missmichelle's PJ...crappy panic disorder....

[MissMichelle]

Hi Everyone! I lurk constantly over here on the board and usually only post on the main boards but it is time I intro myself...Afterall, I was just given the blessing from my Dfi and family to plan my Disney wedding.

First I must start off by saying if you want to learn more about me and my family I will point you towards my TR's from past trips. The link is located in my signature. It will help to give you all the option of reading it to learn about us, or just skipping past that for the fun part--THE PLANNING!!!

So I am looking at August 24, 2009 ...Which by my countdown on theknot I am looking at 590 days of agonizing planning and waiting...but that is what needs to happen if I am going to pay for this all in cash. I won't be getting a dime from family and we are only inviting immediate family with us and having an escape wedding (18 guests).

I was nervous to even plan a DFTW since most of my family isn't keen on the "disney freak" side of me and also they just don't have the $$ for me to go plan a destination wedding where they'd have to shell out for flights and hotel...so I mulled over it for a bit and then I realized that if they couldn't be there with me 1.5 years AFTER I told them about it then I'd have to go it alone.

Dfi has been great about it and we are hoping to have a reception when we return home with the 100+ people we aren't bringing to FL with us ;)

So though it is so far away I am a big girlie girl and have been constantly looking at gowns and all that online and I want (I think!) a gold gown....what do you all think of...

http://images.maggiesottero.com/styles/389_x_529_front/A/A544.jpg???

OK, I am headed to go reveal myself and step out of lurkdum on all the threads I've been keeping up with here (Yes I am VERY involved in a lot of your PJ's and have even posted on a random few).

Can't wait to get to "know" you all ;)

[PrincessBride010103]

Well first of all...congratulations on your engagement!! its great to have a new PJ to keep up with!! that dress is georgous...i tried on a few gold gowns before settling on mine (which is ivory) and i loved the gold! Happy Planning! :bride:

[MissMichelle]

So I am looking and there aren't many (it seems) that do the escape weddings...I just can't afford the custom wedding with meeting the minimums and all, though I would almost consider postponing my date if it comes down to my nana and gram being sad they aren't invited...They aren't into traveling to the heat of FL at their ages (they actually like the New England winters! ARGH) but that would push me over the 18 guests if I brought them along, making me HAVE to up my package and not do the escape wedding.

humph...what to do, what to do....

Here is my guest list:

Mom and Dad
Sister and her baby
Brother and his 2 children
Brother and his new wife
Dfi's Dad, mom and 2 brothers
My best friend and her 2 kids
my 2 children

[MissMichelle]

Well first of all...congratulations on your engagement!! its great to have a new PJ to keep up with!! that dress is georgous...i tried on a few gold gowns before settling on mine (which is ivory) and i loved the gold! Happy Planning! :bride:

HI there!!! I have been keeping up with your PJ and all the moving of dates and all---CONGRATS on the baby news!!! You have lots going on this year. 2008 is going to be filled with lots of wonderful memories for you.

Thanks for stopping by my PJ and I hope you'll all stick around for my wild ride. I can be a bit (or a lot) neurotic so this should be interesting ;) hehe

[Raspberry Bubbles]

Great start - good luck following your dreams!

[Kristen14]

I cant see the pictures :(

I'd ABSOLUTELY do an escape wedding if I could... wishes is just way too much! With an escape you can throw in more events and little things for your guests... with wishes i'm constantly trying to cut things out in order to save money.

[pink_tink8i8]

I love gold dresses too! I'm also considering a gold dress. I also love Maggie Sottero dresses. What you could do is have an escape wedding with the max number of people and then have a small reception (per your budget) and invite more people to that.

[MissMichelle]

I cant see the pictures :(

I'd ABSOLUTELY do an escape wedding if I could... wishes is just way too much! With an escape you can throw in more events and little things for your guests... with wishes i'm constantly trying to cut things out in order to save money.

When I saw a minimum $10,000 expenditure I just knew that would mean I'd have a marger larger budget--One I don't have to work with since we are pulling a LARGE chunk of savings for a house down payment. I'd LOVE to do a wishes wedding and bring along a few more guests--but it isn't realistic.

I wonder why you can't see the pics :(

[MissMichelle]

I love gold dresses too! I'm also considering a gold dress. I also love Maggie Sottero dresses. What you could do is have an escape wedding with the max number of people and then have a small reception (per your budget) and invite more people to that.

I didn't really even think of that. But then again who do I decide DOESN'T attend the wedding..lol And is there really an easy way to budget when it comes to food (the reception) in Disney??!! haha

[pink_tink8i8]

ok, good point about who to cut out. You can have a reception at a restaurant and have a set menu that may help keep costs at bay.

[MissMichelle]

ok, good point about who to cut out. You can have a reception at a restaurant and have a set menu that may help keep costs at bay.

My plan has been nixed....I was told I have to make sure I invite at least the 3 grandmothers (my 2 and TC's 1) so I am now over the minimum...which when I read the WDW weddings site I found out I WAS already over---I didn't realize that that with me and TC we were at 21 people (where was my head and my math???). OUCH. so now with the grandmothers we are at 24 and need to look into a wishes wedding---WHICH I am feeling better about---if I am going to do it anyway, why not go all out (and still keep costs lower then I would at home by having a small wedding @ WDW)...

It may just mean moving my date a bit later inmto the fall...which I am ok with also....ahhhh except I am VERY impatient!

[pink_tink8i8]

I know what you mean about being impatient. I've already had to move my date back but at least now you can invite who you want and not have to worry about leaving anybody behind :)

[MissMichelle]

UGH! I hate GAD---(generalized anxiety disorder) Totally random I will be starting off to dream land and BOOM! I jump up, heart racing feeling sick and can't lay down till the next day when the sun comes up----sometimes that is a REALLY bad thing--like when I have to be at work for 7am---eeek!

So my point in telling everyone this (since I used to keep it a secret as I was kinda ashamed of it) is because my saviour at 2am (haha right NOW) is the Disney Weddings and Honeymoons board! I have been visiting here when I have a bad night and I daydream and live through everyone's PJ's.

So keep writing all--you are my sanity ;)

[pink_tink8i8]

UGH! I hate GAD---(generalized anxiety disorder) Totally random I will be starting off to dream land and BOOM! I jump up, heart racing feeling sick and can't lay down till the next day when the sun comes up----sometimes that is a REALLY bad thing--like when I have to be at work for 7am---eeek!

So my point in telling everyone this (since I used to keep it a secret as I was kinda ashamed of it) is because my saviour at 2am (haha right NOW) is the Disney Weddings and Honeymoons board! I have been visiting here when I have a bad night and I daydream and live through everyone's PJ's.

So keep writing all--you are my sanity ;)

OMG...I have GAD too! I know EXACTLY how you feel. I stayed up until 4 am this morning on DIS because I was too nervous to sleep. It has pretty much been a secret with me too. You're not alone.

[FIREFLY01]

CONGRATS!!!:woohoo:
THAT DRESS IS BEAUTIFUL!!!!
WE LUCKED OUT WITH THE FACT THAT WE LIVE IN FLORIDA, BUT MY FIANCE'S WHOLE FAMILY AND ALOT OF FRIENDS ALL LIVE IN MASSACHUSETTS. SO I KNOW THE PROBLEM YOUR IN, HIS GRANDPARENTS CAN'T COME DOWN HERE (HEALTH REASONS CAN'T FLY) AND ALOT OF HIS FAMILY JUST DID'NT HAVE THE MONEY. SO HIS PARENTS AND BROTHER ARE COMING AND SOME OF HIS FRIENDS. WE ARE GONNA GET A VIDEO DONE OF THE WHOLE CEREMONY AND THEN MONTAGE THE RECEPTION SO EVERYONE AT HOME CAN SEE IT AFTER, WE ARE EVEN CONSIDERING GOING UP THERE ALITTLE BIT AFTER THE WEDDING BRING ALL THE PICTS,DVD, I WILL BE BRING AND WEAR MY DRESS, HIM JUST A SUIT. AND HAVE A BBQ AT HIS PARENTS SO EVERYONE ELSE CAN COME THAT WAY.... ITS AN IDEA:idea:
TO SAVE MONEY WITH OUR WISHES WEDDING WE ARE HAVING IT LATE 730PM THEN RECEPTIN TO FOLLOW AT ITALY ISOLA BUT INSTEAD OF DINNER ITS A COCKTAIL PARTY WITH FULL BAR AND APPETIZERS AND THE CAKE. IT REALLY HELPED US STAY C LOSE TO MINUMUM PRICE PLUS ITS ON A SUNDAY..... HOPE THIS HELPS A LITTLE

[MissMichelle]

OMG...I have GAD too! I know EXACTLY how you feel. I stayed up until 4 am this morning on DIS because I was too nervous to sleep. It has pretty much been a secret with me too. You're not alone.

ugh..I absolutely hate it..I get really sick after being awake for hours with it. then I finally fall asleep some time after the sun comes up..You should have seen me the day before my brothers wedding---I was a HURTING PERSON. I was so exhausted. Happens 2-3 times a month.

OK, enough with the poor me ;)

I was talking to TC about this whole Disney Wedding and he asked me to show him some pictures of others weddings...so I came to the PJ's here and clicked through links and scrolled though the threads and he said it was a deal sealer...He really thinks Disney is the way to go..He still feels really bad asking everyone to pay to go to Disney for our wedding.
I reminded him we were in my brothers wedding in October (me, TC and our son) and with EVERYTHING (bachelor and bacherlorette parties, dress, suits etc) we spent almost $2,000. I could always tell the close family and friends I am bringing that it will cost them more here ;) hehe

[MissMichelle]

CONGRATS!!!:woohoo:
THAT DRESS IS BEAUTIFUL!!!!
WE LUCKED OUT WITH THE FACT THAT WE LIVE IN FLORIDA, BUT MY FIANCE'S WHOLE FAMILY AND ALOT OF FRIENDS ALL LIVE IN MASSACHUSETTS. SO I KNOW THE PROBLEM YOUR IN, HIS GRANDPARENTS CAN'T COME DOWN HERE (HEALTH REASONS CAN'T FLY) AND ALOT OF HIS FAMILY JUST DID'NT HAVE THE MONEY. SO HIS PARENTS AND BROTHER ARE COMING AND SOME OF HIS FRIENDS. WE ARE GONNA GET A VIDEO DONE OF THE WHOLE CEREMONY AND THEN MONTAGE THE RECEPTION SO EVERYONE AT HOME CAN SEE IT AFTER, WE ARE EVEN CONSIDERING GOING UP THERE ALITTLE BIT AFTER THE WEDDING BRING ALL THE PICTS,DVD, I WILL BE BRING AND WEAR MY DRESS, HIM JUST A SUIT. AND HAVE A BBQ AT HIS PARENTS SO EVERYONE ELSE CAN COME THAT WAY.... ITS AN IDEA:idea:
TO SAVE MONEY WITH OUR WISHES WEDDING WE ARE HAVING IT LATE 730PM THEN RECEPTIN TO FOLLOW AT ITALY ISOLA BUT INSTEAD OF DINNER ITS A COCKTAIL PARTY WITH FULL BAR AND APPETIZERS AND THE CAKE. IT REALLY HELPED US STAY C LOSE TO MINUMUM PRICE PLUS ITS ON A SUNDAY..... HOPE THIS HELPS A LITTLE

I think it's an awesome idea to come up here after for a BBQ and bring the photos and dvd! I may have a small reception back home after with the dvd and photos also..maybe then my extended family will forgive me.

That is going to be awesome to have the cocktail reception @ the Italy Isola...Maybe that is an idea I'll have to look into. I was looking for a Monday wedding (the 24th) so that keep costs low....there is so much to think about!

[pink_tink8i8]

did you decide on a guest list?

[MissMichelle]

did you decide on a guest list?

yes...we have actually added 3 people (who said they refuse to be left out) but we can't add anymore...I want to keep the costs as low as possible...We are looking at 25 people with us. SOOOOO a wishes wedding and now I just have to be positive on my date and start looking at where I want to have it ;)

[Swmhc]

If you want to keep an Escape package, what about having a sitter for the kids during the ceremony, and then just have the grown ups at the ceremony. Then if you wanted to do a dessert party and other activities, the kids could join in those activities. The ceremony itself is usually boring for kids anyway. Just a thought.

[MissMichelle]

If you want to keep an Escape package, what about having a sitter for the kids during the ceremony, and then just have the grown ups at the ceremony. Then if you wanted to do a dessert party and other activities, the kids could join in those activities. The ceremony itself is usually boring for kids anyway. Just a thought.

unfortunately that won't work too well either..As my kids are going to be part of my ceremony and my nieces and the baby will have nobody to stay with since everyone will want to be at the ceremony and I don't think paying a babysitter @ WDW will work out too well :( If I didn't have kids of my own it would be a really good thought and I would have my best friends boyfriend and her children plus my sisters baby and my brothers youngest stay with them making it work perfect.

I'm going to have to seriously think about it more to cut some corners. (My older brother and my sister may not be able to afford it so they'll need to figure it out soon so I can decide wishes or escape since that knocks off 5 people right there making it an escape wedding)

[pink_tink8i8]

what time of year are you thinking about having your wedding?

[Beep]

UGH! I hate GAD---(generalized anxiety disorder) Totally random I will be starting off to dream land and BOOM! I jump up, heart racing feeling sick and can't lay down till the next day when the sun comes up----sometimes that is a REALLY bad thing--like when I have to be at work for 7am---eeek!

So my point in telling everyone this (since I used to keep it a secret as I was kinda ashamed of it) is because my saviour at 2am (haha right NOW) is the Disney Weddings and Honeymoons board! I have been visiting here when I have a bad night and I daydream and live through everyone's PJ's.

So keep writing all--you are my sanity ;)


Hi there, yep same here. The good thing is that due to the time difference if I get up at 2am people are still posting!

[Lisella]

Here is another thought for you (just to consider)...

What about doing a non-Disney ceremony? Not sure if you have your heart set on a particular Disney location. But there are some other creative ways to keep the costs down. I'm sure you've seen some of the other options at Mouseweddings.com, but you might want to consider something different to keep costs down a little yet not having an issue with the number of guests you invite.

There is the Swan & Dolphin. There is also a garden - I forget the name, but there was a bride here who married there did her PJ & TR here a few months back.

Check out the other wesbite for more info if you'd like. If you get married offsite, you can still have a grand gathering at many different Disney locations and a desert party, too. There are limits on some of the things you can't do if you don't do a Disney wedding - like having the reception in a park and the bridal photo shoot. But there seem to be some great creative options out there to help keep costs down and still include Disney in a lot of your plans. For instance, I believe that you can still have Disney characters at the Swan & Dolphin weddings and there is no minimum room stay there either.

Not trying to confuse you, but its just something to research if you haven't already...

Happy Planning!

[MissMichelle]

pin tink...We are looking at August 2009 ;) I want a VERY warm wedding lol...I'm a freak like that.

Lisella- See, this is why I love this board--All the awesome ideas that are thrown around...SO helpful and everyone is so nice and kind. I am going to go check out the site. Thanks a LOT for posting it ;)!!!!

Beep---I WISH! When I get on in the middle of the night there is pretty much NOTHING going on. I end up running out of threads to catch up on :(

[pink_tink8i8]

YAY! possible wedding date twin!!!!! and if not at least we'll be same month twins haha

[Lisella]

Michelle - I meant to give you my little advice for the anxiety (you've probably heard it before)...I learned this a few years back when this used to happen to me quite frequently.

First off, take five slow/deep breaths (nice and slow, and nice and deep). The extra oxygen can help calm you down. You can even take that a step further if you are into or can get yourself into the whole relaxation/meditation type therapy - close your eyes and imagine breathing in nice relaxing thoughts and calm air, while breathing out the anxiety and bad air.

The other practical thing you can try is writing stuff down. If your head is running in a million directions about thoughts, plans, worries, stuff you need to do tomorrow or next week, etc., etc., get up and write it down. This can help to put your mind at ease about forgetting what you "need" to do or worry about and help to get it out of your head and onto the paper. I've also become a big "list" person on a regular basis which helps to keep me from getting like this in the first place. I allow my mind not to worry about the things I have put on paper - kind of getting it and keeping it out of my head (make sense?).

It may take some practice and you've probably tried lots of things already - but little things like this have truly helped me get control of what happens to me. I used to literally think I was having a heart attack as my heart would start pounding and I would get sweaty and dizzy but that does not happen anymore.

[TamTab]

Michelle so happy to see that you started your PJ. I absolutely loved your TR and I'm loving your PJ so far. I wish you all the best in your planning. It will all come together in the end. Can't wait to read more!