Wendy & Chuck's PJ and TR Merged 2/4/08 Escape SBP/JIKO: Updated 9/19-Pleasure Island

[October Bride]

I don't have time to comment back to everyone here at work, but I promise I will. I figured you guys would rather have the next installment with it's lone picture! :laughing:



Day 1, Part 1 - Friday, February 1, 2008

Bad things happen when you live in Michigan. Perhaps you have a mild winter; hardly any snow for Christmas. And just when you think you’re safe Mother Nature and Old Man Winter get together and brew up a nasty storm to ruin all of your plans 3 days before you’re supposed to get married. Okay, maybe it’s not that bad.

The alarm was set for 4am, but I was up before that. I showered, woke Chuck and worked to complete all of our last minute packing. All the while I’m looking outside and watching the snow come down in buckets? In pillows? What’s the appropriate unit of measure for snow? Anthony texts at 5:30am wanting to know what we want from Starbucks and I have Chuck text him to skip Starbucks and come straight for us. Do not stop, do not pass go. He arrives at 5:50am and we are packed and ready to go. We ended up with 3 large pieces of luggage to check, we each had our computer bags and I had my large black WDW bag with my purse in it that I carried on as my ‘purse’. We load everything up in his truck and take off.

I spent the whole trip doing one of 3 things:

1.) Using Google maps on my iPhone to check traffic to the airport. :idea:
2.) Praying that Anthony didn’t spin us out of control. :scared1:
3.) Calling my sister to ensure that she got up and left early enough for the airport since her flight was at 9:40am. :sad2:

The roads were bad. Really bad. And Anthony was trying to get us there as fast as possible so he was driving a little too aggressively for my taste. There were a couple of times I wasn’t sure we would even survive the drive.

I also called my sister at least 8 times before she finally answered. Let me preface this by saying that I have no faith in my sister. She’s only 15 months younger than me, but there was a three year grade difference in school and she’s in my mind still so young and irresponsible. I thought she for sure was going to miss her flight. She finally answers as we’re pulling up to the service drive for the airport. Not only had she not overslept, she was already at the airport! AMAZING! I was so proud of her in that moment. And I felt really bad because I left her all these crazy messages warning her of how bad the roads were and ‘hoping’ she was already up and on her way! She even laughed at us because we weren’t there yet (we were 5 minutes from being dropped off curbside.) I breathed a sigh of relief, wished her a good flight and promised to talk to her when we got in to MCO.

We arrive at the airport, get checked in with no problems, stop at the Starbucks for some beverages and head off to our gate. Chuck picks on me because he’s an airport pro since he travels for work so much. I have no idea where we’re going because we’re in the fancy, new terminal flying on Northwest. Normally I fly out of dirty, grimy, old Smith terminal on Spirit.

While we are waiting to board the flight I speak with Keith from Carolyn Allen and let him know that my flight is still showing that it’s on time. He says to just come from the airport to the salon for Chuck to get fitted. I try calling Veronica again from Beaute Speciale since she wanted pre-payment for our make-up appointments by Wednesday and it’s now Friday. I get her voicemail again, so I leave a message. Miraculously she calls me back just a few minutes later and I give her my credit card information. It turns out that she does all the booking but she’s on the West Coast. That just doesn’t make sense to me. And, she said that she doesn’t check her voicemail often. Now that really doesn’t make sense to me. However, we’re all paid and confirmed so I’m A-OK on that front.

Chuck and I were just hanging and chatting and I was going a million miles a minute doing the almost-my-wedding-day-overloaded-bride thing and I remembered that I needed to D-O-C-U-M-E-N-T for the Dis and this TR. I pulled my camera out to take the first picture of the trip and the guy sitting across from us was kind enough to offer to take the picture!





:headache: I cannot find that picture?!?





While we were waiting, Chuck took the opportunity to tell me how we were going to board. We were still in coach, but we were flying business elite so we got to board the plane right after first class. In this case, extra time on the plane was not to our advantage.

We board the plane on time. And then we waited. And waited. And waited some more. Then the flight attendant gets on the speaker to let us know we’re waiting for some people who need to be on the flight who are still on their way to the airport?!? I’ve never heard of such a thing. After 20 minutes or so a group of 4 people get on and get settled. Yet, they don’t close the door. So, we’re still waiting. Then the attendant gets on the speaker again saying that we’re now waiting for some folks from a connecting flight!! Finally, those people board. An hour has passed since we boarded ‘on time’ and we’re still sitting there. Our seats were just in front of the engines and we were lucky enough to watch them defrost them. I’m not a nervous flyer, but this was a tad scary to me. We finally start taxiing and the pilot comes on to let us know that we’re pulling up to a station to be de-iced. He made a lame attempt at a lame joke to let us know that we had an appointment so it should take long. Ha! When we finally finished with that the pilot comes back on to let us know that we’re taxiing to the runway and that we’re second or third in line to take off. Apparently that didn’t work out for us because we ended up being directed to another runway and we waited FOREVER.

During all this waiting, I decided to document and we did a self-picture on the plane.

http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/257584191_ThuEv-M.jpg

Note the snow outside the window of the plane!

Finally we take off!! At this point we’re over 2 hours late. I’m thankful that we’re flying but I’m also concerned about all the errands we have to run when we land and that we lost 2 hours out of our day. I’m also really excited to be leaving the cold, snowy, nasty weather of MI and arrive in my sunny, warm happy place. I don’t know about the rest of you, but when I step off the plane everything plumps. My dry skin becomes supple and my hair poufs out and there’s this distinct Florida smell in the air and I :love: FL.

Up Next: Landing at MCO and the chaos that ensues.



Oh my word i am starting to worry now, i have got to get 34 of us from my house to airport and on a plane from the UK.......i hope i can cope ok lol:rotfl2:

[MistressOfAllEvil]

Oh my sweet lord what a day!

I know, right!

you at chilly cheese fries the day before you left????? you are so funny! i wish i would have been able to eat chilly cheese fries before mine...

It was if suddenly all my hunger from the past couple weeks had reappeared. And an apple wasn't going to cut it.

mark and i have a rule when he comes home stinky (it's inevitable, he owns a bar), he MUST shower before i smell him. and there is no way i'd let him near the bed, or really, any absorbent material for that matter.

Brilliant! We never needed a rule before. I was unprepared for such a stinky situation.

What a day! Crazy! :eek: But I'm glad you started your TR! :woohoo:

Thanks, I'm glad I started too... I'll be even more glad when I finish! :lmao:

Wait - the strippers tore his UNDIES?!! What the dickens goes on at those places anyway? :upsidedow He should have demanded a replacement pair of underpants... although then not only would he have come home smelling like a stripper, he'd have been DRESSED like one too!

:rotfl: I would have to draw the line there. I'm not into my man cross-dressing!

oooh, caught up, can't wait to hear if the snow came; if you got out ok??? Can't wait to see pictures!!!

Oh yeah, the snow got us... As I've been typing the next installments, I'm finding I didn't take as many pictures I thought I did. :headache: :confused3

Oh, Wendy, you poor thing. I am so sorry you had all that pre-trip stress. :hug: Can't wait to hear that everything turned out wonderfully.

Thank you! And to quote MikeR... any wedding where you end up married is a success.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Coney Island. Ever since I moved out to Chicago I go through intense cravings for their fabulous Greek salads. Coney Island is definitely one of the things I miss most about Michigan. DBF and I decided that when we're done with school we're going to open up a Coney Island in Florida for all the snowbirds that go down for the winter.

Brilliant! :idea:

ANYWAY....I am so excited for the rest of your TR. Waiting for the next installment is like waiting for the next episode of a dramatic television show. Oh the suspense!popcorn::

That's right, I'm like your favorite tv drama, just when you're hooked, they run re-runs for three weeks on a row. Let hope I don't go on a writer's strike! :laughing:

Oh yeah... I remember that snowy day....
Oh wait... which snowy day? We got so many snowy days this year it's freakin ridiculous... :mad: *ok I'm done venting now*...

I'm lovin the TR... keep it comin!!! :thumbsup2

We were gone for a good part of all that snow, but obviously we didn't escape unscathed... will it ever end? I heard that we're supposed to get another 10-12" this weekend??

Wendy my gosh!!! I can't believe he came home with his underwear torn lol,I was picturing it as you described it lol. You had a crazy crazy day!! I hope the next installment is better.

Maybe not the next installment, but once we get to the eigth or so I think we'll be in the clear!

Hi Wendy! Great start to your TR - well, the writing, not the events! Hard to believe such a stressful day could have happened!

I'm a native Michigander myself, so I know all about those snow forecasts... and Coney Island of course!

Oh, in answer to your etiquette question, honestly, I wouldn't write any thank you cards to your DH's coworkers. I'd have to assume that he thanked them on your behalf. That's just me though.

Looking forward to hearing the rest - hope things got better!

Thanks for reading, relating and commiserating!

Oooooh! I can't wait to see the pics! :)

patience is a virtue? :rotfl:

Hey guys, save a cupcake for me!!! :rotfl: Wendy, you poor thing! What a day! I can totally understand the school stresses - I'm working and going to school full time as well. Planning a wedding would have pushed me over the edge!!:scared1:

Regarding the office wedding gift - I would definately write a thank-you note to the entire group. Send it in care of the top dog or admin and then they can post it or pass it around. Even if your DH has verbally thanked the people, I think that you should officially thank them as well. I wouldn't worry about individual thank you notes.

Can't wait to hear more! :surfweb:

Yeah, I don't know what made me think it was a good idea to do it all at the same time. I made it through to the other side, but I'm pretty sure I didn't handle it very well.

And I did just that... I wrote a group thank you note. That Chuck still has not taken into work.

Darn! You'd have so many weddings to lurk at if you could squeeze in a weekday trip the first week of May! You can lurk at either my wedding or scottish/canadian's wedding on Monday and then Lynn's wedding on Wednesday!!

Can't wait for pics!popcorn::

:goodvibes Oooooh I wanna come lurk! Unfortunately I think I'd have to be closer to the end of May after the semester is over! :sad2:

As for the "Thank you" notes, I plan on using this article as a guideline... http://www.tricitiesweddings.com/Stationary/invitations10.shtml...

The last two samples on the page show how you could deal with notes to groups of large or small gift givers.

Thanks, I used the example for the large group! :thumbsup2

[MistressOfAllEvil]

Glad your back!

Me too! And next week is Spring Break! No school and No homework! I somehow managed to position myself such that I won't have to go to the lab at all!!

Hey guys - didn't a MistressOfAllEvil post on this board? It was a long, long time ago -- feels like years and years ago?

Did someone swipe her name?:confused3



Boo Hiss, Wendy - for snowy weather and slippery roads! :mad: And delayed flights! And watching them deice the plane. (I witnessed that once and wanted to promptly disembark from the plane!)

How do you like your iPhone?

Don't answer any of these questions -- just finish your TR and post lots of photos! (My daughter's favorite style of wedding gowns is much like yours - I'm anxious to see your photos. We're going to drive 3.5 hours ONE way this Saturday to a bridal trunk show!)

Ha Ha... you're so funny! ;) Let's just hope I can plow through b/c after Spring break my 8 week online class starts on top of my current classes. :eek:

In all honesty, until I get my pics from Randy, I don't have any really good full length pics in my dress. I'll see what I can dig up for you...

Oh, and I love my iPhone. DH had bought it for me last summer the day after they were released. It was the same day I found and bought my dress (for only $600.) That was a very good day!

Good luck at the trunk show. I was dreading dress shopping and got really lucky. My dress was the first one I tried on!

Wendy,

Don't you just love the NWA terminal?

The Smith has been dirty and nasty for about 20yrs(since I started flying regularly for business, thank goodness they updated the bathrooms though), but the replacement is opening in September.


I would consider a 2hr delay not bad considering the weather. I was very worried you wouldn't get out until afternoon.

We upgrade on Airtran at Thanksgiving, my 11 yr old son has now decided thats the only way to fly. :eek:

Younger sisters. It's either :cheer2: or :headache:

Love the Macnamera terminal. Seems more like a nice airport in a nice city! :laughing: I can't wait to see what the Smith terminal ends up looking like!

That's funny about your son. I kept trying to get Chuck to see if they would upgrade us. He gets upgraded 80% of the time, but he didn't want to try with me in tow. :rolleyes: :cool2:

so i'm guessing that your sister was on a different flight than you were?

i'm hoping that as we get further and further into this tr that things start to get better for you OR you at least get some liquid therapy going...

Yep, she was on a Southwest flight that was supposed to leave 30 minutes after us.

Oh and although I should have, I never got the therapy, liquid or otherwise, that I deserved.

...Or cupcake therapy!!! :rotfl:

Nor a cupcake, but I did get a chocolate-chocolate chip muffin the morning of the wedding!

i just made pecan twix brownies!!!!!!!!!!!

So are these from scratch or should I be looking for a mix in the baking aisle at my local grocer?

Did someone say cupcakes?

http://brandieraleigh.googlepages.com/ChristmasCupcake2.JPG/ChristmasCupcake2-large.JPG

There...that should help! ;) (made it myself!)


Anxiously waiting for more of your TR! :flower3:

awwwwwww thaaaaaank you...i think i will make eric take me for cupcake mix now :)

ps-did u really make that cupcake because it honestly does look freakin delcious

Sorry...didn't mean to be mean...honest!! lol...cupcakes are my thing. I'm an amateur cake decorator and do lots and lots and lots of cupcakes. So when someone says cupcakes, I just can't resist!!

And yes Amanda...I did make that myself! :)

As soon as I figure out how to ship them safely, i'll be sure to request addresses...especially since I was mean enough to post a picture here! ;)

Sorry to hijack your TR Wendy! And now...back to your regularly scheduled TR!! :)

Don't worry about the pirate: It keeps the masses entertained :cool1: while I'm gone.

And that cupcake looks AMAZING!!!

Chaos when you get off the plane..gosh!!! I would have been freaking out waiting in the plane that long and just knowing that I am 2 hrs behind would drive me nuts. Sorry you had to go through that.

This TR better get better soon lol..enough with the stress lol.

It really is quite stressful reliving the days leading up to the wedding. Perhaps I'm far to negative :confused: I don't mean to be.

You aren't having a stress free run up to the wedding are you!

No, no... not at all!

Oh my word i am starting to worry now, i have got to get 34 of us from my house to airport and on a plane from the UK.......i hope i can cope ok lol:rotfl2:

Perhaps you're more organized than I am? Perhaps you're not taking classes at the same time? Perhaps you handle stress better than I do. If any of these things are true, I'm sure you'll be able to cope. I'm just one big :scared: -ball no matter what. I didn't expect any less. :rolleyes:

Okay guys... I'm 80% done with the next installment. I'm trying to finish through Friday night! It probably won't be up tonight since Chuck's been gone all week for work and when I get home from school, I won't be getting back on the computer. So tomorrow is my goal! :yay:

[MistressOfAllEvil]

:cool2:
Eeeeek! I know I've been gone for a long time. Sorry.

Anyhow, I thought I'd post up just to let you guys know that I received my pictures on Friday.

Linda had called (Chuck!?!) on Tuesday to confirm our address, etc. We received a proof book with over 500 pictures and two discs with over 950 pictures. We're not up on his site yet as Linda said he's still doing some photoshop work and that we'll be getting a 3rd disc when he's done. I uploaded both discs we received onto a site that I've been using...

Now I didn't pick and choose... so this is EVERYTHING. The good, the bad and the ugly. Also, anything that didn't come from Randy, I didn't edit before I uploaded it. So there's some killer red eye, etc... lol.

You can find my pictures (both Randy's and a compilation of pictures from other's cameras) at www.mistressofallevil.smugmug.com. The password for the site is Disney1971. Thanks for looking!

Hopefully I can carve time out soon to continue with my TR, but I can't promise, because then I feel like a schmuck! :headache: (what am I talking about, I feel like a schmuck either way!)

[scarlett873]

only had time scroll through randy's pictures so far...STUNNING!!!

Will go back to look at the others soon...

[lurkyloo]

OMG! I'm so excited! :yay:

OK, tell me about SmugMug - was it easy to upload all your pix at once? I am getting REALLY tired of Photobucket, expecially now that it takes a bazillion steps just to resize an image...

Back to the pix!

P.S. These are great! They look different than Randy's other photos...

[MistressOfAllEvil]

OMG! I'm so excited! :yay:

OK, tell me about SmugMug - was it easy to upload all your pix at once? I am getting REALLY tired of Photobucket, expecially now that it takes a bazillion steps just to resize an image...

Back to the pix!

OMG... loooooooove smugmug. The only caveat is that you need to do pretty much any editing you want to (ie. red eye fixin') before you upload.

You have to pay for the site and the base subscription is $35, I think. If you mention me as a referral you get $5 off (you have to use my email or a referral # that I'd have to dig up.) But you get unlimited space, and you can create as many galleries as you want and you really have a lot of freedom to customize, password protect, etc.

The great thing is if you click on any picture and then click the share button it has several options to share the picture at MANY sizes. Also, people can download the picture directly to their computer (at the original file size.)

Uploading is easy (at least it was on my Mac) although a little slow (which I think has to do with the quantity and size of the pictures as well as my upload speeds through out ISP, dowload speeds are usually what are advertised and uploads are sometimes no better than dial-up, eek!) You'll download an application from the site the first time you want to add pictures to your gallery. When I uploaded Randy's pics (over 900) I got it started and let it run overnight.

So I was going to PM you to let you know you can download any pictures with you in them... but now you know!

EDIT: The subscription is $39.95/year, $5 off the first year for mentioning a referral & you can read about there services here (http://www.smugmug.com/price/)!

[Pam]

Wow!! :faint:

Great photos, Wendy!

I :love: your dress! You were simply gorgeous!

[BaBeeCee14]

You look beautiful Wendy! Love the pictures!!

[lov2b@disney]

Stunning Wendy! :goodvibes:

[romymichelle21]

You look so pretty! :goodvibes

I just had a random thought - that the shots of you looking at him and him looking at you during the ceremony from behind each other's shoulders (there are 2, I think, of each) would look really cute in a 3-picture frame - with a shot of your first kiss in the middle!

Like,

:bride: :love2: pirate:

[FIREFLY01]

thanks for the link!!
the pictures are beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!
you look wonderful!!!!!!!!
your wedding looked so pretty, out there!!! i stole some picts fr ohana's thank you again!!!!

[cseca]

Beautiful pics Wendy!!!

[caryndisneydiva]

fantastic! is there a pic of doc sitting next to chuck's sister in there??? sorry, i'm a troublemaker...

[MistressOfAllEvil]

only had time scroll through randy's pictures so far...STUNNING!!!

Will go back to look at the others soon...

Thank you. Take your time. It's a lot of pictures. I've had trouble myself digesting all of them.

Wow!! :faint:

Great photos, Wendy!

I :love: your dress! You were simply gorgeous!

Thank you! Thank you and Thank you!

You look beautiful Wendy! Love the pictures!!

Glad you could look! Thank you.

Stunning Wendy! :goodvibes:

Thank you!

You look so pretty! :goodvibes

I just had a random thought - that the shots of you looking at him and him looking at you during the ceremony from behind each other's shoulders (there are 2, I think, of each) would look really cute in a 3-picture frame - with a shot of your first kiss in the middle!

Like,

:bride: :love2: pirate:

Thanks Heidi! I gotta figure out all the picture merging or whatever it's called so I can make my own siggy and change it out when I want! One day.. when there's more time...

thanks for the link!!
the pictures are beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!
you look wonderful!!!!!!!!
your wedding looked so pretty, out there!!! i stole some picts fr ohana's thank you again!!!!

No problem, sorry I didn't get them to ya sooner. Hopefully you figured out how to download the original files? So that you'll have full resolution! If not, let me know and I'll walk ya through it. It's just so hard to email pictures of that size. Oh and thank you!!!

Beautiful pics Wendy!!!

Thank you! ;)

fantastic! is there a pic of doc sitting next to chuck's sister in there??? sorry, i'm a troublemaker...

ha ha... you're a stirrer. You like to stir the pot. One of the cool things about the site is that you can 'hide' individual pictures within galleries. Which I've done so that Doc can go through the pictures with his wife without fear.

Funny story... SIL asked Doc to take a picture together, he agreed on the basis that she didn't show anyone, well that went right out the window. So I'm left doing damage control. But here ya go...

(This is what it would have looked like if the two of them were together... )
http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/257621382_ew4mr-M.jpg

[pjstevens]

Wendy,

Absolutely stunning. It will take a few visits to see all those pics but they are beautiful.

[newyearsbride]

OMG! You were stunning! Your pictures are gorgeous:cutie: . Boy am I really glad I booked Randy now! What a beautiful day you had! Very nice :thumbsup2

[caryndisneydiva]

(This is what it would have looked like if the two of them were together... )
http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/257621382_ew4mr-M.jpg

love it! did wifey make it to the wedding?

[MistressOfAllEvil]

love it! did wifey make it to the wedding?

Uh... No. LOL. It was a disaster that barely worked itself out. The 'official' reason was that she was taking time off work shortly after our wedding for another trip to FL to visit some of her family. So, apparently she couldn't make the wedding too.

Whatever. I'm over it. :cool2:

[MistressOfAllEvil]

Oh oh oh! So Randy just emailed me a bit ago and the pictures are up on HIS site now. Including some photoshopped stuff! All the photoshopped pics are in the first grouping. The second grouping is anything he turned to B&W. And as far as I can tell right now (I'm still going through them myself) the third grouping is a smattering of what I already have.

Be Forewarned: He put pictures up of me in my stickey ****s and spanx! :rotfl: I tried to hide those pictures b/c I didn't think you all deserved to be subjected to that...

[newyearsbride]

I always lose the link... help please? Thanks!

[MistressOfAllEvil]

Randy's Site (http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/storesearch.aspx?p=29147)

[newyearsbride]

Randy's Site (http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/storesearch.aspx?p=29147)

Thank ya, thank ya.

[newyearsbride]

They're gorgeous!
Edit: You're makeup was so beautiful! Very classic. I love the pics of you with your husband's hat on!

[KQAN]

Great pictures! I love your dress. Can I ask where it's from? It's exactly the style I want.

[Keira1387]

Your pictures look AMAZING!! Randy is the best!!

[keenercam]

Well, Randy had another absolutely GORGEOUS subject to make beautiful pix of! Wendy, you were just STUNNING! You and Chuck look so happy and so much in love in those pix. You must be thrilled with how well they turned out. How in the world will you ever choose your favorites? Does Chuck love them?

BTW, I may have missed it if someone asked and you already answered, but what is your tattoo? It looks great as part of your overall look, but I may have missed a close-up if there is one.

[Lynn5700]

OMG I LOVE YOUR AVATAR PICTURE!!!!!!!!!!

Ok girl your pic's are gorgeous,I love love love stinking love the picture of you wearing your husband's hat!

[MistressOfAllEvil]

Wendy,

Absolutely stunning. It will take a few visits to see all those pics but they are beautiful.

Take your time, it's a ton of pictures. Thank you!

OMG! You were stunning! Your pictures are gorgeous:cutie: . Boy am I really glad I booked Randy now! What a beautiful day you had! Very nice :thumbsup2


Thank ya, thank ya.

They're gorgeous!
Edit: You're makeup was so beautiful! Very classic. I love the pics of you with your husband's hat on!

No worries... Thank you! I have to echo what anyone else who's hired Randy has said... He was a dream to work with. Absolutely amazing. And I think the value was outstanding.


Great pictures! I love your dress. Can I ask where it's from? It's exactly the style I want.

My dress was pronovias. I bought it at a local shop for $600. It was marked down from $1800. I don't know much more about it and I never really figured out what the style number or anything was. I guess that's the mark of a great salesperson. I told her my budget and the style I was looking for and she pulled about 10 dresses. This was the first one I tried on and it was perfect. I bought it off the rack. When you go to try on dresses ask for trumpet and mermaid styles... that should get you going in the right direction.

Your pictures look AMAZING!! Randy is the best!!

Thank you! Randy is GREAT!

Well, Randy had another absolutely GORGEOUS subject to make beautiful pix of! Wendy, you were just STUNNING! You and Chuck look so happy and so much in love in those pix. You must be thrilled with how well they turned out. How in the world will you ever choose your favorites? Does Chuck love them?

BTW, I may have missed it if someone asked and you already answered, but what is your tattoo? It looks great as part of your overall look, but I may have missed a close-up if there is one.


Thank you!! Chuck's only looked through the proof book so far so he hasn't gotten the full effect yet, but he loves them. He's happy that they turned out so well. He even said that he really enjoyed working with Randy. I think it's because Randy was so complimentary while he was working with us. :goodvibes I don't think there are any close ups, but we didn't hide the tattoo either... It's alternating butterflies and roses. It is mistaken for the dancing bears a lot. I love my tattoo but Chuck hates it. I got it only a few months after we started dating...

[irisbud]

I love your pics! They are so beautiful. All of these great Randy pics are really making me think twice about my decision to stick with Disney photography

[MistressOfAllEvil]

OMG I LOVE YOUR AVATAR PICTURE!!!!!!!!!!

Ok girl your pic's are gorgeous,I love love love stinking love the picture of you wearing your husband's hat!

Eeek, didn't mean to forget you Lynn. Thank you! Some of my pictures actually remind me of YOUR engagement pictures. It's a huge compliment that you like them, thank you. You're pictures are part of the reason I booked Randy.

[MistressOfAllEvil]

I love your pics! They are so beautiful. All of these great Randy pics are really making me think twice about my decision to stick with Disney photography

Thanks Amy! Are you having and escape or wishes?? I totally understand sticking with Disney, especially if you're an escape; but the biggest driver for me to go with outside photography was being able to own my pictures. I'm a HUGE scrapbooker and I have to be able to get reprints at a reasonable price! I loved that Randy had a package that fit my budget ($600) and the time frame that I needed him for (3hrs, although he probably spent closer to 4.5 hrs. with us.)

[keenercam]

Wendy -- I am so excited every time I see Randy's pix. Even though we thought about booking Disney photography because of our minimum, I just couldn't bear the thought that I'd always wonder how wonderful Randy's pix would have been. And I also want to own the images. I have only dealt with him by email so far, but he seems fabulous!

Oh, and I am soooo with Lynn on loving your avatar pic and freaking loving your pic in Chuck's hat. That is outrageously awesome. There is a whole story just lurking behind so many of your pix. Someone could pick one picture and create a whole backstory! :rotfl:

[irisbud]

Thanks Amy! Are you having and escape or wishes?? I totally understand sticking with Disney, especially if you're an escape; but the biggest driver for me to go with outside photography was being able to own my pictures. I'm a HUGE scrapbooker and I have to be able to get reprints at a reasonable price! I loved that Randy had a package that fit my budget ($600) and the time frame that I needed him for (3hrs, although he probably spent closer to 4.5 hrs. with us.)

We are having an Escape. We aren't huge picture people, but I really like the style of some of the outside photogs better (like Randy). That kind of price is reasonable (I know it isn't a guarantee, but still). I really wanted to do some GF pics as well, but Disney wants 500 extra :rolleyes: if we move away from BW, so if we went that route we would almost be making up the difference. Hmm, more to think about. Thanks for the info! :goodvibes

[figmentfan814]

OMG! I'm so excited! :yay:

OK, tell me about SmugMug - was it easy to upload all your pix at once? I am getting REALLY tired of Photobucket, expecially now that it takes a bazillion steps just to resize an image...

Back to the pix!

P.S. These are great! They look different than Randy's other photos...


Sorry to jump in.... Maybe I'm the only one that just figured this out a couple of days ago, but did you know that you can reset the uploading size for your images? I felt like such an idiot after I found it.

I just discovered this after I was about to scream at Photobucket. Right above where you select a file to upload there is a little thing that says "max image size: 640 x 480 (options)" When you click on options you can change the size and then it saves it so all your pictures that you upload are that size. :woohoo:

[figmentfan814]

Wendy, I love your pictures from Randy :cool1: There are so many of you that are very dramatic and elegant! He really did a great job at capturing the mood of the wedding. There were also some cute shots of you and Carrie too :goodvibes

I'm a scrapbooker too, so I can't wait to have my pictures to start scrapping!

[lurkyloo]

I just discovered this after I was about to scream at Photobucket. Right above where you select a file to upload there is a little thing that says "max image size: 640 x 480 (options)" When you click on options you can change the size and then it saves it so all your pictures that you upload are that size. :woohoo:

OMG - THANK YOU!!! I also feel like an idiot :rotfl: but that is going to save me SO much time.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled gushing over Wendy's pictures....:happytv:

[M&M126]

GORGEOUS pictures!!! I can't wait to hear more about your big day :)

[MistressOfAllEvil]

BTW, I may have missed it if someone asked and you already answered, but what is your tattoo? It looks great as part of your overall look, but I may have missed a close-up if there is one.

Well whadaya know? LurkyLoo's photogs got a close up of the tattoo...

http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/268030553_cKUAZ-M.jpg

[keenercam]

Cool! Love the colors!

[MistressOfAllEvil]

Can you believe it's over 11 years old and the color is still that good? There's a couple of pictures in my Randy gallery where Jenna is putting vasoline on it for me. It always makes it look less dull!

[keenercam]

Can you believe it's over 11 years old and the color is still that good? There's a couple of pictures in my Randy gallery where Jenna is putting vasoline on it for me. It always makes it look less dull!

That's great! I hadn't remembered you and Chuck have been together for more than 11 years. :love: :hug:

[Goldeelox9]

Love your Trip Report....Again another one I missed from the beginning! LOL I am so sorry your last day home was so hetic....I would have died if my nails got all jacked up! I thought it was sweet that your Chiropractor gave you a big hug! My DF is a Chiroprator and it is always so nice to read about other people who go get adjusted. LOL Thank goodness you could still fly with the snow. I Still have 7.5 months to go and I am already getting nervous about last minute details! LOL Can't wait to read more...oh and to check out your pictures! :surfweb:

[hope1826]

Wendy,

You were stunning!! I love your pics.

Did I miss something though? I thought you said something about Chuck and his guys carrying Tommy Guns in your PJ.

Nikki

[cinderella123]

Those are some BEAUTIFUL pictures. I loved them.

[Lisella]

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k302/DarkAngel717/Wedding%20Planning/Wendysunglasses.jpg

Hater Blockers! :cool1:

Seriously, your pictures are amazing, Wendy. You look so beautiful & incredibly sexy (hope that doesn't sound too creepy :rotfl2: ). Thanks for sharing the pictures.

From someone who is also super busy - here's hoping that you find some time to relax, enjoy, and maybe work some more on your TR soon. :flower3:

[GlobalDiva]

Wendy, the pictures are SOOO beautiful and so much fun to look through.

I LOVE your pictures on the Boardwalk.

At one point I had to laugh for a minute--you can bet if I were vacationing at Disney in a t-shirt, pink shorts, and a camera around my neck, and I saw a glamorous bride walking on the boardwalk having her picture taken, I'd TRY to move out of the frame completely, but I guess you had some people standing immobile and gawking instead :thumbsup2

The pictures are fabulous! I LOVE the ones on page 18 of you standing in that little alcove by yourself, and the ones of you in DH's hat.

Lovely bride :bride:

[MistressOfAllEvil]

I've been gone for longer than I thought...:eek:

But I'm back! And I plan on properly finishing this trip report (if anyone still cares, lol.)

I had to post something now b/c it took me 20 minutes just to find the thread. Perhaps I need to subscribe to my own tr??

Anyhow, HELLO EVERYONE! :wave2: I've missed you ladies (and guys) and I'm sooo bummed to see that I've missed some pretty special weddings. I can't wait to get back into the swing of things. School is officially over (for a couple of weeks now :banana: ) and getting this tr done along with lots of around-the-house projects are my goals for the summer!! :yay:

[lov2b@disney]

Nice to see you back Wendy! I thought of you the other day and thought we would never get to hear about your trip:sad1: But I was wrong:woohoo: :woohoo:

[hope1826]

I've been gone for longer than I thought...:eek:

But I'm back! And I plan on properly finishing this trip report (if anyone still cares, lol.)

I had to post something now b/c it took me 20 minutes just to find the thread. Perhaps I need to subscribe to my own tr??

Anyhow, HELLO EVERYONE! :wave2: I've missed you ladies (and guys) and I'm sooo bummed to see that I've missed some pretty special weddings. I can't wait to get back into the swing of things. School is officially over (for a couple of weeks now :banana: ) and getting this tr done along with lots of around-the-house projects are my goals for the summer!! :yay:


YAY!!!! Welcome back Wendy!!!
:cheer2: :dance3: :cheer2: :dance3: :cheer2:
I care. See you even got cheering smiley's! You've been missed!

Nikki

[DisneyBrideToni]

Oh I am glad your TR came back around because I couldn't find it!! I am going to have to read your whole PJ/TR. I saw the pics on Lurky's TR and I was always interested in reading yours. You look like Hollywood Glam in your pics!!! :goodvibes

[roozlilone]

Yeah!!! :banana: :banana: Welcome Back!! :goodvibes

[MistressOfAllEvil]

Nice to see you back Wendy! I thought of you the other day and thought we would never get to hear about your trip:sad1: But I was wrong:woohoo: :woohoo:

YAY!!!! Welcome back Wendy!!!
:cheer2: :dance3: :cheer2: :dance3: :cheer2:
I care. See you even got cheering smiley's! You've been missed!

Nikki

Oh I am glad your TR came back around because I couldn't find it!! I am going to have to read your whole PJ/TR. I saw the pics on Lurky's TR and I was always interested in reading yours. You look like Hollywood Glam in your pics!!! :goodvibes

Yeah!!! :banana: :banana: Welcome Back!! :goodvibes

Oh THANK YOU for the warm welcome back! :hug: I forgot how much I :love: everyone here. It was just so important for me when we got back from the wedding to really put my head down and grind through school! Part of the nuptual agreement was no school this summer... My next installment is all ready to go on my thumb drive at home. It'll be up tonight or tomorrow morning!! :woohoo:

[mla1977]

Yay! I was debating whether I would PM you just to get your attention drawn back to the boards! Woohoo! Wendy's back!

[lpizzuro123]

Glad you are finished with school for a while. We are leaving tomorrow for our planning session so I will have to catch up when we get back.

Linda

[camara381]

Woo Hoo I am so glad you are back!!!!! :cool1: We've missed you Can't wait to read the rest of your TR!


:banana: :banana: :banana:

[Wazzo]

Hooray!! Welcome back! :goodvibes

I'm still patiently waiting for the Jiko edition of your report! :rotfl:

[irisbud]

Yeah! Wendy's back!

[Keira1387]

Welcome back! I was just thinking about you the other day, I did my trial run with Kathleen, and your right, she's amazing!!! Can't wait for you to finish yout TR!:surfweb:

[pjstevens]

Glad you are back and can't wait to read the next installment tonight (hopefully).

[pink_tink8i8]

Welcome back!!! We've missed you!:grouphug:

[lurkyloo]

:dance3: Huzzah! You're back!!! :dance3: Can't wait to hear the rest!

[IndyBride]

Glad you are back on the boards. Can't wait to hear about the rest of your trip!

[FIREFLY01]

WOOHOO:cool1: :banana: YOUR BACK!!! I CAN'T WAIT TO FINALLY SEE THE REST OF THE PICTS AND THE TR!! SO HOW HAVE THINGS BEEN??GOOD HERE, I JUST STARTED BACK TO COLLEGE IM ONLY 3 CLASSES FR MY DEGREE SO I'M DOING ALL ONLINE CLASSES!! GLAD TO SEE YOU BACK!!!

[Lynn5700]

YAY Hi Wendy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! xoxoxox

[accountingbabe08]

to the party: Wendy we miss you. Glad your on a break from classes. I'm enjoying my break also. I'm going to summer school so I can graduate in December.:cloud9:

[Mama of Indybride]

Thank Goodness you are back!

Can't wait for the end of your TR!!!

:cheer2:

I'll be watching! popcorn::

[jennifaerie]

Hey Wendy! I saw you first through Carrie, and I finally saw Randy's pictures, and WOW! Just fantastic (understatement of the year).

[MyMelody]

Real nice pictures....

[figmentfan814]

Glad to see that you're back :cool1:

[MistressOfAllEvil]

Day 1, Part 2 - Friday, February 1, 2008

We arrive at MCO just before 2pm. Keep in mind we were supposed to be there before noon. I get off the plane and smell the Florida smell and feel my skin and hair plump! We were finally in FLORIDA! Despite that fact that I was tired and freaked out and stressed, we were there and it somehow made me feel better. Chuck had to calm me down a couple of times because I morph into a child complete with bouncing and squealing. After we disembark we head to luggage claim to get our bags. I ignored Chuck’s negativity about the bags being lost and didn’t bother to gloat when all three of our checked luggage materialized on the belt.

While we were waiting for my luggage, my sister started blowing up my phone. She had landed right around the same time that we had and she was lost!?! I spent a significant portion of time explaining to her how to take the tram to get to baggage claim. After she got her bags, we met up near the car rental. However she was signed up with Magical Express. She left my niece and her bags with me while she went outside to have a cigarette. Katie dumping A’mya became a theme for the weekend. More on that later. Meanwhile, Chuck was getting our car from National.

I had every intention of documenting this trip!
(Please ignore my red-eye! I still haven’t edited any pictures yet and probably won’t until I go to print them out.)
http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/257584519_TqSyF-M.jpg
http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/257584433_AEk9i-M.jpg
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http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/257584273_mn3m5-M.jpg

While I was waiting, I received a call from Keith at Carolyn Allen’s. The last we had spoken, my plane was on-time and I would be in Orlando by noon. It was now after 2pm. However, he was very kind and reassuring and told me to just head over. So, I accepted my first mission.

After Chuck finished up at the national counter, we pointed Katie and A’mya in the right direction for magical express and headed down our emerald row to pick out our car. We ended up with a Toyota 4Runner and I feel in love with the thing. Not only did it have tons of room and was very comfy inside, it drove like my car. I didn’t feel like I was driving a big ‘ol truck. I avoid driving Chuck’s Silverado at home for this reason.

Turns out that Chuck paid the extra $10/day for the GPS in the rental. Now, I was fairly confident that I could get around without it, but I tell you what, it sure did come in handy when my brain was on wedding overload and I couldn’t focus long enough to remember back to my CP in 2006 to figure out how to get somewhere. We started off to Carolyn Allens using a hybrid of the directions I had printed out the night before and our handy-dandy GPS.

Christie had called a gazillion times while we were on the plane, so I decided to call her. The phone cut out while we were in the garage at the airport so I waited to call until we were on the road. I had explained to Christie more than once what our plans were but she was very persistent in know where we were going and what we were doing. She kept offering to ‘help out’ if we needed her to do anything. I ran through it with her again. She can’t try Chuck’s tux on for him. She can’t retrieve my boxes from French Quarter for me as she is not me and her ID would not match my name or reservation (more to follow). She can’t get the super secret attendant gifts that I had waited buy until I was in Florida. So really there was nothing she could do to help us out. We were busy and had things we needed. That didn’t stop her from calling every so often wanting to know what we were doing and where we were. While this wasn’t communicated to me, I’m guessing that everyone (by everyone I means Chuck’s mother) was disappointed that we didn’t land in Florida and then immediately go to Fort Wilderness to hang out. This was the women who kept asking if everything was done for the wedding and couldn’t understand that everything for the wedding wouldn’t be done until the wedding was done. So, I’m sure Christie was feeling pressure from her mom which she then passed along to me through several phone calls. Anyhow, I got off the phone with Christie as Chuck and I were trying to find the bridal shop and I was supposed to be navigating.

When we arrive to where the GPS directed us, we almost couldn’t find the shop. It was in a strip mall and kinda hidden. I was expecting something a bit more.

http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/257584680_ccYhk-M.jpg
http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/257584605_M7sw2-M.jpg

I don’t think that the location or store front in anyway took away from the service or experience. I was just caught off guard. I took a couple of pictures to document and thought to myself that future brides might want to know what the place looks like.

We go inside and both Sue and Keith are there. They are both very friendly and kind and Keith immediately is pulling out Chuck’s tux and putting it in the dressing room. Let me back track and say why we ended up just going to the store for the fitting. After I found out that we were going to have a rental car, it just seemed easier. I had already finagled the appointment a couple different times because of Anthony’s every changing involvement in the wedding. I thought it would be a lot more difficult to be at the resort for the appointment than it would be to just drop in. That and I had hoped that if there were and severe issues with Chuck’s tux, they would be better able to resolve them by going in on Friday rather than waiting until Sunday.

Chuck tried on his tux and lo and behold, his pants are way too big in the waist. This however is NOT Carolyn Allen’s fault. It’s Chuck; he went and lost around 20 lbs between when we submitted his measurements and right before the wedding. The waist band was adjustable and the coat was so long, you really couldn’t tell. Keith pinned the hems of the pants because they were a bit long and then Chuck changed back into his own clothes. Keith promised to take care of the alterations for Chuck’s tux and then drop both Chuck and Anthony’s tuxes off at the resort. We took the hats with us because everyone was worried about them being crushed at bell services. While we were there I also paid for my dress steaming that way I wouldn’t have to worry about it the day of. And it turns out that Sue would be the one coming out for the steaming. It was at this time that they made the very kind gesture of Sue offering to go to the guy’s room the day of the wedding after she steamed my dress to do any minor alterations that Anthony’s tux may need. I thought that was really kind of them. We finished up there and headed back out in to the balmy weather.

It was now just after 3pm and I was starting to panic a little. I had shipped ahead all of our mickey ear ornament favors as well as our gifts for our parents and my niece. Well, my planner had let me know that I needed to get the favors over to Franc’s by 5pm on Friday. Otherwise I had two one-hour windows on Saturday when someone was going to be there. I wanted to just get it done on Friday so that I didn’t have to worry about the timing on Saturday. So as we left Carolyn Allens I figured we could run to French Quarter, I could get my packages and then run them over to Franc’s. Easy peasy. Not so much.

Chuck starts complaining that he’s hungry. I can blame him. We had breakfast way back at 5am and then we split a snack box on the plane. I’m hypoglycemic and he’s diabetic. So we’re pretty tuned in to keeping our blood sugar on track. Despite the time running out, I agreed to eat at this independent sub shop in the same strip mall as Carolyn Allens. I ordered a veggie sub that left me full, if not satisfied. Once I rushed us through there (hello indigestion) we started to make our way to French Quarter. We were only 20 minutes away, but afternoon traffic was starting to pick up. We finally make it to FQ at five past 4pm. Franc’s closes at 5pm.

Chuck stays up in the loading area with the car while I run in. There are about a gazillion people in line in front of me to check in. Okay, maybe only 4. Finally I get to the window and this is where the stress becomes amplified. I explain that I have a reservation, but do not want to check in. I’m getting married on Monday and I have shipped ahead some things that I would like to retrieve to take to Franc’s by 5pm. Things I learned (or already knew and re-learned): The left hand does not know what the right hand is doing at Disney. The resort registration cast members want to check you in. It’s what they do. It may be all they do. They also hear wedding and give you just married pins. This is where I receive our first set.

First the cast member asked if I would like to check in. I had already told her that I didn’t, I just wanted to retrieve my packages to make it to Franc’s by 5pm. I assured her I would check in later in the evening. She then explains to me that all packages shipped to FQ actually go to Riverside (I guess despite being sister resorts, Riverside is the bigger, bossier, package hording sister.) She then asks me yet again if I want to check-in. I think maybe she thought that the packages could be delivered to my room?!? NOOOOOOO. I do not want to check in. I want to retrieve my packages to drop them at Franc’s before 5pm! So then she picks up the phone and calls over to Riverside. And she’s on hold. I’m not sure what she’s doing. I don’t know if she’s confirming that they’re there or what. While she’s on hold, she recommends to me to just go over to Riverside as that will be faster than waiting for them to bring the packages over to FQ. Well, duh. I wouldn’t expect to wait for them to bring them over.

After that fiasco I trot (somewhere between a fast walk and balls-out run) back to the car and direct Chuck to Riverside. He again waits in the drop-off area while I run in...Behind the horde of people that had just been dropped off by that magical express bus! I’m seriously number 8, 576,201 in line. I’m waiting and freaking out and Chuck’s calling to see where I’m at and I’m telling him to cue up the Grand Floridian on the GPS. Finally I get to a window. I launch into my story and beg for my boxes. The cast member goes back and returns with only two of my three packages. He then informs me that I won’t be able to carry all three at once. I say that I don’t care. Just give them to me. He offers to hold on to one of the packages that I don’t need right away and I can come back for it later. I don’t want to come back later. Please just give it to me now. He retrieves the third package and I make one attempt to carry all three. It didn’t work. I couldn’t. He then offers to call a bell hop to help me carry them out. Seriously, in the time I waited for bell services, I couldn’t have made three round trips to the car with the packages. Instead I wait. And start to twitch. I ask the cast member to please call Franc’s and let them know that I’m a bride and I’m on my way to drop something off and worse comes to worse I may be there 5 minutes late. Again, no idea what Franc’s is. Keeps calling it Frank’s. I recommend he call the Disney operator. I must have explained four times that it was the bridal boutique by the wedding pavilion. He kept calling it a store and/or restaurant. Whatever. Finally the bellhop arrives with a luggage cart. I don’t need a luggage cart. I need an extra set of hand to carry one box! So fine, I put my three boxes on his luggage cart and they look so small and lame on his luggage cart. I feel lame. But that doesn’t stop me from taking off. I’m maneuvering and weaving and trying to get back to the car with the packages. The kid is just moseying along. I notice that there’s a college listed on his name tag along with the earning my ears ribbon so I ask him if he’s CP and he says that it’s his first week. I tell him to hang in there. Not every guest is a crazy bride like me. He laughs nervously and I get this vibe that he should have been cast as a dishwasher vs. a bell hop. This is just too much guest interaction for this kid!

It is now ten to 5pm and I’m instructing Chuck to put the petal to the metal. Let’s go man!! We roll up with a couple of minutes to spare and park right in the circle drive. We carry the boxes into Franc’s and someone materializes. I explain my situation and she leads me to what certainly must be a “backstage” area. It’s an office/storage room. I give her the two boxes with the ornaments (keep the one with the frames for our parents for the welcome dinner) and nervously watch them find there home on the floor with a handwritten not scrawled on them. I would also like to note that the DFTW cast member that helped us wasn’t very outgoing or friendly. I don’t know why I expected something more but she just seemed apathetic.

Perhaps my dissatisfaction with every cast member we encountered has something to do with the bridal haze I was operating in.

With that done, I felt a lesser time pressure. However there was still more to do. We needed to go to DTD to get the Cirque tickets I was getting Christie and to Coronado Springs to get a gift certificate for Jenna for a massage. My parents had also mentioned having dinner. Yet I didn’t have concrete details on when their flight got in or anything. As we headed to DTD-West Side to go to Cirque I gave my mom a call and got her voice mail. I bought the tickets for Cirque and then headed into the gift store to purchase a card to put them in. But there were no cards. No individual cards. There were only box sets of cards! I was so distraught. I approached a cast member to see if they carried individual cards and she confirmed that they did not, but then she went backstage to see if they had any floating around. We waited a loooong time. But when she reappeared she had the perfect card in her hand! I was so happy and grateful. From there I told Chuck we could either head to Guest Services at Market Place to exchange our vouchers or to Coronado Springs to get Jenna’s gift. He opted for Marketplace.

We drive over (I was just too tired to walk it) and go to guest services. We trade in our vouchers no problem. We then get another set of just married pins. And then I ask my burning question: Can you confirm a dining reservation for me that I made quite awhile ago? See, what happen was, I made the reservation at Ohana’s for our welcome dinner pretty much at 6 months out. Right before we left MI I searched frantically for the reservation number. I was silently panicking and hadn’t shared with anyone that I couldn’t fine it anywhere. What if the reservation had ‘disappeared’? What was I going to do with 15 people who were expecting all-you-care-to-eat meat on a skewer in a Polynesian setting? I wait with baited breath while she punches the keys and studies her monitor. What feels like forever (but was only a few oxygen deprived seconds) she writes down our reservation on a handy dandy Disney issued form. It has my name, the reservation number and the number of the party. My reservation has been confirmed! I was so ecstatic. Only now that I’ve avoided disaster do I clue Chuck in on my shortcoming!

We walk out and my Mom calls letting me know that they’re on Magical Express. I ask her what the plan is, if they still want to get together for dinner. She asks to call me back after they get checked in. Fine. Chuck and I take a much need break from the action by resting on a bench outside of World of Disney. While sitting, we brainstorm ideas for dinner and I pick House of Blues. I like HOB. They used to have an ahi tuna salad that I loved. Then Chuck and I decided we should call and see if Chuck’s family wants to join us since we know they’re itching to see us. (I had fielded several more calls from Christie before this point.) I call Christie up and let her know what’s going on where she politely declines saying that they are getting ready to eat and “Mom and Dad don’t like HOB anyway, it’s too loud in there.” Okie dokie. At least I offered. My mom hadn’t called back yet so I try to call her. No answer. So then I called my sister who answered and had to track down my Mom. She finally gets on the phone and makes an argument for a restaurant in Celebration that I promptly shoot down. Time’s a ticking and we have to pick up Beth and Jenna at the Airport around 8:40pm. I encourage her to come to DTD and meet us at HOB. She agrees and tells me that my sister is sick and won’t be coming. (My sister is always sick, it’s a theme.) No problem. I leave Chuck on the bench and head back into Guest Services to see if we can make an ADR for HOB. No such luck. The official word (given to me by the cm): they don’t make same day ressies for dtd restaurants. No worries, Chuck and I get back in the car and drive back to the West Side. He let’s me out to put our name on the list and he goes to park the car.

I walk up to see if there’s a wait and there’s not. But we’re not ready to be sat, we’re still waiting on my parents and niece. So I wait in the outside bar area for Chuck and then we wait together. After some time, I call my mom again and she tells me that they’re still waiting for a bus. Apparently they had just missed the previous one. I notice that the restaurant is starting to get busy so I head back up. There’s now a wait, so I put my name down for five. I call my mom again and they’re on the bus. Chuck and I wait some more…

waiting
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waiting
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still waiting
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After a few pictures Chuck and I decide to move closer to the restaurant to ensure that we hear our name when it’s called and to keep a better look out for my parents. Just as we get called, my parents and niece arrive WITH MY SISTER. I inform the hostess that we’re now a party of six instead of five and she doesn’t even flinch! We are sat and I start to freak out as it is quarter past 7pm and we’ve still gotta make it back out to the airport. There’s nothing remarkable about our meal. I don’t even remember what I ordered other than it wasn’t good. We did take a picture:

http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/263319032_rfucs-M.jpg

My step-father is taking the pic and that's my Mom on the right. My sister isn't visible except for her arm and hand.

My sister sat like a bump on a log sniffling and coughing. This is irritating to me. Especially since she was sick at my shower too and actually left to sleep in the car right after the food was served. I asked her why she came if she felt so bad. I told her she needed to rest and not be sick for the wedding. She claimed that she didn’t want to ‘miss out’ on the festivities. I’m thinking she didn’t want to miss out on the food. After we finished up dinner and it became apparent that A’mya was getting antsy, we decided to leave. Besides Chuck and I had to head to the airport to pick up Beth and Jenna.

So, from Westside we head back to the airport. There’s a myriad of reasons why we were picking them up and they all had to do with me not wanting to call Disney the 187, 516th time before the wedding to set up Magical Express for them. I really did do a lot more that I think anyone should to help people make arrangements. But, I felt responsible. So this is how we ended up back at MCO at 9:30pm. Yes, we were late picking them up. Then we made the trek back to the furthest reaches of property, also known as Pop Century. This is where all the stress and anxiety and sleep deprivation start to cause tension between Chuck and me…

[figmentfan814]

So glad to see the update and to see that you're going to continue your report. It sounds like you had a crazy first day too. We had so many errands too, but thankfully most of our guests didn't arrive until the next day, so we didn't have to worry about fielding their calls or meeting up. We ended up having to pick up someone at the airport too, it amazed me how people didn't have some of these things arranged in advance. Looking forward to seeing more soon!

[lpizzuro123]

Good to see you back on the boards and love the pictures. Looking forward to more.

Linda

[MyMelody]

:woohoo: Glad your back! Can't wait to read and see more..
Once again your TR rocks!! LOVE IT

[29apr00]

Yeah!! Glad to see you're going to continue your report!!

[keenercam]

Wendy - I am so glad you are continuing your TR, but sweetie, I am so sad that you had so much stress and that you were "tending" to everyone instead of everyone taking care of you. :hug: Looking forward to reading more.

[accountingbabe08]

Day 1 part two sound a little nuts. BTW I'm glad to see your back.

[mcarthur205]

Wow, what a busy first day! I'm exhausted just reading about it LOL! Can't wait to read more.....

[Lindsay22]

WENDY!!!!!
Glad to see your back and continuing your TR!!!
Wow that sounds like a busy day. Thanks for posting pics of Carolyn Allens. You're right, they are very handy to have!
I like that in your stressed out, bridal haze you remembered all of your fellow brides who might need your pics later!

[meryll83]

Good to see you back, don't keep us in suspense as long this time before your next installment! :lmao:

I like that dress in CA's window, if I didn't have mine sorted already I'd be on a right mission now trying to find out what dress that is!!

[sungela]

Yay! We finally get all the gritty details. :surfweb:

[lov2b@disney]

Wendy I am stressed for you! Hope things slow down for you--looking forward to more!

:surfweb: more soon please!

[MadamMim]

Holy crap! If that bridal shop is the one I'm thinking of it's between Publix and Blockbuster off Central Florida Blvd. I used to live right around the corner! :lmao:

[irisbud]

Glad to see you are back Wendy! Your first day sounds very stressful! I'm glad after reading this that we are (hopefully) arriving for our wedding two days before anyone else does!

[lurkyloo]

Hooray! More trippie! It's like the Alternate Universe Version of my experience - same days, different kinds of hassles. :rotfl: Can't wait to hear more! popcorn::

[pjstevens]

YEA!!!! Your back with your TR! Sorry to hear you had such a stressful first day though. Hope it gets better really soon. :goodvibes

[lpizzuro123]

That is where Carolyn Allen's is located. My DF's father lives right around the corner in the Williamsburg development. We have been going down for years and never realized it was right there until we came home from our planning session this past November. I was checking out the info Disney gave me when I got home and found I had been walking past this place tons of times (always going to that CVS and Publix). Where did you live and how long ago did you move.

Wendy, glad you had no trouble with Carolyn Allen's. We were there this past May and had my DF and his dad measured and we have sent all the measurements for the other guys down.

Linda

[MiaBella05]

cant wait to read more

[caryndisneydiva]

FINALLY GIRL!

i remember the bridal haze fondly...

[Mama of Indybride]

:lmao: I saw your thread pop up on the TR subforum and was in the midst of making a snarky remark to Val about how we would never see the end of your report (so many of the TR's are resurfacing with the move) when I saw that you had posted!

I am so ashamed of myself!

I love your post, and am eagerly anticipating the next. It will be a wonderful Christmas Present!!!

;)

[Chilly]

Yeah your back. That sounds like a very stressful day, hope its gets better.

[WithDisneySpirit]

You made my first day at Disney before the renewal look like childs play :rotfl:

[MistressOfAllEvil]

I know a lot of us want to relive the wedding because it was so amazing. It's such a let down after it's over because there is nothing left to plan and look forward to. Mix in the fact that we're having our weddings at Disney, and you're looking at a double-whammy let down.

I don't know how to say this. I don't want anyone to think that I didn't love my wedding. Or that I would do anything differently if I had it to do again. I wanted a Disney wedding. And I'm sooooo greatful that I got to have it. But, quite frankly, I felt like so much was out of my control. Especially when it came to family and people. I would like to say that things got better, but they just didn't. This isn't your happy-go-lucky TR. And that may be part of why it's been so difficult for me to be motivated to write it. I'm here writing this because I feel like I owe it to you guys. I've made so many friends and aquaintances and I hate to let you guys down. Also, if there is something to be learned from my experience for furture brides, they deserve that opportunity. Unfortunately, I'm also planning an at-home party that isn't really a reception, but is for the wedding. This is for my MIL and because of my MIL. I never wanted a large wedding, nor did I ever want to plan something so large. It has been one struggle after another with her and my SIL and I feel like this has been going on since as far back as last November. I think my PJ is linked in the first post of this TR and you can read that drama. But there is so much more. I just feel like a LOT of my wedding experience has been ruined.

So, with that in mind, I apologize again for going MIA for so long. I'm going to diligently work on this TR and then I'll roll right into the drama of planning for the at-home party and I'll cap off with that. I'm recommitted.

If anyone has any questions, or if I leave something out, just ask! I want to make sure that I'm providing a resource here. I'll do vendor reviews at the end. The only thing I ask is that you guys spare me the negative comments. I guess I'm a little more sensitive than I realized and I consider this board one of the happy things associated with my wedding! So please don't turn on me!! Thanks everyone for sticking with me and reading.

So glad to see the update and to see that you're going to continue your report. It sounds like you had a crazy first day too. We had so many errands too, but thankfully most of our guests didn't arrive until the next day, so we didn't have to worry about fielding their calls or meeting up. We ended up having to pick up someone at the airport too, it amazed me how people didn't have some of these things arranged in advance. Looking forward to seeing more soon!

I'm glad to be back!

Good to see you back on the boards and love the pictures. Looking forward to more.

Linda

Thanks Linda! You're doing the Mickey ornaments as your favors right? Had you decided how you were doing the names on them??

:woohoo: Glad your back! Can't wait to read and see more..
Once again your TR rocks!! LOVE IT

Thanks you for the kind words!!!

Yeah!! Glad to see you're going to continue your report!!

For sure. I'll try my hardest not to go MIA again.

Wendy - I am so glad you are continuing your TR, but sweetie, I am so sad that you had so much stress and that you were "tending" to everyone instead of everyone taking care of you. :hug: Looking forward to reading more.

Oh... thank you soooo much keenercam. You're always sooo sweet and kind. I always imagine that you have a warm hug for anyone who needs it! That's how your kind words are to me! :hug:

Day 1 part two sound a little nuts. BTW I'm glad to see your back.

Especially after day 1, part 1. And can you believe that day 1 is so long that there needs to be a part 3??

Wow, what a busy first day! I'm exhausted just reading about it LOL! Can't wait to read more.....

Whew... so am I. Just thinking back to it I get worn out all over again! :faint:

WENDY!!!!!
Glad to see your back and continuing your TR!!!
Wow that sounds like a busy day. Thanks for posting pics of Carolyn Allens. You're right, they are very handy to have!
I like that in your stressed out, bridal haze you remembered all of your fellow brides who might need your pics later!

I'm telling you... my intention was to document and complete this TR!! And I know that when I was planning, I had one image in my head and I would have loved to have actual visuals to go off of. I'm glad it helps Lindsay. I gotta hunt down your PJ!! I have lots of catching up to do!! :surfweb:

Good to see you back, don't keep us in suspense as long this time before your next installment! :lmao:

I like that dress in CA's window, if I didn't have mine sorted already I'd be on a right mission now trying to find out what dress that is!!

Uh-oh, are you going to be a two dress bride, like some others I know?? :rolleyes1 I won't make you wait too much longer again. The next installment will be up right after this post!

Yay! We finally get all the gritty details. :surfweb: Yup, I will not spare you any of the gritty details! get your popcorn:: ready and enjoy my fairytale... uh, I mean, horror story. lol.

Wendy I am stressed for you! Hope things slow down for you--looking forward to more!

:surfweb: more soon please!

thank you! mores coming right now!

Holy crap! If that bridal shop is the one I'm thinking of it's between Publix and Blockbuster off Central Florida Blvd. I used to live right around the corner! :lmao:

Yup, that's the location!

Glad to see you are back Wendy! Your first day sounds very stressful! I'm glad after reading this that we are (hopefully) arriving for our wedding two days before anyone else does!

I think that's really key. We arrived 3 days before our wedding, but it didn't matter. I think the question is, who else is arriving when. You'll have better luck acomplishing what YOU want to without others making demands on you.

Hooray! More trippie! It's like the Alternate Universe Version of my experience - same days, different kinds of hassles. :rotfl: Can't wait to hear more! popcorn::

:thumbsup2 Yeah, but you're were so much more elequent in detailing your hassles. I'm just a spaz! But I think you already knew that!

YEA!!!! Your back with your TR! Sorry to hear you had such a stressful first day though. Hope it gets better really soon. :goodvibes

Thanks for reading! I can't promise sunny skies ahead, but you can decide for yourself.

Wendy, glad you had no trouble with Carolyn Allen's. We were there this past May and had my DF and his dad measured and we have sent all the measurements for the other guys down.

Linda

Oh yeah, no trouble at all. They were super accomedating. I don't know how they swung it either but when they dropped off the tuxes they had even included a smaller pant for Chuck already hemmed. So he had his choice of which to wear. Sue also offered to go to the guys' room and do any last minute hemming if there were problems with Anthony's tux, after she finished steaming my dress. So that helped ease my concernes with him not flying in until Sunday afternoon.



cant wait to read more

I'm glad you're enjoyinging it!

FINALLY GIRL!

i remember the bridal haze fondly...

lol, it's a distinct state of being, isn't it?

:lmao: I saw your thread pop up on the TR subforum and was in the midst of making a snarky remark to Val about how we would never see the end of your report (so many of the TR's are resurfacing with the move) when I saw that you had posted!

I am so ashamed of myself!

I love your post, and am eagerly anticipating the next. It will be a wonderful Christmas Present!!!

;)

Hmmm... I didn't know about the sub-forums so I've been trying to catch up and piece together what's been going on this week. It's coincidental that I've returned to my TR, but I'm glad I escaped a snarky remark!! ;)

Yeah your back. That sounds like a very stressful day, hope its gets better.

That's for the welcome back. I'll let you be the judge of what "better" is!

You made my first day at Disney before the renewal look like childs play :rotfl:

I'll have to hunt your TR down. I'm certain that I probably brought a lot of this stress on myself. I'm glad you had smoother sailing!

[Goldeelox9]

I am so happy you are back and writing your Trip Report!:woohoo:

[MistressOfAllEvil]

Day 1, Part 3

We’ve been up since before dawn on nearly no sleep. We’ve endured a snow storm, delayed flight and jumbled errand running. Surely the day needed to just END. Alas, that was not the case.

We pulled up to Pop and I wanted to walk Jenna and Beth in and make sure everything with their ressie was okay as I was the one to book for them. I had originally booked Saturday night and paid for it (we did the same for Anthony, since they were standing up for us.) Then they decided they wanted to fly in Friday instead because airfare was cheaper. So I had extended the ressie for the extra night. I was just worried and wanted to make sure that everything was going to be okay.

Apparently, Chuck was under the impression that we were going to drop them at the main building, unload their luggage and leave them. Now, these are my girls. I baby them a little. I can’t help it. I know they can both fend for themselves, but still. How hard is it for us to drive them to their building and drop the luggage there rather than making them haul it from check-in.

So as we’re pulling up to Pop, we have two very different ideas about what should be happening and we have a bit of a tiff. I finally ask Chuck to just drop us off and park and I’ll call him when we’re done checking in so that we can go to their building. He complied, but I could tell he was upset.

The three of us head in and wait in line and finally get called up to the desk. I give them all the information including the name the ressie is under and of course, the cm can’t find it. We spell Jenna’s last name multiple times (she’s the primary name on the reservation) to no avail. Then we try to find it with Beth’s very polish, complicated last name. It takes a good five minutes (which seems much longer when you’re anxious and worried about getting your room) before we decide to try Jenna’s name again and write it down! Despite spelling the name out for the cm, they were entering it into the system incorrectly. And hers was the simple name! Lesson learned. Write it down.

We get them checked in and I give Chuck a call so that he can pull the car around front to pick us up. On our way out we stop to document and get this picture.
http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/257585097_k9Tr3-M.jpg

This is Beth’s first time at Disney so she’s super excited. Jenna’s been before (with me as recently as November 2006) but she's still out to have a good weekend and enjoy the festivities. However, it was VERY exciting for me to have my girls with me at my favorite place. We all hop back in the car and head off to their building. They were in the classic years (?). The 50’s I do believe. I only remember that later they would complain about the music at the pool.

After getting the girls & their bags to their room we finally make our way back to our own resort! We still haven’t checked in, despite the persistent efforts of the aforementioned cm. At this point I had fielded more calls from Christie and her parents were anxious to see us. I was just anxious to go to bed. On our way to POFQ I give her a call and let her know that we’re finally heading to the hotel and she lets me know that they are already there, waiting for us.

We arrive and park and I head up to the desk to check in while Chuck’s family descends upon him like vultures on a fresh carcass. There wasn’t a line and I was relieved for that. While I was taking care of check-in I mentioned our impending wedding and was bestowed our third set of Just Married Pins for “after the wedding.”

Me checking in (look, I’m already half asleep!)
http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/257585168_qR9bs-M.jpg

Chuck family waiting for us:
http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/257585387_MsDJr-M.jpg

And, Chuck’s idea of documenting the trip for the Dis:
http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/257585472_is9Sm-M.jpg

After getting our keys we drove to our building and started to unload our luggage along with the welcome bags, for the dinner the next evening, that Christie had brought along. We get everything in the room and rather than having a moment or two to settle in, I feel overwhelmed and frustrated that there are three extra people in the room. I felt like an exhibit at the zoo. Like we were somehow supposed to entertain them at nearly 11pm after the day we’ve had. Chuck takes the opportunity to pass a long a pay-as-you-go phone that he bought for his parents and grandmother for while they are in Florida. Grandma is very, very old and doesn’t move much and doesn’t ever want to go anywhere. So when his parents leave to go anywhere they leave their one cell phone with her. And she can barely answer it, let alone pass along a message. So the extra phone was supposed to help with all that. It was a flip phone, so she doesn’t have to press any buttons to answer or hang up.

Chuck explaining technology to his Mom:
http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/257585561_Ay3bX-M.jpg

They finally realize that we’re tired and have nothing to entertain them with and decide to leave. And now I have the insurmountable task of getting us settled and getting our outfits ready for our Honeymoon Shoot at the MK the next day at 9am. That’s right folks. Despite reading that you have up to a year to do this, I was shot down by my planner when I asked. Therefore, Saturday was our only free day to do the shoot. I had planned on us wearing the same outfits that we were wearing to the welcome dinner. I pulled my dress out and hung it us. It was a bit crinkled, but there really wasn’t a way to iron it because it had a lot of wood beading and embroidery and a full lining. I decided that I would hang it in the bathroom with me the next morning to help the wrinkles fall out. Chuck’s clothes on the other hand, could be ironed. But the tag said to use a cooler setting and the cooler setting wasn’t getting the folds out of the pants. I was starting to freak out, all the while whining to Chuck. He then took a crack at it himself. This is when I began to stray from the plan. This was the moment where the craziness took over. I had had too much. I was tired and rundown and basically on overload. So what did I do? Cry. And cry some more. And I started rationalizing that we didn’t want to wear our welcome dinner outfits for the shoot anyhow because then we would have to come back to the room to change and to run more errands and then change back into them for the dinner. And I figured the shoot was more casual anyhow. I never thought the quality of DPS was that great (no offense to anyone who does, or ended up using them for their wedding) and we probably would never buy any of the pictures anyhow. With that in mind I settled on shorts and t-shirts for the next day.

I put our request in for a wake-up call and got ready for bed. I was still crying because I was so overwhelmed with everything. And my wonderful DF wrapped me up and told me not to worry. Everything was going to turn out just fine. Everything was going to be okay. Oh the naiveté of men! I pretended to believe him.

[MistressOfAllEvil]

I am so happy you are back and writing your Trip Report!:woohoo:

Thank you!!

[keenercam]

Wendy, WOW! How in the world you dealt with all of that and still looked so gorgeous and rested and pulled together on your wedding day, I have no idea. What a miracle. It was so sweet of you and Chuck to deal with the phone issue, though I'm sorry that it seems everyone around you two were kind of egocentric and not at all interested in making your lives easier. You are right, sweetie, I'd give you a huge hug if I could. I feel like you worked so hard for so long to make sure all the details were tended to in such a thoughtful way for your guests and it doesn't seem like anyone was too thoughtful for the bride and groom. And the fact that it wasn't yet your wedding day does not mean that you didn't deserve the love and consideration in the days leading up to it. Okay, sorry. Off my soapbox. Sending you a huge hug. :hug: BTW, I am so glad that Chuck "wrapped" you up and tried to reassure you. :love: What a sweetie!

[lpizzuro123]

Yes Wendy - I am using the Mickey Lenox ornaments (I am so touched that you remembered) and I have not written on them as of yet. Our wedding is 4 months from today so I better think of something. My cousin gave me the Minnie and Mickey Wedding Lenox Ornaments and had her daugher in law write on them with a gold pen so I need to get the pen from her and check it out.

Thanks,
Linda

[lov2b@disney]

:hug: so sorry for insensitive family, but good job to Chuck for doing his best to make you feel better

[pjstevens]

Oh Wendy,

So sorry you had such a rough day 1. From the sound of it, it may not get better anytime soon. I sure hope so. You looked so amazing, you'd of never known what you had been through.

[29apr00]

:hug: Even if your wedding wasn't all you had envisioned, i hope your married life is bliss. :love: (except for MIL's of course)

[WithDisneySpirit]

I haven't made it to my first day in my trip report yet and if I tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth (which I will try my best to do), my sister brides will find out all the mistakes I made and hopefully learn from them ;) The first two days I was there, only my Mom and Dad were with me, therefore my life was pretty peaceful. All hell started to break loose by Sunday night and our vow renewal was Tuesday morning...believe me, you are not alone,Wendy :hug: My PJ/TR is in my siggie. I am here with you all the way!! :flower3:

[irisbud]

Wendy, I really appreciate that you are choosing to come bad and share your trip with us, the good, bad, and ugly. Rest assured there will be no flames from me! Maybe your experiences can help future brides!

Your ILs showing up in your room when you just want to sleep...Yeah, I can totally see things like that happening to DF and I.

Can't wait for the next installment!

Amy

[inkedupmomma]

oooh i like your tr.. i love the raw honesty huggs :)

[Mama of Indybride]

Learning many things not to do to Val on her wedding trip!

Thank you for sharing!

[MadamMim]

That is where Carolyn Allen's is located. My DF's father lives right around the corner in the Williamsburg development. We have been going down for years and never realized it was right there until we came home from our planning session this past November. I was checking out the info Disney gave me when I got home and found I had been walking past this place tons of times (always going to that CVS and Publix). Where did you live and how long ago did you move.

Linda

I lived at Broadwater for about a year and then moved down the road at bit to the Villas off Int. Dr South (near Gaylord Palms). I was there until August of 2006 when I moved to Scotland.


But enough about me... more trippie!! :banana:

[figmentfan814]

I totally agree, it's important to completely honest with your report to help future brides as much as possible :goodvibes

Sorry to hear that you were so overwhelmed. I know we suffered from a severe lack of sleep the week leading up to the wedding from the several nights in MI before heading to Disney and the first few nights there working on Welcome Bags, etc. It was so exhausting mentally and physically; I completely understand your stress :headache:

[emilymad]

I just wanted to say how much I am enjoying your trip report. I am a hopeful future Disney bride, not even engaged yet, but it is really wonderful hearing your story. When you dream about having a Disney wedding you think how perfect it will be. :cloud9: Nothing ever works out 100% as planned so it is great to hear how you handled these problems. So thanks for all of your effort!! :)

[disprincessatheart]

Hi Wendy. I was an avid reader of your PJ and now I'm excited to see you back doing your TR. While I get off easy where inlaws are concerned (MIL is out of the picture 364 days of the year) I definitely still know where you're coming from. It's hard to idealize this day and trip for so long and then to have parts of it (and the people involved) not live up to expectations is no fun. I was upset with my family for a while feelling like they spent way more time that week worried about my niece and nephew enjoying their trip (they've already been to WDW 3 times and they're still in preschool) than making my wedding memorable. It is what it is, and it was still a great wedding, just not the way I expected people to be.

Ok, back to you!!

[XmasPixie]

Hey Wendy,

Glad to see you came back to post a report for us. Sorry if you don't recognize my name...I'm now planning a little surprise wedding for our forethcoming Disney trip (so excited) and I don't want the family & friends that will be joining us to somehow find their way over here and figure us out. But enough about me.

I very much appreciate your honesty and am so sorry that you had such a stressful time. From following along with your PJ and learning about your in-laws, I bet you would have had lots of stress and loss of control no matter where you had the wedding. At least you got to have it in one of your favorite places, have a unique and special story to tell, and got some gorgeous pictures.

Looking forward to following along and sending you good thoughts and wishes for that party.

[Pooh_Girl]

Wendy...Just got caught up with your TR and you are one strong woman!!! I thought you handled everything alot better than I would have. This just shows that if you can make it through the wedding planning and the wedding itself, you can make it through anything. Can't wait to hear the rest of your story.

[MistressOfAllEvil]

Wendy, WOW! How in the world you dealt with all of that and still looked so gorgeous and rested and pulled together on your wedding day, I have no idea. What a miracle. It was so sweet of you and Chuck to deal with the phone issue, though I'm sorry that it seems everyone around you two were kind of egocentric and not at all interested in making your lives easier. You are right, sweetie, I'd give you a huge hug if I could. I feel like you worked so hard for so long to make sure all the details were tended to in such a thoughtful way for your guests and it doesn't seem like anyone was too thoughtful for the bride and groom. And the fact that it wasn't yet your wedding day does not mean that you didn't deserve the love and consideration in the days leading up to it. Okay, sorry. Off my soapbox. Sending you a huge hug. :hug: BTW, I am so glad that Chuck "wrapped" you up and tried to reassure you. :love: What a sweetie!

Thanks Cam! :hug: You summed it up quite eloquently.

Yes Wendy - I am using the Mickey Lenox ornaments (I am so touched that you remembered) and I have not written on them as of yet. Our wedding is 4 months from today so I better think of something. My cousin gave me the Minnie and Mickey Wedding Lenox Ornaments and had her daugher in law write on them with a gold pen so I need to get the pen from her and check it out.

Thanks,
Linda

A friend of a friend did the actual writing for me, but I bought 8 gold pens, I think, trying to figure out what looks best. If you can't get the gold pen from your cousin let me know and I'll let you know exactly what I used. I thought they turned out wonderful with the names in gold! :thumbsup2

:hug: so sorry for insensitive family, but good job to Chuck for doing his best to make you feel better

Thanks! He's a good guy and he tries. He's just so woefully clueless sometimes and he really doesn't understand why I get so upset about things.

Oh Wendy,

So sorry you had such a rough day 1. From the sound of it, it may not get better anytime soon. I sure hope so. You looked so amazing, you'd of never known what you had been through.

Thanks! I don't want to come across to pitiful here. I think some of the stuff that everyone was doing was frustrating, but I think I had just as big of a part in making myself stressed as everyone else. There are some things I'm sure I could have handled better. You will see this for sure coming up in the next installment!

:hug: Even if your wedding wasn't all you had envisioned, i hope your married life is bliss. :love: (except for MIL's of course)

Oh it is! it is! With the exception of the in-laws, we're very happy and good and fine and happy. Oh and in loooooove! :love:

I haven't made it to my first day in my trip report yet and if I tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth (which I will try my best to do), my sister brides will find out all the mistakes I made and hopefully learn from them ;) The first two days I was there, only my Mom and Dad were with me, therefore my life was pretty peaceful. All hell started to break loose by Sunday night and our vow renewal was Tuesday morning...believe me, you are not alone,Wendy :hug: My PJ/TR is in my siggie. I am here with you all the way!! :flower3:

Ooooh... I'm going to have to go read that now. It's nice to know that I'm not the only one who went through some unpleasent experiences.

Wendy, I really appreciate that you are choosing to come back and share your trip with us, the good, bad, and ugly. Rest assured there will be no flames from me! Maybe your experiences can help future brides!

Your ILs showing up in your room when you just want to sleep...Yeah, I can totally see things like that happening to DF and I.

Can't wait for the next installment!

Amy

Thanks... it's good to be back, I think. I do really hope that someone can learn from my experience. :idea: For example, I hope others can learn how not to plan and budget time, how not to deal with difficult people and family and in-laws and how not to treat your bride-groom in the days leading up to your wedding. :headache:

oooh i like your tr.. i love the raw honesty huggs :)

Then you'll love the next installment. It's raw. It's honest. And it makes me feel like an idiot. :sad2: :cool2:

Learning many things not to do to Val on her wedding trip!

Thank you for sharing!

I know it must be hard as a mom to get or understand the bride perspective, but just being aware of the idea that your visions/expections/ideas for the wedding events may different is great. Not trying to push your wants onto the couple is even better!!! :goodvibes I'm sure that just the fact that you're here on this board proves that you're pretty enlightened!

But enough about me... more trippie!! :banana:

Okie dokie... coming right up!

I totally agree, it's important to completely honest with your report to help future brides as much as possible :goodvibes

Sorry to hear that you were so overwhelmed. I know we suffered from a severe lack of sleep the week leading up to the wedding from the several nights in MI before heading to Disney and the first few nights there working on Welcome Bags, etc. It was so exhausting mentally and physically; I completely understand your stress :headache:

Thanks! I knew it was going to be stressful. Really, I'm wasn't shocked about that. I guess I was shocked at HOW stressful it really was. I wasn't expecting to feel so overwhelmed to the point that I did. And I really though I was going to have a better grip on things.

I just wanted to say how much I am enjoying your trip report. I am a hopeful future Disney bride, not even engaged yet, but it is really wonderful hearing your story. When you dream about having a Disney wedding you think how perfect it will be. :cloud9: Nothing ever works out 100% as planned so it is great to hear how you handled these problems. So thanks for all of your effort!! :)

Hey! Thanks for reading. I'm glad you're enjoying it. I hope there's some wisdom that you can pull from my TR and stock up on for the future!

Hi Wendy. I was an avid reader of your PJ and now I'm excited to see you back doing your TR. While I get off easy where inlaws are concerned (MIL is out of the picture 364 days of the year) I definitely still know where you're coming from. It's hard to idealize this day and trip for so long and then to have parts of it (and the people involved) not live up to expectations is no fun. I was upset with my family for a while feelling like they spent way more time that week worried about my niece and nephew enjoying their trip (they've already been to WDW 3 times and they're still in preschool) than making my wedding memorable. It is what it is, and it was still a great wedding, just not the way I expected people to be.

Ok, back to you!!

Yeah! Yeah! What you said! But then sometimes I worry that really it was me being super selfish and perhaps I could have delt with things better. Thanks for reading!

Hey Wendy,

Glad to see you came back to post a report for us. Sorry if you don't recognize my name...I'm now planning a little surprise wedding for our forethcoming Disney trip (so excited) and I don't want the family & friends that will be joining us to somehow find their way over here and figure us out. But enough about me.

I very much appreciate your honesty and am so sorry that you had such a stressful time. From following along with your PJ and learning about your in-laws, I bet you would have had lots of stress and loss of control no matter where you had the wedding. At least you got to have it in one of your favorite places, have a unique and special story to tell, and got some gorgeous pictures.

Looking forward to following along and sending you good thoughts and wishes for that party.

Yes, yes, yes. I have to say that at least I got to have my wedding at Disney. It was where I wanted it. And we did almost everything the way we wanted despite the MIL now telling people that we didn't have a real wedding and cousins looking at our wedding pictures and laughing and asking if they're halloween pictures. :rolleyes: I would have been 10x as angry if we had a different wedding and I still had to endure the stress and loss of control for the type of wedding I didn't want!

Wendy...Just got caught up with your TR and you are one strong woman!!! I thought you handled everything alot better than I would have. This just shows that if you can make it through the wedding planning and the wedding itself, you can make it through anything. Can't wait to hear the rest of your story.


Well just wait, because this next installment is and embarassment to the strong woman theory!! So, here goes...

[MistressOfAllEvil]

Day 2, Part 1 – Saturday, February 2, 2008

The morning started much like the night before ended. Miserably. I answered the 6:30am wake-up call and was immediately annoyed by Stitch. Sorry to all of you blue fur lovers, I just can’t stand him. I got up and crawled into the shower. I was exhausted and cranky. After I got out of the shower, Chuck occupied the bathroom. I can’t be sure what set me off. Perhaps it was the lack of decent sleep. Perhaps it was the increasing stress levels. Perhaps it was being annoyed at having our honeymoon shoot before our wedding. Needless to say, I was on edge. It may have been Chuck’s easy going nature that really set me off as I felt like he was dawdling, especially when he turned the television on. Never mind that it really only takes him a fraction of time to get ready compared to me. I apparently woke up seeing red. I was angry. I was pushy. I was touch. I was in a fighting mood. So fighting is what we did.

Normally, Chuck is really good at weathering my morning attitude, especially before breakfast. Typically, if you can get food in me, I improve 100%. So the plan was to eat at the resort and then head to the Magic Kingdom. BUT I had been pushing so hard, that Chuck would not tolerate it. And then when he gets angry, I get even more upset. We went to the food court, Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory, for breakfast. This is the only time we would eat there and the breakfast was pretty standard for food court fare. I didn’t try anything special, just had the mega breakfast or whatever it is with the eggs, sausage, bacon, potatoes and biscuit. I can’t remember what Chuck had, it may have been the same. While we’re eating, I’m upset, Chuck is angry. Finally, while I’m still eating, he finishes and gets up and leaves. I just hated being those people. The ones who have a break down, in public, in front of everyone, at the HAPPIEST place on earth. So I finish up and clean up and head out to the car where he’s waiting and we make our way to the Magic Kingdom.

On the way I’m panicked, because I’ve been crying. Not the kind of crying where you can just wipe your eyes and move on. I get all swollen and puffy. My nose gets red and I don’t even look a bit normal. We end up parking and I don’t want to get out of the car. I’m even more upset now and I cry even more. I’m just so upset about everything. I feel so overwhelmed. And here’s where Chuck stops being mad and angry and realizes that I’m just a stressed-out, fruit cake. He convinces me (or tries at least) that I’m beautiful, puffy eyes and all and we head to the monorail. We get to the Magic Kingdom and head into City Hall and we are a solid half hour late. There is no photographer. The Guest Services CM tries to help. Makes some calls, but really, we can’t get a hold of anyone. I end up leaving a voicemail for someone with DPS, a supervisory maybe?? Well, he ends up calling me back after we’ve already decided to leave and we’re heading back to the car. He gives me the name of the person we can contact if we want to reschedule the shoot. It’s Dara Blonde, the same person that emailed me before the wedding to confirm our address. I found this odd considering I was told it had to be this trip and now the impression I was getting was that it didn’t have to be. I never called. I chalked the whole thing up as a bust. I’m sure you can get some great pictures, but I have thousands of pictures of us at all the parks. And I certainly wasn’t feeling photogenic at that point anyhow.

We get back to the car and I decide that I want to drive. This is when I learn that I want a 4Runner. Forget that they are huge and unnecessary for us. Forget that they’re out of our price range. It drove just like a car. I never felt too big. It was wonderful!! We exit out of Magic Kingdom parking and I pull off into the auto care center. I’m still all puffy, but I’m calm at this point. I buy a pack of cigarettes and a couple of drinks for us since it is hot and it is Florida and I’m thirsty because I cried all my hydration out. I proceed to have a smoke. I had finished my last pack the night before while we were waiting for my family at HOB and I don’t know what made me think that I should try to abstain two days before my wedding. It was a good cigarette. I know that’s awful and smoking is bad, etc... But at that moment, it’s what I needed.

[mla1977]

:hug: You really need one of those. I'm glad you are posting this for us. I can only begin to imagine the stress that you were feeling.

I never did make it to Detroit for my Tae Kwon Do tournament. I've been working too many hours to make it to regular classes, let alone the extra time I needed to tournament practices.

[Goldeelox9]

I am gla dyou are posting the E True Hollywood Story of your wedding and not the fluff you sometimes read on here! It really will help us other brides expect the best, but plan for the worst! BTW your pictures are so good!

[lurkyloo]

And we did almost everything the way we wanted despite the MIL now telling people that we didn't have a real wedding and cousins looking at our wedding pictures and laughing and asking if they're holloween pictures. :rolleyes:

WHA....?!!!! :eek: Who ARE these people?

And where's the slack-jawed yokel smiley...? "It ain't a weddin' if the bride don't look like a cupcake..." :drinking: Close enough....

[lpizzuro123]

What are they talking about. You pictures are just beautiful. Of course a Disney wedding is a real wedding.

Linda

[MistressOfAllEvil]

:hug: You really need one of those. I'm glad you are posting this for us. I can only begin to imagine the stress that you were feeling.

I never did make it to Detroit for my Tae Kwon Do tournament. I've been working too many hours to make it to regular classes, let alone the extra time I needed to tournament practices.

Oh yeah, I remember you talking about hte Tae Kwon Do. That's too bad that you didn't make it to "the D". :rotfl: It's not all bad here!

I am gla dyou are posting the E True Hollywood Story of your wedding and not the fluff you sometimes read on here! It really will help us other brides expect the best, but plan for the worst! BTW your pictures are so good!

:rotfl2: It is the E True Hollywood Story!! That's perfect. Again, it's not to say that I didn't love my wedding. And we had some good times. But this is stuff that really happen. And there are things that really bothered me. And you know what, they kinda still do. :headache:

WHA....?!!!! :eek: Who ARE these people?

And where's the slack-jawed yokel smiley...? "It ain't a weddin' if the bride don't look like a cupcake..." :drinking: Close enough....

I know! It's awful. She keeps telling people that we're having this party at home because we didn't have a "real" or "normal" wedding. When in all actuality, we're having this party at home so she can further torture me.

What are they talking about. You pictures are just beautiful. Of course a Disney wedding is a real wedding.

Linda


And yes, we were at a birthday party for one of Chuck's aunts and his cousin who is 10 years older than us took one look at our wedding pictures on my iphone and asked if we were just messing around. "Those must be halloween pictures. That's not really your wedding!" :eek: :cool2:

[Lindsay22]

And yes, we were at a birthday party for one of Chuck's aunts and his cousin who is 10 years older than us took one look at our wedding pictures on my iphone and asked if we were just messing around. "Those must be halloween pictures. That's not really your wedding!" :eek: :cool2:


I would have smacked him

[FIREFLY01]

I AGREE WITH LINDSEY!!!!!

JUST REMEMBER:: despite everything that went wrong one thing still went right on Monday!!!!:hug:

I tell ya when I met you at Ohanas Sat.night, you looked so calm and relaxed,:goodvibes while my dh was having his bridezilla moment at all the problems we have been having between ohanas and 1900 park fare.:headache: I guess despite it being the happiest place on earth, they still have their problems!!!!

[FIREFLY01]

hey got a question for you?????

DId YOU HAVE JORDAN ALMONDS AT YOUR SECOND RECEPTION???:rotfl2: :rotfl: :lmao:

SORRY, JUST REMEMBERING ALL THE DRAMA, AND STILL LAUGH WHEN I THINK ABOUT HOW SHE CHASED ME DOWN IN OHANA TO GIVE SOME ALMONDS!!!
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j245/RESQCHICK/REHEARSAL066.jpg

[IndyBride]

Halloween pictures??? WHAT! What are they talking about? Your actual wedding pictures? You looked beautiful! I really don't understand. Idiots. Some people are such idiots.

[MistressOfAllEvil]

I would have smacked him

Yeah, it was a she and I could have smacked her. She's one of those people who is super flighty and has no regard for how the words coming out of her mouth affect other people. And she's kind of a lush. She was double fisting the red wine that day.

I AGREE WITH LINDSEY!!!!!

JUST REMEMBER:: despite everything that went wrong one thing still went right on Monday!!!!:hug:

I tell ya when I met you at Ohanas Sat.night, you looked so calm and relaxed,:goodvibes while my dh was having his bridezilla moment at all the problems we have been having between ohanas and 1900 park fare.:headache: I guess despite it being the happiest place on earth, they still have their problems!!!!

Oh that's sooooo true Bobbie. Monday really was the gem that made everything else less frustrating, if not okay.

That's so funny that you say that I was calm. I thought you seemed so calm! And your wedding was the NEXT day! What were your problems that you had at Ohana?? Oh nevermind, I should probably go back and reread your TR to find out.

hey got a question for you?????

DId YOU HAVE JORDAN ALMONDS AT YOUR SECOND RECEPTION???:rotfl2: :rotfl: :lmao:

SORRY, JUST REMEMBERING ALL THE DRAMA, AND STILL LAUGH WHEN I THINK ABOUT HOW SHE CHASED ME DOWN IN OHANA TO GIVE SOME ALMONDS!!!
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j245/RESQCHICK/REHEARSAL066.jpg

Oh yeah, we're getting to that, I promise. The at-home reception isn't until August 9th! It was supposed to be in June, but nothing with the in-laws can be easy and we ended up having to push it back. :sad2: I'm very unhappy with the whole situation and feel like it's kinda lame to be having this party 6 months after the wedding. I'm trying to keep it casual with more of a BBQ/Open House feel and the MIL keeps trying to turn it into an actual reception/5-yr-old Birthday Party. UGH. I won't even bring up the Jordan Almonds for the party. That would just be the icing on the cake, so to speak. She knew she wanted to have a party, why couldn't she have just saved the stupid JAs for that. Why did it have to be this big drama before my wedding??? Where she was going to surprise me???? :mad: [Whew, guess I'm not over that yet, huh?]

Halloween pictures??? WHAT! What are they talking about? Your actual wedding pictures? You looked beautiful! I really don't understand. Idiots. Some people are such idiots.

Thank you! And yeah, some people are idiots. They can't see past there own narrow view of something and look at the bigger picture of anything. :rolleyes:

[MistressOfAllEvil]

Day 2, Part 2

From this point we still had some stuff that we needed to get done. We never made it to Coronado Springs the day before to get Jenna’s attendant gift. I was still majorly concerned with the fact that manicure was really jacked up and I needed to find a place to get my nails fixed. Finally, we had to pick up some wrapping paper and supplies. So, we head over to Coronado Springs and walked from the main building half way around the resort to get to the building with the spa. When we finally arrived, Chuck was so excited to see that they had a gym. He kept commenting on it and how he would like to get a workout in. This was distracting as I was trying to choose which spa treatment to buy for Jenna. The more I thought about it, the more I realized I just wanted to spend a certain dollar amount and let her spend it as she wished. I think I ended up doing a certificate for the same price as the Cirque tickets. After we got that all settled and I paid and what not, Chuck continued to yammer on about working out. He asked the cast member if he could go into the gym. She asked if he was a guest at the resort. He said no, he was staying at POFQ. So she said that she was sorry and told him the gym was for resort guests only. So then he groused a little and said he’d really like to work out. She asked again where he was staying and he said, why here of course. She let him go in and do a quick work out. He was happy as a clam. I was a bit annoyed, but whatever. You want to lift weights in jeans, more power to you. So while he was getting buff, I went outside and parked myself on a bench. I ended up calling Jenna and Beth. I don’t remember which of their phones I called but they were together. That’s when I found out that they were happily sunbathing and having a few drinks.

http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/257917730_o8mKu-M.jpg
http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/257917604_SkfAU-M.jpg

Do you notice anyone getting a little red in this picture???

http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/257918071_8GKq7-M.jpg

I downloaded all my stresses to them including what a disaster that morning had been and they told me to come hang with them. I wanted to, but that just wouldn’t have been practical. I was detailing everything we still had to do before the welcome dinner that night and when I got to the part about needing to get my manicure fixed, Jenna insisted that she could and would fix it herself and to not worry about finding somewhere to go. At that point I was happy to cross any unnecessary activities off my list. Twenty minutes later Chuck emerged from the gym and found me on my bench. We began our trek back to the front of the resort and I informed him that we needed to go shopping for wrapping paper and supplies. As we were getting in the car I ended up talking to Christie. Her and Chuck’s parents were going shopping anyhow and offered to get us anything we needed. I had wanted to go to walmart so we could also get some fresh fruit, yogurt, nuts and bottled water. But hey, they were going so I let them pick that stuff up and that meant we only had to go to Walgreens for wrapping paper and a couple of cards. I know we ate before we went to Walgreens, but I cannot for the life of me remember what or where. However, after we ate (I know we ate?!) we went to walgreens and picked out wrapping paper, cards, tape and scissors. I even got Disney princess paper to wrap A’mya’s gift in. From there, I talked to Christie again and they were back at FW from shopping so they had stuff for us to pick up. We headed over there and it was complete chaos. Chuck’s mom and grandma were in the ‘comfort station’ coloring their hair (ugh... disaster) and I had to hunt Christie down to figure out what we were supposed to take. While I was busy with that, Chuck’s dad sucked Chuck into hanging out with all of his friends. They were mainly talking and giving Chuck a hard time about getting married. I finally got our supplies loaded into the 4Runner and I had to cut the male bonding short and drag chuck away.

We headed back to our room where Chuck thought he was going to get to nap!!! Ha! We get back and I start setting up my wrapping station on the bed. Chuck turned the television on and got all comfortable. Unfortunately, spoil sport that I am, I told him that he had to help write out the cards to our parents and he had to write a card for his best man. He tried to resist but eventually gave in to contributing. We wrote the cards out and I began wrapping the frames for our parents.

http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/257585632_SHYMh-M.jpg

This is when I noticed that I didn’t have the jewelry box that I had bought for A’mya. While the frames fit in on box very nicely together, the jewelry box got packaged in with the ornaments that I had left at the wedding pavilion!! I didn’t know what to do. I was completely freaked out that I had forgotten about this in all the rushing of the day before. There was no way I was going to actually get the jewelry box now. I had been given the time frames of when someone would be at Franc’s that day and we had already missed both of them. I ended up calling my planner and leaving her a message. There was nothing I could do. I would have to wait to give A’mya her gift.

After I finished wrapping everything up, it was time for me to hop in the shower. The crappy thing about taking so long to get ready (read: being a girl) is that you always have to go first. So there was no rest for me. I showered and began getting ready for the welcome dinner at O’hana. I was so tired and exhausted that I would have been just as happy to skip it and sleep. I didn’t even have the energy to dry my hair. I went with the curly au natural look. lol. While we were getting ready Danijella and Doug called. They had flew in that day and had just found their resort. They were staying off property because Dani had found a smokin’ deal on priceline. BUT now they didn’t know quite how to get to the welcome dinner. I was trying my best to direct them to Disney property so that they could then just follow the signs to the Poly. Once that was all settled we finished getting ready and began to gather everything we needed for the dinner: our cameras, the welcome bags, the gifts and cards. Once we hauled everything down to the car (did I mention how heavy those welcome bags were??) we were on our way.

[Lynn5700]

Umm halloween pictures?????? wow people are so ignorant.

[meryll83]

Umm halloween pictures?????? wow people are so ignorant.
people are so rude! :mad:

[irisbud]

Haloween pictures! That is so rude! You were a beautiful bride Wendy! I thought your wedding looked fab!

[Goldeelox9]

YAY! An Update. You are getting closer to the big day. I can not wait to hear about the Welcome dinner, we are having ours at the 'Ohanna too!

[29apr00]

Absolutely unbelieveable that anyone would think your wedding pictures were Halloween!! You had a beautiful wedding and I can't wait to get to that part of your TR!

[AuroraBorealis]

I think the Halloween comment smacks of jealousy! And ignorance. Probably an equal amount of both.

Wendy-- you looked so stunning on your wedding day! You totally rock the old-Hollywood-glam look. Don't let other people's jealousy and insecurities get to you.

And thanks for posting your experiences. It truly is helpful for us future brides. I can't wait to read more!

[keenercam]

Wendy, sweetie, I am so sad for you that there was tension and unhappiness and that even now you have to suffer through a party that was not within your control. Just remind yourself, as I had to back in the dark ages when I got married, "all that matters is that I get to spend the rest of my life with the man I love, and we will get through all of this together." Even when it is him driving me crazy or me driving him crazy, we know it is only a moment in time and we have all eternity to love each other. You and Chuck are such sweethearts and I hope that as time goes on, the troublesome characters in your life will just cease to make a dent in your happiness. You deserve all the best! :hug:

[roozlilone]

Wendy,
Thank you for such an honest TR! Believe me you are not alone! I just got back from our Vow Renewal, and as magical as it was, it was FULL of FAMILY DRAMA & STRESS, which I plan to describe in detail. I think it's very theraputic though, so hopefully it will help you too putting it down on computer! :rotfl:

As far as your pictures goes, I can say for a FACT how beautiful you looked at your Wedding, I saw you in person...we walked by your Wedding at SBP that day! You looked stunning! :goodvibes

[WithDisneySpirit]

Great installment, Wendy! Maybe you can turn the tables at the party and do a little torture of your own :dance3:

You were a gorgeous bride and don't let anyone bring you down or mar your memories!! :lovestruc

[kingLouiethe1]

Halloween pictures my keister. Your pix are awesome. I think they show your personality and they show that you had the wedding you wanted, not what everyone thinks you should have. My sister thinks everything should be white and victorian for a wedding, I told her when you get married, we'll do it your way :thumbsup2

[MistressOfAllEvil]

Umm halloween pictures?????? wow people are so ignorant.

Oh Lynn! I agree. She's just a twit, air head anyhow. So it shouldn't matter what she said. But it's just indicitive of what we've (I've) delt with.

people are so rude! :mad:

I know. Even if you don't like something, why would you make such a nasty comment to someone else when they obviously were happy with it because that's what they chose to do?!?

Haloween pictures! That is so rude! You were a beautiful bride Wendy! I thought your wedding looked fab!

Thank you sooooo much!!

YAY! An Update. You are getting closer to the big day. I can not wait to hear about the Welcome dinner, we are having ours at the 'Ohanna too!

Whew, I'm trying to chug along here. Get ready b/c the next update is all Ohana! With TONS of pictures. It wasn't my first choice for the welcome dinner, but it did turn out well and I think it's pretty appealing to all sorts of poeple, so it worked out nicely.

Absolutely unbelieveable that anyone would think your wedding pictures were Halloween!! You had a beautiful wedding and I can't wait to get to that part of your TR!

Thank you!!

I think the Halloween comment smacks of jealousy! And ignorance. Probably an equal amount of both.

Wendy-- you looked so stunning on your wedding day! You totally rock the old-Hollywood-glam look. Don't let other people's jealousy and insecurities get to you.

And thanks for posting your experiences. It truly is helpful for us future brides. I can't wait to read more!

I really think it's more that this cousin is older by at least 10 years and she just has that mindset that a wedding is supposed to look a certain way. What she doesn't have is the manners or sobriety to keep that opinion to her self while comment on a relative's wedding pictures. :sad2:

Wendy, sweetie, I am so sad for you that there was tension and unhappiness and that even now you have to suffer through a party that was not within your control. Just remind yourself, as I had to back in the dark ages when I got married, "all that matters is that I get to spend the rest of my life with the man I love, and we will get through all of this together." Even when it is him driving me crazy or me driving him crazy, we know it is only a moment in time and we have all eternity to love each other. You and Chuck are such sweethearts and I hope that as time goes on, the troublesome characters in your life will just cease to make a dent in your happiness. You deserve all the best! :hug:

Awwwe, thanks Cam! I'm really working on not letting others get to me so much. It's the only way to survive. Chuck's good at just letting things roll off his back.

Wendy,
Thank you for such an honest TR! Believe me you are not alone! I just got back from our Vow Renewal, and as magical as it was, it was FULL of FAMILY DRAMA & STRESS, which I plan to describe in detail. I think it's very theraputic though, so hopefully it will help you too putting it down on computer! :rotfl:

As far as your pictures goes, I can say for a FACT how beautiful you looked at your Wedding, I saw you in person...we walked by your Wedding at SBP that day! You looked stunning! :goodvibes

Thanks!! I gotta get on your TR and catch up and read everything. Especially now that we know that that was your husband on the boards! He alluded to the fact that the family was troublesome. I can't wait to read all about it! It's good to know I'm not the only one. I just can't do this TR and gloss over everything.

Great installment, Wendy! Maybe you can turn the tables at the party and do a little torture of your own :dance3:

You were a gorgeous bride and don't let anyone bring you down or mar your memories!! :lovestruc

Thanks!! I'm working really hard at not caring too much about this at home party. It's going to be a totally representation of my in-laws since they are hosting at there home. Besides that, I have very few people coming from my side; probably 30 of less of family and friends out of a very roubust 125ish.

Halloween pictures my keister. Your pix are awesome. I think they show your personality and they show that you had the wedding you wanted, not what everyone thinks you should have. My sister thinks everything should be white and victorian for a wedding, I told her when you get married, we'll do it your way :thumbsup2

Perfect! That's the best response ever! When I used that on my MIL before the wedding, my SIL said "Don't worry mommy, when I get married you can have xxx, yyy, & zzz." It was quite disgusting imo.

[MistressOfAllEvil]

Day 2 Part 3 - Welcome Dinner at Ohana

Okay, so we’re on our way to the Poly and we’re perfectly on time, yet I receive a phone call from Christie. She’s already there with her parents and grandmother because they’re overly early to everything. I tell them to hold their horses and we’ll be there shortly. We pull up to the Poly and Chuck lets me out at the curb with our boxes of goodies and then he drives off to find parking. While I’m waiting for him, I can’t go in because everything is too heavy for me to carry by myself. Now while we arrived with 5 minutes to spare, we ended up being just a few minutes late by the time we made it in. I went to the podium and checked us in and notice that there was another large party waiting as well and they had pretty much filled the waiting area. So we stood outside and waited just a bit. Everyone was there when we finally made it in with the exception of Jenna and Beth. I called them and they were there and just finding their way to the restaurant. They stopped to take pictures along the way.

http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/260133521_wzC5D-M.jpg
http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/260133586_tgyBr-M.jpg
http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/260133677_PtWEL-M.jpg

And if you look really closely in this next one at the top left corner, you’ll see where our party was waiting outside of Ohana. The girl in the yellow dress is my SIL, Christie.

http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/260133749_F6Emr-M.jpg

When we finally got seated it was a whirlwind of activity. The host was checking for allergies, which was a good thing because I didn’t realize that one of my life-long friends of over 15 years was allergic to PINEAPPLE! And there was a server taking drink orders and I wanted to get the welcome bags out and welcome everyone.

Passing out welcome bags...

http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/257918141_CBnFQ-M.jpg

Welcome bags everywhere...

http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/257567378_9rdoy-M.jpg

Being seated...

http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/257568315_FiGQN-M.jpg

Server taking drink orders...

http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/257568028_o7Yna-M.jpg

At this point, my now MIL couldn’t contain herself any longer. Nevermind that we had just gotten there, just gotten settled in and were taking a million and one pictures...


A million and one pictures...
http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/257645330_K4DRZ-M.jpg
http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/257568525_efXKa-M.jpg
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http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/263321638_Q2xPm-M.jpg


So she just absolutely had to pass out the stupid Jordan Almonds, oh excuse me, Confetti. She couldn’t container herself. But she didn’t just pass them out. She had to tell a story about what they were. And what you’re supposed to do with them. And to tell her story she had to YELL at everyone. It was loud in the restaurant and the people at the end of the table couldn’t hear her, so they didn’t even know she was talking. So she starts getting feisty and YELLING at them to “LISTEN TO HER!” Ugh. It was annoying. I don’t think she realizes how rude she comes across. I genuinely think it’s a language barrier issue. Perhaps she never fully learned the innuendo of the English language in the past 40 years that she’s been here in the states. Or perhaps she just thinks that... I don’t even know what. She’s just very abrasive sometimes. She went on to talk about how you’re supposed to make a wish for the bride and groom while sucking on one of the candied nuts. But you have to be careful, because if you make a bad wish it will come back on you. Now, let me ask you, who at my super-small wedding would be making a wish against me, that this warning was necessary?!???!!

http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/257569214_y7EVk-M.jpg
http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/257569022_UApmJ-M.jpg
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http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/263320407_2TCN2-M.jpg

Someone was kind enough to immortalize the JA’s in wedding history forever.

http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/257574269_7Grz2-M.jpg
http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/257574461_4mexU-M.jpg

I would like to also take this opportunity to point out that after the cat was let out of the bag about being “surprised” by the MIL with JAs at my wedding that I ended up taking on this project as well. I had to buy the netting or tulle because my SIL had purchased large square amounts apparently b/c they were oblivious that you can just buy a package of rounds at any craft store. I printed the little tags and then inked the edges to match the different color ribbons that I had cut to tie the bows. I really wanted the tags to have some sort of thank you message and something about the welcome dinner and Chuck’s parents hosting, but I got shot down on that (don’t think that I didn’t print out several alternatives for the tags.) They were pretty peeved that I didn’t let them also do the red ribbon and little fake red roses, but I was able to at least make the case that this wasn’t something being passed out at the wedding or on the wedding day, therefore it should be in bright colors to compliment the Poly/Ohana theme. The whole thing in my opinion was a disaster and still to this day bothers me. Note to future MILs, MOBs or just about anyone who thinks this is a good idea for a “SURPRISE,” guess what, it’s NOT. You would think that once she said her piece that it would have been the end of the JA’s, but as anyone who has read Bobbie’s TR or earlier comments knows, that is not the case. I’ll get there, promise.

After that, I seemed to relax for the most part. The food kept coming out in waves. We started with the bread and salad. They brought out the shrimp and wings, both of which were really good and messy to eat! Okay, I lied, I don’t really know the order of the food. But all of it was really good. I ate, but I didn’t overeat. I enjoyed everything a lot. I know that we had to get more of the potatoes and shrimp. And as always, the meat was hit or miss. I had a great piece of steak, but Chuck’s would suck. So it all depends. Overall the meal was very good. My mom kept commenting about how salty the potatoes were, but she still enjoyed them.

[MistressOfAllEvil]

Day 2 Part 3 - Welcome Dinner at Ohana; Continued

Throughout the dinner there was a lot of commotion and activity. This lady came over and it seems like she never left.

http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/257918379_ATDWm-M.jpg

We did some hand movements to a song. It must have been about a fish...

http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/257918357_vBQfS-M.jpg
http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/257918340_gZ2hZ-M.jpg

We got more leis on top of the ones that I had included in the welcome bags for our group.

http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/260134101_XApQJ-M.jpg

Chuck reacting to the lady, whose name I don’t know, after she walked away...

http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/260134146_6fPgq-M.jpg

And us smooching...

http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/263325481_o2kwX-M.jpg
http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/263329145_9LLmF-M.jpg

I can’t remember exactly when, but I’m pretty sure it was shortly after being seated, or while we were in the process of being seated that Bobbie and I realized who the other was. I knew I knew her, but I have to admit that I blanked on the name. She was much better at identifying me!

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m301/wendykampe/MeBobbie.jpg

So, David (Bobbie’s now DH) and Chuck got to spend a lot of time leading parades, wearing skirts and holding limbo poles...

http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/257571622_paPz8-M.jpg
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http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/263328079_gnnUr-M.jpg


As his reward for being such a good sport, Chuck got to pass out MORE leis to our party...

http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/257573439_HBSyE-M.jpg
http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/257573223_miuBr-M.jpg

Ohana was a great place too for keeping the one kid (my niece) in the party entertained. She started out looking like this...

http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/263320651_L6AWe-M.jpg

And ended up looking like this...

http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/263321638_Q2xPm-M.jpg
http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/263325929_9ec5k-M.jpg
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http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/257609269_EdZWS-M.jpg

[MistressOfAllEvil]

Day 2, Part 3 - Welcome Dinner at Ohana; Continued

As the evening started to wind down, they brought out dessert. It was very yummy. I think we ended up getting a couple of special request desserts though. My friend with the pineapple allergy got ice cream with a sauce topping I think. I also think my niece A’mya ended up with just ice cream as well. Some people ordered coffee. I decided now was a good a time as any to pass out our gifts for our parents and attendants. I started with the parents. They both got Lennox frames, but they were different.

http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/260134738_cJEic-M.jpg
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http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/257609561_vB7X4-M.jpg

Everyone was cracking up because I didn’t change out the pictures in the frame. I thought of printing up a little poem or saying to go in the frames until we got wedding pictures back for them, but I ended up not doing that. So everyone was laughing because the couple in the picture is NOT me and Chuck.

I gave Jenna her gift certificate and she was STOKED to have her massage paid for!

http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/263329535_NGBpd-M.jpg

And here’s Christie saying “NO WAY” when she opened the Cirque tickets!

http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/257575993_ThyeW-M.jpg

Chuck’s best man Anthony wasn’t flying in until the next day. So his gift was back in the room. Chuck bought him a 2GB thumb (usb) drive shaped like a ducati tail (they’re riding buddies, so it was fitting.)

After the gift giving, the dinner was really coming to an end and we began firming up plans for PI that night and MK the next day. This is where I was a little miffed. I was telling everyone where we were going to meet in the MK and at what time when Dani tells me that she and Doug made plans to meet up with some relatives because “they didn’t know there was anything going on.” Now, I would have been okay with the fact that they weren't coming to MK b/c they didn’t want to spend the money on the tickets, or because they really wanted to meet up with family. But to tell me that you didn’t know what was going on when I included ALL the information in the invitation really bothered me. I felt like, what was the point??

My mom wanted to get a picture with Chuck’s mom but all of the sudden Chuck’s mom was gone. This is apparently when she ran after Bobbie & David to give them the Jordan Almonds. She came back and said, “I gave those guys some confetti too since I had some left over.” Okie dokie. I thought it was HYSTERICAL b/c everyone knew the JA drama from my PJ before the wedding and Bobbie was sure to get a kick out of it. Which she did.

My mom got the picture...

http://MistressOfAllEvil.smugmug.com/photos/263330965_jvdiS-M.jpg

And then we all headed out to get back to our rooms and get ready for PI.

[mla1977]

Wow! lots of updates! At my cousins shower in February they had a "guess the JAs" contest. My Italian aunt almost started preaching to me about JAs. Blech!

[lpizzuro123]

Yeah, more updates. Love reading about 'Ohana.

I really love your dress and the necklace you have on with it. Would you mind letting me know where you purchased the necklace. My girls are wearing red dresses and that might look nice for the wedding.

Thanks,
Linda

[irisbud]

Great installment Wendy!

Sorry you had so much drama, ugh!

BTW< I LOVE that dress you are wearing! It is really fun and it looks great on you! Can't wait to read more!

[29apr00]

Another great update. Sorry you have to once again relive the horror of your JA's. You're a stronger woman than me. I'd have thrown my bag at her once she started yelling during my welcome dinner. :rolleyes1

[figmentfan814]

It sounds like you did have a lot of headaches from people while you were down there. It makes me thankful that most of our potential problem guests didn't make it to Florida! I think our at-home reception was the most stressful thing tool; don't worry it will all be over soon :hug:

O'hanas is a blast, we had a group dinner there the week of the wedding. That same lady made most of our group stand up to the hula, so you were lucky that you got to sit at the table.

It looks like your niece had a blast by the end of the night. My cousin (the only kid in our group) looked like he thought he was too cool for the hula in our pictures :rotfl:

[WithDisneySpirit]

Well, Wendy, I have to compliment you on how poised you were throughout the dinner with all the drama! You did great and you looked beautiful :goodvibes

[lurkyloo]

OMG IloveyourdresswheredidyougetitImusthaveit! :hyper:

[FIREFLY01]

OHANAS WAS GREAT!!!!:cool1: :thumbsup2
THE MEN DID A GREAT JOB ENTERTAINING US ALL!!:woohoo:

THANKS AGAIN FOR THE JORDAN ALMONDS!!!!:rotfl: :rotfl2: :rotfl:

[MistressOfAllEvil]

Wow! lots of updates! At my cousins shower in February they had a "guess the JAs" contest. My Italian aunt almost started preaching to me about JAs. Blech!

OMG... I'm sooo over the JAs!! I was so bummed that they even had to make an appearance during any of my wedding events.

Yeah, more updates. Love reading about 'Ohana.

I really love your dress and the necklace you have on with it. Would you mind letting me know where you purchased the necklace. My girls are wearing red dresses and that might look nice for the wedding.

Thanks,
Linda

The necklace (and matching earrings) came from Target!! LOOOOOVE TARGET. And the red clutch, which I think you can see on the table in a couple of the pictures came from target too. Clearance for $2.71!!!

Great installment Wendy!

Sorry you had so much drama, ugh!

BTW< I LOVE that dress you are wearing! It is really fun and it looks great on you! Can't wait to read more!

Thank you! I thought the dress was PERFECT when I saw it. The only problem I have is that I'm not very well endowed up top and then my ribcage is wide, so a lot of dresses look funny on me because the waist is too high and it doesn't empahsize my real waist which is lower.

Another great update. Sorry you have to once again relive the horror of your JA's. You're a stronger woman than me. I'd have thrown my bag at her once she started yelling during my welcome dinner. :rolleyes1

Oh, I was surrounded with my people so snarky comments were prevelant! I couldn't believe she was YELLING at people! So rude! :cool2:

It sounds like you did have a lot of headaches from people while you were down there. It makes me thankful that most of our potential problem guests didn't make it to Florida! I think our at-home reception was the most stressful thing tool; don't worry it will all be over soon :hug:

O'hanas is a blast, we had a group dinner there the week of the wedding. That same lady made most of our group stand up to the hula, so you were lucky that you got to sit at the table.

It looks like your niece had a blast by the end of the night. My cousin (the only kid in our group) looked like he thought he was too cool for the hula in our pictures :rotfl:


I was so happy to let Chuck take the majority of attention. Not that I'm super shy, but I was too out of sorts to deal with all of that. I just wanted to eat and drink and get through it all.

The at home party is in 2 weeks and I'm sooooo happy it's almost over. My family and I only have 30 ppl or so coming out of about 125. Which is good. I only have to worry about my people and let the MIL worry about her 100 people. WHATEVER. I cannot wait until it's over. I've pretty much given up trying to "plan" anything. Aside from securing the catering, tent, tables, chairs, etc... I haven't done anything to put it all together. There's no theme. Blah!


Well, Wendy, I have to compliment you on how poised you were throughout the dinner with all the drama! You did great and you looked beautiful :goodvibes

Thank you!

OMG IloveyourdresswheredidyougetitImusthaveit! :hyper:

:rotfl: It's by INC. and I got it from Hudson's, oh wait, excuse me, Marshall Fields.

OHANAS WAS GREAT!!!!:cool1: :thumbsup2
THE MEN DID A GREAT JOB ENTERTAINING US ALL!!:woohoo:

THANKS AGAIN FOR THE JORDAN ALMONDS!!!!:rotfl: :rotfl2: :rotfl:

:rotfl2: :rotfl: Oh please don't thank me. That was all the MIL!

You're right, the men did a great job at entertaining!

[MainStMandy]

:dance3: :dance3: :dance3: :dance3:

[lpizzuro123]

Thanks for the info about Target. I would love to buy them matching earings and necklaces but I have purchased SO much for them already. I love the set from Davids but it is like $60.00 and that on top of what I have gotten already is over the top.

Linda

[KQAN]

Hey, I just wanted to let you know I've enjoyed following both your PJ and TR, and I think it's really cool that you came back to post about your wedding trip even though it wasn't all light and happy the whole time. I'm sure you are busy, but I hope you're going to continue the saga!

[lpizzuro123]

I am also using the Lenox Mickey and Minnie ears as our favors and awhile ago you had given me the suggestions to use the Zig pens. Well, I found them the other day and purchased two in gold and I must say they are exactially what I wanted. The one I bought had two tips and the fine tip is great. I have an extra Mickey ornament that I have been using to make samples of the different pens and writing styles and this one is just right. It is SO easy to use.

Looking forward to more updates also.

Thanks again,
Linda

[MistressOfAllEvil]

:dance3: :dance3: :dance3: :dance3:

:dance3: :dance3: :dance3: :dance3:

Thanks for the info about Target. I would love to buy them matching earings and necklaces but I have purchased SO much for them already. I love the set from Davids but it is like $60.00 and that on top of what I have gotten already is over the top.

Linda

LOL, I was so happy to find all my accesories for that dress at target for so cheap. Idk if I mentioned it before but I was also carrying a small, red patent leather clutch that was on clearance from xmas for $2.97!! :cool1:

I understand though how easy it is to go overboard and wanted to keep buying more and more. If it makes you feel any better... I got that jewelry back at the end of January so they probably don't have it any more, therefore, no temptation for you!

Hey, I just wanted to let you know I've enjoyed following both your PJ and TR, and I think it's really cool that you came back to post about your wedding trip even though it wasn't all light and happy the whole time. I'm sure you are busy, but I hope you're going to continue the saga!

I'm for sure going to continue! I am pretty busy and our at-home reception is THIS Saturday, but I'll try to put the next installment up tomorrow morning. Coming up next is our outing to PI, meeting up with my wedding twin Carrie and my husband's bosses making me cry! Get ready!!

I am also using the Lenox Mickey and Minnie ears as our favors and awhile ago you had given me the suggestions to use the Zig pens. Well, I found them the other day and purchased two in gold and I must say they are exactially what I wanted. The one I bought had two tips and the fine tip is great. I have an extra Mickey ornament that I have been using to make samples of the different pens and writing styles and this one is just right. It is SO easy to use.

Looking forward to more updates also.

Thanks again,
Linda

:cool1: Wooo Hoooo! I'm so glad they worked for you Linda! I bought about a gazillion different pens to try to see what would work best. Now I'm stuck with all these pens! hmpf. :headache: I'm glad the zig (painty pens, right?) worked for you like they did me! I gotta go hunt down your PJ, have you done them all yet? I wanna see a picture!!!

[MistressOfAllEvil]

Day 2, Part 4 - Pleasure Island

After we got back to the room, both Chuck and I decided to change. I thought I was going to get a lot more use out of that dress than I really did. I ended up throwing on a pair of jeans and a top. Chuck put jeans on as well. We freshened up and headed back out the door and to DTD. I explained to everyone where we were going to meet, but with several people who had never been there it was a bit challenging. I took a few calls to coordinate everyone and figure out where they were. Chuck and I were the first to arrive and we were at the entrance closest to the West Side (by the amc theaters and planet hollywood). A few minutes later Christie showed up, with her parents. The five of us were standing around chatting when Dani and Doug showed up. I got a hold of Beth and Jenna and found out they were held up by the busses, so we agreed to just meet up when they did get there. After buying our tickets with a discount using our APs Chuck’s parents headed back to FW and we headed into PI. At this time we met up with some co-workers (all superiors... managers and a director! Eek) of Chuck’s who were in Orlando for a conference that Chuck would have to attend later in the week. I also talked to Carrie to firm up our plans of meeting. I can’t remember if we texted or called or what, but I let her know that we were heading into the Adventurer’s Club and to come on in to meet up with us.

We headed into the AC and it looked like this.
http://mistressofallevil.smugmug.com/photos/257610272_sjfJp-M.jpg

We made for the bar and started ordering drinks and one of Chuck’s coworker’s was very kind and bought several rounds for the whole group. The place started to fill up pretty quickly and Carrie had arrived. We were down in the main room and I looked up and noticed her instantly from pictures! She came down and joined our group and we caught each other up on all of our drama since we had left home and hadn’t been on the DIS.

We made sure to get a compulsory picture of us...
http://mistressofallevil.smugmug.com/photos/257610844_uJ5mL-M.jpg

I thought we had got more than the one shot between the two of us, but I guess not!

Jenna and Beth showed up shortly too and I stopped worrying about my parents who had been wishy-washing about coming out. Everyone was mingling and have a generally good time.

http://mistressofallevil.smugmug.com/photos/257610319_Aqssc-M.jpg
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And I think this picture shows how exhausted I was...
http://mistressofallevil.smugmug.com/photos/257646243_fEv3e-M.jpg

Chuck ended up getting pulled into one of the shows with the maid and the mask on the wall. He was turning out to be quite the entertainer of the evening between Ohana and AC.

http://mistressofallevil.smugmug.com/photos/257610444_YTgXW-M.jpg

Chuck’s on the left and the other guy was a DIVORCE lawyer... I think he may have given Chuck his business card after finding out that we were getting married in two days. :laughing:

http://mistressofallevil.smugmug.com/photos/257611560_2ToEv-M.jpg

They were told to bow...
http://mistressofallevil.smugmug.com/photos/257611196_PLYmk-M.jpg

To the great mask...
http://mistressofallevil.smugmug.com/photos/257610705_NMqgW-M.jpg

Then they had to poses...
http://mistressofallevil.smugmug.com/photos/257611042_8AVjZ-M.jpg

Just like the statue...
http://mistressofallevil.smugmug.com/photos/257610970_LQk4Z-M.jpg

After those antics, Christie & Jenna headed outside for a cigarette and Carrie decided it was time to get going. I walked out with her and we chatted some more before she took off. I learned that cigarette smoke is EXTREAMLY bothersome to her, so I refrained until she left and then joined Christie and Jenna. While we were outside, everyone else came filtering out and decided that we needed to head into another club. Jenna and Beth insisted on heading to the Beach Club because they got a hot tip that it was the last night it would be open for business; Disney was closing it down.

Everyone had a great time here. The music was appealing to everyone.
http://mistressofallevil.smugmug.com/photos/257577555_mGAbW-M.jpg
http://mistressofallevil.smugmug.com/photos/257919025_MuBgL-M.jpg

Everyone was out on the dance floor...
http://mistressofallevil.smugmug.com/photos/257919141_hhKhP-M.jpg
http://mistressofallevil.smugmug.com/photos/257919266_yWZ4d-M.jpg
http://mistressofallevil.smugmug.com/photos/260134866_tNf7k-M.jpg

Even Chuck’s coworkers...
http://mistressofallevil.smugmug.com/photos/257919288_UAZNi-M.jpg
(this might have been at another bar? we might have popped in somewhere between AC and Beach Club. I just can’t remember.)

The Bartenders were awesome...
http://mistressofallevil.smugmug.com/photos/257919123_cXmVp-M.jpg

This is Jenna and Beth’s bartender from their resort pool. She’s the one who let them know about Beach Club closing and she was there!
http://mistressofallevil.smugmug.com/photos/257919303_5Ge5d-M.jpg


Shortly after midnight, I decided it was time for me to go. I was turning into a pumpkin and we were going to the Magic Kingdom the next day and little did I know I was going to need all my energy and strength to get through the next day. Chuck and I made our exit and Christie & Jenna came with so that we could all have a cigarette before we took off. Everyone else ended up coming out too. Chuck’s coworkers decided to take off as did Christie and Chuck and I. Jenna, Beth, Dani and Doug decided to stay and party into the wee hours.

Chuck and I drove back to the resort and went straight to bed once getting back to the room. I think I was asleep before my head hit the pillow.

[roozlilone]

Yeah for the update! :yay: :yay: Love the pic of you and Carrie! Keep it coming! :goodvibes

[accountingbabe08]

Another great update Wendy. How is school going for you. I have a little over two months until graduation. I'm so excited about finishing.


Belinda

[keenercam]

Yay for the update! It really looks like a great time! So glad you and Carrie were able to meet up! :hug: Can't wait to hear more.

[29apr00]

Sounds like everyone had a great time!! So bummed PI is closing!! The AC is awesome!

[irisbud]

Sounds like a great evening! Thanks for the update, can't wait to read more!

[lurkyloo]

I thought we had got more than the one shot between the two of us, but I guess not!

Well there is one other shot of us... the one I clumsily Photoshopped for my trip report! :rotfl: (You didn't need any help :cutie: )

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t63/lurkyloo/Honeymoon/weddingtwinfixedcopy.jpg

[MistressOfAllEvil]

Yeah for the update! :yay: :yay: Love the pic of you and Carrie! Keep it coming! :goodvibes

We've got a huge weekend ahead of us (we're doing demo on our house to get rid of a poorly constructed addition that Chuck's Grandfather added many moons ago), but know that I do think about my TR all the time. Next up is the day before the wedding spent at Magic Kingdom. It will be a challange b/c this is where I began to dislike EVERYONE not just my ILs. :rotfl:

Another great update Wendy. How is school going for you. I have a little over two months until graduation. I'm so excited about finishing.


Belinda

School is going. I keep plugging away at it. I have three classes this semester and three next semester and then I'll have my associates and I'll be transfering to a local business school. Once I'm there I should only need another year to get my bach. since I'm transfering so many credits and I'm enrolling in their "fast track" program. How exciting for you that graduation is so close. :goodvibes I can't wait until I can say yes... I have a degree, I am edumacated :teacher: :hyper:

Yay for the update! It really looks like a great time! So glad you and Carrie were able to meet up! :hug: Can't wait to hear more.

It was a lot of fun. I left out a crying stint that a I had at AC though. I for sure thought I had got Chuck fired. He's bound by some pretty strick privacy and disclosure agreements and is NOT supposed to talk freely about certain things that he works on. Well, he was soooooo excited about a particular job that he was telling me about it a few weeks before the wedding (they ended up not getting the account, but it had nothing to do with me!). So, I strike up a convo with two out of three of his superiors and I'm talking about how much Chuck loves his work and how great this job has been for him, blah, blah, blah. And then I mention about how excited he is to get to work on XXX. Whoa! They start hounding me about what he's said at home, etc... Turns out they were just giving me a hard time, but they said to watch it around the thrid superior b/c he was way more sensitive about that type of stuff. So the whole night they were razzing me and at one point I felt soooo stupid I was crying a little. Then they felt bad for razzing me, but it didn't make a difference b/c I felt awful for opening my big mouth! Luckily Chuck still has his job and there was no harm done.

And it was soooo awsome to meet Carrie. I've never had the experience really of knowing someone so well from the internet and then meeting them irl. It was a unique and cool experience. And the fact that our wedding was on the same day and we got to share the planning process and go through everything 'together' makes it so that Carrie will always have a special place in my heart and my wedding memories!! :flower3: :hug:

Whew, I got cheesy, huh?

Sounds like everyone had a great time!! So bummed PI is closing!! The AC is awesome!

I really super-duper bummed that PI is closing. SIL and I were supposed to have taken a trip last weekend to the world and she ended up bailing right when we were going to book. So now I have no hope of saying goodbye. It's devestating!

Sounds like a great evening! Thanks for the update, can't wait to read more!

Thanks for reading!

Well there is one other shot of us... the one I clumsily Photoshopped for my trip report! :rotfl: (You didn't need any help :cutie: )



:rotfl2: So I pull up a screen with what I think is my version of the picture and then a screen with your version... and I couldn't find one difference. It was like I was playing one of those games in the magazine. How many different things can you find? Ummm...ZERO. But then I realized that I wasn't looking at my version of the picture. I was looking at two copies of your version. So when I looked at yours and mine side by side finally... all I can say is thank you! You removed the shine! :woohoo: See, I did need help. :thumbsup2

[lurkyloo]

Looky! I found another picture of us! Remember when we got plastered and danced on the bar later? :rotfl:

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t63/lurkyloo/Planning%20Journal/TableDance.jpg

[pjstevens]

Wendy, YEA!!!! Another update! It looks like you had an amazing time!

[figmentfan814]

So exciting to see an update! It looks like you all had a lot of fun at PI. It really is too bad about Adventurer's Club. Can't wait to read more :goodvibes

[Mama of Indybride]

Good luck with your demolition plan this weekend!

So excited to see an update, and share some more of your trip!

Looking forward to your day at MK!

[29apr00]

How's it going Wendy?? We miss you!!

[snow_white725]

We would love to hear more if you are up for it :goodvibes

[caravarela]

Hi Wendy! I'm new, and I just finished your PJ and TR. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time to see if you'd make it through your wedding without killing family members ;) For some reason I can't see any of your pics though :( I even tried to find yours on Randy's site and couldn't find any. Hope you have some free time for more updates soon!