Tom & Heidi 1/19/09 Italy WD/WP/Narcoossee's/Sago Cay...Sprint to the Finish!!!

[tiggerrifficheidi]

Hello DISers!

Okay, I'm finally doing it. I've broken myself away from everyone's PJ long enough to start my own!:woohoo:

I'll start with a little background.

First off, we're already married. We had an Escape Wedding in June (see my TR), which was very impromptu, but the Jan wedding was THE plan all along, so we're sticking with it. Plus, if DH is willing to let me have two DFTWs, who am I to argue? :confused3 :rotfl:

DH and I met in Germany. We're both stationed here with the Army. We actually got together on a group trip to Paris with friends. We had been flirting beforehand, but I like to think it was the romance of the city that clinched the deal! :rotfl2:

Here's where I warn you that I love pictures, so if you don't...I apologize (but keep putting them in your PJs anyway, because I love them!)

Here's us in Paris!

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC00255.jpg

We dated for a year and did some pretty cool things (traveling around Europe...a benefit of living over here...the down side is it's a LONG way from WDW!)

Here's Cinque Terre in Italy. Go there if you EVER have the chance.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC01051.jpg

Well, the whole year, we knew I would deploy for a year, and then he would deploy the NEXT year, so we convinced ourselves it wouldn't work to be separated for two years while we were dating. So, we broke up a couple months before I deployed and were determined to make it as "just friends."

This is us as "just friends." Do you think it was working?

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC02445.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC02452.jpg

So, I deployed and NOW my DH tells me that was a horrible day for him, and from that point on, he just locked his heart up and dedicated himself to work. :love:

This is us the day I deployed.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC02785.jpg

We stayed in contact, and I would send him pictures, just like I did my other "friends." Here's the funny part...this picture is special to him, because he says when he saw it his heart sank and he knew what he had lost. Bear in mind...it's August in Iraq...probably 120 degrees! And I'm sitting in a HMMWV in PT uniform! I tell you what, if a man can love you when you look like that...

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC03171.jpg

I have to throw this one in, because I think it's funny! It was all the girls in my company acting "mean." We really aren't at all!

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DZ2_9272.jpg

This is where I get a little mean. I was planning my R&R trip to Australia with a girlfriend of mine. But, I hadn't packed my civilian clothes. So, I asked DH to go to my house and get me some clothes and to "help" him, I gave him a "list" of pictures of outfits I wanted. Of course, they all had the two of us in them together :rolleyes1

MY DH is a bit OCD about ziploc baggies, so when I got the clothes and they were painstakingly packed in ziploc baggies...I knew it was love :goodvibes

Soon afterwards we had an IM conversation where he hinted that "we could work" and he talked about lining up our future assignments together. I thought he meant date ad naseum and I said "I'm 32!!!! I want to get married someday." So, he said "how 'bout we have a goal...say my R&R trip." I thought he meant get engaged on his R&R trip. Well, he meant get married!!!:dance3:

Now I'm sure that's not the most romantic proposal ever, but it does get better! I told him promptly that it wouldn't get him out of proposing (he said he wouldn't want it to) and the next thing out of my mouth (or hands, really, since I was IMing!) was that I wanted a DFTW! He had never been to WDW, and he said it sounded like a great idea!

Long story somewhat shortened...we were supposed to overlap in Iraq for two months, and we wanted to be married (mostly because that's the only way we'd be allowed to share the same room on Balad! :rolleyes1 ), so we were going to get married by proxy in TX. He was going to visit my parents and marry "me." Then, I found out I was coming home early to take a different job...so the proxy was off, and we were able to take leave together!

So, I told him I needed to go to WDW to plan for Jan anyway, so why don't we just get married there. He did most of the coordination for the Escape wedding in about a week (see my TR).

He met me at the airport and brought me home to a house full of flowers. They were spread out through the house...but I combined them for a picture.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/P6060020.jpg

Then he proposed...but we still didn't have a ring. More to follow on that...

So...the day of our wedding (I know...we were nuts!), we had our sort-of PS. I'll put that in another installation!

[MiaBella05]

YAY for starting your PJ, i am so happy that things worked out for the two of you in the end! congrats! :goodvibes

[Lynn5700]

WOW what a great story!!!! You and you husband are so awesome!

I look forward to hearing all your plans :)

[pjstevens]

Heidi,

So glad you started your NEXT PJ!!!! How awesome, two DFTW in such a short time. Can't wait to read more and post those pics, I love looking at them too.

[linzwylie]

great story, I cant wait to read more !

What beautiful flowers :flower3:

Linz xxx :)

[XmasPixie]

Oh yes - keep sharing those pictures - you can never have too many of those.

Congratulations and good luck with your planning. You have such a great story. And as I just posted in your June TR - thank you so much for all that you and your DH do. I am a proud family member of a recent member of the Army and you all are just amazing.

Looking forward to following along with your planning.popcorn:: Thanks for sharing!

[DisneyBrideToni]

YAY I am so glad you started your PJ!!!! Your story is so cute and how awesome that you get TWO DFTW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am officially jealous! :thumbsup2

[jessesgirl-080708]

I'm jealous too!

I'm sure this wedding is going to be beautiful.. if you threw that one together in a week at Sunset Pointe! I loved the flowers! Can't wait to see pics from this one, I am sure they will be beautiful!!!:love:

[Keira1387]

I'm so glad you started a PJ! Can't wait to hear more!!

[DecemberBride]

Soooooo happy you started your PJ! I loooove the pics, but i especially love the one of you girls in Iraq... you gals rock!!!!!!! :thumbsup2 Can't wait for more!

[Goldeelox9]

Yay you started! Can't wait to read more!!

[tiggerrifficheidi]

YAY for starting your PJ, i am so happy that things worked out for the two of you in the end! congrats! :goodvibes

Me, too!

WOW what a great story!!!! You and you husband are so awesome!

I look forward to hearing all your plans :)

I'm glad you liked the story! But, now that the "introductions" are out of the way, I can post "wedding stuff!"

Heidi,

So glad you started your NEXT PJ!!!! How awesome, two DFTW in such a short time. Can't wait to read more and post those pics, I love looking at them too.

Good! I have more :) And I kinda wish I had more time to plan the second one...because y'all have such good ideas to "borrow!" But, if we wait till he comes home from Iraq for good, it will be July (hopefully...if he's not on a 15 month-er!), and I'd rather be at WDW when it's calmer.

great story, I cant wait to read more !

What beautiful flowers :flower3:

Linz xxx :)

He shocked me with the flowers. I kept running from room to room seeing more flowers. I really love flowers!

Oh yes - keep sharing those pictures - you can never have too many of those.

Congratulations and good luck with your planning. You have such a great story. And as I just posted in your June TR - thank you so much for all that you and your DH do. I am a proud family member of a recent member of the Army and you all are just amazing.

Looking forward to following along with your planning.popcorn:: Thanks for sharing!

Thank you! I am glad to finally get this thing off the ground.

YAY I am so glad you started your PJ!!!! Your story is so cute and how awesome that you get TWO DFTW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am officially jealous! :thumbsup2

Toni, I thought your story was cute, too! I can't wait to see your final product! And there's always VR!

I'm jealous too!

I'm sure this wedding is going to be beautiful.. if you threw that one together in a week at Sunset Pointe! I loved the flowers! Can't wait to see pics from this one, I am sure they will be beautiful!!!:love:

We went very basic Escape wedding for June, so that made it quite a bit easier. Plus, I had low expectations, since I didn't have time to obsess about it! :rotfl: January will be different...PLENTY of time to obsess! :rolleyes1

I'm so glad you started a PJ! Can't wait to hear more!!

Thanks! I am going to do more this morning!

Soooooo happy you started your PJ! I loooove the pics, but i especially love the one of you girls in Iraq... you gals rock!!!!!!! :thumbsup2 Can't wait for more!

I'm glad someone got a kick out of it :) I was a maintenance company commander (Blackhawk maintenance), and we don't usually have a lot of girls (girls don't gravitate toward repairing things), but the company commander (me), executive officer, one platoon leader, one platoon sergeant and the production control officer were all girls! My poor first sergeant had to deal with all of us! I think he secretly enjoyed it! :laughing:

Yay you started! Can't wait to read more!!

I'm going to make breakfast and then get started... :hug:

[Pinkerbell1983]

Wow your having two disney weddings?!? Thats sooooo cool!!! :cool1:

Can't wait to here all your plans!

[WithDisneySpirit]

Well, I had breakfast and then read your first installment - it was wonderful, Heidi!!! What a lucky girl you are; it sounds like you hit paydirt :lovestruc I come from a military family and grew up all over so I feel a bit of kinship with you already :grouphug: More, More :dance3:

[keenercam]

Heidi -- Your story is so romantic! Your DH is awesome and I am so glad you are getting to plan a wedding at WDW! You are getting married (again) a week after DH and I get married (again)! LOVE the pictures and can't wait to hear more. :thumbsup2

[IndyBride]

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You started your PJ!! Love the pics and can't wait to see more!!!

[tiggerrifficheidi]

Well, I had breakfast and then read your first installment - it was wonderful, Heidi!!! What a lucky girl you are; it sounds like you hit paydirt :lovestruc I come from a military family and grew up all over so I feel a bit of kinship with you already :grouphug: More, More :dance3:

Yay for military families! I wasn't a military brat, but now I know ALL about the moves :scared1: In fact, I have to move two weeks before the wedding:eek: Luckily, it's only 1 1/2 hours away from where I already live in Germany...and my Mom is coming for backup!

Heidi -- Your story is so romantic! Your DH is awesome and I am so glad you are getting to plan a wedding at WDW! You are getting married (again) a week after DH and I get married (again)! LOVE the pictures and can't wait to hear more. :thumbsup2

Whoops...I should have replied to you here! Where is yours?

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You started your PJ!! Love the pics and can't wait to see more!!!

All of you are so COOL!!!:cool2: :cheer2: Everyone else gets so sick of wedding details, I don't know what I would do without you!

[keenercam]

Heidi, we will be at the Wedding Pavilion, Whitehall Patio and Whitehall Ballroom. Our dessert party the night before is at Sago Cay Pointe to watch & listen to WISHES!!

[tiggerrifficheidi]

I know I promised more details today!

I usually like to follow a well-ordered process when telling a story (a bit OCD..yes!), but I will vent that I still haven't gotten my contract and I am less than 5 months out!!! :scared1: I really want that done, so my guests can start making plans!

So, I spent today putting together a wedding website and my own Save the Dates. Bear in mind, I wanted the STDs FAST (since my DFTW ones aren't coming quickly enough to suit me), so I put together a photo thing on zazzle.com

I have a Mac, and I tried using iPhoto, but I liked the end result better in Zazzle and it was cheaper! 100 for $65 (30% off) and I used a code (CUSTOMER1006) to get free shipping ($16.99 savings!)

I took one of our engagement pics, put it in Keynote (like Powerpoint), added Disney font...and voila :wizard: Then I exported it to iPhoto and uploaded it to Zazzle. I added text, to include the website I created, on the back. I can't show that, since I don't actually HAVE them yet.;)

What do you think?

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/slide001.jpg

Here's the website:

http://web.me.com/heidi.anne/Wedding

Okay...more tomorrow! Good night!

[pjstevens]

What do you think?

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/slide001.jpg

Here's the website:

http://web.me.com/heidi.anne/Wedding

Okay...more tomorrow! Good night!

Heidi, that is awesome!!! Great job! Now get some sleep so you can give us more details tomorrow! (how many hours are you ahead of WDW?)

[Keira1387]

Love your save the dates!!!

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

YEAH! Another PJ!!!
I love Macs! I didn't realize you could put something into keynote and export it...As BF says, I should RTFM (Read The F***** Manual) Someday I'll get around to it! Love the STD's! Keep the pix coming!!!!

[IndyBride]

The STD's look great!!!! It's great picture of you two.

[tiggerrifficheidi]

Heidi, that is awesome!!! Great job! Now get some sleep so you can give us more details tomorrow! (how many hours are you ahead of WDW?)

Thanks! I'm six hours ahead of WDW. I've been staying up WAY past my bedtime! A bit of a DISboard obsession, I think :confused3 :rotfl:

Love your save the dates!!!

Thanks! I'm just hoping they arrive QUICKLY!

YEAH! Another PJ!!!
I love Macs! I didn't realize you could put something into keynote and export it...As BF says, I should RTFM (Read The F***** Manual) Someday I'll get around to it! Love the STD's! Keep the pix coming!!!!

Don't worry. I didn't read the manual, either. I just knew I couldn't put text on a photo in iPhoto (or didn't know how), so I did it in Keynote. Then, I happened to be looking at the menus and saw "Send To" and there was iPhoto! How convenient!:laughing:

The STD's look great!!!! It's great picture of you two.

Thank you! It's one of the Roots' e-pics they took of us. It was convenient that it had a lot of sky showing, so I could put the text! ;)

[bridetobe789]

YaY for the pj!! Love the STD's! So jealous you get to have a disney wedding twice! Can't wait to see more!

[WithDisneySpirit]

I love your website too, Heidi!!! :lovestruc The Roots took fabulous e-pics; the one you chose is perfect :cutie:

[figmentfan814]

The STDs turned out great; I used Zazzle for our custom stamps and they were fantastic.

The web site really is wonderful. The colors are so engaging and the information for your guests is really helpful. We did a tea at the Gardenview Room the weekend of our wedding and the ladies loved it! We even bought hats to wear for the occasion :cutie:

[keenercam]

WOW! Heidi -- that is just gorgeous!! You are really talented to figure that all out and get it composed so beautifully! Loving your PJ. Can't wait to hear more and I am so glad you love posting pix! :cloud9:

[DisneyDmbNut]

ok..i just read your website and want to know when my Save the Date packet is coming!!! LOL!!!

[tiggerrifficheidi]

YaY for the pj!! Love the STD's!

I'm glad y'all like them! I'm so proud that they're budget (particularly with the free shipping coupon!), since I don't think any other part of the wedding will be!!:lmao:

I love your website too, Heidi!!! :lovestruc The Roots took fabulous e-pics; the one you chose is perfect :cutie:

I have Lurkyloo (Carrie) to thank for them! They are the sweetest couple, too!

We did a tea at the Gardenview Room the weekend of our wedding and the ladies loved it! We even bought hats to wear for the occasion :cutie:

I loved your hats...particularly yours!!! I have to start hat-shopping!

WOW! Heidi -- that is just gorgeous!! You are really talented to figure that all out and get it composed so beautifully! Loving your PJ. Can't wait to hear more and I am so glad you love posting pix! :cloud9:

I really am not nearly as crafty as some of you probably are...that's why I LOVE my Mac. It makes me LOOK artistic :rolleyes1

ok..i just read your website and want to know when my Save the Date packet is coming!!! LOL!!!

That's the worst part of all this! Most of you are probably more interested in these details than some of my guests will be!!! It's not fair that we can't have it all:sad1: Seriously, though, I agree with you. I'd love to be a guest at ALL the weddings I see here. So many creative, beautiful touches!

I just got an email that my contract is here for my review (go figure!), so I better look at that and get dinner cooking before I write any more. I hate cooking for one...anyone feel like comin' over for dinner ;)

[DisneyDmbNut]

i will be on the next flight!!(for dinner)

do you have to have a minimum people book for those rates?

i am 3 hours from the World..if you see a strange lady wearing a "Disney Fairy Tale Wedding" robe off to the side watching and crying..don't have her arrested..just tell me..er, her to get lost

[tiggerrifficheidi]

i will be on the next flight!!(for dinner)

do you have to have a minimum people book for those rates?

i am 3 hours from the World..if you see a strange lady wearing a "Disney Fairy Tale Wedding" robe off to the side watching and crying..don't have her arrested..just tell me..er, her to get lost

I would love company for dinner, if anyone wants to visit Germany :) I don't think there's a minimum people...it's just the room block for the wedding. I'm a little fuzzy on room block, but if it starts to fill up, I have to increase it, because they can only hold 20% more rooms than I "agree" to. Confusing! :confused:

Now, on with the show...:wizard:

[starann]

popcorn:: popcorn:: popcorn::

Subbing so I can read all about your fairy tale weddings!!!!

[tiggerrifficheidi]

Okay...where was I? Oh, yes.

We had just gotten married (at 8:00am), and at 3:00pm we had a Planning Session with Michelle.

When I found out I was coming home and going to Disney within a couple weeks, I emailed Kristi frantic about being able to do a PS. It was going to be my only chance to get to WDW before the wedding, and I wanted to have a PS. They always look like so much fun!!!

Kristi was super sweet, but things were a little backwards. She couldn't meet with us till Sunday to go over venues, but she had already mentioned an idea to us. We met in Germany, got together in France and visited Italy together (among other places), so we were thinking of an "around the world" theme with wedding in Germany, reception in France, DP in Italy. I liked the idea, so that's what we were going with.

So, she set it up for us to meet with Michelle on Friday to talk specifics for this plan, and then she would go over the specifics of venues with us on Sunday. No problem...or so I thought.

I was still on a high from marrying the hottest guy ever at WALT DISNEY WORLD!!! And I thought it would be nothing but fun, fun, fun to plan the next installment. I walked into Franck's and was blown away (who isn't?). Then, I met Michelle (super sweet, BTW), but she started doing her job and asking all these questions that I WASN'T PREPARED TO ANSWER! :scared1: :rotfl: I think they started to worry about me, because I got quieter and quieter, and by the end I was plum worn out.

I just hadn't had time to think about it all. Normally, you obsess for MONTHS, THEN go to the PS. I did it backwards, and it didn't work out too well. We met with Rose, as well (also wonderful!!!), but ideally you would walk away feeling comfortable that your decisions were set in stone. I walked away feeling I didn't know what I didn't know. I now was more unsure than ever.

Don't get me wrong. DFTW was great. They accommodated my crazy situation, instead of making me stick to the recommended way of doing things. And it was still wonderful to be there planning our wedding. Here's a few pics we snapped that day. My hair was still done from the wedding, because I didn't want to take it down :bride: :cutie:

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC_0209.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC_0207.jpg

We did settle on these centerpieces for the Illuminations at Italy Isola. They are simple and will give off a nice glow. They're just personalized vellum paper around a wine glass with battery operated tea lights. We're going to have red and white checkered tableclothes with a "Lady & the Tramp" Bella Notte theme.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC_0234.jpg

I also really liked these invites for the "Lady and the Tramp" party.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC_0223.jpg

We also chose the Mad Hatter Cake to go along with the "three country" theme. We planned to do a Blue and White "Bavarian Flag" on one layer to represent Germany, something "French" on the second layer, and red and white checkers for Italy on the top.

After we were done at Franck's, we walked over to the WP "just for fun" to check it out. I shouldn't have done that!

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC_0244.jpg

I saw this and was IMMEDIATELY conflicted. I had just spent a month talking to Kristi about the "world" theme. I had just spent a whole day planning my wedding for a completely DIFFERENT event, and now I was in love with the WP!!! Uh-oh!

So, DH and I walked around the GF. We had ADR at the CG in an hour or so, so we had some time to kill. I was trying to run through all the options and issues in my head, and I was just getting more and more confused. DH was trying to help me figure it out, but I finally told him the problem with making a decision about ONE venue is that I'm saying NO to all these other beautiful possibilities!

At one point, the stress of it all got to me, and I actually started crying, because I needed to make a decision and couldn't! That really worried DH, because he was like "my bride is crying on her wedding day!!" But, it was planned as a working wedding, and that's what it was :laughing:

The story does get better, but I really need to get to bed, so I'll leave off there. But, at least we're finally talking about planning. And we're still planning on using those tealight lampshades!

[29apr00]

OMG so glad you started!!! Just getting caught up on it all!!

first, the STD's are awesome! You did a really great job! And i love the colors of your website!! You're very talented!!

second, man I really loved the idea of the around the world theme!! That sounded really cool!! Obviously by the tone, i can tell you're switching to WP which is beautiful too, but hopefully you can keep the around the world theme to it!!

[pjstevens]

Heidi,

Another great update! Wow you got a lot done in such a short period. Love the ideas you have so far!

[pixiemama3]

i loved reading your first pj/tr and i am loving this one already.

the save the dates are so pretty great choice.. i love the little lamp shades.

[gibsi53]

Heidi-
You're cool. I like where you head is at. So far your PJ is great. Thanks for sharing with us



PS- you're getting married (again) on my birthday
:simba:

[Crown_princess]

Hey, sounds like a true Dis Bride! Completely enthusiastic! :thumbsup2
You and your DF are incredibly cute! I was reading your first page to my DF out loud and telling him how cute your story is!

I am the same with the worrying about choosing the wrong venue. At one point Disney had to reserve two dates and two venues for us so that we could make up our mind. I felt so bad I ended up picking quickly so that someone else could get the date if they wanted it. :rotfl:

[IndyBride]

Great next installment!!! And, I felt the same way you did after my PS. I was so exhausted by the end of it I had no clue what I had said yes to or if I liked any decision I made. I went through each decision second guessing it until I realized, I made the right decision in the first place!! Can't wait to hear the rest of yours!!!

[WithDisneySpirit]

That really is a gorgeous pic of the wedding pavilion :goodvibes It would be great if you can have an Epcot photo shoot in the three countries most meaningful to you both :goodvibes How about that?

[keenercam]

Heidi -- I am so sorry you were feeling overwhelmed and conflicted on your wedding day, but it was for such a good reason. It is amazing to have so many wonderful choices, rather than feeling like you are "settling" for anything. I can't wait to hear about everything you've decided! :goodvibes

[padisneyfour]

I like the wine glasses with the vellum /tealights for Illuminations... That is unique! Sounds pretty!:goodvibes

[tiggerrifficheidi]

That really is a gorgeous pic of the wedding pavilion :goodvibes It would be great if you can have an Epcot photo shoot in the three countries most meaningful to you both :goodvibes How about that?

That is a GREAT idea! Hmmm... :idea:

Heidi -- I am so sorry you were feeling overwhelmed and conflicted on your wedding day, but it was for such a good reason. It is amazing to have so many wonderful choices, rather than feeling like you are "settling" for anything. I can't wait to hear about everything you've decided! :goodvibes

You're absolutely right! I don't mean to complain. I am still thrilled with the whole idea, but every now and then we have rude awakenings from our Disney dream back into cold, hard reality. That was one! :rotfl:

I like the wine glasses with the vellum /tealights for Illuminations... That is unique! Sounds pretty!:goodvibes

Rose recommended it, and they had that displayed in Franck's. I thought it was a great/simple idea. Hopefully it gives everything a good look!

[Pinkerbell1983]

Loving the PJ so far, can't wait ot hear the next installment!

[DisneyDmbNut]

how is Germany today??

[figmentfan814]

Looking forward to hearing your decision, although as an Epcot bride I'm a little bias :rolleyes1

[Lynn5700]

WOW can't wait to hear more!!! Those vellum paper wine glasses are so beautiful!!

[tiggerrifficheidi]

how is Germany today??

Germany was great today! About 75 degrees!

Looking forward to hearing your decision, although as an Epcot bride I'm a little bias :rolleyes1

They're all so beautiful!!! Choosing is a bit of torture!

WOW can't wait to hear more!!! Those vellum paper wine glasses are so beautiful!!


I couldn't believe Disney was recommending something simple and *relatively* inexpensive. Although I did get my floral BEO...and they're $14 a piece, including a personalized shade, the rental of the tea light, and a bow.

[Lindsay22]

Wow, love your PJ and totally freaking jealous that you are having TWO DFTWs!!!!
As a WP bride, obviously my vote goes for that.... BUT. Around the World is so FREAKING COOL. No one does that, it's so different and it seems to fit you guys so well.... and you could do mini passports or suitcases for favors....

[tiggerrifficheidi]

So after that emotional day, I was constantly trying to piece things together in my head.

If we changed the ceremony to WP, where would we have the reception? (I really don't like plain ball rooms, and didn't think I would have enough guests to fill it out). And then, when I thought about switching to the WP, I knew I was giving up the awesome three-country theme that Kristi had recommended. I actually felt like I was letting her down!

On Saturday, we went to AK and actually had NO lines...it was amazing! So afterward, we walked into Epcot from the Boardwalk, had dinner and had a chance to check out some of the spots being proposed.

We saw Germany, which is beautiful, but it didn't feel "Weddingish" to me. Maybe because I live here and it feels like I'm "home" instead of at my wedding! Of course, that's a tribute to Disney, because it does give me a homey feeling. My Mom is German, and my parents have been married for 44 years (they were married in Munich, Germany). Maybe I'll plan a 50th VR in Germany and get to go with my "world" theme :p

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC_0581.jpg

Based on the "World" theme, we would have used France as our Reception, but after seeing it in location to the actual France Pavilion, I wasn't that thrilled.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC_0595.jpg

Of course, it's still beautiful and at Epcot, but it doesn't actually FEEL like you're in France, like the Italy one does. The best thing that came out of that day was getting to watch Illuminations with DH and deciding we're DEFINITELY doing an Illuminations Party! It was a great experience, and I think it will be an awesome treat for our guests.

So, on Sunday, we met Kristi in Epcot to look at the original plan. I had already told her I was having "cold feet." :lmao:

In addition to the Germany, France and Italy locations, she showed us the room above the American Adventure pavilion. I LOVE American Adventure (but wouldn't have enough guests to have a wedding there, I don't think). But, I felt like I was going backstage in the White House to see "special" rooms :goodvibes

Here's a couple views of the landing.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC_0610.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC_0607.jpg

And one of a room they can set up with tables and such.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC_0612.jpg

I really liked this, but if we didn't have our wedding in Epcot, it made the logistics of the whole thing a bit complicated. And you weren't really "in" the park...kind of set apart from everything.

Kristi then drove us around some of the resorts to get an idea of where to put on our room block. I have never stayed at any of the Moderates, but since the WL and CR are about $200 a night, it wasn't much more than the moderates (because of the 15% off vs. 30% off for CR) It really helped that she drove us around to these places, though. It gave us a much better idea about things.

Then, we were heading back to Franck's, and Kristi said she had one more reception idea to show us. So, we went to the GF and she showed us the Whitehall Room and Patio.

Here's some pics of me checking it out.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC_0620-1.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC_0622-1.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC_0624-1.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC_0618.jpg

Think, think, think!

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC_0631.jpg

I really liked the WHP. It wasn't very "ballroomish" but it had nice elements of the GF decor and theme. And the monorail passes near it and I LOVE the monorail :love: It also made transportation to and from the wedding and reception much easier.

Then, we went back to Franck's to talk about a few more things.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC_0636.jpg

Kristi told us that Italy Isola was booked the night of the wedding, but it was available the night before. We really liked this location better than France, since there was a less obstructed view of the lagoon. We also talked about the fact that our wedding is on MLK Monday, so having an "event" the night before made more sense for our guests who might need to start traveling home after the wedding.

So, after that meeting on Sunday with Kristi, we changed to:

Sunday 18th Welcome Dinner at Italy Isola
Monday 19th:
10:00am Wedding at WP
11:30-4:00 Reception at WHP

Whew! That was done. There's still so many other places I also liked. I LOVE CG and would have liked a dinner or reception there, but I was running out of events to have at all my favorite Disney places!!!

[DisneyDmbNut]

OH!! I just love reading your PJ!!

I swear..I am not a stalker..just a DFTW bride going through withdrawl!!

[figmentfan814]

Glad to hear that everything worked out in the end. I know we were originally going to go with the Parlor at the AA since our wedding was going to be downstairs, but we ended up outgrowing the location with our guest count. We then tried for Ariel's and it was booked, so we finally ended up at the Living Seas. I agree, the Parlor is such a cool spot.

I'm sure you'll be more than happy with your decisions. I've seen some beautiful receptions at WH. It must have been a relief to have all those decisions out of the way :woohoo:

Italy will be beautiful for the welcome party; I know some of our favorite wedding shots were taken there.

Can't wait to read more!

[tiggerrifficheidi]

The last thing we did before we left Disney was have an "engagement" shoot with Root Photography. We took pictures at the GF and WL, and the Roots are so much fun! We had a great time.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/sc00276d18-1.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/sc002870cb.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/sc00288a69.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/sc0027180d.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/sc00273464.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/sc0027d155.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/sc0028a18b.jpg

There's a bunch more, but I haven't gotten the digital images yet. So, I only paid for "hard copies" of the ones I knew Tom would like to have in Iraq. So, some of these are a little silly...but he likes me that way :laughing: :love:

[tiggerrifficheidi]

Wow, love your PJ and totally freaking jealous that you are having TWO DFTWs!!!!
As a WP bride, obviously my vote goes for that.... BUT. Around the World is so FREAKING COOL. No one does that, it's so different and it seems to fit you guys so well.... and you could do mini passports or suitcases for favors....

I LOVE your Passport idea! If you don't mind...I might steal that for a welcome bag! My friend was telling me that she went to a wedding where the Bride and Groom put things that meant something to them in the bag. The Groom was from TX, but had lived in Sweden for a while. The Bride was from TN. So, they put "regional" things in. I loved that idea. I could definitely incorporate into a welcome bag! Thanks for the idea!

It still will be an "around the world" wedding. I'm flying in from Germany, DH is coming from Iraq, we'll have other guests from Germany, all over the states, and even another friend is taking her R&R from Iraq. It'll be the best reunion!

[DecemberBride]

I loooove your engagement pics sooo much! The one in the inner tubes is hilarious!!!! I laughed out loud! :)

[DisneyDmbNut]

what about a passport for your programs? "Love Around the World" can be your theme..you can have little german, france and usa flags in your table pieces!

i will shut up now before I start getting tackier!!lol

[lov2b@disney]

WOW! Everything is great! I think your choices will be wonderful! you should definately do an Epcot shoot-- some of my favorite pictures are in Germany- the colors in there are so pretty and Italy so elegant!

Cant wait to hear more!:surfweb:

[WithDisneySpirit]

I love your latest installments and Tom did a great job taking pictures of your site visits too! :goodvibes The engagement pics are wonderful and very fun :lovestruc

I do like the "Around the World" theme idea - you could really embellish on this as DDNut was saying :love:

[Pinkerbell1983]

Love the engagement pics and I'm glad you've made a descision. I'm in the whitehall room too and although I'm 90% sure thats where I want, everytime I see photos of the AAP I have to have a little rethink in my head. Do you think the whitehall room is just as nice? It's so hard when I haven't seen these rooms in real life.

[29apr00]

everything sounds great! I like all the ideas for the around the world theme! The passport sounds very cool!! Whitehall patio looks so lovely, i'm sure you'll have a wonderful day!

[keenercam]

Heidi -- Your engagement pix are gorgeous!! We'll be at Whitehall a week before you. I am looking forward to comparing notes and pix as we both plan for that gorgeous venue! :goodvibes

[Lindsay22]

[QUOTE=tiggerrifficheidi;27193053]I LOVE your Passport idea! If you don't mind...I might steal that for a welcome bag! My friend was telling me that she went to a wedding where the Bride and Groom put things that meant something to them in the bag. The Groom was from TX, but had lived in Sweden for a while. The Bride was from TN. So, they put "regional" things in. I loved that idea. I could definitely incorporate into a welcome bag! Thanks for the idea!
QUOTE]

Steal away!!

[tiggerrifficheidi]

I loooove your engagement pics sooo much! The one in the inner tubes is hilarious!!!! I laughed out loud! :)

Yes, if you couldn't tell...he's the clown, and he had me trying to be "serious." It wasn't working! :lmao:

what about a passport for your programs? "Love Around the World" can be your theme..you can have little german, france and usa flags in your table pieces!

i will shut up now before I start getting tackier!!lol

That is not tacky at all! When we were going with the "world," I was actually going to use "It's A Small World"...because it IS when you're in the Army! But, that would be REALLY cheesy :lmao: :rotfl: But, I love It's a Small World!

WOW! Everything is great! I think your choices will be wonderful! you should definately do an Epcot shoot-- some of my favorite pictures are in Germany- the colors in there are so pretty and Italy so elegant!

Cant wait to hear more!:surfweb:

I'm thinking you're right about the Epcot shoot. That is a REALLY good idea the more I think about it. I just was hoping for a MK shoot. Can I have both? :confused:

I love your latest installments and Tom did a great job taking pictures of your site visits too! :goodvibes The engagement pics are wonderful and very fun :lovestruc

I do like the "Around the World" theme idea - you could really embellish on this as DDNut was saying :love:

Yes, I'm all over those pics, aren't I?? :rotfl2: you have to realize I spent the last year away from him and he LOVES pictures (he's very visual like most men!), so I have tons of me...and not many of him, since he's always taking pictures of me!

Love the engagement pics and I'm glad you've made a descision. I'm in the whitehall room too and although I'm 90% sure thats where I want, everytime I see photos of the AAP I have to have a little rethink in my head. Do you think the whitehall room is just as nice? It's so hard when I haven't seen these rooms in real life.

I Have a hard time visualizing, too. I saw one pic that made the WHP look beautiful...so I think it's all in the decorating. My problem with the AAP is the distance from wedding to reception. And you're kinda isolated from the rest of the AA. If I was having the ceremony in Epcot, definitely, but I think the WHP can be very classy...your guests get to move through the GF on their way...and that adds ambiance, too! We'll have to compare notes!

everything sounds great! I like all the ideas for the around the world theme! The passport sounds very cool!! Whitehall patio looks so lovely, i'm sure you'll have a wonderful day!

Thank you...I can't wait! (Well, actually, I can...because then all this fun planning will be over! :sad1: )

Heidi -- Your engagement pix are gorgeous!! We'll be at Whitehall a week before you. I am looking forward to comparing notes and pix as we both plan for that gorgeous venue! :goodvibes

Definitely! We'll get Pinkerbell1983 involved and come up with some great ideas!

[DisneyBrideToni]

I love your PJ so far. Your engagement pictures are beautiful. I agree the inner tube one is so funny! You have to have some funny pictures in there! I can't wait to read more.

[tiggerrifficheidi]

So, we sadly bid farewell to WDW and flew to Omaha to visit Tom's family. Now, bear in mind, no one knows I'm home from Iraq. Tom's family thinks he is visiting them and then flying to TX (with his Mom) to marry me (by proxy) and then deploying to Iraq...and for what they know, I'm still in Iraq!:rolleyes1

So, we come out of the airport and his sister is thinking "Why does he have a girl with him? Isn't he marrying Heidi?" :lmao: Of course, they were very happy, but I found out no one likes to be surprised, but they LOVE to surprise the next sucker! :rotfl2: So, they didn't tell his oldest sister, and she walked into the restaurant and thought "Why is there a girl sitting there, and boy does she look like Heidi!"

Okay...so back to wedding stuff. The big project in Omaha was to buy an e-ring. Tom wanted to go to Borsheim's, so we did. The day there was awesome. I looked at a million settings till I settled on one, and then she brought out loose diamonds and we tried them on. It was so much fun to do! Here's what he bought me! Not a good picture, but a beautiful ring!

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC03959.jpg

A few days later, DMiL, DH and I flew to Houston to surprise my family. As we walked through the terminal, DH noticed this sign and said we might want to take note in case we needed to use it.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC03872.jpg

My mom and aunt were picking up DH and DMiL at the airport, so I hung back and let them greet them and say hi. Then I walked up to my Mom and tapped on her on the shoulder. She turned around and said "What are you doing here?" I said "I'm home from Iraq." Her first response..."NO!" :rotfl2: :lmao: Now, she says it's because she was worried that I came home because I was hurt or sick, but I think it's because I was messing up her plan to have my DH all to herself! She LOVES her DSiL!! She thinks he's the most wonderful man ever...and she's right! (Come on Mom, be honest...you know I'm right...She reads this thread! :rolleyes1 ) After that, she cried and was relieved.

Next Up: Finding THE Dress!

[figmentfan814]

Heidi~ What a great story! I'm sure my parents would have definitely freaked out. Did anyone get a picture of the different people's reactions? That would have been great to have seen!

[XmasPixie]

I love all of your choices. What an incredible place that Disney is that we can all get so confused trying to pick between which beautiful place to have such a special event.

Your engagement pictures are beautiful. Sounds like the two of you have the perfect personalities to work with the Roots. Oh, your wedding pics will be awesome no matter where you chose to do them.

And yay for surprising your family. Can't wait to read more!

[WithDisneySpirit]

Wow, what great surprises you were able to make happen :goodvibes :lovestruc Y'all did miss out on those pictures of surprise, huh?! I love this story :yay:

[pjstevens]

Heidi,

Great update! Loved the surprises! Can't wait to hear more!

[tiggerrifficheidi]

My DH filmed my Mom's surprise, so I was able to pull a still out of it. This is already after she started to cry. She's probably going to kill me for this :rotfl:

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/Still1.jpg

The funny thing is...after she got over her shock, she couldn't wait to pull the same surprise on my Dad. He was far less dramatic, but after I surprised him and told him we were married, he looked at DH and said "are there any other surprises for me!" :lmao: :rotfl2: :rotfl: DH quickly said "No, sir!"

DH had not met my dad, and he's 6'4" and sort of intimidating. We were all laughing (because we knew my dad was kidding), but DH was sweating it for a minute!

[WithDisneySpirit]

My DH filmed my Mom's surprise, so I was able to pull a still out of it. This is already after she started to cry. She's probably going to kill me for this :rotfl:

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/Still1.jpg

The funny thing is...after she got over her shock, she couldn't wait to pull the same surprise on my Dad. He was far less dramatic, but after I surprised him and told him we were married, he looked at DH and said "are there any other surprises for me!" :lmao: :rotfl2: :rotfl: DH quickly said "No, sir!"

DH had not met my dad, and he's 6'4" and sort of intimidating. We were all laughing (because we knew my dad was kidding), but DH was sweating it for a minute!

I LOVE it, Heidi!!!!! :lovestruc You probably really did scare her though by just being there :scared1:

[adisneygal]

!
I'm thinking you're right about the Epcot shoot. That is a REALLY good idea the more I think about it. I just was hoping for a MK shoot. Can I have both? :confused:

You can do an Epcot shoot as well. I think it is an additional $300 or maybe $600. I want to say $300 but check with your WP to make sure.

I love your E-pics! You and DF are too cute! We are having the Roots as well.

Loved the surprises and your Dad's asking if there were anymore surprises...:rotfl:

[WithDisneySpirit]

I heard $300 more!

[tiggerrifficheidi]

You can do an Epcot shoot as well. I think it is an additional $300 or maybe $600. I want to say $300 but check with your WP to make sure.

I love your E-pics! You and DF are too cute! We are having the Roots as well.

Loved the surprises and your Dad's asking if there were anymore surprises...:rotfl:

I heard $300 more!

That's great! I'm definitely asking about that.

[tiggerrifficheidi]

So, after shocking my whole family, we only had about 5 days in Houston. Even though I was there to visit with family, I really felt stress to FIND THE DRESS! I wasn't going to be back in the states until the wedding, and I didn't want to have to find it in Germany and pay in Euro! :eek:

I felt a little guilty about shopping during the few days I had with my family. So, I brought a fan club (Mom, MIL and Aunt).

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC_0828.jpg

After one day with them I realized I was going to get three different opinions each time (4 if you count mine!). So, on the second day, I brought DH along. The second day we went to David's Bridal. I know a lot of people have luck there...but I didn't like it. The lady didn't ask me what kind of look I wanted and just made me up like this right off the bat, with two veils, a tiara and all!

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC_0817.jpg

Not really my style.

I wasn't having much luck and didn't think the attendant was trying to figure out what I liked.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC_0839.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC_0836.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC_0829.jpg

Tom could tell I was getting frustrated, so he tried to lighten the mood a bit.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC_0823.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC_0824.jpg

The third day we went to a shop called Parvani Vida in Houston. It was wonderful, because they had TONS of dresses and told me up front that if I didn't like anything, the owner was also a designer and could make something I liked. There were several I liked.

I thought I wanted something like this

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC03881.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC03880.jpg

But, I also liked this

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC03933.jpg

This one was a lot like my Escape dress, so of course I loved it!

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC03913.jpg

Seriously considering this one.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC03948.jpg

But then I put on this dress...it was NOTHING like I thought I wanted. It was not slim-fitting. It was satin (not my fave fabric). It was BEIGE (yes, that's what the designer calls the fabric color!). But, EVERYONE raved about it, and I had to admit, it looked great. Of course, it is too small, so it's kinda hard to see how it will really look. But, I had to grudgingly admit it was the best look for me. Weird how that happens!

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC03890.jpg

Trying it on with a veil

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC03951.jpg

Hanging on a hangar

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC03955.jpg

Here's the designer picture. I also ordered this veil

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/sposa_marsella_n.jpg

Another pic

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/marsella_primary.jpg

So, I did it! Found THE dress in three days! Can't believe it, and it's not at all what I thought I wanted, but it's really beautiful and I'm excited about it!

I also called the shop, and it comes in in late Oct...although I won't be there to pick it up for a while.

[DecemberBride]

The dress is gorgeous Heidi!!!!!!!!!! I'm soo happy you found one you love and in 3 days!!!!!!!! :thumbsup2

[pjstevens]

Wow Heidi, that's amazing you found something so quickly. Knowing how short you are on time, you did awesome! It is absolultely beautiful! Cannot wait to hear more.

[padisneyfour]

that is a very pretty dress and will look wonderful on you.. congrats on finding it!:goodvibes

[Pinkerbell1983]

ooooh I love your dress, glad you found one you liked!!!

[WithDisneySpirit]

It is so elegant and gorgeous, Heidi! I think it especially complements a girl with height like you. You look like a Disney princess in it :lovestruc

[adisneygal]

So, I did it! Found THE dress in three days! Can't believe it, and it's not at all what I thought I wanted, but it's really beautiful and I'm excited about it!

I also called the shop, and it comes in in late Oct...although I won't be there to pick it up for a while.

I love that dress. You look amazing in it!!!

[bridetobe789]

I love the dress the details are very pretty!! Congrats on finding it! :banana:

[tiggerrifficheidi]

The dress is gorgeous Heidi!!!!!!!!!! I'm soo happy you found one you love and in 3 days!!!!!!!! :thumbsup2

Wow Heidi, that's amazing you found something so quickly. Knowing how short you are on time, you did awesome! It is absolultely beautiful! Cannot wait to hear more.

that is a very pretty dress and will look wonderful on you.. congrats on finding it!:goodvibes

ooooh I love your dress, glad you found one you liked!!!

It is so elegant and gorgeous, Heidi! I think it especially complements a girl with height like you. You look like a Disney princess in it :lovestruc

I love that dress. You look amazing in it!!!

I love the dress the details are very pretty!! Congrats on finding it! :banana:

Thank you all so much! :hug: Picking a dress is like picking a venue at WDW. There are SOOO many beautiful options...it's hard to say yes to only one!

[IndyBride]

Beautiful dress!! I'm glad finding one was such a great experience!

[tiggerrifficheidi]

So, after that whirlwind trip, we came back to Germany and Tom deployed to Iraq about 5 weeks later. :sad1:

He's doing well, but I'm really glad I have a wedding to plan. It gives me something to obsess about and keep me busy. :surfweb:

Of course, since we changed our plans, things were not really as far along as I like.

As I posted a few days ago, I finally broke down and created STDs, since we didn't even have our contract signed. Of course, the very next day, the contract came. Now, that was a wet blanket! It's so much fun to dream and plan about a DFTW, but it's not fun to read about all the legal aspects of it!

But, I got it into the mail, so at least it's done. I'm still waiting on the STDs, but should get them this week.

I looked around for "Will You Be My Bridesmaid" Cards. There are some beautiful hand made ones on ebay, but I really feel behind the power curve for asking (especially since two that I'm asking are in Iraq), so I decided it was quickest to make my own.

I'm not super artistic...but they came out alright.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC04068.jpg

I've also been assigned my WP!!! Her name is Michelle. We actually met with her at the PS, but since the PS was so impromptu, we didn't think she would be assigned to us! I'm super excited to get started with specific planning ideas!

Till next time...

[JoJo1980]

That dress is BEAUTIFUL!!! You look stunning in it!! :worship: :worship:

Very good choice :thumbsup2 The veil is really pretty too :goodvibes

I love the cards you made aswell :wizard:

[Crown_princess]

I agree about the contact being a wet blanket...a true reality check!

I am a buyer for a living so I'm obsessive with contracts.
My mood when I got it was something like this....

:woohoo: I got my contract
:eek: Crap there are a ton of stipulations and expenses
:idea: Wait! No problems I will be a busy bee and read tons.

Oh...and I definitely insisted things be red lined :upsidedow

[figmentfan814]

We only paid $300 to add the second park (we added MGM) and I don't think the prices have gone up yet :goodvibes

Thanks for sharing the picture of your mom; you can tell she was pretty shocked. That is too funny how your dad reacted too.

I totally agree about David's Bridal, I didn't have a good experience at one either. I love the detailing on your dress. The beading looks so pretty.

Your cards are so cute! We made a lot of our things too instead of buying them plus it adds a personal touch. Disbrides are known for their crafts!

[DisneyBrideToni]

The last dress is BREATHTAKING!!!!!!! Great choice!!!!! The color is beautiful and it looks perfect on you!!

[Goldeelox9]

I love your dress! It is sooo pretty!

[29apr00]

I love your dress!! It's beautiful!! I didn't get off to a great start at David's Bridal, but it got better. I actually went in with a list of dresses i wanted to try, then pulled a few out as no longer options. My consultant took one of those and pretty much made me try it on. It's the one i bought! :lmao:

And your bridesmaid cards are too cute!!

[lov2b@disney]

Heidi- gorgeous dress! Great find in only 3 days! You go girl:cool1:

cute BM cards! Have fun planning...keep us in on it!

[tiggerrifficheidi]

That dress is BEAUTIFUL!!! You look stunning in it!! :worship: :worship:

Very good choice :thumbsup2 The veil is really pretty too :goodvibes

I love the cards you made aswell :wizard:

Thank you!!!!

I agree about the contact being a wet blanket...a true reality check!

I am a buyer for a living so I'm obsessive with contracts.
My mood when I got it was something like this....

:woohoo: I got my contract
:eek: Crap there are a ton of stipulations and expenses
:idea: Wait! No problems I will be a busy bee and read tons.

Oh...and I definitely insisted things be red lined :upsidedow

I know!!! I hate to display my cluelessness, but what is "red lined?" :blush:

We only paid $300 to add the second park (we added MGM) and I don't think the prices have gone up yet :goodvibes

Thanks for sharing the picture of your mom; you can tell she was pretty shocked. That is too funny how your dad reacted too.

I totally agree about David's Bridal, I didn't have a good experience at one either. I love the detailing on your dress. The beading looks so pretty.

Your cards are so cute! We made a lot of our things too instead of buying them plus it adds a personal touch. Disbrides are known for their crafts!

$300 isn't bad! I'm definitely doing that, if that's the case!

I'm learning about all the craftiness here! It's amazing!

The last dress is BREATHTAKING!!!!!!! Great choice!!!!! The color is beautiful and it looks perfect on you!!

Thank you! I have olive colored skin, so it ended up looking a lot better than I thought.

I love your dress! It is sooo pretty!

Thank you!

I love your dress!! It's beautiful!! I didn't get off to a great start at David's Bridal, but it got better. I actually went in with a list of dresses i wanted to try, then pulled a few out as no longer options. My consultant took one of those and pretty much made me try it on. It's the one i bought! :lmao:

And your bridesmaid cards are too cute!!

I know what you mean! I wouldn't have tried on mine without some prodding, either!

Heidi- gorgeous dress! Great find in only 3 days! You go girl:cool1:

cute BM cards! Have fun planning...keep us in on it!

Thank you!

BTW...I forgot to mention it's La Sposa Marsella!

[tiggerrifficheidi]

I will get on with my planning ideas, but I wanted to post some updates.

The contract came in last week and I got it in the mail to Kristi!!! :banana: I was really stressing that. Still am, actually, since I still need them to send out the STDs, so folks can start reserving the rooms.

I'm really disappointed about the STDs from Disney changing. I can't wait till the end of October for the new ones to come out. This will mean my guests will get the info, but not the cool packet that comes with it. I've tried to make up for it with a website of my own, but I love the personalized look of the new STDs. Oh well...

I did get the STD cards I ordered from Zazzle in the mail today!!! I'm super thrilled. Of course, I didn't get any of them addressed or in the mail yet! I'm bad!

I also gave one of my BM cards, put one in the mail, and put the other two in care packages to send to Iraq. I didn't want to send nothing but a card to those gals. They'd wonder where their goodies were! If you have friends/family in Iraq...send baked goods! Those are the best.

Also, my MOH went to a Morilee shop in Atlanta and looked at BM dresses. She thought they were nice and even said she would wear it again to a company function with her DH. I'm contemplating a dusty purple color. I originally wanted tiffany blue, but I'm not sure that's going to work. Problem is...the pictures, swatches and catalog for Morilee all make the color look different. In the catalog "Aubergine" looks like a lovely dusty purple, but on the web, it looks deep purple. Of course they didn't have any in the store. Has anyone seen one up close?

We're leaning to one of these two styles

Morilee 202 (http://www.morilee.com/DressDetail.aspx?C=3&D=202&P=1)

Morilee 209 (http://www.morilee.com/DressDetail.aspx?C=3&D=209&P=1)

I also called Impressions today to discuss invitations. Shelley was super sweet to talk to on the phone. I have to send her some ideas and see what she comes up with.

I hope everyone is doing okay back at work after the Labor Day weekend!

[Pinkerbell1983]

Your BM dresses are really pretty. My MOH dress is from Mori lee too. I origianlly wanted all 3 bridesmaids in Mori Lee but they don't do many dresses in yellow.

[IndyBride]

Heidi sounds like things are moving along quickly!! But- I did want to let you know a couple girls have had some trouble lately with Shelly from Impressions. I don't know if their experiences are a fluke or what.

[Crown_princess]

Thank you!!!!



I know!!! I hate to display my cluelessness, but what is "red lined?" :blush:



just corrections...crossing a line thru things you don't agree with. Of course it's usually only acceptable to do that if you have called the WC or WP and reached a verbal agreement. Sorry...gettting too businessy on your PJ! Back to your funness! ;)

[tiggerrifficheidi]

Sorry...gettting too businessy on your PJ! Back to your funness! ;)

Business is necessary to get to the funness! :rotfl:

[29apr00]

Yeah for getting the Contract done!!

[tiggerrifficheidi]

WOW! I can't believe it's been so long since I updated. Things have definitely been crazy at work and a lot has gone on.

First of all, I had a phone conversation with Michelle, and it was great! She answered loads of my questions and made me really feel like she would truly worry about all the little details.

I obsess about details, and on one hand, DFTW makes it easier, because you don't have as many decision to make (which caterer? only one choice! floral? not to many choices!, etc.), but sometimes I worry that they don't do as much of the "Wedding Planner" duties like in the JLo movie :) I'm not saying I expect Michelle to be JLo :rotfl: , but she answered my questions so quickly, it put me at ease. She didn't even have to think about how things would go. It was already in her head. Good!

So, I also am scheduled for the MK AND Epcot (thanks for the tip Vanessa) photo shoot on the 21st. There is only 0500 (5 a.m.!) available, so I didn't want to do it the day after the wedding. So, we're doing it two days after. I think that should give us time to calm down...and I think I'll be excited to get into my dress again! I am a little worried about the crane being up. I've been all over the Dis, and the consensus seems to be that it's down by late Jan. Michelle warned me it could be up, but they'd photoshop it out for the MK pics. I'm actually more worried about the wedding day pics. I have to talk to the Roots about their photoshop plan :)

Lots more has happened, so I promise I'll update more frequently!

[29apr00]

Yeah for booking MK photo shoot! What crane? :confused3

[tiggerrifficheidi]

I figured the crane taking the Christmas lights down might still be up.

[tiggerrifficheidi]

So, the next thing to obsess about (notice a pattern here?) was the theme.

Since we switched from the "Around the World" thing, I had to come up with a new theme. Now, I'm not tied to the idea of tying everything together, but I needed to "visualize," so I could pick BM dresses, colors, flowers, etc.

After much brain-wracking, I googled "Grand Floridian Disney" since our reception is there. I found out it was designed to look like a turn-of-the century Florida resort (okay, okay, I could have figured that out WITHOUT google, but now I know EXACTLY!). I started thinking of what screamed "turn-of-the-century" to me.

I came up with:
Ragtime
Cutaways
Mary Poppins

I emailed Rose, and she suggested "dusty" colored flowers and decorations: Mauves, peach, pink, etc. in dusty shades. Sort of like the carpet in the WP :)

Then, since I had hit on the idea of "Mary Poppins," I googled "Mary Poppins Wedding." Now, there's not much there, but I did find a party planner who designed a "Mary Poppins" birthday party for a little girl. Alot of the ideas were for kids, but she used silhouettes to label the different "stations" of the party. That gave me an idea!

Hire a silhouette artist. Well, as luck would have it (since WDW is actually a theme park that employs silhouette artists), I found one in Orlando. In hindsight, I could have probably asked my WP! But, I found her through google (my fave!). She can cut a silhouette in 90 seconds! So, she can do all guests in the four hours of the reception, and she'll cut two at a time, so I get a copy and the guest gets a copy! I was pretty excited about that! BTW...it's $500 for the 4 hours. I'm going to name my tables after Disney characters and make silhouettes to put in frames.
Like this...

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/Sihouette.jpg

I also thought about carousel horses, and found this pic. But, I'm not sure, so let me know what you think.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/CarouselHorse.jpg

As far as the flowers, I really like the peachy, pink, mauve look that Rose described, and I love those colors in flowers, but I'm not crazy about them in dresses. So, since I've always been a purple-lover, I'm looking for a dress for BMs with a dusty purple. I think they can still carry those colors above in a bouquet, but it keeps with the Victorian/Edwardian theme (I say Edwardian, because to be TECHNICAL, Queen Victoria died in 1901, and "Mary Poppins" is set in 1910...I like history, what can I say???)

I kinda liked this, but not with the sugary fruit...

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/004_primary.jpg

If y'all have any other thoughts on ways to pull in the theme, or just anything that looks/sounds good...let me know!

[29apr00]

Hmmm...hopefully the crane will be gone by your wedding!!

Oh I love the Mary Poppins theme! the colors of the flowers are so beautiful and the silohette artist sounds so great! And $500 for 4 hrs!! That's awesome!

[figmentfan814]

The silhouette artist sounds like such a great idea and the price is a steal! My mom and I have had ours done at WDW before too. I think the Mary Poppins theme would be great. You could even see about having a character appearance :goodvibes

I just saw that you added a second park for your shoot. Epcot definitely makes for some dramatic backdrops; it will be so great to see your pictures!

[padisneyfour]

So, the next thing to obsess about (notice a pattern here?) was the theme.

Since we switched from the "Around the World" thing, I had to come up with a new theme. Now, I'm not tied to the idea of tying everything together, but I needed to "visualize," so I could pick BM dresses, colors, flowers, etc.

After much brain-wracking, I googled "Grand Floridian Disney" since our reception is there. I found out it was designed to look like a turn-of-the century Florida resort (okay, okay, I could have figured that out WITHOUT google, but now I know EXACTLY!). I started thinking of what screamed "turn-of-the-century" to me.

I came up with:
Ragtime
Cutaways
Mary Poppins

I emailed Rose, and she suggested "dusty" colored flowers and decorations: Mauves, peach, pink, etc. in dusty shades. Sort of like the carpet in the WP :)

Then, since I had hit on the idea of "Mary Poppins," I googled "Mary Poppins Wedding." Now, there's not much there, but I did find a party planner who designed a "Mary Poppins" birthday party for a little girl. Alot of the ideas were for kids, but she used silhouettes to label the different "stations" of the party. That gave me an idea!

Hire a silhouette artist. Well, as luck would have it (since WDW is actually a theme park that employs silhouette artists), I found one in Orlando. In hindsight, I could have probably asked my WP! But, I found her through google (my fave!). She can cut a silhouette in 90 seconds! So, she can do all guests in the four hours of the reception, and she'll cut two at a time, so I get a copy and the guest gets a copy! I was pretty excited about that! BTW...it's $500 for the 4 hours. I'm going to name my tables after Disney characters and make silhouettes to put in frames.
Like this...

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Sihouette.jpg

I also thought about carousel horses, and found this pic. But, I'm not sure, so let me know what you think.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/CarouselHorse.jpg

As far as the flowers, I really like the peachy, pink, mauve look that Rose described, and I love those colors in flowers, but I'm not crazy about them in dresses. So, since I've always been a purple-lover, I'm looking for a dress for BMs with a dusty purple. I think they can still carry those colors above in a bouquet, but it keeps with the Victorian/Edwardian theme (I say Edwardian, because to be TECHNICAL, Queen Victoria died in 1901, and "Mary Poppins" is set in 1910...I like history, what can I say???)

I kinda liked this, but not with the sugary fruit...

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/004_primary.jpg

If y'all have any other thoughts on ways to pull in the theme, or just anything that looks/sounds good...let me know!

I love the centerpiece with the carousel horse and the colors- it would look great. The silhouette artist sounds like great option....you are on a roll!:goodvibes

[bridetobe789]

Great ideas for the centerpieces!! VERY CUTE!! So .. just being nosy..
the mk shoot and the epcot shoot? How does that work?? I booked the MK shoot but to add another one on could be lots of fun!!

[figmentfan814]

Great ideas for the centerpieces!! VERY CUTE!! So .. just being nosy..
the mk shoot and the epcot shoot? How does that work?? I booked the MK shoot but to add another one on could be lots of fun!!
pirate: Sorry for the hijack. Just ask your planner or Disney photography about adding a second park to your shoot. We added Hollywood Studios to ours since we were getting married at Epcot. It was only $300 additional to add the second park to the MK shoot.

[pixiemama3]

WOW i love the Mary Poppins theme and the centerpiece with the horse is very beautiful. the silhouette artist sounds so cool. great find.

[tiggerrifficheidi]

The silhouette artist sounds like such a great idea and the price is a steal! My mom and I have had ours done at WDW before too. I think the Mary Poppins theme would be great. You could even see about having a character appearance :goodvibes

I just saw that you added a second park for your shoot. Epcot definitely makes for some dramatic backdrops; it will be so great to see your pictures!

Vanessa-Thanks! I didn't think that was too bad, either, for the artist. And you inspired me with the shots in Epcot! I think we're going to have Mickey and Minnie, so I don't know about Mary Poppins, but that would be SOO neat!

I love the centerpiece with the carousel horse and the colors- it would look great. The silhouette artist sounds like great option....you are on a roll!:goodvibes

Thank you!

Great ideas for the centerpieces!! VERY CUTE!!

Thanks!...and I think Vanessa answered about the two parks!

pirate: Sorry for the hijack. Just ask your planner or Disney photography about adding a second park to your shoot. We added Hollywood Studios to ours since we were getting married at Epcot. It was only $300 additional to add the second park to the MK shoot.

Vanessa-hijack away! I was actually going to write "Well, Vanessa pointed out to me..." :goodvibes

WOW i love the Mary Poppins theme and the centerpiece with the horse is very beautiful. the silhouette artist sounds so cool. great find.

Thank you!

[IndyBride]

Everything is looking great! I LOVE the new theme! It makes me wish i had a better theme than fabulous. I do like the carousel horse- you could do a different centerpiece at each table. That means less decisions!!!

[WithDisneySpirit]

Man, do you know how to plan parties!! I just love all your ideas :goodvibes I love the idea of a dusky purple for the bridesmaids too :wizard: Everything sounds great - the silhouette artist, especially :3dglasses :lovestruc

[thatdisneygirl]

I love this idea! Not only is everything so pretty, your guests will LOVE the silhouette artist...I might just have to steal this one...

[Disneylove1228]

i LOVE the silhouette artist!! OMG!

Just got done reading your PJ!! :) So awesome!! Can't wait for more :cutie: :banana: :thumbsup2 popcorn::

[keenercam]

Heidi -- Love the new theme and color scheme. What a great idea for a favor for your guests- silhouette artists are amazing! I think carousel horses for your centerpieces would be beautiful and perfectly suited. YAY! for the park portrait sessions!

[tiggerrifficheidi]

Everything is looking great! I LOVE the new theme! It makes me wish i had a better theme than fabulous. I do like the carousel horse- you could do a different centerpiece at each table. That means less decisions!!!

But, fabulous is a great theme! Just like everything else, I'm finding out there are too many good ideas!

Man, do you know how to plan parties!! I just love all your ideas :goodvibes I love the idea of a dusky purple for the bridesmaids too :wizard: Everything sounds great - the silhouette artist, especially :3dglasses :lovestruc

Thanks! I have been accused of missing my calling. I'm good at my job in the Army, but I have a passion for planning, hosting, cooking, etc. I tease my friends that if the whole Army thing doesn't work out for me, I'll become a travel agent!

I love this idea! Not only is everything so pretty, your guests will LOVE the silhouette artist...I might just have to steal this one...

Steal away! Of course, now these artists are going to read the boards and think "I'm not charging enough! Everyone wants me!!!" :confused3

i LOVE the silhouette artist!! OMG!

Just got done reading your PJ!! :) So awesome!! Can't wait for more :cutie: :banana: :thumbsup2 popcorn::

Thanks!

Heidi -- Love the new theme and color scheme. What a great idea for a favor for your guests- silhouette artists are amazing! I think carousel horses for your centerpieces would be beautiful and perfectly suited. YAY! for the park portrait sessions!

Now I just have to decide if I want to get frames to put them in. She offers frames for $7 a piece, which is kinda high, but it's hard to find a 5x7 frame for much less.

[tiggerrifficheidi]

So, a few weeks ago, I scheduled a telephone consult with Michelle (WP). She was super efficient and sweet and put me at ease. I had lots of detail oriented questions, and she answered them without even having to ponder the answers. So, I felt very assured that my wedding would run like clockwork with her.

I also decided that money may not grown on trees, but since I'm in the Army and can't really get fired (hey, we may have to go to some "exotic" locations, but there's something to be said for job security!)...the money will keep coming with regularity! I was upset that my PS combined with my wedding in June was so rushed. It was very stressful and I was ill-prepared. I didn't even know they could do a tasting!!!! After reading everyone else's PJs, I want to do a tasting too!!!

So, I decided to heck with the money...I'm going to take a completely un-necessary cross-atlantic trip to have my PS (and I used the excuse that I could get fitted for my dress at the shop I ordered it from!). Of course, I am going to squeeze in LOTS of other planning/shopping things, too. I've felt very isolated being in Europe during this process, so it will be good to be in the good ol' U.S. of A. to get some shopping and planning done.

Michelle and I also talked about a Mad Hatter Bridal Tea. I know these are expensive and completely unnecessary, but I'm really thinking about it. It would be a truly fun "one-of-a-kind" event.

So, if I have a bridal tea, what do the groom and guys do? Michelle recommended the Richard Petty Driving Experience and said guys ALWAYS enjoyed that. But, I'm married to an Apache pilot, and those guys are COMPETITIVE and can be somewhat reckless! So, when I think of these boys on a race track, I envision them all black and blue (or broken!) for the day of the wedding. Does anyone have any ideas for things that they can't kill each other doing? Michelle mentioned Disney Quest. I have never been there, but it seems like a good idea.

I don't have any good pictures for this post, so I'll post a picture of the shoes I picked out. I "borrowed" the idea off orangetiggs. I had to order them from the UK and pay in GBP!! But, they are beautiful, I think!! Thanks Sarah!

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/Dainty-Bess-M.jpg

They are called "Dainty Bess" by Diana Hassell

[XmasPixie]

Congrats on all of your updates. I love your theme. It is very original and it will work perfectly at the GF. And I love the colors you are going with, also!

[WithDisneySpirit]

Oh, good for you, Heidi, a planning session for the big wedding is a very good idea! I think those shoes are just beautiful!!:lovestruc :goodvibes You and Sarah have great taste!:love:

[DisneyBrideToni]

Your theme is so unique and I love it! The artist idea is great! Sounds like it will be fun! :goodvibes

[bridetobe789]

How exciting for coming in to do a planning session!! I'm sure in the end it will definitely be worth it!! I'm guessing you already worked it out so you can get off? Hopefully!!

[IndyBride]

OH!!! That's great you get to do a planning session. The tasting is so much fun but come hungry! And take pics- you know the rules!!

[tiggerrifficheidi]

Congrats on all of your updates. I love your theme. It is very original and it will work perfectly at the GF. And I love the colors you are going with, also!

Thank you! It's definitely growing on me!

Oh, good for you, Heidi, a planning session for the big wedding is a very good idea! I think those shoes are just beautiful!!:lovestruc :goodvibes You and Sarah have great taste!:love:

Yes, I know she didn't end up getting them, but she has GREAT taste!

Your theme is so unique and I love it! The artist idea is great! Sounds like it will be fun! :goodvibes

I hope the guests enjoy it, because I think it's pretty cool! I've never had a silhouette done, and they'll all get one for free (to them, at least!)

How exciting for coming in to do a planning session!! I'm sure in the end it will definitely be worth it!! I'm guessing you already worked it out so you can get off? Hopefully!!

Yes, I had to work my leave before I bought the ticket. I was going to try to go at Christmas time, and leave is easier to get them...but the ticket would have cost much more. I still think a lot of the decorations will be up, so hopefully I'll get a taste of the holiday decorations.

OH!!! That's great you get to do a planning session. The tasting is so much fun but come hungry! And take pics- you know the rules!!

Val-Okay, yes, I will! I will tell my MOH to remind me! My DH will want them, too, so I'll get beat up by you guys AND him if I forget!

[tiggerrifficheidi]

I have been BAD about updating this! No excuse!:confused3

I've contacted Rev. Jack, and I'm thrilled he's going to do our service again! It feels so much more personal...since we actually KNOW him now!

I'm getting sensitive about guest count, which is kinda weird. We we were WORRIED we would have less than 50 people at first. That was a problem, because we want to do our Welcome Dinner at Italy Isola, and if it's less than 50, they could move us, and I don't want to move (of course). Well, right now, based on my general polling (and not including any possibility of last-minute, dark knight guests) we're at 63 and 9 kids!!!!! Now, I'm worried we won't fit in the Whitehall Room. Kristi Davis told me she reserved a ball room just in case, but I would rather move the location than move to the ballroom. It's just not the look I'm going for. Does anyone know how many people you can squeeze into the WHR? I think the consensus is 50 without a dance floor and 40 with, but it seems to me you could squeeze 2 banquet rounds in where the floor goes.

So, if they force me into the ball room...give me your opinions on whether it'll be okay...or if I should switch location...and where to?

In other, happier news, my wedding ring came in!!!! At first, I didn't like it, and it made me sick that we had had something custom made that I now did not like, but I wore it around for a day (I'm not allowed to wear it till Jan) and I like it now (whew!). It's weird how you have to adjust to things sometime! Here's a pic.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSCN0012.jpg

Still no decision on the BM dresses!!!!

[padisneyfour]

I am glad you got and like you ring after wearing it,it is pretty. congrats on using rev. day again.:goodvibes good luck with he BM dresses

[trudy88]

Will really be pretty. LOVE the shoes!
trudy <><

[IndyBride]

Your wedding ring is so pretty!! But I feel the same way. I haven't seen any that I reallly love so I guess it's best he got a ring without consulting me. Because I never would have been able to choose one!! ;)

[bridetobe789]

Your ring is very pretty! I'm glad you got a chance to war it to like it! How great that rev. jack can do the ceremony again !

[29apr00]

yeah for another PS!!! WOW that must be coming up soon, huh?

Beautiful ring!!

[figmentfan814]

I would ask your planner to see what else is available that day if you're worried about the ballroom. I'm with you I would prefer something a little more Disney-like similar to the White Hall Room.

I'm glad things worked out with your ring, sometimes it does take a while to get used to something :goodvibes

[lurkyloo]

Does anyone know how many people you can squeeze into the WHR? I think the consensus is 50 without a dance floor and 40 with, but it seems to me you could squeeze 2 banquet rounds in where the floor goes.

So, if they force me into the ball room...give me your opinions on whether it'll be okay...or if I should switch location...and where to?


According to the floor plan on DisneyMeetings.com, Whitehall holds 70 people at banquet rounds (but kids count as half a people, right? ;) ) or 150 for a "reception," which must mean a stand-up cocktail kinda thing.

Go here (http://disneymeetings.disney.go.com/dwm/resorts/detailFacilities?name=GFFacilitiesDetailPage), Click on Virtual Site Inspection, then select the Grand Floridian. After you Click on Whitehall in the little list that pops up in the lower right-hand corner, you can click on "View Arrangements & Capacities" at the very top in the yellow bar.

Whew - wish they'd just let me link to it! :upsidedow

[tiggerrifficheidi]

Oh! I am so bad! I've been obsessing about so many details, I've been forgetting to write!

Okay, this has been decision making week! (and weekend).

Tom and I decided to move our reception to Narcoossee's. It's got pros and cons, (pros being the naturally gorgeous location...which requires less money on decorations! The cons are the restaurant-style seating). But, I think it will look fabulous! And we don't have to worry about guest count

Next decision...I had wanted to use the Attic for a Bridal Tea, but I was having a hard time coming up with things to spend $2500 F&B min on! On a lark I asked if the Whitehall Room was available on Saturday. I'm thinking "no, way!" but I ask. Well, it was! So, since we're not using it for the reception, we're moving the Bridal tea to that location. I still love the Attic...but $1500 F&B min vs. $2500 F&B min is too hard to pass up! So that will be Saturday.

Also, we found out Sago Cay is open for a WISHES DP the night of the wedding. So, we're going for it. I think it will work out really well.

Okay, I also drove to a store in Neustadt an der Aisch that carried B2 by Jasmine. I was FINALLY able to see the ACTUAL fabric colors and pick a BM dress! It has a maternity style to match which has more of an empire waist. It is B1039 by B2.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/1039BRJPG.jpg

Now, we're debating about a Farewell Breakfast...any advice on that?

Thanks!

[pjstevens]

Heidi,

You've been busy!!! Love your ring and the BM dresses! So glad the other locations were available.

[lov2b@disney]

wow you have been busy! I love the BM dress! Glad all the locations worked out!

Just an FYI they have put rounds in Narcoossee--I'm sure for a price! The planners have a picture of a reception there with them.

We had our reception there and did long tables along the windows.

[jessesgirl-080708]

That color is really pretty!

Your gonna love Sago Cay for the DP!!!!

[figmentfan814]

pixiedust: How great that you were able to get the DP location. This was definitely a highlight for our guests and I'm sure it will be for yours too.

I'm glad you were able to check out the bridesmaids dresses, that must be so frustrating trying to find things while you're still in Europe.

I think switching the tea was a great idea; I can't wait to see shots from your more formal tea since we only did ours in the Gardenview Tea Room.

For a farewell breakfast, would it be the day after the wedding or later? I was a little disappointed on how ours turned out. We had one schedule for the day after the wedding, but everyone was so tired from our 9 a.m. ceremony that we ended up cancelling the night before because everyone wanted to sleep in the next day :rotfl: We also had a bunch of people that had magical express picking them up earlier than they anticipated.

[IndyBride]

Very pretty BM dress Heidi!!! Sounds like you are getting almost everything you want!!! :goodvibes That's the way it should be!!

[tiggerrifficheidi]

Heidi,

You've been busy!!! Love your ring and the BM dresses! So glad the other locations were available.

Thank yoU! I HAVE been busy...so busy I forget to write! And I'm glad it worked out in the end, because I was stressing the locations

wow you have been busy! I love the BM dress! Glad all the locations worked out!

Just an FYI they have put rounds in Narcoossee--I'm sure for a price! The planners have a picture of a reception there with them.

We had our reception there and did long tables along the windows.

I think she mentioned rounds were possible...but that there wasn't much room to maneuver around it. Do you have any pics of your reception? I would LOVE to see how you set it up, because that sounds like a really friendly seating style. Also, did you do a CH? The WP said that it had to be at Narcoossee's, so I'm wondering where they set it up for you.

That color is really pretty!

Your gonna love Sago Cay for the DP!!!!

Thank you! I definitely have you (and other Sago Cay brides) to thank for putting the idea into my head!

pixiedust: How great that you were able to get the DP location. This was definitely a highlight for our guests and I'm sure it will be for yours too.

I'm glad you were able to check out the bridesmaids dresses, that must be so frustrating trying to find things while you're still in Europe.

I think switching the tea was a great idea; I can't wait to see shots from your more formal tea since we only did ours in the Gardenview Tea Room.

For a farewell breakfast, would it be the day after the wedding or later? I was a little disappointed on how ours turned out. We had one schedule for the day after the wedding, but everyone was so tired from our 9 a.m. ceremony that we ended up cancelling the night before because everyone wanted to sleep in the next day :rotfl: We also had a bunch of people that had magical express picking them up earlier than they anticipated.

We were going to forgo the DP, since we're having an IllumiNations WP, but I'm excited we're doing it!

And Europe...YES! Driving me nuts! Great place to live and shop as long as you want EUROPEAN thing. Not so great for hunting for American styles.

I would like to do the GardenView, but I think we're going to have too many people and they won't let us do it there. I really prefer the style of the GardenView, because it's so classy! And I LOVED your hat! But, I'm excited about the WHP.

You bring up a good point about the Farewell B'Fast. I know some people have early flights, but I didn't think about those who have later flights and STILL have to make the DME time. I do remember them picking us up earlier than I had thought.

Very pretty BM dress Heidi!!! Sounds like you are getting almost everything you want!!! :goodvibes That's the way it should be!!

Oh, thanks! You're too kind! I think "Spoiled" is the term my Mom would use! :)

[29apr00]

Yeah for getting SCP for your Wishes DP! That's going to be lovely!

And yeah for WHR being availaible for your tea!! I'm excited for you! can't wait!

And the Bm dress is beautiful! great color!

[lurkyloo]

I would like to do the GardenView, but I think we're going to have too many people and they won't let us do it there. I really prefer the style of the GardenView, because it's so classy!

You can have up to 25 people for reservations during business hours and 50 peopleif you buy the restaurant out ($500 for 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, Tuesdays and Saturdays only OR $1,000 for 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm daily).

Just in case you really really had your heart set on Gardenview... :)

[tiggerrifficheidi]

You can have up to 25 people for reservations during business hours and 50 peopleif you buy the restaurant out ($500 for 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, Tuesdays and Saturdays only OR $1,000 for 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm daily).

Just in case you really really had your heart set on Gardenview... :)

WOW! I didn't know that. I think I will have closer to 30, but that is a really good idea!

I also talked to DH's Dad today and found out they're only going to be there the night before the wedding (for the Welcome Dinner) and they are leaving PROBABLY DURING THE RECEPTION! I thought DH would be upset, but he said that was a typical MO for his dad.

So, it occurred to me...if the FoG was bailing that early, I would be lucky if 1/2 were there the next day. So, I went ahead and booked 1900 Park Fare for 30 people. It's $18.99 a person, they have characters, it's at the GF...AND they have Mickey Waffles! All at 1/2 of what I would have paid for a catered buffet. The catered buffet menus my WP sent look amazing (although impossible to choose! too many options!), but I just don't think we'll have enough to make it worth while.

That should work!

[lov2b@disney]

Here are some pictures from our reception- hope they help a little--we only had 35 people- probably would work good to do smaller number of people at more tables--
Here is one of people sitting-
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg267/sjrke/100_3728-2.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg267/sjrke/SJ10006-18-08edited.jpg

we did a head table on the opposite side- facing the water
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg267/sjrke/SJ09956-18-08edited.jpg

kids table
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg267/sjrke/100_3727.jpg

Cake was up against a window--which was cool because Randy got a picture of the cake with us in the background outside- I just dont have it loaded in photobucket!

I have tons more if you need any--

CH- our pre-reception was supposed to be in the bar area--when we got there they had everyone on the lower level in the beginning part of the restaurant --it worked out OK--when we got there we went to the bar area and said Hi to everyone from up there--

We did 1900 Park fare the day after too-- it was fun, everyone had a really good time! We had 20 something people--cant remeber exactly

[tiggerrifficheidi]

Thank you! That does help. Could you mingle with your guests in this configuration? It looks like people could have been "stuck" in the middle, against the window...

And I'll always take more pictures! They are the best for showing your WP what you want!

Thank you again!

[lov2b@disney]

It definately was a little harder for people to get up from the middle--it wasnt that big of a deal because of the sit down dinner. We did it this way because of the number of people we had it just worked out better. I think if we had more I would've done like 8 at a table and spread out aroun the restaurant a little more.

I will upload some more pictures for you

[lov2b@disney]

Here is a few more-- I picked some so you could see the room/ more than the subjects in them;) There is plenty of room behind the tables to move-

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg267/sjrke/SJ16606-18-08edited.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg267/sjrke/SJ16806-18-08edited.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg267/sjrke/SJ16556-18-08edited.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg267/sjrke/SJ15906-18-08edited.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg267/sjrke/SJ15656-18-08edited.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg267/sjrke/SJ15446-18-08edited.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg267/sjrke/SJ15596-18-08edited.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg267/sjrke/SJ15556-18-08edited.jpg

[tiggerrifficheidi]

Thank you so much!!! That is so helpful! I'm going to have a chance to meet with my WP and Floral Coordinator in Nov, so I'll bring your pics and discuss the layout with them.

Thanks again!

[keenercam]

Oh, I love the idea of 1900 PF. You'll have so much fun. The food there was really good (there's an omelette station) and the Mickey waffles are awesome. It's fun to see everything coming together for you! :goodvibes

[tiggerrifficheidi]

Cam-I keep hearing about this omelet station! I'm excited already!

[tiggerrifficheidi]

MOH ordered her dress the next day (I think she was tired of me being indecisive!) I went with another BM today to order hers at the shop here. I also brought my dress from the June wedding, and the seamstress will loop the hem under to the waist to make a sort of balloon hemline. And then I ordered a jacket to go with it. I'm going to wear it for the welcome dinner.

Here's the dress...
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Escape%20Wedding/060381-0015.jpg

And here's the jacket...in ivory, of course.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/B2Jacket.jpg

Now, I need to focus on the menus...since my PS and tasting session is a little over 3 weeks away!!!!:banana: :cool1: :banana: :cool1: :dance3: :yay:

[polynesianbride]

I just found your TR and PJ tonight and LOVE everything! I read them both tonight... I'm quickly becoming addicted to these boards :surfweb: ! I posted a message on your TR as I read that first but didn't know if you read that anymore so thought I'd write here as well! Congrats on everything- can't wait to read more!

Adelia

[tiggerrifficheidi]

I just replied to you in the TR! Thanks for stopping by!!

[tiggerrifficheidi]

Oh, I am sooo bad! Actually work has been horrible and the stress of everything has been getting to me.

The good news is I leave for my PS in 9 hours!!! I'm excited. I fly into Atlanta, where I meet my MOH. We're driving down to Orlando. I have a hair trial on Wed. and the PS and Tasting Session on Thurs. I'm SUPER excited!

The best thing about all this is the deadline made me get my act in gear and consolidate all my stray thoughts and ideas.

I can't even remember everything that I've accomplished in the last few weeks.

Our invitations are done and should ship this week! We went with Shelley from Impressions. I was worried about the bad reviews of Impressions, but, I wanted a custom Disney-ish design. So, I sent Shelley an idea I had (which took some scroll-work I had seen on a message board that another designer had done) with a castle image that I added. So, that's basically what we went with.

From then on out, Shelley was a dream to work with. Everything was done ahead of even MY schedule. I was usually the one slowing things down. I was very, very happy! I should be able to meet up with Shelley at the PS, so I'm excited to meet her! I should be able to see an invite, too (I'm having her address and mail them).

Okay, so wish me luck on the PS and I'll take lots of pictures!

[IndyBride]

Heidi have a great time at your planning session!!! We can't wait for the pics!

[29apr00]

have a great time at your PS! Can't wait for your TR!

[figmentfan814]

Have fun at your PS; looking forward to seeing pictures :goodvibes

[pjstevens]

Heidi,

Enjoy your PS! Take lots of photos to share with us. Can't wait to hear all about it.

[bridetobe789]

Heidi- Hope you are having a great time at your ps!! Can't wait to see pics!

[keenercam]

Heidi -- Your invites sound gorgeous. Can't wait to see! Hope you are having fun!

[29apr00]

So how did the PS go?? Can't wait to hear about your choices!!

[polynesianbride]

Heidi are you out there? Your wedding is in 8 days! I'm sure you're busy getting all the last minute details done but we're dying for an update! Hope all is well!

[tiggerrifficheidi]

I am SOOOO sorry I haven't updated in forever. In my defense, things have been CRAZY busy. Recap:

--I had my PS on the 13th of Nov (I flew to the States for that) and came back on the 19th (after being fitted for my wedding dress in Houston).
--I had a military ball the day after I got back
--the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, I picked up my childhood friend from the airport in Munich. She now lives in Egypt and came for 3 weeks!. On the way to the airport, DH's truck threw a rod through the engine (Toyota Tacoma with 65K miles!!! Thank GOD he bought the extended warranty).
--My friend and I went to Disneyland Paris for Thanksgiving, and we also went sledding in Austria once her husband got here. At one point, I had guests and two cars in the shop! Thankfully my old Audi was fixed so I could stop renting a car!
--Then, my household good were packed out the day after they left (the 16th and 17th of December).
--They were delivered to my new house (near Hohenfels) on the 19th.
--I had to drive back and forth to Ansbach to do some clearing and such and then I had Christmas with my new landlords (super nice folks!).
--The day after Christmas, I picked up my Mom and a friend from the airport, and they've been here ever since. I have to admit that I'm a bit obsessive about my house...I can't rest until my nest is in order. So, I've been consumed with that.

But now that my litany of excuses are expressed...I'll get back to wedding details!

So, I flew to Atlanta on Nov 11th, where I met my BFF and MOH and her daughter. We drove that day down to Orlando. We got to the ASMu at about 11:30pm, and I was EXHAUSTED, since that was about 6:30am the next day for me. The next morning, we went to DTD and did some shopping. I REALLY wish you could register at the Disney stores there. They have some of the cutest things, and some guests would be glad to wait till they are there to shop...I think.

That day, I met Shelley from Impressions at Franck's. She had my invitations and they looked AMAZING! I know some people have not been to impressed with Impressions, but she did an awesome job, and if you want custom Disney invitations, it's really the only way to go (I didn't have time to DIY). I did letterpress, so they weren't cheap, but they are beautiful, and she was so much fun to work with. She took the "What are you celebrating?" logo and added it to some scroll work that she had to tinker with to make it Disney-approved (apparently she has to run all ideas through Disney for licensing). I also had her address and mail them. What a life-saver! And I was so impressed with how well she addressed them. They even have the guests' return address on the reply card!
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC04337-1.jpg
I also desperately loved the Lady and the Tramp invitations she had displayed in Franck's. So she did them for our Welcome Dinner, which will be at Italy Isola.
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC04339-1.jpg

So, we talked about the other things she was going to put together for the wedding (menu cards, etc.). She had so many ideas, that it was so much fun to work with her.

That evening, I had a hair and makeup trial with Patricia LeJeune. I used her in June, and loved her. She did a great job, and initially I was happy, but upon review, I'm going to change the hair again...so I won't show it here :) I realized I loved my hair from June much better than what she had done for the trial, so I'll have her do SOMETHING similar...but slightly different. She did do the fake lashes, though, and they were great!

On the 13th, we had the tasting session. We met Michelle at Franck's and went over some wedding details before we left for the GF Kitchens. Everyone was so friendly in the kitchens.
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/IMG_4113.jpg
They had a welcome sign for us, which was so neat to see. Of course, it said "Heidi & Thomas" and it made me sad that Tom wasn't here. But, I was still glad to have my MOH along.

We tasted the Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli (DH's favorite from CG) (Sorry...no close up picture...here's a picture of our chef plating it).
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/IMG_4114.jpg

Le Celier Beer Cheese Soup
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/IMG_4115.jpg
Delicious, of course!
A salad with Green Goddess Dressing (I had had this at CG once and loved it)...but it wasn't as good as I remembered and the presentation was kinda ho-hum.
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/IMG_4117.jpg
Next was an Endive salad with Radicchio and a Champagne Viniagrette sauce. I didn't think I would like this, but the presentation was beautiful, and the salad was amazingly delicious. It had some great blue cheese and walnuts!
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/IMG_4118.jpg
Next was the sorbet slipper. I was convinced I wanted this for the WOW factor of a Disney wedding. But, I thought the sorbet was not very flavorful (I expected an explosion of raspberry flavor...and it tasted kinda like slightly flavored ice). The presentation was beautiful, of course, but I expected more from the taste. Oh, and the "purple" light didn't look that purple...more blue.
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/IMG_4120.jpg
After that we had TWO duo plated main courses. The first was beef filet with red wine demi (I think) and airline chicken breast (meaning it had the skin and the bone). The beef was good, but I thought the sauce was kind of boring. The chicken tasted GREAT, but I'm not keen on the bone and skin at a fancy dinner. The veggies were good too.
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/IMG_4121.jpg
Then, we had a thyme marinated chicken breast (without skin and bone) and mahi mahi with limoncello beurre blanc. I thought I would like this chicken, but it was REALLY dry. The chef explained that it is hard to keep the breasts moist without the skin and bone (hence their preference for the airline breast). The fish was great, though. I forgot to take a picture till I was half-way through, so I apologize for the half-eaten appearance, but the fish did look really nice plated.
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/IMG_4122.jpg
Last was the chocolate slipper, and this was delicious AND beautiful! The chocolate mousse with the raspberry sauce was very good.
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/IMG_4125.jpg

I really though I would need Soup or Salad, Appetizer, Sorbet, main course and dessert. The tasting session helped a BUNCH to decide that I really only wanted salad, main course and dessert. It's more than enough for a lunch time wedding, and the slipper still gives it the WOW factor. Only my MOH will know that the sorbet slipper was an option! :)

That's alot for my first post in 3 months, so I'll pause and get back to it in a few

[tiggerrifficheidi]

After stuffing ourselves at the tasting session, we met with Rose about the flowers. She really was great and easy to work with. I brought lots of pictures and ideas, and worked through them all systematically. It is so easy to plan with her! Of course, this time I was more prepared!

A few other things we noticed/did

--since this trip was about BUSINESS, we ate in the food courts (usually I splurge at the restaurants because they are all so good...so much good food...so little time). We had breakfast at the ASMu court (I would get the kids Mickey Waffles), lunch at the Gasparilla Grill and dinner one night at food court in AKL. They were all GREAT! Not just average...but really good meals. We also at b'fast one day at Wolfgang Puck's Express and it was amazing, too!
--We checked out the DVC "open house" in the Saratoga Springs resorts. They had show rooms for AKV and BLT. They are both GORGEOUS! I have pictures if anyone's interested. They both are exceptionally beautiful.
--go to DTD for shopping in the morning! We were one of the first ones there, and by the time we left around 1:00pm, the parking lot was full! And this was mid-Nov! Not a busy time.

All in all, a wonderful trip...even though we didn't even make it into the parks!

Then, I flew to TX to visit my folks and get my dress fitted. It's beautiful! Here's a few pics...

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC04156.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC04158.jpg
The dress originally had lace that sort of "stood up" on the top of the bodice...but I had them take it off. I liked the cleaner line better.
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC04159.jpg
Here's with the veil.
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC04164.jpg
And the shoes matched PERFECTLY!
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC04166.jpg

I was also on a hunt for a dress for the tea party. I wanted something "garden party" looking, which proved to be a challenge in Nov. I thought Dillards or Macy's or a big store like that would have SOMETHING left on the clearance rack...but no such luck! But, I hit the jackpot at Dress Barn. The dresses were 60% off and then another some-odd percent off that. So, in the end I found 8 cute dresses for $135!! Here's the winner for the tea party.
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC04179.jpg
And I wanted a hat, which is ALSO hard to find in NOV...but I stumbled on this beauty for $20 at TJ MAXX
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC04186.jpg
And I found these penguins to decorate the "Jolly Holiday" theme at the tea party. They were $5 at Kohl's.
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC04184.jpg

So, all in all a productive trip! It was quick, but it was nice to get away, and it was nice to get home again. Unfortunately, things really sped up from there!

[tiggerrifficheidi]

Oh, I totally forgot to brag about my AWESOME Tea Party invites I found off of Etsy. This wonderful lady, Shannell, worked with me to customize an invite she had with a tea cup, and a tea bag in it. They were beautiful, and she even ADDRESSED my envelopes, so all I had to do was stuff them and mail them!

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/Proof1EdwardSMullberry.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/FinalProof1.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/FinalProof5.jpg

[Lynn5700]

Aww everything looks great.

Love your gown, so gorgeous and your tea party dress is so cute so are the invites!

[KittyKat08]

Hi, just started reading your planning journal. Your wedding dress is beautiful, I love it. Looking forward to hearing more.

[lurkyloo]

Heidi, I have seen your dress in magazines a lot and never looked at it twice til you took the lace off the top - genius!

It looks amazing - and amazing on you! :goodvibes

[polynesianbride]

Great update! Sounds like everything is coming together nicely! Your dress is absolutely stunning! Congratulations- can't wait for the TR!

[lov2b@disney]

Heidi your dress is gorgeus!!

invites came out great and the tea party ones are so cute!! Wont be long now!!!:dance3:

[29apr00]

And I wanted a hat, which is ALSO hard to find in NOV...but I stumbled on this beauty for $20 at TJ MAXX
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding%20Plannning/DSC04186.jpg


OMG Is that a Lady and the Tramp shirt?? How cute!! The hat looks good too! :thumbsup2

Wow your dress is beautiful, and the veil and shoes are perfect! I love the Lady and the Tramp on your Welcome Dinner invite! So cute!!! I may steal that for my dinner!!

The invites for the tea party are so adorable! very cute and the dress is very pretty and festive for a tea party!! Everything is going to be perfect!!

Just a few more days!! When do you get here?

[DisneyBrideToni]

Your dress is stunning!!!!!!!! I love it! It looks perfect on you!

I love your tea party dress. I wanted to do a garden theme also for my tea but then I opted for a Audrey Hepburn, breakfast at tiffany's kind of thing...LOL. I got a hat similar to yours but in black. What a great reason to wear a hat!!!

You don't have too much longer just about 6 days left! How exciting for you! I can't wait to read your TR! :banana:

[tiggerrifficheidi]

Thank you all for the wonderfully sweet comments!

Carrie-Thank you! I am NOT talented in the fashion department, but every now and then even a blind squirrel finds a nut!

Jennifer-Yes, I actually got it on Disney Shopping! I love it! I get in TOMORROW!

The past couple days have been a bit hectic. Of course, I waited till the last minute to start packing, and I have NO idea what to wear. The highs are supposed to be in the 60s. Well it was 3 (as in 3 F or -16 C) here the other day, so I can't remember what 60 feels like!

Today I got a call from DH and he sounded IRRITATED! In his defense, he called last night at about 10:00pm his time and said he had to be at the terminal at Balad at 2:00am. He wasn't going to sleep at all. So, he probably arrived in Kuwait sometime in the early morning. We both talked about him "dragging his feet" a bit, because we REALLY wanted him to arrive on the 15th. Normally, things in Kuwait are a bit backed up, so he thought he'd definitely get out on the 15th, but maybe the 16th. Well...they wouldn't let him slow down, so he's getting to Orlando 5 hours before me!!!!

I am so ticked. This is NOT what I dreamed about for 6 months. My hero-Soldier-hubby getting off the plane back to civilization with no one to greet him...and then having him hang around in the airport (although I'll admit that if you have to be stuck in an airport, Orlando's not half-bad). Anyway, it stinks, but there's nothing to be done about it.

I was able to call and check in a day earlier at the GF (I was planning on spending tomorrow night with my Mom at the CR...ummm...THAT'S not going work!)

I nearly knocked myself out today banging my head on a doorway. That was fun. I could imagine myself in a hospital the day before my hubby flies to Orlando!

I'm getting fever blisters...so I've been combatting then with Abreva like crazy! My eyebrows are out of control! I must find someone to wax/pluck them, but apparently no one does that on Disney property???

At any rate, it's been nuts.

Thank GOD for my MOH. She's putting together the welcome bags, and they are going to be wonderful.

I did send off a newsletter to folks (email) to make sure everyone knew when to be where, etc.

Whew...I think that's it! I'll update more soon!

Thank you all for the support and kind words!

[lurkyloo]

My hero-Soldier-hubby getting off the plane back to civilization with no one to greet him...

Oh no! That is terrible... . I volunteer the Roots! :cutie:


I must find someone to wax/pluck them, but apparently no one does that on Disney property???

The Mandara Spa at the Swan & Dolphin does, and you get a discount if you have a Starwood Preferred Guest card.

http://www.mandaraspa.com/Main/SpaView.aspx?SpaID=8

Hang in there - your wedding's going to be FABULOUS! :goodvibes

[linzwylie]

I love your dress So Pretty !

What a good day to get married ~ MY BIRTHDAY :cool1:

not long to go

Linz xxx

[MiaBella05]

for the fever blisters, take lysine (its in the herbal section), its helps speed up the duration so they go away quicker!!

[tiggerrifficheidi]

Oh no! That is terrible... . I volunteer the Roots! :cutie:



I emailed them to see! I figured no harm/no foul in asking. And I told them it was your idea! :) Sorry to blame you! But if they're able it IS a good idea.

[polynesianbride]

Hang in there! I'm sure it will all come together!

[figmentfan814]

I had been wondering how things were going for you and I was so excited to see all the updates. It definitely sounds like you have been extremely busy. We did the same thing at our PS too. On one trip we only went to a park 1 day and the other trip was all business :thumbsup2

It sounds like the tasting session was really productive for you. Especially with something like the sorbet that can add a lot of costs, its good that you were able to try it first without being disappointed in the flavor on your actual wedding day.

I love the hat for the tea and the invites are so cute :cutie: I know how much fun it was for me and my guests wearing our hats. It is so much fun arriving there all decked out with the hats. The dress was perfect too.

Your wedding dress is so beautiful; it definitely flatters you and you will look wonderful on your wedding day :bride:

I can't believe you're so close now :dance3:

[dopeysgirl84]

Hello! I am a lurker and have been following your story since the first trip report :goodvibes I just wanted to say have a great trip and a magical wedding. Thank you for sharing your story with us :thumbsup2

Everything you have planned looks beautiful and I am sure it is going to be a wonderful wedding! :love:

I had to post in regards to lurkyloo volunteering the roots...that made me laugh out loud!

Relax, enjoy, and just think...you get to see DH soon!

[lurkyloo]

I emailed them to see! I figured no harm/no foul in asking. And I told them it was your idea! :) Sorry to blame you! But if they're able it IS a good idea.

:rotfl:

Well if we were arriving in Orlando next week instead of the following week, I'd volunteer us to meet Tom - but only if he got off the plane wearing an inflatable pool toy like in your siggy pic! :lmao:

[tiggerrifficheidi]

Thank you everyone for the good wishes! And the lurkers who have come out of the closet! :)

Carrie-Tom said he would gladly have worn the pool toy for you. Too bad that was a missed opportunity!

Well, we're here! He wasn't as grumpy as I thought while he waited on me in the airport. I was a nervous wreck, because my flight was a couple hours late taking off in Frankfurt (it had to be de-iced!) and I thought I would miss my connection in Dulles. But...SERIOUS PIXIE DUST...they held the flight to Orlando for those of us arriving in Frankfurt. That's the only flight they held...to my knowledge. So, I made it at about 9:30.

It was so good to see him! Everything was instantly better. We took DME and got checked in around 11:00pm. We didn't ask, but when they find out he was arriving from Iraq and we were here for our wedding, they seriously tried to upgrade us from Garden View to Honeymoon (we have honeymoon from 18th on...) for the whole stay, but they couldn't. :( We were bummed that they couldn't, but I know they really tried. Still, it's our first time at the GF, and we love it! We had room service around midnight and had an amazing bottle of wine! Tom had a steak, which he loved after eating dining facility food for 6 months.

It's a little cooler than we'd like, but we're together and we're at Disney, so life is great! Yesterday, we bought DVC at Bay Lake Towers! I had toured in Nov, but Tom hadn't seen it. He LOVED it, and we're SOO excited. We're getting developer points to use now, since our resort isn't done yet, so we're staying at Saratoga Springs Resort for 11 days after the weddings on those bonus points! YIPPEE!!

Today most of the guests start arriving. One of the groomsmen may not get out of Afghanistan in time, but they're trying! Keep them in your prayers!

Here's a picture of Tom trying on ears. And of us on the monorail. And then of my yummy breakfast at Gasparilla Grill. And our dessert at Citricos!

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding/Before%20the%20Wedding/DSC04349.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding/Before%20the%20Wedding/DSC04350.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding/Before%20the%20Wedding/DSC04346.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/tiggerrifficheidi/Wedding/Before%20the%20Wedding/DSC04351.jpg

[WithDisneySpirit]

YAY!!!!!!!!!!! and WELCOME HOME from a sister DVC'er!! :cool1: :thumbsup2 Can't wait to hear more, Heidi! :flower3:

[29apr00]

Yay it's so close for you now!!

I'm sorry Tom got into Orlando with no one there go great him!! What a crappy welcome home! :guilty: But atleast you are both here now!

Congrats on DVC! What a great start to the wedding week!!! Hope all your guests get in ok! Many positive thoughts for all our brave men and women over seas!! :grouphug:

[padisneyfour]

you are so close. Best wishes for a magical day!:goodvibes

[Mrsdisneyb2b]

The jolly holiday tea is stunning I am a huge mary poppins and penguin fan so Iam in love!
Your dress is also stunning and so was your tea dress!
Such beautiful taste!

[adisneygal]

It's a little cooler than we'd like, but we're together and we're at Disney, so life is great! Yesterday, we bought DVC at Bay Lake Towers!


I kept thinking that when it was Df's & my Dec trip. Life certainly is great when you are in Disney even if it isn't ideal weather or crowds. :thumbsup2 We own in AKL and we love it so! Congrats! Your wedding is so close and sounds so lovely. :goodvibes Prayers that your groomsmen can make it. :goodvibes

[lurkyloo]

Congratulations!!!! :cheer2: I'm so happy for you guys, to hear that you're together at last and about to have a totally awesome wedding!! :goodvibes

[Pooh_Girl]

Heidi-Just found your new PJ. I read your other TR and loved it!!!! I'm so glad everything worked out for you. I know it's going to be a beautiful experience for the both of you, and I wish you guys the best of luck!! Make sure when you come back to post plenty of pics!!!!!

[Crown_princess]

Very excited for you and looking forward to pictures!

[pjstevens]

Heid,

so glad you are both here in the states and have a couple days before your wedding (is it actually a vr now). Everything looks beautiful and your gown is gorgeous on you. Have a wonderful wedding day. Cannot wait for the TR to begin.

[2002Disneybride]

I read the entire planning journal and trip report from your escape wedding in one sitting...best wishes for Monday! Congratulations...
Jennifer

[XmasPixie]

Oh my - CONGRATULATIONS! I hope you are enjoying each other and I am sending big wishes for a wonderful day!!!! You both truly deserve it!!!

And from this Blue Star Mom - thank you for all that you both do!!! :flower3:

I can't wait to see your pictures and read all about your trip (your dress came out gorgeous!!)

And congrats on DVC at the Bay Tower - that place looks awesome.

pixiedust:

[pixiemama3]

so glad your both there safe and sound and together. Pd and prayers for your groomsmen needing it.

You are so close it must be so exciting.. best wishes for the special day.

[princess22]

I read your PJ last night! I love your story and you guys are adorable together! Happy Wedding Day!pixiedust:

[Pooh_Girl]

Happy Wedding Day!!!!!!! pixiedust:

[pjstevens]

Heidi & Tom,

Hope today is even more amazing than your dreams since your family will be there. Cannot wait to see pics and hear all about it.

[padisneyfour]

have a wonderful day and celebration!:goodvibes

[figmentfan814]

:groom: Happy Wedding Day! :bride:

Its so good to hear that you and Tom are back together safely again. It looks like you were already having a great time at Disney. Congratulations on DVC; the Tower looks amazing there :cheer2:

[29apr00]

Happy Wedding Day!!!

[polynesianbride]

Happy Wedding Day!* Congratulations!

[keenercam]

Happy Wedding Day, Tom & Heidi! It was so wonderful to meet you both Friday night! Thinking of you today and sending you HUGE hugs and wishes for all good things! :hug:

[DisneyBrideToni]

HAPPY WEDDING DAY!!!!!!!!!!

[lurkyloo]

Congratulations!!!! Oh boy, I'll be you are having SO much fun right now.... :goodvibes

[pink_tink8i8]

HAPPY WEDDING DAY!

[Keira1387]

HAPPY WEDDING DAY!!!!

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Happy Wedding Day!

[MegKate]

Happy Wedding Day!!princess: :groom:

[lov2b@disney]

Hope your wedding day was everything you dreamed it would be

[Goldeelox9]

I hope your wedding day was Magical!!!

[tiggerrifficheidi]

Hello everyone! Thank you so much for the good wishes! Everything was wonderful, as can be expected and imagined! Things were exciting and action packed at times, and the weather was a little cold the night of the Welcome Dinner, but the day of the wedding was GORGEOUS!

We are now settled at Saratoga Springs for the "real" honeymoon (since family was here a couple days after the wedding). Since we're still on our honeymoon, I'm not going to start an actual TR yet. But, here's a online gallery with pics I have from our moms so far (and a couple teaser pics)

http://gallery.me.com/heidi.anne/100024/CIMG4640/web.jpg

http://gallery.me.com/heidi.anne/100024/CIMG4765/web.jpg

http://gallery.me.com/heidi.anne#100024&sel=0

[KittyKat08]

CONGRATS!!!!!!!! You look beautiful!!!!! Awesome pictures. Everything looks just wonderful.

[disneymeg]

Heidi and Tom - congratulations and thank you for all that you do - my best friend is a marine and I worry about him constantly so hearing your story makes me feel better for him - finding love is so important and knowing that you two found it in a war zone is just amazing and inspiring!

Heidi you looked gorgeous on your day - i love your hair

Congratulations again!!!!!

[princess22]

Everything looked beautiful. I'm glad you had an amazing day! congratulations

[adisneygal]

You guys look amazing!!!! I said it before but I will say it again, I love your dress!!! Congrats!!!! :goodvibes

[WithDisneySpirit]

STUNNING!!!!!!!!!!!! Can't wait to hear more! :goodvibes

[pjstevens]

Heidi,

Thanks for posting your gallery, that helps us hold off bugging you to get started. Enjoy your honeymoon and then we'll hear all the details of your magical day! You looked so beautiful! (again!)

[padisneyfour]

your gallery of pictures looks wonderful- it looks like you had a fantastic day! congrats and best wishes:goodvibes

[XmasPixie]

You look so beautiful! Congratulations!!! Enjoy the rest of your honeymoon and I will be looking forward to hearing all about it upon your return.

pixiedust:

[pink_tink8i8]

omg, your dress was stunning! you looked so beautiful!

[Crown_princess]

You two look like a true prince and princess! So tall and poised!

Congratulations!:cheer2:

[DisneyDmbNut]

everything was STUNNING!!

Lucky girl..your first wedding was amazing and this is like the cherry on top!!

Are you a Dave Matthews fan?? One of your photos says "The Lovely Ladies" and I just wondered if there was a secret DMB meaning

[tiggerrifficheidi]

Betsy-yes, I AM lucky! And the DMB reference was a coincidence :) Sorry!

[polynesianbride]

Absolutely stunning! It all looks sooo beautiful! I LOVE your dress! I have never seen Mickey and Minnie coordinated to the wedding party before... did you request this or is this something new Disney is doing?

[tiggerrifficheidi]

I don't know if they have all of the colors to coordinate with any bridal party. I think they have the regular outfit and then a couple "formal" outfits. It just happened that they had purple formal! So, that was a request by me. You can check with your planner about other outfits, though, since I heard "purple" and ended the conversation there! :)

[KeenHo]

Tom & Heidi~ CONGRATULATIONS!!! It was such a pleasure to meet you both in the lobby of the Grand Floridian. Your photos are beautiful and you both looked picture perfect.

Best of luck to you both!

:grouphug:

Howard

[figmentfan814]

Wow, it looks like your wedding was amazing! I hope you enjoy the rest of your honeymoon pixiedust:

The silhouette artist and the Dapper Dans were such great touches. How did their costs compare to some of the other entertainment options?

I love the colors of the bouquets and your cake were both stunning. The shots with Mickey and Minnie are really cute; you got a great variety.

Looking forward to reading more once you get back.

[Pooh_Girl]

Heidi, your wedding looked amazing!!! It looks like you guys had a blast. Can't wait to hear more!!!

[Angela0917]

You looked so pretty!! I can't get to the gallery though on my work computer, so I can't wait to go home and check it out!! Glad to hear everything went well!!

[29apr00]

just now looking at your pictures!! Congratulations Heidi! Your pictures were beautiful! Can't wait for your TR!

[TiggerificSox]

More, more, more! I looooooooooooooove your dress!!

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Are you back yet??? Waiting for more!!! (despite the homework I have to do!!!) ::yes::

[tiggerrifficheidi]

I'm back (unfortunately), but I had to go to work right away. And we had to work through the weekend, as we have Soldiers here training right now (my new job is as a trainer at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Germany). I still don't have ANY prof. pics, so I'm not really motivated to start much without them. Hopefully I'll get them soon and can start next weekend.

[polynesianbride]

YAY Heidi I'm glad you're back! Sounds like you had to jump right back into reality! Can't wait to hear all the details!

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

I'm back (unfortunately), but I had to go to work right away. And we had to work through the weekend, as we have Soldiers here training right now (my new job is as a trainer at the Joint Multinational Training Center in Germany). I still don't have ANY prof. pics, so I'm not really motivated to start much without them. Hopefully I'll get them soon and can start next weekend.

:thumbsup2 Welcome back

[tiggerrifficheidi]

Tom & Heidi~ CONGRATULATIONS!!! It was such a pleasure to meet you both in the lobby of the Grand Floridian. Your photos are beautiful and you both looked picture perfect.

Best of luck to you both!

:grouphug:

Howard

Thanks! It was so cool to run into you and Cam!!!

Wow, it looks like your wedding was amazing! I hope you enjoy the rest of your honeymoon pixiedust:

The silhouette artist and the Dapper Dans were such great touches. How did their costs compare to some of the other entertainment options?

I love the colors of the bouquets and your cake were both stunning. The shots with Mickey and Minnie are really cute; you got a great variety.

Looking forward to reading more once you get back.

I LOVED the Dapper Dans (and Kathryn). I think the Dapper Dans were less than the jazz trio (I'll have to look that up and report in my TR), and they were WAY cooler! The Silhouette Artist was a bargain when you consider the guests had a favor to take home.

Thanks everyone for being patient with me! I am not quite ready to start a TR yet (I worked all weekend and may work this one, too!), but I do have pictures!!!! At least I have our MK and Epcot shots and a couple from the Roots.

First of all the Roots:

http://gallery.me.com/heidi.anne/100024/2968-20copy/web.jpg

http://gallery.me.com/heidi.anne/100024/IMG_0935/web.jpg

And the MK and Epcot Photo Shoot pics are up!

www.collages.net/disneyweddings/

Username: Ridenhour / Jones Bridal Portrait
Password: 1971

I'll start the TR as soon as I can!

[padisneyfour]

Beautiful pictures..... congrats!:goodvibes

[bridetobe789]

OMG!! Your pictures are TRULY AMAZING!! Who was your photographer?!

[Nicsnick]

LOVE your pictures!!!!

[tiggerrifficheidi]

OMG!! Your pictures are TRULY AMAZING!! Who was your photographer?!

Thanks! I think they're great, too!

The Roots photographed the wedding, but Ty was my photographer for the MK and EPCOT photo shoots.

[tiggerrifficheidi]

The Roots have put together a slideshow with a preview of some pics! Pretty exciting!!!

http://clients.rootweddings.com/heiditom/

[lov2b@disney]

Gorgeous MK/Epcot pictures! WOW he did a great job!

Off to see what the roots did!

ETA: Beautiful Heidi!

[29apr00]

WOW your MK shots are beautiful! Ty was definatly having a good day! I love the ones on the carousel! The blue is so vibrant! :thumbsup2 And you got some wonderful shots in Epcot too!! i love where your veil is flying all around you!

And your Root pictures are stunning!! They capture everything!

[Raecheal]

Heidi, Your Magic Kingdom photos are absolutely beautiful. I'm a a lurker on the Disney Weddings and Honeymoons board... wishing I'll be able to post a thread soon. :)

I just had to post... your photos are the best i've ever seen so far. You look stunning and your photographer did an amazing job. Congrats to you both.

[princess22]

Your MK/Epcot and Root shots are all amazing! You two are such an adorable couple. It looks like it was a perfect day!

[figmentfan814]

That's not bad for the Dapper Dans being around the same price as the Jazz trio. My cousin plays in the Jazz trio sometimes for corporate events, so I remember the similar price range.

I love how your MK and Epcot shots turned out. Epcot provides such an amazing backdrop for pictures. I especially love some of the ones from Italy; that was my favorite spot for our wedding shots too. The ones on the carousel are so cute, I love the ones in the seat on it and not just the traditional ones on the horses. The Roots always capture so many fun shots! I can't wait to see more :bride:

[polynesianbride]

Your photos are ALL amazing! It helps that you and DH are so photogenic! I knew the Roots would do an amazing job but I am pleasantly surprised that your MK and Epcot pics turned out so great! It even looks like he tried to get some creative shots in:thumbsup2 Maybe Disney photography is turning around! Congrats! Can't wait to hear more about your trip!

[tiggerrifficheidi]

WOW your MK shots are beautiful! Ty was definatly having a good day! I love the ones on the carousel! The blue is so vibrant! :thumbsup2 And you got some wonderful shots in Epcot too!! i love where your veil is flying all around you!

And your Root pictures are stunning!! They capture everything!

You know...I didn't even want to go on the carousel! So, sometimes I think you have to be bossy about what pics you want, but sometimes good things happen when you just go with the flow!

Heidi, Your Magic Kingdom photos are absolutely beautiful. I'm a a lurker on the Disney Weddings and Honeymoons board... wishing I'll be able to post a thread soon. :)

I just had to post... your photos are the best i've ever seen so far. You look stunning and your photographer did an amazing job. Congrats to you both.

Welcome! And thank you for the compliments!

Your MK/Epcot and Root shots are all amazing! You two are such an adorable couple. It looks like it was a perfect day!

Thank you...it really was! And I just caught up on your plans! Best of luck!

That's not bad for the Dapper Dans being around the same price as the Jazz trio. My cousin plays in the Jazz trio sometimes for corporate events, so I remember the similar price range.

I love how your MK and Epcot shots turned out. Epcot provides such an amazing backdrop for pictures. I especially love some of the ones from Italy; that was my favorite spot for our wedding shots too. The ones on the carousel are so cute, I love the ones in the seat on it and not just the traditional ones on the horses. The Roots always capture so many fun shots! I can't wait to see more :bride:

The Dapper Dans were AMAZING! The coolest thing was we bumped into them twice in the park and some of them were there and they recognized us! Made us feel very special!

Your photos are ALL amazing! It helps that you and DH are so photogenic! I knew the Roots would do an amazing job but I am pleasantly surprised that your MK and Epcot pics turned out so great! It even looks like he tried to get some creative shots in:thumbsup2 Maybe Disney photography is turning around! Congrats! Can't wait to hear more about your trip!

Thank you, but I think all the great hair and makeup helped me! DH is naturally that way!

[tiggerrifficheidi]

Okay gals (and guys!)...I have to go to Kosovo for a few days, so I can't start the TR yet! I'll be back on Monday, so hopefully I can get my act together by then! Good news is I was able to take some screenshots of the Roots pics (I get the digital images soon anyway!), so I can start including pics. I hate to write much without the pics!

Thank you for being so patient with me! I'm a bad bride! :) Toni was two weeks behind me and she's already graded her vendors!! :eek:

[DisneyDmbNut]

oh sure..use the "i'm going to Kosovo" excuse..gee, come up with something more original!!





hahahaha

[tiggerrifficheidi]

Hey! I thought that was pretty good! I hadn't seen it on here before! :rotfl:

Actually, I'm kinda excited, because it's sort of the "deployment of Army past" location! Nowadays EVERYONE gets to go to Iraq or Afghanistan, but Kosovo is "old school!"...plus it's only six days! And I get to fly commercial! Now that's MY kind of trip! :)

On the flip-side...we're just under 6 months to go for DH in the Big I! Now that the house is in order y'all are going to wish you hadn't begged me for a TR...because I will have LOTS of time to write :)