...

[MainStMandy]

Just a thought on transportation - we used "one way" 8 passenger vans - thru disney - and they were only $25 each.
Our whole bridal party was at Coronado Springs, but we started our day with pics at Boardwalk - so we took vans - worked out nicely!

Thanks for that info!! I love DFTW but it seems they try to charge you the most they can until you speak up! Thanks god for these boards and Carrie's book!!

[PeytonSdiz]

Haha...there are few things Eric gets excited about...Pink flowers (who knew!), the Yankees, Mickey and Minnie at the wedding...and THIS car, lol. He's gonna love it. Cross your fingers!!

So do you think he'll no longer be in love with the Rolls then?

How are you getting your dress down to Florida? Are you sending it with Lauren?

[MainStMandy]

deleted

[Lindsay22]

Disney might not let a company that is not Mears go backstage. I'd check with them before you booked another company.

Edited: okay, i just read that it's only for pre-ceremony.
Will this company let you book something for only an hour??? I'd ask if there is a minimum

[MainStMandy]

Disney might not let a company that is not Mears go backstage. I'd check with them before you booked another company.

Edited: okay, i just read that it's only for pre-ceremony.
Will this company let you book something for only an hour??? I'd ask if there is a minimum

Yea it would definitely only be for pre-ceremony. They do transfers and stuff from the airport to a hotel so I am kinda hoping that they would do this. Plus since it's a Wednesday maybe business will be slow enough they'll agree!

[KristinBelle]

You're getting some great ideas Mandy!

My DH is hooked on your thread, he has me update him every night. LOL :lmao:

[PeytonSdiz]

Mandy, have you decided on music stuff yet?

Will you be having a first dance and all that?

What songs have you chosen?

[ZeitgeistDuck]

For my wedding centerpieces I bought some beautiful lanterns at Target, they were copper leafy pattern over frosted glass and they hung on a little stand. $6. What do the lanterns you have picked look like? I am 99.999999% sure you can find something similar and a heck of a lot cheaper at Pier 1 or Cost Plus or whatever. With only 40 guests, that's what? 5 or 6 tables. Very easy to cut that budget down to about $100.

[malibustacey]

I am totally thinking about hiring an outside company to take us from the Attic to the backstage area at epcot. I obviously am going to ask Disney / the planner first, but i refuse to pay $400+ for a 10 minute ride to the DP at Epcot. If Disney agrees, the company only need some kind of confirmation or permission thing to get to the backstage area. We are getting our guests to meet a Boardwalk themselves to save on $$$ and then they can walk to SBP, and then to the Attic, the only transport we need is from Attic to Epcot which is a stone's throw away!

I have seen some party bus limos that could carry everyone (approx 35 ppl) and they look AMAZING and the quotes ranged from $200 - $300. I need it for only 1 hour service (well about 30minutes if only going from Attic to Epcot!!!).

When we get round to asking the planner, i will let you know what they say regarding letting another company outside let us use transport and about the backstage area for drop off... ;)

[MainStMandy]

deleted

[DisneyDmbNut]

Take this piece of advice! Back up your ipod! I loaded our ipod with songs I wanted played in Palo during our dinner and our MAC died a week before the cruise! I am so glad I had backed it up so my songs were safe but it would have been a mess if I lost everything right before we left.

[MainStMandy]

Take this piece of advice! Back up your ipod! I loaded our ipod with songs I wanted played in Palo during our dinner and our MAC died a week before the cruise! I am so glad I had backed it up so my songs were safe but it would have been a mess if I lost everything right before we left.

Thanks!!! I will definitely do that!!

[Pirate's Princess]

That is a big difference between $650 and 1100. Hopefully they'll move down the cost for you, and that opens a nice chunk of change. I'm glad to here about trying to make your own pomanders. You'll have to let us know how they turn out.

[MainStMandy]

That is a big difference between $650 and 1100. Hopefully they'll move down the cost for you, and that opens a nice chunk of change. I'm glad to here about trying to make your own pomanders. You'll have to let us know how they turn out.

I'm excited to try and make them. I showed them to my mom this morning and she loved them. She said they used to make them out of cray paper:goodvibes

[LoveDisney!!!]

I'm excited to try and make them. I showed them to my mom this morning and she loved them. She said they used to make them out of cray paper:goodvibes

Good luck making them! Can I ask what the heck cray paper is though?? I've never heard of it.

[MainStMandy]

Sorry...lol, Crepe Paper. Not sure what my problem is today!!

Crêpe paper is tissue paper that has been coated with sizing and then creped to create gathers.

[DisneyDmbNut]

I think you mean crepe paper?
Mikkel has a link to a you-tube video for making the Mickey pomanders. I forgot, but I thought you bought some silk floral to make bouquets a few months ago...can you use those to make them?

Do you have to hire Disney for the ipod set up? I thought you couldn't have music because the park was open.

[MainStMandy]

deleted

[Pirate's Princess]

You are really lucky they are allowing the IPOD set up.

[MainStMandy]

deleted

[DisneyDmbNut]

How does the IPOD set up work? Does someone from Disney start the music or do you need to have your own person start it and set the first dance, etc?
We had a portable ipod player that ran on a battery for the whole 2 hours. It worked good and the sound quality was great but guess who had to set it up?
http://i33.tinypic.com/2pzw3lh.jpg

No one could figure out how to get to the playlist..:confused3

[LoveDisney!!!]

Sorry...lol, Crepe Paper. Not sure what my problem is today!!

Crêpe paper is tissue paper that has been coated with sizing and then creped to create gathers.

I know what crepe paper is, but I thought cray paper might be something new. :)

[MainStMandy]

How does the IPOD set up work? Does someone from Disney start the music or do you need to have your own person start it and set the first dance, etc?
We had a portable ipod player that ran on a battery for the whole 2 hours. It worked good and the sound quality was great but guess who had to set it up?
http://i33.tinypic.com/2pzw3lh.jpg
No one could figure out how to get to the playlist..:confused3
I think that's what the Tech is for...if not, that's what my brother is for :goodvibes
:lmao:
I know what crepe paper is, but I thought cray paper might be something new. :)

Lol I figured I would just cover my bases!!:rotfl:

[DisneyBrideToni]

Lol how funny!!
well until 8 when the Yankee's win the world series:woohoo: :rotfl:

I HOPE SO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Down with the Phillies!! :lmao::lmao:

[MainStMandy]

i hope so!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Down with the phillies!! :lmao::lmao:

whohooooo!!!

[MainStMandy]

I just wanted to repost my Randy update from the main boards:

I just wanted to give a quick update on our situation with Randy. I just wanted to say the situation has been resolved. There was a mixup with the photos and after several conversations with Randy and have come to a friendly agreement. I apologize for any conflict that was caused on the boards. There was a reason we went with Randy and that's because of his previous work. I never intended to come across that I didn't like ANY of his work. Randy has been great to work with, and has been very accomodating in coming to a resolution. Just wanted to update :)

[MyMelody]

Mandy I posted this on your other post but not sure which one you will read first...

Will you be using him for the wedding??

[MyMelody]

Hey, I am using the Chrystler 300 too!!!

What company are you using?? I can send you a PM of who we are using!

That car is soooo beautiful.. My nephew had it for his wedding and everyone :lovestruc it!

[Boardwalk_bride]

I'm glad you got everything worked out :goodvibes

[BecBennett]

I'm glad everything worked out with Randy.

I'm hoping to use an outside vendor for our transportation too, do you mind saying what company you're using? We're hoping to hire a flashy car for the day. Get some awesome photos.

Maybe the price is so high for the ipod because they've given you a surcharge to be able to use it at the in park location during EMH? Don't know, just hazarding a guess :laughing:

[MainStMandy]

I'm glad everything worked out with Randy.

I'm hoping to use an outside vendor for our transportation too, do you mind saying what company you're using? We're hoping to hire a flashy car for the day. Get some awesome photos.

Maybe the price is so high for the ipod because they've given you a surcharge to be able to use it at the in park location during EMH? Don't know, just hazarding a guess :laughing:

I've only looked into one company, OrlandoLimo. I haven't recieved my quote back yet and I am going to keep looking.

Not sure on the high price...I guess maybe because it's in park during EMH. I'm definitely going to ask!!

[MainStMandy]

deleted

[BecBennett]

No Mickey or Minnie!! :eek:

I'm not having either, but you mentioned it so many times how you really wanted them! It does free up a lot of money though doesn't it??

You did a great job getting it down! I only hope I can do the same when my time comes!!

[MainStMandy]

deleted

[tinker&belle]

Here you can get 5 cups of petals for 10-13 dollars:
http://www.save-on-crafts.com/roses.html

They also have an aisle runner for 9.99:
http://www.save-on-crafts.com/aislerunners1.html

[MainStMandy]

Here you can get 5 cups of petals for 10-13 dollars:
http://www.save-on-crafts.com/roses.html

They also have an aisle runner for 9.99:
http://www.save-on-crafts.com/aislerunners1.html

Ooh thanks!! I'm still not sure on the petals...Sarah where are you?? Are you sure I need 200 cups??:rotfl:

[tinker&belle]

I also found white roseballs for about $25, then you wouldn't have to worry about making them:

http://www.save-on-crafts.com/roseball2.html

[tinker&belle]

Ooh thanks!! I'm still not sure on the petals...Sarah where are you?? Are you sure I need 200 cups??:rotfl:


No problem. Like I said when I did my wedding we had a VERY small budget so I had to take what I like and find ways to do it. (Like I LOVED mirrors on the tables, but they were too expensive, so we found mirrored ceiling tiles.) There are usually creative ways to do things to get the same feel. Then you can have more money for food, drinks, and maybe a mouse in your case.

[pezaddict231]

Glad to hear you were able to work things out with Randy. Great job getting the BEO down. That's a shame that you have to take out Mickey and Minnie, but either way your wedding will be wonderful! We're not doing in park portraits either. It seems like the results are very mixed and it's an awful lot to pay for just a few pictures, even though I do think it's cool.

[MainStMandy]

deleted

[bjgrazi]

You're giving the Officiant flowers? You have it in the BOE $10.50. If you are, I've never heard of that before.

[MainStMandy]

You're giving the Officiant flowers? You have it in the BOE $10.50. If you are, I've never heard of that before.

He's my brother :goodvibes

[bjgrazi]

I forgot that. Well then it makes great sense.

I have to say planning Disney weddings I thought would be easy and it's not.

[MainStMandy]

I forgot that. Well then it makes great sense.

I have to say planning Disney weddings I thought would be easy and it's not.

Lol me too!! :rotfl:

[tinker&belle]

Mandy,

That site that I reference has SO many things. I was just looking at it in awe, wishing I found it before I got married.:rotfl:

You might want to check them out for vases, they had some vases for under 10, but I don't know what kind of vases you need.

You also might want to look at them for your MOH boquet. They had tons of small boquets for VERY cheap (I saw a few decent ones for $10 or less.) Even if you had disney make yours, you could save almost $200 on the MOH one.

[sugahjunior]

So Eric and I sat down and here is what we came up with for our budget

Wedding Pavilion $3,000.00

Motorcoach $635.00
Town Car $25.00 Hoping to use this just for the two of us to get to AK

Floral
Brides Bouquet $308.00
MoH Bouquet $183.00
Groom $13.50
Best Man $10.50
Father of the Bride $10.50
Father of the Groom $10.50
Officiant $10.50
Mother of the Bride $26.00
Mother of the Groom $26.00
Grandmother $31.00
Altar Flowers doing ourselves
Vases $60.00
Lucite Columns $90.00
Moroccan Lanterns $330.00
Table Linens $396.00
Napkins $100.00
Cake Table/Guest Table $78

Tamu Tamu $325.00
Wedding Cake $500.00 Hoping to get this down to $500
IPOD $1,105.00

200 Call Brand $1,200.00
Domestic Beer $5.50
Imported Beer $6.00
Soft Drinks $4.00
Call Brand Cocktails $6.25
Cake Handeling Fee $141.75
Buffet $2,800.00 Hoping to get this down to $70 pp
Cocktails $600.00 Hoping to get this down to $15
Bartender $100.00

Mickey/Minnie Right now we had to take them out...just not sure how we can fit them in our budget

Portrait Session After reading lots of reviews we are skipping this for now

Total
$12,137.00

We are holding off on the aisle runner and petals...Eric seems to think we can get silk ones for $10:rotfl: for now I'll keep an eye out for buying them on our own but not sure.

If anyone has ideas or feedback, let me know :)

I can't help but notice you have cut down quite a bit on your food. Really, people don't remember decorations or music as much as they do the food and the cake. I really think you're making a mistake to cut those out. Especially the appetizers at the cocktail hour. Your wedding and reception start rather late in the day and people will be hungry by the time dinner is ready. Having something for them to munch on is really a polite thing to do. And you seem to have dropped the rehearsal dinner altogether? It was so tremendously important to you. You were so stressed when you thought Eric's mom might not be able to make it. I wouldn't cut out entire events. You have such a beautiful vision for your wedding. I am afraid that if you make these particular cuts, you'll wake up in a few years regretting that you had to scale back so much and you do only get to do this once. Follow your dreams and God will provide. Especially for people who seem so nice and humble like you and Eric.

[PeytonSdiz]

I'm confused. Is there no photography at all? And no rehearsal dinner?

I think cutting the transportation stuff was a great idea. Same with cutting Mickey/Minnie. Yeah, it would be cool but they ask for an insane amount of money for them.

[Boardwalk_bride]

I don't think you need the bartender fee, since you are spending over $500 on alcohol. :confused3

[Sarah <3 Disney]

Aww, no Mickey and Minnie... :( Hopefully you can find a way to add them in somehow! But the new BEO looks great, and I am glad you are trying your hand at crafting the alter decorations! :thumbsup2

Ooh thanks!! I'm still not sure on the petals...Sarah where are you?? Are you sure I need 200 cups??:rotfl:

I'm here, I'm here! And well, that is the way the math worked out. Blame Disney for making the aisle so darn long! :rotfl: You could always just buy a bunch and see how much it covers. Here is another site to consider, though these are fresh, not freeze dried petals. So you would probably have to ship them to your hotel room.

http://www.fiftyflowers.com/flowers/FreshRosePetals_20.htm

Here is the care info about them:
Rose Petals
* Upon arrival, please open the box and inspect the rose petals.
* If you are going to be using the rose petals in the next 48 to 72 hours, put the rose petals back in the box and store them in a cool dry place. There is no need to store them in the refrigerator, but if you choose to do so, please remove all fruits and vegetables first, as they emit gases that may damage the flowers. However, our rose petals will last over 72 hours without refrigeration when kept in a cool, dark location away from direct sunlight, drafts or excessive heat.
* Open each bag and arrange as desired.

[MainStMandy]

deleted

[MainStMandy]

deleted

[MainStMandy]

deleted

[shippedtosea]

Yay! I love your music selections! :thumbsup2 I really like that you are walking down to When you wish upon a star, I think its really sweet and I can see people tearing up to that! (I would! :rotfl:)

[Sarah <3 Disney]

Oh boys, so naive when it comes to crafting! :rotfl:

No problem! I am trying to think of other way to get/make petals! Hmm... This is a tricky one.

[Jazzylolo]

Awww..I love A Dream is a Wish:lovestruc Good choice! I also think it is hysterical Eric is walking down the aisle to A Whole New World...:lmao:

[MainStMandy]

deleted

[Sarah <3 Disney]

Love the music selections! :goodvibes

And I just remembered something I read awhile ago that is quite hilarious! You could always go this route for the flower petals... have a "flower girl" place them down for you! :rotfl:

http://offbeatbride.com/2008/08/dana-jay-bein

[MainStMandy]

Love the music selections! :goodvibes

And I just remembered something I read awhile ago that is quite hilarious! You could always go this route for the flower petals... have a "flower girl" place them down for you! :rotfl:

http://offbeatbride.com/2008/08/dana-jay-bein

:lmao: OMG Sarah...I'm at work!! :rotfl:

[shippedtosea]

i'm with you on that. The song I choose for me to walk down to makes me teary eyed now! So we will see what happens then!

[Sarah <3 Disney]

Well you wouldn't need to buy nearly as many petals! :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

[MainStMandy]

deleted

[Jazzylolo]

Love the music selections! :goodvibes

And I just remembered something I read awhile ago that is quite hilarious! You could always go this route for the flower petals... have a "flower girl" place them down for you! :rotfl:

http://offbeatbride.com/2008/08/dana-jay-bein

OK, that is the funniest thing I have read in a long time! My favorite part:

"I didn't study other flower girls to prepare for the role — that would be creepy. Who is that guy? What is he doing here? Was he invited?

Not to mention, if I studied actual flower girls, I might have picked up bad habits like crying, forgetting the petals or running away. AMATEURS! No running away or forgetting petals with this guy!" :lmao::lmao::lmao:

[Sarah <3 Disney]

I love that article! :lmao:

[MainStMandy]

OK, that is the funniest thing I have read in a long time! My favorite part:

"I didn't study other flower girls to prepare for the role — that would be creepy. Who is that guy? What is he doing here? Was he invited?

Not to mention, if I studied actual flower girls, I might have picked up bad habits like crying, forgetting the petals or running away. AMATEURS! No running away or forgetting petals with this guy!" :lmao::lmao::lmao:

Hahaha:rotfl:

[Jazzylolo]

I am one for picking the tear jerkers!! We spent a really long time finding a Father/Daughter song for me and my dad. The one we ended up picking was one I had never heard before but when I read the lyrics it was perfect for us and everything that was going on when I got married. It is "If I Could" by Ray Charles (http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/If-I-Could-lyrics-Ray-Charles/C03045CD077F567148256F9E000B2F92) When we bought the CD to listen to the whole song my dad couldn't stop crying...and my dad is not a crier! Sadly, we had a live band and at the last minute I was told they didn't prepare that song and we would be dancing to The Way You Look Tonight (a song I specifically said I did not want to dance to!). I am still upset about it...:mad:

[MainStMandy]

I am one for picking the tear jerkers!! We spent a really long time finding a Father/Daughter song for me and my dad. The one we ended up picking was one I had never heard before but when I read the lyrics it was perfect for us and everything that was going on when I got married. It is "If I Could" by Ray Charles (http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/If-I-Could-lyrics-Ray-Charles/C03045CD077F567148256F9E000B2F92) When we bought the CD to listen to the whole song my dad couldn't stop crying...and my dad is not a crier! Sadly, we had a live band and at the last minute I was told they didn't prepare that song and we would be dancing to The Way You Look Tonight (a song I specifically said I did not want to dance to!). I am still upset about it...:mad:

Awww Lauren that sucks!! BUT...it's a great reason for a VOW RENEWAL!!!!

[Jazzylolo]

Awww Lauren that sucks!! BUT...it's a great reason for a VOW RENEWAL!!!!

OMG you know I have many really good reasons for wanting a vow renewal beyond having the wrong song. I try to look at it positively...it was definitely not the worse thing that happened that night:rotfl:

[MainStMandy]

OMG you know I have many really good reasons for wanting a vow renewal beyond having the wrong song. I try to look at it positively...it was definitely not the worse thing that happened that night:rotfl:

:rotfl: So true...but all those are things ARE good reasons!!

[DisneyDmbNut]

I originally was going to walk down to When You Wish but about a month before the ceremony found The Luckiest by Ben Fold's (the song plays in the video below)..I loved it and the words were appropriate.

I found the sheet music online and we had the pianist play it for us the night before in the club. It made me burst into tears..but the day of the wedding, I was so happy I couldn't stop smiling.

[MainStMandy]

I originally was going to walk down to When You Wish but about a month before the ceremony found The Luckiest by Ben Fold's (the song plays in the video below)..I loved it and the words were appropriate.

I found the sheet music online and we had the pianist play it for us the night before in the club. It made me burst into tears..but the day of the wedding, I was so happy I couldn't stop smiling.

Ohh that is one of my favorite songs!! It's on my list to play at the reception!!!

[DisneyDmbNut]

I just looked back at your budget..does that include gratuity? I don't know how it works but onboard but we had to add gratuity in for the servers and bar staff.

[MainStMandy]

deleted

[Lindsay22]

Town Car $25.00 Hoping to use this just for the two of us to get to AK

MoH Bouquet $183.00
Officiant $10.50
Mother of the Groom $26.00
Grandmother $31.00

Altar Flowers doing ourselves

IPOD $1,105.00

We are holding off on the aisle runner and petals...

Okay... Here I go:
1.) Have you confirmed that you can get a Town Car for only $25? Until you confirm that, I would bump that up to $100 just for the sake of my budget. (I find that it can't hurt to pad your prices)

2.) MOH bouquet- Ask the floral person how to drop that in price. $185 for flowers that are going to die seems extreme. They aren't your flowers, they'll really only be seen for an hour. See if they can do something similar with a different flower (I'm thinking about how Lurkyloo used Dahlias in her bouquet, but a mum in the bout because it was cheaper and looked similar)

3.) Who is your officiant and why do they need a flower?

4.) Why are your grandmother corsages more than the mother corsages?

5.) Have you spoken to a designated guest at your wedding about setting up the altar flowers? I would schedule a practice session with them

6.) I think you need to seriously think about this iPod. It's just not worth all of that money. Have you thought about a steel drum band or something? That's not amplified music

[MainStMandy]

deleted

[Chilly]

I think a steel drum band would be so cool.

[MainStMandy]

I think a steel drum band would be so cool.

Ya maybe...but for 4 hours??? I think we are just going to go with regular music.

[Chilly]

Ya maybe...but for 4 hours??? I think we are just going to go with regular music.

yeah probably not for 4 hours.

[Lindsay22]

One of my girlfriends had a steel drum band for her wedding and they were PHENOMENAL. She didn't get married at Disney so they played at her ceremony and the whole night long. They did have a CD player for when they took breaks and things. I really wanted one for our wedding but that didn't quite fit with our theme at AAR.

Mandy, have you thought about shortening your reception by an hour? I did and my sister did and I don't think anyone noticed and it certainly didn't feel too short.

[MainStMandy]

Mandy, have you thought about shortening your reception by an hour? I did and my sister did and I don't think anyone noticed and it certainly didn't feel too short.


I'm not sure they would make a difference. We aren't paying for anything by the hour except the Motorcoach.

[DisneyDmbNut]

Since the food and alcohol had a 21% service charge AND 6.5% sales tax I didn't figure in gratuity. I figured that's what the service charge was for.

that 21% probably is the tips... We also gave money to our wedding planner and musician. It was included in our package, but both went over and above so you might want to figure in for that. Drivers too. Just something to keep in mind because the poor drivers usually work for tips unless they own the car.

[malibustacey]

oh gosh, being from the UK where we dont tip at all- its so confusing on who to tip- the make up artist, the hairdresser, the wedding planner, the assistant, the photographer......eeeekkk! im very scared of this situation next year at the wedding time because i would hate to offend anyone who is meant to get a tip and if i dont give them one! I dont have a clue who to tip- i mean, if we hire the coach from Disney, do we tip the Disney coach driver? I know if we got an outside company, we would have to tip them..

This year, we went to a restruant and the waiter was really over the top friendly and nice to us, not charging us for bigshots of liquor in our champagne ect and we knew that the tip is like 15-20% and our bill came to about $100 and we decided to tip him $20, perhaps a few dollars more- and we know for SURE that he was a little taken aback by it because he must have expected more. Us Brits dont understand tips and i will be aking for help in who i need to tip later next year! hehe!!

[LLLBelle]

I love your song choices! We may be using My Wish too for DF and his mom.

I googled some alternative aisle decor instead of petals. One wedding used feathers, which looked neat. Another had an aisle runner with colored seaglass along the sides.

But if you do an aisle runner, I think you could get away with a light sprinkling down the middle and get your petals for $10 :goodvibes I do think it would lovely with nothing on it as well.

[MainStMandy]

I love your song choices! We may be using My Wish too for DF and his mom.

I googled some alternative aisle decor instead of petals. One wedding used feathers, which looked neat. Another had an aisle runner with colored seaglass along the sides.

But if you do an aisle runner, I think you could get away with a light sprinkling down the middle and get your petals for $10 :goodvibes I do think it would lovely with nothing on it as well.


Feathers!! How cool! I bet they would blow away when people walked by them though...but still so cool! I have been trying to come up with alternatives.

[greenpea89]

Hi Mandy! Long, long, long time lurker here!! I love reading your PJ -it's so much fun and definitely one of the first things I look at every time I log on to the DIS!

Sorry if this question is too personal, but I just wondered if you had a total overall budget? Not just the DFTW portion but everything - including the photographer, tips, invitations, your dress, etc. I could be wrong but looking at the total picture, excluding the honeymoon, even with your new cuts, you are still looking at about $20,000 minimum- overall for everything. I'm just a little confused. I know you really want to stick to your DFTW minimum - is that because a family member is taking care of that portion of the cost? Or is someone else paying for the honeymoon and/or Roots? I'm only asking because sometimes stepping back and taking a look at the big picture is helpful when you are really trying to find where to make difficult budget cuts. I know you love, love, love the Roots but since they won't be able to photograph the reception maybe that's something that should/could be cut (unless it's a gift of course) and then that amount could be put towards those special touches that make a DFTW different from an offsite wedding (like Mickey and Minnie, the steel drum players in addition to the ipod set-up, or themed reception dining).

Again, sorry if these questions are too personal! Financial issues are always so tricky and sometimes its easier to compartmentalize rather than look at the overall big picture.

Oh! One other thing - have you talked to your WP about having a signature drink instead of the beer/wine package? Sometimes that can be a great cost saver. Have a lovely wedding!!

[DisneyDmbNut]

If you don't have the aisle runner are you still doing roses? I don't think they will show up very well on the carpet and that could be a big savings to just eliminate them all together.

[MainStMandy]

deleted

[MainStMandy]

If you don't have the aisle runner are you still doing roses? I don't think they will show up very well on the carpet and that could be a big savings to just eliminate them all together.

No I wouldn't do just petals...If we don't get an aisle runner then no petals.

[greenpea89]

Thanks for the thoughtful reply and for not being offended by my question!
I will go back to happy lurkdom again!!:goodvibes

[PeytonSdiz]

I LOVE Ben Folds.

I see some country music choices on your list. For some reason I didn't peg you and Eric as country music fans. LOL.

[MainStMandy]

deleted

[Sarah <3 Disney]

You know what music I listen to? Disturbed and Metallica! :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

But those are pretty song lyrics! :goodvibes An excellent choice if I do say so myself!

[greenpea89]

oh gosh, being from the UK where we dont tip at all- its so confusing on who to tip- the make up artist, the hairdresser, the wedding planner, the assistant, the photographer......eeeekkk! im very scared of this situation next year at the wedding time because i would hate to offend anyone who is meant to get a tip and if i dont give them one! I dont have a clue who to tip- i mean, if we hire the coach from Disney, do we tip the Disney coach driver? I know if we got an outside company, we would have to tip them..

This year, we went to a restruant and the waiter was really over the top friendly and nice to us, not charging us for bigshots of liquor in our champagne ect and we knew that the tip is like 15-20% and our bill came to about $100 and we decided to tip him $20, perhaps a few dollars more- and we know for SURE that he was a little taken aback by it because he must have expected more. Us Brits dont understand tips and i will be aking for help in who i need to tip later next year! hehe!!

:goodvibes If this was in the US, maybe he was expecting a big tip because he didn't card you.;)

[jspahn]

Since I was asked about music last night I thought I would post what we have come up with so far!


Mother/Son- He hasn't decided...there are 3 contenders:
-Momma by Boyz II Men
-My Wish by Rascall Flats
-Tough Little Boys by Gary Allen



Not to throw another choice out there for you, but since I do see some country on your list, I had to share it.
I had never heard this song before, but when i found the lyrics online I tracked down the song for Brandon and his mom- it's called "20 years late", by Aaron Lines.
There was not a dry eye in the room after this (and of course I had danced with my dad to "i loved her first" by heartland just before it).

Here are the lyrics to 20 yrs late. If you want, I can email you the MP3:

Hey mom I know that it's late, hope I didn't wake you
Yeah, everything is O.K., just needed to talk to you
Today I had one of those days
But I didn't call to complain
Just to say everything that I didn't for all of those years

You were a taxicab driver, a nurse and a maid
A waitress, a cook and a shoulder to lay
My head on to cry on, when nothing was going my way
You knew every answer without cracking a book
And I took for granted that I had it so good
And I'm sorry it's taken me so long to say
Thank you I love you
Twenty years late

It's funny how time passing by can change your perspective
A little while out on your own can sure make you think
I don't know how you did it
No I can't find one spare minute
The days run together but I don't remember you
Ever letting us down

You were the judge and the jury when I did wrong
Been my biggest fan from my very first song
The gas in the engine that always kept me moving on
A seamstress a counselor and the one referee
That could stop a fight between my brother and me
And I'm sorry it's taken me so long to say
Thank you I love you
Twenty years late

I'll let you go now
But I hope that you know now how I feel
Thank you for making me the man I've become
I love you and I will always be your son
Mom that's all I called to say
20 years late...
20 years late...
20 years late...

[DisneyDmbNut]

You know what music I listen to? Disturbed and Metallica! :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

But those are pretty song lyrics! :goodvibes An excellent choice if I do say so myself!

I made a special playlist for our reception because if I had my ipod on all shuffle, I would have System of a Down, Nine Inch Nails, My Chemical Romance, Crosby Stills & Nash, Dave Matthews, Cat Stevens..people would be concerned about my well being (not that they aren't already!).

Looking at your music list, you might ask your wedding planner about the times. I originally had music for my mom walking down the aisle, my bridesmaids and my daughter. When I started to think how long it would take for them to walk down and the song would not really even get past the first or second stanza , I made the processional one song. Not saying you should make them one song but think about it. If they don't get past the first few notes, it will sound weird.

I always dreamed of walking down the aisle to the wedding march, but when it came down to it, it was more important to have a good portion of the song that had meaning to us rather than a couple of songs that we liked.

[jspahn]

Lol...you see I am a hopeless romantic and therefore addicted to any kind of sappy music. Country fits the bill!!

For those of you who don't listen to country, here are the lyrics to our first dance song. It describes our relationship perfectly! It's also Eric's ringtone:lovestruc

I LOVE this song! So beautiful - great choice :)

[Saraheg2107]

I remember, trying not to stare the night that I first met you. You had me mesmerized.
And three weeks later in the front porch light, taking forty five minutes to kiss goodnight.
I hadn't told you yet, but I thought I loved you then.

Now you're my whole life, now you're my whole world. And I just can't believe, the way I feel about you girl.
Like a river meets the sea, stronger than it's ever been. We've come so far since that day.
And I thought I loved you then.

I remember, taking you back to right where I first met you. You were so surprised.
There people around but I didn't care. I got down on one knee right there.
And once again, I thought I loved you then.

[ Brad Paisley Lyrics are found on www.songlyrics.com ]
Now you're my whole life, now you're my whole world. And I just can't believe, the way I feel about you girl.
Like a river meets the sea, stronger than it's ever been. We've come so far since that day.
And I thought I loved you then.

I can just see you, with a baby on the way. I can just see you, when your hair is turning grey.
What I can't see is how I'm ever going to love you more. But I've said that before.

Now you're my whole life, now you're my whole world. And I just can't believe the way I feel about you girl.
We'll look back someday, at this moment that we're in and I'll look at you and say, "And I thought I loved you then."
And I thought I loved you then.

Ok, I just had to break in here. My DF is not a particularly big music person and I am (half the songs that I have suggested for portions of the wedding he just looks at me and goes "huh?" :lmao:). Well, we went to a Brad Paisley concert about 3 weeks ago, as soon as Brad finished playing that song he turned and looked at me and said that's our first dance. :love:

[MainStMandy]

Not to throw another choice out there for you, but since I do see some country on your list, I had to share it.
I had never heard this song before, but when i found the lyrics online I tracked down the song for Brandon and his mom- it's called "20 years late", by Aaron Lines.
There was not a dry eye in the room after this (and of course I had danced with my dad to "i loved her first" by heartland just before it).

Here are the lyrics to 20 yrs late. If you want, I can email you the MP3:

Hey mom I know that it's late, hope I didn't wake you
Yeah, everything is O.K., just needed to talk to you
Today I had one of those days
But I didn't call to complain
Just to say everything that I didn't for all of those years

You were a taxicab driver, a nurse and a maid
A waitress, a cook and a shoulder to lay
My head on to cry on, when nothing was going my way
You knew every answer without cracking a book
And I took for granted that I had it so good
And I'm sorry it's taken me so long to say
Thank you I love you
Twenty years late

It's funny how time passing by can change your perspective
A little while out on your own can sure make you think
I don't know how you did it
No I can't find one spare minute
The days run together but I don't remember you
Ever letting us down

You were the judge and the jury when I did wrong
Been my biggest fan from my very first song
The gas in the engine that always kept me moving on
A seamstress a counselor and the one referee
That could stop a fight between my brother and me
And I'm sorry it's taken me so long to say
Thank you I love you
Twenty years late

I'll let you go now
But I hope that you know now how I feel
Thank you for making me the man I've become
I love you and I will always be your son
Mom that's all I called to say
20 years late...
20 years late...
20 years late...

Ohh I like that!! Thanks for sharing!!

I made a special playlist for our reception because if I had my ipod on all shuffle, I would have System of a Down, Nine Inch Nails, My Chemical Romance, Crosby Stills & Nash, Dave Matthews, Cat Stevens..people would be concerned about my well being (not that they aren't already!).

Looking at your music list, you might ask your wedding planner about the times. I originally had music for my mom walking down the aisle, my bridesmaids and my daughter. When I started to think how long it would take for them to walk down and the song would not really even get past the first or second stanza , I made the processional one song. Not saying you should make them one song but think about it. If they don't get past the first few notes, it will sound weird.

I always dreamed of walking down the aisle to the wedding march, but when it came down to it, it was more important to have a good portion of the song that had meaning to us rather than a couple of songs that we liked.

I actually had less songs and this is what my wedding planner suggested...I thought it was too much!!

Mothers- Love Is A Song
According to our BEO, my brother will walk my grandmother and Eric will walk his parents. Both my brother and Eric will return to the back of the WP

Groom- A Whole New World
My brother, Eric (BM) and Eric (Groom) will walk

Maid of Honor- A Dream is A Wish
Just Lauren

Bride- When You Wish Upon A Star
Just me!


I LOVE this song! So beautiful - great choice :)

Thanks...no matter how many times I hear it, I love it!

[MainStMandy]

Ok, I just had to break in here. My DF is not a particularly big music person and I am (half the songs that I have suggested for portions of the wedding he just looks at me and goes "huh?" :lmao:). Well, we went to a Brad Paisley concert about 3 weeks ago, as soon as Brad finished playing that song he turned and looked at me and said that's our first dance. :love:


Awww:lovestruc I adore this song!! It describes our 1st date to a tee...then Eric returned to our first date spot to propose.

[Saraheg2107]

Awww:lovestruc I adore this song!! It describes our 1st date to a tee...then Eric returned to our first date spot to propose.

Yup! Michael did the same thing! :goodvibes

I'm normally not a crier, but that song has been making me lose it every time I hear it the last few weeks.

[MainStMandy]

Yup! Michael did the same thing! :goodvibes

I'm normally not a crier, but that song has been making me lose it every time I hear it the last few weeks.

Lol I am!! How cool that we share this song :)

[DisneyDmbNut]

When you write it out like that, I guess it doesn't seem too bad. I forgot about the grandmothers needing to be seated so that will be longer.

[Jazzylolo]

We will just have to walk really slow so the songs play a little LOL:rotfl:

[MainStMandy]

We will just have to walk really slow so the songs play a little LOL:rotfl:

:lmao:

[PeytonSdiz]

Is that a new thing to have the bridesmaid walk alone? I always thought the bridesmaids walked with the groomsmen. I am very out of the loop.

[Jazzylolo]

Is that a new thing to have the bridesmaid walk alone? I always thought the bridesmaids walked with the groomsmen. I am very out of the loop.

It can be done either way. I see it both ways all the time. Sometimes the groom doesn't even walk down the aisle. The guys are just waiting at the alter and all the bridesmaids walk down the aisle before the bride. I had our bridesmaids walk with our groomsmen. The bridesmaids walked down a staircase and the guys met them at the end of the staircase before escorting them the remainder of the way.

More often than not though the groomsmen will walk the bridesmaid back up the aisle after the ceremony.

[figmentfan814]

As far as photography, whether it be Roots or 1313 or someone else...it's really important to us to photograph the actual ceremony. Everything is else is nice but I don't need pictures of us sitting around and eating. As long as a get a few good shots of our overall reception decor, cake and our first dance I'm happy. Our family loves to take pics so I'll have lots of candids :) We decided a long time ago that while we love DFTW, we didn't want to go overboard. We were just going to spend the minimum, whatever that meant (meaning possibly no characters, no vintage car etc). We love what we have planned so far even without those things we loved.


Just a quick tip, make sure to ask someone specific to take the shots at your reception for you. Half my guests are scrapbook obsessed and when I asked for copies of people's shots after the wedding almost no one took any and they all wanted copies from my shots from the photographer :confused: Thankfully, we had good cake shots, dance shots, etc. from Randy. Plus, since you're having an in-park reception (like we did) having pictures to commemorate that really add to your entire Disney wedding experience. After all how many people can say part of their wedding took place in a theme park. There are even sites where you can rent nice digital cameras if you want to have one or two for specific guests to use.

I know you had a lot of discussion about iPod issues, etc. to save money. We were in LSS and had my cousin run a CD player for us. He was our designated music man and we didn't have to pay anything to Disney. I guess you might have some power issues where you are, but if possible check about DIY music options without anything from Disney. We brought in the whole setup, small speakers, etc. My cousin actually just carried everything in with him. I guess it depends on how much dancing you want. We did also pay to have the pianist from the ceremony carry over through the cocktail hour at the reception.

[MainStMandy]

deleted

[Saraheg2107]

Lol I am!! How cool that we share this song :)

Oh, I'm even worse when it comes to the song "She's Everything" by Brad Paisley (I never listened to a lick of country music before I met my DF, I swear! :rotfl:). This will come on the radio and he will start singing it, i'm a goner. Total sap, right here.

If you're in a really sentimental mood and want to cry, give it a listen, if you REALLY wanna cry, have Eric listen to it with you. :rotfl2:

[MainStMandy]

Oh, I'm even worse when it comes to the song "She's Everything" by Brad Paisley (I never listened to a lick of country music before I met my DF, I swear! :rotfl:). This will come on the radio and he will start singing it, i'm a goner. Total sap, right here.

If you're in a really sentimental mood and want to cry, give it a listen, if you REALLY wanna cry, have Eric listen to it with you. :rotfl2:

Love that song!! It's on my IPOD right now:cloud9:

[Boardwalk_bride]

That's a good point about the bridesmaids. I think I'm gonna get mine to walk alone too!

[PeytonSdiz]

Mine bridesmaids (I only had two) didn't know the groomsmen beforehand either. But I still had them escort the bridesmaids down the aisle.

At our wedding, my husband escorted my mom in. And then went back and escorted his mom and stepdad in. Then he waited at the altar which the bridal party came in. Then my dad escorted me down the aisle.

As far as a wedding dance, I've been a bridesmaid only twice. In my sisters wedding, the grooms dad was actually the best man. So it was definitely a little strange to dance/make small talk with him during the bridal party dance at the reception. For ours, we decided to have the bridal party dance with their spouses/fiances/girlfriends instead of with eachother. It was nice.

[tinker&belle]

I mean even if I bought a nice one, like $200 that's still A LOT cheaper than the $1100!!

I would also ask around. I think you mentioned someone (your brother I think) was a techie. He may have something or a friend who has something that would work and would let you use it. Or you could look into a rental.:)

[MainStMandy]

I would also ask around. I think you mentioned someone (your brother I think) was a techie. He may have something or a friend who has something that would work and would let you use it. Or you could look into a rental.:)

No not a techie, but he would be the best brother in the world to run the IPOD. I know my dad has one of those speaker docking stations but I would want a new one. I see a lot online for like $50!!

[Pirate's Princess]

Geez, this pj has the most posts per day, it's amazing!!

I wonder if you could use your own set up...it would be way cheaper.

[twenty3curls]

I was just in a wedding this summer that had 8 bridesmaids and 8 groomsmen. The groomsmen escorted the bridesmaids down the aisle, with the exception of the BM and MOH. The BM had escorted the mothers down the aisle prior to the bridesmaids/groomsmen coming in, so he was at the the alter with the groom. The MOH was the second to last person in and she walked alone. After we were all up at the alter, the bride and her dad came down.
Since your one bridesmaid is your MOH, I don't think it's weird at all for her to come down the aisle by herself.
We're currently debating doing that. Right now we have one person each. Ideally, Jeff will have two, but one of his GMs has a pregnant wife due 3 weeks before our wedding, so we're not sure he'll be able to attend. If it works out that Jeff has both groomsmen, we'll have the groomsmen walk down with my MOH in the middle and then I'll follow. I think I'm going to have Jeff escort our mothers down the aisle prior to that. If Jeff only has one groomsmen then I'll have the GM walk down with my MOH.

But you know what...it's YOUR wedding. You could walk down first and make everyone follow if you want. Because it's YOUR day. Plus, I think small weddings get to make their own rules. :thumbsup2

[LoveDisney!!!]

Congrats on getting your BEO down.

Have you considered doing silk flower balls instead of crepe paper flowers? It would take a LOT less time, plus they would hold up better. Or heck, those ones posted on that website were nice too.

Michaels and JoAnns have sales a bunch and coupons. You could get really nice flowers and it wouldn't be much at all.

As for the songs before the ceremony, are you going to let the whole song play? If so, that will take a long time. If you are only going to play snippets, then you should try to get them to blend into one another, so it doesn't sound too choppy.


Now, I don't know how much the Roots and 1313 quoted you, but is it going to be worth it to have such a short time with them? I believe they start around $4000, so unless they accept less, that is a big chunk of your money for a few shots of you getting ready, the ceremony (which can't be that long), and then a few pictures after.

If it were me, I would take that money and put it towards something else (heck, even Mickey). Disney photography isn't horrible (I have seen plenty of beautiful shots), plus you would still have Jazzy and your dad to round out the photos. With Disney, you would have shots of the reception too! They were good enough for you to consider having the MK/AK shoots, so I would think they would be good enough for the wedding to. JMHO though. :flower3:

[PeytonSdiz]

I second the idea of silk flowers. That what we used (I have photos I can PM you if you'd like to see them.) People couldn't even tell they were fake until they touched them. I actually have my bouquet on one of our end tables next to a framed wedding photo. We went to Michaels and picked out the flowers. Then the lady working there actually made them for us (I am not creative or crafty at all.)

[pezaddict231]

Actually most of the weddings I've been to the guys are at the Alter and the girls walk down by themselves. I prefer it that way, so that's what we'll be doing. I think most people want to see the girls dresses/flowers/hair/etc, that they don't need a groomsmen blocking their view! :lmao:

We probably won't do a BP dance since I find that awkward to be forced to dance with someone you hardly know. I do like the idea of having the BP join in with their significant others. Or you could have everyone just join in if you wanted.

[PeytonSdiz]

Actually most of the weddings I've been to the guys are at the Alter and the girls walk down by themselves. I prefer it that way, so that's what we'll be doing. I think most people want to see the girls dresses/flowers/hair/etc, that they don't need a groomsmen blocking their view! :lmao:

We probably won't do a BP dance since I find that awkward to be forced to dance with someone you hardly know. I do like the idea of having the BP join in with their significant others. Or you could have everyone just join in if you wanted.

Yeah, the significant other one was nice. Of course, that only works if everyone in the party has a significant other.

[LoveDisney!!!]

I second the idea of silk flowers. That what we used (I have photos I can PM you if you'd like to see them.) People couldn't even tell they were fake until they touched them. I actually have my bouquet on one of our end tables next to a framed wedding photo. We went to Michaels and picked out the flowers. Then the lady working there actually made them for us (I am not creative or crafty at all.)

I had silk too and they were so pretty! I'm actually looking at some of them right now.


You can save SO much money buy doing the silk. I also think they will look better than paper flowers.

[MainStMandy]

deleted

[Sarah <3 Disney]

Aww, the glass box is a great idea I think! :lovestruc

[shippedtosea]

aw I really love that idea. it is very romantic. I may want to steal that ;)

[MainStMandy]

Aww, the glass box is a great idea I think! :lovestruc
I like how you can preserve the whole bouquet but I know that's super expensive. Plus I do like that idea of carrying on a tradition.

aw I really love that idea. it is very romantic. I may want to steal that ;)
Steal away!!

[Chilly]

i've read so many pages (and i'm ill) I can't remember what I was going to say :upsidedow

[Chilly]

Oh i've remembered, I'm not having a photographer at our reception either, I'll just ask DF's brother to take some photos, I don't want loads of photos of us eating.

[MainStMandy]

i've read so many pages (and i'm ill) I can't remember what I was going to say :upsidedow

:rotfl:

Hope you're feeling better!!

[Sarah <3 Disney]

aw I really love that idea. it is very romantic. I may want to steal that ;)

I saved it for stealing purposes too! :rotfl: It is a great idea!

[Lindsay22]

Keepsake Floral does small jewelry boxes (which are really more like small velvet lined boxes because they don't have little compartments) that are fairly reasonably priced. They also do Christmas ornaments that are lovely.

I got two christmas ornaments and a 5x7 oval frame with a floral cluster design and everything (shipping, the preservation, and the three keepsakes) cost abou $400.

My 5x7 Frame
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s131/lindsayacraig/IMG_1070.jpg

One of the ornaments
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s131/lindsayacraig/IMG_1072.jpg

The ornaments were only $75 a piece so that is also an idea if you want to preserve your flowers without spending $1,000

[twenty3curls]

Oh i've remembered, I'm not having a photographer at our reception either, I'll just ask DF's brother to take some photos, I don't want loads of photos of us eating.

Seriously! I'm not cute when I'm shoveling food in my mouth. :sad2:

We only have 20 people at our dinner, so it didn't seem worth it to photograph. And even at the home reception we're not hiring a photograph because most of my friends fancy themselves amateur photographers. I don't need shots of people eating and my friends will get all the cute and funny dance floor shots. Why pay money?!

[PeytonSdiz]

Cute idea with the box. Is your mom going to hand hers down to you? Or are you going to buy one?

[MainStMandy]

Keepsake Floral does small jewelry boxes (which are really more like small velvet lined boxes because they don't have little compartments) that are fairly reasonably priced. They also do Christmas ornaments that are lovely.

I got two christmas ornaments and a 5x7 oval frame with a floral cluster design and everything (shipping, the preservation, and the three keepsakes) cost abou $400.

My 5x7 Frame
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s131/lindsayacraig/IMG_1070.jpg

One of the ornaments
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s131/lindsayacraig/IMG_1072.jpg



The ornaments were only $75 a piece so that is also an idea if you want to preserve your flowers without spending $1,000
Oh those are cute! I didn't realize they did things other than preserving the whole bouquet!!

Seriously! I'm not cute when I'm shoveling food in my mouth. :sad2:

We only have 20 people at our dinner, so it didn't seem worth it to photograph. And even at the home reception we're not hiring a photograph because most of my friends fancy themselves amateur photographers. I don't need shots of people eating and my friends will get all the cute and funny dance floor shots. Why pay money?!
Lol exactly!!!

Cute idea with the box. Is your mom going to hand hers down to you? Or are you going to buy one?
No because her bouquet is still in it;)

[Sarah <3 Disney]

Oh the ornaments are awesome! And you could easily do something like that, again, only using petals like you would in the box. Just buy a box of clear glass ornaments (with a wider mouth at the top) from the craft store and put some of the smaller petals inside. Or they have plastic ones that are basically cut in half to allow for opening, so you could put a whole flower in there. :thumbsup2

I actually have clear ornaments filled with the sand from Wrigley Field (we went on a tour of the place and grabbed a cup full on the way out! Shh! ;)) to go on my future Cubs tree! :rotfl:

[Sarah <3 Disney]

Oh thought of something better! Now, they might not have completely clear ones, but Disney does sell hinged Mickey head ornaments that you could also put a dry flower in (there are lots more color options at the Downtown Disney store):

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/2553/mickeyid.jpg

Or just use a plain, clear Mickey head one, again for petals:
http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/9979/dsc04032n.jpg

An excellent idea I think, since you are getting hitched in Disney and all. ;) I'll be there in two weeks! The Christmas Shop is by faaaaar my favorite, so I can look for some good options if you would like! :thumbsup2

[MainStMandy]

I actually have clear ornaments filled with the sand from Wrigley Field (we went on a tour of the place and grabbed a cup full on the way out! Shh! ;)) to go on my future Cubs tree! :rotfl:
Lol oooh naughty girl!!

Oh thought of something better! Now, they might not have completely clear ones, but Disney does sell hinged Mickey head ornaments that you could also put a dry flower in (there are lots more color options at the Downtown Disney store):

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/2553/mickeyid.jpg

Or just use a plain, clear Mickey head one, again for petals:
http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/9979/dsc04032n.jpg

An excellent idea I think, since you are getting hitched in Disney and all. ;) I'll be there in two weeks! The Christmas Shop is by faaaaar my favorite, so I can look for some good options if you would like! :thumbsup2

Ohhh I love that!!! What a fun idea!!! That's like the best of all of those!!

[PeytonSdiz]

Is there a store at DTD that is Christmas stuff year round? Or just this time of year? (Sorry, competely off topic.)

I like that hinged ornament a lot! I think putting something in there would be a lot more affordable than those $75 ones.

[LoveDisney!!!]

Is there a store at DTD that is Christmas stuff year round? Or just this time of year? (Sorry, competely off topic.)

I like that hinged ornament a lot! I think putting something in there would be a lot more affordable than those $75 ones.

Yes! I love the store.

I like the idea of the box; could you put some of the petals in the letter box? That way when you and Eric open it each year, you would see the flowers.

In regards to the crepe paper balls, if you like it, that's great. They will take a lot of time to make won't hold up well (like if they get wet or crushed). You can still use silk flowers and spend time with Jazzy; you wouldn't have to worry about them getting ruined. I can't imagine spending hours on something and then have nothing to show for it if they are damaged.

[tinker&belle]

Yes! I love the store.

I like the idea of the box; could you put some of the petals in the letter box? That way when you and Eric open it each year, you would see the flowers.

In regards to the crepe paper balls, if you like it, that's great. They will take a lot of time to make won't hold up well (like if they get wet or crushed). You can still use silk flowers and spend time with Jazzy; you wouldn't have to worry about them getting ruined. I can't imagine spending hours on something and then have nothing to show for it if they are damaged.

Ooh...logistically that's a great point. Especially with spending all the money on the vases and columns, if the tissue balls fall apart that day or if you had a Florida afternoon shower, that would be really sad.

[Sarah <3 Disney]

Is there a store at DTD that is Christmas stuff year round? Or just this time of year? (Sorry, competely off topic.)

I like that hinged ornament a lot! I think putting something in there would be a lot more affordable than those $75 ones.

The store is open year round! I love it! :goodvibes And that particular hinged ornament is only $18.95 on the Disney store website. :thumbsup2

[rebecca_boo]

I take a few days off and there is sooo much to catch up on! Anyway I am loving the different ways to save petals I have been thinking of ideas lately since I just can't spend $1,000 on saving my bouquet. I already have so many petals though every time DF gave me flowers I put a few petals in a decorative jar and its getting quite full lol.

[Carys]

Hi Mandy, I haven't posted on your PJ in Forever, but I just wanted to drop a note to let you know I'm still following it and I think you're doing a fantastic job jiggling all the bits and pieces to get it all the way you like for a price you like too - 加油! (Mandarin phrase which literally means "add oil" and is used to say "keep it up, you can do it!") :)

[Boardwalk_bride]

I really love the idea of saving the petals in a smaller box or ornament! May have to steal that!

[pezaddict231]

love the box or ornament idea! I really like the keepsake floral but I don't love the price and I know I wouldn't really hang it up anywhere, so this is a good alternative! I also love Christmas and have an obsession with ornaments so I really like that idea. There's also an x-mas store in Magic Kingdom in Liberty Square, if you didn't want to take a separate trip to DTD.

[LoveDisney!!!]

Have you given anymore thought to buying your own decoration for the reception?

I was doing a search, as I want to redo some things in our house, and came across a few things that could work for you.

These are from Ikea and are only $5! There is an Ikea near WDW; do a search. Then, you could just pick them up to avoid the shipping.

http://www.ikea.com/PIAimages/73326_PE189971_S3.jpg

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10122987

I just LOVE these! They are more expensive, but more intricate (they do have a few other colors and styles, but these would match your napkins).

http://www.candles4less.com/core/media/media.nl?id=5397&c=650286&h=c70d7c28456aa97a45db&resizeid=-2&resizeh=300&resizew=300

http://www.candles4less.com/candleholders/Candle-Lantern/Yellow-Glass-Moroccan-Style-Lantern;jsessionid=0a0104451f43e61e3850f16340e2b7d 289af74469111.e3eSbNmQaheLe3eTb40

You can also find battery operated tealight candles too: http://www.candles4less.com/specials/Battery-Operated-Tealights-Set-of-4_2

I know you are concerned about getting them to the reception, but either Jazzy could take them or you could ship them. It would save you SO much money and you could keep them.

[LoveDisney!!!]

Oh, I know you want to do chocolate favors, but what about candles? They are having a sale and you can get them for around .50! That would also save a bunch (aren't the chocolates $6?)? You could do a different themed label and it would be personalized and inexpensive!

http://www.candles4less.com/candles/Scented-Jar-Candles/24pc-Filled-Glass-Votives-in-Display

[Raecheal]

Just wanted to pop in to say hi... :lmao: even tho I catch up with you on FB! :hug:

Anyhoo.. I'm still reading all about your planning, i'm excited to see a photo of your invites, it seems like you both are putting a lot of time into them!! Also, I love those laterns especially the second photo!! If it can save you a lot of money... just have a family member put them out for you.

[MainStMandy]

deleted

[DisneyDmbNut]

I go away for surgery and come home today and only 2 pages?? Very sad PJ! I was looking forward to some reading while I am all dosed up.

What about paper lanterns? The folding kind with an electric twinkle inside? Like a prayer flag motif?

ok..ignore me..its the morphine talking!

[LoveDisney!!!]

I'm 99% sure that becuase we are in-park for the reception that we can't bring our own centerpieces...


We really aren't into favors...Most of the time I think they are a waste of money. The only reason we picked the Chocolates, beside the cute factor, was that they are chocolate:love:



Hey you!!! I love the lanters too...but even if we could bring them, I am not crazy about someone lugging THIRTY THREE lanters:lmao: I think this is just one of those things that I have to suck up and let Disney do.

Why do you need so many? I thought you were only having 40 people. Are you doing multiple lanterns per table? The second ones are $10 a piece (I believe), but you get a discount the more you buy.

You could always say the lanterns are the favors (it's not unheard of that centerpieces are favors). Then you could still get them in. :thumbsup2

If you don't like favors, then why spend the money (even if they are chocolate)? If you wanted something cute and chocolate, then put some Disney themed candy in the welcome bags (unless you aren't doing those).

They more money you save, the bigger the chance of getting Mickey, since Eric really wanted characters.

[DisneyBrideToni]

In park events do not allow you to have centerpieces that are not done by Disney so she wouldn't be able to use those lanterns anyway.

[MainStMandy]

Why do you need so many? I thought you were only having 40 people. Are you doing multiple lanterns per table? The second ones are $10 a piece (I believe), but you get a discount the more you buy.

You could always say the lanterns are the favors (it's not unheard of that centerpieces are favors). Then you could still get them in. :thumbsup2

If you don't like favors, then why spend the money (even if they are chocolate)? If you wanted something cute and chocolate, then put some Disney themed candy in the welcome bags (unless you aren't doing those).

They more money you save, the bigger the chance of getting Mickey, since Eric really wanted characters.
Yes, 3 lanterns per table.

We haven't cut the favors because that's the only thing left that could be cut...$300 is not going to get us Mickey and/or Minnie...if it was, we would probably cut them too.

In park events do not allow you to have centerpieces that are not done by Disney so she wouldn't be able to use those lanterns anyway.

THANK YOU!!! I have said it a few times, but wasn't 100% sure. Now we know :hug:

[Raecheal]

Yes, 3 lanterns per table.

We haven't cut the favors because that's the only thing left that could be cut...$300 is not going to get us Mickey and/or Minnie...if it was, we would probably cut them too.

THANK YOU!!! I have said it a few times, but wasn't 100% sure. Now we know :hug:

I didn't know you were having 3 lanterns per table, that would explain why you need to bring so many of them.:laughing: Also I didn't know that you weren't allowed to NOT use disney for your centerpieces, i was just making a simple comment. geez..

[LoveDisney!!!]

In park events do not allow you to have centerpieces that are not done by Disney so she wouldn't be able to use those lanterns anyway.

That stinks. Could she say they were favors (heck, even actually use them as favors). There has to be a way to get around it; if you are able to get around not having Disney photographers at the reception (by using friends and family) then surely you can use favors as centerpieces. :)

Yes, 3 lanterns per table.

We haven't cut the favors because that's the only thing left that could be cut...$300 is not going to get us Mickey and/or Minnie...if it was, we would probably cut them too.





Well, the $300 might not get Mickey, but it could get a bunch of other stuff. That seems like a ton of money to spend on something you don't even really like (the idea of favors, not the ones you chose). You could do the candles for under $30 total. You still have $270 to spend elsewhere. That could pay for the aisle runner or some of the dining plan.

Just throwing out ideas. :flower3:

[PeytonSdiz]

I was away all weekend and just stopped by. Why are your posts deleted?!?

[Boardwalk_bride]

I hope everything is okay :hug:

[beatlesblonde]

I hope everything is ok Amanda :hug:

[MainStMandy]

Sorry I didn't update. Everything is fine. For personal reasons I have decided no longer to keep a PJ. After the wedding I might stop back in and post pics fo the wedding. Thanks for everyones thoughtful help and advice. See you ladies around.

[Pirate's Princess]

:( I'm sorry you needed to delete the PJ. I truly enjoyed reading it, and I hope you have a wonderful and magical wedding.

[PeytonSdiz]

:( I'm sorry you needed to delete the PJ. I truly enjoyed reading it, and I hope you have a wonderful and magical wedding.

Ditto. Hope everything is okay. :hug:

[Chilly]

Oh Mandy, hope everything is ok, I'll miss you :hug:

[pezaddict231]

Hey Mandy,

I hope everything is okay and I'm sorry you needed to delete your PJ. I wish you all the best in your planning and hope you will be able to share some details with us after the wedding. Best of luck with everything!

[tinker&belle]

Uh-oh...hope everything is okay and you guys have a great wedding!

[dhay]

Hey hon- I hope you are OK. I just came on here and saw this. Hope everythign is alright. I sent you a message on FB. Please let me know you are OK...

[Boardwalk_bride]

I'll miss your PJ...I enjoyed reading along, and I hope we will all be able to see some of your wedding pictures! Good luck :goodvibes

[figment fan21]

Oh no.... I hope everything is alright... keep me updated on FB! I'll miss ya sweetie!

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

I hope everything is ok...:hug:

[bjgrazi]

We all know they are a bunch of morons with no lives, don't let them get to you.

[Carys]

Hi Mandy, I really hope everything is ok, I'll miss sharing in your leadup to your wedding, but will still be rooting for everything to go off perfectly on the day and hope you post photos afterwards (I'm so jealous of you having an event inside the Animal Kingdom, I love that park!). You'll be a beautiful bride and it will be a lovely, memorable start to a long and happy marriage. Take care! :hug:

[PeytonSdiz]

We all know they are a bunch of morons with no lives, don't let them get to you.

What is this all about???

[ZipADeeEm]

I loved lurking here! So sad to not follow all the details! Maybe I'll see you in March!

Take care!!

[DisneyBrideToni]

Mandy,

I hope everything is ok! I hope you do come back to post pictures becuase your wedding is going to be beautiful!! :goodvibes:hug:

[DisneyBrideToni]

What is this all about???

I was wondering that also. I hope there isn't anyone giving you a hard time.

[girli565]

I was wondering that also. I hope there isn't anyone giving you a hard time.
I think people were giving her a hard time about what was posted about Randy but I can't think of anything aside from that.

It sucks that she won't be updating anymore. I liked a lot of her ideas.

[rebecca_boo]

I wish you the best of luck Mandy!

[BecBennett]

Oh No! Now what am I supposed to do when I don't want to be working!?!?!

Trust me to make it all about me! I hope everything is ok, and you had better come back after the wedding and show it all off to us. You know there are some insanely jealous people following along with your PJ! :laughing:

Have an awesome day!

[gemmybear83]

Oh No! Now what am I supposed to do when I don't want to be working!?!?!

Trust me to make it all about me! I hope everything is ok, and you had better come back after the wedding and show it all off to us. You know there are some insanely jealous people following along with your PJ! :laughing:

Have an awesome day!

:thumbsup2 I agree with this totally, I am sorry you have felt the need to delete your PJ. I deleted mine because of the minority on this site who seem to enjoy picking on various people who are simply excited about their big day, and I didnt want to have anybody spoiling the lead up to my wedding.

:hug: I hope everything is ok, and if it is those idiots (who know who they are and should be ashamed of themselves), ignore it all they are just jealous.

[PeytonSdiz]

Dang. And you were almost up to 100 pages!

[redlight]

I hope you are okay, Mandy. Take care and good luck with the preparations.

[kmg148]

Please come back and share with us after your wedding. There are people out here who loved your ideas!

[MegKate]

I'm sorry Mandy! :sad2: I'm extremely bummed that you had to delete your PJ. I hope all is well with you and DF :hug:

[shippedtosea]

Hey, I hope everything is okay!

[MainStMandy]

Hey girls...I wasn't going to come back and post but you all have been so incredibly sweet.

I just wanted to say that deleting my PJ had nothing to do with Eric and I or the wedding. We are great and the wedding plans are still coming along. I will come back in March and post pictures.

The reasons for taking down my pj were personal, although I think the reasons are becoming clear to a lot of brides on this site. It's really too bad because we used to have such a great place to share our plans and get ideas and advice from past and future brides!!! It was best for us to take down as much personal stuff as possible. I am still around...how could I miss all your PJ's!!!

Thank you again for your concern!!!:hug:

[Chilly]

Glad your still here :hug:

[LoveDisney!!!]

It's a shame you felt the need to remove the PJ. It was fun seeing what you were planning and trying to help you (even if you didn't agree on some of the suggestions :) ).

Did this have anything to do with Randy? I know you got a lot of comments when you said you weren't happy. Did he ask you remove stuff?

I do hope you have a wonderful wedding! :hug:

[PeytonSdiz]

Hey, this PJ still might make it to 100 pages! LOL! Already two more pages without any actual planning update. :rotfl:

[Carys]

Well I'm happy to throw on another post or two to try to make it to 100 ;)

Thanks for coming back to say hi Mandy, still bummed I won't get to read your updates, but glad to hear everything is ok with you!! :bride:

[PeytonSdiz]

Hi Mandy! Just wondering how the planning is going this week?