Irisbud's PJ & Wedding TR: 1/22/09: NOW COMPLETE! 3/26/2009

[irisbud]

OUR WEDDING TR STARTS HERE! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1704887&page=21)










Hi Girls,

Doing a little editing on my PJ, but most will remain the same. Weeding out some drama due to some unplesent cicumstances. Everything is fine.

I thought that I would start a PJ, as we have definitely decided on gtetting married in WDW! I am so excited I feel like I have been given some sort of fabulous gift! I have to keep reminding myself that there is still a long way to go before we get there!

We are going to be having an Escape Wedding at SBP on January 22, 2009 at noon followed by a luncheon at the Grand Floridian Cafe and then an empty evening. I think that adding another meal will be overplanning for our guests, and I am sure I will be exhausted by the time that evening roles around!

[Lisacope]

Sort of - May 28th is our wedding anniversary! What type of riding do you do? I am a horse trainer too - I do dressage.

[irisbud]

We have American Saddlebreds and so saddleseat with them. I haven't ridden in a long time, with school and the job I have now. I really need to get back to it. I miss it!

[helloirishkitty]

Older men are always more fun... ;)

Good luck telling your mother! I can't wait to hear more about your plans :)

[irisbud]

Has anyone else watch this show called "My Big Redneck Wedding" or something like that?

I have been sick for the past couple of days, and, as I now have an unhealthy wedding obsession to go with my unhealthy WDW obsession, my remote landed on anything that said "wedding" as there have been no Disney shows on.

Oh. My. God. I watched two episodes of this, and they were all that I could stomach. I mean, to each their own, but I'm glad this is not mine. It was truly horrifying for me. It would be my wedding nightmare.

In one episdoe the entire bridal party wore camoflauge (sp?) hunting gear (yes, that includes bridesmaids; in fact the MOH said camo is "a classic"?!?). The groom wore a como suit with a t-shirt underneath. The bride wore giant hiking boots under her dress. The bride arrived via tractor and the guests sat on modly hay bales, the backs of trucks, and camp chairs. They decorated the hall with taxidermy and served cornbread and beans. During the gift exchange, the bride recieved a pink rifle and the groom a skink.

In another episode, the groom actually spit tobacco on the ground in the middle of the ceremony (which was performed by a "gentleman" ordained in prision and wearing a prison T-shirt).

I was thinking that I should call up DFTW and tell them that this is my dream wedding. :rotfl2: I wonder what the response would be :confused3 .

[Desnik]

Hello to another 2009 bride!!! Well, I'm calling myself a bride even though DH and I have been married for 10 years!!LOL We will have our DFT Wishes Wedding June 29th 2009. We didn't have a big wedding the first time so we are going all out for this! I have been obsessed with all things wedding related and just last night was watching My Big Fat Fabulous Wedding! I love all these wedding shows but never saw the one you are talking about! OMG, I can't even imagine CAMO at a wedding!!!:scared1: You'll get no judgement from me on your age difference with your BF! When I married I was 21 and pregnant!! Everyone had something to say but I didn't care. Funny thing is they are all divorced and DH and I are happier now than ever! Good luck talking to your mom about it. You do have the right attitude. This is your life and you know what's best for you. Good Luck and I can't wait to hear all your plans!!

[mla1977]

Congrats! About the age difference. My BFF has been dating the same man for 8 years now. He's 50-something (51 or 52, can't remember) and she is my age, 31. They make a great couple! I have been going for the younger men since I turned 25 (haha - DBF is 11 months younger than me and reminds me every day!)

[irisbud]

Glad to see so many others don't care. For me, it is a non-issue. I don't even think about it anymore it's just my life.

Desnik, I love Platinum Weddings and Big Fat Fabulous Wedding. I was watching those last night. Red Neck Wedding is on CMT. It's good comic relief.

I also love Bridezillas. Actually, it was sort of a small part of my inspiration for a Disney wedding. I knew if I did DFTW we would do a small wedding, and I know that when all is said and done it will be wonderful. I know that if we do a wedding at home it will have to be larger (don't want to hurt feelings, but with the EW we can just say "sorry, we can only have 18 guests and they are all very close to us"). I also know that a large wedding would turn me into a Bridezilla, no question.

[lpizzuro123]

Welcome to the boards and best wishes planning your wedding.

Funny you mention about the Camo wedding. I was looking for ringbearer pillows yesterday online and I found one done in camo material. I thought to myself who in the world would use this. I guess there is something for everyone.

Linda

[BethanyMouse]

Congrats and welcome to dis! I am fairly new here myself, but I find everyone to be really friendly and helpful! Best of luck planning your wedding, it will be a lot of fun!

[Starr W.]

Has anyone else watch this show called "My Big Redneck Wedding" or something like that?

I have been sick for the past couple of days, and, as I now have an unhealthy wedding obsession to go with my unhealthy WDW obsession, my remote landed on anything that said "wedding" as there have been no Disney shows on.

Oh. My. God. I watched two episodes of this, and they were all that I could stomach. I mean, to each their own, but I'm glad this is not mine. It was truly horrifying for me. It would be my wedding nightmare.

In one episdoe the entire bridal party wore camoflauge (sp?) hunting gear (yes, that includes bridesmaids; in fact the MOH said camo is "a classic"?!?). The groom wore a como suit with a t-shirt underneath. The bride wore giant hiking boots under her dress. The bride arrived via tractor and the guests sat on modly hay bales, the backs of trucks, and camp chairs. They decorated the hall with taxidermy and served cornbread and beans. During the gift exchange, the bride recieved a pink rifle and the groom a skink.

In another episode, the groom actually spit tobacco on the ground in the middle of the ceremony (which was performed by a "gentleman" ordained in prision and wearing a prison T-shirt).

I was thinking that I should call up DFTW and tell them that this is my dream wedding. :rotfl2: I wonder what the response would be :confused3 .

I saw a glimpse last night! OMG the groom pulled his pants down right after the kiss to show everyone is new tattoo on his butt. I guess it must of had the bride's name on it, but I had to turn it off before I got sick.:eek:

[irisbud]

Welcome to the boards and best wishes planning your wedding.

Funny you mention about the Camo wedding. I was looking for ringbearer pillows yesterday online and I found one done in camo material. I thought to myself who in the world would use this. I guess there is something for everyone.

Linda

Thanks! I guess there is. Not for me, though! I would die if that showed up in my wedding! :laughing:

Congrats and welcome to dis! I am fairly new here myself, but I find everyone to be really friendly and helpful! Best of luck planning your wedding, it will be a lot of fun!

Thanks! I'm glad, because I don't know the first thing about planning a wedding. I've never even been a bridesmiad, actually, as none of my good girlfriends or my sister have married! I've got tons of questions, and more keep coming up, so it's great to have friendly help. We already have some Disney haters :cool2: .

I saw a glimpse last night! OMG the groom pulled his pants down right after the kiss to show everyone is new tattoo on his butt. I guess it must of had the bride's name on it, but I had to turn it off before I got sick.:eek:

:sick: I saw that too. I guess it was traumatic enough that my mind blocked it out. We can't afford to have a huge wedding either, but at least we can have a little class, whatever we do.

[padisneyfour]

welcome to dis boards looking forward to hearing more of your plans ....

[irisbud]

Some wedding stuff:

I've been looking at dresses and the like this week. I don't know when is a good time to start actually trying on dresses and thinking about buying?!? :confused3 I think that I am probably still too far out, but I don't know? I don't really change sizes...

Some dresses I like:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/SanPatrickBaracares.jpg
San Patrick Baracares

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/SanPatrickBaltimore.jpg
San Patrick Baltimore

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/SanPatrickBalta.jpg
San Patrick Balta

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/DemetriosPrincess.jpg
Demetrios Princess

Some Tieras I like:

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/QueenAnnesLace.jpg
Queen Annes Lace

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/LadyofShallot.jpg
Lady of Shallot

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/FloralDreams.jpg
Floral Dreams

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Charis.jpg
Charis

I am going for a princessy dress and the tiera. I want to be a princess on my wedding day, since I won't ever get to be one IRL! princess: :bride:

[cseca]

Ooohh... pretty dresses... they are very princessy... :)

[Keira1387]

Wow, all of those dresses are beautiful! I don't think its ever to early to start looking!

[Fantasia Sam]

Hi irisbud - I've just read your PJ. Good for you and your wedding plans :)

I really like your choice in wedding dress pics :)

And urghh I wish I had American TV I would love to see those shows they sound like "train wreck TV" LOL

[caryndisneydiva]

hi irisbud! that camo wedding is horrific. maybe it was a joke!!!

i LOVE all those bride shows on the WE. they got me through my last month or so before my wedding...

don't worry about your age difference. my husband is almost 10 years older than me, and if it wasn't written on paper, you wouldn't even know it!

happy planning!

[Bostonbride6292008]

I really like the demeitros dress!

[myprincessgirlisa]

OOOOHHHHH

i like the 1st & the 3rd dresses!!!!!!!!
& the last tiara!!!!!

congrats on your dftw!!!!

i love platinum weddings & big fat fab wedding too!! also rich bride poor bride & married away!!!!lol good shows!!!!!

i think people that have issues with your age gap need to see that love is not about a number(well unless your under 18 & DF is 45:scared1: ) but you two are adults...i think its great you two "found" each other !!!

i LOVE horses...worked at the "saddle shop" for 5+years in IL!!!:goodvibes

[irisbud]

Ooohh... pretty dresses... they are very princessy... :)

Now I just hope that when I do go to try them on they look half as good on me! I really want the strapless kind, but I have no chest at all (32 A-AA depending on the store) so we will see...

Wow, all of those dresses are beautiful! I don't think its ever to early to start looking!

Glad to hear that! I think that I had better start looking. I am really picky about clothes and things and difficult to please. If there is one tiny thing on anything that I don't like I won't take a second look at it. I think it may take me a while to find a dress...

Hi irisbud - I've just read your PJ. Good for you and your wedding plans :)

I really like your choice in wedding dress pics :)

And urghh I wish I had American TV I would love to see those shows they sound like "train wreck TV" LOL

It was like a train wreck! It was hard to think that anyone would even want something like that. I mean, yuck. Plus she had a green veil, which she did wear over her face, and it made her look seasick or something. It was truly awful!

hi irisbud! that camo wedding is horrific. maybe it was a joke!!!

i LOVE all those bride shows on the WE. they got me through my last month or so before my wedding...

don't worry about your age difference. my husband is almost 10 years older than me, and if it wasn't written on paper, you wouldn't even know it!

happy planning!

I hope it was a joke! :scared1: BF actually said "what's wrong with that" :headache: . For his sake, I hope he was joking :rolleyes1 . In a lot of ways, I feel like I am older than Randy, even though he is 19 years older than me. I don't think that I would be happy with someone my own age, and we are good for eachother, so that is all that matters!

I really like the demeitros dress!

Thanks. I will have to see how they look on. I will probably end up with something totally different.

OOOOHHHHH

i like the 1st & the 3rd dresses!!!!!!!!
& the last tiara!!!!!

congrats on your dftw!!!!

i love platinum weddings & big fat fab wedding too!! also rich bride poor bride & married away!!!!lol good shows!!!!!

i think people that have issues with your age gap need to see that love is not about a number(well unless your under 18 & DF is 45:scared1: ) but you two are adults...i think its great you two "found" each other !!!

i LOVE horses...worked at the "saddle shop" for 5+years in IL!!!:goodvibes

I love all of those shows to, and I agree that age is just a number (in most cases, lol). Horses are the best! Well, doggies too!

Thanks for reading everyone!

[irisbud]

So, today is going to be a big day for me :cool2: .

First task: e-mail my sister.

Second task: Call my BFF and tell her the news :hug: (she has been away and unreachable for 2 weeks, urgh!). She graduates from USC this year, and has no idea where she will be next year. I would like for her to be co-MOH, but if she can't, I understand. We are only having 1-2 attendents each, so if she can't go we will only have 1 each.

Third Task: Visit my mom and tell her my news.

Fourth task: Call Disney FT Weddings and talk to someone. I just want to make sure I am doign the right things at the right times. I also would like for them to pencil me in if they will, but I don't know if they do that for EW or not. I know they can't confirm the WP until eight months out, but I would love to be penciled in! :dance3:

[Fantasia Sam]

don't worry about your age difference. my husband is almost 10 years older than me, and if it wasn't written on paper, you wouldn't even know it!



LOL me too Caryn (and no I wouldn't have known that from your pics!) my hubby is just over 10 older than me, so Irisbud your deffo in great company :)

Irisbud - good luck with your three tasks today, let us know how it goes. Wow kudos to your sister and her studies :) It's lovely to see you check on your sister's dates and that she means a lot to you :)

[irisbud]

Well, I got all four things accomplished that I wanted to get accomplished yesterday. The first thing that I did was call DFTW. I spoke to Dani (sp?), whoc was just the sweetest girl. She took all of my information, and asked me a lot of chatty questions that made me feel really comfortable. She told me that someone would be calling me back within three business days, so I am anxiously awaiting that call. Anyone who is nervous about calling, take the advice of others and don't be. As I have said before, I hate the phone, and it was an easy, plesant experience. :goodvibes

Next, I called Carley, my BFF. She was working when I talked to her, so we didn't get much chance to chat, but she was so excited and has agreed to be co MOH in my wedding! :banana:

The next call I made was to my sister Katie who won't be graduating until December of 2009, she said. She was also excited to be co MOH in my wedding! :woohoo:

Finally, I worked up the nerve to speak to my mother, and it wasn't great, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. She told be that she was "afraid of that" and that Randy is "too old" for me. I thought about arguing, but I decided that the best thing to do was say that I was really happy and excited, and I value her opinion, so I wish that she would be happy for me. She was never thrilled over the idea, but she wasn't overly rejecting of it, and did like the thought of a WDW wedding, so no immediate need for the :cool2: ! I understand where she is coming from, but I also don't think that I should end my relationship with Randy and try to find someone closer to my age just because he is older than me. That thought process makes no sense to me. Besides, I am older than me, if that makes sense. I just don't generally connect with other people my own age, unless they are mature as well. I am glad that it wasn't totally horrible. I do wish it had gone a little better, but I guess you can't have everything. :confused3

Will post more later!

Thanks for reading!

Amy

[mla1977]

Maybe all your mom needs is time to get to know Randy. I hope everything works out for you in the end.:hug:

[Fantasia Sam]

I understand where she is coming from, but I also don't think that I should end my relationship with Randy and try to find someone closer to my age just because he is older than me. That thought process makes no sense to me. Besides, I am older than me, if that makes sense.

Right all of that makes total sense Amy! I think the call went well and yay for the other tasks silly me I couldn't count yesterday clearly you had 4 tasks not 3 - I need more of this :teacher:

[irisbud]

Maybe all your mom needs is time to get to know Randy. I hope everything works out for you in the end.:hug:

I'm sure it will. My dad is ten years older than her, so I'm sure at some point she will just accept it. I hope so, at least. :goodvibes

Right all of that makes total sense Amy!

Glad it makes sense to someone! :teacher:

[padisneyfour]

congrats on getting things started.... sometimes that is the hardest step to make. look forward to hearing more of your plans

[irisbud]

Doreen from FTW called this morning! I was so excited to get my first call! She asked me if I had any questions, and I just totally blanked out! She told me that was okay, and said that she would send me an e-mail outline the answers to FAQs they usually get from brides.

Doreen told me that the WP can be booked at eight months (which I already knew thanks to these boards), and that I would be able to book on September 29, 2008 (September 28, 2008 is actually eight months from our date, but this falls on a Sunday).

Now that I got my FAQs, I thought of a couple of questions I want to ask, and maybe you all can help me out and keep me from sounding like a total idiot. :confused3

(1) I know there is an area for photos in the back of the WP, with an arched trellis of some kind. Can you see the castle through this trellis, does anyone know? If you can, is it possible to hold a wedding out here if the weather stays good, so long as you pay for the WP so you can have it for backup? We really want an outside wedding, but don't want to chance the weather and being stuck in a conference room or something (Hence the WP). The WP is beautiful, and I will be thrilled to be married there either way, but doing so outside would be great! :cloud9:

(2) Can you do a customized cake with an escape wedding (if you are willing to pay for it?) I don't want a huge cake or anything, and the cake that comes with the package is beautiful, but you are only married once (hopefully!) and I would like to have a cake that is more "us".

Some more wedding things:

Bridesmaid dress options:

I am wanting to do a sleveless dress with a removable sash tied around the front. We will likely do some form of darker blue and either silver or champagne for our wedding colors, so I would want the dress in blue and the sash in the lighter color. Or maybe one dress in blue with the lighter sash and one dress in the lighter color with a blue sash? I want my girls to have something they can wear again, so I definitly want the sash to be removable.

Option 1:

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/s08_f12441.jpg

Option 2:

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/DressOption2.jpg

I forgot where I got both of these from! I think they were from Ann Taylor Celebrations, but I am not sure! If not from there, they were from a search on the knot, so I will be able to find them again!

Potential Cake Topper Base:

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CakeTopperBase.jpg

Potential Cake Topper:

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CakeTopperBATB.jpg

I love Belle from Beauty and the Beast. This is the only Topper I have found so far that has the Beast after his transformation back into a prince. I don't think I really want Beast on my cake. BF may find it insulting... :rotfl:

Another Potential Cake Topper:

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CarouselHorseDisney.jpg

This is a lenox carousel horse with some of the Disney charachters on it. We love carousel horses. In fact, BF is planning on building a Miniature carousel after we get enough figurines. I thought maybe, if we got this as a topper, he could have everything built except this one, and it could be the last horse to go on, and the most important one! Or would it look cheesy as a cake topper? I would probably change the base somehow, as it would have to be removed for the mini-carousel anyway!

Thanks for reading!

Amy

[Fantasia Sam]

(1) I know there is an area for photos in the back of the WP, with an arched trellis of some kind. Can you see the castle through this trellis, does anyone know? If you can, is it possible to hold a wedding out here if the weather stays good, so long as you pay for the WP so you can have it for backup? We really want an outside wedding, but don't want to chance the weather and being stuck in a conference room or something (Hence the WP). The WP is beautiful, and I will be thrilled to be married there either way, but doing so outside would be great! :cloud9:

(2) Can you do a customized cake with an escape wedding (if you are willing to pay for it?) I don't want a huge cake or anything, and the cake that comes with the package is beautiful, but you are only married once (hopefully!) and I would like to have a cake that is more "us".



(1) yes you can see the castle from that shot. I believe that you can have your wedding out there if you do still pay the WP costs BUT I think there is a STRICT minimum (DFTW staff if you are reading this - forgive me if I'm talking rubbish LOL and I've got this wrong LOL)


(2) well I would have to say yes because anyone can pay for the GF bakery to make a cake anyway so I would deffo get Doreen to give you some upgrade prices!

[irisbud]

Hi everyone, thanks for reading!

Well, I sent an e-mail to Doreen with my questions this afternoon. We CAN NOT hold the wedding outside of the WP she sayd because there are no chairs and the organ cannot be heard out there. :confused3 . Um, put chairs out there and I don't care about the stinking organ; I thought we got a violinist :rotfl: . Anyway, it dosen't really matter; the WP is beautiful. However, when we secure our date, I will keep working on it ;) .

Doreen also said that we CAN upgrade our cake, and that a credit for the cost of the origional cake would be put towards the price of the new cake :banana: . She didn't have any options for me at this time, though, and said that after we book, I can send pictures and Disney will see what they can do. :goodvibes

I also asked about a room block. I was told that we can block 10 rooms at a 10% discount from rack rate :rolleyes: . I don't think we will need 10 rooms, so I am thinking we might be better off to book a Grand Gathering through Dreams Unlimited. Do they even book these, does anyone know? I've used DU before and can't reccommend them, highly enough. I've gotten better than 10% with AAA, so Disney's offer dosen't seem like a very good deal to me. Also, if we do the Grand Gathering, we could do one of the cool extra GG activiteis. The safari dinner looks awesome, and BF would love it! Has anyone done this? Thoughts? Suggestions? :idea:

I also asked about extra floral, and was told that my bridesmaids boquets would be $75-$150 each :scared: . I wanted rose petals down the aisle too, but they said $10 per bag. How many bags would this take, roughly :scared1: ? Does anyone know.

Finally, I asked about music. I like the violinist fine, but I wanted some Disney songs for the ceremony instead of traditional songs. Some songs I thought of were the theme from Spectromagic (we love this parade), the "transformation" orchestral from Beauty and the Beast, and the Beauty & the Beast theme song. She said that these shouldn't be a problem, and that they will try to accomodate music choices. :bride: .

Sorry for boring anyone, I just thought these answers may help some others.

[mla1977]

I'm on your side about this.

I often have to travel with DBF and his dad and brother. He gave me a lot of crap about going to DLR in 2006 and not bringiing his brother along with us. I told him it was wrong to take his brother out of school (esp since he wasn't doing very good to begin with) and he had just been a year earlier AND he would be joining us the following year at WDW. I was stessed and didn't enjoy myself as much because of his attitude. Fast forward a year to WDW. Traveling with his dad and brother is like traveling with two kids. I was thankful that my parents joined us (they do whatever I tell them to) because I was able to tell his dad where to go (in a good way, not in the way you think ;) ) and I was able to tour the world at my own pace. The times that we had everyone together were way to stressful for me and I had to retreat to my happy place (blocking everyone else out and enjoying the scenery).

Good luck getting him to agree with you. I would think that after a week, everyone else would be burned out and would be happy to head home while you tow went on your honeymoon.

[shezfrombermuda]

I share your pain with you about the cruise! I am also getting married on a Thursday and then leaving Sunday for a 4 night cruise. My situation is different though because I have two kids. My parents really wanted to go on the cruise as well. I don't have a problem with this since they will take care of the kids and give us some alone time. They are going to be at Disney 3 nights before the wedding.

My BIL and FIL say if you are going for 3 weeks we are going for 3 weeks!! I explained that we are not going for that long. His BIL is making sure he is on the same flight as us both ways, they are staying at the same hotel as us, and going on the cruise as well!!! And my FIL does not want to go to Disney and even said he has no desire to go on a cruise!:eek: Travelling with them is like traveling with two kids as well and they can't do anything on their own. After the cruise they are coming back to Orlando with us. I just hope they don't ruin the whole trip.

I don't know the answers to your other questions but I think it is proper etiquette for your bridesmaids to throw you a shower, not your mother. If she did have a shower she shouldn't have it at your house if she is the host!

[Fantasia Sam]

I also asked about a room block. I was told that we can block 10 rooms at a 10% discount from rack rate :rolleyes: . I don't think we will need 10 rooms, so I am thinking we might be better off to book a Grand Gathering through Dreams Unlimited. Do they even book these, does anyone know?



Real quick yes Dreams do do Grand Gatherings :) I'll come back on the other stuff {hug} in the morning - I'm off for an early night, urghh I hate the time difference sometimes.

[irisbud]

Hi ladies,

Why do school and work have to get in the way of DISsing?!? :laughing:

Well, BF and I went out for Valentine's day last night (try to beat the crowds), and he was asking me questions about how all the wedding stuff at Disney works and how the rooms, etc. would work out for our guests. I was explaining everything to him and he was very disappointed that there wasn't more of a discount avalible. At this point, he asked me what would be avalible as the time grew closer, and I told him, honestly, that I doubted anything would, as we would be going during summer season, and Disney really dosen't need to entice people to their rooms at that point. :rolleyes:

We also talked about how the parks would be crowded at that time, and how that was a concern for me. Many of our guests have never been to Disney and will probably never go again. Hosting them during summer has seemed like a dubious idea from the start, but BF origionally told me that he wanted to be married in late spring-early summer so that we could have a party back home. :goodvibes

I told him, honestly, that I think it would be better to do our wedding in mid January-mid February of 2009. Not only is this value season, the parks aren't nearly as crowded. He & I have always taken our trips during value season, and though I have been at others times, he has not (the park was a little crowded during early Jan this year, think 45-60 min waits for E-tickets, and he thought it was too full). I told him that he would not enjoy the summer as well, that it is hot & humid, crowded & expensive. By going in January instead of May, we would save $1500+ on our room at WDW and 4 night cruise! :banana:

So now we are seriously considering moving the date to sometimes in January of 2009, so long as everyone else is cool with that. My sister will be back in school, but she is a really good student and could probably miss a day or two if she had to. My mom will be teaching again then also, but it is easier for her to get time off in January than in May. :teacher:

I called some dress stores around here, and no one has any of the dresses I was considering :mad: , so now I am looking at these. Both are by Alfred Angelo:

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Pinkfront2.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Pinkback.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Backofpinkinwhite.jpg

The three above are all the same dress. I would want it in white instead of pink. I like that it is clean and fairly simple in the front but still beautiful and princessy in the back.

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/front.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/1708-600.jpg

This is the second dress I am thinking about. The second picture of it shows it in the color I am considering. BF really like this dress (I am letting him look at pics with me, but won't let him see the actual thing or me in it until our big day). I do too, but am not sure about the whole color thing. My biggest concern is that they won't have this color in the shop, so I will have to get it made and therefore won't know what it looks like exactly until I already own it. I like the color, but I don't want it to be too much. I guess I will just have to look at it.

If I got the dress with color, I would probably go BM dresses similar to this, in the same color blue as is on the dress, but with the ribbion in either champagne or silver, which ever we decide on as our second color.

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/6462-600.jpg

I am really lucky that both of my girls have about the same build, so what one looks good in the other will (hopefully). If they want, though, they can pick different dresses so long as they are similar and the same color.

Also, has anyone had any experience with seperates? I was looking at these for my girls on the Alfred Angelo site. There are some that I think would look nice together, but they don't look like they match. One looks shiney and the other matte, or something. I choose the same colors, but one looks darker. I know they are just pictures, but has anyone used this? I think it would be practical in some ways, but I want a polished, pulled together look. I just don't want something cheap looking. :scared1:

[OceanGdss]

I LOVE your dress picks!! (the 1st is my fave ;) ) I am using an alfred angelo design for both my dress and my BM's. I had to order mine online because no one around me had the dress I wanted, but I lucked out by doing this and got 75% off!!! So definately worth the trouble!

As for moving the date, I think that is a great idea. Being a fellow Disney "expert" I know the differences in the parks those times of year. Jan-Feb is MUCH better! (Just stay away from the 1st week of the year...New Years & Marathon crowds) You will enjoy it so much more in MHO. Best of luck in whatever you decide :hug:

ps~ Looks like we have the same colors!

[lpizzuro123]

I am also choosing an Alfred Angelo dress with color. I am going with a white dress with claret accents. I really wasn't thinking about color and then I tried one on and loved it. My girls (I have 3 of them) will be in Alfred Angelo also in the claret color but I am letting them each choose their own dress. AA has so many great BM dresses and most of them come in the 55 different colors that AA makes. They also have a great separates line so they can pick out their own skirt and their own top.

Looking forward to reading more.

Linda

[lpizzuro123]

As far as the AA separates go - we have looked at them in a few different stores and they look much nicer in person then on the website. Some of the skirts look duller on the website, I think those skirts have like a chiffon material the others that look shiny are a satin type material. My girls have tried both on and they do mix and match well with the tops.

There are also some great bolaro style jackets that are not on the website and some shawls. The jackets come in a short sleeve and 3/4 sleeve. Not sure of the prices - someone on the boards said the jackets were on the expensive side. Honestly when we did our first dress outing we were not looking at prices that closely.

Happy shopping.

Linda

[irisbud]

I LOVE your dress picks!! (the 1st is my fave ;) ) I am using an alfred angelo design for both my dress and my BM's. I had to order mine online because no one around me had the dress I wanted, but I lucked out by doing this and got 75% off!!! So definately worth the trouble!

As for moving the date, I think that is a great idea. Being a fellow Disney "expert" I know the differences in the parks those times of year. Jan-Feb is MUCH better! (Just stay away from the 1st week of the year...New Years & Marathon crowds) You will enjoy it so much more in MHO. Best of luck in whatever you decide :hug:

ps~ Looks like we have the same colors!

I think that we are definitely going to move our date up. we are changing our date to 01-22-2009, if it is avalible.

I love the colors!

I am also choosing an Alfred Angelo dress with color. I am going with a white dress with claret accents. I really wasn't thinking about color and then I tried one on and loved it. My girls (I have 3 of them) will be in Alfred Angelo also in the claret color but I am letting them each choose their own dress. AA has so many great BM dresses and most of them come in the 55 different colors that AA makes. They also have a great separates line so they can pick out their own skirt and their own top.

Looking forward to reading more.

Linda

As far as the AA separates go - we have looked at them in a few different stores and they look much nicer in person then on the website. Some of the skirts look duller on the website, I think those skirts have like a chiffon material the others that look shiny are a satin type material. My girls have tried both on and they do mix and match well with the tops.

There are also some great bolaro style jackets that are not on the website and some shawls. The jackets come in a short sleeve and 3/4 sleeve. Not sure of the prices - someone on the boards said the jackets were on the expensive side. Honestly when we did our first dress outing we were not looking at prices that closely.

Happy shopping.

Linda

I think they have a lot of great options to. This is what I am going to do with my girls, just let them choose what they want so long as it is the right color and from the AA line, so everything matches somewhat. I want them to have something they love and can wear again. Glad to hear that the seperates look better in person than on the internet. One of my girls is two different sizes (top and bottom), so seperates may be the way to go for her.

Thanks everyone for reading!

[irisbud]

Opinions please!

When did you register? We only want to do two registries. I want to do the Disney Honeymoon registry and BB&B or the like. BF just wants to do Disney Honeymoon, but I told him I think we should offer another option for people who like to give tangible gifts. I said we could just choose a few things, and if asked tell people that we really perfer them to give us gifts from the Disney registry. He says we don't need anything for the house anyway, but I think we can always look at getting upgrades for what we have :idea: ! I was thinking we could just pick a few things we really like and go from there. He wishes they had a registry at Home Depot :eek:

Does anyone think the whole registry thing is wierd? I mean, we are going to do it because I know the tastes of some of our guests :scared: and I would rather guide them in the correct direction, but it seems sort of greedy, in a way. I guess that dosen't make much sense, but it does me me feel a little odd. :confused3

BF gave me the sweetes card last night. He never does anything like that, so I wasn't expecting it, and found it laying on my pillow when I got ready for bed. He found a Mickey Mouse card that said "I love you with all my heart". It was so cute and sweet I nearly cried :lovestruc . I know I'm going to be a blubbering wreck at our wedding... :sad1:

Thanks for reading!

Amy

[OceanGdss]

Aww..thats so sweet about the card!

As for dress shopping, I don't think it will be too wierd to take him shopping with you. I went to a few places when I was shopping and saw several fiances there. Its up to the individual bride these days. If you get treated like aliens just tell them he is your friend....or just tell them to hush up! LoL

I can see your point in wanting a "tangible" registry. (LoL at the Home Depot thing:rotfl: ) We're using the Disney Honeymoon Registry. We need nothing for the house and I love everything we have so don't really need "upgrades" but I may do the same thing as you eventually...go to BB&B or something. Tell DF that while you know both of you really want Disney items, some people may not understand the Disney Registry and thus want to get you more "traditional" gifts. :cutie:

Best of luck! Now you'll be getting married just about a month after us!!! :cool1:

[B2B-2008]

Just caught up with your PJ. We are getting married in July and I must admit I'm worried about crowds and to be honest thinking about it now if I could choose the date again I would have a December/January wedding. But we have already moved our wedding date back once I just want to get married now. We also had to do it in the school holidays as my SIL is a teacher and my niece is still in school.

I love the pink wedding dress, I wanted a pink one but I couldn't carry the colour off.

[irisbud]

Aww..thats so sweet about the card!

As for dress shopping, I don't think it will be too wierd to take him shopping with you. I went to a few places when I was shopping and saw several fiances there. Its up to the individual bride these days. If you get treated like aliens just tell them he is your friend....or just tell them to hush up! LoL

I can see your point in wanting a "tangible" registry. (LoL at the Home Depot thing:rotfl: ) We're using the Disney Honeymoon Registry. We need nothing for the house and I love everything we have so don't really need "upgrades" but I may do the same thing as you eventually...go to BB&B or something. Tell DF that while you know both of you really want Disney items, some people may not understand the Disney Registry and thus want to get you more "traditional" gifts. :cutie:

Best of luck! Now you'll be getting married just about a month after us!!! :cool1:

:cool1: I'm getting so excited now! Funny what moving the date up can do! BTW, I found out Home Depot does have a registry! :scared1: I am hoping to keep this informaion from BF, so I won't be opening circular saws, etc at my shower :rolleyes: . Imagine trying to get that home on the plane if one of our guests "thoughtfully" gave us one following the wedding :scared:

Just caught up with your PJ. We are getting married in July and I must admit I'm worried about crowds and to be honest thinking about it now if I could choose the date again I would have a December/January wedding. But we have already moved our wedding date back once I just want to get married now. We also had to do it in the school holidays as my SIL is a teacher and my niece is still in school.

I love the pink wedding dress, I wanted a pink one but I couldn't carry the colour off.


I look good in pink, but not that much pink. I'm sure everything will be fine with your date. I had school issues as well, but luckily everything worked out. :teacher:

[irisbud]

Monday was dress shopping day one, and only! :cool1: I asked my Mom to go with me, trying to get her involved. I was origionally planning on just looking and trying to get an idea of what actually looks good on me before my appointment that would have been this coming Saturday to try on the dresses I thought I wanted. I chose David's Bridal for this initial look.

We went into the store and it was like a mad house. Even though I had an appointment, I had to wait until after three PM just to start trying things on. Our lady was not very helpful, as she was so distracted. They made me choose shoes (I tried to get flats but there were none in my size. Then I wanted to go barefoot, but she said I had to wear shoes so they could tell how to alter the dress :confused3 . I had already told her I was NOT buying, just looking!). Then, she gave me this huge slip that was sort of broken. My mom had to help me get into it in the tiny cubical. Forty minutes later (no, I am not exaggerating) the lady brought the first dress, after my mom hunted her down. I was so relieved, as I was feeling clautrophobic in that cell, er, dressing room, and I am not claustrophobic in the slightest!

Anyway, it was not a good experience overall. There was a Bridezilla on one of the stands near me, and a Momzilla across the room, which made the atmosphere unplesent. Bridezilla gave dirty looks to anyone who dared try on dresses while she did and whined about people being in "her area" during her "private appointment". Momzilla complained about everything and told her skinny, lovely daughter how ugly and fat she was :sad1: :sad2: . My mom and I may not always get along, but she would never say that to me. In fact, she told me how beautiful all of the dresses made me :hug: .

I tried on several dresses. I liked a few, and didn't like a lot. The lady helping us frustrated me because she wouldn't bring us anything we asked to see. If she thought I liked something, she would bring over more like it, even though I told her repeatedly that I wanted to try several different styles to see what I liked. I know she was doing her job, but we asked to see a specific dress at least five times before she finally brought it over. It was odd, I liked either plain and simply or totally princess poufy and nothing in between.

The last dress that I tried on was an Oleg Cassini I had seen in several magazines and loved. I didn't love the price so much, though. I liked it alot and sort of debated on it (there was a sale) but in the end I couldn't do it. I had been told that you know it is the one when you put it on, and I was still waiting for that feeling.

We left with nothing, as intended. My mom suggested that we try a store that my sister had gotten bridesmaid dresses from before. I agreed, and we went to this small salon. The lady inside was very friendly, and told us to feel free to look around, and to tell her if we found anything to try on. The dresses here were not dirty like the ones at David's were, which was nice. We found a couple of dresses, and she led us into a large room that had ample space for all three of us at once, a mirror, a bench, and a stand. She also gave me a better bra to use :laughing: . I had a strapless on, but things kept hanging up in it, and the pink band hanging out of the dresses just looked bad :rotfl:

I tried on a couple (she was so patient doing laceups), and she told us to see if we could find anything else. I tried a Maggie that I liked, but it was very high too. Then there were two. My mom had found this lovely dress that had peral beading all over the top, beautiful and tastefully done. The skirt was plain, but very beautiful with a chapel length train and gorgeous material. It flared slightly at the hips without looking tentlike, and was actually flattering for me, as I have no shape. The dress was two pice, but did not look like it at all once it was on. This made it more comfotable for me. I am really short waisted. I liked all of the corset topped style dresses, but they dug into me because the bottoms always came to way below my hips. I put this dress on and I got the "the one" feeling. It made me feel beautiful; very glamerous and elengent. The lady found me a veil with pearl edging, which complemented it very well. I did not care how much this cost; it was going to be mine! My mom loved it as well.

The lady had me try on one more. She loved the pearl beading one too, but said I should be sure. I tried on the last dress, and I really liked it too. I had the same feeling in it. It was a very princess dress. My mom liked it as well, but pointed out that it made me look very young, which was true. I put the pearl one back on, and said that I had to have it, no matter the cost. It was a Bonny, and we were guessing around 600-800 dollars, judging by the prices we had seen. The tag was missing.

We went to the register to pay, and the lady used the style number (385) to look it up. It was on sale, get ready for this....





$99

I couldn't believe it! With tax, the dress, veil, and bag costs $185! :cool1: . The seamstress talked to us about alterations (it needs to be taken in slightly in the chest :rolleyes: and have a bustle put it). She said the dress had been there for a while becuase it was not flattering on most people. She said if you have any hips at all, it makes you look huge. She told me it had been discontinued, and that I was the first person she had ever seen truly look good in it, which was nice of her, even if not true. :cutie: She also said their alterations are guaranteed to never exceed $115, and estimated mine at $50-$75! So I will come in at $300 no matter what! :dance3:

I wish had gotten a picture! I can't find one ANYWHERE as it is discontinued. Here is a picture of a similar top, also by Bonny:

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/dress.jpg

I was thrilled! It was ironic, because I probably would have never looked at it if I had seen the price, as I would have determined it must have been flawed or of poor quality. We examined it thorougly and could not find a single thing wrong with it!

I ordered this tiara (also on sale) before buying the dress. I will look great because of the seed pearls:

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/tiara.jpg

Closeup:

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/tiaracloseup.jpg

I was going to wear my pearls, but they looked yellow near the dress when I tried them out in the store, so this weekend, I am going to look at this necklace. It is by Swarovski, and also has tiny seed pearls in it. I think it will match the tiara well enough:

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Floralnecklace.jpg

Finally, what do you think of these earrings? There are two or three tiny pearls on them as well, though they are hard to see:

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Everlasting.jpg

Does all of that match well enough?


Now that I am dressed, we are also thinking of doing a venue change. $1000 for the WP seems high. It would be very special, but it is our wedding day, and anywhere will be very special. We love the BWI as well so or thinking SBP. I will just tell the photographers to do their best to keep Swan & Dolphin out of our pics. I think that I would regret spending the extra money somewhere down the road, so I am hoping to get the okay to put a deposit on SBP soon!

Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions?

Thanks for reading, everyone!

[lov2b@disney]

How Awesome :cool1: about your dress price!! Especially since you loved it even before you knew the price!!!!

[padisneyfour]

What an awesome deal on a beautiful sounding dress!!!! Congrats!!!!:thumbsup2

[Gillian]

What wonderful luck with the dress! it sounds beautiful, and what a deal! Almost as cheap as Goodwill. :cool1:

[irisbud]

How Awesome :cool1: about your dress price!! Especially since you loved it even before you knew the price!!!!

What an awesome deal on a beautiful sounding dress!!!! Congrats!!!!:thumbsup2

What wonderful luck with the dress! it sounds beautiful, and what a deal! Almost as cheap as Goodwill. :cool1:

Thanks! I WISH I had a picture of it. I sent an e-mail to Bonny directly to see if they had an archived picture, but there has been no response (I didn't expect one). I will have to go and get a pic of it sometime, I guess. Right now I hate to tell people about my great deal. Most of them get this odd look on their face. I know they think its a rag or something :rotfl2: .

Gillian, it's funny that you say that about Goodwill. When I called BF to tell him about my incredible luck, he got really quiet and didn't say much. I knew that he was thinking that that is where we bought this dress. My mom used to buy us stuff from there. We had money, she is just, er, frugal ;) . I KNOW he was thinking that she drug me to Goodwill and forced it on me. Silly man, dosen't he know that, since the Goodwill years, I REFUSE to wear used clothes :laughing: .


Just a small update:

I e-mailed Doreen today and the date is now set. We decided last night that we can do a lot of things with $1000, especially since who is paying for what and how much hasn't been set in stone (we'll pay it all if we have to, so no worries). Also, BF thought the WP would look too empty with just a small number of guests, so we are booked for January 22, 2009 at noon at Sea Breeze Point. :banana:

I can't do a deposit or sign a LoA until they decide their 2009 rates, so I hope that they don't soar astronomically. doreen said this will probably occur around May of 2009. But I am in for my spot and no one can take it from me.

My only concern is weather. It looks like when it rains that time of year it does it either late in the morning or late in the afternoon. I was going to choose the 10:30 timeslot in an effort to minimize risk, but it turns out the early time is 10:00. My guests (including attendants) are not early risers, so to minimize grumblings and drama, I chose noon. That extra half hour seemed like a lot of difference, for some reason :confused3 . Already hoping for sun :goodvibes

Thanks for reading!

[lov2b@disney]

Congrats on your date!! We have been to Disney the last 2 years at that time of January and had nice weather, hoping for a nice :goodvibes: day for you!

[padisneyfour]

Glad you got your date and slot..... that along with the savings on the dress you are on a streak!!!:goodvibes

[irisbud]

Hi ladies!

I have accomplished quite a bit (I think) in the past week and have some new pictures to share! (Everybody loves pictures, right?!? :lmao: ).

Let's start with jewelry:

I can't believe how well all of this came together! Before I even bought my dress, I had already chosen a tiara. Once I got the dress with all of the pearl beading, I decided that I definatly wanted to continue the theme of crystal flowers with pearl centers that was found in my tiara:

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG0937.jpg

I posted pics of the tiara before, but here it is again.

Last Saturday, I went with a good friend of mine to the Swarovski store in the St. Louis Galleria and purchased the floral necklace that I posted a while ago. I don't have any goo closeups of it :confused3 : .

That same day, we found these shoes:

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG0956.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG0958.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG0955.jpg

The crystals aren't in a flower pattern, but we felt that it still worked to have the crystal design surrounding the pearl. Besides, they will be under my dress.

Earrings were the worst part. I swear, I looked at all kinds of jewelry stores and over 200 web pages before finding some. I tried on some of the Swarovskis that I posted earlier, but they were so big and fabulous that they looked like they were wearing me, if that makes sense. I want my jewelry to accent me, not the other way around.

Finally, I found these:

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG0942.jpg

They are like a cheap version of the Swarovski necklace (in fact they came with a necklace very similar, but very different in quality (the necklace & earrings set cost about 1/4 of what the Swarovski necklace alone cost :scared1: ). I don't mind, though. They follow the same theme, and I am really not a big earring person, so going chintzy on them was fine by me. I doubt I will ever wear them again, considering it has been 7+ years since I last wore earring (somehow, my holes were still open) :rotfl: . They are OK, but they are like, too shiny, I guess. I don't think it will be noticable, though. I will wear the necklace again.

I can't believe I found all of these things to match so close when they all came from different stores and different mfgs! :cool1:

Here is all the jewelry together:

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG0948.jpg

The jewelry and the shoes together:

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG0953.jpg

Bad pictures of me wearing the jewelry (please ignore the plant I killed in the background):

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG0968.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG0963.jpg

More in the next post... :surfweb:

[irisbud]

The first thing that I did stationary wise was our Save the Date cards

I decided that I didn’t want to just buy these out of the box, so I would “save” money by making them myself. :rotfl: Also, I have heard that the STD is the first thing many of your guests see regarding your wedding (ew, that abbreviation is nasty. It ranks right up there with the one for Brides Maid…) I wanted it to fit into our (my) whole elegant and chic thing and nothing out of a box worked.

I went to Michael’s and bouth 12x12 dark blue (don’t remember the exact name, sorry) metallic paper for the outsides, and 12x12 polar sea metallic paper for the insets. I was planning on cutting the outsides to 6x6, but the paper was actually 11 15/16 x 12 :headache: so I had to use an exacto knife to cut each square to 5 15/16 x 5 15/16. They had to be perfect squares in order for my idea to work.

After cutting the squares, I found the exact center of each with a series of measures ments, and folded each corner into the center, pressing the folds with a wooden ruler to make them smooth and uniform.

After testing the folds, I was left with a square of 4X4 in the center. I used my exacto knife to cut the lighter blue paper to 4X4. On this paper, I printed the STD announcement. I then used a glue stick to glue the two papers together.

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG0872.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG0873.jpg

After letting them dry, I folded the corners down, and sealed the middle with a silver entwined heart sticker. I have silver envelopes for them as well.

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG0882.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG0889.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG0888.jpg

I couldn’t help myself and stop there, so I decided to work on other stationary projects :rolleyes:

I made some invitation templates next using the same two blue papers and some different whites/clear as an inside mat:

A
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG0895.jpg

B
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG0904.jpg

B Detail

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG0909.jpg

C

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG0913.jpg

C Detail

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG0912.jpg

All together:

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG0927.jpg

We have decided to go with the B format. It matches our stickers well. We though A looked like birthday wrapping paper. C was similar to B, but difficult to see. I am going to send out "Be my Bridesmaid" cards like this. We haven't decided if we are just going to do intives in this format with an RSVP in the envelop, or if we will do Cards and Pockets with all of the inside papers in this format.

Comments? Ideas? Suggestions?

Thanks for reading!

Amy

[Lizby]

Your Save the Dates (passing on the abbreviation... :lmao: ) are beautiful! They are very creative and also classy looking. How many are you sending out? I would have gotten sick of the measuring and cutting after the first one!

[Lynn5700]

You made out great with the price of your dress..Good for you!!!

The save the dats look great and so do the invites.

Your jewelery is gorgeous and I love those shoes!!!

[irisbud]

Your Save the Dates (passing on the abbreviation... :lmao: ) are beautiful! They are very creative and also classy looking. How many are you sending out? I would have gotten sick of the measuring and cutting after the first one!

I think I have 12 to send out. I made like 20 though, because they were so easy to mess up. I asked BF what he thought (I know, I know) and he said "hm, those are nice. How much did they cost? :sad2:

You made out great with the price of your dress..Good for you!!!

The save the dats look great and so do the invites.

Your jewelery is gorgeous and I love those shoes!!!

Thanks so much! I have gotten really lucky and gotten good deals on most everything (yeah for on sale!) except the necklace :eek: .

Thanks for reading everyone!

[Gillian]

I really like the stationary! I do layers of paper like that for everything, even DS's valentines cards (he's 7 & he helped & we only had to make 10 but then he got into it and made one for my mom, my dad, the dog)

We had a lot more invitations than most of you guys, but we still had to stick them together because our friend designed them and they were custom printed. They're not as nice as the ones I see here though!

[keenercam]

You did a beautiful job on your save the dates! That was a lot of work but the result is so beautiful and professional looking! :thumbsup2

[irisbud]

I really like the stationary! I do layers of paper like that for everything, even DS's valentines cards (he's 7 & he helped & we only had to make 10 but then he got into it and made one for my mom, my dad, the dog)

We had a lot more invitations than most of you guys, but we still had to stick them together because our friend designed them and they were custom printed. They're not as nice as the ones I see here though!

You did a beautiful job on your save the dates! That was a lot of work but the result is so beautiful and professional looking! :thumbsup2

Thanks for the compliments :cutie:

Thanks everyone for reading

[irisbud]

It looks like I have some more things coming together. I have moved my reservation to Dreams Unlimited. I have worked with them before, and they are fabulous, so I feel better! I hope that some of my guests will be willing to book through them as well.

I have also been looking into offsite accomidations for our guests . I am thinking that the Dreams Villas might be a great choice for BF's family. You can get a 4 bedroom villa for $109/night! That's a great deal. The only thing is that you have to stay 7 nights, but it could be an option.

I have sent e-mails to some officiants, but have not heard anything back from any of them yet. I also requested to receive an information packet from Reverend Jack Day.

I booked Patricia LeJune for my hair and makeup. I was going to book Ana because I really like her work, but Carrie (lurkyloo) looked so great in her photos that I decided to take a look at Patrica LeJune's site and really liked what I saw, so that is booked.

Here are some pictures of my newsletter (all six pages of it :rotfl2: ):

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Photo_022708_001.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Photo_022708_002.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Photo_022708_003.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Photo_022708_004.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Photo_022708_005.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Photo_022708_006.jpg

Thanks for reading!

[irisbud]

Yesterday I went shopping for Bridesmaids dresses with my mom and my sister. I knew that I wanted them to be blue, and about what shade I wanted them to be. I also knew that I wanted them to be knee length and classy looking. As long as they fell within those guidelines, I didn't care. I want my girls to feel pretty and comfortable in their dresses. They don't have to match exactly, just the color and hopefully the length. I told my sister to pick out anything she liked and try it on. I told her that if I really hated it, I would let her know.

We went to the same place where I had picked out my dress. My mom knew that I was really upset that I hadn't gotten any pictures of my dress when we were there and couldn't find it online anywhere. She asked one of the ladies in the shop if we could try it on again for my sister to see and so that we could get pictures, and the lady was happy to pull it out for us! :cool1: So, here are some pictures of my dress (sorry I am headless in most of them, the room was smallish, and it was so crowded there that day that we didn't want to take up space in the outside room when space was at such a premium). :

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG0972.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG0976.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG0973.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG0974.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG0978.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG0981.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG0982.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG0983.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG0984.jpg

We didn't find anything for my sister at that store, so we went to David's Bridal, where I found the exact color I wanted. We pulled out some short dresses that she thought she would like, and I also pulled down a couple of long dresses, only because they were the only things I could fin in the store that were in the color, Serene. I figured that if we loved the color and loved a dress, we could order the dress in that color :idea:

She tried on all of the short dresses first, and we didn't love any of them. Then she tried on the long dresses. Wow, they made such a difference on her! The short dresses really made her look short and like a little girl, even though she is twenty. I hadn't really thought about her being a whole head shorter than me. So, a long dress it was for her. I am hoping the other girls will be happy in long dresses as well. If not, they can wear knee length or tea length dresses, I suppose.

This is the dress we picked out for my sister (also on sale for $99!). It happened to fit and be the right color :cool1: . It will just need to be hemmed:

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG0992.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG0991.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG0994.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG0993.jpg

I love this dress on her, and she did too! It was the first time all day that she smiled. I think she looks beautiful in it.

My mom also gave me my Grandma's wedding ring so that I can have it redone. When my BF and I looked at it, we decided that we would like to keep it as intact as possible. Ironically, the band is the exact same as the one on my e-ring (really thin yellow gold) and the diamonds are set high off the ring, and held in with white gold prongs, just like my e-ring. They look like they could be a set even though they arent!

We have to get it sized, and they need to do something with the stones so they can lay together better, but we know a good jewler who can do this. I will try to take a picture later. Nothing I've taken so far has turned out.

Thanks for reading!

[Lizby]

You look beautiful in your dress! I love the detailing on it and it fits you perfectly. :cutie: Your sister's dress is very pretty too! I especially like the lace-up back...I haven't seen a lot of bridesmaids dresses like that and it looks great! The color is also very flattering on her.

[Gillian]

Beautiful! I love your gown -- it looks great on you -- and your sister's dress is lovely as well. Very pretty. And what great bargains. :)

[keenercam]

Your gown is gorgeous on you! And your sister looks so beautiful in that gown. What a pretty choice! Very unique! Your other attendants should love it!

[irisbud]

You look beautiful in your dress! I love the detailing on it and it fits you perfectly. :cutie: Your sister's dress is very pretty too! I especially like the lace-up back...I haven't seen a lot of bridesmaids dresses like that and it looks great! The color is also very flattering on her.

Thank you! The laceup back was a great help. We could make it the right size pretty easily using that!

Beautiful! I love your gown -- it looks great on you -- and your sister's dress is lovely as well. Very pretty. And what great bargains. :)

Thanks! I usually am not a bargin hunter, but sometimes there are things I can't pass up!

Your gown is gorgeous on you! And your sister looks so beautiful in that gown. What a pretty choice! Very unique! Your other attendants should love it!


Thank you! Unfortunatly, the gown my sister is wearing was discontinued. The other girls will be lucky if they find it, but if not as long as they wear something in the same length and same color it dosen't matter to me. I want them all to feel beautiful and be happy with their choices.

Thanks for reading!

[newyearsbride]

Your dress is GORGEOUS:love: ! I love it! Your BM dresses are very very pretty, I love that color!

[irisbud]

Hi ladies!

I went with one of my other bridesmaids last night and we picked out a dress for her. They just happened to have the dress in the correct size and the correct color on the rack, so we didn't even have to order it! I don't think she will even need many alterations done, especially once she is wearing shoes!

Ugh, I keep having bad experiences at David's. I wouldn't deal with them anymore, except they have the color I want for BM dresses and they are fairly cheap on them. While my BM was changin out of the dress and back into her clothes, the saleslady cornered me and told me that I needed to order all of the dresses NOW for all of my BMs or else they wouldn't have them as they have so much turnover. I explained to her that all of my girls are built differently and I just want them to have dresses the same color and length. She told me that this did not look good and it is a bad idea :mad: I wanted to tell her that I didn't care about her opinion at all, but I just smiled and told her thanks for the advice. :rolleyes1

The lady at David's took FOREVER to put this in a bag. In the meantime, I thought me and BM would die as we were trying not to bust out laughing. There was this woman in there for alterations, and she was walking around the store waiting for her appt. She was wearing this sort of long T-shirt (just past the rear) and it looked like she had no bottoms on. We never figured out if she did or not, but as soon as we got out the door, we doubled over laughing. It was such a horrible sight :scared1: . Besides, it was freezing cold here and puring down rain yesterday :confused3

Pictures of my BM in her dress:

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG1017.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG1018.jpg


http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG1019.jpg

Do you think the bustle part needs a brooch on it? The sales lady suggested a ribbon or a sash, but I am thinking that would look tacky. A brooch might look tacky too. I like it fine the way it is, really, but my tastes tend to lean towards classic and plain :rolleyes:

Do you ladies think that a silvery wrap would look good with these dresses, or should I get them wraps in the same color? I am afraid that it may be a bit chilly for them in January. Or do you think I should just let it go?
Now BM has a dress, Sister (MOH) has a dress. Just one more dress (BFF MOH) to go!


Here are some pictures of the invites I have been working on. I am using the same papers I used for my save the dates. I ordered the silver cards and pockets folders, along with silver envelopes for both the invites and the RSVPs. I will put the actual invite on the main page. In the folder I will have the RSVP, info on our festivities, and one sheet for whatever I feel is pertinent when we get closer to the time. I wanted to get a head start, as these take FOREVER!

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG1020.jpg
Invite when closed

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG1025.jpg
Detail on closure (this is my stealth match of my jewelry!)

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG1037.jpg
Invite after opening flap

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG1049.jpg
Invite open

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG1043.jpg
Invite mainpage

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG1045.jpg
Invite mainpage detail

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG1042.jpg
Pocket portion of invite (RSVP< RSVP envelope, festivities page, etc...)

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG1040.jpg
Detail on pocket page (super stealthy jewelry reference again!)

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG1052.jpg
Back of invite



Thanks for reading everyone!

[newyearsbride]

I love love love the BM dresses! I like the bustle just the way it is, honestly. I really like your invites! Where did you get them?

[irisbud]

I love love love the BM dresses! I like the bustle just the way it is, honestly. I really like your invites! Where did you get them?

Urgh, stupid photobucket! I spent forever rotating all of these pictures and saving them, and it just left them the way they were anyway!

Thanks! I like the dress that way too, but sometimes I am described as "boring" so I wasn't sure ;) :surfweb:

I got my invites from cardsandpockets . com . I ordered the silver signature folders. The paper for the insides I got from Michael's. I also got the ribbion and velcro from Michael's. I got the crystals and pearl beads from Walmart. I don't think they will be too bad to make now that I have everything all measured out, just time consuming...

[Keira1387]

I really like the BM dresses! Great choices!!

[irisbud]

I really like the BM dresses! Great choices!!

Thanks! :goodvibes

[Lisacope]

Is the color of your BM dress slate blue? I have my DSis wearing slate blue and we have had a devil of a time finding a swatch of the fabric! David's Bridal is such a pain!

[irisbud]

Is the color of your BM dress slate blue? I have my DSis wearing slate blue and we have had a devil of a time finding a swatch of the fabric! David's Bridal is such a pain!

No, ours are "serene". They probably change the names of the colors periodically to make things more confusing! :laughing: They don't have a lot of dresses in this color. :headache: I have been happy with the ones we have found, though. If you want "apple" or some of the other colors, they have almost EVRYTHING. :rolleyes:

I asked for a fabric swatch, JIC, and they told me they don't have any :rolleyes1

I really don't like that place :cool2:

[PrincessBride010103]

This probably isn't the biggest compliment in the world, but your BM kinda looks like Jamie Lynn Spears :)

Sorry about your experience with Davids :hug: :hug: They suck!

[irisbud]

This probably isn't the biggest compliment in the world, but your BM kinda looks like Jamie Lynn Spears :)

Sorry about your experience with Davids :hug: :hug: They suck!

I never noticed before, believe it or not. You're right she does! Actually, more so in person than in the photo. They are about the same age too, except BM is not pregnant!

[Gillian]

Pretty dresses. I like the bustle thing plain too. I'm sure they were just trying to sell you ribbon or more $$ alterations.

Different dresses in the same length & color looks great, especially if the dresses are actually flattering to the people wearing them! Stupid David's bridal.

The invitations are looking good too! Do you have a macro setting on your camera? The symbol usually looks like a tulip. It's better for closeups.

[Beep]

Hi Amy, everything looks lovely - especially you in your dress! I love the detailing on the bodice, and the skirt works well with it. Your jewellery is a fantastic match.

The bridesmaid dresses are really classy, and I love the colour. I agree about the bustle too - leave it plain.

You've done a great job on the STD cards (I nearly put 'on your STD' but it didn't read quite right lol) and the invitations are lovely.

It sounds like David's Bridal are a nightmare to deal with. I had a bit of an 'experience' at the first bridal shop I went to and wouldn't go near them again. The second was so good I ordered my dress, and I had originally gone in to get the sizing of the dress right that I was going to order from the internet at half the price. I haggled hard and got a free tiara and storage in the price of the dress so got a good deal. Not as good as yours though! What a fantastic price!!

[irisbud]

Pretty dresses. I like the bustle thing plain too. I'm sure they were just trying to sell you ribbon or more $$ alterations.

Different dresses in the same length & color looks great, especially if the dresses are actually flattering to the people wearing them! Stupid David's bridal.

The invitations are looking good too! Do you have a macro setting on your camera? The symbol usually looks like a tulip. It's better for closeups.

I think that my camera does have this setting, I will have to check! I hope so because it stinks for closeups. I try every option avalible and they are still blurry! Thanks for the info!

Hi Amy, everything looks lovely - especially you in your dress! I love the detailing on the bodice, and the skirt works well with it. Your jewellery is a fantastic match.

The bridesmaid dresses are really classy, and I love the colour. I agree about the bustle too - leave it plain.

You've done a great job on the STD cards (I nearly put 'on your STD' but it didn't read quite right lol) and the invitations are lovely.

It sounds like David's Bridal are a nightmare to deal with. I had a bit of an 'experience' at the first bridal shop I went to and wouldn't go near them again. The second was so good I ordered my dress, and I had originally gone in to get the sizing of the dress right that I was going to order from the internet at half the price. I haggled hard and got a free tiara and storage in the price of the dress so got a good deal. Not as good as yours though! What a fantastic price!!

Thank you so much :cutie: .

Thanks for reading everyone!

[IndyBride]

Everything is looking great! I love the little "jewels" on the intives. Good luck in the future of your planning!

[irisbud]

Everything is looking great! I love the little "jewels" on the intives. Good luck in the future of your planning!

Thanks!

[irisbud]

Hi ladies! I am at ten months today! :woohoo:

I went to Michael's the night before last and was taking a look at their silk florals. I think that I am going to do my bridesmaids boquets this way, as it will save me a lot of money. I will try to do one first and see how it turns out, though :idea: . I am doing the stephanotis with perals in the tussy mussy holder as my boquet, so I will do something similar, only do a ribbion wrap for my girls. I hope I can pull it off, but the bridesmaids boquet prices are pretty steep, and the rose wands are pretty but they don't go with my theme :guilty: . If not, we'll just fork over the money for boquets :eek: .

OT, but My dad brought his doggy up to visit us for the weekend. Here is a picture of my furbaby (Petey) and my dad's doggie (Buster). Petey is in the foreground, and Buster in the background:

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/The%20puppies/PeteyandtheBusIII.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/The%20puppies/PeteyandtheBus.jpg

Thanks for reading!

[Goldeelox9]

Hi there! I love you PJ so far. Don't worry about the age thing, my Mom was 10 years older then my dad. Talk about the crap they had to hear. LOL Your dress is awesome, it looks like it was made for you! I love the color for your BMs too. I would skip the wrap, they can be such a pain (I know I wore them in two weddings in the past two years...LOL). January is the BEST time to go to WDW. It is when I always go. I am sad that we arn't getting married in January so we can have our anniversary trips in January. I can't wait to read more!

[irisbud]

Hi ladies!

I was playing around with the silk flowers that I purchased from Michael's and came up with a bouquet idea that I think will work for my girls. I am thinking I want something fairly small for them, but still nice. Let me know what you think. Are the TOO fake looking?:

Bouquet as a whole:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Flowers015.jpg

Bouquet closer on flowers:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Flowers008-1.jpg

Floral part of bouquet only:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Flowers007-1.jpg

Bouquet with my picture of Belle from MGM:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Flowers016.jpg

Whole Bouquet with picture of Belle (I will cut the excess stems off later)
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Flowers017.jpg

Closer views of flowers:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Flowers019.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Flowers013.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Flowers012-1.jpg

Closeup of Stephanotis (I glued a pearl bead in the center of each of these):

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Flowers021.jpg

Closeup of rose:

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Flowers022.jpg

Closeup of top of wrapping (pearls will go all the way around):

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Flowers026.jpg

Closeup of ribbion wrap:

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Flowers027.jpg

Looking at bouquet from above:

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Flowers030.jpg


Next, I am looking for something fun to do with my girls when we are down at Disney. I can't come up with any good ideas though. I think the tea would be fun, but only if it was just the four of us, as my mom would HATE this. Actually, the idea of her doing tea gave me a much needed :rotfl2: . It is just SO not her.

Thanks for reading!

[Lisacope]

No, ours are "serene". They probably change the names of the colors periodically to make things more confusing! :laughing: They don't have a lot of dresses in this color. :headache: I have been happy with the ones we have found, though. If you want "apple" or some of the other colors, they have almost EVRYTHING. :rolleyes:

I asked for a fabric swatch, JIC, and they told me they don't have any :rolleyes1

I really don't like that place :cool2:

I couldn't get fabric swatches either! I don't know why they don't make it easier to get them!

BTW - I notied the horse show ribbons in the pix with your jewelry - do you ride dressage? I am a dressage trainer in WA state!

[irisbud]

I couldn't get fabric swatches either! I don't know why they don't make it easier to get them!

BTW - I notied the horse show ribbons in the pix with your jewelry - do you ride dressage? I am a dressage trainer in WA state!

No dressage, though I have always wanted to learn, I think it would be so beneficial. We have American Saddlebreds and do saddleseat with them. MY BF is a trainer. I used to be but we couldn't be together and work together so I gave it up, mostly.

[irisbud]

Hi ladies,

I am feeling better about things today. My BF has decided that he is going to do the wrap around the flower stems using a satiny fabric that he picked out. SO that is out of my hands now. I'm sure he will make it look great, and I am relinquishing control of that aspect :eek:

I am sending my contracts to Rev. Day and Patricia LeJune tomorrow along so I am excited about that. As soon as Disney sets their 2009 prices and I can sign the contract I will feel great! They have assured me that the date time and venue I have chosen are mine but I am worrried until the contract is signed.

I am thinking of doing a scrapbook type of guest book, so I will be going out to try and find what I am looking for today (I hope). I was going to do so last night, but I felt TERRIBLE after we ate and didn't get around to it. I don't want aything to specific (just an 8X8 gray or silver silk covered book with no additional embellishments because I would like to do them on my own :rolleyes1 )

I may also get some snaps to hold the invites together instead of velcro as the closure is bothering me. :rolleyes:

Right now I am working on music for the ceremony. I want Beauty and the Beast music (my fav.). I also wanted to do some of the spectro music but BF thinks the parade is "creepy" so that is probably out :guilty: . I really want to do Disney music for the ceremony (just lovely and toned down). Any suggestions are appreciated!

[irisbud]

Do you ever get obsessed!?!

:rotfl2: Okay, stupid question since we are all :surfweb:

I was trying to work on some homework last night, and all that I could think about are some of the little things that are nagging me; you know those inane details that no amount of research seems to yeaild any answer to. Hopefully, you ladies can help me. If not, you can tell me that I am crazy and that I should get over myself! :rolleyes1

(I) THE PLANS:

(1) The overall plan is that BF and I will arrive on Tuesday (I am secretly hoping for Sunday or Monday, as I am off work that Monday for MLK day anyway... . We will check into BWI on Tuesday. Wednesday I am thinking of doing a Bridesmaid's tea or something of the sort and a "welcome dinner" in the evening (probably at Chef Mickey's so it will be fun for everyone). Thursday is the wedding, which will be at noon, followed by a luncheon at the Grand Floridian Cafe. We will also be checking out of BWI and into the GF. Friday is "our" day to spend by ourselves; Saturday we may do a park with family and a lunch together, maybe at Biergarten in EPCOT, Sunday we leave for our four night cruise.

QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE PLANS:

How exactly does the bridesmaid's tea work? Are only bridesmaid's invited, or do you need to invite every woman attending the wedding in order to be correct (we have the Escape wedding, remember, so it won't be that many). Should you invite just the women on the Bride's side or does etiquette demand everyone.

Does anyone have any ideas for a bridesmaid's tea that is not tea? I was thinking maybe mini golf and a light lunch. Would this be too wierd? I know some of my girls would think tea was fun, but we would have more fun chasing balls around the mini golf course!

We intend for everyone to pay their own way on all group meals aside from the post wedding luncheon. How do you say so politely? Along the same lines, I am doing cards and pockets invites (as you have seen) with inserts. I would like to include the group meals on the inserts, but don't want to give the false impression that we will be paying for them, which could lead to serious awkwardness. Should I just leave them out, or spread them by word of mouth?

Finally, BF thinks we should plan something for the wedding night as well. I can see both sides of this. I think adding a dinner is overscheduling because I think our guests will feel that it is part of the wedding plans and they will feel obligated to attend even if they have no desire to. Some may only be at WDW for a day or two so I want them to have the chance to do the parks if they want. Also, I am afraid we will be exhausted. We love the Dessert party idea, but it is not going to work for us. I thought maybe a fireworks cruise (which could be awfully cold in January, and they may not be doing Wishes that night IF there is a P&PP), or (my favorite idea) everyone does their own dinner (BF and I could do GF Private dining or V&A's, which I love) and then we make a tentative plan to do a super casual meet for a drink. Is it okay NOT to schedule out the wedding night? I want to be gracious and accomodating, but I DON'T want to kill people by being too commando and scheduling their day from the moment they wake up until they go to sleep.

(II): QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE DETAILS

I am thinking of doing a scapbook type of guest book. My plan is to purchase a scrapbook (either 8x8 or 12x12: the one I want comes in 12x12 which seems large, but I suppose it will work) and do empty layouts for our guests, either one or two guests per page. I will have them write us messages on preassigned papers, and take self-pictures with my digital camera. Do I even need to bring the book? I want them to see what I will be doing with these things, but they obviously can't write directly on or in it, since the layouts will be in the plastic films. Also, this sounds mean but there is no nice way of saying it, I don't want the whole thing screwed up by a mistake. I am thinking that I will do the best I can to have everything set up the way that I want it. I will bring the book with the empty layouts inside (will just need to add the pictures and messages later). I will write up and explination of the project and directions for our guests and leave the materials on the guestbook table with someone watching over them to make sure (nicely) that it is done right. Does this plan sound okay or I am I being too control freak?

The music is killing me. I love the idea of the violin and think that using the iPod would be a PITA that I won't be able to handle that day. What do you need songs for? I know the seating (which shouldn't take long, I don't think; anyone have experience for an EW), the bridal processional, me walking down the aisle, and us leaving. Do the moms get a song? Anything else? Also, can they do any Disney song? I am thinking some of the BATB insturmentals?

We are going to do a staged cake cutting and toast and then have the cake at our luncheon. Can we still do the dance at SBP even if we won't serve the cake until later. We found the best song (for us) to do it to (which will require the iPod). If we can't that's fine but it would be nice if we could.

I think that is it for now! whew! :scared1:

TIA for all of your help!

PS: if my PJ looks a little different, it is because I have done some minor editing. Due to circumstances, I am weeding out the drama. No worries, all is well. :goodvibes

As always, thanks for reading. You comments mean so very much to me and are truly helpful. You all are doing a public service by helping to keep this Bridezilla tame! :bride: :headache:

[pink_tink8i8]

Wow! I can feel your frustration!

Firstly, I LOVE the mini golf idea. That's awesome! I know the women in my family would love that. It would be so much fun! I say go for it!

As for the whole you need to pay your own way, just bring it up in a conversation. Something like, "how would you feel if I asked you to pay for your own meal during the get together?". I brought up the subject like that and nobody took it personally and they were understanding which I was shocked but happy. They said that it was a destination wedding and already expensive enough and didn't expect us to pay for everything. They said that they wouldn't be understanding if we had it at home and still made people pay.

In regards to the scrapbooking, you're not crazy for asking people to follow directions as to not mess up your book. I'm a very serious scrapbooker and I'd be super sad if somebody messed something up especially in regards to my wedding. Just make sure the directions are clear. Maybe you could even pencil a box around the location you'd like them to write and then erase it afterwards?

[lpizzuro123]

Our wedding is on a Monday and most people will be arriving Friday or Saturday. I was originally going to do a Welcome Dinner but as are having around 50 to 60 people that seemed like we would almost be paying for another wedding.

One of our blocked hotels is POFQ and Wednesday through Saturday nighs there is entertainment in the Scat Kat Lounge. This is a lounge right off the lobby and Elliott Dyson plays there friom 9:00pm to midnight. We love to listen to him and head over at least one night on all our WDW trips.

We are going to tell everyone to meet us there the Saturday night before the wedding. As it doesn't start until 9:00pm everyone will have eaten dinner already. The Scat Kat is right next to their food court so if anyone is hungery for snacks we can get some things there. The lounge also has a nice bar for some drinks - or maybe just some pitchers of beer. This way it is not a set time - people can come and go as they like. If our guests get in that night as it is right in the resort where most of our guests are staying they can just stop in. Also, I am not sure of the hours the parks are open that day but if our guests are enjoying the parks they can stop by on the way back to their rooms. We figured this would be easy for our guests.

I would also love a girls tea but am not sure how to go about this. I would think all the women invited to the wedding should be invited - unless you just do your bridal party.

Linda

[figmentfan814]

We made a lot of group reservations the week of our wedding and what we did was to include an outline in our newsletter that described the different events and listed the cost. We didn't have any problems with anyone getting confused. Then on some of the things like the tea (where I was paying for the bridesmaids) I just told them directly not to worry about the cost :goodvibes I can send you the newsletter if you want to see how I approached it. Then in the Welcome Packets we listed the prices again on everything.

[irisbud]

We made a lot of group reservations the week of our wedding and what we did was to include an outline in our newsletter that described the different events and listed the cost. We didn't have any problems with anyone getting confused. Then on some of the things like the tea (where I was paying for the bridesmaids) I just told them directly not to worry about the cost :goodvibes I can send you the newsletter if you want to see how I approached it. Then in the Welcome Packets we listed the prices again on everything.

If you could I would really appreciate it. I will PM you my e-mail address.

That sounds like a nice way to handle things. I am really sweating over it, because money can always be a touchy subject.

Thanks.

[lpizzuro123]

Hope you don't mind but I am also sending you a PM for the newsletter info. I called Disney yesterday and as we are checking in to our timeshare the Saturday before the wedding I need to calll May 12 to make all our dining reservations. I am getting together with my girls this weekend to order their dresses and I know they are not going to know what they want to do but I just want to put it the question out there what they might want to do. I really want to book a Wishes cruise but just don't know what night to do this for and how many people the different boats can hold.

Linda

[irisbud]

Hi ladies,

I don't have any real updates. I have been working hard on cutting paper for our invites and doing all of those fun things. I am getting ready to do a few other projects too, but nothing too exciting.

I am struggling with the DP idea. I think I really want to do this, but it seems SO expensive. Anyone have any thoughts on the value? It is so unique and different that I think I may regret NOT doing it. At the same time, though, I am thinking it will cost nearly $1000, and we gave up the WP to save $1000. Any opinions?

Also, I just wanted to say NINE MONTHS TODAY! :banana: :cheer2: :banana: :cheer2: :banana: :cheer2: :banana: :cheer2:

Have a great day everyone, and thanks for reading!

Amy

[lpizzuro123]

I would vote to do a desert party. This is something so unique to a DFTW - it is something you cannot experience anywhere else. I would not be doing a wedding at WDW if we could not also do the desert party. If you saved money because you are not getting married at the WP I would use that money for a desert party.

Linda

[Mrsdisneyb2b]

Your wedding is comming along so nicely you must be So excited!!!!

I ant wait to see more!

[lov2b@disney]

Another vote for the Dessert Party! Unique and I think guest will love it!

[Mrsdisneyb2b]

We decided to have one since its notbreaking our bank. I feel like its a one time thing and, instead of getting the 4,000 in fireworks we are getting an even bigger show for free!

[keenercam]

We are actually doing the dessert party because it ties in so nicely with our theme, but the added incentive is that we can invite more people to it than who we can invite to our vow renewal. We are limiting our VR guest list to 40 people and almost no kids, but we are inviting all of the kids to our DP, as well as some other adults that we could not invite to our VR. You are right, though -- it is a LOT of money for a very short period of time. It is even more expensive if you are doing a WISHES party at the GF instead of Illuminations at EPCOT (assuming you dont' have to pay viewing fees for your guests at EPCOT).

A lot of destination wedding brides feel they must do some kind of welcome party. If a DP serves that purpose, then it is a very unique and special option. I hope you are able to do whatever will make you and DF very happy! :goodvibes

[Mrsdisneyb2b]

It is even more expensive if you are doing a WISHES party at the GF instead of Illuminations at EPCOT

how much does the wishes go for?

[keenercam]

how much does the wishes go for?

If I am remembering my math correctly, I think it was between $35 and $36/person for the cheapest option offered by GF catering, with service/gratuity and tax.

[figmentfan814]

We did a dessert party and it was the best decision. Our guests raved about it, especially the ones that had never been to Disney before. We had ours for Illuminations and that show is really unbelievable if you've never seen it before. The best thing was that the food counted towards our overall minimum food and beverage per person. We also allowed kids to come to the DP since we had no children under 8 at our ceremony (the AAR is not good with screaming kids, it can get really loud in there).

[shezfrombermuda]

I vote for the dessert party as well. It is a unique experience that most people will never have a chance to go to while at disney. When I was in Epcot for my planning session I saw the set up for a dessert party in China and one in Italy and they looked really nice. I saw the guests being escorted in like V.I.P.'s. and I was wishing I could go!

[BaBeeCee14]

I vote for the DP also. A DP is one of the things that made me want a Disney wedding even more. I think its so unique and a perfect ending to a magical day :thumbsup2

[irisbud]

Wow, it sounds like the dessert party is definitely a popular option! I haven't read any reviews yet where it sounded as though anyone regretted spending the money! I guess we may just have to do it :goodvibes:

Thanks ladies!

[IndyBride]

I would definatly do a DP if it were an option for me. Alas, DL doesn't offer it. I have to live vicariously through all the WDW Brides! So please do one for me!!!

[irisbud]

Hi ladies,

I have accomplished a few things since the last time I posted to my PJ.

First, and most importantly, we were finally able to sign our contract! :woohoo: DFTW was waiting for 2009 prices before we could sign, and I was getting nervous! Signing it was a MAJOR relief! Now we are just waiting for the return copy with the DFTW people's signatures!

I also now have a wedding planner! Karen is her name, has anyone here had her for their planner. She seemed nice via e-mail.

I recieved my garter in the mail the day before yesterday. I searched and searched, and then saw this one in someone's PJ (Christina's I think, I hope she dosen't mind :flower3: .) It was exactly what I was looking for, so I ordered it right away! The crystal flower matches all of my jewelry (not that anyone will see this)

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG1107.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG1108.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG1109.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG1106.jpg

Finally, we went to Kohl's tonight because I saw that they were having a big sale. I decided we should look at the jewelry counter, and their jewelry was 60% off of the sale prices! We looked, and they had men's wedding bands. BF found one that he liked, but they didn't have the size so we ordered it online. We just wanted something inexpensive and plain (he works with his hands and may not wear it a lot of the time), and ended up with a much better ring than we thought we would purchase initially. It is a 5mm 14K band with a milgram edge:

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/RandyWeddingRing.jpg

I am going to ask my planner about luncheons, the Dessert party, etc. on Monday!

I am so excited! I feel like it is really happening now!

Thanks for reading everyone!

[irisbud]

Hi ladies,

We are at exactly eight months today! It is starting to feel closer, but still so far away, LOL.

Yesterday I gave my deposit for our dessert party, which we will be having in Morocco. I am really excited about this and looking forward to it!

Let's see, BFs ring came in last week and looks great! I have been practicing walking in my wedding shoes, and am thinking that I am going to have to find something different and give these to my sis. She can have them dyed or whatever. I can walk on them fine on carpet, where the heel can sink in a little, but am wobbly on hard surfaces. They also rub a little that I didn't notice before so I think they are probably a bad choice even though I love them :( . My sis is always wearing big heels so walking in them will be no prob for her.

BF and I have started on the South Beach Diet as he wants to lose weight for the wedding, and I think I should be eating better. So far, I have lost seven pounds and he has lost ten, and we just started on Friday!

My other MoH has graduated now, and we will be going to shop for her dress soon. I will be sure to post pics once we find one!

I guess that is all for now.

Thanks for reading, everyone!

[figmentfan814]

:cool1: :banana: :dance3: :yay: :cheer2:
The countdown begins! How exciting for getting your deposit in for the dessert party. Your guests will love it; that was one of our guests favorite part of the wedding!

[IndyBride]

How exciting! Are you super happy you decided to go with the Dessert Party? Can't wait to hear more of your plans...

[irisbud]

:cool1: :banana: :dance3: :yay: :cheer2:
The countdown begins! How exciting for getting your deposit in for the dessert party. Your guests will love it; that was one of our guests favorite part of the wedding!

:cool1: It is starting to feel closer even though there is a long way to go ... I hope our guests love the DP as well! How could you not love desserrt :rotfl2: ?

How exciting! Are you super happy you decided to go with the Dessert Party? Can't wait to hear more of your plans...


I am so glad we decided to do this, and very excited about it. :banana:

Thanks for reading everyone!

[DisneyBrideToni]

I just read your whole PJ and I LOVE EVERYTHING!!! Your dress is beautiful and your BM dress was one that I was looking at for my MOH. I can't wait to read more!!! I am hooked! :thumbsup2

[jennifaerie]

When you read from start to finish in one sitting, it's very difficult... I don't know where to start. I just love *everything*. I love the colors you chose. I love, love, love the jewelry! The dress is beautiful (and I'm not a big fan of beading, but I just love the flower detail). Everything is amazing.

In fact, I feel guilty for not pointing out every single thing I love, except that might bore you to tears! :rotfl:

[irisbud]

I just read your whole PJ and I LOVE EVERYTHING!!! Your dress is beautiful and your BM dress was one that I was looking at for my MOH. I can't wait to read more!!! I am hooked! :thumbsup2

Thank you so much! Both BM dresses (I thought) looked good on my girls. I was really worried because their body types are SO different, but letting them chose a long one in that color has worked out well. In the next week or two me and my other MOH (BFF) will go get her dress. I can't wait to see what she picks out! :banana:


When you read from start to finish in one sitting, it's very difficult... I don't know where to start. I just love *everything*. I love the colors you chose. I love, love, love the jewelry! The dress is beautiful (and I'm not a big fan of beading, but I just love the flower detail). Everything is amazing.

In fact, I feel guilty for not pointing out every single thing I love, except that might bore you to tears! :rotfl:


:laughing: Thank you so much! Right now I am feeling fairly unstressed and like things are coming together. I'm sure that will change rapidly as time goes by, though ;) .

Thanks for reading everyone! :goodvibes

[irisbud]

We got our contract back today! :banana: I am so excited! It feels even more real now.

I also contacted Karen, our planner, today and asked her about the cakes. she sent me the same pdf file that has been circulating around here. I am much happier with these choices than I was leaving the cake entirely up to chance. Some of the cakes I have seen looked good while others were, well, not so much. One less thing to upgrade (and pay) on! I asked if we could do different layers and she said YES! So we will do the top layer chocolate with Bavarian cream, and the bottom layer Yellow with Bavarian cream :woohoo: . I am so glad because BF thought all chocolate would be too rich for some and we were going to do marble if both layers had to be the same.

In the same e-mail, I asked Karen if I could wear my dress to our DP that we are having in Morocco without hiring the bus as I have heard that others were allowed to walk in from the IG with a guide to Morocco and wear their dresses. The answer is no for me, but I am okay with that. She said it is not possible. Oh well, it would have been nice but the world is still turning :goodvibes

Finally, BF came into the office today and told me that his Mom said we could stay with her in some time share somewhere for our first two nights at no cost. He thinks I am wierd because I got all emotional and refused, telling him how being on Disney's property is so magical for me, and I can't imagine not staying on the property, and we were going to do a Value those two nights so it would be cheap. I also told him how I feel like crying everytime when we leave the gates... I think he thinks I am insane! :laughing: But, seriously, I love on property and really don't want to give up two nights there to stay off the property. No disrespect to anyone who feels differently, but to me staying on property is just part of it. I think he thinks it has something to do with his mom (it dosen't). It just isn't Disney to me otherwise, is all. I think he was shocked when i told him I would rather go on Tuesday and stay on property the whole time than go on Sunday and stay off the property if we had to, and that it was more than worth the $200 extra dollars at ASMu to be in the middle of the magic! :wizard:

Thanks for reading, everyone!

[Keira1387]

Awesome to hear you got your contract back!! I totally agree with you about staying on property! I leave pretty close to Disney, but try and stay there when I can!

[IndyBride]

I agree too about staying on property. It just feels different!

[irisbud]

Awesome to hear you got your contract back!! I totally agree with you about staying on property! I leave pretty close to Disney, but try and stay there when I can!

I hope that we live close to Disney one day too! That is my goal :thumbsup2 !

I agree too about staying on property. It just feels different!

I totally agree, though BF is like :confused3 :rotfl: . Also, I was like "Well, if we stay there we will have to rent a car, so it won't really be free... :moped: He said "Oh, I'm sure she would have a car :eek: . Nothing against FMIL, but I REALLY don't want to be subjected to the whims of someone else for two days before a mega stressful event (like our wedding) because we have no transportation. I mean, the only person on Earth I want to spend that much time in close quarters with is BF! :lovestruc . I don't even know what kind of TS it is. What if it is one Bedroom and a living room or worse, a studio :scared1: . Thanks, we'll spend $200 to stay on property and keep me calm and sane, or we'll wait until Tuesday and keep me less calm, but still sane :thumbsup2

Thanks for reading!

[Lorelei528]

Amy-
Hi!!! I am LOVING your PJ!!! I was wondering...did Karen tell you specifically WHY you were not allowed in with a guide to Morocco in your wedding dress for the DP? I don't understand why some brides would be allowed to do so, but not all...maybe you should press her about it?

Keep up the great PJ!!!

You look great in your dress and what a bargain!!!!

I love your colours too!!

Lori

[irisbud]

Amy-
Hi!!! I am LOVING your PJ!!! I was wondering...did Karen tell you specifically WHY you were not allowed in with a guide to Morocco in your wedding dress for the DP? I don't understand why some brides would be allowed to do so, but not all...maybe you should press her about it?

Keep up the great PJ!!!

You look great in your dress and what a bargain!!!!

I love your colours too!!

Lori

Thank Lori! No, Karen did not say why, just that we could not. I'm considering pressing about it. I would really LOVE to wear it. Then again, I guess there is a convenience factor to not wearing it :confused3 . The love of wearing it would outweigh convenience any day for sure, though :rotfl2:

Thanks for reading!

[mla1977]

Dessert parties are not allowed for Escape weddings. You are able to schedule a dessert party as a private group (think conventions) but you are then limited by the same requirements as a regular guest which includes not being allowed in the park in a wedding dress. My guess is that it is just their way of pushing you into a Wishes wedding.

[irisbud]

Dessert parties are not allowed for Escape weddings. You are able to schedule a dessert party as a private group (think conventions) but you are then limited by the same requirements as a regular guest which includes not being allowed in the park in a wedding dress. My guess is that it is just their way of pushing you into a Wishes wedding.

Thanks, that explains a lot :goodvibes :thumbsup2

They can push all they want, there will be no Wishes wedding for us (unless they want to fund it) :rotfl2:

[Lorelei528]

Amy-
I think you should totally ask her. I mean, it's a bit strange, because I know all the DISbrides here know their stuff...

Maybe some others will weigh in, but I'm sure it wouldn't have been posted if it wasn't accurate at least for some of the time..(maybe they used to do it and now have changed policies for instance?)

Let us know if you decide to ask...the curiousity is killing me already! :rotfl2:

[Lorelei528]

Oh! And I was wondering if you wouldn't mind telling me how much of a deposit you had to give for the DP? Is that paid for separately than from you BOE or whatever it is? I would have thought it would just be added on, but maybe that would only make sense for Wishes brides now that I think about it...are you going for the basic DP items? Did they tell you what is included if you upgrade? I think the DP is a fabulous thing!!!

I remember the last time I was at WDW (which was too long ago in 2003) seeing some sort of something that looked like it was a bridal casual party thing and I was like "oooh!!!! I want to do that!!! How cool is that!?!?!" ::yes:: I have realized of course years later that it was a DP!!
Everyone looked like they were having a really good time too, it was so nice to see and made me feel good just to see the newly wedded couple all smiling with their families and friends!

[Lorelei528]

That's weird about the wedding dress thing...I could have sworn I saw it here more than once that the brides could be walked in (in their dress)....it would take me forever to find that post though...

oh well.

[irisbud]

Oh! And I was wondering if you wouldn't mind telling me how much of a deposit you had to give for the DP? Is that paid for separately than from you BOE or whatever it is? I would have thought it would just be added on, but maybe that would only make sense for Wishes brides now that I think about it...are you going for the basic DP items? Did they tell you what is included if you upgrade? I think the DP is a fabulous thing!!!

I remember the last time I was at WDW (which was too long ago in 2003) seeing some sort of something that looked like it was a bridal casual party thing and I was like "oooh!!!! I want to do that!!! How cool is that!?!?!" ::yes:: I have realized of course years later that it was a DP!!
Everyone looked like they were having a really good time too, it was so nice to see and made me feel good just to see the newly wedded couple all smiling with their families and friends!


We had to give a $250 deposit on the dessert party. It is nonrefundable, but if we decide to cacel the DP in the appropriate timeframe, the $250 will simply be applied to the balance due on our wedding. So, unless we actually cancelled the wedding, we wouldn't lose it! HTH :goodvibes

[mla1977]

That's weird about the wedding dress thing...I could have sworn I saw it here more than once that the brides could be walked in (in their dress)....it would take me forever to find that post though...

oh well.

I have read that brides could be walked in wearing their dresses (I think Lurkyloo did that), but they were all Wishes brides who were there for their dessert party. I think Caryn was able to get some pictures outside of the Seas, but their reception was there.

[Lorelei528]

Thanks for clarifying on that!! Again, just another Wishes is different than Escape wedding thingy..

[DecemberBride]

Dessert parties are not allowed for Escape weddings. You are able to schedule a dessert party as a private group (think conventions) but you are then limited by the same requirements as a regular guest which includes not being allowed in the park in a wedding dress. My guess is that it is just their way of pushing you into a Wishes wedding.

That's weird, I was never told that... I was debating doing an Escape dessert party and asked my WC all about it. She sent pics and even a proposal, but she did not tell me I could not where my dress... :confused3 It also would have been a part of my bridal BEO, not a seperate BEO, for like a convention or private party... Maybe we're all getting different info, for all our different weddings and we're confusing each other... lol

[irisbud]

That's weird, I was never told that... I was debating doing an Escape dessert party and asked my WC all about it. She sent pics and even a proposal, but she did not tell me I could not where my dress... :confused3 It also would have been a part of my bridal BEO, not a seperate BEO, for like a convention or private party... Maybe we're all getting different info, for all our different weddings and we're confusing each other... lol

I think mine is part of my bridal BEO as well. She said it would be added to the contract and the deposit could be applied to the wedding if we chose not to go through with it (prices will change in October and depending how much they change...)

I love these boards, but I think one of the problems is that maybe someone gets an exception or a special favor then everyone decides its the rule (happens on all the different topics).

Whether I can wear my dress or not, it will still be magical! :wizard:

[DecemberBride]

I think mine is part of my bridal BEO as well. She said it would be added to the contract and the deposit could be applied to the wedding if we chose not to go through with it (prices will change in October and depending how much they change...)

I love these boards, but I think one of the problems is that maybe someone gets an exception or a special favor then everyone decides its the rule (happens on all the different topics).

Whether I can wear my dress or not, it will still be magical! :wizard:

I totally agree with you... i think sometimes it just works out for one bride better than another and then (of course, it's natural) others (including myself) want it to work for them as well. I think it's hard on the WC sometimes to deal with it because we all know so much... It's a good thing because we're prepared, but we also sometimes have to turn the table and see that's it's sometimes hard on them to do extra pixie dust for us all and maybe they show it in different ways for different people because I'm pretty sure everyone who does a Disney Wedding has a magical and pixie dust filled time!

:lmao: I didn't mean to write that much, but I got carried away! :confused3

[jessesgirl-080708]

Your flowers do look great. Not to fake, I have also been working on mine and have been worried about them looking fake. My older sister is doing it for me.. yours look great! Can't believe your doing all that by yourself!
And I can;t believe you got your dress for that price!! Im sooo jealous!

[irisbud]

So, just a few things to report.

I bought my shoes last night! I like them enough, I guess. You may remember that I purchsed some other shoes very early on. Well, I got to practicing walking in them, and I simply could not do it. I have some problems with my feet, and they were hurting me SO badly, that DF said it would be crazy for me to wear them since we were going to be in the parks for a few days still after the wedding. Also, the heel was about 3", and I was a bit worried about the length of my dress with them.

So, last night I was going to look for more shoes at horrible David's Bridal when I decided to stop at DSW for their summer 80% off sale, just to see. They had some silky silver shoes, low heel but not chunky, and, most important, comfortable. They are not the best looking shoes in the world, but I like them well enough. No one will really see them anyway, and they have a little horseshoe shaped decoration, which is great because horses are part of our livlihood and the reason we got together in the first place. Plus, I have a horseshoe shaped ring that was the first jewelry DF gave me. I won't be wearing it at our wedding because I usually wear it on my right ring finger and my e-ring will go there during the ceremony, but the HS shape on the shoes can serve as homage to it. Besides, the shoes are really comfy and they cost $8! I saw another pair I loved but they were over $150 even with a discount (not 80%). I simply couldn't justify paying that kind of money for shows I will probably never wear again, though, so $8 shoes no one will see anyway it was!:

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Photo_070908_003.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Photo_070908_004.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Photo_070908_005.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Photo_070908_006.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Photo_070908_007.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Photo_070908_008.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Photo_070908_002.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Photo_070908_001.jpg

Excuse the image quality, these were taken with my phone. The shoes really are a nice silver, not blueish.


I have my floral consultation with Rosie a week from tomorrow. All we will need extra is 2 corsages for the mothers, some boutineers, and two memorial flowers, one for DF's dad, and one for my Grandma. We haven't decided what to do for DF's dad, but I will be getting a purple orchid of some kind for Grandma, as purple was her favorite color, and we used to go to an orchid show together every year. We will place these on two empty chairs. I won't need bridesmaids boquets, as I am doing them myself with silk flowers from Michael's.

I am thinking of doing our meet n greet dinner the night before the wedding at Raglan Road at DTD. We really enjoyed eating there last year, and think it would be a nice place to go, and then no one would need park admission. I really want to do a groom's cake for DF, though. Do they do those there? If possible, I want to do a Sully from Monster's Inc. cake, as DF got picked to be Sully at the Laugh Floor last year, and since then we have a running joke about him being a Hairy Scary Monster.

What else?

Normally, I would be happy about the rumor that Disney is going back to 90 day ADRs as 180 days is just so far in advance, but now it is stressing me! Having to wait until 90 days to book the lunch after the wedding is cutting sending out the invites VERY fine, but I don't think I can just asume we will get whatever we want!

Speaking of invites, there is some stress! I am starting to work on the wording for these. A friend got married recently, and there was major drama over whose name should be on the invite. I told DF that, per etiquette, AFIK, it is technically whoever PAYS that is the host, and therefor the one invitiing (in this case, my parents). He thinks I am wrong and it is both parents. I mentioned this to my dad, however, and he was LIVID! He wants just him and my mom You know, "Mr. & Mrs. Irisbuds parents request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter irisbud to irisbud's fiance, january 22, 2009...". I don't think DF cares too much, and I hope it stays that way, because I think I am going to have to word the invites however my Daddy wants them, since he is paying!

Hmm, we also have all of the Honeymoon/Wedding booked the way we want it, first two nights at ASMu, two nights before wedding at BWI, night of wedding and next two nights at GF, and 4 night Wonder cruise. I am planning out ADRs JIC Disney does NOT go to 90 day ADRs (July 22 will be my day, then).

What did everyone else do with their ADRs? I have places I really want to eat, and DF does to. He was wondering if we should give out an itinerary to everyone. I am thinking no because I am afraid others will take it as an invite to join us (which may or may not be okay, depending on which place and what mood we are in). If they show up and there is no avalibility, then we would feel like jerks and like we have to go elsewhere. So I think we will keep the meals we plan just for us except night before wedding, wedding lunch, and one meal on Saturday with anyone who wants to attend.

Also, I am debating our wedding night dinner. We are having the ceremony at noon, followed by an after wedding lunch, probably at 1:30/2:00ish, and a dessert party at EPCOT at 8:30 - 9:30. I REALLY want to either do Private Dining something or other for just me and DF or do dinner at Bistro De Paris (LOVE that place!) and then go to the dessert party. Is it okay for us to have dinner alone that evening, since we will do lunch and dessert reception with our guests, or is this rude? Any thoughts appreciated!

I am also planning on booking the Backstage Magic Tour for either Monday or Tuesday before the wedding, and am very excited about that!

I think that is all for now (thank goodness, I'm sure you are thinking!) except for the ever-present family on the Honeymoon drama, which I am beginning to hope just works itself out. I am seriously having anxiety attacks now between all of that crud and school and everything else. Somedays, I wish we were just getting married at the courthouse up here and then heading to Disney ON OUR OWN for our honeymoon... :headache: It will all be fine, though. I am worrying about things that probably won't even happen... :)

Thanks for reading everyone!

[irisbud]

I just realized that I am under 200 days now! I have been waiting to pass that mark, then I totally missed it! 196 days to go!

[pink_tink8i8]

I love your shoes! they look nice on you too! and what an amazing price!

[irisbud]

I love your shoes! they look nice on you too! and what an amazing price!

Thanks!

[pjstevens]

Cute shoes Amy and an amazing price!!! As for the invites, you are right!!! (always good to say!) But your parents are hosting it (paying for the grand event) so they are the ones 'inviting' people to the wedding. Congrats on your upcoming graduation!

[irisbud]

Cute shoes Amy and an amazing price!!! As for the invites, you are right!!! (always good to say!) But your parents are hosting it (paying for the grand event) so they are the ones 'inviting' people to the wedding. Congrats on your upcoming graduation!

Thanks! I can't wait to be done! Then I have to start on my doctorates, though... :headache: But at least I will have finished my BA! :goodvibes

[DisneyFairy19]

beautiful shoes....

[irisbud]

beautiful shoes....

Thanks Christiana :goodvibes

[figmentfan814]

I noticed on your ticker that your graduation is coming up soon, so I had to pop over to say congratulations! :cool1: DH and I both have two master's degrees each :scared: (I know overkill, it's a long story) so I know how exciting it is to finish up a degree; it's such a great feeling of satisfaction!!!

I love the shoes from DSW (also where I got mine although, mine were more for comfort- Sketchers- and weren't as pretty as yours!)

I've always wanted to take the Behind the Magic tour, we've been on the Keys to the Kingdom one and the Holiday Magic tour, but haven't had a chance to do that one, so I hope you get to book it.

I think dinner with the two of you alone would be really romantic; I can't remember are you going to wear your dress to the dessert party? I know there was some discussion about it; how would that impact your dinner in the park?

[irisbud]

I noticed on your ticker that your graduation is coming up soon, so I had to pop over to say congratulations! :cool1: DH and I both have two master's degrees each :scared: (I know overkill, it's a long story) so I know how exciting it is to finish up a degree; it's such a great feeling of satisfaction!!!

I love the shoes from DSW (also where I got mine although, mine were more for comfort- Sketchers- and weren't as pretty as yours!)

I've always wanted to take the Behind the Magic tour, we've been on the Keys to the Kingdom one and the Holiday Magic tour, but haven't had a chance to do that one, so I hope you get to book it.

I think dinner with the two of you alone would be really romantic; I can't remember are you going to wear your dress to the dessert party? I know there was some discussion about it; how would that impact your dinner in the park?

Haha, I understand the overkill! You can't be too educated, right :lmao: :rolleyes1 . Seriously, though, you must be thrilled to have them! I can't decide between doing my doctorate in industrial psychology or general psychology (then an internship and I can legally practice clinical psychology) so I am doing them concurrently starting in September :headache: . If I do them together, though, it only takes 18 hours more classes and one thesis, so it makes sense in a twisted way I guess.

I ended up buying my shoes because they were comfortable too. I saw a lot I liked a lot better but these were cheap and comfy. They are growing on me.

Karen said NO to me wearing the dress for my DP, so I have no worries there! I can just wear something nice, do dinner, and then head to the party!

Thanks for reading!

[PhilHarMaestro]

:confused3 Hey, I would double check with your WC because my wedding is 2 days before yours (How cool is that!! I just noticed!) and I am wearing my dress to my DP. But...I have to pay to be escorted in through a back entrance. Also, I'm having an escape. So I don't see why you couldn't wear yours to your DP. It didn't seem like my coordinator was doing me a special favors or anything in fact she encouraged me to wear it! So...I would double check! :confused3
PM me if you want details!!

[irisbud]

:confused3 Hey, I would double check with your WC because my wedding is 2 days before yours (How cool is that!! I just noticed!) and I am wearing my dress to my DP. But...I have to pay to be escorted in through a back entrance. Also, I'm having an escape. So I don't see why you couldn't wear yours to your DP. It didn't seem like my coordinator was doing me a special favors or anything in fact she encouraged me to wear it! So...I would double check! :confused3
PM me if you want details!!

We are too cheap to pay for the additional transportation, which is why I won't be able to wear my dress in the park! That is alright, though. I am good with it now :)

Thanks though :goodvibes

[irisbud]

UPDATES:

Today is our 6 month mark! :banana: :dance3: :banana: It has also been about 6 months since we got engaged, so we are halfway there :cheer2:

Today was also our ADR day, as we arrive on January 18. For DF and I, we are eating at Jiko (never been there but heard great things), LTT for lunch (an old favorite), Mama Melrose for lunch (new for us), Kona Cafe for dinner(another old favorite), and Crystal Palace for breakfast (DF has never been here, I love the charachters). We will also eat at some other CS favorites and ESPN. I made some group reservations as well: a welcome dinner (pay your own way) at Captain's Grill at the Yacht Club (We MAY change this to Big River Grill, but I don't know), and a get together before everyone leaves (again pay your own way) for lunch at Biergarten.

Trying to get a lunch for after the wedding was stressful and ultimately somewhat of a disaster. See, I origionally wanted to have the wedding at the 10:30 time but was persuaded to change to noon because of the not-so-early risers in our wedding party. Well, since I am an escape bride, that throws a wrench in lunch seatings, as you are then past the first seating, which is the only one they will give a group of 20 at most places. We tried GFC (against Lynn's advice, I'm sure, haha :cutie: ) but (perhaps luckily) they would only seat us at 11:30 AM which of course will not work. I like Ashley's (philharmaestro) idea about using a ballroom, but by then we are getting so close to the Wishes price we might as well do that.

I was really upset and called my dad. He said he hated to not do anything. I reminded him there will be a cake reception and the DP will be that night. We went in circles for a while, then decided let's get Mickey & Minnie to come to the cake cutting instead of serving everyone lunch! I know it isn't the same, but it will be momorable, and I think everyone will love it. Ican't wait, and it is going to be a total surprise for DF and everyone else! Only me and my dad will know! :dance3:

Now, I just have to figure out how to tell DF no lunch but something extra special in its place?!? :idea: All ideas welcome!

Finally, I finished the cover for the guestbook and most of the inside front cover. I will post pics tongiht when I get home. I am doing it like a scrapbook. I will layout each page, have each guest take their pics and sign a premade page. When it's over, I'll put it all together as a guestbook/scrapbook. It's my first attempt at something like that, so wish me luck! Now I have to have it so M&M can sign!

Oh, and finally (I know, I know...) I finished all of my course work this past Saturday, so now I just have to wait until my grades are certified and I am all done and finished my BA Summa Cum Laude (sorry to brag but I just had to share!)

ETA: I also had my floral consultation this past Thursday. I am going to have the standard Escape Tussy Mussy boquet, DF will have aboutineer with a white rose and a stephanotis, my dad and the groomsmen will had white rose boutineers, the moms get corsages that match my boquet (all in white), and I decided to get single white rose wands for my girls. Rosie said they can tone down the amount of ribbion and she will use a pretty sheer ribbion with a silver edge on these. We will also have two memorial flowers: A white rose for DF's dad, and a purple orcid for my grandma. :(


have a great day everyone, and thanks for reading!

[figmentfan814]

We are too cheap to pay for the additional transportation, which is why I won't be able to wear my dress in the park! That is alright, though. I am good with it now :)

Thanks though :goodvibes

You can ask to have your guests escorted from the front entrance. We were cheap and didn't pay for transportation either. We drove ourselves (some people took the regular buses) and then met our guide at the front entrance. He then escorted us through the entire park back to the Lower French Island. I was able to have my dress on the entire time :goodvibes

[irisbud]

You can ask to have your guests escorted from the front entrance. We were cheap and didn't pay for transportation either. We drove ourselves (some people took the regular buses) and then met our guide at the front entrance. He then escorted us through the entire park back to the Lower French Island. I was able to have my dress on the entire time :goodvibes

I have already been told we cannot do this :confused3 . Sometimes, DFTW's inconsistancy is :headache:

[mla1977]

I think it dress in the park thing for DP is limited to Wishes Weddings. Escape brides can have a DP, but they can't wear their dress in the park.

[DecemberBride]

I think your idea of Mickey and Minnie is brilliant! No hassle, all fun!!!!!

Just an FYI, we were going to do an Welcome Dinner at Big River Grille, but they don't take ressies, so keep that in mind... hope this helps!

[irisbud]

I think it dress in the park thing for DP is limited to Wishes Weddings. Escape brides can have a DP, but they can't wear their dress in the park.

Thanks. It is fine with me, really. Since we are moving to the GF that day, we would have to find (pay for) transport, etc. if I were going to wear it, so NOT wearing it is fine with me :goodvibes . I guess I am over it :laughing:

I think your idea of Mickey and Minnie is brilliant! No hassle, all fun!!!!!

Just an FYI, we were going to do an Welcome Dinner at Big River Grille, but they don't take ressies, so keep that in mind... hope this helps!

Thanks, that's what we are hoping for. Also, thanks for the BRG info. Not sure if we would change of not. DF liked the menu because it was cheaper for everyone, but I like the menu at Captain's Grill better. We are doing somewhere on the Boardwalk no matter what because we are going to encourage people to come the same way they will come to the wedding the next day so they get a feel for how much time to allow, where to go, etc.

Thanks for reading everyone!

[irisbud]

Nothing exciting, just wanted to say 175 days (25 weeks!) TODAY! :cool1: :dance3: :cheer2:

Sorry, I like multiples of 25 :confused3 :rolleyes:

[irisbud]

Okay, so I have a crisis on my hands! Things could be lots worse, but so far this looks like it is going to be disasterous!

Without boring you with details, I am the City Clerk for the town I live in. Every year in April, we hold municipal elections to select the five members of our Board of Trustees. The number of vacant seats varies by year. This year there are four! :scared1: This is a problem because I just found out that the last day for candidate filing will be a week later than I was told it would be. The last day is Tuesday, January 20, 2009 until 5 PM. This is a state mandate. To make what could become a very long story short, so far it looks as though I must be the one to collect these filings for certification, meaning I must work (in my small town in MO that is over an hour from the STL airport) until 5 PM on January 20. My wedding at noon in WDW on January 22! There are no flights at all (sor far) leaving the STL for MCO airport after 7pm, which means I cannot leave until the morning before my wedding :scared1: .

I am really freaking out right now! DF has to have his tux fitted while we are there, etc. and it just isn't much time in case of flight delays or cancellations for any reasons (weather could be a BIG factor that time of year) and no (or little) time to drive IF flight is delayed. We were planning on arriving on Sunday the 18 to have plenty of time to relax (I am off that Monday for MLK day)! So much for relaxing!

I have no idea what to do! So far this is the biggest disaster we have enountered (and I hope it stays that way). A couple of guests already have flights booked, etc so I don't know how feasible changing our dates would be.

ARGH!!!!

Someone talk me down please! Any suggestions, encouragement, etc. is appreciated.

[Lindsay22]

Why are you the one who needs to collect the filings? Isn't there someone else who can do it for you?
I would talk to your boss NOW and explain the situation and say that you already have flights booked and its your wedding day and you simply can't. Mention that you thought the day was going to be the week before and say that you will have your cell phone on in case anyone needs you. Then go. One would think that they wouldn't let you miss your wedding due to paperwork.

PS my boss is really strict on vacation time. if someone else is out and you need off, tough. Well I walked into her office 9 months before the wedding and requested the days. I told her that I was giving more than enough notice, it was my wedding, and if she didn't approve the time off I would be looking for other employment. I have the days off

[irisbud]

I guess I didn't explain that too well! Normally, I can take off whever I want (within reason, of course). In order to be a candidate you must have no indebtedness to your district. I could print out a list of who owes us how much, but a temp could not collect money because of bonding issues. Also, even if a temp could collect, I must certify with a notarized signature by no later than 2-3 days if I did not collect each filing.

[Disneychix]

Is it possible for DF to go down earlier than you? If you must be at work according to law then you must right? For you to arrive the morning before wouldn't be too bad. Are you getting the ML ahead of time? I got married on a Saturday and didn't go down until Thursday night and I had to still get my marriage license on Friday morning. I was stressing!

If you have some time to figure things out then I would take it. Also, if you can get some type of refundable airline tickets (even though expensive) maybe you could do that in case you end up needing to change the flights.

Hope it works out :hug:

[DisneyBrideToni]

I was going to say the same thing. I mean if your DF can get down there ahead of time and take care of everything, you can fly out the day before and everyone can make sure things get done in Disney. You can fly out the next day early if possible and get to Disney with enough time to take care of last minute tasks.

[disprincessatheart]

That really stinks!! But, I do think as long as tux fitting is really the only thing you need to do in Fla, that you'll still have enough time. Make sure to get your license by mail ahead of time and schedule for tux fittings that afternoon. I know I would have HATED for DH to go down to WDW before me! Heck, my family got in around noon and I was mad that we didn't get there until 5:drive: :moped: :car:

I will say, we arrived Saturday night for our Tuesday wedding, and I did NOTHING wedding related the entire time we were there. I got so wrapped up in Disney and playign tourguide, I never even looked at my notes, which lead to us forgetting to have someone videotape :confused: As long as the number of things that actually have to be done in Florida is short, you'll be ok!:wizard:

[irisbud]

Is it possible for DF to go down earlier than you? If you must be at work according to law then you must right? For you to arrive the morning before wouldn't be too bad. Are you getting the ML ahead of time? I got married on a Saturday and didn't go down until Thursday night and I had to still get my marriage license on Friday morning. I was stressing!

If you have some time to figure things out then I would take it. Also, if you can get some type of refundable airline tickets (even though expensive) maybe you could do that in case you end up needing to change the flights.

Hope it works out :hug:

Yes, we were going to get the ML by mail ahead of time, so that is one less thing to worry about. I suppose DF could go ahead without me (I hate the thought, but what can you do?). The refundable tickets are a good idea!

I was going to say the same thing. I mean if your DF can get down there ahead of time and take care of everything, you can fly out the day before and everyone can make sure things get done in Disney. You can fly out the next day early if possible and get to Disney with enough time to take care of last minute tasks.

Luckily I think DF could handle it! It shouldn't be too hard since we are doing the Escape wedding. As long as there is no problem with the plane on Wednesday everything would be okay!

That really stinks!! But, I do think as long as tux fitting is really the only thing you need to do in Fla, that you'll still have enough time. Make sure to get your license by mail ahead of time and schedule for tux fittings that afternoon. I know I would have HATED for DH to go down to WDW before me! Heck, my family got in around noon and I was mad that we didn't get there until 5:drive: :moped: :car:

I will say, we arrived Saturday night for our Tuesday wedding, and I did NOTHING wedding related the entire time we were there. I got so wrapped up in Disney and playign tourguide, I never even looked at my notes, which lead to us forgetting to have someone videotape :confused: As long as the number of things that actually have to be done in Florida is short, you'll be ok!:wizard:


Thanks! The fact that you really didn't NEED to be there ahead of time (I mean, we all NEED to be there, but you KWIM) really truly makes me feel a little better about the whole situation.

Thanks for the advice ladies, I am really feeling at least a little better now. I will be sure to add days to the END of our trip to make up for this :lmao:

[dalepool]

Is there another airport-- small or large within say 90 mins of your home?. There have been so many flight schedule changes by all airlines that you might end up getting a later flight because of schedules.

Just remember to have fun and enjoy --it all works out in the long run

Patty

[XmasPixie]

I agree with the others. If you can get all the things done you can do before you get to FL, get your DF down there the day ahead of time, and maybe do some research on alternate airports just in case, you should be just fine. Sometime that is all you can do - take the situation for what it is and make it work for you.

Good luck!

[Donald'sGirl]

I agree with all the girls. Get as much as you need to do before hand, send your DF early (which I agree, I would hate to do) and then fly the next morning on the first flight out. Remember everything will work out and you are marrying the man you love no matter what!!! Good luck with everything!

[irisbud]

Is there another airport-- small or large within say 90 mins of your home?. There have been so many flight schedule changes by all airlines that you might end up getting a later flight because of schedules.

Just remember to have fun and enjoy --it all works out in the long run

Patty

No other airports, but I am hoping for a schedule change!

I agree with the others. If you can get all the things done you can do before you get to FL, get your DF down there the day ahead of time, and maybe do some research on alternate airports just in case, you should be just fine. Sometime that is all you can do - take the situation for what it is and make it work for you.

Good luck!

That's what I'm going to try to do!

I agree with all the girls. Get as much as you need to do before hand, send your DF early (which I agree, I would hate to do) and then fly the next morning on the first flight out. Remember everything will work out and you are marrying the man you love no matter what!!! Good luck with everything!


:hug: Thanks


Thanks ladies, your words were very helpful!

I am toying with some ideas right now if I can't go when we first planned: Let me know what you think!

If DF went down on Tuesday, he could stay overnight with his Mom in the timeshare she rented (he won't care; he wanted Us to do this one night um, no :confused3). I could come Wednesday (getting everything done ahead of time; he only needs to get his tux fitted, as would my Dad so they could do that together as my parents are arriving Tuesday as well.

Then, we could add on extra days after our cruise and leave Sunday the 1st of February instead of Thursday Jan 29 right after the cruise!

This would be okay with me! As long as there is no airport snafu, I would be cool!

Then we would have one night at the BW (love it there), three nights at the GF (our fav), four nights on the Wonder (first time cruisers) and then three more nights somewhere else, which makes the same amount of time for me, and one extra night for him from the origional plan.

I'm thinking CR MK View if we do this or Yacht Club, just to try something new. CR would complete our "tour" of the monorail resorts (and we love the monorail) but YC has an awesome pool (though we are not big pool people and might be all "pooled" out after the cruise)

Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions?

As always, thanks for reading!

[Donald'sGirl]

I think that sounds like a great plan! :goodvibes Who doesn't love extra days in Disney!!

[disprincessatheart]

Thanks ladies, your words were very helpful!

I am toying with some ideas right now if I can't go when we first planned: Let me know what you think!

If DF went down on Tuesday, he could stay overnight with his Mom in the timeshare she rented (he won't care; he wanted Us to do this one night um, no :confused3). I could come Wednesday (getting everything done ahead of time; he only needs to get his tux fitted, as would my Dad so they could do that together as my parents are arriving Tuesday as well.

Then, we could add on extra days after our cruise and leave Sunday the 1st of February instead of Thursday Jan 29 right after the cruise!

This would be okay with me! As long as there is no airport snafu, I would be cool!

Then we would have one night at the BW (love it there), three nights at the GF (our fav), four nights on the Wonder (first time cruisers) and then three more nights somewhere else, which makes the same amount of time for me, and one extra night for him from the origional plan.

I'm thinking CR MK View if we do this or Yacht Club, just to try something new. CR would complete our "tour" of the monorail resorts (and we love the monorail) but YC has an awesome pool (though we are not big pool people and might be all "pooled" out after the cruise)

Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions?

As always, thanks for reading!

I think that's a great plan. DF going to stay with his mom the first night is ideal so you wont' feel like he's "at Disney" without you and then you get extra nights at the end of the trip!! :yay: Do CR, you won't regret splurging for your honeymoon!

[29apr00]

Sounds like a great plan, yeah for extra time after the wedding to relax!

[Disneychix]

Oh I would totally add days after the cruise!! And imagine how much better those days will be than before the wedding when you'll be too stressed to enjoy your time! :)

Maybe AKL Savanah?? You could do a water and savannah package!

[figmentfan814]

I think that we will work out perfectly for you. I had to go down a couple of days before Kris too because at the last minute, he had to stay for work 2 days longer. As long as one of you will be down there in advance to work on some of the wedding needs you should be perfect :thumbsup2 Plus, at least you won't miss out on any time at Disney :cool1:

Working in politics and government I understand how strick certain deadlines can be... that's so cool that you're the clerk in your area!

[irisbud]

I think that sounds like a great plan! :goodvibes Who doesn't love extra days in Disney!!

Yes, I am all for the extra days! What I thought would be a disaster might actually work out to my advantage. Good thing I didn't over react :rolleyes: ;) :lmao:

I think that's a great plan. DF going to stay with his mom the first night is ideal so you wont' feel like he's "at Disney" without you and then you get extra nights at the end of the trip!! :yay: Do CR, you won't regret splurging for your honeymoon!

I like the idea that he wouldn't be there without me! :rotfl: I am very mean. Seriously, though, I wouldn't mid I just know he will say "too expensive" about adding on days at the end :rolleyes: if he satays at BWI that first night too. By saving money there he won't be so against days at the end.


Sounds like a great plan, yeah for extra time after the wedding to relax!

After you mentioned that I got to thinking about just how relaxing it will be to have days AFTER the wedding when it is over and done instead of before! (Also, all of the relatives will be gone :rolleyes1 Did I say that?;) )

Oh I would totally add days after the cruise!! And imagine how much better those days will be than before the wedding when you'll be too stressed to enjoy your time! :)

Maybe AKL Savanah?? You could do a water and savannah package!

Ah, time in Disney...after the wedding is over...alone :cloud9:

I think that we will work out perfectly for you. I had to go down a couple of days before Kris too because at the last minute, he had to stay for work 2 days longer. As long as one of you will be down there in advance to work on some of the wedding needs you should be perfect :thumbsup2 Plus, at least you won't miss out on any time at Disney :cool1:

Working in politics and government I understand how strick certain deadlines can be... that's so cool that you're the clerk in your area!


I feel better about it now, if he will go one day ahead. Actually, he and my dad are trying to push me to push harder for an option, but at this point I am thinking I may just make a nominal effort. To be perfectly honest, it sounds like things will work out fine (the only thing the worries me is a cancellation of a flight, etc.) and if I were in WDW I wouldn't be enjoying it because I would be SO worried someone was screwing something up majorly. Normally I am not (quite) so OCD, but this is something I couldn't fix if done wrong! So the days after will be more relaxing for several resons!

Thanks ladies!

[tiggerrifficheidi]

Hi Amy! I just read your entire PJ. You posted right after me on Toni & Bobby's, so I had to assign myself your PJ as homework :) I'm getting married on the 19th at the WP. I guess you won't be there from the looks of your snafu, but we should be in the parks during and after your wedding.

I'm sure everything will go well with DF going down before you. I don't mean to be negative, but give him a list and think through everything. I had my Escape wedding in June, and mine was much more simple than yours, but I felt I had so much to do in the two days before the wedding.

Some things to think about:

applying for marriage license-I think Florida allows you to do it by mail, so maybe you should consider that as a time saver

calling your hair/makeup artist to let them know what room you'll be in

calling your WP to let her know what room you'll be in

giving the minister a contact # for you (this might not be a problem, since you probably have a cell phone...we were coming from Germany, so we didn't have a US #)

And have your DF make sure he has the green annual pass vouchers. Ours were supposed to be in the packet we picked up from the WL at check in, but they weren't...so that meant MORE phone calls to WP while she fixed it (she did...and was upset at the WL because they messed it up!).

But, if you're organized before hand, you can be stress-free as you wait to get down there! I hope things keep going as well as they have!

[irisbud]

Finally and update, with pictures (because everybody loves to see pictures, right?)!

First, I finished all of my invitations last week:

Outside of invitation (these wre done using Cards and Pockets. I used velcro to seal the flap down)
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/morewedding83108012.jpg

Detail on outside of invitation (matches my jewelry!)
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/morewedding83108013.jpg

Inside of invitation:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/morewedding83108014.jpg

Actual invitation:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/morewedding83108015.jpg

Closeup of invitation:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/morewedding83108016.jpg

Inserts(Ceremony & reception, DP infor, RSVP; there is also a pre addressed and stamped small silver envelope for the RSVP behind the inserts):
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/morewedding83108017.jpg

RSVP:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/morewedding83108019.jpg

Dessert Party Info:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/morewedding83108020.jpg

Ceremony and reception info:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/morewedding83108021.jpg

Detail on inside of invite, just below inserts:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/morewedding83108022.jpg

Envelope Closure:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/morewedding83108023.jpg

Now that they are done, I cannot wait to sendthem out!

I also embelished our guest book, which was just plain silver silk. I am going to do it like a scrapbook: having the layouts done, but having cut out pieces for people to sign and putting it all together after the wedding

Outside of guestbook:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/morewedding83108002.jpg

Detail of embellishment:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/morewedding83108001.jpg

Inside of front cover:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/morewedding83108003.jpg

Close up of wording:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/morewedding83108005.jpg

Close up of outline for woring:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/morewedding83108004.jpg

Close up of paper:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/morewedding83108006.jpg

Continued in next post...

[irisbud]

Continuing on:

We decided to do the Mickey head fan programs, and have done most of the work for them. I have done all of the sticks and the dark blue paper with the onogram. I have also set up most of the sliver papr for printing (we have to finalize our music before I complete this step). It was DF's idea to add the bow ties and buttons. At first I wasn't sure, but now I like the idea!

Front of fan:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/morewedding83108007.jpg

Closeup of head with wording:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/morewedding83108008.jpg

Closeup of stick:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/morewedding83108009.jpg

Back of fan:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/morewedding83108011.jpg

Closeup of monogram:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/morewedding83108010.jpg

Finally, decent pictures of our rings. My wedding ring was my grandma's ring. I had it cleaned, retipped, and sized. Other than that, I did not change it all for sentimental reasons:

DF's ring:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/morewedding83108026.jpg

My wedding ring:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/morewedding83108028.jpg

Both of my rings:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/morewedding83108027.jpg

All three rings together:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/morewedding83108025.jpg

My rings on my hand:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/morewedding83108029.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/morewedding83108030.jpg

Comments? Questions? Suggestions?

I am meeting my co MOH today and hopefully we will pick out her dress (time is actually starting to run out :banana: )

Four months, 3 weeks, and one day, AKA 144 days!

Can't wait

Thanks for reading everyone!

[Donald'sGirl]

Your invitations are very pretty!! What paper or color did you use from cards and pockets? It looks like a pale purple but I am not sure. Thanks!

[Donald'sGirl]

Just say the other posts and I love the bowtie idea! They look great! Beautiful rings!:cool1:

[irisbud]

Your invitations are very pretty!! What paper or color did you use from cards and pockets? It looks like a pale purple but I am not sure. Thanks!

Thank You! I used the silver pocket folders. The paper actually came from Michael's. It is a bluish/purplish metallic. I also used it for the larger head on the prgram. I think it was called moon struck (but I could be completely wrong, I will see if I can find a labeled sheet anywhere).

[Donald'sGirl]

Thank You! I used the silver pocket folders. The paper actually came from Michael's. It is a bluish/purplish metallic. I also used it for the larger head on the prgram. I think it was called moon struck (but I could be completely wrong, I will see if I can find a labeled sheet anywhere).

Oh silver!!! Ok, Thanks! Teah if you find the name I would love to know. It is very pretty!

[IndyBride]

Great job on the invites!! They look so fabulous!

[figmentfan814]

Your invitations turned out so great. I love the detailing with the crystals and you did a great job on the wording. I especially like the insert for the DP.

I think your DF had a great idea with adding the bowtie and buttons; too cute. So, I have to ask did it add a lot of time to your design. I don't know if you remember, but we made Mickey shaped programs that ended up taking us forever :rotfl:

Looking forward to reading more soon!

[DisneyBrideToni]

Wow everything looks great!!!!

The invites and fans are fantastic! You did a great job on them. They are very impressive!!!!!!

Your rings are beautiful! Your band looks great with your E-ring!

Can't wait for more updates. Keep em' coming!

[irisbud]

Oh silver!!! Ok, Thanks! Teah if you find the name I would love to know. It is very pretty!

Okay, I had one piece with the UPC label still on. It said the paper was from The Paper Company, and the color is Blue Steel (so I was way off!). The lighter paper that I acutally printed on is also from The Paper Company and it is called Polar Sea Metallic (it is superlight blue and looks silver). The silver mickey head that are printed on are also a The Paper Company product, and they are called Warm Steel.

HTH!

Great job on the invites!! They look so fabulous!

Thank you so much!

Your invitations turned out so great. I love the detailing with the crystals and you did a great job on the wording. I especially like the insert for the DP.

I think your DF had a great idea with adding the bowtie and buttons; too cute. So, I have to ask did it add a lot of time to your design. I don't know if you remember, but we made Mickey shaped programs that ended up taking us forever :rotfl:

Looking forward to reading more soon!

Thanks! I remember your programs, they were a lot more detailed and intricate than ours! The buttons and bow ties do take more time, but it isn't terrible; we just use a hot glue gun. Wrapping the sticks (we used wooden rulers) in the silver ribbon took FOREVER. DF says he will personally glue everything. We will see... :laughing:

Wow everything looks great!!!!

The invites and fans are fantastic! You did a great job on them. They are very impressive!!!!!!

Your rings are beautiful! Your band looks great with your E-ring!

Can't wait for more updates. Keep em' coming!

Thank you so much! I was so glad the rings worked together. My grandma and I were super close, and it means a lot to me to get to wear her ring. :goodvibes


We picked up MOH's dress yesterday, but I don't have any pictures of her in it yet. As soon as I do, I will post!
This is the dress (sorry couldn't get a picture to work):

http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridesmaids_bycolor_detail.jsp?stid=3324&sid=18683&cfid=44



Thanks for reading everyone!

[keenercam]

Amy -- You did an amazing job on your invitations. They are beautiful! :lovestruc The programs look great with the bowtie and buttons. How in the world did you get the print around the perimeter?

[lpizzuro123]

Wow - your invitations came out great - I love the color and the ribbon and the embellishements you used.

I also love your Mickey Head Fan Programs - I am still not sure if I am doing these or not but yours came out great. How did you cut the circles and how did you get the writing on the program to come out so great. What program did you print them in?

Also love your MOH dress. Can't wait to read more.

Linda

[irisbud]

Amy -- You did an amazing job on your invitations. They are beautiful! :lovestruc The programs look great with the bowtie and buttons. How in the world did you get the print around the perimeter?

Wow - your invitations came out great - I love the color and the ribbon and the embellishements you used.

I also love your Mickey Head Fan Programs - I am still not sure if I am doing these or not but yours came out great. How did you cut the circles and how did you get the writing on the program to come out so great. What program did you print them in?

Also love your MOH dress. Can't wait to read more.

Linda

Thanks ladies!

For the programs: I used a compass to draw the origional on the blue paper. Then I went in 1 inch from all points, so there woul be a 1 inch border of blue around the silver. It was like connect the dots, sort of, so I connected and had my smaller piece.

To put on the wording was actually a long process. I could not figure out for the life of me how to do the perimeter wording for a long time, but really wanted it because I thought it would be different. Finally, I decided to just type everything in word (double spaced) and cut and paste. I did all of this on white copy paper. I took my silver Mickey head and traced it one the white paper so I would know where to place the wording. Once I did the perimeter wording, I had a mster sheet for that. Then I cut and pasted the wording in the ears, and now have a master sheet with both. There is still a little wording left to do, and then it will all be finished. Then I can take the master sheet and copy onto the silver sheets (I have to use an inkjet instead of the laser I was using; the inkjet turns out nice, the laser had truble bonding to the rough cardstock). Since the outline of the head is on there, I can just cut them out once they are printed. I hope this makes sense!

Thanks for reading everyone!

[29apr00]

You're mickey fans are sooo cute! But you totally lost me on how you got the wording on the side. :lmao:

Your invitations are beautiful, and I love the BM dress!!

[figmentfan814]

I have a template that another DisBride shared with me that has the outline of a Mickey head in Word with text boxes in the appropriate places if anyone is interested. :)

[irisbud]

You're mickey fans are sooo cute! But you totally lost me on how you got the wording on the side. :lmao:

Your invitations are beautiful, and I love the BM dress!!

Thanks! Cut and paste then copy!

I have a template that another DisBride shared with me that has the outline of a Mickey head in Word with text boxes in the appropriate places if anyone is interested. :)

If I were going to do these again, I would definitely use Vanessa's template. The way I did it was too hard!

[irisbud]

Let's see, four months today! :cool1: Not much to report. We have finally decided on the days of our trip: We wil arrive in Orlando On Tuesday the 20th, wedding is the 22nd, leave for four night Disney cruise the 25th, head back to Disney on the 29th, and come back home February 1st :banana: . We got a great deal on our flights ($99 each way per person on SW) so I am happy. Our cruise was a good price and our fab TA Tracy from DU got us in a room that used to be a Cat 6 but was reclassified as a Cat 7 so I am thrilled about that. :goodvibes Now I am waiting on pins and needles hoping for an AP discount or a discount of any kind on our rooms. :rolleyes1

I am at 122 days today, so I have about 2 months before I can mail away for the marriage liscence. On Thursday the 2nd of October I am going to send out invites (This is a little early: 16 weeks before the wedding, but I made the RSVPs for 10 weeks before so we would have a better idea. That gives us two weeks after that to get our worksheets, etc. turned in. I figure if they don't know by now if they are going, they probably aren't going...:rolleyes1 ).

This morning I ordered cheap jewelry sets for my bridesmaids. They are like the "lite" version of mine, or I guess the bridesmaid's version....

My jewelry:

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG0942.jpg
Earrings

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Floralnecklace.jpg
Necklace

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/tiaracloseup.jpg
Tiara

Bridesmaids Jewelry:

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/No368.jpg
Earrings and necklace set (no tiaras for them ;) ) $15 a piece!!! I think it matches okay...

Question :confused: What about wraps? It is January standing by a lake at SBP and all of my girls and me have strapless dresses. Do they need wraps or no? We've been in January before, and I remember it being fairly warm by noon, but I don't want them to freeze! :cold: We aren't wearing the dresses again for the DP that night, so the ceremony and cake cutting is the only issue...

Thanks for reading everyone!

[irisbud]

Just a couple of minor updates:

I mailed out the invitations on Thursday, at our 16 week mark. Since I asked for the RSVPs to be returned at 10 weeks, this gives our guests about 6 weeks to figure out if they will be attending or not :rolleyes: I figure that most of them should know by now anyway, but we will see how it goes...


I went out looking for wraps for the bridesmaids, and couldn't find anything that I liked, so I settled on a silver crocheted (sp?) looking wrap:

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Flowers034.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Flowers035.jpg

I really wanted something without fringe on the end, but that seemed to be in short supply. The ones I liked from David's over the internet looked like table runners in person and I just didn't want to have to deal with them again, especially as I would have to place an order :sad2: . If they have to use them, which I am hoping they won't, I will have them tie them in the back so the fringe isn't so visable (put around back of neck, pull left end under left arm, right end under right arm so it sort of looks like a bolero and tie).

Their jewelry arrived last week also and I was pleased enough with it. It is a touch cheap looking, but will be fine for pictures and for wearing once. Here is the catalog picture of it again, and it looks the same:

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/No368.jpg

I got this from princessbridetiaras.com (http://www.princessbridetiaras.com) which is also where I purchased my tiara. I have nothing but good things to say about them so if you need a tiara or jewelry for yourself or your bridal party, give them a try :thumbsup2

Last night, I wrapped the gifts for the girls, and will be giving/sending them throughout the week just for one less thing to pack later. Also, some of them were talking about maybe purchasing these things on their own, so I will head them off at the pass :rotfl:

Jewelry wrapped up in paper that matches it:

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Flowers044.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Flowers047.jpg

Bag containing jewelry and wrap using our wedding colors:

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Flowers049.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Flowers052.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Flowers053.jpg

I also got my bustier (sp?) for under my dress. On David's' website, it said they tended to run a bit large. I am between a 32 and 34 A depending on the company, so I got a 32A and it fits perfect. I also has a little flower in the center that I couldn't see on the web that matches my jewelry and other accessories perfectly.

I think that is about all (whew, a novel!). My first fitting is October 23, so we will see how that goes. My mom, sisted, and I are going to pick out my mom's outfit this weekend, so hopefully all will be well with that

Thanks for reading everyone!

[figmentfan814]

That is a great idea to send the gifts in advance; it definitely would have helped us with less things to pack :rotfl: I think the shawls should work out well, I stresesd over jackets for my girls and then it ended up being pretty warm, so I wouldn't worry too much.

Can't wait to see the pictures from your upcoming fitting :cool1:

[irisbud]

That is a great idea to send the gifts in advance; it definitely would have helped us with less things to pack :rotfl: I think the shawls should work out well, I stresesd over jackets for my girls and then it ended up being pretty warm, so I wouldn't worry too much.

Can't wait to see the pictures from your upcoming fitting :cool1:

One of my girls got her things today and says she loves them. She will be putting them on with her dress when she gets home, she says :rotfl: . she is so funny. She is 16 and her mom says that everytime she has the chance, she puts the dress on to show someone. I guess getting the accessories gives her another excuse :rotfl2: I'm glad she likes it, though :thumbsup2

I am hoping that it will be warm for us too!

I'm so excited to put my dress on again and have it fitted. My mom sounded excited about going with me too, which was great :hug:

Thanks for reading!

[irisbud]

99 DAYS TODAY!

:banana: :cool1: :dance3: :cheer2: :yay: :woohoo: Double Digits! :woohoo: :yay: :cheer2: :dance3: :cool1: :banana:

[figmentfan814]

Wow, I didn't realize you were already under 100 days, how exciting! :woohoo: :dance3: :yay:

[keenercam]

Oh, my goodness, Amy! Can you believe how close our dates are getting? I am ten days before you so with your countdown, mine seems like tomorrow! :eek:

Everything looks so lovely! I really LOVE your jewelry! :lovestruc The bridesmaids' jewelry will complement it so beautifully!

[DisneyBrideToni]

YAY for all your updates and for being in the double digits!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am almost there!!

I love the shaws and the jewelry! Everything looks so pretty!!! I love everything that you have picked out and I can't wait to see more!! :goodvibes You are getting soooo close now!!!!!!!! I see your dress fitting is coming up soon so have fun and take pics!!

[IndyBride]

So exciting to be in the double digits!! Enjoy your last months of being engaged!!!!

[irisbud]

Wow, I didn't realize you were already under 100 days, how exciting! :woohoo: :dance3: :yay:

:banana: :dance3: I'll count down by anything...days, weeks, months. Hours is more work, but I could do it :laughing:

Lets see, 92 days OR 13 weeks and 1 day OR 3 Months today! :rotfl2:

Oh, my goodness, Amy! Can you believe how close our dates are getting? I am ten days before you so with your countdown, mine seems like tomorrow! :eek:

Everything looks so lovely! I really LOVE your jewelry! :lovestruc The bridesmaids' jewelry will complement it so beautifully!

Thanks so much! Are you getting excited? For a while it was crawling by, but now things have sped up again! Yikes! I have so much to do!

YAY for all your updates and for being in the double digits!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am almost there!!

I love the shaws and the jewelry! Everything looks so pretty!!! I love everything that you have picked out and I can't wait to see more!! :goodvibes You are getting soooo close now!!!!!!!! I see your dress fitting is coming up soon so have fun and take pics!!

Thanks! You are getting so close too! I am excited but getting a little panicky about getting everything done at the same time... I'm sure it will all come together, though :wizard: :rotfl:

So exciting to be in the double digits!! Enjoy your last months of being engaged!!!!


Thanks! You are getting closer too! 6 Months tomorrow! :dance3: It's going to FLY by. Just think, you'll be at three months too on the day after my wedding! :cloud9:

We have started working on our favors and favor boxes and I will get pics as soon as I can. I am having my first dress fitting tomorrow, so I will get pictures of that as well and post ASAP!

Thanks for reading everyone!

[trudy88]

The wraps and the jewelery are beautiful!
trudy <><

[irisbud]

The wraps and the jewelery are beautiful!
trudy <><

Thank you! :goodvibes

[irisbud]

So, our guest count is rapidly dwindiling (sp?)...

Df's Mom called last night to say that she won't be coming to the wedding because it would bee too physically difficult for her.

she also said that since she is not coming, Df's sister will not be coming either. One of Df's brothers was going to attend, but he has a big project he is working on at his job and can't take the time off. His wife and child will now not be attending either, so we are down by five.

So far, we have seven confirmed guest (my mom, dad, and sister, a mutual friend and her two daughters, and my BFF). Three of these guests are bridesmaids :laughing: . It makes for an odd arrangement and strange pictures, but oh well.

We are still waiting to hear from the two men DF invited as groomsmen and their wives. That would bring us to eleven. DF had another friend he might invite. If he came and brought his family we would be back at fifteen.

I don't have problems with any of this. I told DF that we could be married at home if he liked so that his mom could be there but he said no. I feel bad for him, but he really seems okay with it. for myself, I am glad we have people coming, but even if no one came it wouldn't change anything. We would still be getting married, and that is all that matters.

On a lighter note, the honeymoon ressies are FINISHED, finally! We moved some things around when the AP discounts were released, so we ended up with the following (all at at least $100/night off using the AP discount):

BWI Tues-Sat (4 nights)
WL Honeymoon suite, CL Sat-Sun (1 night)
4 night Disney wonder (sun - Thurs)
CR Thus-Sun (3 nights)

I am happy with this. I was dissappointed to give up the GF (my very fav) but I am alright with it now. I don't mind paying for it, but when we could get such great deals on these other hotels the price for a GV looked ludicris in comparison. If we had never stayed there before or would never do so again I might think differently, but I am alright with this. Plus we now get all delux hotels and one night CL for $400 less than we were origionally going to pay for 2 nights BWI, 3 nights GF and 3 nights ASMu. We can spend that money on other great things, and, after this trip, I will have tried ever Disney owned delux except Yacht club :woohoo:

We also saved $10 pp or our airfare on Southwest, so we now have a $20 credit for later.

Hmm...airline credits and WDW APs...I wonder what I should do with those ;)

BTW, my dress fitting went really well. The seamstress is going to sew cups in the top so I don't have to wear my bustier, but I might anyway in case of wardrobe malfunctions :upsidedow . I have nothing, so they are sewing two together and putting them in. My mom said "that''s nice, but what is she going to put in those cups" :rotfl: . It's so true!

I go back on December 4th, and I will be sure to take the camera (I forgot it last time!)



Have a great day everyone and thanks for reading!

[figmentfan814]

I completely understand where you're coming from with the dropping guests. After DH's father passed away 4 months before our wedding his entire side of the family dropped out which was around 8 people. As long as DF's is okay with things, don't let it bother you because you'll still have your fairy tale wedding :bride:

:dance3: For saving money on the rooms. I can't believe how great the AP rates are right now. We're trying to square away our trip for February and the deals are fantastic!

[DisneyBrideToni]

Sorry the guest list is dwindiling. I seem to be having the same problem with DF's family. We still don't know if his father and step-mother are going yet. They kind of ignore the subject so I am taking that as a No. DF seems ok with it but I am sure it is bothering him. We still have a pretty good list though.

I hope everything works out for you both and you are right it is all about you and your DF getting married! :goodvibes

[irisbud]

Thanks ladies! I am feeling a little better about this, and DF really seems okay with it, so I am as long as he is!

I would LOVE to get a final count though, so I can make my favors, set up everything for the programs, etc.

I put a stamp on the RSVP envelope! I thought that would indicate that it should be returned no matter what, especially to people DF asked to stand up for him!

Oh well, we can get married alone if we have to. All I need is him :goodvibes:

[IndyBride]

I'm sorry you seem to be losing guests. I have a feeling we may loose a couple as well. Just treasure the guests that do make the trip with you.

[MiaBella05]

popcorn:: subscribing popcorn::

[irisbud]

Hi everyone! I have been a bit negligent with my PJ lately, but Disney makes things so easy I have had a lull in things to do. I have a feeling it will be picking up again here shortly though! :goodvibes

50 days today :dance3: I am getting super excited and also a little nervous, but in a good way, KWIM? :cheer2:

Let's see: I have the application for our marriage license waiting to be signed and notarized on our coffee table right now, so we will be getting that done ASAP! I am taking DF's ring to be engraved tomorrow night. My dress fitting is tomorrow night. I think it will be my final one but not sure as the seamstress said she will have to replace the beads following the fitting. :cloud9:

I have done some work on our favors, but they are not finished. I am making some favor boxes and putting a candy inside of them that I am making using candy melts and a castle mold. I can't do the candy until shortly before we leave so I should get the boxes done soon I guess so the favors will be mostly done :laughing: .

I have my programs all laid out, I just need to know for sure who is coming and who is not :headache:

I turned in my worksheets a week ago and am now waiting for my BEO. I traded the champagne for two bottles of cider so we wouldn't have to pay for extra drinks. I also downgraded to one charachter (Mickey) instead of Mickey and Minnie, as there will most likely only be nine of us total and having both mice seems like a waste (though I would have enjoyed!) :bride:

For the DP we have chosen the petite classics. To be honest, I wasn't overly thrilled with any of the new menus, but this one offered the best variety. DF LOVES cheese, though, so I am thinking of asking what a cheeses and crackers addon would cost and if it is even avalible as it is not listed. :lovestruc

Let's see... we also recieved our ears. I ordered the old style ones from LaughingPlace along with two lanyards. We got a grab bag of pins from mousepinsonline, and they came out to about $2 a pin, so we are going to give pin trading a try on this trip. :goodvibes

I can't think of anything else. I am going to try to remember my camera for my fitting tomorrow and post pictures! :rolleyes1

Have a great day everyone and thanks for reading!

PS: I love your ticker MiaBella :goodvibes

[figmentfan814]

Have fun at your dress fitting, it's always so exciting to be at the final stages with the dress.

We had the cider for our brunch and loved it; it was really good so you won't be disappointed.

I made Mickey and Minnie chocolates with molds for our at-home reception too. Those are so easy and they turn out so cute! Looking forward to seeing your castles :)

[Goldeelox9]

Oh it all sounds wonderful! I can't wait to read all about it!

[irisbud]

Hi everyone thanks for reading! I can't believe how close it is getting:scared1:

I forgot my camera (again) when I went to my final dress fitting :headache: , but I did have my centro with me, so I had my mom use it to take some pictures (that was an interesting experience :rolleyes1 )

Here they are (I don't know where the wired fold on the side of the top is coming from :confused3 ) I think it has something to do with the angle of the picture as everything looked and felt like it fit perfectly in person :cloud9:

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Photo_120408_002.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Photo_120408_001.jpg

I get to pick it up on January 10 (which is a Saturday), as they need to sew more bra cups in it :rolleyes1 (the pic has them just resting in there, maybe that is the cause of the wierd fold :upsidedow ) I'll need to ship it that Monday to make sure it gets to Carolyn Allen's in time :scared: That's cutting it a bit closer than I would like, but I'm sure it will all be fine!

Thanks for reading everyone!

[DisneyBrideToni]

Hooray for dress fittings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You are beautiful!!!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE your dress! Its so elegant!!! :goodvibes

So close now!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[irisbud]

Hooray for dress fittings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You are beautiful!!!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE your dress! Its so elegant!!! :goodvibes

So close now!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks so much :goodvibes ! I am getting so excited! It seems like just yesterday I started this PJ with almost a year to go, now it is right around the corner, and your wedding is right afterwards! :cheer2:

[keenercam]

Beautiful! It looks gorgeous on you! Thanks to your Mom for taking pix for us! :goodvibes

[irisbud]

Beautiful! It looks gorgeous on you! Thanks to your Mom for taking pix for us! :goodvibes

Thanks Cam! It was quite an ordeal, as my mother is, er, technically challenged :headache: . She was like "this is a phone"? :rolleyes1 . Off topic, but I still remember when my dad got her a cordless pushbutton phone for their bedroom a long time ago. Well, somehow she managed to dial 9-1-1 with it by accident:confused3 . She blamed the phone and wanted to see if she could find some old rotary dial phones to replace it with :rotfl:

Just one more day and you will be at one month! :cheer2: Are you super excited?

Right now I feel like :goodvibes :cloud9: :banana: :dance3: :scared: :cheer2: :scared1: :upsidedow :eek: :grouphug: :beach: :faint: :bored: :teeth: :crazy: all at once!

Thanks for reading, everyone!

[figmentfan814]

The beading looks so beautiful! It's getting so close now! :goodvibes

[29apr00]

your dress is beautiful! I love the top!

[padisneyfour]

your dress looks beautiful on you! congrats! you will be a beautiful bride! best wishes:goodvibes

[irisbud]

The beading looks so beautiful! It's getting so close now! :goodvibes

Thanks! That is why we picked it out in the first place, actually. My mom was looking through the racks and she found it and brought it in the dressing room for me to try because I love pearls and the beading looks like little seed pearls up close :goodvibes

your dress is beautiful! I love the top!

your dress looks beautiful on you! congrats! you will be a beautiful bride! best wishes:goodvibes

Thanks ladies! I can't wait :cloud9: :bride:

[irisbud]

I finally got around to taking some pictures of our favor boxes. I got these as plain, cheap little wooden boxes from Michael's. I painted them a light blue, then put a coat of silver paint over the blue. I printed out the image and decoupaged it and the ribbon around the lid onto the box. I glued the mickey paper on the inside. DF wats to decoupage small clip art picture on around the sides, but I don't know what I think about that, I sort of like them the way they are and think they might get too "busy". Then again, they might look less plain. I might do some that way and see (we have loads of extras now :laughing: )

Top of the boxes:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG1468.jpg

Top and side view:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG1469.jpg
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG1474.jpg

Side view:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG1472.jpg

Inside of boxes:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG1476.jpg

Inside and lid:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG1486.jpg

This is a picture of the mold I am goig to use for the candy. I am using white candy melts with a mint flavoring. I'm going to use candy dye to make the turretts and flags blue. I bout celophane bags to put the candy in. They fit in the boxes as pieces of candy rather than lolipops (this is a lolipop mould) so I won't put sticks in them. I may put other little candies in the boxes with them. I can't make the candy until closer, so sorry if this is a little difficult to see.

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG1492.jpg

Only 40 more days to go! Thanks for reading everyone!

[DisneyBrideToni]

Oh I love the boxes!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You did such a great job! You are very crafty! the candy is going to be such a great idea to put in the boxes!!!! I love it! :goodvibes

[MegKate]

Those are awesome boxes!! I wish I was so crafty! Post pictures when you get the candy done! :goodvibes

[figmentfan814]

I love how the boxes turned out! Was it really hard to get the Mickey print inside? I can't wait to see the final product all come together.

[irisbud]

Oh I love the boxes!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You did such a great job! You are very crafty! the candy is going to be such a great idea to put in the boxes!!!! I love it! :goodvibes

Thanks! I can't wait to get it all done and mark another project off of the list!

Those are awesome boxes!! I wish I was so crafty! Post pictures when you get the candy done! :goodvibes

Thank you! I well definitely post candy pics when they are done. I am crossing my fingers that they turn out at least somewhat like I am picturing and that they make it to WDW in one piece! :rotfl:

I love how the boxes turned out! Was it really hard to get the Mickey print inside? I can't wait to see the final product all come together.

Thanks! Getting the Mickey paper inside was the worst part. When you turn the box over and trace it, then it is slightly too big. You have to keep cutting a little off the shape at a time until you get it right. I also have a blue metallic pen to do the edges as I haven't yet been able to get one just right :rolleyes1 . The paper around the sides was a bit of a pain as well. The paper is about 1.5" to short to use one strip around, so you have to use one and a piece of one :headache: . It's a lot of work, but I am pleased with them so it is okay! Also, I only have to make about 10 (seven for our guest, one to send to DF's mom, and 2 extras JIC) so it's not such a big deal! :goodvibes

Thanks for reading everyone! 39 days to go! :banana:

[MiaBella05]

:banana: YAY getting closer!!! :banana:

[Donald'sGirl]

Amy those boxes came out fantastic! Great job! :thumbsup2 I can't wait to see how the candy turns out! I be they are going to taste yummy!

[DisneyBrideToni]

You are 1 month away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

[TheDisneyGirl02]

I just read your entire PJ and while I was reading it, your ticker changed from one month and one day to just one month! I got so excited for you!!!!

I have 298 days to go until my at home wedding and then my WDW honeymoon! :)

[irisbud]

:banana: YAY getting closer!!! :banana:

I am getting super excited :dance3: !

Amy those boxes came out fantastic! Great job! :thumbsup2 I can't wait to see how the candy turns out! I be they are going to taste yummy!

Thanks! I hope it tastes all right (or that my guests are polite enough not to tell me if it is bad :laughing: ). As long as it turns out looking good... :rotfl:

You are 1 month away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

:scared1: ......



.......No, I am super excited! I was watching a wedding show and I was like wow, in one month that will be me! :cheer2: You are getting really close too!

I just read your entire PJ and while I was reading it, your ticker changed from one month and one day to just one month! I got so excited for you!!!!

I have 298 days to go until my at home wedding and then my WDW honeymoon! :)

Wow, thanks for reading all the way through. popcorn:: When I started my PJ I had almost a year to go. It has really gone by fast, and I'm sure it will for you too :goodvibes

Thanks for reading everyone!

[29apr00]

wow you did an awesome job on the boxes!! Too cute!!

[pink_tink8i8]

those favors are way too cute! You should sell some!

[irisbud]

Hi ladies, thanks for all of the compliments on my favor boxes! Now I just have to finish them! :headache:

25 days today! I am feeling so many emotions all at once now, but mostly happy and excited! DF and I have been together for so long now that I just can’t wait to be his wife! :dance3:

I am also having a little bit of pre-trip depression, as I always do before heading to WDW! I am so excited to go, but a little sad because I know it is going to be over all too soon. :guilty: I think this time will be ever worse with the wedding planning and hype as well. I guess I will have to plan another trip in order to remedy this! :thumbsup2

Let’s see, I still have soooo much to do: Get our license paperwork notarized TOMORROW so I can send it away and get everything back before we leave…finish the programs…finish the favor boxes…make the candy for the favors (though I need to wait a bit longer on this so it will be nice and fresh)…pick up my dress on January 10th…ship my dress and the BM dresses to Carolyn Allen’s…where did all of the time go?!? It seems like just yesterday I had MONTHS to do all of these things! :scared1:

On my way home from DF’s mom’s for Christmas, we stopped at an antique store. There was a pink star sapphire ring in one of the cases there at a decent price. My mom had a pink star sapphire ring about 15-20 years ago that she lost the stone out of. She has never found one since then that satisfied her, but I think she will love this. I am going to get it resized and give it to her on my wedding day as her gift from me. I am going to get my dad a watch and have “always your little girl” engraved on the back. I am getting teary eyed right now just thinking about it! I’m going to be an emotional wreck on my wedding day! :sad1: :goodvibes

You may remember my necklace:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Floralnecklace.jpg

And my tiara:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/tiaracloseup.jpg
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/tiara.jpg

These WERE my earrings, but I never liked them much:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/CIMG0942.jpg


My dad bought my some new earrings and a bracelet from the Kristy Kelly “Belle” collection (my fav. Princess!):

Earrings:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/Newearrings.jpg

Bracelet (I didn’t have one before):
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/irisbud/newbracelet.jpg
I hope they match okay (they look like they will), and I hope the earrings aren’t too big (I don’t think they will be)!

I think that is all for now!

Thanks for reading everyone! :goodvibes

[DisneyBrideToni]

great updates! i know how you are feeling. i think i am going through the same emotions. I love your new belle jewelry. I am debating getting the kristie Kelly jewelry myself. I like the giselle jewelry the best but I don't know if it would be too much for my dress. So many decisions! I can't wait to see your favors all done up. I love the boxes! :goodvibes

[Lynn5700]

Aww the boxes are so cool. You did a great job.

I really like the new jewelery. so gorgeous.

[irisbud]

great updates! i know how you are feeling. i think i am going through the same emotions. I love your new belle jewelry. I am debating getting the kristie Kelly jewelry myself. I like the giselle jewelry the best but I don't know if it would be too much for my dress. So many decisions! I can't wait to see your favors all done up. I love the boxes! :goodvibes

Thanks! I hadn't really looked at the KK jewelry until someone posted a thread the other day. It is all so pretty! I can't believe we are both getting so close! Everyone said it would FLY by, and they were right :goodvibes

Aww the boxes are so cool. You did a great job.

I really like the new jewelery. so gorgeous.

Thanks, Lynn! I can't wait to get the jewelry and try it on! :cloud9:

Thanks for reading everyone!

[irisbud]

Okay, a couple of minor updates:

I spoke to Rosie from WDW floral on Friday and she said the AK shoot would be fine so we will be doing that on January 23 (the day after the wedding). I don't know if the shoot starts at 7 am or 7:30. She didn't have that info and said I would recieve it with my floral BEO (which I still do not have!)! We went over a couple of other things and I feel like I am all set (just need that BEO!) I really like Rosie! :cutie:

Next, DF was looking through our passporter and saw that Morocco wasn't pinpointed as one of the prime viewing locations. He then decided we should move the DP to Japan if avalible as there are now only 9 of us and he likes that venue better...:mad: I'm not sure if the max at Japan is 8 or 10? I sent an e-mail to my planner to see if it was avalible or even feasible, but she is on vacation until tomorrow, so I am hoping to hear from here then! :thumbsup2

Ugh, my MOH is having drama with her work. They told her just a week ago she may not be able to attend the wedding without dire consequences even though she asked off for it long ago.:sad2: We will find out in the next couple of days if she will make it or not, so I am keeping my fingers crossed. The good news is that no one else will be dropping out no matter what so we will still have at least eight and I am fervently hoping for nine!:wizard:

DF finally picked out his clothes! :woohoo: He was going to rent a tux, but we decided it was silly to rent something for almost as much as you could buy for especially when we are not having a formal wdding. He got a dark navy (almost black) suit with a dark blue shirt and dark blue tie with a hint of red. He looks super handsome in it! :cloud9: My dad needed a new suit as well so he got a matching one. He will have a silver shirt, though, and a tie that is mostly silver with just a hint of navy.

I also got one of the BM dresses to ship. I will pick up the other on Saturday on the way back from getting my dress. The third one is altered and ready, but MOH will just bring it with her if she gets to attend! :bride:

The ceremony programs are printed, they just need to be cut out and put together, and our boxes still need all of the images and ribbion glued on them, plus I need to make the candy! :scared1: :eek:

Finally, I sent in our notarized marriage license stuff, but I forgot to include copies of our driver's licences and the check! DUH! They called me today and I will send in out tomorrow AM, as I don't have a checkbook with me right now! :headache:

17 days to go! :dance3: :banana: :cheer2: :yay:

Thanks for reading everyone! :goodvibes

[Rebclay]

You must be soo excited!! I can't wait to see pics, especially of your AK photo shoot. I've never seen pics from an AK photo shoot. Good luck with everything.

[DisneyBrideToni]

YAY FOR BEING SUPER CLOSE NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thats great that you are getting all the final things done. OMG I forgot to send a copy of our licenses too!!! I faxed them to them and I got my license today! They are super fast about it. I am so excited for you!!!!!!!! :banana:

[figmentfan814]

That was so sweet of your dad to buy you the jewelry; it very pretty. The gift for your mom sounds perfect. Everything is coming together so great!

Here's hoping that your MOH is able to come :goodvibes

The suits for your dad and DF sound really great. I love the colors!

It just dawned on me that we're coming in right after you leave which means that I will have to wait to get any updates until I get back from my trip :sad1:

I can't wait to see your shoot at AK! I kept changing my floral up until the end too :flower3:

Keep us posted up until you leave.

[irisbud]

You must be soo excited!! I can't wait to see pics, especially of your AK photo shoot. I've never seen pics from an AK photo shoot. Good luck with everything.

Thanks! I am super excited. I keep looking at the clock, willing it to move faster. Not that I want to wish my life away by any means, but....:banana:

YAY FOR BEING SUPER CLOSE NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thats great that you are getting all the final things done. OMG I forgot to send a copy of our licenses too!!! I faxed them to them and I got my license today! They are super fast about it. I am so excited for you!!!!!!!! :banana:

:lmao: Glad I am not the only one! You are so close too! :cheer2:

That was so sweet of your dad to buy you the jewelry; it very pretty. The gift for your mom sounds perfect. Everything is coming together so great!

Here's hoping that your MOH is able to come :goodvibes

The suits for your dad and DF sound really great. I love the colors!

It just dawned on me that we're coming in right after you leave which means that I will have to wait to get any updates until I get back from my trip :sad1:

I can't wait to see your shoot at AK! I kept changing my floral up until the end too :flower3:

Keep us posted up until you leave.

Thanks Vanessa! I hope everything comes out how I am picturing it in my head! :cloud9: :goodvibes

Thanks for reading everyone! :goodvibes

[irisbud]

Hi ladies!

Well, our DP will be staying in Morocco, as Japan will be undergoing rennovations while we are there. Oh well, I'm sure it will be great no matter where it is :thumbsup2

I just recieved my final BEO with the floral/photo proposal included. I know looking at BEOs from other people helped me to make decisions, so I thought I would post here:

Basic Escape Package:
*Sea Breeze Point: Start time 12:00 PM
*Elegant Scrolls cake with white orchid: Top layer Chocolate with bavarian cream, bottom layer yellow with bavarian cream
*2 bottles sparkling cider in lieu of champagne ($.01)
*Includes all standard elements

Total Escape package (includes tax): $ 4500.01

Floral:
*Bride's Boquet: Tussy Mussy boquet in white as pictured of DFTW website (included in Escape package)
* Groom's Boutineer: White rose with white stephanotis with pearl inserts (included in Escape package)
* Bridesmaids: 3 rose wands with single white rose. Use white ribbion with silver edging and light pixie dust. Less ribbon than usual. ($25 each or $75)
* Bride's Father: Single white rose boutineer ($10)
* Bride's Mother: Pin on corsage of single white rose, white freesia, and stephanotis with sheer white ribbon with silver edge ($30)
* memorial flowers: White rose for groom's father, no greenery ($5), purple dendrobium orchid for bride's grandmother ($6)
* Tax ($8.22)

Total Floral (Including tax): $134.72

Photography
*DPS to cover wedding and reception (included in Escape package)
*Animal Kingdom Photoshoot 7am-8am, Friday, January 23, 2009 ($650)

Total Photography (includes tax): $650

Entertainment:
*Mickey Mouse ($800)
*Minnie Mouse ($400)

Total Entertainment (includes tax): $1200

Dessert Party:
NOTE: 9 total attending, 5 have admission
* 4 viewing fees ($12.50 each OR $53.25 with tax)
* Morocco venue ($213, tax included)
* 9 petite classics menus ($28 each OR $324.74 with tax/charges)
*Tables and chairs set up ($79.88 with tax)

Total Dessert Party (includes tax and charges): $670.87


Event Total: $7155.60

This dosen't include our attire and accessories, dress steaming, officiant, cake topper DF purchased for me (Lenox Mickey and Minnie cutting the cake) :lovestruc travel, meals, hotel, hair, makeup, nails, cruise or rings :scared1:

HTH someone!

[DisneyBrideToni]

Thats a great BEO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You sound like you have a lot of stuff for just a little more over the escape package!

SO CLOSE NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :banana: :banana: :banana:

[Goldeelox9]

It all sounds so great, Can't wait to see the pictures. I hope you MOH gets to attend!

[Lynn5700]

Your BEO is great!!! YAY you are soo close!!

[padisneyfour]

everything sounds fantastic, especially the AK photo shoot! looking forward to seeing the pictures. best wishes! Enjoy!:goodvibes

[irisbud]

Thats a great BEO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You sound like you have a lot of stuff for just a little more over the escape package!

SO CLOSE NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :banana: :banana: :banana:

I'm really happy with everything we ended up with for the price! If we had had a wedding here it would have been tons more costly (would have had to invite everyone and their mother) and not nearly as perfect for us! I am super excited now!

It all sounds so great, Can't wait to see the pictures. I hope you MOH gets to attend!

Thanks! I hope so too. :wizard:

Your BEO is great!!! YAY you are soo close!!

:dance3: Two weeks tomorrow! :scared1: :cheer2: :banana: :yay:

everything sounds fantastic, especially the AK photo shoot! looking forward to seeing the pictures. best wishes! Enjoy!:goodvibes

I can't wait to do the photoshoot! I will be sure to post the pictures when we get back! :goodvibes

Thanks for reading everyone! :flower3:

[Donald'sGirl]

Amy that is a great BEO!!! Thank you for sharing it. I can't believe how close you are now! The time just flew! I can't wait to see how it all comes together!! :cool1:

[irisbud]

Amy that is a great BEO!!! Thank you for sharing it. I can't believe how close you are now! The time just flew! I can't wait to see how it all comes together!! :cool1:

Thanks! I am very excited!

[irisbud]

I am really feeling the pressure right now! Where did all the time go to do all of those things that I had "forever" to finish? :confused3 I thought maybe coming on here and making a list of everything I have left to do, then updating it daily, would help to keep me organized, motivated, and maybe a little sane because I feel like I am about to lose it :laughing: Thank goodness our wedding is so small and Disney is doing all of the hard work! I would be a psycho right now if we were having a big at home wedding! :scared:

I picked up my dress yesterday and had some drama with the bridal shop :sad2: . That was the first and only problem I had with them, but I didn't need the drama :rolleyes: . They had told me before I didn't need the reciept or anything to pick up the dress (I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to get it or if someone else would need to). When I got there, the associate demanded to see the reciept, saying that they had lost some computer info and she wasn't sure if the dress had been paid for in full or not. Well, it was (I mean come on it was only $99!). I pointed out their sign that said no alterations until paid in full and said that it had been altered...twice...so it must have been paid for. She still wasn't convinced, so I told her that losing info was THEIR problem, not mine. The store is 1.5 hours from my and about 45 minutes from my parents, and I need to ship tomorrow so I wasn't about to go find the reciept! Finally she went and got the dress and then just handed it to me! I said I needed a bag or some plastic at least (I was supposed to get a bag). She said it needed to be out of the bag to breath. I told her it was going in my car to get home, so it needed some sort of protection, just in case. She got all huffy because she had "just" steamed it (it took her about 10 seconds to get it after giving up on the reciept, so I highly doubt that). Finally, she put my veil in some drycleaner type plastic bag and got a bag for the dress. :mad: I felt like a criminal by the time I left :scared1:

Okay, enough drama, the dress made it home okay, so that is all that matters! :goodvibes

So now...
To Do:
Ship my Dress and BM dresses
Finish 4 bow ties for programs
Glue 10 programs together
Paint three more favor boxes
Decoupage 9 favor boxes
Line 9 favor boxes
Make 10 candies for favors
Pick up additional candies for favors
Draw 9 more graphics for authograph cards
pick up mother's gift
get father's gift
make copies of all important documents
pack all wedding things
pack for honeymoon
Buy some hair supplies
Buy extra memory card for camera
Set up video camera
clean house
get farm in order before leaving
write 10 more papers for grad school :scared1:
get everything in order at work before leaving (which is its own list unto itself!)

:scared:
Lists help me get things done, though, and if I feel like others have seen my list, I will feel accountable for it and will get it done more quickly!

:scared: :eek: :scared: :crazy: :faint: :duck: :badpc: :rotfl: :banana: :love: : :headache: :dance3: :cool2: :bride: :cheer2:

Thanks for reading everyone!

[Donald'sGirl]

That is quite a list Amy but you will get it done! I have complete faith in you! :thumbsup2

[irisbud]

That is quite a list Amy but you will get it done! I have complete faith in you! :thumbsup2

:lmao: I wish I did! :goodvibes I guess I shoudl get off of here and do something constructive!

[KittyKat08]

Fantastic PJ, everything looks perfect. You are going to have a beautiful wedding. I can't wait to see the pictures and hear all about your honeymoon.

[irisbud]

Fantastic PJ, everything looks perfect. You are going to have a beautiful wedding. I can't wait to see the pictures and hear all about your honeymoon.

Aw, thanks :goodvibes !

[irisbud]

New day, new to do list:

To Do:
Ship my Dress and BM dresses
Finish 4 bow ties for programs
Glue 10 programs together
Decoupage 2 favor boxes
Line 9 favor boxes
Make 10 candies for favors
Draw 8 more graphics for authograph cards (all drawn, now just need to be colored and cut out!)
pick up mother's gift
get father's gift
make copies of all important documents
pack all wedding things
pack for honeymoon
Buy some hair supplies
Buy extra memory card for camera
Set up video camera
clean house
get farm in order before leaving
write 9 more papers for grad school
get everything in order at work before leaving (which is its own list unto itself!)

As you can see, I got some things done, but still have lots more to do. Yesterday I just kept telling myself "just keep swimming...just keep swimming..." LOL! At least DF is being helpful, which is a plus!

[Mrsdisneyb2b]

First, the place you got your dress from was rather rude and you are allowed to be upset .But I must say you handled yourself beautifully. If it was me I would have started crying to hysterics and landed myself in the looney bin. They would have handed me the dress jst to insure that I didn't come back!

Second time flies, and it is scary but look at how much yo uhave done already! So amazing!!! And you have a list...lists are wonderful wonderful things!

[irisbud]

First, the place you got your dress from was rather rude and you are allowed to be upset .But I must say you handled yourself beautifully. If it was me I would have started crying to hysterics and landed myself in the looney bin. They would have handed me the dress jst to insure that I didn't come back!

Second time flies, and it is scary but look at how much yo uhave done already! So amazing!!! And you have a list...lists are wonderful wonderful things!

Lists are wondeful things :laughing: . Somedays, I can't get anything done unless I have a list. I feel bad when I don't get everything checked off, so they keep me motivated. Now if only things would start checking themselves off...
I'm sure it's some kind of OCD thing. One of the papers I have to write for grad school is on a topic of my choice. Since I am an I/O psych student, maybe I should do list making and productivity :rotfl: