guys,

You're right that I can try others with the pickup skirt, but I can't find ANYTHING with the same neckline.

A shop in Hessle (near Hull) has told me that they have a Capri Royale, the girl I spoke to was really nice and said we could hold some material up to try and get an idea of the straps on the Lynette.

I still have a few more to ring, but if I can't get any further then I might take Hessle up on this offer.

A couple of shops have said they could order it for however much, but they haven't actually checked it is available to order.

As you said, the other route is the internet, but I'm frightened that if I don't like it and even if I can resell it on ebay, I'll still lose out on some money. I suppose I could always set a reserve cost on it to make sure I get a reasonable amount back........

I'll let you know how the rest of my ring-around goes today!

[meryll83]

I found one!!!!!!! :banana:

It's a 2 hour drive but Simon is going to take me tomorrow after I finish work at 1pm!

Unfortunately Julie can't come coz she would need a dogsitter and Simon isn't coming in to the shop, so it's a shame there won't be another pair of eyes there for me but still!

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey, now I finally get to try the beast on and see if it was worth it all!

[caryndisneydiva]

there will be tons of eyes once you post pics!

[Swmhc]

Well, if they let you take a picture, be sure to post so we can see !!!!:cool1:

[meryll83]

I forget there are all the eyes on here! :magnify:

I'm doubting they'll allow me to take piccies but I can try and get a sneaky one on my mobile through a mirror somehow perhaps.... :lmao: "oooh I must read this text message while I'm in front of the mirror trying the dress on" yeah... that'll work ;)

[orangetiggs]

Yes I couldnt take any pics in any of the shops here till I paid a deposit and then I could only take pics on the one I paid for

[Beep]

Hey Meryll, brilliant news! Which stockist did you find it in?

[meryll83]

Wooohoooooo!

I managed to track down the notorious dress and lo and behold the size 12 they had in fit perfectly!

She looks at the tag and reiterates the price quoted on the phone - £840, but then says "Oooh there's a little pink tag here, I think this means we can sell you this sample at half price" :woohoo:
Off she pops to check with the Manager....

And the rest is, as they say, history!

Unfortunately I had the dress off before I decided to make the purchase, but here it is in all it's glory:
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l315/meryll83/Wedding/caprilynette.jpg http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l315/meryll83/Wedding/caprilynetteback.jpg

They are going to store it free with it being a stock dress and I can't see any faults with it, I checked with it being a sample. I need to go back, just for the length altering really, so the shoe hunt is now on!

I am overly prepared but now I no longer have to worry about the quest for the dress, hurrah! :yay:

[Iluffyou]

:yay: :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay:
:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

Congrats on finding the dress! It was well worth it to search high and low for it. :)

[scarlett873]

Beautiful dress!!! I've fallen in love with the style myself...if I can get away with a VR for our 10th anniversary (2012), that's the style i'm hoping for!

[Beep]

WOW! Nice one Meryll, and half price too?! Wish I had taken a little pink tag with me :)

That's brilliant, I'm so pleased for you :goodvibes :goodvibes :goodvibes

Have you seen my shoes in my PJ?

[Keira1387]

I LOVE your dress! Its beautiful!!!

[meryll83]

:yay: :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay:
:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

Congrats on finding the dress! It was well worth it to search high and low for it. :)
It really was! It was so bizarre that my main gripe with buying the dress in the UK was that it was half the price in the US, and then she turned around and told me that - fate!

Beautiful dress!!! I've fallen in love with the style myself...if I can get away with a VR for our 10th anniversary (2012), that's the style i'm hoping for!
I hope you can find it or something similar, it seems Maggie are releasing some for the new season with a similar neckline....

WOW! Nice one Meryll, and half price too?! Wish I had taken a little pink tag with me :)

That's brilliant, I'm so pleased for you :goodvibes :goodvibes :goodvibes

Have you seen my shoes in my PJ?
And I didn't even have to haggle! :rotfl:
Thanks for the tips though!
Going to look at the shoesies now, maybe I can pinch an idea from you!

I LOVE your dress! Its beautiful!!!
Thank you, I am so happy I finally found one and that when I tried it on it was just right, I would've been disappointed if it hadn't suited me, but at least I could have ticked it off the list and moved on...



I'll be sure to get piccies whenever it is I go for the fitting!!

[pink_tink8i8]

Congratulations on finding "the dress" AND getting it on sale. It's gorgeous! I love sottero dresses. I think you made a great choice :thumbsup2

[mermaidbride1108]

Congrats on finding the dress! I knew you were looking hard for it!:banana:

[mcarthur205]

Congratulations on finding your dream dress! What luck that the sample was your exact size and you got it half price :banana: :banana:

Can't wait to see pics with you wearing it! :)

[padisneyfour]

Congrats on finding and getting your dream dress! It is beautiful and on sale too!
Truly reason to celebrate your success!!! enjoy!!

[Beep]

Going to look at the shoesies now, maybe I can pinch an idea from you

Oh haha! Touche mon ami! :lmao:

[meryll83]

:cheer2: Thanks everyone for helping me celebrate the finding of the dress!:cheer2:



Oh haha! Touche mon ami! :lmao:
Touche indeed - I may not have stolen your silver shoes exactly, but it has led me to think more about using my silver ballroom dancing shoes for the job - we obviously inspire each other! ;) And at least we're also together in the very early dress purchasing stakes!!

[Desnik]

I am so happy you got the dress, and at half price with free storing!!! Wow, you did good. I can't wait to see pics of you in it!! I really love that dress.

[Beep]

we obviously inspire each other! ;) And at least we're also together in the very early dress purchasing stakes!!

And purchasing everything else early by the looks of it! It's brilliant sharing it all with someone who is as early with everything as me.

I've just come back from paying for my dress so they are going to order it for me tomorrow :cool1:

[helloirishkitty]

Congrats on finding your perfect dress! I'll probably be a Maggie bride too... her stuff is just BEAUTIFUL! :goodvibes

[meryll83]

Well at the moment we are leaning towards Randal Miller, purely based on email manner!

I filled in the online forms for Randal Miller, Jack Day and Kevin Knox to get more info from them, as these seem to be the most popular choices.

Kevin Knox keeps sending me pre-generated emails trying to sell me extra things which is rather annoying when there seems to be at least one email a week coming through. His wife did send me a very small personalised message at the start though, just mentioning that I was certainly planning ahead!!

Jack Day I received 2 email reponses from, both saying the exact same thing! :rotfl: Again, I presume these are standardly generated ones, as they said my date had been pencilled in, but I didn't give an exact date, just late October :rolleyes:

Randal Miller sent what seemed to be a personalised response, and when I replied with a query, he was quick to write back to me and clarify things for me. So, at the moment he's winning!! :goodvibes

[meryll83]

I am so happy you got the dress, and at half price with free storing!!! Wow, you did good. I can't wait to see pics of you in it!! I really love that dress.
I really just got lucky, I didn't have to work at the price or anything! :goodvibes

Congrats on finding your perfect dress! I'll probably be a Maggie bride too... her stuff is just BEAUTIFUL! :goodvibes
Your signature just reminded me of Simon's comment that as long as my dress wasn't as big as Giselle's from Enchanted all would be fine.... :rotfl:

[BayouPrincess]

CONGRATULATIONS MERYLL!
On finding your dream dress! and at half price too. You are a great bargain hunter!

I've been lurking around your PJ and have enjoyed it very much.

I must say, I would be slightly miffed with "auto" responses from these officiants. And then to get a note that says you're planning early...I just don't think I would like that.

I think Summer used Rev. Miller and she liked him. I'm afraid I'm no help in this matter, I'm brining my own officiant.

Keep up the good work! I'm excited to hear more! popcorn::

[Summer-Caitlin]

REV MILLER, REV MILLER:cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: ALL THE WAY!!!

I think you know I LOVED him, he was amazing and I am so glad we chose him.

Also , CONGRATULATIONS on getting your dream dress, I love that Maggie Sottero dress, it's exactly the type of skirt I love and I adore the straps, I can't wait to see a pic of you in it. You are so lucky you got it half price.

[helloirishkitty]

Your signature just reminded me of Simon's comment that as long as my dress wasn't as big as Giselle's from Enchanted all would be fine.... :rotfl:

Philip said the same thing as soon as I said I wanted a big skirt! :rotfl:

[TamTab]

Jack Day I received 2 email reponses from, both saying the exact same thing! :rotfl: Again, I presume these are standardly generated ones, as they said my date had been pencilled in, but I didn't give an exact date, just late October :rolleyes:


We booked Jack Day. Our Planner Meri had so many nice things to say about him. The only thing she did say was try not to e-mail him as he's not very good with e-mails. You are better off to call him.

We called him and he was so nice and funny on the phone. He is sending us his "Jack pack" in the mail so we can pick what kind of ceremony we would like to have.

Good luck with your search though and congrats on finding your dress.

[Beep]

I filled in the online forms for Randal Miller, Jack Day and Kevin Knox to get more info from them, as these seem to be the most popular choices.

Kevin Knox keeps sending me pre-generated emails trying to sell me extra things which is rather annoying when there seems to be at least one email a week coming through. His wife did send me a very small personalised message at the start though, just mentioning that I was certainly planning ahead!!

I didn't like this about Kevin Knox either, everything seem geared to sell me something.

Jack Day I received 2 email reponses from, both saying the exact same thing! :rotfl: Again, I presume these are standardly generated ones, as they said my date had been pencilled in, but I didn't give an exact date, just late October :rolleyes:

We had the same response from Rev Jack telling us he was sending 'Jack's Pack' in the post. When it came it said we were already pencilled in and to return the form with the fee. He also sent the wrong pack, he sent the religious and we wanted non-religious. He said over email that he gets it right 99% of the time. I thought yeah, and the other 1% will be on our wedding day! I wasn't mad keen as it seemed really pushy.

Randal Miller sent what seemed to be a personalised response, and when I replied with a query, he was quick to write back to me and clarify things for me. So, at the moment he's winning!! :goodvibes

I've emailed him but not checked for a response yet.

[keenercam]

congratulations on finding that gorgeous dress IN your size AT an awesome price !!!!! :woohoo: It was meant to be!!! :love:

[lurkyloo]

Wooohoooooo!

I managed to track down the notorious dress and lo and behold the size 12 they had in fit perfectly!

She looks at the tag and reiterates the price quoted on the phone - £840, but then says "Oooh there's a little pink tag here, I think this means we can sell you this sample at half price" :woohoo:
Off she pops to check with the Manager....

And the rest is, as they say, history!


HOLY! That is the perfect dress-shopping story - you are so lucky! Congrats on finding The One! :goodvibes

[meryll83]

CONGRATULATIONS MERYLL!
On finding your dream dress! and at half price too. You are a great bargain hunter!

I've been lurking around your PJ and have enjoyed it very much.

I must say, I would be slightly miffed with "auto" responses from these officiants. And then to get a note that says you're planning early...I just don't think I would like that.

I think Summer used Rev. Miller and she liked him. I'm afraid I'm no help in this matter, I'm brining my own officiant.

Keep up the good work! I'm excited to hear more! popcorn::
Thank you!

I didn't really hunt for the bargain, it found me - thankfully it saved me the dilemma of whether to pay full price to have it here at a known dress shop in England or if I should risk buying it online from the US to save money...

Yeah, that was my first thought when she said "You're certainly planning early" - :mad: Beast!

REV MILLER, REV MILLER:cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: ALL THE WAY!!!

I think you know I LOVED him, he was amazing and I am so glad we chose him.

Also , CONGRATULATIONS on getting your dream dress, I love that Maggie Sottero dress, it's exactly the type of skirt I love and I adore the straps, I can't wait to see a pic of you in it. You are so lucky you got it half price.
Hiya chick,
Nice to see you back out and about on the boards! :yay:
I remember you saying what a great choice Randal Miller was.
That reminds me, while I am pinching your wedding elements, where did you get the bottles for your sand ceremony? I'm still not really decided on what to do at this part of the ceremony, but the unity candle displays seem expensive. Look at me, now I've got a half price dress I'm wanting everything at half the cost! :rolleyes:
I really was so so lucky with the dress!:cloud9:

Philip said the same thing as soon as I said I wanted a big skirt! :rotfl:
I'm still trying to figure out a way to subtly incorporate a bit of Enchantedness, perhaps the pianist at the reception can play a bit of True Love's Kiss :thumbsup2

We booked Jack Day. Our Planner Meri had so many nice things to say about him. The only thing she did say was try not to e-mail him as he's not very good with e-mails. You are better off to call him.

We called him and he was so nice and funny on the phone. He is sending us his "Jack pack" in the mail so we can pick what kind of ceremony we would like to have.

Good luck with your search though and congrats on finding your dress.
I think we have the pack on the way, but we'll have to see how long it takes to get through the postal system to over here.
OK, so with your recommendation perhaps I won't deduct points just yet and give him the benefit of the doubt over the email thing! :lmao: Although I have to say, it is often easier for me to pop together a quick email than it is to make a phone call, especially to the states, although I do have a 2p per minute number to go via :thumbsup2 but I don't know if Disney are now blocking it, as the last time I tried calling DCL it didn't seem to work anymore :sad1:

I didn't like this about Kevin Knox either, everything seem geared to sell me something.

We had the same response from Rev Jack telling us he was sending 'Jack's Pack' in the post. When it came it said we were already pencilled in and to return the form with the fee. He also sent the wrong pack, he sent the religious and we wanted non-religious. He said over email that he gets it right 99% of the time. I thought yeah, and the other 1% will be on our wedding day! I wasn't mad keen as it seemed really pushy.

I've emailed him but not checked for a response yet.
Unfortuately, I'm thinking that Kevin Knox may be ruled off the list altogether now for this reason. I need to figure out how to get him to stop sending me stuff now - is there like an unsubscribe thing? :rotfl:
Still um-ing and ah-ing over Jack Day, so many DISbrides have a lot of great things to say about him.
When did you email Randal Miller? I'm not sure I actually emailed him to begin with, more I filled the online form in, is this what you did also?

congratulations on finding that gorgeous dress IN your size AT an awesome price !!!!! :woohoo: It was meant to be!!! :love:

HOLY! That is the perfect dress-shopping story - you are so lucky! Congrats on finding The One! :goodvibes

I feel like I should go home and listen to Destiny from Mission:Space :rotfl: I do love that song!
I am truly grateful that it was perfect though and now the Great Dress Hunt can end, I'm often a bit of a man when it comes to clothes shopping, just grab things off the rail and think it'll be fine rather than trying it on :rotfl2:
True, there are still the Bridesmaid dresses to find, but at least this time it's not me who has to stand around in nought but my undies! :thumbsup2

[meryll83]

Ok so I went off on a tangent on a thread about walking from Epcot/Boardwalk Reception locations, so figured I'd better move the debate over here!:

It would save so much money if we can have everyone work from the LSS to our dessert party (I'm presuming - how much is the escort fee? ;))

At the moment I can't decide what time to do our ceremony.
I originally wanted the 2.30pm so that after the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception we could just go straight to the dessert party, but the minimum food and bev expenditure at the LSS for ceremonies before 2pm is $1,900 and after is $3,500!
We then decided to have a 10am ceremony with a gap between the reception and dessert party, just so we don't have to spend that much money at the LSS!
However, I'm thinking that we might end up around the $3,000 mark anyway, so it might be better to add some extras to meet the higher minimum and have the day flow as one as originally planned (and not have to get up as early and have such a long day :thumbsup2)
Gonna be over the overall minimum by a fair wack though I think :sad1:
Sorry to go off topic there a bit, just wondered if anyone had any good advice?

Pros for early ceremony

LSS minimum food and bev spend $1,900
Perhaps guests can get themselves to dessert party after the break so no coach fee (park admission needed for everyone though)
Guests can get changed into more comfortable clothes and also get themselves home on standard Epcot transport, so again, no coach fee

Cons for early ceremony

Break from 4pm til dessert party collection time - what do we do in this gap?
We will probably have to pay for a coach to take everyone back to hotels and pickup again for dessert party - additional cost
The additional coach costs may equal the additional food and bev costs for the later ceremony (eg, just the dinner menu at $100 x 25 = $2,500 and that's before cocktail hour and any drinks)
We all have to get up earlier and it will make for a long day


Pros for late ceremony

Not as early a start, takes less time out of the guests day and lowers the chance of tired grouchy guests (and us!)
Day flows as one continuous event
There is a possibility of walking to the dessert party - saves on transport costs, but park admission required?

Cons for late ceremony

$3,500 food and bev minimum at LSS
We will need the coach to take everyone home - I doubt they will want to use standard Epcot transport if they are still wearing full wedding gear

I'm sure there are other points to consider, but this is what I have come up with so far... didn't realise it could be so complicated!!

I also have a horrible feeling that by next October all the prices will have gone up, I've already discovered that the dessert party menus have changed and, no suprise, as well as different items, they're all more expensive.

[dislovr]

OMG you found it!!! I am sooo unbelieveably happy for you, you have no idea. Now you know this means that i'll be flying to the UK to slip into it so I know weather or not to have my local bridal shop to order it for me or not ;)
lol :lmao:

Congrats, and good luck! I'll be watching you! ;) :surfweb:

[BaBeeCee14]

Sorry, I'm a little late with this but CONGRATS ON FINDING YOUR DRESS!!!

:banana: :cheer2: :cheer2: :banana:

[Beep]

Hey Meryll,

I emailed Randall Miller about a week ago and not had a response yet.

We have decided (I think) to have our dinner reception at the Yachtmans Steakhouse and then hop into Epcot afterwards. We know that people will have to buy a ticket to get in but we figured that the majority of the people going will want to go to at least one or two Disney parks so we will recommend that they buy the MYW ticket and include our wedding day as a day - if you see what I mean!

So, if they want to go to Epcot and MGM we will recommend that they go for the 3 day ticket instead of buying separately.

That way it's a bit cheaper than buying a one-day ticket separately.

It may seem a bit unfair to expect them to pay but hey, they get the priviledge of seeing me in my dress so that alone is worth it!

We've got one couple that are thinking of doing a week in Orlando and a week in New york and I would put money on the fact that the only time they go in a Disney park will be on our wedding. Strange but true... You know the type - "Disney is for kids" "Disney is just Mickey Mouse." Unfortunatley we have to have them there as it is my brother and his wife! :rolleyes:

[Beep]

Meryll, have you thought about how to get your dress to Florida?

I had this info from Carolyn Allen if it helps:

The dress is steamable it is $85 for steaming, $20 for the petticoat steaming, $15 for bridal gown storage and delivery and $8 for the petticoat storage and delivery. Be sure to send everything 2 weeks in advance, if you are sending It earlier than 2 weeks there is an additional charge for each month that we are storing the items.

You do not have to send your credit card information with the dress. You can send it using the online order form for steaming, storage and delivery payment. We do not take this information over the phone as we need an authorized signature on file to use your card.

I don't think my dress will fit in a cabin-sized bag and there is no way it is going in as checked luggage so I think I'll ship it to Carolyn Allen. They will bring it to your hotel room either the morning of the wedding or the day before if it is an early start too.

[BethanyMouse]

Congrats to you on your engagement and finding the dress. I just joined the boards recently because I too am planning a disney wedding. I have loved reading your PJ. You have so much helpful information! Best of luck with the rest of planning!

[Beep]

I'm not sure if this is the same company as the one Summer used but we're going to go with these - http://www.forevermemories.com/bottles_purchase.htm

They will deliver to a Disney resort which saves postage and having to transport them over there :thumbsup2

Ours ceremony has a Native American Indian theme and the sand ceremony fits perfectly. I've written our vows around a NAM ceremony too.

[meryll83]

OMG you found it!!! I am sooo unbelieveably happy for you, you have no idea. Now you know this means that i'll be flying to the UK to slip into it so I know weather or not to have my local bridal shop to order it for me or not ;)
lol :lmao:

Congrats, and good luck! I'll be watching you! ;) :surfweb:

Sorry, I'm a little late with this but CONGRATS ON FINDING YOUR DRESS!!!

:banana: :cheer2: :cheer2: :banana:

Thanks girls!
And Leah, if you want to make that flight....... :rotfl: Seriously, I'd ring round and see if you can find it somewhere not too far away and try it on, and then you can always order it from your local shop.

Hey Meryll,

I emailed Randall Miller about a week ago and not had a response yet.

We have decided (I think) to have our dinner reception at the Yachtmans Steakhouse and then hop into Epcot afterwards. We know that people will have to buy a ticket to get in but we figured that the majority of the people going will want to go to at least one or two Disney parks so we will recommend that they buy the MYW ticket and include our wedding day as a day - if you see what I mean!

So, if they want to go to Epcot and MGM we will recommend that they go for the 3 day ticket instead of buying separately.

That way it's a bit cheaper than buying a one-day ticket separately.

It may seem a bit unfair to expect them to pay but hey, they get the priviledge of seeing me in my dress so that alone is worth it!

We've got one couple that are thinking of doing a week in Orlando and a week in New york and I would put money on the fact that the only time they go in a Disney park will be on our wedding. Strange but true... You know the type - "Disney is for kids" "Disney is just Mickey Mouse." Unfortunatley we have to have them there as it is my brother and his wife! :rolleyes:
Hmmm it seems strange he hasn't replied, my reply cam through the same day....
Jack's Pack arrived yesterday but I've not had a proper look through it yet.

I think a lot of our guests will have park passes already to be honest, but perhaps on the invites we can mention that Epcot park admission is required on the wedding day. It's a pain that they can't escort people in on foot paying the viewing fee and that you have to hire a coach to take advantage of this.

Your brother will probably get addicted when he comes to the wedding day and end up having to buy more tickets!! :earsboy:

Meryll, have you thought about how to get your dress to Florida?

I don't think my dress will fit in a cabin-sized bag and there is no way it is going in as checked luggage so I think I'll ship it to Carolyn Allen. They will bring it to your hotel room either the morning of the wedding or the day before if it is an early start too.
I may well do this too, how do you pack it for shipping though? Do you have to buy a big box or something? Sorry I'm not very good at this! :lmao:

Congrats to you on your engagement and finding the dress. I just joined the boards recently because I too am planning a disney wedding. I have loved reading your PJ. You have so much helpful information! Best of luck with the rest of planning!
Congratulations to you also, firstly on your engagement and forthcoming Disney wedding, but also on joining the madhouse!
Everyone is so helpful, just ask loads of questions!! :grouphug:

I'm not sure if this is the same company as the one Summer used but we're going to go with these - http://www.forevermemories.com/bottles_purchase.htm

They will deliver to a Disney resort which saves postage and having to transport them over there :thumbsup2

Ours ceremony has a Native American Indian theme and the sand ceremony fits perfectly. I've written our vows around a NAM ceremony too.
Ooooh yes, I like this one:
http://www.forevermemories.com/HeartHandled_fillerSet_cropped.gif
I think this could be what Summer had actually.

I suppose sand ceremonies are more traditional if you're outdoors to stop candles blowing out, but I'd be terrified I'll end up setting fire to my veil or something! :rotfl: At least sand is pretty non-threatening!

Where did you find out that this company deliver to a Disney resort?
Do you need to ring the resort in advance so they can expect it and not dispose of it when it arrives?

[meryll83]

So, just a couple of little not so exciting updates.

My mum and I went shoe shopping yesterday and got me a new pair of silver dance shoes, which I am going to use as my wedding shoes.
Here they are:
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l315/meryll83/Wedding/shoes.jpg
Which means I can now arrange for my dress to be altered.:yay:
Because of this, I approached the subject of my mum coming to Florida again, as I said that if she wasn't going to go then Julie would definitely have to be at the fitting too so she can learn how to lace the back of the dress.
I'm pretty sure now that my mum isn't going to come to Florida :sad1: so I guess I need to start getting used to that. She honestly doesn't seem to feel like she'll miss much coz she says the ceremony will only be so many minutes long, and we're having a reception here, but it's such a shame she doesn't want to come to Florida.

My hairpins and jewelley arrived from Ebay, I won't post the pictures of the items again, but I just have to show you the beautiful presentation boxes each item came in:
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l315/meryll83/Wedding/jewelbox.jpg
The ribbon isn't as neat as it was before I opened it, but I tried to redo it! :rotfl: So cute, I expected them just to be shoved in a cardboard box!

Not especially relevant to the shopping, but was just browsing my photos and thought you guys might like to see a couple of our piccies from our last visit to WDW.
The obligatory Castle shot, I need to suck that belly in! :lmao::
http://photos-268.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sctm/v157/108/38/504375268/n504375268_600486_1711.jpg
That scary ole Tower of Terror:
http://photos-268.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sctm/v157/108/38/504375268/n504375268_600505_7143.jpg
Monkeying around at the AK:
http://photos-268.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sctm/v157/108/38/504375268/n504375268_600515_179.jpg
Just after we got engaged :goodvibes we should really have done a proper pose, I'm not even pretending to flash the (then non-existent) rock!:
http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v151/108/38/504375268/n504375268_666108_478.jpg
Excited we have candy!:
http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v151/108/38/504375268/n504375268_666121_5963.jpg
Naughty potato:
http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v142/108/38/504375268/n504375268_562207_195.jpg
Star Tours fun:
http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v142/108/38/504375268/n504375268_562211_4928.jpg
Hunting for hunny:
http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v142/108/38/504375268/n504375268_562219_6823.jpg
The man himself:
http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v142/108/38/504375268/n504375268_562210_4700.jpg
And a nice slushy one to finish!:
http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v151/108/38/504375268/n504375268_666107_9628.jpg

So, that's us! There are plenty more, I'm on Facebook if anyone is interested.

I'm just waiting to hear from Julie when is a good day for her to come and get the dress altered, and we're trying to decide on our UK venue at the mo.
From what we can gather the school term dates for when we plan to go will be released in March, so soon we can get a definite date picked out :woohoo:

That's all for now!...........

[Beep]

Thank for the photos, they're great! It's always nice to put a face to the virtual voice!

Got a couple of updates for you:

If you ship your dress to anyone anywhere in the USA you will pay customs and duty on it if it is over $100. There is no way around it - believe me I tried. You will also pay duty and customs if you ship it back to the UK. It doesn't matter who you ship it to (including yourself ad Disney) or whether it is a residential or commercial address, it is the value of the. I worked out the sums if I paid duty twice and it added about £250 to the cost of the dress, let alone the shipping charge. Ridiculous!

I've bought a case from Matalan for Tim to use as hand luggage and it is the size that BA allow. They have a 21kgs cabin luggage allowance so I am going to get one of the boxes from The Empty Box Company to put my dress in and take it as hand luggage. I bought the case for Tim so we can both use it as hand luggage as I won't be able to take anything through apart from the dress box. After looking at the size of the case I'm sure the dress will fit - well, it has to! I've also bought a vacuum space bag that is the approx size of the box and will use it to lightly remove the air. I read that the vacuum bags can damage the bones on the dress so that's why I'm going to lightly use it.

I read in someone's TR (maybe Summers?) that this company shipped to Disney and then Disney held the parcel until they arrived.

Oh, love the shoes by the way! :goodvibes

[Beep]

I forgot - Jack Day.

Big no no for us. To cut a long story short he was supposed to send the non-religious ceremonies through by fax but didn't. When I queried it he said he thought he had done it but had replied to 200 emails already that day, had done 4 weddings the day before and was having a senior moment.

So, I'm not important, he was too tired and had senior moments! Err, no. Don't think so. i told him not to hurry to put the ceremonies in the post as I worried with his past history what would happen on our wedding day. don't think he'd want us to book him now!

Randall Miller came back to me to say he doesn't take bookings until 9 months out and was so lovely. We've got the date scheduled to call him and hopefully book him.

[meryll83]

Oh, don't get me started on customs :mad:
I had to pay over £15 to get my hair pins and jewellry from the post office!!

I think I'm gonna go with taking the dress on the plane too, just haven't decided whether to try and squeeze it into hand luggage or be brave and check it in yet! :eek:

[meryll83]

I forgot - Jack Day.

Big no no for us. To cut a long story short he was supposed to send the non-religious ceremonies through by fax but didn't. When I queried it he said he thought he had done it but had replied to 200 emails already that day, had done 4 weddings the day before and was having a senior moment.

So, I'm not important, he was too tired and had senior moments! Err, no. Don't think so. i told him not to hurry to put the ceremonies in the post as I worried with his past history what would happen on our wedding day. don't think he'd want us to book him now!

Randall Miller came back to me to say he doesn't take bookings until 9 months out and was so lovely. We've got the date scheduled to call him and hopefully book him.
That's a shame he's made you feel unimportant. 200 emails, popular guy (or perhaps he only checks them once a month ;))
Simon has said he would prefer Randall Miller too, so I think when the time comes round we're going to book him.

[DisneyFairy19]

Congrats on finding the dress, the shoes are beautiful

[Beep]

Oh, don't get me started on customs :mad:
I had to pay over £15 to get my hair pins and jewellry from the post office!!

I think I'm gonna go with taking the dress on the plane too, just haven't decided whether to try and squeeze it into hand luggage or be brave and check it in yet! :eek:

Have you posted a picture of the jewellery? Have I missed it?

I got my hair pins and jewellery from separate sellers on ebay and thankfully they were both UK sellers.

How come you had to pay £15? Was that a customs charge or the Post Office?

I looked at the size of this cabin bag I bought Tim and I am absolutely sure I can fit the dress in. The only thing I was concerned about was folding the dress and the boned part being longer than the length of the case (obviously can't fold the bones) but after measuring it I'm sure (god I hope I'm right) that the bones aren't that long. I reckon a light use of the vacuum bag will stop it popping up!

[meryll83]

For my hair (they’re proper hair pins):
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l315/meryll83/Wedding/pins.jpg

With necklace and earrings to match:
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l315/meryll83/Wedding/necklace.jpghttp://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l315/meryll83/Wedding/earrings.jpg

And for the bridesmaid's hair, roses (hair pins again, it’s hard to tell from the piccies though!):
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l315/meryll83/Wedding/rosepins.jpg



These are the hair pins and jewels.

It was a customs charge (US seller) complete with royal mail handling fee of £8 grrrrrrr beasts!

Once I get the dress altered and home I'll have to check out the size and measurements, although I'm sure our dresses must be pretty similar....

[Beep]

These are the hair pins and jewels.

It was a customs charge (US seller) complete with royal mail handling fee of £8 grrrrrrr beasts!

Once I get the dress altered and home I'll have to check out the size and measurements, although I'm sure our dresses must be pretty similar....

Sorry hun, I remember seeing them now. Handling fee - what a joke!

The case I bought is 51cm lond and i've just measured myself and 51cm comes to my hip and I know the bones don't go that low so no problem.

I think the only difference is the top with the dresses, the bottom is the same and a lot of it. Are you having a petticoat with it? If so, what sort?

I'm going to get another vacuum bag for my petticoat, it's got loads of net and removable hoops so it should be ok. It's not the weight of it, it's the bl**dy size. I've gone for a really full one - I feel a bit like one of those dolls that old ladies put in the middle of a toilet roll!

[pink_tink8i8]

Sorry hun, I remember seeing them now. Handling fee - what a joke!

The case I bought is 51cm lond and i've just measured myself and 51cm comes to my hip and I know the bones don't go that low so no problem.

I think the only difference is the top with the dresses, the bottom is the same and a lot of it. Are you having a petticoat with it? If so, what sort?

I'm going to get another vacuum bag for my petticoat, it's got loads of net and removable hoops so it should be ok. It's not the weight of it, it's the bl**dy size. I've gone for a really full one - I feel a bit like one of those dolls that old ladies put in the middle of a toilet roll!


love your pics! The hair pins look amazing. they look like real flowers.

[meryll83]

I'm going to get another vacuum bag for my petticoat, it's got loads of net and removable hoops so it should be ok. It's not the weight of it, it's the bl**dy size. I've gone for a really full one - I feel a bit like one of those dolls that old ladies put in the middle of a toilet roll!
My Gran used to have one of those on top of the loo! :lmao:

I think it does need a hoop of some sort, the lady in the shop put a smallish one on me when I tried the dress on, so I guess I'll experiment when we go for the fitting doing.

Do the hoops collapse at all or fold in some way? I can't figure how it would fit in any form of luggage otherwise? :rotfl:

[Beep]

My Gran used to have one of those on top of the loo! :lmao:

Yep, that's me. The crocheted toilet roll doll!

Do the hoops collapse at all or fold in some way? I can't figure how it would fit in any form of luggage otherwise? :rotfl:

The one I tried on had a detachable hoop running in a material channel on the inside of the petticoat. You can fold it/roll it into a smaller circle and secure it so it fits in a case. Most of the petticoat was net, lots and lots of net...

[mermaidbride1108]

Oh my gosh, you have so much doen it sounds like, You are way ahead of me!

[meryll83]

Oh my gosh, you have so much doen it sounds like, You are way ahead of me!
Don't worry, it's all a facade, I'm as unorganised as the next person :rotfl:

[keenercam]

You have accomplished so much! I'm sorry the dress situation is causing you so much stress, but it sounds like you have found a solution. Whew! Thanks for posting the pix -- it's so nice to put a face to the posts. The jewelry and hair pins are so beautiful! It must feel so good to have things coming together so nicely! :thumbsup2

[meryll83]

You have accomplished so much! I'm sorry the dress situation is causing you so much stress, but it sounds like you have found a solution. Whew! Thanks for posting the pix -- it's so nice to put a face to the posts. The jewelry and hair pins are so beautiful! It must feel so good to have things coming together so nicely! :thumbsup2
Thanks!

It'll feel GREAT once I can get my date booked in with Disney :rotfl:

[meryll83]

Ok so I tried to get a heads up whilst waiting for school term dates to be confirmed, I filled in the online form on Misty Miotto's website a few days ago now but haven't heard anything back from her still :sad1: I wanted to make sure that our guessed dates weren't all booked up. Perhaps I'll see if there's an email address and just send a normal email rather than filling in the online form.

Has anyone else had problems with this? Perhaps it's an aol thing, I know sometimes it seems to make things spam that aren't, but I've been checking in there too.
Hope I didn't delete it by mistake :eek:

[B2B-2008]

Do you know which email address your message went to? I emailed her hotmail account on Sunday and she got back the same day. But the fist message I sent her the mail thought mine was a junk email.

[roseviolet]

I wrote to her last Thursday and I was shocked she called me back within twenty minutes of sending it. So, I would try resending it. She seems really prompt.

[mermaidbride1108]

Ok so I tried to get a heads up whilst waiting for school term dates to be confirmed, I filled in the online form on Misty Miotto's website a few days ago now but haven't heard anything back from her still :sad1: I wanted to make sure that our guessed dates weren't all booked up. Perhaps I'll see if there's an email address and just send a normal email rather than filling in the online form.

Has anyone else had problems with this? Perhaps it's an aol thing, I know sometimes it seems to make things spam that aren't, but I've been checking in there too.
Hope I didn't delete it by mistake :eek:

Hi Meryl,

Misty was actually the very first person to respond to me. I emailed her late night and I got a response next morning. Email her directly instead of using the form. She's really sweet! AOl quite possibly deleted her response if you got one.

[twiu]

Hi Merryl,

Random question. I just noticed on your sig. that you played WWTBAm in o5 and got to 32K. Do you remember who your host was? I used to host that show so I'm curious.....

Good luck on the wedding! Love the plans so far!

Tracy

[meryll83]

Thanks for the advice everyone, I'll email her directly tonight when I get in.

Tracy,
I can't remember the guy's name - I'm thinking that he wore glasses, and possibly he had little dreadlock plaity things in his hair, and he smiled, a lot!
I always thought it was such a shame that they didn't tape each show, I'm sure nearly everyone who got in the hotseat would have bought their video, I know I would!
I got the answer wrong just before reaching the 64k!

[Chilly]

Just read your whole PJ as our system is down at work. I am really pleased that you got dress, I also really like that one. I am hoping for a Dec 09 wedding but have planned nothing so far. Good luck with the planning.

[twiu]

Thanks for the advice everyone, I'll email her directly tonight when I get in.

Tracy,
I can't remember the guy's name - I'm thinking that he wore glasses, and possibly he had little dreadlock plaity things in his hair, and he smiled, a lot!
I always thought it was such a shame that they didn't tape each show, I'm sure nearly everyone who got in the hotseat would have bought their video, I know I would!
I got the answer wrong just before reaching the 64k!


Ha ha! That's probably Jim. He's awesome. He does smile a lot. He's now in L.A. which is sad. I agree that they should've taped the show but because of confidentiality reasons with the questions, they never did. Oh well. I'm bummed it wasn't me hosting your show though :(

[meryll83]

Just read your whole PJ as our system is down at work. I am really pleased that you got dress, I also really like that one. I am hoping for a Dec 09 wedding but have planned nothing so far. Good luck with the planning.
Thank you - I wish our systems would go down! :rotfl:

Ha ha! That's probably Jim. He's awesome. He does smile a lot. He's now in L.A. which is sad. I agree that they should've taped the show but because of confidentiality reasons with the questions, they never did. Oh well. I'm bummed it wasn't me hosting your show though :(
Were you a host too? - that's so cool!

[meryll83]

Ok, so I emailed Misty (the good old fashioned way) and she told me she had replied, but my aol must have eaten it up, so she resent me the response.

Incidentally, this new email still got put into Spam - who do aol think they are telling me my wedding photographer-to-be is Spam?! :rotfl:

Well the response I got was positive :goodvibes she is free for what our guessed date is, and hopefully in the next month we should find out the school term dates and be able to get her officially booked in! And then we can also get the officiant booked - and I still need to do my research on hair and makeup peeps to get them booked in too.

Has anyone had any problems getting their date with Disney? - we have given them the guessed date and they haven't told us they forsee any problem with this, but obviously if we can't contract until 12 months out I'll be worried that we've already booked various outside vendors.


Me and Julie went on a bridesmaid dress hunt on Saturday, I actually managed to get a few sneaky piccies on my phone, so I'll post these sometime soon when I have them transferred to the PC, along with our thoughts on each......

[lpizzuro123]

We are thinking of using Misty also. Could you please let me know her email address or her website?

Thanks,
Linda

[Beep]

Has anyone had any problems getting their date with Disney? - we have given them the guessed date and they haven't told us they forsee any problem with this, but obviously if we can't contract until 12 months out I'll be worried that we've already booked various outside vendors.


I had the same concern. We've got Randy, Ana and Rev Kevin Knox booked and just hope they are free if Disney can't confirm our date.

[meryll83]

We are thinking of using Misty also. Could you please let me know her email address or her website?

Thanks,
Linda

Hi Linda,
It's mistymiotto.com and her email is misty@mistymiotto.com
:thumbsup2
I've been chatting with Misty via email about our plans for the wedding, she seems really nice and I'm looking forward to using her - I love photos!
That reminds me - I need to warn her that I'm a bit of a blinker! :eek:


I had the same concern. We've got Randy, Ana and Rev Kevin Knox booked and just hope they are free if Disney can't confirm our date.
Well at least we'll have each other's shoulders to cry on if it all goes wrong!!:sad1:



OK - bizarre question here:

Presuming that the bridesmaids have tea length dresses and you can see their shoes - does it matter if their shoes don't match???

I was thinking of cutting costs just by asking all the girls to get their own shoes/sandals, and as long as they're all silver I don't care.
But then Julie points out my obsession with having everyone match and stuff and you'd notice it on the photos, which gets me worried.
But then I'm thinking, out of all the wedding shots I've seen on here, I don't think I've ever noticed the bridesmaid's footwear :lmao: ah but, perhaps this is because they are all wearing identical shoes so I haven't noticed, but if they were different they may have stuck out??
I'm gonna have to go away and look at people's bridal party photos now.....


I still need to get the Bridesmaid trying on pics up I know, but I took them on my phone, which is oooooooold, so I need to bluetooth them to Simon who can then put then on the PC from his phone - what a faff!

[Beep]

Hi Linda,
OK - bizarre question here:

Presuming that the bridesmaids have tea length dresses and you can see their shoes - does it matter if their shoes don't match???

I was thinking of cutting costs just by asking all the girls to get their own shoes/sandals, and as long as they're all silver I don't care.
But then Julie points out my obsession with having everyone match and stuff and you'd notice it on the photos, which gets me worried.
But then I'm thinking, out of all the wedding shots I've seen on here, I don't think I've ever noticed the bridesmaid's footwear :lmao: ah but, perhaps this is because they are all wearing identical shoes so I haven't noticed, but if they were different they may have stuck out??
I'm gonna have to go away and look at people's bridal party photos now.....


I still need to get the Bridesmaid trying on pics up I know, but I took them on my phone, which is oooooooold, so I need to bluetooth them to Simon who can then put then on the PC from his phone - what a faff!

You could as Misty to cut everyone's feet off on the photos then no-one would know!

Come on woman, get your act together, and get those photos posted!! :goodvibes

[meryll83]

You could as Misty to cut everyone's feet off on the photos then no-one would know!

Come on woman, get your act together, and get those photos posted!! :goodvibes


Haha good idea.

Ok, piccies oh impatient one!

You have to imagine all of these in a dark red colour though.....
We are liking the dark red one with the silver detail (the last one), the orangey one (looked better in person, not a great picture, sorry J!) and the chocolate coloured ones best (unfortunately the closest colour this one comes in is ice pink though, darnit)
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l315/meryll83/Wedding/Image072.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l315/meryll83/Wedding/Image071.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l315/meryll83/Wedding/Image068.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l315/meryll83/Wedding/Image069.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l315/meryll83/Wedding/Image067.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l315/meryll83/Wedding/Image066.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l315/meryll83/Wedding/Image065.jpg

We're preferring those that are not floor length, showing a bit of leg!:rotfl:

there were a couple of others that I didn't manage to get pictures of, but there, at least you got to see something!!

[Beep]

Yay, pictures!

I like the orangy one, very floaty. I like the first dark red one with the silver bits on but my favourite is the last one. I think it looks gorgeous. I'm quite partial to those stripy socks too - they really set the dress off a treat :rotfl:

The last dress goes well with the top of your Lynette too :-)

[meryll83]

Yay, pictures!

I like the orangy one, very floaty. I like the first dark red one with the silver bits on but my favourite is the last one. I think it looks gorgeous. I'm quite partial to those stripy socks too - they really set the dress off a treat :rotfl:

The last dress goes well with the top of your Lynette too :-)

Yey for stripey socks! I made Julie take them off in one shop, bless her :lmao:

When you say the orangey one do you mean the yellower one (the first one, or the pinky orange one later down). I liked the look of the yellow one coz it had a lace up back and the star design jewel detail at the side which my dress does, but we decided that it had the potential to be a bit unforgiving around the hips! I still have 3 more girls that need to try these things on, so we're trying to narrow it down to a couple, and then bring the whole brigade in to try on!

The first red one was lovely, but we've been trying to get a mix between something that will look right in Florida and at home in the winter, and we've preferred the shorter length dresses, probably for this reason.

I didn't think about the top of the last one, but you're right, it does kind match! :thumbsup2
It really doesn't look too hot on the hanger, I hope the others girls will trust me and not hate it before they get it on. Julie did say she wasn't sure about it til she got it on.
I think this one might be my favourite, there was a nice silky kinda one we saw in another shop, but it looked like it might need some alteration to fit properly and be supportive enough, this one looks as though a low backed bra might be a possibility under it.
Here are some pictures I found of my favourite online, I think this might be in a shorter length again then we saw actually, it's hard to tell coz Julie is not the tallest of people (sorry hun!) but in her defense there is the option online to choose shorter length ($30 more for this option - what?!) regular length it is I think, then it won't be too chilly when we're back home!
http://www.tjformal.com/images/products/7837/zoom/Venus-Bridesmaid-Dress-D586.jpg
http://www.tjformal.com/images/products/7837/9996/zoom/Venus-Bridesmaid-Dress-D586.jpg
http://www.tjformal.com/images/products/7837/9997/zoom/Venus-Bridesmaid-Dress-D586.jpg
We tried 3 different shops, I'm sure we should really try more, but then if we like this one, I'm not a huge fan of clothes shopping, so why continue?! ;)
I wonder whether these are something we should purchase nearer the time though, to make sure the sizes are right? I'm just concious that I seem to be wanting to buy everything so early on!
I'm thinking of purchasing these online though, as they were £158 in the shop and if I bought them online from the US, they'd work out at around £102, including delivery and adding 30% on in case of a customs charge.

I'm thinking that due to the material they may need less alterations than a taffeta dress, so that would save some pennies, I can ask the girls to get their own silver shoes (any more thoughts on the different shoes thing?) and Julie has found some nice silver clutch bags in Debenhams that we can get next time there is a mega-day sale ;) so at least something will match!! And they'll have matching bouquets too obviously - trying to talk myself into different shoes being OK again here........

I think I'll get in touch with all my girls and find a weekend that is good for everyone to try this on, I have a feeling Jodie might be in Florida at the moment though, I know she was going in February, darnit I forgot to say goodbye if she's already there!!

[lov2b@disney]

Love the last dress(lavender one) very pretty- I think different shoe all in silver will be fine! For my sisters wedding we all did silver and everyone picked their own style it was fine!

[Gillian]

I really like the last dark red one, with the socks, and the lavendar one is very pretty too. If you get them altered, don't let them make it too tight in the waist, it should flow so as not to emphasize hips. :)

[allie_to_you]

I think different shoes will be fine too. As long as they are all one color, I don't think anyone will notice. My bridesmaids all wore different shoes and while their dresses were long, you could still see them, and looking through wedding pictures now, I still don't notice.

[Chilly]

I like number 3, 4 and 7. When I saw the lilac photo I think that became my fav as well.

Letting them get their own shoes is prob a good idea on a comfort level as well, everyone likes different types of shoes and if you're on your feet all day, good comfy shoes is important.

[meryll83]

Love the last dress(lavender one) very pretty- I think different shoe all in silver will be fine! For my sisters wedding we all did silver and everyone picked their own style it was fine!

I really like the last dark red one, with the socks, and the lavendar one is very pretty too. If you get them altered, don't let them make it too tight in the waist, it should flow so as not to emphasize hips. :)

I think different shoes will be fine too. As long as they are all one color, I don't think anyone will notice. My bridesmaids all wore different shoes and while their dresses were long, you could still see them, and looking through wedding pictures now, I still don't notice.

I like number 3, 4 and 7. When I saw the lilac photo I think that became my fav as well.

Letting them get their own shoes is prob a good idea on a comfort level as well, everyone likes different types of shoes and if you're on your feet all day, good comfy shoes is important.

The lavender dress is actually the last red one, but it's just the pictures I found online for it to show it in a bit more detail!

Due to all the positive responses I think I'm going to text all my girls and arrange a try on of this one when I can get them all free! :yay:

And thanks for the shoe advice too - you're right they will be much comfier if they choose their own rather than having me force them all into one style and I'm glad those of you who have done this haven't found it to be a problem - I knew it was me being overly anal :lmao:

[Chilly]

The lavender dress is actually the last red one, but it's just the pictures I found online for it to show it in a bit more detail!

I didn't wirte what I meant very clearly but I knew they were the same dress.


I knew it was me being overly anal :lmao:

Theres nothing wrong with being anal, I am as well!

[sarah_n_brian2006]

I like 3 and 4

[pink_tink8i8]

LOVE :lovestruc the last BM dress. That's the type I'm trying to go for for my MOH. For my brother's wedding, we were 5 girls in the wedding party and we all wore different shoes. We had floor length dresses though so you couldn't really tell. Some wore black and some wore gold. If the dresses are going to be shorter maybe you can ask them nicely to at least wear the same color shoes if you think it will bother you. hope that helps :goodvibes

[meryll83]

I didn't wirte what I meant very clearly but I knew they were the same dress.


Theres nothing wrong with being anal, I am as well!
Sorry, hope I didn't insult your intelligence there!

I like 3 and 4
3 wasn't a great fit, and we like 4 but it only came in the ice pink, which I'm not convinced about, I'm happy with the dark red choice of colour.
It was so annoying when we found this out, having previously being told that all dresses came in all colours :rolleyes:

LOVE :lovestruc the last BM dress. That's the type I'm trying to go for for my MOH. For my brother's wedding, we were 5 girls in the wedding party and we all wore different shoes. We had floor length dresses though so you couldn't really tell. Some wore black and some wore gold. If the dresses are going to be shorter maybe you can ask them nicely to at least wear the same color shoes if you think it will bother you. hope that helps :goodvibes
Yeah, at least there will be colour co-ordination going on, I don't think there are too many shades of silver, but hey, what do I know, I didn't realise there were so many shades of white/ivory til I started wedding dress shopping! :lmao:

[cryssi]

I let my girls wear their own shoes since you really wouldn't see them anyway. They would be doing a lot of walking, and I didn't want to force them to wear something uncomfortable. My only stipulation was that thye had to be some sort of silver/gray strappy sandals...

[meryll83]

I let my girls wear their own shoes since you really wouldn't see them anyway. They would be doing a lot of walking, and I didn't want to force them to wear something uncomfortable. My only stipulation was that thye had to be some sort of silver/gray strappy sandals...
I mentioned this to a couple of my girls last night and they were fine with the idea, so at least that's sorted now.

These two are also going to come and try on the favourite dress on the 8th March, so I need to call and get an appointment booked in for that.



In the meantime........

Does anyone have any pricing details for Beaute Speciale, there doesn't seem to be anything on the website that indicates exactly what services they offer and how much it costs?




In other news:
My mum has found a hoop and a veil in a wedding shop that was closing down in Beverley, and has bought them on spec as they were cheap, she's bringing them around tonight for me to see and try on.:bride:

Si's mum has been given permission from her college to take 2 weeks off over half term (rather than just the 1 you normally get):yay: His dad will also be asking his college in the not too distant future if it's a possibility for him, but the college has just got a new principal so he's gonna wait it out for a little while yet.
So, assuming he is given permission too, that just leaves Gemma (bridesmaid) who works in a primary school that may still only get to have 1 week off, but she's on a temporary contract at her school at the moment, so depending what sort of contract and where she is at the time, there is a chance she could get 2 weeks too! :banana:

Me and Julie went to a wedding fayre at Debenhams on Saturday and the wedding advisor rang me the other night to say I'd won a free bottle of champagne in the prize draw I enetered :thumbsup2


Oh, and I've just added a ticker, I love how it says "about a year" when it's blatantly closer to 2 years!:rotfl:

[orangetiggs]

i just had them for my make up and hair trail and it cost $115 and it will be the same for the wedding as well.

if you email them from the website they send the prices to you

[Chilly]

In other news:
My mum has found a hoop and a veil in a wedding shop that was closing down in Beverley, and has bought them on spec as they were cheap, she's bringing them around tonight for me to see and try on.:bride:


One of my best friends lives in Beverley, is that where you live?

[Beep]

Hi Hun,

I love that dress, the last red one. Really really nice and the top would look fantastic with your dress as the style is very similar.

I'm going to see if I can get a petticoat and veil in a bridal sale as i think they are so expensive. I've seen some veils on ebay (USA) that look really nice sow for the sake of a few quid i might try one of those.

[meryll83]

One of my best friends lives in Beverley, is that where you live?
I'm from Scarborough, which is probably a couple of hours drive away, I did go to Hull Uni which is nearer to Beverley, but still, I was based at Scarborough Campus :lmao:
Hi Hun,

I love that dress, the last red one. Really really nice and the top would look fantastic with your dress as the style is very similar.

I'm going to see if I can get a petticoat and veil in a bridal sale as i think they are so expensive. I've seen some veils on ebay (USA) that look really nice sow for the sake of a few quid i might try one of those.

I'm glad everyone has had positive comments about the dress, I was worried that it didn't look anything special, particularly on the hanger, I think I have the girls worried now by telling them it looks better on!:rotfl:

I forgot to take piccies, but my mum came round with hoop and veil last night (haha that sounds like tooth and nail, perhaps it can be a new bridal term "I fought it hoop and veil":rotfl2:) Anyway sorry, where was I?
Ah yes, the hoop skirt will be great as it has a removable metal hoopy thing that's bendy and will just roll up for easy storage which is great, seeing as though we have to get the beast to Florida.

The veil, well it had lots of little bows on it :guilty: I didn't want to offend my mum because she thought I'd really love it, but then I had to explain that I only wanted it really really plain, and there was nothing else "bow-y" about the wedding, and basically the bows just had to go. So my mum is gonna get creative and see if she can cut them off so I have just a plain veil. I hope this works, coz I'll feel bad that she went out and bought it for me if it doesn't.
She said we could've gone back to Beverley and exchanged it, she'd agreed this with the girl in the shop, but then she said all of the other veils were too long for what I want - see she listened to that part, just not the plain thing!! ;) - and they wouldn't have done a refund, only an exchange, so mum said she'd see what she can do with this one.
I really hope it works :scared: I'll get some pictures when it's done, probably at the same time as the dress fitting :goodvibes

[meryll83]

Forgot to mention that I signed up with Disney Honeymoon Registry online last night to take advantage of the current free tote bag offer. (Whether or not they'll actually ship this to the UK, who knows?!!)

I doubt we'll end up using the registry to be honest, I don't want to ask our Florida guests to buy us anthing coz they've already forked out to get there, and for our Scarborough guests, because they're only coming to an evening do, I don't really like the idea of asking them for anything either really. My dad said we should have some sort of wedding list or something as there will be people who want to get us a gift, but we'll just have to be strategic about how we word it on the invitations if I'm worried about asking people for things.....

[Chilly]

I'm from Scarborough, which is probably a couple of hours drive away, I did go to Hull Uni which is nearer to Beverley, but still, I was based at Scarborough Campus :lmao:


I went to Lincoln Uni.

Forgot to mention that I signed up with Disney Honeymoon Registry online last night to take advantage of the current free tote bag offer. (Whether or not they'll actually ship this to the UK, who knows?!!)

I doubt we'll end up using the registry to be honest, I don't want to ask our Florida guests to buy us anthing coz they've already forked out to get there, and for our Scarborough guests, because they're only coming to an evening do, I don't really like the idea of asking them for anything either really. My dad said we should have some sort of wedding list or something as there will be people who want to get us a gift, but we'll just have to be strategic about how we word it on the invitations if I'm worried about asking people for things.....

Could you have your parents write to all your guests with a wedding list but explain that you aren't expecting gifts but if anyone did want to get you anything this is what they'd like...

[cseca]

Forgot to mention that I signed up with Disney Honeymoon Registry online last night to take advantage of the current free tote bag offer. (Whether or not they'll actually ship this to the UK, who knows?!!)

I doubt we'll end up using the registry to be honest, I don't want to ask our Florida guests to buy us anthing coz they've already forked out to get there, and for our Scarborough guests, because they're only coming to an evening do, I don't really like the idea of asking them for anything either really. My dad said we should have some sort of wedding list or something as there will be people who want to get us a gift, but we'll just have to be strategic about how we word it on the invitations if I'm worried about asking people for things.....

We do the honeymoon registry also just because we don't want to get 3 vases and 3 blenders etc...
But just a little info, US ettiquette (not sure how it is in UK) says you should not list any registry information in the invite. You can put it on your website or word of mouth but you're not supposed to "ask" for gifts.
Personally, as much as I agree about NOT asking for gifts ... overall I think it's a silly rule... because it's obviously up to the guests whether they want to give gifts or not. Regardless of where you put the information...:confused3 but hey... I don't make the rules... :rotfl:

Good luck with the registry... I haven't seen my free tote either... hehe

[meryll83]

I went to Lincoln Uni.


Could you have your parents write to all your guests with a wedding list but explain that you aren't expecting gifts but if anyone did want to get you anything this is what they'd like...
I'm trying to remember if I had any friends that went there....

This is a really good idea actually, I'll have to mention it to my parents, but even then, if parents know what we'd like, then we've obviously told them, so we obviously are expecting something! :lmao: Do you see what I mean?
Like they're not expecting any gifts but here's a big old list to look at anyway ;)
It's difficult.

We do the honeymoon registry also just because we don't want to get 3 vases and 3 blenders etc...
But just a little info, US ettiquette (not sure how it is in UK) says you should not list any registry information in the invite. You can put it on your website or word of mouth but you're not supposed to "ask" for gifts.
Personally, as much as I agree about NOT asking for gifts ... overall I think it's a silly rule... because it's obviously up to the guests whether they want to give gifts or not. Regardless of where you put the information...:confused3 but hey... I don't make the rules... :rotfl:

Good luck with the registry... I haven't seen my free tote either... hehe
In the UK, people tend to put it in with the invitations, little cards or whatever that say "You can find our wedding list here...."
I've always thought it seemed a bit cheeky, but it does seem to be the way it gets done over here, at least at nearly all weddings I've been to.

You'll have to let me know if it turns up, when did you sign up?
I would think yours would arrive sooner you being in the US......

[Chilly]

I'm trying to remember if I had any friends that went there....

This is a really good idea actually, I'll have to mention it to my parents, but even then, if parents know what we'd like, then we've obviously told them, so we obviously are expecting something! :lmao: Do you see what I mean?
Like they're not expecting any gifts but here's a big old list to look at anyway ;)
It's difficult.


In the UK, people tend to put it in with the invitations, little cards or whatever that say "You can find our wedding list here...."
I've always thought it seemed a bit cheeky, but it does seem to be the way it gets done over here, at least at nearly all weddings I've been to.

You'll have to let me know if it turns up, when did you sign up?
I would think yours would arrive sooner you being in the US......


I don't think people would mind. I went to a wedding party recently, they'd gotten married abroad then just had a evening party at home. When we got the invite it had a letter in it from the brides Dad saying that as they already lived together they weren't expecting gifts but if anyone wanted to give some money he'd present them with a cheque on the night. You could do that instead of a gift list maybe, that way it is less obvious if you haven't given anything if you see what I mean.

[cseca]

You'll have to let me know if it turns up, when did you sign up?
I would think yours would arrive sooner you being in the US......

Definitely... I'll post when it arrives :)

[meryll83]

Just got the prices back from Beaute Speciale,
it seems a bit steep now I've added it all up and I've already told the girls they would all have their hair and make up done.
I should have done my research before committing to paying for 5 people!

Hmm, I think I'll check with them all if they would all definitely like it done by Beaute Speciale or if any of them would prefer to do their own at all.
They will probably all say they'd like it done as a change though! :eek:

Well, I've made my bed...... :rolleyes:

[BaBeeCee14]

Just got the prices back from Beaute Speciale,
it seems a bit steep now I've added it all up and I've already told the girls they would all have their hair and make up done.
I should have done my research before committing to paying for 5 people!

Hmm, I think I'll check with them all if they would all definitely like it done by Beaute Speciale or if any of them would prefer to do their own at all.
They will probably all say they'd like it done as a change though! :eek:

Well, I've made my bed...... :rolleyes:

I know what you mean Meryll. The price can really start to add up fast. Since I have 4 BMs, I'm only going to be paying for their hair since thats something that would be harder to do yourself. Makeup wise - they are on their own :rolleyes1

[meryll83]

I know what you mean Meryll. The price can really start to add up fast. Since I have 4 BMs, I'm only going to be paying for their hair since thats something that would be harder to do yourself. Makeup wise - they are on their own :rolleyes1

Maybe I should just tell them this and hope they've all forgotten that i even mentioned make up :lmao:


I forgot to mention that when i showed my mum the jewellry and hair pins I'd bought she said "but they're white". I'm worried now that they're gonna look awful now I have an ivory dress and veil. :( I got too excited on ebay before I found out the dress colour.
She said perhaps I could incorporate white and cream/ivory into the bouquet along with the red, and then it wouldn't be as noticeable.
I like the bouquet as it is though, it's simple, I'm not sure I'd like it if it had different colour roses in it as well.

So I'm gonna take the jewellry and hair pins with me to the fitting and see how it all looks, and just hope and pray that it looks ok! :scared:

[Beep]

Re the Disney Honeymoon Registry, I've put this in the newsletter I've done:

Wedding List

We are not having a wedding list with any store - we appreciate that people are coming to our wedding and that is more than a gift for us. We do have a Disney Honeymoon Registry website here: (enter later). The website has various Disney ‘treats’ including spa treatments, dining etc and we have picked out our favourites - if you would like to help us make our honeymoon exceptional we would be most grateful but it certainly isn’t expected.

[Beep]

Meryll, how did you sign up for the register with Disney? Have you booked your accommodation already?

[meryll83]

Re the Disney Honeymoon Registry, I've put this in the newsletter I've done:

Wedding List

We are not having a wedding list with any store - we appreciate that people are coming to our wedding and that is more than a gift for us. We do have a Disney Honeymoon Registry website here: (enter later). The website has various Disney ‘treats’ including spa treatments, dining etc and we have picked out our favourites - if you would like to help us make our honeymoon exceptional we would be most grateful but it certainly isn’t expected.

This is nice, I wonder what to do for the guests that are only coming to the evening reception here though.....

[meryll83]

Meryll, how did you sign up for the register with Disney? Have you booked your accommodation already?
We have our honeymoon cruise booked, which is how I was able to do it, but at the moment it only brings up registry items relating to the cruise, we will have to update it when we have our room reservations if we want to add WDW items.

[Beep]

We have our honeymoon cruise booked, which is how I was able to do it, but at the moment it only brings up registry items relating to the cruise, we will have to update it when we have our room reservations if we want to add WDW items.

Ah, I see.

This is nice, I wonder what to do for the guests that are only coming to the evening reception here though.....

Hmmm, can't really help with that one. We aren't having anything like that over here. Maybe you could have a website with all the wedding info on and cheekily put the registry website as a link. My DF designs websites in his spare time and I think we might do something like this.

We have quite a few people that would be very interested in what we were doing and want to see the planning and photos afterwards so it seems like a good place to put the link. I know that some people would like to get something for us, even though they aren't coming to the wedding, and I think this is the best idea for us.

[meryll83]

Ok, time for a bit of an update....

I am a bridesmaid down.
Jodie came back from Florida a few days ago and agreed to come and try the bridesmaid dresses on with the other girls in a couple of weeks time.
However, a couple of days after this she text me to say that she was really sorry, but wouldn't be able to afford to come to Florida :sad1: I think the family have spent too much on this holiday they've just been on - I was surprised though given that there's still 18 months to go to save up again, but hey, it's a lot of money and I can't force people to go!

This got me stressing that if she (and her parents) had dropped out already, how may more people are we going to lose in the next year and a half?!!
For example, one of my other bridesmaids, Gemma, has now arranged her wedding for 2 months after ours, but she's still assuring me it won't effect her coming to ours, although I admit it has me worried.

Incidentally, about half an hour before the text message from Jodie, I discovered that Virgin are now selling Oct/Nov 09, so I was just getting uber-excited that as soon as the half term dates are released we can now get something booked!:hyper:

Me and Si had a chat and we think that we will book a package with Virgin, for flights and staying at Pop, but leaving 3 nights without accommodation at the end when we'll be cruising, and possibly 4 out over the wedding period when we plan to stay at the Boardwalk, using either Disney's discounted room rates, or renting DVC points.
But at least we'll have our flights booked this way, rather than waiting til 11 months out for flight only!:scared:

With the departure of Jodie and family from our wedding list, I think we are now leaning towards an Escape wedding, coz we think there about 11 people in total that we can guarantee will come (thought Jodie was a guarantee before though :rolleyes:)
This means we need to rethink locations (thinking back to SBP or the YCG now), I'm hoping we can still add on a dessert party with an Escape wedding(Morocco it'll be now I think), but our main thing is trying to figure out where we can hold our reception.
It doesn't seem that you can have a proper reception, more that you have to arrange your own meal, is this correct?
Does anyone have any suggestions where we could have a meal, preferably in the Boardwalk or possibly Magic Kingdom resort areas?
I would love to have a meal at Le Cellier, but first I'm not sure they'd allow this, and secondly I'm not sure how comfortable I'd be in full wedding gear if the rest of the restaurant is casual!
I guess I'll have to email Disney with the new plan and see what suggestions they can offer.

It also scuppers our plans for the hen night to be a wishes fireworks cruise (grand gathering) as you need at least 8 people to do this and wemay only have about females now.
I've seen people posting threads on here asking for groups they can join so they can do grand gathering events when there's only say 2-3 of them, so this is a possibilty I guess, but I don't want to feel like I'm begging for friends!



Good news is we have provisionally booked a Reception location at home, it's a theatre and entertainment complex and we are using a room that overlooks the sea and the bay, with a view of the castle and the sea front, so that should be pretty, even if it will be pitch black in November!
We attended a Wedding Fayre there yesterday, and there was a cool jazz pianist we are going to try and get (seeing as I won't get my glass piano at the LSS anymore :sad:)

One less bridesmaid means one less dress / purse / bouquet and hair-do to pay for though, although my lovely symmetry is now ruined.
Plus, Jodie was the only under 21 which was making me wonder what to do with her when I wanted to plan Jellyrolls / PI events, so at least I no longer have to worry about this either....

I ordered my ring today, I think this is it:
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l315/meryll83/Wedding/wring.jpg
And as a reminder, here's my engagement ring (has a gold band though):
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l315/meryll83/Wedding/ring-1.jpg
29th April before it gets here though :eek: - they must be having to get it forged in the fires of Mount Doom or something. Good job we're not in a hurry!
Si is going to get his ordered as well after payday. He is thinking a plain band or possibly two tone, mine is gold with a thin row of diamonds across the middle.

My mum's customised veil looks good, we're going to take it, the hoop, my hair pins and jewellery on sayurday when I go for my first dress fitting :cheer2:

Ok, think I'm all out of steam for now, it's been a busy weekend!!

[Funniebunny]

We had an Escape wedding and it was wonderful, every details was sorted and it was sooooo much cheaper.
After the ceremony we did our cake cutting and first dance at the Pavillion and then went over to the Grand Floridian and took some pics in the lobby, as it was the end of November the big Christmas tree was up. We then all had dinner at Victoria and Alberts. Our wonderful guests even agreed to pay for their own meal and then we booked the wishes cruise as a treat for everyone. It was such a relaxing day from start to finish.

Everything you have organised so far sounds great, I hope planning an Escape wedding makes it all easier for you :flower3:

[lpizzuro123]

Sorry about losing one of your bridesmaids but it sounds like it may make some things abit easier. The only thing I do know is that you cannot go into any of the parks in your wedding attire so Le Cellier is out if you want to go in your gown. I have heard many good things lately about Morocco for the desert party.

The rings look great. Keep us posted on what is going on.

Linda

[Beep]

Hi hun, sorry to hear you've had a bit of a set back. Never mind, more scope for restaurants!

If you are looking for somewhere around the boardwalk area how about the Yachtsmans Steakhouse at the Yacht Club? They take a group booking at 9 people so you may be limited to the time, but you could always book two tables and ask for them to be close together. This is what we are going to do - either as a group or two tables. If you book 2 tables you can be more flexible on the time.

You could always eat an early dinner and then go into Epcot (again what we are going to do) for some fun and fireworks. We are then coming back to the Boardwalk area to one of the lounges for a drink and then to Jellyrolls or people can go back to their rooms if they have had enough.

If you are a bridesmaid down I could step in. I know, I know, it's a huge ask and a real hardship (and I wouldn;t enjoy a second of it) but I would be willing to do it out of the goodness of my heart :)

By the way, your wedding ring is very similar to mine. I'm telling you, we were separated at birth!

[meryll83]

Hi hun, sorry to hear you've had a bit of a set back. Never mind, more scope for restaurants!

If you are looking for somewhere around the boardwalk area how about the Yachtsmans Steakhouse at the Yacht Club? They take a group booking at 9 people so you may be limited to the time, but you could always book two tables and ask for them to be close together. This is what we are going to do - either as a group or two tables. If you book 2 tables you can be more flexible on the time.

You could always eat an early dinner and then go into Epcot (again what we are going to do) for some fun and fireworks. We are then coming back to the Boardwalk area to one of the lounges for a drink and then to Jellyrolls or people can go back to their rooms if they have had enough.

If you are a bridesmaid down I could step in. I know, I know, it's a huge ask and a real hardship (and I wouldn;t enjoy a second of it) but I would be willing to do it out of the goodness of my heart :)

By the way, your wedding ring is very similar to mine. I'm telling you, we were separated at birth!

Are you planning on staying in your dress throughout the day, or are you changing at all?

I worry about limitations on where you can go wearing a wedding dress - and the prospect of looking a bit silly depending where it is we want to go!

We almost went to the Yachtsman Steakhouse on our last trip, shame we didn't really coz then we would have got to sample the place and the food.
Do they have any private areas, or would you just be in the main restaurant?

I couldn't ask you to take on such a horrific task as going to WDW again ;)

We do seem to have very similar ideas about, well, everything really!!

[Chilly]

I'm planning on an Escape package, at the moment i'm thinking Sunset Pointe, meal at Calafornia Grill then Wishes Fireworks cruise. I am planning on keeping my dress on all day (its gonna cost a lot, want to get my moneys worth) I know other people in the restaurant might look over but who cares it is your wedding day you should be the centre of attention!

[DigitalLove]

Have you thought about the Chefs Domaine at Citricos?! Out of the all the places to eat, this seemed to have the least expensive minimum spend at $650 for a single sitting buy out (I can't remember what the charge was for the full night). The room seats up to 12 and looks really nice, and the sitting times worked well with our other plans for the night. We're eating at the first sitting at 6pm so I figure we'll be out of there for 8-15 which is enough time to get some photos around the GF, and then we meet the up with the Grand 1 at around 9-15 to go watch Wishes. I don't know if you're interested in decorating the table etc, but Disney Floral have charged me about $270 for a couple of arrangements for the table (which is long and kinda oval shaped), a table runner made of rose petals, votives and upgraded linen to match my colour scheme for the table which I didn't think was a bad price... but I've seen photos of the table just as it is and it still looks lovely. You can order from the regular menu or they will customise a menu for you and the $650 minimum includes drinks as well. If you're interested then I'll be sure to give a detailed rundown of what it was like when we get back!

So sorry to hear about your Bridesmaid drama! On the plus side, at least she's let you know in plenty of time rather than letting you down at the last minute which I know only too well about!! Grrr!!

Christina
xxx

[Chilly]

one of my other bridesmaids, Gemma, has now arranged her wedding for 2 months after ours, but she's still assuring me it won't effect her coming to ours, although I admit it has me worried.


That would worry me a lot as well. She might now say that but when she starts paying out money for her own wedding she might start thinking well if I didn't have to pay to go to Florida I could afford XYZ. Also has she got enough leave from work to have two holidays so close together (presuming she is having a honeymoon and goes out to work).

[Chilly]

Have you thought about the Chefs Domaine at Citricos?! Out of the all the places to eat, this seemed to have the least expensive minimum spend at $650 for a single sitting buy out (I can't remember what the charge was for the full night). The room seats up to 12 and looks really nice, and the sitting times worked well with our other plans for the night. We're eating at the first sitting at 6pm so I figure we'll be out of there for 8-15 which is enough time to get some photos around the GF, and then we meet the up with the Grand 1 at around 9-15 to go watch Wishes. I don't know if you're interested in decorating the table etc, but Disney Floral have charged me about $270 for a couple of arrangements for the table (which is long and kinda oval shaped), a table runner made of rose petals, votives and upgraded linen to match my colour scheme for the table which I didn't think was a bad price... but I've seen photos of the table just as it is and it still looks lovely. You can order from the regular menu or they will customise a menu for you and the $650 minimum includes drinks as well. If you're interested then I'll be sure to give a detailed rundown of what it was like when we get back!

So sorry to hear about your Bridesmaid drama! On the plus side, at least she's let you know in plenty of time rather than letting you down at the last minute which I know only too well about!! Grrr!!

Christina
xxx


Wow that sounds perfect for what I would need and is around the price I had budgeted in my head! How far in advance can you book that?

[DigitalLove]

Wow that sounds perfect for what I would need and is around the price I had budgeted in my head! How far in advance can you book that?


I think you can book it 180 days out through the regular ADR reservation line. I was less than 180 days out though and had no problem getting the date we wanted. Apparently, not alot of people realise it exists so its not quite as hard to book as other places! I'll try and find you a link I have of some of the photos of the room :goodvibes

http://www.tazfoto.com/webhtml/chefsdomain.htm

[Chilly]

Thank you :flower3:

Sorry to crash your thread Meryll!

[meryll83]

Thank you :flower3:

Sorry to crash your thread Meryll!
:rotfl:
Don't worry, all this information is really useful!

The Chef's Domaine looks great, but we may still be over 12 people and a 6pm sitting might not be quite early enough to get us back over to Epcot in time for Illuminations.

'Tis a shame that it might not work, coz it looks an ideal location for a small group.

Part of me wants a reception near the BW so everything is together (presuming we choose SBP/YCG and an IllumiNations dessert party), but then another part of me wants an MK resort location for the reception so we can get some photos done in both areas!

Hmmm... do they do any sort of Wishes dessert parties?
I think maybe it's just the marina boat hire that does things like this, although that would be a memorable end to the wedding day if we watched Wishes from the boat (now we won't be doing the GG on the hen night). To be honest I prefer Wishes to Illuminations, but Epcot is all set up to offer desserts etc. I just wonder if they do any munchies at all on the Wishes cruises...
Hmmm.... think I need to do some more investigating on this.....

Could do SBP/YCG ceremony and have BW piccies done, then head over to the MK for possibly Chef's Domaine or Cali Grill, something like that, followed by a Wishes Cruise, but I really want some sweet treats on the cruise if possible. Perhaps we could cut the cake at the BW, but serve it on the cruise.....

Wow, can't believe how much plans are changing in my head at the moment!



Just checked and the largest cruiser is for 13 people, so it's really gonna depend on our final guest numbers, coz there is the potential for it to be up to about 18 of us in total I think.
Once the dates are out (hopefully within the next month) it's time for me to get brutal anyway and try and find out numbers so this stuff can be sorted out.
Apparently you have to ring 180 (I think) days out to book the cruise - what if someone snaffled it from under my nose, ooh that would be a pain!
I suppose I could revert back to the Illuminations plan if this happened.

Ooh too much going on in my little head!!!

[DigitalLove]

Lets see...

... You can apparently have a 'Wishes' Dessert party at the GF so perhaps that would be an option?! 'Wishes' is more likely to be cancelled because of weather rather than 'Illuminations' so how disappointed would you be to have a dessert party without fireworks?!

I booked the Grand 1 90 days out and was told it takes a maximum of 18 people... You can also arrange to have dessert served on the yacht by ordering through Private Dining at the GF. Quite how comfortable 18 people would be on the yacht I don't know... I'll let you know once we get back. You also have the added hassle of relying on getting the yacht and then having nothing organised if someone beats you to it when the lines open to book!

Oh decisions, decisions!!!

[Chilly]

You can get Private Dining sent to the boat so you could order some desserts which I might do depends on price at the end of the day.

[Starr W.]

Lets see...

... You can apparently have a 'Wishes' Dessert party at the GF so perhaps that would be an option?! 'Wishes' is more likely to be cancelled because of weather rather than 'Illuminations' so how disappointed would you be to have a dessert party without fireworks?!

I booked the Grand 1 90 days out and was told it takes a maximum of 18 people... You can also arrange to have dessert served on the yacht by ordering through Private Dining at the GF. Quite how comfortable 18 people would be on the yacht I don't know... I'll let you know once we get back. You also have the added hassle of relying on getting the yacht and then having nothing organised if someone beats you to it when the lines open to book!

Oh decisions, decisions!!!


I think that Wishes and Illuminations have the same sort of probablility of cancellation. Fantasmic gets cancelled more than W or I.

I know someone had posted Janet Evanovich's daughters DFTW on here. Janet is a famous author(Stephanie Plum series). She had her wedding early November when TS Noel went through. They had to move the welcome lunch indoors. She had the late WP time, with a cocktail DP at Epcot. Served the food indoors, but Illuminations still went off.

Check Janet2K's posts she's done the Wishes DP, I think the minimums might be higher there than an Epcot DP(just because it's the GF).

[meryll83]

Lets see...

... You can apparently have a 'Wishes' Dessert party at the GF so perhaps that would be an option?! 'Wishes' is more likely to be cancelled because of weather rather than 'Illuminations' so how disappointed would you be to have a dessert party without fireworks?!

I booked the Grand 1 90 days out and was told it takes a maximum of 18 people... You can also arrange to have dessert served on the yacht by ordering through Private Dining at the GF. Quite how comfortable 18 people would be on the yacht I don't know... I'll let you know once we get back. You also have the added hassle of relying on getting the yacht and then having nothing organised if someone beats you to it when the lines open to book!

Oh decisions, decisions!!!
Are you doing this with 18 people then?
I'm not really wanting to be in the GF itself if possible, Simon finds it too stuffy, but having a private yacht would be totally cool if we can fit us all on, which we definitely should do if you've been told 18 people.
Does it include 18 people plus big wedding dress though? ;)

Will have to propose this new idea to Si and see what he says - he might still want to go for IllumiNations anyway....

[Goldeelox9]

Great PJ! Glad I found it!

[meryll83]

Great PJ! Glad I found it!

Glad you're enjoying my waffling! :thumbsup2


Ok, so now I've seen some piccies of the Grand1 , I'm not really sure it's gonna be roomy enough for 13ish people to eat and watch fireworks, so gonna go back to the Morocco dessert party idea.

Now, I like the look of the menu at the Yachtsman Steakhouse, but it seems that here, and most restaurants, don't open for dinner until 5.30pm.
If our ceremony is at 2.30pm, I would think we would be done with pictures etc by about 4.30pm - so what to do for an hour?

Now I would really like to have some piccies done at the GF area, which then lends to the idea of having our meal there (possibly at the Cali Grill), but if we have a meal at 5.30pm are we gonna have enough time to get back over to Epcot for the dessert party? And this is presuming 5.30pm is good and we don't end up actually getting served at 6pm. I wonder if we can pre-order our menu choices a couple of days before hand to make sure we get served speedily? I would think we would need to leave at about 7.30pm to get to the dessert party.
We could have the ceremony at the BW, photo time at the BW, photo time at the GF, dinner at the CG then on to the dessert party. If we just have a starter, main and cake at the CG there should be room for desserts shortly after right?

I don't really want to drag people from the BW over to the GF just for photos, only to drag them back to the Yachtsman Steakhouse.:rotfl:

The other option is to have lunch somewhere instead of dinner - but then we might be done by about 6pm and what do we do until the dessert party? Although I suppose if after the ceremony we went somewhere in the GF/MK area for lunch, we could then have some photos done (at what might be dusk) after the meal and before going back to Epcot.
Although if another bride has the WP booked at 5.30pm, I'm not sure we'll be allowed to use the beach for photos will we? I don't wanna invade somone elses moment!

Let me know what you think guys - what's the best plan of action??
Help me, help me!!

[meryll83]

Judging by the overwhelming reponse to my above ideas i guess it's back to the drawing board! ;)

Ok, so I went for my first dress fitting today, here are the piccies (excuse the man stance and I'm full of cold so this is a really glamourous shot!) It looks better in person, honest!:
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l315/meryll83/Wedding/Dress001.jpg
And the back, don't ask me why this photo is a completely different colour, I have no idea!:
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l315/meryll83/Wedding/Dress002.jpg

I'll try and get some better close ups of the dress detail next time, I'm back on the 29th for another fitting....

[keenercam]

Oh, Meryll, your gown looks so BEAUTIFUL on you!! You must be so excited to see how perfect it is on!!! :love: Have you decided yet how you are going to wear your hair? It is gorgeous! If I had curl like that, I'd wear it down around my shoulders. I can't wait to hear what you decide. :hug:

[Chilly]

Judging by the overwhelming reponse to my above ideas i guess it's back to the drawing board! ;)

I am thinking of popping back to our room in between so that we can have an hour or so on our just talking together or maybe having afternoon tea at the GF.

The dress looks gorgeous!!!

[meryll83]

Oh, Meryll, your gown looks so BEAUTIFUL on you!! You must be so excited to see how perfect it is on!!! :love: Have you decided yet how you are going to wear your hair? It is gorgeous! If I had curl like that, I'd wear it down around my shoulders. I can't wait to hear what you decide. :hug:
It really is just the length that needs altering, so that's good.

My hair needs a good cut and colour somtime soon to be honest, it's getting ratty!
I happened to catch a celebrity weddings thing the other day and I love love loved :lovestruc Tiffany Amber Thiessen's hair - colour and everything!

I can only find naffy pictures from the front though and I can't find the video online anywhere to get another look at the sides and back, but the positioning of the veil and everything was just how I'd like it.
http://thiessenpictures.com/displayimage.php?album=481&pos=1

[meryll83]

I am thinking of popping back to our room in between so that we can have an hour or so on our just talking together or maybe having afternoon tea at the GF.

The dress looks gorgeous!!!

I want to keep all the guests occupied, that's the only thing.

Thank you, I feel like some dieting may have to begin, but hey, I have 18 months!!

[cseca]

Pretty dress!!
And I love TTH hair too...
It's down... I'm all for wearing the hair down :)

[hope1826]

I want to keep all the guests occupied, that's the only thing.

Thank you, I feel like some dieting may have to begin, but hey, I have 18 months!!

You look gorgeous in your dress! I don't think you need to diet at all!

[Nicola2010]

beautiful gown meryll... is it a maggie?

i love love loved tiffani amber thiessan's hair too and really want mine like that, but as you i cant find any decent pics. i have tried googling it and not much luck so i guess they didnt sell themselves out and have kept their pics private grrr!

18 months to go and you have your dress! wow! you are super organised!

[BaBeeCee14]

Meryll

The dress looks beautiful on you!

[Lynn5700]

You look great in your dress!!!I love the detailing :)

[B2B-2008]

Love your dress you look beautiful. Can I just ask how come they are fitting you so soon? I'm going to see my dress on Wednesday as it has just turned up but they won't do my fittings until we get closer to our wedding date. But to be honest I fell so fat at the moment it gives me a bit more time to try to slim down a bit.

[meryll83]

Thank you everyone for the nice comments!

Yes Nicola, the dress is a Maggie, I have it so early coz I had real trouble tracking down the design, I'd seen it online and really wanted to try it on, so I went on a mad hunt! And when I finally found it, it was reduced to half price, so that was too good to pass up! :goodvibes

With the dress being a lace back, there was only really the length of the dress that needs to be altered, and I already have my shoes, so I figured I'd get it fitted sooner rather than later. Another reason being I figure that in a years time alterations charges will have gone up, also my mum said she'd be more comfortable if the dress was at home.


In other news.....
I have lost ANOTHER bridesmaid!!
Yes, as I had previously worried, Gemma and Pete are no longer coming due to expense.
I do understand coz they have their own wedding to pay for, but I wish at the point of deciding their wedding date they'd immediately said at that point "Look we might have to think about whether we can afford to come to Florida now" rather than waiting it out.
The thing that spurred this is that I sent all the girls a reminder about their trying on session next week and asked if the time was still ok. Shortly afterwards Pete rang and spoke to Si to explain their situation to him, I looked afterwards and had a missed call from Gemma on my phone, but I haven't had chance to speak to her properly yet.:sad1:
Apparently she wanted to tell me in person, but when I was asking about times she thought they'd better tell me now.
At least they let me know before we got in to dress shopping.

In light of this I text Julie and Jackie to make sure they are both really definite about this before we get any further down the line and they both sent me really great responses.
Jackie said definitely, and could Tim now be a bridesmaid, and Julie said in her mind she was already on the plane :hug:

After chatting, me and Si decided that even though we are disappointed, this still doesn't ruin anything, and may even make things easier to organise.
There will now be 11 of us total, which will be a nice sized group to organize for any get-togethers, obviously it decreases costs for us and I now have bridesmaid symmetry back with 2! There will be us, 4 friends and 5 family, which is a nice mix, I suppose there is the potential for some people to want to join us nearer the time, but it might be better to keep it small now.

We were thinking of just having an evening recpetion here in the UK, but are now going to investigate more into our original idea of a blessing here also.

Think that's all for now - ah the ups and downs of wedding planning!

[B2B-2008]

I'm glad your positive about your bridesmaid loss. You are still a little way off, my MOH only really confirmed that she could make in January, so you never know things may still change.

[Chilly]

sorry about your bridesmaid, just keep thinking about saving money for other things you want.

[Beep]

Hey hun, absolutely love the dress! What a brilliant choice - it really suits you :hug:

Sorry to hear about another drop out, but at least you more than half expected it I suppose. It's still bad though.

There is a lounge next to the Yachtsmans Steakhouse where you could go for a drink before dinner if you are looking for something to do for a little while.

We've changed our plans from the Yachtsmans. We are going to have lunch at the Grand Floridian Cafe at around 1230, then over to Port Orleans for some photos and then people can get changed at the Boardwalk and go to Epcot, or go back to their rooms to chill. We are going to book Le Cellier at around 1830 so as long as people are there for the meal they can do what they want for a few hours. We thought it might be a bit much for people swanning around in wedding gear all day, and I still get a decent amount of time in my dress!

[meryll83]

I'm glad your positive about your bridesmaid loss. You are still a little way off, my MOH only really confirmed that she could make in January, so you never know things may still change.
I know, we have so far to go, we might have no-one left by next year!!

sorry about your bridesmaid, just keep thinking about saving money for other things you want.
::yes:: It does mean we can reassess our budget!

Hey hun, absolutely love the dress! What a brilliant choice - it really suits you :hug:

Sorry to hear about another drop out, but at least you more than half expected it I suppose. It's still bad though.

There is a lounge next to the Yachtsmans Steakhouse where you could go for a drink before dinner if you are looking for something to do for a little while.

We've changed our plans from the Yachtsmans. We are going to have lunch at the Grand Floridian Cafe at around 1230, then over to Port Orleans for some photos and then people can get changed at the Boardwalk and go to Epcot, or go back to their rooms to chill. We are going to book Le Cellier at around 1830 so as long as people are there for the meal they can do what they want for a few hours. We thought it might be a bit much for people swanning around in wedding gear all day, and I still get a decent amount of time in my dress!

I think we will try and do a welcome meal at Le Cellier if funds allow. Otherwise, we'll just make it an optional meet-up. It is soooooo scrummy though!
I think we may go for a 2.30pm cermeony, photos at the BW, photos at the MK resort area, tea at Cali Grill then back over to Epcot for the dessert party.
I think. For now anyway!!
I think my mind will change a million times!

I just got a text from Gemma actually, apologising. Don't really know what to write back at this stage, so she can sweat it out while she waits for my response!
It's difficult, I don't want to make her feel bad, but I am disappointed...

[Beep]

I just got a text from Gemma actually, apologising. Don't really know what to write back at this stage, so she can sweat it out while she waits for my response!

Probably best to wait until you know exactly what you want to say, or you may regret it if you send something now.

Are you sure you don't want Kirsty and me to step in as bridesmaids?! :rotfl:

[meryll83]

Probably best to wait until you know exactly what you want to say, or you may regret it if you send something now.

Are you sure you don't want Kirsty and me to step in as bridesmaids?! :rotfl:

I've just gotten used to the idea that we'll save some money having less bridesmaids! ;)

I wrote back, I basically just said that I wish they'd told us as soon as they began having doubts, but they've said that they really were hoping to be able to go, but after having budget talks with their families this week, they've realised that they can't see how it'll be possible to afford to come to Florida with us and afford their own wedding too.
If money were no object, I'm sure they would've been there.

[meryll83]

So frustrated with our local Council!

I rang up a couple of months back to find out when the October half term school holidays would be for 2009, and I was told they should know in March.

With Virgin and Travel City going on sale within the last week or so I've been scouting out the best prices etc. and getting exciting at the prospect of booking our holidays really soon.

Simon's mum emailed someone the other day to check if the dates were out yet, only to be told they should now be released mid-April! :eek:
Apart from the frustration of having to wait the extra time, both tour operators have said that they are currently offering preview prices, and from around late-April to May when their full brochures are released, their prices are likely to increase :sad1:
I hope this is the case with all local councils, I don't want to find that ours is the last to release it's date and the whole of the rest of the UK can happily book their prices before flight supplements etc go up.

So, it's really just a waiting game now, and it ain't an enjoyable game!
But on the bright side, hopefully in no more than about 8 weeks time we should be booked to go back to WDW :cool1: I just need to get everyone prompted to do their research and find their holidays so when those dates are released it's go go GO!!! :goodvibes

[Chilly]

Sorry you are having to wait to book. Is the price likely to go up a lot? Could you not take the risk and book when you think it will be while they are on offer and if you book the wrong week pay to move to the correct date, might that be cheaper?

[meryll83]

Sorry you are having to wait to book. Is the price likely to go up a lot? Could you not take the risk and book when you think it will be while they are on offer and if you book the wrong week pay to move to the correct date, might that be cheaper?
The girl I spoke to at Virgin (who we'll probably book with) was really sweet actually, she said that the price shouldn't really change within the next few weeks, but once the main brochure goes out, the prices may well go up.

Here's hoping the council pull their finger out before the main brochure is released!!

The problem if we book the wrong date is that we will have and admin charge of £25pp (which isn't bad really, considering that's the total charge and people like Thomas Cook charge pp per change) and then we would have to pay the difference if the holiday was more for the correct date. Not the worst thing in the world, but it would tie us to Virgin, if we found the correct date to be cheaper with eg Travel City, we would then lose our full deposit.

To be honest, I think we'd be safe booking a date, because there are 2 weeks where we anticipate half term could be, and if we go at the start of the first week, then it means we can have the wedding in the first week if we're right, or in the second week if that's when half term actually is.
We'd like to set off in the first week anyway coz it's cheaper ;) and it should ensure that we'll definitely be there over the half term period (an essential for Si's parents working in colleges).

But.......... what if we're completely wrong with the dates??!! :scared1: :lmao:

[meryll83]

Ok, so I've just been getting clarification of what exactly this means (:rotfl:tomboy alert!) and I just wondered, is it ever impossible to bustle a dress or should it be OK??
I'm back at the dress shop on the 29th, but as I think I may have previously mentioned, I felt a bit rushed this last time, and I just wanted to make sure that they won't lie to me and say no we can't do it, just to save themselves some more time.
I don't think any of you are professional seamstresses out there (but hey, who knows?!;)), but I just wondered if anyone had been told that their dress couldn't have this feature?

It would be mega handy to be able to tuck away that beastie train during our meal and dessert party, then I won't have to worry about being trodden on or getting caught on stuff!

[Chilly]

I don't really know but I would have thought it would depend on the skirt. As you are having a pick up skirt this maybe harder as it won't hang as nice. But I haven't really got a clue i'm just guessing.

I've just goggled it apparantly you want a french bustle!

[meryll83]

I don't really know but I would have thought it would depend on the skirt. As you are having a pick up skirt this maybe harder as it won't hang as nice. But I haven't really got a clue i'm just guessing.

I've just goggled it apparantly you want a french bustle!
Thanks for the research!

I just found this neat little site:
http://www.leanna.com/Bridal/Bustles.htm
And the "tufted bustle" actually appears to have been demonstrated on my dress!
However........ this looks the most complicated, which I'm sure would affect the price.
I'm not too good at reading what it means but am I right in thinking that at each jewel at a certain level right around the dress, the bottom of the dress gets hooked over at each of these points? So like there could be 16 seperate hooky bits that need to be attached?
Can anyone help me translate and understand?:rotfl:

I wonder if I should print this out to show the dressmaker, or do you think she'd get offended like I was trying to tell her what to do?

[Chilly]

Thanks for the research!

I just found this neat little site:
http://www.leanna.com/Bridal/Bustles.htm
And the "tufted bustle" actually appears to have been demonstrated on my dress!
However........ this looks the most complicated, which I'm sure would affect the price.
I'm not too good at reading what it means but am I right in thinking that at each jewel at a certain level right around the dress, the bottom of the dress gets hooked over at each of these points? So like there could be 16 seperate hooky bits that need to be attached?
Can anyone help me translate and understand?:rotfl:

I wonder if I should print this out to show the dressmaker, or do you think she'd get offended like I was trying to tell her what to do?

That is a good website. Yes I think that is what she is saying. I think it can be quite pricey, it does look the best though. I see no harm in taking it with you if she knows exactly what to do you don't have to get the print off out of your bag.

[meryll83]

That is a good website. Yes I think that is what she is saying. I think it can be quite pricey, it does look the best though. I see no harm in taking it with you if she knows exactly what to do you don't have to get the print off out of your bag.
That's a good idea, then I won't offend (well at least not immediately!), but I just don't want her to say it can't be done, I'll have my backup evidence ready to whip out if she does!

Julie and Jackie are trying dresses on on Saturday, then I think we're gonna go for a light lunch afterwards, the 2 have met before and I've no doubt they'll get on, but they don't really know each other so time for a bit of bridal party bonding!
Has anyone else done any bonding activities for members of their bridal party? It's probably not as vital now there are only 2 bridesmaids rather than the inital 4, and 2 of the old crew knew each other already, whereas the others only really knew me, so at least that inhibitor doesn't apply anymore! (ooh posh words for just after lunch!)
If there's only 11 of us in total it'd be nice to get the group together one night in a little gathering, I can ply them all with useless Disney knowledge!

[lurkyloo]

You can bustle any dress - it just may be that yours requires the 16-point bustle because of pickups and all that fabric.... In the US the going rate is $5-$10 per point to have a bustle made.

There are numerous styles of bustle, depending on whether you want the fabric gathered on top or tucked under. They can be buttons with loops or they can be ties, but I have heard more horror stories about ties coming undone.

My seamstress made four loops out of braided thread and sewed them into the skirt with a button at the base, under the fabric, to give them stability and make a place to grab the loop without stressing it. Then she installed four buttons up near the waistline that the loops hooked over. She drew a diagram of the order in which the loops needed to be hooked, which I carried with me so that anyone could help me do my bustle. It ended up being DF:
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t63/lurkyloo/Wedding%20Pix/0073_0152N.jpg

[meryll83]

You can bustle any dress - it just may be that yours requires the 16-point bustle because of pickups and all that fabric.... In the US the going rate is $5-$10 per point to have a bustle made.

There are numerous styles of bustle, depending on whether you want the fabric gathered on top or tucked under. They can be buttons with loops or they can be ties, but I have heard more horror stories about ties coming undone.

My seamstress made four loops out of braided thread and sewed them into the skirt with a button at the base, under the fabric, to give them stability and make a place to grab the loop without stressing it. Then she installed four buttons up near the waistline that the loops hooked over. She drew a diagram of the order in which the loops needed to be hooked, which I carried with me so that anyone could help me do my bustle. It ended up being DF:

Bless him!
Sound like yours may only be a quarter of the problem mine could be though!!:lmao:
Just out of curiosity, which parts of the day did you bustle for, and which parts did you go wild and unbustle? :rotfl:

[mermaidbride1108]

MERYLL I LOVE YOUR DRESS!!!!:love: :love: :love: I made an appt with Arielle Bridal and they sell Maggie's and now I really want to try on that dress! It looks so pretty in person!

They can definitely bustle it, I was trying on pick-ups and they said they could bustle, they just couldn't cut off the train completely HTH!

[lurkyloo]

Just out of curiosity, which parts of the day did you bustle for, and which parts did you go wild and unbustle? :rotfl:

You know, the only time I had my train down was for the ceremony. It was bustled in the morning for all our pictures, and then bustled immediately after the ceremony and for the rest of the day and night. It was so much easier to move around that way, the dress stayed clean, and people said it looked better bustled anyway!

Bustled
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t63/lurkyloo/Wedding%20Pix/0413_0958N_1-1.jpg

Unbustled
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t63/lurkyloo/Wedding%20Pix/0787_1715J_1.jpg

[meryll83]

MERYLL I LOVE YOUR DRESS!!!!:love: :love: :love: I made an appt with Arielle Bridal and they sell Maggie's and now I really want to try on that dress! It looks so pretty in person!

They can definitely bustle it, I was trying on pick-ups and they said they could bustle, they just couldn't cut off the train completely HTH!
I love the shop name :thumbsup2

You know, the only time I had my train down was for the ceremony. It was bustled in the morning for all our pictures, and then bustled immediately after the ceremony and for the rest of the day and night. It was so much easier to move around that way, the dress stayed clean, and people said it looked better bustled anyway!


I love your pictures, they really are smoochtastic!
I think I will let the train run wild and free for the ceremony and pictures at the Boardwalk, and then get that bad boy bustled for the rest of the day so I don't have to worry about it.


Ok, so bridesmaid dress trying on day was today and I have more photos!
They had 3 different sizes of dress in the shop, none of which were the right size for the girls :lmao: typical!
So we have guessed at what sizes they will be on inbetweeness, and they're going to let me know their measurements and we'll compare it to the size charts and then hopefully get those babies ordered online :thumbsup2

So, both in sizes too big for them, here's Julie (who is no longer a faceless wonder but has pesky stripy socks again, at least these ones are more colour co-ordinated!):
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l315/meryll83/Wedding/08032008178.jpg
and Jackie (busy laughing at me for not being able to use Julie's camera phone and Julie taking charge!):
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l315/meryll83/Wedding/08032008177.jpg
with the tiny dress that would fit no-one, but is the correct colour, hanging up at the side there!
Here they are, looking equally puzzled as to how this dress would fit anyone:
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l315/meryll83/Wedding/08032008181.jpghttp://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l315/meryll83/Wedding/08032008180.jpg
Hopefully they'll forgive me for that sometime before the wedding ;)

We were pondering over whether to get Julie a shorter length of the dress I've seen online (despite the shop woman saying they only come in one size) but when she tried the smaller size on it seemed a bit shorter and once the high heels come in to play we'll be in business with the regular length!

[Beep]

Hey you!

Those dresses are gorgeous, really beautiful. I love the colour - as you know!

That really small dress would fit my right leg to just above the knee I think.

[meryll83]

Hey you!

Those dresses are gorgeous, really beautiful. I love the colour - as you know!

That really small dress would fit my right leg to just above the knee I think.

:rotfl:

Julie could actually get into it, but it wasn't going to zip up!

I'm just wondering now when to get them ordered.

They don't seem to be available on line many places, and I get antsy about anything like this and want to get them bought so I know it's done!

We've been contemplating booking the holiday this weekend, without still having the official word on when half term is :scared1:

[orangetiggs]

what make are they? i got mine from reptonia online but mine are dessy

[meryll83]

what make are they? i got mine from reptonia online but mine are dessy

They are Bella by Venus. Or Venus by Bella. I can't remember which way round it is now :lmao:
A site called I think it's magicalmoments works out best with shipping.
I think it was bestbridal were charging over $200 for shipping :eek:
TJ Formal were the best before, but now they only have 2 sizes available and in black. This makes me TOTALLY panic that they're discontinued and I'll lose them if I don't act soon. probably just me being paranoid but I can't even find them to buy online anywhere else!

[orangetiggs]

oh the shop i got mine from doesnt do that make but its in derby and was a great price once i looked into getting them from the states and then adding shipping,customs and tax so i got a good price of £110 a dress with free shipping and the dress shop near me was charging £180 per dress

[meryll83]

oh the shop i got mine from doesnt do that make but its in derby and was a great price once i looked into getting them from the states and then adding shipping,customs and tax so i got a good price of £110 a dress with free shipping and the dress shop near me was charging £180 per dress

These dresses are about the same cost in pounds at the local shop we've been to as in dollars online, so even with any shipping and customs charges it's still a saving!

I noticed today that the shop my dress is at stocks this designer so I might check what their price would be when I go back in case it differs...

[Mama of Indybride]

Wow! I can't believe it but I have spent 3 hours reading your PJ!

I can't wait to share the rest of your journey with you, and am subscribing!

Good luck, and your gown is lovely!

[OceanGdss]

I LOVE the color of the BMs dresses. I was a BM in a friends wedding years ago and we wore that color. It really flatters everyone. Great choice!!! Loving your PJ!!

[mermaidbride1108]

I love your BM dresses... especially the detail:goodvibes

[meryll83]

Wow! I can't believe it but I have spent 3 hours reading your PJ!

I can't wait to share the rest of your journey with you, and am subscribing!

Good luck, and your gown is lovely!
You poor, poor lady! :lmao: And now you're subscribing for more?! :scared1:
I'm glad you're enjoying it!

I LOVE the color of the BMs dresses. I was a BM in a friends wedding years ago and we wore that color. It really flatters everyone. Great choice!!! Loving your PJ!!

I love your BM dresses... especially the detail:goodvibes
Thanks girls, we thought they would be a good to wear both in Florida and at home, and are very flattering should either girl change size at all.
I really like the detail too, it makes them so pretty with a little bit of sparkle :lovestruc

[meryll83]

Ok, so we still don't know EXACTLY when half term is, but we have a pretty good guess, and based on what would seem to be a total party of 11, this is the new plan (for now!:rotfl:)

Ceremony at Sea Breeze Pointe:
http://www.mouseweddings.com/Graphics_Files/boardwalk11.jpg
http://www.mouseweddings.com/Graphics_Files/boardwalk7.jpg

Followed by some nice piccies round the Boardwalk area:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/Photos/Boardwalk2/images/Boardwalk-Resort48.jpg
http://www.wdwinfo.com/Photos/Boardwalk2/images/Boardwalk-Resort22.jpg

Then we go on to the GF beach area for yet more piccies:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/Photos/GrandFloridianResort/images/IMG_2382.jpg

With a meal at Citrico's (hopefully bagging the Chef's Domaine private room!):
http://www.tazfoto.com/webhtml/chefsdomain.htm
Sorry, can only do a link to this one due to copyright!

With the evening ending watching IllumiNations from Epcot's Morocco:
http://www.mouseweddings.com/Graphics_Files/wedlocm10.jpg
http://www.mouseweddings.com/Graphics_Files/wedlocm1.jpg

Voila! My plans in pictures!

I have just noticed something about 6 courses at Citrico's :scared1: so I might have to investigate this, as I don't want everyone to be too full for the dessert party!
The other option is to not have desserts but do a Wishes cruise on the Grand 1, but having seen pictures, I don't see how the whole group can stand out on deck to watch the fireworks, plus I think I'd still end up wanting to do an Illuminations dessert party anyway, probably following a welcome meal at Le Cellier, so this would just end up costing us even more! :lmao:

One more problem is that I thought the Chef's Domaine sat 14 people, but I've now read 12, now if there are 11 of us, + Misty and her assistant, how do we deal with that? Is it rude to ask if they can bring their own lunch :guilty: We were going to pay for them a vendor plated meal when we were having a Wishes wedding, but what do we do now?
Do you think we should just hire Misty until before the meal, have our meal alone (we can get our own candid shots), and then see about getting a Disney photographer to do the dessert party? That would solve the problem wouldn't it?
Anyone know how much a photographer for a Dessert Party only with Disney would be? I know we can't sub them from the ceremony package that's inlcuded with Escape coz I asked that, but presumably we could pay them seperately??
I think this may our only way round the problem without being rude to Misty and her helper (actually, if we hire her just up until the meal I don't think the package will be long enough for her to have an assistant (8 hr min for an assistant I think she said...)

[Chilly]

You don't have to pick the 6 course meal you can just pick off the normal menu as long as you spend $650 plus tax and tip.

[orangetiggs]

misty usually works with ehr husband, we have her for 6 hours at the moment and her husband is coming along

[DigitalLove]

Your plans looks great Hun! As for The Chefs Domaine...We are just eating from the regular menu... They have made me personalised menus up with our names at the top and then the choices underneath. Basically starters, soup and salad, and main courses with a wine pairing underneath each choice. If you send me your email I can send you it if you like. The only thing i've requested is that they remove the prices from the menu. I know that you can have additional courses added because I asked about a sorbet course but then decided against it anyhow as there is pretty much only me who was bothered about it!! I'm also pretty sure that they advertise it as seating 12, but will squeeze 14 in at a push.

I'll let you know about the space on The Grand when we get back... I'll make sure we get loads of pics but I agree... the space on the bridge of the yacht doesn't look like 11 of you would be able to stand there comfortably along with a photographer etc etc but I might be wrong and it might be tons bigger in reality.

LOVE your bridesmaid dresses! The colour is gorgeous!!!

[meryll83]

You don't have to pick the 6 course meal you can just pick off the normal menu as long as you spend $650 plus tax and tip.
That's good - and can drinks be included within this minimum do you know?
misty usually works with ehr husband, we have her for 6 hours at the moment and her husband is coming along
I'm trying to recall, I think she said for her Gold and Platinum packages there would be 2 of them, any of the more basic packages just herself I think.
Your plans looks great Hun! As for The Chefs Domaine...We are just eating from the regular menu... They have made me personalised menus up with our names at the top and then the choices underneath. Basically starters, soup and salad, and main courses with a wine pairing underneath each choice. If you send me your email I can send you it if you like. The only thing i've requested is that they remove the prices from the menu. I know that you can have additional courses added because I asked about a sorbet course but then decided against it anyhow as there is pretty much only me who was bothered about it!! I'm also pretty sure that they advertise it as seating 12, but will squeeze 14 in at a push.

I'll let you know about the space on The Grand when we get back... I'll make sure we get loads of pics but I agree... the space on the bridge of the yacht doesn't look like 11 of you would be able to stand there comfortably along with a photographer etc etc but I might be wrong and it might be tons bigger in reality.

LOVE your bridesmaid dresses! The colour is gorgeous!!!
That would be fab if you could send me a copy of the menu! (I'll PM you my email address)
Mmmm sorbet.....
I'm thinking perhaps starter, salad/soup, sorbet, entree, cake, then we should still have room for dessert party food I would hope!
Or perhaps miss out the salad/soup course, or maybe the sorbet :sad1:
I guess I'll have to have a look at the prices and decide....

How many do you have in your group? I'd love to know how you get on with the Grand 1!

In case I don't speak to you before you go - have an awesome time!!!

[DigitalLove]

Check your email Ladies!

There will be 7 of us in total so hopefully there should be tons of space on the Yacht, and if there isn't, I'll just kick a couple of guests overboard!! :lmao:

[meryll83]

Check your email Ladies!

There will be 7 of us in total so hopefully there should be tons of space on the Yacht, and if there isn't, I'll just kick a couple of guests overboard!! :lmao:

That's one way to solve the issue :rotfl:

[Chilly]

Check your email Ladies!

There will be 7 of us in total so hopefully there should be tons of space on the Yacht, and if there isn't, I'll just kick a couple of guests overboard!! :lmao:


I've got the e-mail thanks!

We will be 10 people so waiting with hope that you say there is enough room aboad!

[Chilly]

That's good - and can drinks be included within this minimum do you know?



I think drinks are included in that but not sure. Christina do you know???

I can't for the life of me find the website I read about it on.

[DigitalLove]

I think drinks are included in that but not sure. Christina do you know???

I can't for the life of me find the website I read about it on.

Oooo, I feel like I'm all clever today!!

Yep... $650 minimum spend is for food AND booze... sorry, I mean drinks!! It doesn't include sales tax or gratuity though, so you need to add on another 6% tax and 18% gratuity. I'm actually not too sure whether you could add a slipper dessert to meet the minimum... I mean, i'm sure you COULD add it... I'm just not sure if it would go towards the $650 or whether private dining would bill you seperately

They also have some set price menus that they use for bigger gatherings, and you can have those if you like. (I think I have some copies of those in my email account somewhere that you are quite welcome to) We just decided to go with the regular menu instead then there is a wider range for people to pick from. I don't know whether they charge a cutting fee for cake as we aren't having one (Actually, thats a lie... I'm currently waiting on a call back from Private Dining because I think we'll have some sort of cake on the Yacht).


If you eat at the 6-00pm sitting, then you'll be done for about 8ish as the next sitting is 8-30. They do allow buy-outs for the whole evening and I think that was about a $1300 minimum which might be worth considering if you have a bigger party than I do and you're going to drink lots of champers. You could possibly just walk down on to the GF beach to watch Wishes then at the end of the evening?!

[sunsh1ne]

that seems great! and you could not have picked a better date- that is my wedding date also!

[lurkyloo]

Disney charges $350 for a Dessert Party photo shoot - that's 1 hour of photography (as I was told - others have been told 2 hours) and all images on disc but no prints.

Why don't you ask Misty to shoot a few pix at the beginning of dinner and then come back? Chef's Domain is tiny - Misty and her husband would be sitting at the table with you like guests (not that that's a bad thing - they'd prolly be really fun guests!) if they wanted to eat, and there's not a lot of room for them to stand anywhere else.

We had the Roots take a break between our wedding and the DP, and that was no problem. Maybe Misty could do the same! :thumbsup2

[meryll83]

Oooo, I feel like I'm all clever today!!

Yep... $650 minimum spend is for food AND booze... sorry, I mean drinks!! It doesn't include sales tax or gratuity though, so you need to add on another 6% tax and 18% gratuity. I'm actually not too sure whether you could add a slipper dessert to meet the minimum... I mean, i'm sure you COULD add it... I'm just not sure if it would go towards the $650 or whether private dining would bill you seperately

They also have some set price menus that they use for bigger gatherings, and you can have those if you like. (I think I have some copies of those in my email account somewhere that you are quite welcome to) We just decided to go with the regular menu instead then there is a wider range for people to pick from. I don't know whether they charge a cutting fee for cake as we aren't having one (Actually, thats a lie... I'm currently waiting on a call back from Private Dining because I think we'll have some sort of cake on the Yacht).


If you eat at the 6-00pm sitting, then you'll be done for about 8ish as the next sitting is 8-30. They do allow buy-outs for the whole evening and I think that was about a $1300 minimum which might be worth considering if you have a bigger party than I do and you're going to drink lots of champers. You could possibly just walk down on to the GF beach to watch Wishes then at the end of the evening?!

Thanks for all this information, and for sending me your menu - I love that it's personalised!
Is 6pm the earliest sitting do you know, we need to get back over to Epcot for our dessert party, but with only 11 of us, I would think we could be done in 2 hours anyway.
I'm still torn between Citrico's Chef's Domaine and the Cali Grill a bit. We'd have to be in the main dining room there though, as we couldn't meet the minimums required for a private room there, but the view and the food :lovestruc
Where about's is Citrico's located in the GF? Is the Chef's Domaine in the centre of the building, ie no windows or view?

that seems great! and you could not have picked a better date- that is my wedding date also!
Cool - I'll be 2 years after you though, still feels like a looooooooong wait ahead......

Disney charges $350 for a Dessert Party photo shoot - that's 1 hour of photography (as I was told - others have been told 2 hours) and all images on disc but no prints.

Why don't you ask Misty to shoot a few pix at the beginning of dinner and then come back? Chef's Domain is tiny - Misty and her husband would be sitting at the table with you like guests (not that that's a bad thing - they'd prolly be really fun guests!) if they wanted to eat, and there's not a lot of room for them to stand anywhere else.

We had the Roots take a break between our wedding and the DP, and that was no problem. Maybe Misty could do the same! :thumbsup2
The Disney price doesn't seem to be too unreasonable I suppose (more so if it is 2 hours!)

My worry is, if we go with the Chef's Domaine, there is still the possibility we may get a couple more guests come out of those who haven't really been definite yet, and then we'd have no room for Misty and/or husband/assistant.
How did you politely ask the Roots to go away and then come back? later :rotfl:
It might be that it's actually cheaper to hire Misty for a 4 hour package (1.30-5.30) then have a gap and have Disney do the dessert party, then it would be to have Misty come back later on (depends whether we pay for the gap or have to pay a minimum number of hours), and certainly cheaper than having her stay over the dinner period (sorry I sound tight now don't I - but unfortunately budget does end up being the dictator in a lot of this wedding planning lark!)

[meryll83]

In case any of you are interested, here is our location for the possible blessing and definite reception back home:
http://scarboroughspa.co.uk/images/about_us/spa_history/spa_from_lift.jpg
If we have a blessing it will be in this room, the Vitadome, which is the little arc shaped room that you can see sticking out of the above picture, it's actually up on balcony level and chairs will be laid out "theatre style" for our second ceremony!:
http://scarboroughspa.co.uk/images/venues/vitadome.jpg
And our reception will be held in the suncourt suite. This actually comprises an indoor reception room (can't find a picture of this) and the suncourt itself, unfortunately it may be a wee bit chilly in November to make use of the outdoor area, but if we can suck it up and bear the cold for a few minutes it should make for some good photo opportunities!:
http://scarboroughspa.co.uk/images/venues/suncourt.jpg
I don't know if any of you have seen the film Little Voice, but this area is featured in that film.
With it being right by the sea, we're looking into personalised sticks of rock as favours with our tables decorated by red rose petals and sea shells.
Looking through the windows at night we'll be able to see the lights from the seafront arcades, promenade and lighthouse glistening away!

[Chilly]

Great location!

[meryll83]

Great location!
We figured that we're used to living by the sea, but it'll be nice for people travelling to see how pretty it can be.

here's another nice picture of the suncourt, shame I can't find one of the suite inside - will have to go down and take some myself!:
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41433000/jpg/_41433249_band_203.jpg


Oh, and we just need to hope that this doesn't happen: :scared1:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/224/525049017_8f02eaf168.jpg

[Chilly]

Well it would make for some dramatic photos!

[lpizzuro123]

As far as Misty taking a break, you need to speak with her about this. We are also using her for our November 2008 wedding and as our ceremony is early morning in Epcot and then our reception right after at ADH, we will have a 4.5 hour break in time and Misty said we would need to book her for the unlimited time - that we would be charged for her break time as well. We were considering not getting her for our DP and hiring a Disney photographer but the difference between the 8 hour package and Unlimited Time package was not that different to stop her at the end of our reception and then hire someone else. Definately check with her.

By the way, the photos of the location for your at home party are wonderful.

Linda

[meryll83]

As far as Misty taking a break, you need to speak with her about this. We are also using her for our November 2008 wedding and as our ceremony is early morning in Epcot and then our reception right after at ADH, we will have a 4.5 hour break in time and Misty said we would need to book her for the unlimited time - that we would be charged for her break time as well. We were considering not getting her for our DP and hiring a Disney photographer but the difference between the 8 hour package and Unlimited Time package was not that different to stop her at the end of our reception and then hire someone else. Definately check with her.

By the way, the photos of the location for your at home party are wonderful.

Linda
Thanks for the advice,
I'm definitely thinking now that the best option is using Misty on her 4 hour package (from an hour before the ceremony up until when we will go for our meal), taking some of our own photos at the meal, and then having Disney come for the dessert party.
I think. :lmao:
I mean, are we really gonna want that many photos of us eating? :rotfl: It would be nice to get some good shots of the meals, but we can certainly have a go at getting some ourselves for the limited amount we would probably need at this stage of the day.
We will already have done a staged cake cutting at SBP so we don't have to worry about getting good shots of the cake at the meal, I just think it'll cost us about $400 more to keep Misty for the whole time on a package + food for her & her assistant if she stays with us, then if we did it separately.
I'll have to email her and see if she's ok with us downgrading the package. We haven't even officially booked with her yet, she's just told me she's available but I already feel bad that I need to tell her we don't want her as long :guilty:

[Chilly]

I'm sure she'll understand and be used to it as people may have to tighten their budgets etc as weddings are so expensive.

[meryll83]

I'm sure she'll understand and be used to it as people may have to tighten their budgets etc as weddings are so expensive.

I suppose so yeah,
And with us not even having paid her a deposit yet she's probably used to people make enquiries and not following them through at all anyway....
Trying to talk myself out of the guilt trip here :thumbsup2

[lurkyloo]

That is weird - does Misty have to travel really far to WDW or something? The Roots had absolutely no problem with taking a break. They just charge by the hour, so I was like "I need you for X hours in the morning, and could you come back for an hour that night to shoot the DP?"

Of course, they live in Celebration. Maybe it's not worth it for Misty to have to go out and come back....? :confused3

[meryll83]

That is weird - does Misty have to travel really far to WDW or something? The Roots had absolutely no problem with taking a break. They just charge by the hour, so I was like "I need you for X hours in the morning, and could you come back for an hour that night to shoot the DP?"

Of course, they live in Celebration. Maybe it's not worth it for Misty to have to go out and come back....? :confused3
Hmmm her website just says Orlando, doesn't have a full address at all.

I would love love LOVE :lovestruc to live in Celebration, I know it's a bit Stepford for some people's taste but whenever I watch stuff like Desperate Housewives I'm always saying how I would love to live in that street in a house like that :rotfl:

[meryll83]

We took the plunge last night and booked our holiday with Virgin!

A couple of sources at our Council assured us that October half term 09 would definitely be the last week of October (if they were wrong, so help me!) so we bit the bullet, and I think rightly so, the prices have already gone up in the last week (ok, only by a small amount, but I can't imagine that they'll ever go down or be on offer with it being a school holiday period, at least now our price is locked in :thumbsup2)

So now is the hard part.
Me, Simon and my Dad are booked (I did my Dad's booking at the same time) and now we play the waiting game until everyone else gets booked in aswell..... I've sent an email out to all the key players with as much helpful info as possible, I just hope they trust me when I tell them waiting won't bring the prices back down, I don't want them to leave it and find out they can't afford it!

Incidentally, I rang my dad to tell him we were booking it and double checking he didn't want car hire while I was on hold with Virgin, and I could hear a bit of a panicked conversation between him and my mum, then my dad asked me to check with the girl at Virgin if we could add someone on at a later date.
(The girl at Virgin was really good, I was on 2 phones for half of the booking conversation and kept apologising that we were being an indecisive family, but she was so helpful :rotfl2:)
So......... my dad is obviously still holding out some hope that my mum might change her mind and come after all!
I think she thought she had more time to mull it over, either that or thought we'd change our minds about "the Disney thing", I heard her say when are they booking it and my dad was like NOW!
I told him that the prices would only go up, and I know that for 08 the equivalent dates for flights with Virgin Holidays have sold out already, so he'd need to work on her quickly!
We shall see what happens! I'm not going to get my hopes up though, coz she may still decide against it, I was pretty definite that she wasn't coming until i heard this conversation.

We've moved our cruise a week forward as our 2 week holiday now begins the week before half term (cheaper :thumbsup2) so the plans are as follows:

Sat - Fly out and stay at Pop Century for 12 nights
1st Wednesday - Hoping for this wedding date, however if Si's dad can only get the actual half term week of we'll move this to the following week.
2nd Thursday - 3 night Bahamian Disney Cruise
Monday - Fly home :sad1:

We're going to rent DVC points or book through Disney to get a room the night before and the night of the wedding at the Boardwalk. (I'll stay there the first night and Simon will join me the 2nd, we're keeping the room at Pop so we don't have to check out and in again.)
My dad is staying the full 15 nights at Pop (so we share the same flights) so we'll take smaller bags on the Cruise with us and leave our big cases in my Dad's room - he knows not of this yet ;)

I suspect most of the others (if they get booked - pray with me!) will just do a straight 14 night stay, but it means if they fly out on the Satudar with us, their flight back home will be on Halloween night :hmghost: eek they'll actually be in the air at midnight!

So at the moment, I'm not as excited as I thought I'd be that we're booked, I think I'll still be anxious until other people get their holidays booked too.
But hey, we're going back!! :earsboy:

[Chilly]

Well done for booking! I hope everyone else books as well but I bet it won't be anytime soon going by what other people on here have said.

[Goldeelox9]

Waiting for others to book is the worst! I still have key players not booked yet! It is driving me bonkers! Just book already, prices are only going to go up!!!!!!!!

Couldn't your mom book now at the lower price and then cancle if she changes her mind?

[orangetiggs]

i seond that waiting for people to book is a nightmare and even when they have booked they still cancel!

[meryll83]

Well done for booking! I hope everyone else books as well but I bet it won't be anytime soon going by what other people on here have said.
Sigh....

Waiting for others to book is the worst! I still have key players not booked yet! It is driving me bonkers! Just book already, prices are only going to go up!!!!!!!!

Couldn't your mom book now at the lower price and then cancle if she changes her mind?
Tell me about it! She's too budget conscious to want to lose her deposit I think, she does like a bargain.
We're going round on Easter Monday so I think I'll go armed with information and see if we can't get a definite response!

i seond that waiting for people to book is a nightmare and even when they have booked they still cancel!
Please don't frighten me anymore!!

Well, so far there are still just the 3 of us booked.
Julie has told me that she wants to get booked by the end of the weekend, although her car has just been MOT'd so brought up a few unexpected expenses.

I'll have to see if Simon wants to arrange an armed trip to his parents house as well :lmao:
I think that maybe others will want to wait until the official half term announcement, (which I don't blame them, we could be wrong) but I worry that in a months time the prices may have risen more considerably.
Sigh. Just gotta wait it out.........
(I went and ordered a Disney DVD online for my parents, I haven't told them though, maybe they'll think it's a sign when it lands on the doorstep :rotfl: perhaps I need to find out everyone elses addresses too.......)

[Goldeelox9]

About how much does it cost to travel from overseas? I have always wondered?

[orangetiggs]

our trip in feb cost us £1200 for two so around $2400 for 7 nights at pop with flights and car hire, our trip in sept is £4000 for 14 nights at coronado and 7 nights in mexico with flights and car so around $8000. its very expensive for us to visit the world!

[meryll83]

our trip in feb cost us £1200 for two so around $2400 for 7 nights at pop with flights and car hire, our trip in sept is £4000 for 14 nights at coronado and 7 nights in mexico with flights and car so around $8000. its very expensive for us to visit the world!

£1200 each for a week??

We're getting 2 weeks at Pop for less that that!

[orangetiggs]

oh no sorry i meant together! was typing to fast and not thinking! both prices are for the total holiday. it does say for 2

[dalepool]

Following your report, faithfully.

Wanted to say this is one of the best times for europeans to travel to the States. The Euro to Dollar value is a great bonus to you :).

My Daughter is planning a vow renewal, more then likely not at WDW. (Maybe with begging she would do it at Disneyland but i doubt it :( ).

Happy Planning

[meryll83]

oh no sorry i meant together! was typing to fast and not thinking! both prices are for the total holiday. it does say for 2
My fault, I didn't spot the dollar sign on the 2400.
Doh!
Must be coz it's Friday (just trying to think of excuses for being ordinarily dippy! :upsidedow)
Following your report, faithfully.

Wanted to say this is one of the best times for europeans to travel to the States. The Euro to Dollar value is a great bonus to you :).

My Daughter is planning a vow renewal, more then likely not at WDW. (Maybe with begging she would do it at Disneyland but i doubt it :( ).

Happy Planning
Will have to see what the rate is like by we get to 2009, but it's been good to pay off our cruise, as that was charged in dollars :thumbsup2
We're still in pounds stirling here though, we haven't succumbed to the Euro like the rest of the EU!
Keep trying for Disney goodness!

[Goldeelox9]

Wow, that is pricey! I think last year we went to the pop for a week with Disney Dining and Air for about $1200 total! Well I am happy you guys come, it really is the best place on earth!

[meryll83]

It is expensive, but as you all well know - highly addictive!

[Charlee]

I've spent the last hour catching up with this thread - that's a hell of a lot of planning! Good thing is I'm a lil hung over from last night so Disney is the ideal hangover cure! - And I had no appletinis!
Love, love, love you in the dress - you look fab!
Just like a Princess princess:
I'll continue to lurk and see more of your Disney planning magic!

[Beep]

Hi hun,

I've been MIA in Wales this past week so not had chance to catch up with you. I'm so glad you've booked, I can't wait to book ours next year.

[Beep]

About how much does it cost to travel from overseas? I have always wondered?

Hi Lisa,

Our flights for 3 weeks in December 09 are coming in at $1700 (approx) and then there is the cost of the hotels. For 3 weeks which is flights, 9 nights off property, 5 nights on the Boardwalk in a 1b villa and 7 nights at POR we are looking at around $4000.

Sorry to pirate: your thread Meryll :flower3:

[meryll83]

I've spent the last hour catching up with this thread - that's a hell of a lot of planning! Good thing is I'm a lil hung over from last night so Disney is the ideal hangover cure! - And I had no appletinis!
Love, love, love you in the dress - you look fab!
Just like a Princess princess:
I'll continue to lurk and see more of your Disney planning magic!
Haha - you have finally joined the wonderous cavern of knowledge that is the DISboards!

Did you have fun dancing last night? Did Jackie enjoy herself - I feel like I neglected her a bit once you, me and Kim got in Disney mode! :guilty:

The Appletinis would have been nothing without my cocktail cherries - JD eat your heart out!

I need to make more of an effort to look vaguely human at my next dress fitting - I was poorly :sick: though!

Don't just lurk, get posting!

Hi hun,

I've been MIA in Wales this past week so not had chance to catch up with you. I'm so glad you've booked, I can't wait to book ours next year.
You been on holiday or for work? Did you have a good time?
Who are you going to book with, or are you going to package it all seperately? You must have a lot more patience than I do! :lmao:

Hi Lisa,

Our flights for 3 weeks in December 09 are coming in at $1700 (approx) and then there is the cost of the hotels. For 3 weeks which is flights, 9 nights off property, 5 nights on the Boardwalk in a 1b villa and 7 nights at POR we are looking at around $4000.

Sorry to pirate: your thread Meryll :flower3:
How very rude ;)

[Beep]

You been on holiday or for work? Did you have a good time?

Work unfortunately. It was three nights away from home to the Pembroke coast and then across to Swindon. 2 training sessions and 2 days of meetings later and I came back home :sad2: it was too much.

Who are you going to book with, or are you going to package it all seperately? You must have a lot more patience than I do! :lmao:

We are booking the flights with BA as they have a 21kgs hand luggage allowance. The Empty Box Company dress boxes are 4.5kgs and there is no way my dress weighs 1.5kgs to bring it under the 6kgs Virgin allow. BA also allow 2 pieces of checked luggage at 23kgs each (same as Virgin I think) which is great for all the wedding stuff! We are booking direct with Disney for the rooms and DVC for the Boardwalk Villas.

I've also managed to get a Durango for £500 for the 3 weeks which is a huge treat for me. I love big ugly beasts of cars and the only chance I get to drive them is in the States. I've got a Vectra and the Durango is just brill. We've decided not to go for the vintage rolls and have the Durango for the holiday instead. We can use the limo to move the guests to the GF and POR and then come back to pick us up :thumbsup2


How very rude ;)

*blows rasperry* :goodvibes

[Charlee]

Damn you for finally getting me on the DISboards - its the start of me turning into an even bigger Disney geek - and I'll blame you!

Dancing was fun - most people went early and me and Gem were left - I had to get her home and she was much more drunk than me - tis always fun as she giggles most of the time!

Jackie had a good time - don't think she minded our Disney talking - she knows what happens when we get started...

[meryll83]

We are booking the flights with BA as they have a 21kgs hand luggage allowance. The Empty Box Company dress boxes are 4.5kgs and there is no way my dress weighs 1.5kgs to bring it under the 6kgs Virgin allow.

I didn't realise those boxes were so heavy, perhaps I'll just keep it in a dress bag, do you think it would fold up enough to be an allowable size though?

Shame you were constantly working in Wales. How did you enjoy York the other week? We've just been across today actually, I didn't realise there was so much scaffolding up on the Minster!

Damn you for finally getting me on the DISboards - its the start of me turning into an even bigger Disney geek - and I'll blame you!

Dancing was fun - most people went early and me and Gem were left - I had to get her home and she was much more drunk than me - tis always fun as she giggles most of the time!

Jackie had a good time - don't think she minded our Disney talking - she knows what happens when we get started...

Mwahahaha!

I managed to get myself to work bright and early and was positively perky compared to after many nights out, so I think i made a wise choice going home.

I once met Si, Gemma and Pete, after dancing I think when they'd all been drinking, and everyone was going home, Si wasn't too bad but I wasn't sure that Pete and Gemma were safe supporting each other when we parted ways!! :rotfl: And there was much giggling!

[Beep]

I didn't realise those boxes were so heavy, perhaps I'll just keep it in a dress bag, do you think it would fold up enough to be an allowable size though?

Shame you were constantly working in Wales. How did you enjoy York the other week? We've just been across today actually, I didn't realise there was so much scaffolding up on the Minster!



I'm sure it will fit in a carry-on bag. I bought one for Tim from Matalan and it is a few cm less than the allowed size, and after doing a bit of mental imaging of the dress and the bag I'm sure it will fit. The case was half price at £11 and it is really well made. It surprised me how deep the allowed size is which is why I'm sure the dress will fit.

The only problem with the case I bought for Tim is that the wheels and handle on the case take it over the 56cm (although they sold them as hand-baggage size) so I'm not sure about it. I think we will take off the wheels to make doubly sure it will fit. I might get one to put my dress in rather than one of the boxes - the case has a zip pocket at the front so I can put my passport, tickets etc in it.

I've bought a vacuum bag that is roughly the size of the case and if I need to I'll put the dress in that (wrapped in tissue) and take some of the air out. I've read that the vacuum bags can damamge the bones in the dress so I would only do it lightls to keep it from springing up.

York was brilliant, I had a great weekend with Kirsty. She used to work at Epcot inthe UK section and was showing me all her memorabilia which was really good. We went to Betty's and had brunch, and bought some Fat Rascals to bring back home for breakfast the next day. We went to a shop n the Shambles and had 'real' hot chocolate too. Oh well, still 18 months to lose the weight!

I know what you mean about the scaffolding, shame really. It will be there for ever more though due to the decision won't it? We went for a Thai meal in Boston Spa (where Kirsty lives) on the night and it was fab!

[Chilly]

Carrying on the cost theme last September for two people we paid £1,724.50 for Virgin Flights, two weeks at Pop plus car hire so about $3500.

It actually works out cheaper to go to WDW than Disneyland Resort Paris.


As for the BA V Virgin issue i've been pricing up both and they seem to cost about the same so might plump for BA this time to get the bigger hand luggage allowance.

[meryll83]

Thinking of having Rose Wands for my bridesmaids rather than bouquets, after seeing some designs I like on another thread. Something like this:
http://shim1.shutterfly.com/procgserv/47b5cf23b3127cce98548bf88b6f00000017108AYsnLJk0aNv
But with the tails added like this:
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t93/KellyJoG/DFTW%20Trip%20Photos/Randy%20Chapman/KM14776-21-07-2.jpg
Thanks J&J and KellyJo18 for these photos :thumbsup2 I need to post them on here before I lose them!!

The top one would be in the right colours, with 3 roses, I don't know if you can have a greater number of roses or not, but perhaps 3 is sufficient to keep them delicate looking....

They seem to be becoming increasingly popular (at least with DISbrides!) but they'll probably be quite unique when used at the reception back home, I've not seen anything like these over here before.


Oh and Alex, where did you get 'real' hot chocolate from in York, And how real are we talking? :lmao:

[Chilly]

I think 3 is the perfect number. I might have one for my bridesmaid as well.

[orangetiggs]

i'm having the rose wands in silk so that my girls can keep them

[meryll83]

i'm having the rose wands in silk so that my girls can keep them
It also means they can be used for our UK do's :thumbsup2

[orangetiggs]

thats too, df has hay fever so cant really have real flowers

[meryll83]

Nothing majorly exciting to report over this last week or so.

I showed Simon the pictures of the Rose Wands and he thinks they look cheap :rolleyes: so perhaps we have to go back to bouquets for the girls.

I now have measurements for the girls, so I think I'll get their dresses ordered sometime in the next couple of weeks, just need to match up the online size charts before taking the plunge.

I'm back at the dress shop next weekend, I need to remember to ask about bustling....

I think my dad is going to add the Dining Plan to his holiday (so park passes too in order to do this). I'm presuming this will be OK, coz even though I booked for all 3 of us with Virgin, my dad is on a seperate booking reference number, so hopefully we can get round the 'All members of the party must add the plan" rule because of this.
Obviously we can't add the plan as we'll be getting free annual passes, and you have to book the hotel and tickets together in order to be eligible for the dining plan. Presuming we still get free annual passes when our time comes.
Although thinking about it, didn't Summer have the dining plan?? Might have to check with her......
I wouldn't mind paying for the dining plan, as I think it will still save us a little money, but I just don't think Virgin will let us add this on a holiday package without tickets.
He said he'd call me to let me know if he wants me to call Virgin and add this for him in the next few days, during which time I think he will attempt his final push to get my mum to go, so we shall see what happens!!

[figmentfan814]

I just got an email last week from the Annual Pass people saying that they are allowing AP holders to add the dining plan to select packages. It's a new thing, so it might be worth checking into for you.

[meryll83]

I just got an email last week from the Annual Pass people saying that they are allowing AP holders to add the dining plan to select packages. It's a new thing, so it might be worth checking into for you.
We won't be booked directly through Disney for the room though, so I think it would have to be Virgin that add the Dining on.
I did notice that AP holders could now add the DDP, but I presume that's only when your room is booked directly through Disney....

[figmentfan814]

We won't be booked directly through Disney for the room though, so I think it would have to be Virgin that add the Dining on.
I did notice that AP holders could now add the DDP, but I presume that's only when your room is booked directly through Disney....

Hmmm... I'm definitely interested to hear what you find out, good luck :goodvibes

[Beep]

Hi Meryll, I'm not sure where the shop in York was that we had the hot chocolate. It was just off the main Market Square and i think it was in a road called the Shambles but I'm not sure. It was soooo good, real melted chocolate!!

I think the flower wands look lovely, and different to what you usually see over here, but I think bouquets look more 'substantial' which is my your DBF might think they look cheap.

[meryll83]

I've ordered the bridesmaids dresses online just now, and had another fitting yesterday for my dress. They told me it's one of those most complicated hems they've had to do (typical! ;)) so I have to go back for another fitting, and they are going to try out bustling it for me to test out at my next fitting too.

I think we are now going to go for Randy as our photographer, as he doesn't mind leaving at 5.30 and coming back later on for IllumiNations with just an add on price of the extra hour for the dessert party time, rather than us having to pay for him throughout the gap like we would with Misty.
Plus Amanda's photos look fab, including the IllumiNations ones, as sometimes I think these aren't so good from other photographers I've seen, and Disney photographers would have cost more if we'd have used them for the dessert party alone. :thumbsup2

Still haven't heard from my dad if he wants the dining plan and/or my mum adding on, might call him later today and see if he's made any progress!

[Beep]

I've ordered the bridesmaids dresses online just now, and had another fitting yesterday for my dress. They told me it's one of those most complicated hems they've had to do (typical! ;)) so I have to go back for another fitting, and they are going to try out bustling it for me to test out at my next fitting too.

I think we are now going to go for Randy as our photographer, as he doesn't mind leaving at 5.30 and coming back later on for IllumiNations with just an add on price of the extra hour for the dessert party time, rather than us having to pay for him throughout the gap like we would with Misty.
Plus Amanda's photos look fab, including the IllumiNations ones, as sometimes I think these aren't so good from other photographers I've seen, and Disney photographers would have cost more if we'd have used them for the dessert party alone. :thumbsup2

Still haven't heard from my dad if he wants the dining plan and/or my mum adding on, might call him later today and see if he's made any progress!

They told me the same thing about my dress hem too! I 'negotiated' a one-off fee for any alterations that needed doing, regardless of the type or number, before the seamstress came to have a look at the dress so I reckon I did ok there :thumbsup2

YAY - RANDY!! The man is awsome. We have asked him if he would like to come to our lunch as a guest, not to work, but we would be happy to pay for his time. Problem we are going to have is it is having photos at the GF, then lunch at the Cafe (or onto Kona if GFC mess me about) then photos at POR. We couldn't really ask him to b*gger off for 1.5 hours then come back so we thought he might like lunch with us.

Just a pointer on Virgin re DDP - one of our guests did a bit of research with them and was told that a) they had to book DDP with the reservation ie it couldn't be added at a later date and b) they had to book a park ticket as part of the package for the DDP. When she called back to speak to someone else they told her a) she didn't need a park ticket for the DDP but did need the AP to give the details to Virgin and b) DDP couldn't be added at a later date.

Our guest doesn't have the AP yet, but will be getting it later. She explained that it would probably be a voucher rather than the actual ticket and Virgin said they only accepted the details off the ticket not the voucher.

Confused? Oh yes! :confused3

[meryll83]

They told me the same thing about my dress hem too! I 'negotiated' a one-off fee for any alterations that needed doing, regardless of the type or number, before the seamstress came to have a look at the dress so I reckon I did ok there :thumbsup2

YAY - RANDY!! The man is awsome. We have asked him if he would like to come to our lunch as a guest, not to work, but we would be happy to pay for his time. Problem we are going to have is it is having photos at the GF, then lunch at the Cafe (or onto Kona if GFC mess me about) then photos at POR. We couldn't really ask him to b*gger off for 1.5 hours then come back so we thought he might like lunch with us.

Just a pointer on Virgin re DDP - one of our guests did a bit of research with them and was told that a) they had to book DDP with the reservation ie it couldn't be added at a later date and b) they had to book a park ticket as part of the package for the DDP. When she called back to speak to someone else they told her a) she didn't need a park ticket for the DDP but did need the AP to give the details to Virgin and b) DDP couldn't be added at a later date.

Our guest doesn't have the AP yet, but will be getting it later. She explained that it would probably be a voucher rather than the actual ticket and Virgin said they only accepted the details off the ticket not the voucher.

Confused? Oh yes! :confused3
They did quote me a fee already and they haven't metioned any additional expenses - so here's hoping!

We were going to ask Randy to join us, but if we have our meal at the Chef's Domaine in Citrico's it only seats 14 so we may not have room. I explained this to him and if it turned out we would be able to accommodate him then I'd let him know.

It's never easy with Virgin is it?!!!
I was told it was ok to add the plan on later, so I'll just have to argue it out with someone if it comes to it.
If me and Si can't add it, it's ok, to be honest I didn't think we could, but if my dad decides to go for it and the passes I want to make sure he gets it and they don't give us any rubbish about not adding it later - I mean do they want our money or not?!!

[Beep]

They did quote me a fee already and they haven't metioned any additional expenses - so here's hoping!

We were going to ask Randy to join us, but if we have our meal at the Chef's Domaine in Citrico's it only seats 14 so we may not have room. I explained this to him and if it turned out we would be able to accommodate him then I'd let him know.

It's never easy with Virgin is it?!!!
I was told it was ok to add the plan on later, so I'll just have to argue it out with someone if it comes to it.
If me and Si can't add it, it's ok, to be honest I didn't think we could, but if my dad decides to go for it and the passes I want to make sure he gets it and they don't give us any rubbish about not adding it later - I mean do they want our money or not?!!

The only thing that might cause us a problem with Randy is numbers but I think we'll be ok. We have a 100% rate of 11 invited and 11 confirmed (we'll see closer to the date) so with Randy that would be 12. Disney told me a group booking is 13 or more at the GFC so that is ok. The other alternative is to book 2 tables of 6 or however many we end up with split.

I think Virgin (and most TA's to be honest) are a nightmare which is one of the reasons we are booking everything independently. We had a few problems when we booked with MyTravel a couple of years ago. I've booked everything on my own before but I couldn't match their price so went with them. Lesson learned!

One of the things you could do is send an email to Customer Service asking them to confirm that it is ok to add the dining and tickets later and then use that as proof if you get problems later. Although, I suppose they could always respond back that you can't add it and then you're stuffed!

WHY IS NOTHING SRAIGHTFORWARD??!! :confused: :headache: :mad:

[Chilly]

Good luck on sorting things out with Virgin.

[meryll83]

Good luck on sorting things out with Virgin.

Thanks!!

My dad is calling me on Friday to let me know what I'm adding on (presumably the dining plan and my mum - fingers crossed!) so hopefully I'll get it sorted on Friday night.

[figmentfan814]

Just noticed one of your posts on another thread about feeding Randy. Did you know that you can purchase a vendor plate for him? These are only around $15 and I know he really appreciated it. :goodvibes

[meryll83]

Just noticed one of your posts on another thread about feeding Randy. Did you know that you can purchase a vendor plate for him? These are only around $15 and I know he really appreciated it. :goodvibes

Can this be done for an Escape wedding - at Citrico's for example, or is this only for Wishes events do you know?

[Beep]

We were going to do that for Randy but decided to invite him to our lunch to be part of our day.

[figmentfan814]

Can this be done for an Escape wedding - at Citrico's for example, or is this only for Wishes events do you know?

I really don't know, I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to ask about it :goodvibes

[meryll83]

I really don't know, I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to ask about it :goodvibes

You're right!

I've sent off my forms to Randy, we don't have a fax so i've sent this as email attachments - I hope it works! And I hope I've filled the forms in right, I wasn't sure about a couple of bits! I'll soon find out... :thumbsup2

I think we'll leave the logistics of photographer feeding for a while until we know how many guests we have coming over.
Does Randy just come alone, or does he have a partner that normally comes with him also?
For now, we have a 3 hour break whilst we have our reception meal, but if it turns out there is room, we'll most likely ask him to stay, possibly asking if he wouldn't mind taking a few photos at the meal, but mainly giving him a break also, and the chance to stay and eat with us.

2 more days til I find out if my mum is coming...........

[baywatchextra]

Well you definatly have 1 bridesmaid and guest attending your wedding! I phoned up tonight and got all booked up.. YEAHHHHHH IM GOING BACK TO DISNEY WORLD!!!! :dance3: :banana: :cheer2:

i asked the nice lady about DDP and park tickets while i was on and she said you can add DDP until 21 days before departure AS LONG AS you are booking park tickets. i asked if you could without n she said not :cool1:

[figmentfan814]

Does Randy just come alone, or does he have a partner that normally comes with him also?

I believe he always comes by himself :)

[meryll83]

Well you definatly have 1 bridesmaid and guest attending your wedding! I phoned up tonight and got all booked up.. YEAHHHHHH IM GOING BACK TO DISNEY WORLD!!!! :dance3: :banana: :cheer2:

i asked the nice lady about DDP and park tickets while i was on and she said you can add DDP until 21 days before departure AS LONG AS you are booking park tickets. i asked if you could without n she said not :cool1:

:cheer2: Wooohooooooooooooooooooooooo!:cheer2:
Yeeeeeeeeeeeeyyyy I'm really excited now, it's gonna be so much phone conquering Disney together!!

So everyone, that's about it for my update today (well, Julie's update really!;)) , we have a Julie and a Steve! So total booked is up to 5 now, and HOPEFULLY tomorrow night we might have a mother too!!

If half term dates get announced officially in the next couple of weeks as we've been told they should, then perhaps Si's dad might then feel ready to ask the new Head if he can have his extra week off like Si's mum has and then we can work on his parents to get booked too - slowly building up the troops!!


Thanks for finding that info out by the way J, so it looks like my parent(s) will be able to add on the dining plan, but presuming me and Si still get our annual passes we might have to investigate the dining experience discount cards thingymibobs instead.....

[meryll83]

Ok so the DDE....

Is there any advantage to adding your partner/spouse on for the extra $ or is one card sufficient?

Those of you who have used this card - is it worth it?

We'll be actually in WDW for 12 nights (and our last day when we return from cruising) and we know there are definitely a fair few restaurants we want to return to, most of which seem to be included, as does our food court at Pop.....

[lov2b@disney]

I dont think the extra card is necessary if you will be dining together! We got and have already been using our card- saved enough to pay for it!
We plan on using it for our rehearsal dinner at O'hana- discount on 10 of the meals.
We also will have several days of dining with family and can use it for them (up to 10) as well.

We really like the dining plan, but since at the time they didnt off it to AP holders we could not get it -they are offering it now-2008 only right now- but maybe it will be permanent?!

[lurkyloo]

OK, lessee... I definitely don't think you need to pay extra for your DH to have a copy - one card is good for up to 10 people.

I guess to us it was worth it just to feel like we were getting a discount, even if it only paid the tip. And since we paid for the DDE card with a giftcard I'd earned on Sunshine Rewards (http://www.***************.com/signup.php?r=5299), it felt like it was free!

The new automatic gratuity is a drag because when you factor in that 18% addition and your 20% discount, it's like you're only saving 2% - BUT we always tip, so we would have had to pay that anyway (sometimes we only give 15% if the service wasn't great - apparently you can ask to have a manager reduce the 18% auto gratuity if you feel your service was bad, but we weren't going to quibble).

You also get other discounts, like half off admission to clubs at Pleasure Island.

Oh - PS: The break-even point (according to my slightly suspect calculations) is $325 - if you spend that much and use your DDE card, it pays for itself.

[Goldeelox9]

I want a DDE card! We are treating everyone to dinner at Ohana's and we are estimating about $500 for the meal! We are not season passholders so we can not get one! That stinks!

[Lindsay22]

Ok so the DDE....

Is there any advantage to adding your partner/spouse on for the extra $ or is one card sufficient?

Those of you who have used this card - is it worth it?

We'll be actually in WDW for 12 nights (and our last day when we return from cruising) and we know there are definitely a fair few restaurants we want to return to, most of which seem to be included, as does our food court at Pop.....

I dont know about the second card. I hear if you get that with your spouse it's under the same number.... that confused me....
Anyway GET THE DDE. I've had mine since November. At my sister's wedding my father saved nearly $300 on the card. (About $100 for the rehearsal lunch and about $200 when he took the brides side for dinner the night before the wedding) It will pay for itself in one meal if you do a big group thing. If you don't it should pay for itself after 3 or 4 meals.

[orangetiggs]

we only got one card at our planning session and we must have saved at least half the price of the card in the 4 days we had it. we are taking it again in sept for our wedding. I thouhg it was great

[figmentfan814]

The best part is that if you have a larger group they will still sometimes take it off more than 10 people like the card states. We saved a ton of money at our bridal tea when they applied it to the bill for 20 people. :goodvibes

[Starr W.]

Ok so the DDE....

Is there any advantage to adding your partner/spouse on for the extra $ or is one card sufficient?

Those of you who have used this card - is it worth it?

We'll be actually in WDW for 12 nights (and our last day when we return from cruising) and we know there are definitely a fair few restaurants we want to return to, most of which seem to be included, as does our food court at Pop.....

We just have the DDE in my name, DH usually pays and no one has ever said anything. We're a family of 4 and it's great. We got 3 trips out of it and the AP's. I think we pretty much broke even on the DDE after the first trip(4 nights at VWL). I like it better than the DDP 2007 or 2008 version.

Though starting in January they started adding the tip to the bill(18%). Actually we are very lucky and only once have had bad service(LTT).

[meryll83]

Thanks for the great response to the DDE girls, it sounds like it's definitely worth it to get one card, especially since we're hoping to have at least one group meal, and we're in the world for about 2 weeks.....
Just keep hoping for us now that they'll still be offering the free annual passes to us when we contract in October this year!

Ok - so a questions about the logistics of dining as a group - If my dad (and mum if she's coming - find out tonight!) decide to go on the DDP, and then we book a group meal at Le Cellier as we hope to, could we split the bill, so that we can use the DDE card for ours and other guests discount, but my parents can still use their dining plan? If we make sure to tell our server at the start of the meal will this be ok, or are there any problems that may arise with different payment types at the same table?

When you purchase a card to you get given a definitive list of which locations are eligible at the time? And I'm right in thinking that when we arrive in WDW, if we pop over to one of the parks on our first afternoon when we arrive, we go over to a window somewhere outside one of the parks (never done this before, is it just the normal ticket windows you pass when you've already got your tickets?) and we can redeem our AP vouchers and purchase a DDE card here at this time?

And one more question - is the discount valid at the listed locations for any meal, or are some locations only eg. breakfast and lunch but not dinner discounted?

Thanks girlies - you always know the answers! :thumbsup2

[Chilly]

Good luck with your Mum tonight.

[DigitalLove]

Good Luck Chick with your Mum's decision!! I really hope things work out for you the way you want!

Also, did you email Melissa?