Lauren & Joshua's Fairy Tale Wedding 1/16/2010 - Reception Details Added

[bellebride116]

Lauren & Joshua {January 16, 2010}
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/103_0108copy.jpg

My name is Lauren and my fiance, Joshua, and I live in New York, and like everyone reading this we love Disney World! By the time we get married we will have had a year and a half engagement, which is perfect when you're planning a destination wedding. Before we got engaged we always knew we wanted a destination wedding. Like most, when we got engaged we looked into DFTW, however, due to the rules we ended up choosing a different destination wedding venue in Orlando.

**I'm just getting used to uploading pictures, so excuse the random sizes**

http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/n26102598_31308350_5629-1.jpg

About Us

http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/n26102598_32754862_2579-1.jpg

Josh is an executive for a large department store company and up until recently I was an editor for a teen magazine. I quit and am now enjoying planning our wedding {Although I admit, I will miss meeting all the celebs!}.

http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/6456_602414993622_26102598_35151-1.jpg

Josh and I love to travel and we have been lucky enough to do so until recently since we are saving for the big day!

http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/n26102598_32754862_2579-1.jpg

http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/n26102598_32754857_1150.jpg

We have two adorable yorkies <3!

http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/n26102598_32761881_7789-1.jpg

The one on the left we rescued about 2 1/2 years ago. He was abused and has no teeth because of it. He also has seizures and is scared of everything. The one on right was given to us by a friend of a friend who couldn't keep him anymore a little over a year ago. He just turned two and had major surgery for bladder stones. Thankfully he is fine now and loves to play!

How We Met

http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/n26102598_31680595_6730.jpg

{I took this from our wedding website}

It Was Love At First Sight
Lauren and Josh met in 2005 when she came home from college over the weekend. Lauren got a weekend job at the same place Josh was working. They noticed each other for MONTHS before Josh worked up the courage to talk to Lauren, they even told others about noticing one another. When Josh and Lauren finally talked months later, they had the longest conversation ever - literally! They talked for three hours. All the hype from 'noticing' one another came true when they spoke. They told others they liked each other but never one another. They remained friends, for a while since were both dating other people at the time. Separately, they broke up with the other people they were with. One night Josh randomly kissed Lauren and the rest is history. Lauren and Josh officially began dating spring 2006. At just about the two year mark Josh proposed.

http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/n26102598_31680682_9043.jpg

The Proposal

{Also taken from our wedding website}

Josh proposed in their kitchen on July 2, 2008. He handed Lauren a card that said sweet things. Lauren read it to where it said, "Look At Josh Now." She looked at Josh and he was down on one knee with a ring around one of their dog's collar's.

The Ring
I always wanted a very plain and simple, but elegant ring with one diamond in the center. Josh picked out the perfect one!
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/ring.jpg

Coming Right Up: The venue & some wedding details!

[bellebride116]

The Venue


http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/worldevent_marriott.jpg

Our venue is the gorgeous Marriott World Center Resort & Spa. We LOVE this place! It has the most amazing pool we have ever seen! We wanted a resort that would accommodate all our guests at a discounted rate and put everyone all together -- this one is it!

http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/88a8a5d2.jpg
We love our outdoor ceremony location because it's a complete blank slate.

The view from the ceremony site:
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/c7c0a650.jpg

Our reception will be taking place in one of the hotel ballrooms.
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/c73c4257.jpg

Wedding Colors


http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/black.jpghttp://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/ivory.jpghttp://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/rose.jpghttp://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/flamingopink.jpg

Our colors are black, ivory, light pink, and dark pink

Up next: Attire

[bellebride116]

Before I go any further let me just say I'm a two dress bride. My ceremony and picture dress is amazing, but heavy, so I got a second dress that's super lightweight to change into for the reception. I special ordered it with no train.

Ceremony Dress: Maggie Sottero's Estella {in ivory, not blue like in the picture!}
The Front:
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/maggiesotteroestella.jpg

The Back:
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/maggiesottero.jpg

Reception Dress:
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/2nddress.jpg

Shoes:
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/shoes.jpg

Garter:
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/DSC02456.jpg

http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/DSC02457.jpg

Josh's Tux: Black & ivory
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/groom.jpg

[bellebride116]

Josh and I each have three bridesmaids and three groomsmen. We wanted a small bridal party and neither of us have a maid of honor or best man {too hard to choose!}

The girls are wearing this dress from David's Bridal {the crystal brooch sold me on it!}.
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/bridesmaids.jpg

We told each of our mom's to get any dress as long as it's a shade of pink.

The groomsmen are wearing an ivory, black, and light pink tux.
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/groomsmen.jpg

We also picked out the same tux as the groomsmen, except with a dark pink vest for each of our dad's.
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/dads.jpg

[bellebride116]

Save The Dates:
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/DSC02168-1.jpg
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/ff9b6b6f.jpg
We have quite a large guest list, so we sent out our save the date magnets about 13 months in advance. We included our wedding website on it which was really helpful for our guests.

Invitations: These were a labor of love!
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/4556545.jpg
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/48e00d8d.jpg
Our invites are in the mail and the RSVP date is approaching!

Monograms: We have two monograms that are seen throughout our wedding weekend.

http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/monogram.jpg

http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/scinderellamonogram.jpg

Entrance page to our wedding website:
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/newsite5.jpg

[bellebride116]

Okay this is my last post for the night!

My bouquet inspiration: Large, tight, round bouquet of all light pink and ivory roses with crystals spread throughout.
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/large_image3.jpg

For the bridesmaids: A smaller version of my bouquet with all light pink and dark pink roses.
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/large_image4.jpg

Centerpieces: We have THE most AWESOME florist EVER. He emailed us pictures of our centerpiece mockups a few months ago.
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/1.jpg
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/2.jpg
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/3.jpg
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/4.jpg
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/5.jpg

[MainStMandy]

Welcome and Congratulations!!! Your wedding looks like it is going to be stunning!! Your second dress was one I was considering in the beginning...they are both very beautiful. I absolutely LOVE your centerpieces!!! Looking forward to more!!

[bellebride116]

Welcome and Congratulations!!! Your wedding looks like it is going to be stunning!! Your second dress was one I was considering in the beginning...they are both very beautiful. I absolutely LOVE your centerpieces!!! Looking forward to more!!

Thank you! I was just reading your planning journal -- I love the dress you chose! Very elegant!

[pezaddict231]

Congrats! Love your plans so far, the floral arrangements are beautiful! Who is your florist? Can't wait to hear more of your plans.

[bellebride116]

Congrats! Love your plans so far, the floral arrangements are beautiful! Who is your florist? Can't wait to hear more of your plans.

Thank you! Our florist is Lee Forrest from Lee Forrest Design in Orlando.

[CassIS300]

Aww you guys are so cute! I love all the pictures you posted. No disney wedding huh? Thats ok... it will be just as magical! I love your reception location. Beautiful! Subscribing!

[bellebride116]

Some Reception Details


The next major thing to check off my to-do list is reception lighting. We really want to uplight the ballroom in pink. These are my inspiration photos I've been sending to different lighting companies to see if they can re-create something similar:
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/pinklighting1.jpg
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/pinklighting2.jpg
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/pinklighting3.jpg

We are doubling our linens on each table. Our awesome venue has ivory and black linens which are going to be set up like this, as well as black chair covers:
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/linenstyle-1.jpg
The only things we need to rent are pink chair sashes and pink napkins.

We are using these candles on each guest table instead of the ones in the pictures of the centerpiece mockups:
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/146966260.jpg

Hopefully we can get our pink napkins folded like this to put our menu's in:
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/8053b85bd19e9d88782b44abe07da82f_m.jpg

These are the first draft of the menu's I designed:
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/menujpg.jpg

I plan on backing all the menu's with black cardstock. Between the space at the top I'll be putting a ribbon with crystal buckle similar to this picture:
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/0d8f7ebe528dffdef4c51bdccb1de5a0_m.jpg

I had found these awesome candelabras at Home Goods and plan on putting the three I bought on the escort card table with rose petals everywhere like in this picture:
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/20329c8e6be014eaa6ecf5a1f414676c_m.jpg

I had bought these really cute princess crown escort card holders. They were a bit pricey at $2.50 each, but the quality is great and I'm really happy with them.
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/P1628_m.jpg

Table Numbers & holder:
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/tablenumbersblog.jpg

[bellebride116]

Aww you guys are so cute! I love all the pictures you posted. No disney wedding huh? Thats ok... it will be just as magical! I love your reception location. Beautiful! Subscribing!

Yeah we chose the 'destination orlando' wedding instead. It's a mile from Disney so it's all good. After our wedding weekend we are actually moving to Animal Kingdom Lodge for a week... I'm really excited cause I've never stayed at that hotel before!

[CassIS300]

Yeah we chose the 'destination orlando' wedding instead. It's a mile from Disney so it's all good. After our wedding weekend we are actually moving to Animal Kingdom Lodge for a week... I'm really excited cause I've never stayed at that hotel before!

Ahh Lucky! I have always wanted to stay there but its a bit on the pricey side. We are staying at the New Orleans-riverside. We have stayed at the Caribbean so I wanted to try something different.

Be sure and post lots of pics of the wedding. It looks like its going to be amazing. I wish I had the money to do all that :(

[bellebride116]

Ahh Lucky! I have always wanted to stay there but its a bit on the pricey side. We are staying at the New Orleans-riverside. We have stayed at the Caribbean so I wanted to try something different.

Be sure and post lots of pics of the wedding. It looks like its going to be amazing. I wish I had the money to do all that :(

Ugh I hear ya! We LOVED Caribbean Beach!!! Josh wanted to stay there again but then we decided to splurge and try 'the animal one' as he calls it LOL. Animal Kingdom is his favorite park so once he found out there was a hotel similar there was no turning back. He had a conference at Coronado Springs a few years ago and that place was really nice too! We never stayed at any of the Port Orleans ones, let me know how they are!

[trudy88]

What a cute couple; and your plans are really lovely. I esp. love your choice for a bouquet!

[bellebride116]

What a cute couple; and your plans are really lovely. I esp. love your choice for a bouquet!

Thank you!

[CassIS300]

Ugh I hear ya! We LOVED Caribbean Beach!!! Josh wanted to stay there again but then we decided to splurge and try 'the animal one' as he calls it LOL. Animal Kingdom is his favorite park so once he found out there was a hotel similar there was no turning back. He had a conference at Coronado Springs a few years ago and that place was really nice too! We never stayed at any of the Port Orleans ones, let me know how they are!

Yeah caribbean beach was nice. I loved the lagoon right there and the pool was pretty cool. I will def let you know about Orleans riverside. It should be fun!! I will post pics too.

[MainStMandy]

Thank you! I was just reading your planning journal -- I love the dress you chose! Very elegant!

Aww thank you! I definitely have wedding dress envy when I see the big princess gowns...but I do love my dress and it fits my style.

Yeah we chose the 'destination orlando' wedding instead. It's a mile from Disney so it's all good. After our wedding weekend we are actually moving to Animal Kingdom Lodge for a week... I'm really excited cause I've never stayed at that hotel before!

We just recently stayed at Ak for our anniversary and LOVED it!! It's so beautiful. We had rented DVC points and stayed in a studio with a Savannah view. I can't say enough nice things about it!!

Oh and I just love the lighting you picked out for your reception!! It makes me think of the platinum wedding show...very glamorous and elegant!!

[bellebride116]

Aww thank you! I definitely have wedding dress envy when I see the big princess gowns...but I do love my dress and it fits my style.



We just recently stayed at Ak for our anniversary and LOVED it!! It's so beautiful. We had rented DVC points and stayed in a studio with a Savannah view. I can't say enough nice things about it!!

Oh and I just love the lighting you picked out for your reception!! It makes me think of the platinum wedding show...very glamorous and elegant!!

I'm pretty clueless when it comes to DVC so we just booked a room at the hotel and not the villas.

Thanks! I hope we can do lighting. I emailed those pictures to a few lighting companies to get a quote... hopefully it won't be too pricey :confused3

[bellebride116]

Okay, so a dumb question. I'm really enjoying reading a lot of the planning journals on here. In them I see a lot of people say they are subscribing, how do I do that? LOL

[MainStMandy]

Okay, so a dumb question. I'm really enjoying reading a lot of the planning journals on here. In them I see a lot of people say they are subscribing, how do I do that? LOL

One of two ways. When you reply there is an option below submit that says notification type. There you can pick if you want to subscribe, not subscribe, subscribe but no email, etc.


You can also click thread tools at the top and select subscribe. This allows you to subscribe without replying.

[Sarah <3 Disney]

Okay, so a dumb question. I'm really enjoying reading a lot of the planning journals on here. In them I see a lot of people say they are subscribing, how do I do that? LOL

I can relate, I have been browsing these forums for a long time now and just realized this last week! :rotfl: It makes life so much easier! ;)

[bellebride116]

One of two ways. When you reply there is an option below submit that says notification type. There you can pick if you want to subscribe, not subscribe, subscribe but no email, etc.


You can also click thread tools at the top and select subscribe. This allows you to subscribe without replying.

Ah, thank you! I just noticed you're from Rochester, NY. We live in NY too! We're not that far upstate tho!


I can realte, I have been browsing these forums for a long time now and just realized this last week! :rotfl: It makes like so much easier! ;)

Ummm yeah it does! Glad I'm not the only one who couldn't figure it out LOL.:)

[torsie24]

Wow!

Hi Lauren!! :wave2:

I love all your plans so far! Your colour scheme is wonderful and I adore your centre pieces!! :) Gorgeous!!!

Can't wait to read more!!!

(Your Yorkies are SOOOO cute.) My cat is a rescue kitty who had a horrible start to life, and I know how rewarding and meaningful it is to have them grow to become strong and brave again, and am always over the moon to hear about other people doing the same thing for other animals that deserve a great life. :cloud9: It's one of the best things about being a human!

[bellebride116]

Wow!

Hi Lauren!! :wave2:

I love all your plans so far! Your colour scheme is wonderful and I adore your centre pieces!! :) Gorgeous!!!

Can't wait to read more!!!

(Your Yorkies are SOOOO cute.) My cat is a rescue kitty who had a horrible start to life, and I know how rewarding and meaningful it is to have them grow to become strong and brave again, and am always over the moon to hear about other people doing the same thing for other animals that deserve a great life. :cloud9: It's one of the best things about being a human!

Hi!! Thank you!!!! Awww... your poor kitty! I agree, I love rescuing animals, I wish I could have more, but with all the vet bills I don't think I could afford more than 2 dogs, unfortunately. It's so amazing to think back to when we first got the one, he wouldn't go near anyone for MONTHS because he was so terrified. Now he jumps and runs like crazy when we come home cause he's so excited. He's always coming up to us giving us kisses... it's so cute! :love:

[bellebride116]

Here I am talking about reception details and I forgot the best part -- The cake! Josh and I (as well as my entire family) are HUGE dessert people.

A little about my dessert obsession: Since we aren't moving on Disney property until AFTER our wedding weekend we couldn't have the welcome dessert party I originally wanted. However, that's one of the best things about our venue. When I explained the Welcome Dessert Party I wanted for our guests they had the solution. Since our resort is only a mile form Disney, there's a penthouse suite with these oversized balconies at the top of the hotel where you could see the Epcot fireworks! So, we rented the suite for our guests and the hotel is catering desserts (cupcakes in our wedding colors, cakes, fruits, etc) the night before the wedding -- so exciting!

At the actual wedding reception my parents added this huge Viennese Table full of desserts, which I have to say I am super excited about, as is my chocolate obsession!

So anyway, this is our cake (except with just pink flowers). We have a black crystal "S" monogram for the cake topper:
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/cakeidea.jpg
I really want the cake to be a focal point in the room. I should start out by saying the basic cake is included in our package with the venue. However, this cake could probably feed a good 250 people. We are so not having 250 people. But, like I said I want this cake to be the focal point, so I had talked to the venue and for an additional $195 they are adding "fake" layers to give the cake the height like in the picture, which I think is so worth it. I know the cake is slightly plain looking, however the black topper and pink flowers give it the color and there are so many other details in the room I think it will look really nice!

[Chilly]

All your plans sound wonderful.

[CassIS300]

Here I am talking about reception details and I forgot the best part -- The cake! Josh and I (as well as my entire family) are HUGE dessert people.

A little about my dessert obsession: Since we aren't moving on Disney property until AFTER our wedding weekend we couldn't have the welcome dessert party I originally wanted. However, that's one of the best things about our venue. When I explained the Welcome Dessert Party I wanted for our guests they had the solution. Since our resort is only a mile form Disney, there's a penthouse suite with these oversized balconies at the top of the hotel where you could see the Epcot fireworks! So, we rented the suite for our guests and the hotel is catering desserts (cupcakes in our wedding colors, cakes, fruits, etc) the night before the wedding -- so exciting!

At the actual wedding reception my parents added this huge Viennese Table full of desserts, which I have to say I am super excited about, as is my chocolate obsession!

So anyway, this is our cake (except with just pink flowers). We have a black crystal "S" monogram for the cake topper:
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w356/laurenjoshwed/cakeidea.jpg
I really want the cake to be a focal point in the room. I should start out by saying the basic cake is included in our package with the venue. However, this cake could probably feed a good 250 people. We are so not having 250 people. But, like I said I want this cake to be the focal point, so I had talked to the venue and for an additional $195 they are adding "fake" layers to give the cake the height like in the picture, which I think is so worth it. I know the cake is slightly plain looking, however the black topper and pink flowers give it the color and there are so many other details in the room I think it will look really nice!


Gorgeous!! Love the colors!

[bellebride116]

All your plans sound wonderful.

Thank you!

Gorgeous!! Love the colors!

Thanks! Yeah, the colors are really fun!

[pezaddict231]

I have heard great things about Lee Forester, my photogs think he's the best florist in Orlando, I'm not sure where we will be on our minimums with Disney but I will possibly consider outside florists. How did you find his prices? Disney seems really overpriced so I was thinking with an outside florist I could get more bang for the buck.

Love the uplighting! I may have to borrow that, I really don't like the GF ballroom decor (but DF insists on having the GF), so maybe some lighting would be just what we need.

All your other plans sound wonderful and so cool that your venue found a way to give you a dessert party after all.

[bellebride116]

I have heard great things about Lee Forester, my photogs think he's the best florist in Orlando, I'm not sure where we will be on our minimums with Disney but I will possibly consider outside florists. How did you find his prices? Disney seems really overpriced so I was thinking with an outside florist I could get more bang for the buck.

Love the uplighting! I may have to borrow that, I really don't like the GF ballroom decor (but DF insists on having the GF), so maybe some lighting would be just what we need.

All your other plans sound wonderful and so cool that your venue found a way to give you a dessert party after all.

Thank you! Yeah I love uplighting -- still working on getting a few quotes for it tho! I'm not a fan of our ballroom's decor too, but with pretty much the only light being uplighting you barely notice the walls, carpet, etc.

Lee definitely wasn't inexpensive, but I definitely feel like I'm getting a lot for the money. So far he's been fantastic to work with! You can tell he has a true passion for floral design. Last September Josh and I planned a long weekend in Orlando. We went down to meet with a bunch of different vendors (video, photog, floral, etc)... the big ones... to see who we liked best to hire. We went to Lee's shop and sat down with him. Based on what we talked about he sent me a proposal a week later. He's been so awesome in responding immediately to everything, working long distance (he emailed me the photos of the mock up and sent me an entire CD of the vases to choose which I like best, etc). I had contacted two other florists before hiring Lee, one was half his price, but something just didn't feel right -- I'm a true believer in you get what you pay for. It's a good thing I didn't go with the less expensive one, he got really bad reviews on The Knot a week later from a few different brides. The other florist was slightly more expensive than Lee but I feel like he didn't get my vision or answer my questions as well as Lee did.

[pezaddict231]

He sounds really great. I know that floral for a wedding is usually expensive, just want to get the best value for what I spend. I feel like at Disney you spend a lot but then don't get a lot either! :laughing: I love that he communicated with you so much and sent you pics of everything. Definitely a big help when you're planning from another state.

The only thing I would ask them about the uplighting is if it would be too dark for the video (not sure if you're having video) but I just watched a sample and the reception part was so dark! To be fair it didn't really look like they had any lighting! :laughing:

[bellebride116]

I realized I completely ignored the rest of my plans... oops!

If you go to the links in my signature you can find my trip report and pro photos. There's also a shortened version I posted on the Disney Honeymoon board {also linked in sig}. So sorry for being such a bad poster!!!

Full Trip Report:
http://www.stylemeglamourous.blogspot.com

Pro Photos:
http://www.laurenandjoshwed.com