Kirsten & Matt PJ: 29th August 2011 WP/WR/Wishes - Invite Design 08/14

[Cleofish]

Hello all! I've been lurking and reading and posting for a little bit now, so I thought I would get started on my PJ now It's never too early right!!. I'm Kirsten & my DF is Matt, and we are based in the UK, but got engaged in Florida in September last year. We've been together since November 2004, and we met at uni when I walk straight past him in a bar! I soon realised the error of my ways and we now live with our 2 year old bunny Simba (because he's a lionhead) and 16 month old puppy Polly. I'm a tad animal crazy so forgive me if I go on about them constantly.

Soooooo....the engagement story goes that I won a competition on TV, and won enough money so that we could have fantastic Disney holiday in Florida (which we hadn't planned on being able to do until this year, as I'm trying to finish my PhD at Uni). So we made arrangements to do Disney, Seaworld, Universal Studios and Discovery Cove. I was so mega excited about the whole trip, but especially Discovery Cove as I REALLY wanted to swim with the dolphins, plus this was our first holiday together, so I knew Disney & Florida would be perfect.

Anyways, our first weekend was crazy filled with Disney & a Tampa Bay Buccaneers game (YAY they won!! :cheer: ), and then we went to Discovery Cove on the Tuesday. We had booked in for a Dolphin swim, which was super cool, and I was just so mega excited I didn't notice anything different. We went down to the pool and did all the normal dolphin interaction and the swim, and then the trainer tells us that they messed up our photo with Cindy (our dophin), and that we have to have them done again. So we smile & pose and then she takes me to one side and tells me that sometimes the dolphins bring special things back with them, and to hold my arms out for Cindy to come back. So i'm stood there like a complete nerd wondering what the heck is going on, and Cindy powers towards me with a buoy in her mouth which says "Will You Marry Me?" on it. Well I nearly fell over in the water! I turned round to Matt he was grinning, and unusually I couldn't speak so I just kinda nodded like a fool at him and he hugged me. :Tigger:

Anyway, we get took off into our own private cabana where he got down on one knee and proposed properly, and all the staff were clapping and saying congrats and it was crazy!! So our private cabana was overlooking the dolphin pool, with a fully stocked private fridge and a complementary dvd of the whole thing and it was just perfect! I'm so glad it's all on DVD and pics on CD, because now I can re-live it over and over, and get very very excited!

So as lovers of Disney we spent the rest of our holiday in the parks and were treated like a prince & princess for our whole trip, and have now decided we are coming back to Disney in September 2011 for a Wishes wedding!!!!! I have just sent out our save the dates to all our family & friends so that they can get saving, and I'm now VERY excited for our wedding & disneymoon (which includes a first stay on Disney property,hopefully at AKL). So yey! Very excited to share and learn with you all!!

Here are just a few pics:

Proposed to by a dolphin:
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/kirstenmcaleer/Orlando/M091608_00_2115.jpg
With Matt, CIndy & my buoy:
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/kirstenmcaleer/Orlando/M091608_00_2131.jpg
My pretty ring:
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/kirstenmcaleer/Orlando/M091608_00_2137.jpg
In Epcot with my Disney ears:
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/kirstenmcaleer/Orlando/EngagedEpcot.jpg

Can't wait for Disney now!!! :mickeyjump: The more I plan, the more I get withdrawal symptoms!

So here's my ideas so far. Fingers crossed for around the 1st September 2011:

Venue - Wedding Pavillion, hopefully 12pm
Reception - Whitehall Room
Dessert Party - Wishes at Sago Quay

Photographer - Misty Miotto - already been in touch, and I already love her!
Videography - Really not sure. Worried about the PAL/NTSC difference on DVDs - anyone have any ideas/recommendations?
Flowers - DF's sister is doing all ours in silks so that I can keep them. The only exception may be getting rose petals/table decs from Disney.

Honeymoon - 3 weeks in WDW baby!! Hopefully in AKL (told you I loved the animals!!)

I don't think there's anything else I need to note - if I've forgotten anything let me know!!

Now I should warn you in advance, I am a little quirky in my ideas and what not. Some of you may have seen my dress post and realise I am considering having a hot pink dress. I have found the shop where I can try it on (only 10 mins drive away) so that will be next weekend's trip! I have tried a few ivory/white ones on, but nothing struck my fancy so far. So if some ideas I have are off the wall please forgive me, I'm just a little bit different in every way shape & form!!!

Now for those of you who haven't already seen these, here are my 'save the dates', just being sent out to give people time to save. It will only a be a small affair as people will be coming from the UK, but should be fun nonetheless!!! Here they are:

This is the finished article:
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/kirstenmcaleer/Wedding/STDFront.jpg

And here is the back with the ribbon:
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/kirstenmcaleer/Wedding/STDBackEdit.jpg

Front without the ribbon:
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/kirstenmcaleer/Wedding/STDFrontNoRib.jpg

Back without the ribbon (basic, we just added our addy & phone numbers for people to RSVP):
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/kirstenmcaleer/Wedding/STDBackNoRibEdit.jpg

I made my own envelopes because I couldn't find any pink ones big enough:
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/kirstenmcaleer/Wedding/STDEnvFrontEdit.jpg

And the back of my envelope with a little hidden mickey:
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/kirstenmcaleer/Wedding/STDEnvBack.jpg

I don't know if it's that clear, but i sprayed EVERYTHING with "pixie dust", in the form of spray on glitter, which seemed to go down really well (although it's still all over my computer!!!).

Anyways can't wait to hear from you all and keep you updated!!:cool1:

[MainStMandy]

Yay and welcome!!! I love your STD!!!! They are so great!! Can't wait to read more!

[Knelson85]

What a great proposal!!! You are so lucky :cloud9:

Can't wait to read more!!!

[Pirate's Princess]

Congrats on the engagement. That is such an amazing story!! How cute! And you must be so lucky to have won a contest! :cool1:

Can't wait to read more!

[Ann117]

I have seen your save the dates on another post and I love them!! Also what a great proposal story I have been to discovery cove before its amazing. Can't wait to see your hot pink dress.

[Cleofish]

Ok, so I've tried on a couple of white dresses, none of which blew me away, so I'm going back to the original plan of the pink dress. So I scouted around the local prom dress and found a store that stocks it, soooo, here it is:

****Edited so Df doesn't find out****

And the back:

****Edited so Df doesn't find out****

So knowing that I might hate it when I see it in real life, so I need to try it on asap I think. So I emailed the shop and asked if there was one I could try on, and the lady sent me a lovely reply saying she didn't have this particular one in stock (she could order it), but she does have another in stock that is similar in shape, and she has it in the hot pink, so this is the one I'm going to try on:

****Edited so Df doesn't find out****

Unlike the original one, this one has a zip up back, but I can't find the photo atm!

I think I'm going with FMIL and FSIL and her DD, as my MOH is working that day and I don't have best of relationships with my mum & sister, so I just need someone's opinion when I actually try it on. I hate hate it, and I'm totally ready for that, but I need to get this out of my system, so that I can look at other dresses rationally. Apologies if I sound like some kind of crazy person with my babbling!!

I am very excited now for the weekend, just wish it would get here quickly!!

I've also been babbling at DF about putting an Alice in Wonderland twist on our wedding. This originated from the welcome bags. I thought I could pop some Lays crisps, some personalised teabags for FMIL and a personalised T-Shirt with "eat me", "drink me" and "wear me" tags on them. This has since escalated slightly to giving everyone a pack of personalised playing cards with either our pics on the back, or 52 different pics, which DF and I would pose for to represent the 52 cards in the pack. This could be a tad expensive, but worth it I think.

We love the Mad Hatter Cake too, so that's a definate (all adding to the theme), and maybe even a mini top hat for me to wear instead of a tiara (god I'm such a goofball!). If you guys have any ideas at all relating to this please feel free to post. I just need to watch the film now, but it's currently with my neice, and I don't have the heart to ask her for it back, as it's her favourite at the moment!!

Anyways, there's my babble for this afternoon. There may be more to come if I feel inspired later!!:rotfl:

[Bride-to-be]

Welcome! What a cute proposal story!

I love your pink dresses - I have been scouring the internet for something very similar for bridesmaid dresses.

I think the Alice in Wonderland theme would be great! You could also just have an alice themed tea party or something fun too.

[Sarah <3 Disney]

What a vibrant color! How pretty. :)

[Cleofish]

Welcome! What a cute proposal story!

I love your pink dresses - I have been scouring the internet for something very similar for bridesmaid dresses.

I think the Alice in Wonderland theme would be great! You could also just have an alice themed tea party or something fun too.

Aww thanks. I hope it's as good in person as it is in the photo!! It's an Alyce design. They have some lovely styles which may be perfect for you.


Oooh I hadn't thought about the tea party - score!! I'll ad it to my list of ideas. Thanks!!:thumbsup2

[ghoulish delight]

Aww, I love your proposal story! It's too sweet! :lovestruc

I'm a big fan of Alice in Wonderland, so I think using elements from it for your theming is brilliant! :teeth: And I adore mini top hats! I think it'd go nicely, particularly if you end up going with a hot pink (or any other colored) gown. I found a couple that maybe you've seen before, but I thought were adorable.

http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_430xN.66248689.jpg

http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_430xN.60004850.jpg

And here's one just because you love AIW!

http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_430xN.66183163.jpg

Anyhoo, I'm excited to see more from you! Good luck on trying on the dress! :goodvibes

[ghoulish delight]

Okay, clearly I'm thrilled about the prospect of an AIW wedding, but I googled about it and found somebody's inspiration board:

http://abbyjean.typepad.com/style_me_pretty/images/2007/08/27/stephanie.jpg

Depending upon how far you wanted to go with it, you could have your FG (if you're having one) in an Alicey-type dress. Also! You could include riddles in invitations, etc. Ooh, there's so much you could do! How fun!

[Cleofish]

Okay, clearly I'm thrilled about the prospect of an AIW wedding, but I googled about it and found somebody's inspiration board:


Depending upon how far you wanted to go with it, you could have your FG (if you're having one) in an Alicey-type dress. Also! You could include riddles in invitations, etc. Ooh, there's so much you could do! How fun!

Oh my gosh! Thankyou so much!! That is utterly excellent - I love the fact that you're as on board as me!!!! I'm going to dance around now like a complete freak all day because I'm so happy!!!!:rotfl:

[ghoulish delight]

Oh my gosh! Thankyou so much!! That is utterly excellent - I love the fact that you're as on board as me!!!! I'm going to dance around now like a complete freak all day because I'm so happy!!!!:rotfl:

Hehe, my pleasure!! If I wasn't trying to tie in Nightmare Before Christmas theming into my wedding, AiW would most definitely be my next pick! So I'm beyond excited to see somebody using it! :banana::banana: :banana:

Sooo, please make sure to keep us updated! :hug:

[Cleofish]

Okay so a little update (not AiW this time, as I'm doing some research - I'll keep you posted!!).

DF and I were chatting about what love really is and what it means to us, and it reminded me of a poem by John Cooper Clarke called "I wanna be yours", which DF and I both studies for our English GCSE at school, and both totally love. I think it kind of sums up the reality of our love - it's not all hearts and flowers (although sometimes it is, and that's wonderful!), it's about real life. I think I'd like my MOH to read this out for us, and I also think it might look nice on the back of our programmes.

Anyways enjoy:


I wanna be your vacuum cleaner
breathing in your dust
I wanna be your Ford Cortina
I will never rust
If you like your coffee hot
let me be your coffee pot
You call the shots
I wanna be yours


I wanna be your raincoat
for those frequent rainy days
I wanna be your dreamboat
when you want to sail away
Let me be your teddy bear
take me with you anywhere
I don’t care
I wanna be yours


I wanna be your electric meter
I will not run out
I wanna be the electric heater
you’ll get cold without
I wanna be your setting lotion
hold your hair in deep devotion
Deep as the deep Atlantic ocean
that’s how deep is my devotion

*Sniff* - I do love this poem!!

[Ann117]

I love the Alice in Wonderland idea!!!!!! It sounds so much fun!! I am going to have a mad hatter tea party the day before my wedding and I am finding so many fun ideas. I may have to steal some of yours to. The poem is perfect to.

[MainStMandy]

Oh I love the AIW theme!!

Have you seen these?
http://www.myweddingfavors.com/images/Product/KA25026AS-S.jpg

[Cleofish]

Oh I love the AIW theme!!

Have you seen these?
http://www.myweddingfavors.com/images/Product/KA25026AS-S.jpg

Oh how cute!! Thanks Mandy, I hadn't seen these before, they are so cute!!!! They would be so sweet as favours!!

[Cleofish]

Oh my word, what an exciting Saturday I have had! I'm a bit giggly and giddy right now with happiness, so bear with me on this one!

I'll start with last week's wedding dress expedition. Last week (as I've previously mentioned) I went with my MOH to a few dress shops, tried on some prefectly nice dresses, but just didn't get that feeling that I was told you got in a wedding dress. So, as posted earlier in my PJ I emailed a lady in a local independant shop with regard to trying on some bridal and prom gowns (including the pink gown).

Now, just to give you some background on the pink dress. I am not an overly girly person, and I'm not fussed on baby pink, but I utterly love the hot pink/fuschia colour, and virtually every outfit I own has at least a hint of this colour in it. In fact, the particular shade of pink that I love has become known as "Kirsten's pink" within our family, and synonymous with everything I do, and presents (including the wrapping) that people give me. So when it came to wedding dresses I always joked that I would have a hot pink dress, but was told by a million different people that I just wouldn't "feel like a bride" in a coloured gown, and I would love a white one.

So now it's come to actually trying on dresses I have tried to be traditional, and I've tried on the white gowns, but when I look at myself in the mirror with the whole veil and tiara set up and it just didn't look like me and certainly I didn't feel like me. Even today I tried on a number of white & ivory gowns and they just washed me out (i'm very pale naturally), and didn't do a lot for me. Then I tried on THE dress, and it was just perfect. It was even too small for me, but still made me feel amazing, and I just knew it was the one. Funnily enough it's not even the original dress that I wanted to try on, it's only the one they had in stock, so I'm sure it must be fate because it just made me feel amazing - and even DF's mum said it was the right dress (and she had insisted on me trying a white one on!!). So now I must take the piccies down from the pevious post just incase DF finds this, as I'm trying to convince him that I've gone traditional so that he gets a surprise on the day!!! Hee hee!!;)

So there we go. I'll order it on Thurday when I get paid, as it's last year's style and I don't want to loose it, and it will take about 12 weeks to be made (as the designer doesn't have it in my size at the moment), but I'm in no rush whatsoever. As soon as I get to try it on I promise I will post some piccies for a little while, but I just need to make sure DF doesn't see it.:rolleyes1

Anyways, I'm sure I've bored you enough! I'll update you soon!!!! xx

[Bolanette87]

I've just found your PJ! I love love love the Alice in Wonderland idea (My DF is a HUGE Alice in Wonderland fan!) and I cannot wait to see your dress! I adore fuschia pink too, and I'm another bride who isn't wearing a white dress. :goodvibes Lovely to find someone else who isn't! I'm animal mad too (I have two bunnies and a hamster)... Your rabbit sounds soooo cute (I love lionheads!)...

I shall certainly be reading your PJ avidly from now on!! :goodvibes

Bob xoxoxoxox

[Cleofish]

I've just found your PJ! I love love love the Alice in Wonderland idea (My DF is a HUGE Alice in Wonderland fan!) and I cannot wait to see your dress! I adore fuschia pink too, and I'm another bride who isn't wearing a white dress. :goodvibes Lovely to find someone else who isn't! I'm animal mad too (I have two bunnies and a hamster)... Your rabbit sounds soooo cute (I love lionheads!)...


Aww thanks Bob! NIce to have you hear, and so pleased you're wearing a coloured gown too!! I'm sure you said emerald green, whihc I think will be amazing, but I will pop over to you PJ and have a re-read!! I promise as soon as the dress comes in (I'm hoping mid-september) I will get my MOH to take a couple of piccies so that I can post it on here!! How cute does your little family sound with your bunnies and hamster!! We had two russian hamster last year called MIckey & Sabu, but sadly they went to heaven. I cried so hard and now DF won't let me have any more!!! I might twist his arm over the summer though!!!

And just for you, here's a picture of my little bunny boy doing his thing:
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/kirstenmcaleer/P1010137-1.jpg

[Cleofish]

So, sorry for not posting for a little while. Things have been a bit dramatic around here. Usual family sotry with the wedding, DF's family are completely on board, and mine, well, aren't. My parents are out of the equalion anyway, so that just leaves my Nana & Grandad and my Aunt & Uncle, all of who seem to be making excuses why they can't come, and saying they all might not be able to afford. I completely understand, and it's fair enough, but even when you're the black sheep of your family It's be nice to have them there to see you get married.

Oh well.

I do have som AIW related ideas however. I was toying between different sorts of centrepieces for the reception. I think we will most likely have a roman table because there's not a huge amount of us (that's before people start dropping out!!), so I think we'll need a maximum of 4 centrpieces. I'm thinking, therefore, of having coloured teapots stuffed with silk white roses, and then at the end of the day we will give special people who have helped with the wedding a tea pot to take home. I'm hoping they may look a little like this:

http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu255/mothers-day/6567.jpg

So, I'm on the hunt for some white teapots that I can jazz up in pink & turquoise and maybe even paint our initials on or something.

The other idea that I really love but can't seem to find any info on, is having a black and white checkerboard aisle runner for the Wedding Pavillion. I just think this is so funky, and although I don't have a problem with the carpet in the WP, it would be nice to give it a bit of a different twist! Anyway, think that's all for now. xx

[Bolanette87]

Aww thanks Bob! NIce to have you hear, and so pleased you're wearing a coloured gown too!! I'm sure you said emerald green, whihc I think will be amazing, but I will pop over to you PJ and have a re-read!! I promise as soon as the dress comes in (I'm hoping mid-september) I will get my MOH to take a couple of piccies so that I can post it on here!! How cute does your little family sound with your bunnies and hamster!! We had two russian hamster last year called MIckey & Sabu, but sadly they went to heaven. I cried so hard and now DF won't let me have any more!!! I might twist his arm over the summer though!!!

And just for you, here's a picture of my little bunny boy doing his thing:
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/kirstenmcaleer/P1010137-1.jpg

Yes, my dress is indeed Emerald Green! :goodvibes I cannot wait to see piccies of your dress! :banana: It sounds soooooooo perfect!

Awww, my hamster is a Chinese Dwarf Hamster... Sorry to hear about your little guys... :hug: Oh my Gosh, Simba is so cute!! :lovestruc I'll happily show you some piccies of our little clan if you're interested sometime... :goodvibes

So, sorry for not posting for a little while. Things have been a bit dramatic around here. Usual family sotry with the wedding, DF's family are completely on board, and mine, well, aren't. My parents are out of the equalion anyway, so that just leaves my Nana & Grandad and my Aunt & Uncle, all of who seem to be making excuses why they can't come, and saying they all might not be able to afford. I completely understand, and it's fair enough, but even when you're the black sheep of your family It's be nice to have them there to see you get married.

Oh well.

I do have som AIW related ideas however. I was toying between different sorts of centrepieces for the reception. I think we will most likely have a roman table because there's not a huge amount of us (that's before people start dropping out!!), so I think we'll need a maximum of 4 centrpieces. I'm thinking, therefore, of having coloured teapots stuffed with silk white roses, and then at the end of the day we will give special people who have helped with the wedding a tea pot to take home. I'm hoping they may look a little like this:

http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu255/mothers-day/6567.jpg

So, I'm on the hunt for some white teapots that I can jazz up in pink & turquoise and maybe even paint our initials on or something.

The other idea that I really love but can't seem to find any info on, is having a black and white checkerboard aisle runner for the Wedding Pavillion. I just think this is so funky, and although I don't have a problem with the carpet in the WP, it would be nice to give it a bit of a different twist! Anyway, think that's all for now. xx

I LOVE the teapot idea! They are going to look so cute on tables!! The aisle runner idea is awesome too... I love your ideas!! They are brilliant! :goodvibes

Bob xoxoxoxo

[Cleofish]

Yes, my dress is indeed Emerald Green! :goodvibes I cannot wait to see piccies of your dress! :banana: It sounds soooooooo perfect!

Awww, my hamster is a Chinese Dwarf Hamster... Sorry to hear about your little guys... :hug: Oh my Gosh, Simba is so cute!! :lovestruc I'll happily show you some piccies of our little clan if you're interested sometime... :goodvibes


I promise promise I will post as soon as it comes!! Ooooh yes please!!! I love to see pictures of cute and furries!! Esp bunnies, hamsters and puppies!! I'm just one big crazy animal nut!! :rotfl:

[ghoulish delight]

Ooh, I love love love :love: the teapot centerpiece idea!! That will look magnificent! I am still just so excited to see more from you!

[BecBennett]

double post, sorry!

[BecBennett]

Wow, I love the teapot idea too! :love: I'm not doing anything even slightly AIW related, but that's just too cute, I might just have to steal it!! :laughing:

I missed the photos of your dress, so I'm going to have to make sure I check back regularly to get to see the photos of you in the dress!

[princess22]

Just wanted to say Congrats! I love your proposal story and I'm super jealous! Dolphins are my favorite animal. I went to Discovery Cove years ago and loved it. i'm dying to go back!:lovestruc

Anyway, congrats again. Can't wait to read more!

[Cleofish]

Ooh, I love love love :love: the teapot centerpiece idea!! That will look magnificent! I am still just so excited to see more from you! Hee hee!! Thanks very much. I am still thinking everything out - my head is just about bursting with it all. I will keep you updated I promise!

Wow, I love the teapot idea too! :love: I'm not doing anything even slightly AIW related, but that's just too cute, I might just have to steal it!! :laughing:

I missed the photos of your dress, so I'm going to have to make sure I check back regularly to get to see the photos of you in the dress!
Thanks very much Bec! Thanks for reading! Steal away, I think it would look lovely, even at a non AIW style wedding. Oooh dress is very exciting, I promise to post, i just have to sit on my hands and be patient!! :rotfl:

Just wanted to say Congrats! I love your proposal story and I'm super jealous! Dolphins are my favorite animal. I went to Discovery Cove years ago and loved it. i'm dying to go back!:lovestruc

Anyway, congrats again. Can't wait to read more!

Aww thanks very much Princess!! My DF is really sweet for coming up with it, but it really was just magical. Glad to see another DC lover - aside from Disney I just think it's the most perfect place on earth. We loved the ideas of swimming with the dolphins and rays, and absolutely loved the aviary!

xx

[gemmybear83]

I totally missed this PJ - your ideas are amazing!! I want to see your dress :goodvibes

I live in Gateshead :wave: what a small world! I am hoping to get married next December in WDW! My fiance works in Durham too!:goodvibes

[Cleofish]

I totally missed this PJ - your ideas are amazing!! I want to see your dress :goodvibes

I live in Gateshead :wave: what a small world! I am hoping to get married next December in WDW! My fiance works in Durham too!:goodvibes

Hey Gemma :wave: - you're right, it's a tiny tiny world!!! Thanks for popping along to read. I will have to work harder to try & update so as not to bore you all.

Dress won't be long I promise!!!

[Cleofish]

Right, just a dinky update. First off, hats. I have been scouring everywhere to see if I can find turquoise mini top hat to wear , but alas I can't seem to find anything, so after much scouring I found a tutorial on a craft site showing you how to make your own. So last night I sat and sewed one out of card :rotfl: - I have very sore fingers this morning!!!! Anyways, although it was very very rough, the general shape looked lovely, so I'm off to Hobbycraft (a bit like Michaels in the US) next weekend to get some felt and feathers etc and have a go at making one - I will be posting piccies to show you how it goes!!!

Now for the exiting bit. I have found my shoes!!!! They are just divine - but I can't buy them yet, because I'm waiting for size 6 to come into stock, but anyways here they are:
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/kirstenmcaleer/FaithCieraB75.jpg

And here you can see the heel a little better:
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/kirstenmcaleer/CieraB.jpg

I LOVE them!!! They are by Faith (who just happen to be one of my most favourite shoes stores ever) and they also make them in turquoise, so I am very very tempted to see if I can get a pair of turquoise to keep for my anniversary/a special night out on our honeymoon etc. I still need to find some sparkly ballet slippers as a "just in case" measure for the reception, but I think these are utterly divine!! :lovestruc As soon as they are showing available in a size 6 I will be ordering them!!

And now for dancing. DF is not a big dancer, but I love music, so I've made the decision that rather than hiring a DJ we will put all our music onto playlists on my ipod, and just play it all that way. It's so much easier for a couple of metalheads like us just to do it ourselves rather than try to explain what we want to someone that we don't know. So, twice last week I made DF sit and listen to music with me, and after much moaning on his part, we have decided on the following:

First Dance - Nothing Else Matters by Metallica
Last Dance - Time of Your Life by Green Day

I'm also toying with the idea of coming down the aisle to "Through the Rain" by Barry Manilow - slightly weird, I know, but it's a song that got me through an awful lot in the past. My only concerns are that I will cry because of the music, or that it will be too long, so I may have the bridesmaids walk down to it too. It's only a possibility, I may find something else, but at the moment it's a strong cotender.

Anyways, that's all for now - promise I will try to update sooner rather than later!! :rolleyes: xx

[gemmybear83]

Oooh those shoes are lovely! The type of thing you could wear again as well :)

I totally agree about the ipod thing - we want to do that for our at home reception - although I will secretly miss the tacky disco man with his lights and smoke machine :lmao:

How hard is it to pick wedding music? Me and Henry sat and went through the entire on demand music catalogue on our virgin media and came up with nothing!

[Cleofish]

Well, I've found it really easy so far. I have most of my favourite music stored on itunes, so I've gone through and created a playlist of all songs I think are either appropriate or fun to dance to etc and I have about 4 hours worth at the moment. There are some more songs I want to add, such as "Agadoo" and "Superman" by Black Lace, just for the total cheese factor, and I need to get New York, New York in there too. It was DF's late brother's favourite song, and instead of commemorating past loved ones with flowers on the chairs etc, we're going to remember them in music. That way even though we know, it's not blatently obvious to everyone else.

Overall, I think you need to raid your CD collection, and in no time you will have too many songs, and have to start cutting them out!!! :rotfl:

[BecBennett]

Ooh, I love your shoes! :lovestruc They're so nice! They're just like what I want, except I want gold shoes... Do you reckon they'd dye?

[tinks86]

Hey just catching up with your PJ! I'm anouther 2011 bride so its nice to see someone else planning :cool1: you've got some fab ideas so far!!! Love those faith shoes, saw them in a wedding mag the other day :lovestruc

[Cleofish]

Ooh, I love your shoes! :lovestruc They're so nice! They're just like what I want, except I want gold shoes... Do you reckon they'd dye?

Hi Bec, I'm not sure if they'd dye or not - they might do? They cost £75 though so I don't know if I'd risk it myself - I'm too much of a fraidy cat:lmao:

Hey just catching up with your PJ! I'm anouther 2011 bride so its nice to see someone else planning :cool1: you've got some fab ideas so far!!! Love those faith shoes, saw them in a wedding mag the other day :lovestruc

Hey there!! Nice to have you along - and even better to hear from another 2011 bride, there seems to be more and more of us by the minute!! They're just so pretty, I just hope they come back in my size!!

[tinks86]

Yeah hopefully, I love the blue ones too, I just had a nose online! Can they order them into your local store from another one by any chance? May be worth a try!

Good luck - hope u can track them down :wizard:

[Cleofish]

Yeah hopefully, I love the blue ones too, I just had a nose online! Can they order them into your local store from another one by any chance? May be worth a try!

Good luck - hope u can track them down :wizard:

Thankies!! Glad you like them! Well the nearest Faith to us is inside of Debenhams, so I'm going to do some ringing around but next Saturday we are going up to the Metro Centre in Gateshead (like a mall to all non-UK brides), so I'm going to have a look in big Debenhams and see if they have them in. Fingers crossed I guess!!pixiedust:

[PrincessinLuv]

I am completely in love with the idea of an AIW wedding!!! And the shoes are absolutely gorgeous!!! And yay us...2011 weddings!!! :yay:

[MainStMandy]

OMG I love those shoes!!!

[ghoulish delight]

Oh Kirsten, those shoes are wicked!!!! Love them! :love:

Can't wait to see your tophat too!

[Cleofish]

Rightio, hello again all. I have had a rather successful weekend of sorts. Barring the fact that my car's gearbox is dead and it will cost £1400 to fix, leaving me without a car for a few weeks, all is coming along nicely.

So, I went up to try and find my shoes yesterday, and although they didn't have them in ivory (only black unfortunatel), I tried them in a 6 and they fit perfectly, and they sparkle soooooo much!!!:love: So I have to play the waiting game and wait for them to come in online, or pop into Oxford Street when I'm in London - which ever is sooner!!:rotfl:

So today I popped to Hobbycraft, and I now have a prototype for my mini top hat, made from felt. I think it needs a ribbon around the middle to frame it properly, and ignore the black pencil line down the middle - I couldn't find a rubber!! Here it is in a few shots, and some in my head (excuse my bad photography):
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/kirstenmcaleer/P1020843.jpghttp://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/kirstenmcaleer/P1020845.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/kirstenmcaleer/P1020846.jpghttp://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/kirstenmcaleer/P1020847.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/kirstenmcaleer/P1020848.jpghttp://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/kirstenmcaleer/P1020849.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/kirstenmcaleer/P1020850.jpghttp://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/kirstenmcaleer/P1020851.jpg

Sorry it's a little pic heavy!! I will also be adding a birdcage veil to the front, but I need to try and find somewhere that sells French netting. As for the body of the hat, not sure if I should stick with felt or try and get a sinamay mini hat and dye it turquoise/aqua. Anyways, let me know what you think, and opinions greatly appreciated!!:cheer2: xx

[BecBennett]

Oh, that's so cute! I'd love to see it with the birdcage!

[ghoulish delight]

HOW ADORABLE! :cutie:

I know it's only a prototype but, nice work! :thumbsup2 That's going to be so lovely when you have the birdcage veil on it!

[Ann117]

I love the teapot idea!! The mini top hat is so cute to you are very crafty. Your wedding is going to be so much fun!

[acomasdiaz]

Ooooh! I love the Alice in Wonderland theme! I think the teapot centerpieces will be adorable. Can't wait to see what else you plan...popcorn::

[Cleofish]

Oh, that's so cute! I'd love to see it with the birdcage!
Thanks Bec - I just need to work it out the veil now.

HOW ADORABLE! :cutie:

I know it's only a prototype but, nice work! :thumbsup2 That's going to be so lovely when you have the birdcage veil on it!
:rotfl:Thanks!! I'm still thinking the sinamay hat may look better, I'm still in the thinking & working out process!

I love the teapot idea!! The mini top hat is so cute to you are very crafty. Your wedding is going to be so much fun!
Awww thanks Ann!! Glad you like the teapot idea, it's the one thing I really don't think people will expect! I really hope it will be fun - I said to DF I want this to be a celebration and a day to remember, so hopefully the quirkiness will add to it! I never thought of myself as crafty, maybe I just needed a push in the right direction!:banana:

Ooooh! I love the Alice in Wonderland theme! I think the teapot centerpieces will be adorable. Can't wait to see what else you plan...popcorn:: Hiya! Glad you like it!! OOoh I have lots of ideas - one more coming up next!!:wizard:

[Cleofish]

Hi again all!!:wave2: Before I go on, I just want to thank you all for reading and for your kind words and opinions. It' so nice to be able to bounce ideas off people without them thinking I'm crazy!!:rotfl: So :thanks: - you guys are the best!!:banana:

So, I haven't had much time to look at the top hat again, but I did order some french netting, which arrived a couple of days ago, so I had a little play around with that, but I need to look at it properly really. I do :lovestruc the birdcage idea, so much so that I'm not starting to doubt the top hat idea:confused:. I just don't know whether it will look silly or not - maybe I'm just having a crisis of confidence :confused3. I think I will probably order a sinamay mini top hat and add the accessories I have on the felt hat and see if that looks any better with the netting. I have plenty of time, so I know I will get it right somehow!!!!:laughing:

So, I have had a littl breakthrough with the cake - which DF agrees on SHOCK HORROR!!! :rotfl2:
I was googling for Alice in Wonderland cakes, and I think I will be sending this cake as my inspiration to the GF Bakery:
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/kirstenmcaleer/Teapotcake.jpg
It looks so yummy!! Plus, I think the photos next to it would be immense!! I'd like the teapot in our hot pink, and then the table cloth in our bright turquoise (which I am now dubbing 'Alice turquoise' and 'Cheshire Cat Pink':rotfl:), and to brighten up the colours of the watch etc, but I think this could be so much fun!!! I can just imagine standing with a teacup with the teapot 'pouring' into it for a photo! Once again, I think I may be crazy, but DF said it's ok!!

I just need to convince him of the flavours now!! I'm an absolute chocoholic, so if I was up to me it would be chocolate all the way through, but I don't think he'll let me get away with that!!!! We'll see......:rotfl2:

[ghoulish delight]

Hmm.. I empathize on your veil crisis! It's so easy to wind up second guessing your original ideas or whether you'll look silly, etc. But you know what? We're the bride :bride:, it's our day and if we think it looks good and makes us happy - what else really matters?!

My only advice is to go with what makes you feel most beautiful, and feels right. :goodvibes I love your style and your taste, so I know you'll make the right choice for yourself!

That cake rocks beyond all other cakes! I know I've told you before, but I am so living vicariously through you on your wedding theming! :rotfl:

Always excited to read more! popcorn::

[Carye]

just came across your PJ...everything sounds super cute so far, can't wait to see what all the AIWL theme produces.

What website did you find the top hat instructions on? I am needing a small gray one for my ring bearer that will be dressed like Jiminy Cricket.

[Cleofish]

Hello!! I'm sorry I haven't updated in so long and I've been a really bad PJ writer.

Carye, the link to the top hat tutorial is http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=200095.0 - hope it works for you!:thumbsup2

Not too much news to report, other than we may be switching from Sago Cay to the Grand 1 Yacht on DF's request. I'll post a few bits and pieces that I've been making when I get chance, but so far all is quiet on the western front!!

[Cleofish]

So anyways, I just wanted to share with you all something that I've been working on for our invitations. I'm planning on making these into door hangers, as per the keyhole, like so:
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/kirstenmcaleer/InviteDoneDIS.gif

The text on the front reads "You are invited through the keyhole, to a fairytale world of magic and wonder" then underneath it just says "Kirsten & Matt 29th August 2011".
I'm not sure if we'll just make these out of card or if I can find somewhere that will print them for me on a sturdier material! Obviously I won't be printing them properly until we have our date confirmed, but it's one less thing to design!!

[ghoulish delight]

What a cute idea on the invites, and appropriate considering your theme! :lovestruc I think that will be adorable. :goodvibes

[Cleofish]

What a cute idea on the invites, and appropriate considering your theme! :lovestruc I think that will be adorable. :goodvibes

Thanks!:)

[Cleofish]

Hola all - Time to Talk about Floral!

Now I've also been thinking a little bit about flowers - although I will admit this is something I have very limited knowledge of and need to do more research on!!

For personal floral, I quite fancy not having flowers, but having sparkly crystals instead. I really fancy making these myself, but I don't know if I have the patience or skill for a project like this. I've got some inspiration pics to show you. First is what I think I would like for my bouquet:
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/kirstenmcaleer/Wedding/Crystalbouq.jpg
And for my bridesmaids:
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/kirstenmcaleer/Wedding/bridesmaidsbouq.jpg
And a bout for Matt:
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/kirstenmcaleer/Wedding/buttonhole.jpg

Now Matt thinks everyone should have a bout, but I'm not convinced - I personally don't think anyone outside the bridal party should have one. He hasn't decided on his Best man yet (most likely one of his brothers) and I think only they should have one really. Opinions anyone?

Now for my flower girl I'm going to buy a little basket and bling it up big style with sequins and crystals etc. I can see it in my head but can't find a photo of anything like it - I will have to try and make a prototype!! However, I have found these beautiful freeze dried rose petals to put in her basket (and also little bags for the staged exit):
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/kirstenmcaleer/Wedding/Happy_petals_1_litre.jpg
I love the colours!! They are so vibrant!!!!

The company are called Sweet Colours, and they also do some lovely freeze dried rose heads in the same candy colours, which I think would look amazing in my teapot centrepieces (instead of just plain white silks)!!
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/kirstenmcaleer/Wedding/happy_x16.jpg

However, I have no ideas whatsoever for any other floral - I'm not even sure the Wedding Pavillion needs too much decoration, but Matt thinks the altar needs something (which I'm sure we could move to the reception, and then to our room for our honeymoon), but I'm just not sure what. Any ideas/opinions welcome as always!!

Anyways, that's it for tonight. Thanks for reading!! xx