Sarah & Darren's Escape wedding: Dreams do come true....

[Sarah84]

:wave2: Hello & Welcome :wave2:

Some of you may have seen my lurking around here, infact i've been checking out people's wedding plans for about a year now since i've been dreaming of Darren proposing and have a Disney wedding, but by about July of this year I was beginning to think neither looked likely to ever happen :sad:

This is going to be a very loooong PJ because my wedding date I'm hoping for is 24th April 2012, yes you read right 2012 :sad1: I know, i know it's so far away but we have to save up plus we need to save extra as we are also paying for DF's family aswell.
I wasn't going to start this so early but Stacey (Malibustacey) asked me nicely, ok she more like begged me :rotfl: no she didn't but it makes me feel better for starting it with 2 years, 6 months, 1 week & 2 days till our pential wedding date.
But even with so long to go I have so many ideas in my head, dresses i want to try, ideas for colour scheme ok you get the idea. Actually i've had most of these plans in my head before i was even engaged, but doesn't every girl have thought's and ideas for their wedding before they even get a ring?

So onto more about us, the proposal story etc....

The intros: Well obvious from the username I'm Sarah, 25 and fastly approaching 26 (gawd I feel like i'm getting old) I live and have done all my life in London, UK but since I can remember i've dreamed of living in the US but due to health problems unfortunately unless a miracal happens like a lottery win this will never happen.
I've been a huge Disney fan since a young child but never got to visit a Disney park untill 2005 when I finally not only got my first visit to Disney but also my first to the UK. I was in Orlando for a week with my 2 bestfriends who will both be my bridesmaids. We didn't stay onsite as it wasn't important to us and we were doing other things in Orlando like Universal, Seaworld & Discovery cove with plenty of shopping inbetween. We had the most amazing time and i knew from then that Disney really was 'The most magical place on earth' and promised myself that one day I would be back but 4 years later and it still hasn't happened :(
DF is Darren, 26 who also grew up in London but doesn't have anywhere near as much desire as me to move to the US.
He is also not a Disney fan :sad:, well not the Disney parks anyway he does however love most of the Disney pixar films Toy story being hes favourite. Until he met me he had never step foot in a Disney park and probably never had any intention of ever doing so in hes life, the things we do for love eh? ;)

We have been together over 3 years since 2nd June 2006 (i'll write the dates like that with the date then month in words as we write our dates with the day then month and I know in the US & Canada you do it the opposite way, so this stop help with that confussion) and been engaged 6 weeks today :love:

So here's us.....

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y98/x_sarah_x7/PJ/Holiday20091005.jpg

Coming up - The engagement story...

[padisneyfour]

just wanted to say welcome and congrats! Have fun planning....:goodvibes

[Ann117]

Welcome can't wait to read more!

[pezaddict231]

Welcome and congrats! I can completely relate to the dreaming of the disney wedding but not thinking it likely to happen, my DF took his sweet time proposing and I thought he'd never agree to a Disney wedding...but you know what? Dreams DO come true! I hope things work out for you too!

lol, just realized that's the title of your PJ, but it's true!

[Sarah84]

..............................

[Sarah84]

Ok it seems I do love my smilies haha. Big hello to my readers, thanks for taking the time hope i didn't bore you all too much

[redlight]

Hi Sarah. I'm Amy, also 25 and will be 26 next month! I liked your story, and you have a beautiful ring.

[pezaddict231]

Aww what a sweet engagement story! It made me laugh when you mention your DF putting his hands in his pocket the whole night. My manager told me when he was going to propose to his wife, he kept patting his pocket to make sure the ring was still there. Right as my DF walked away from the table at dinner, he patted his pocket! Lol, I guess it's just what they do! :lmao:

You guys make such a cute couple! You're ring is very pretty and very unique. Looking forward to hearing more. :goodvibes

[princess22]

Congratulations!! :woohoo:

You two are an adorable couple! I can't wait to hear all about your planning!

[Boardwalk_bride]

You two look adorable together!! Love the e-ring!!!

[Xenabaka777]

Amazing e-story! Congrats!

[malibustacey]

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!
Sarah your here! Im happy! :banana: Woooooo hooooooo!!

BTW- i did kinda force Sarah into doing this PJ....:rotfl: but only for good reasons!!! She is really good at writing trippies and includes a ton of photos (which we all love!) and i told her, so what if her wedding is 2 years in advance- i started mine 2 years in advance - TIME FLYS BY! This place is for Disney brides and she belongs here heheehee!!

So yeah, hello Sarah, welcome and enjoy the planning, we are always here to help and listen!

Roll on 2012!

[MainStMandy]

Yay and welcome! I've seen you post and wondered when you were going to start a PJ! You and your df are too cute! Congratulations!!

[Sarah84]

Thanks for the nice comments, you are all so friendly, i love this place :)

Well if Stacey is admitting she forced me into starting this I guess it's ok for me to say it too :rotfl: STACEY forced me into starting this (it makes me feel better blaming someone else for this when it's still over 2 years till the wedding and i'm already planning :laughing:) but she is so nice I couldn't keep saying no to her :hug:

[Sarah84]

So my next post was going to be all about how we got to be having the Disney wedding BUT that will have to wait till later because......

With 30 months (oh gawd that sounds so long :sad1:) to go, please don't think im crazy but I have possible...

Dress problems

Now about 8 months ago I was reading through a few PJ's and came across a picture of a dress the person liked (I think it was Torsie24's pj) and immidately fell in love, like head over heels in love :laughing: and knew that one day if I was to ever get engaged & married (which wasn't looking likely, ok i'll stop with those comments Darren did the right thing in the end :cloud9:) that this dress was to be a BIG contender to be what I was getting married in, i saved the picture and looked at it all the time and wanting to try it on so much but resisted.
Well today I was sitting here and thinking (looking at the picture again) and thought sod it i'm going to ring a local bridal wear shop that apprently stocks alot of Maggie Sotterro dresses and just out of interest as if they had it and did I have to make an appointment to try it on and I was interested in how much this beauty would set me back if it was THE dress once I had tried it on.
I got off the phone about half an hour ago to be told they no longer stocked the dress and i'm sure she said something about it being last seasons style which is why they no longer stock it or something, to be honest it all went a bit of a blue after hearing the words 'we no longer stock it' :sad1:
Im not getting married for 30 months and the dress i've dreamed about for the last 8 or 9 is an old style noooooooo :sad: what am I going to do? theres another shop I know of not too far that also stocks Maggie dresses but they are closed now for today but I will be calling them to see if they have it, i just need to try it on so that if it isn't the dress at least I know i tried and will not always be thinking 'I wish i got to wear the dress if irst fell in love with' or maybe if it's perfect ORDER IT! yes I know its awfully early but this is a real contender for my dream dress and if it's going to be discontinued Im getting it before it's too late.

So any experts out there how often do these dress designs change? and anyone in the UK know how much i'm looking at paying for a Maggie Sotterro dress?

Well with all that out of my system i better post a picture of this dress....

Its Maggie Sotterro style Cambria Marie

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y98/x_sarah_x7/PJ/6.jpg

[malibustacey]

YES I FORCED YOU! :goodvibes

and no, your not crazy, everyone has their dream dress....

when we first got engaged i found a dress, Sincertity 3159- i knew it was the dress. It looked so heavenly and i fell in love with it instantly. When i went to try it on, i was very dissapointed and didnt even want to put it on as it looked sooo different from the photos. Its best to try on and see in real life - i am very glad i did, because look now, i have my princess dress. :lovestruc

Now, Maggie is SOOO popular and im sure that if you looked around- you will find somewhere that stocks your dress- go try it on and see what they say about the avaliability and how long the line of dress will be avaliable. Some shops told me that 'they' dont get told when one dress or line will be discontinued, but others said that its possible to get ANY dress from a designer, whether it be a sample from years ago or just unused dresses that were meant to be sold (because i asked about one 2008 dress that i liked, and then didnt like and they told me how it all works and that they have spares!)

I absolutely adore this dress :lovestruc it really is quite something - a proper princess dress fit for a Disney wedding!

Hows about you call that Bride & Groom in Bromley.... also, there is that shop in Enfield where they might not have it in the shop, but they can get it in for you (the shop i was telling you about, where i got mine from! they do great bargains and they are so genuine and friendly and would do anything for you)

oh just incase i didnt say... i love that dress ... hehee

[Sarah84]

YES I FORCED YOU! :goodvibes

and no, your not crazy, everyone has their dream dress....

when we first got engaged i found a dress, Sincertity 3159- i knew it was the dress. It looked so heavenly and i fell in love with it instantly. When i went to try it on, i was very dissapointed and didnt even want to put it on as it looked sooo different from the photos. Its best to try on and see in real life - i am very glad i did, because look now, i have my princess dress. :lovestruc

Now, Maggie is SOOO popular and im sure that if you looked around- you will find somewhere that stocks your dress- go try it on and see what they say about the avaliability and how long the line of dress will be avaliable. Some shops told me that 'they' dont get told when one dress or line will be discontinued, but others said that its possible to get ANY dress from a designer, whether it be a sample from years ago or just unused dresses that were meant to be sold (because i asked about one 2008 dress that i liked, and then didnt like and they told me how it all works and that they have spares!)

I absolutely adore this dress :lovestruc it really is quite something - a proper princess dress fit for a Disney wedding!

Hows about you call that Bride & Groom in Bromley.... also, there is that shop in Enfield where they might not have it in the shop, but they can get it in for you (the shop i was telling you about, where i got mine from! they do great bargains and they are so genuine and friendly and would do anything for you)

oh just incase i didnt say... i love that dress ... hehee

See thats the thing as you found with what you thought was your dream dress you ended up not even liking it in real life and that could be the same with this dress for me but I have to see it to find out for sure even though at first i was worried the skirt part might look like im wearing a cake :rotfl: but I love it. espcially the detail of the top.

Thanks for the info about dresses and styles in general i did wonder if the design are changed every year and then thats it you cant get them no more or if dresses stay around for a few years.
The second thing I did after calling the shop in Eltham was call the one you mentioned in Enfield but they said they don't stock Maggie dresses :sad1:

There are some other dresses i really like that i want to look at but that Maggie one has always stuck in my mind since i see it, so if i like it in real life and try it on the find it is 'THE DRESS' i don't want to risk not being able to get it and will buy it this early, i haven't changed sizes in 5 years so i feel comfortable buying a dress that fits now and hoping it will still fits in 2 years

[cinderella-princess]

Hi Sarah! I followed you over here from your Disney TR. I'm so excited for you and Darren and I don't think 2 years is too early to start a PJ. Since my wedding is over, I have to live vicariously through you all!! :rotfl:

Your engagement story is so cute! I absolutly love your ring, probably because we have almost the same one, except mine is a princess cut and is yellow gold, not white gold. You have good taste! :goodvibes

I can't wait to hear all about your plans!!

[Sarah84]

.................................

[Chilly]

I do that to my DF as well and bambozzle him with figures.

Looking forward to reading more.

[Sarah84]

Wedding plans, well ideas

So at the moment the plans I have in my mind for the wedding are....

24th April 2012 :eek: I still keep feeling sad and crazy that it's so far away

At first I was thinking the first week of May but then I found out that easter falls in early april 2012 which means school holidays should be over & crowds died down by the last week in april so yay I got to bring my date forward by a whole week :rotfl: plus the early i can have it before summer the better as I know the rain starts to appear usually by mid-late may right? and I HATE rain

5pm Ceremony at Sea Breeze point, I'm not a morning person so an early ceremony will NOT be an option :laughing: and I first had in mind 2.30pm but figured it would be too early as I want an evening reception so hoping for 5pm which means no having to get up early to start getting ready.

At the moment i'm quite set on an evening reception in the Napa Room at California Grill, i know its ages till i can even think about booking so lots could change but that's what i'm liking the idea of at the moment but obviously with the $3000 min F&B it also depends on if we can budget it, fingerscrossed the dollar rate will head back towards $2 to the £1.
I'll probably look at booking the room from about 6.30-11pm or so, am i right in thinking you get it for 4 hours? I love the fact you can watch Wishes from there.
I'll probably do some kind of pre-reception drinks for my guests in there from about 6.30-7.30pm or so while we have photos taken.

At the moment I think we will have around 12 guests, maybe as many as 16 but probably no more than that.

[Chilly]

$3000 for 12 people is going to be a lot of food. We are doing a reception and DP for a lot less than that. Just something for you to think about.

[rachy]

Love your wedding dress, i'm like you. I have a certain style in mind and really hope it suits me once i try it on!

I know it may seem like your wedding is so far away, but at least everyone can save up, and be there for it. I'm gutted that my brother can't come to my wedding because he is already going away next year and can't get time off work.

I also think it's really lovely that your paying for your DF's parents to go.

Rachel
xx

[Sarah84]

$3000 for 12 people is going to be a lot of food. We are doing a reception and DP for a lot less than that. Just something for you to think about.

I know this has gone through my mind ALOT, but for some reason i really love the idea of this room at the moment and am kind of set on it, but as i say with 2 years to go i could change my mind.
The problem is i want a private room for the reception, want it in the evening, and don't like the flowery decor of some other rooms. Im pretty hard to please and usually find things i dont like with everything, im not keen on the carpet in the Napa room but at the moment it's the only downside of it :laughing:

For say 15 people with the food menu around say $90-$100pp plus $40pp for the bar thats going to come in around $1950-$2100 so somewhow i'll need to make up the extra $1000 or so but i've read you can have enhancements which i'm hoping would add on an extra $500

[Sarah84]

Love your wedding dress, i'm like you. I have a certain style in mind and really hope it suits me once i try it on!

I know it may seem like your wedding is so far away, but at least everyone can save up, and be there for it. I'm gutted that my brother can't come to my wedding because he is already going away next year and can't get time off work.

I also think it's really lovely that your paying for your DF's parents to go.

Rachel
xx

Thank you :)

Do you know when you'll start looking for dresses yet? have you tried on any?

[rachy]

Thank you :)

Do you know when you'll start looking for dresses yet? have you tried on any?

Not tried any on. Went to Birmingham wedding show the other weekend but it was really busy so didn't get to try any on.

My mum is coming down from Leeds at the end of November and we have made appointments at 5 dress shops around Windsor/Reading so really hoping i will find something then. x

[Sarah84]

Not tried any on. Went to Birmingham wedding show the other weekend but it was really busy so didn't get to try any on.

My mum is coming down from Leeds at the end of November and we have made appointments at 5 dress shops around Windsor/Reading so really hoping i will find something then. x

ooh exciting, picking the dress is going to be the most exciting part, i cant wait to try loads on even though I have my eye on the one i posted :)

[Chilly]

My mum is coming down from Leeds at the end of November and we have made appointments at 5 dress shops around Windsor/Reading so really hoping i will find something then. x

Where in Reading?

[Emimy]

Hi Sarah :wave2: I'm here lol, I didn't realise you'd started your PJ!!

I don't think I'll start mine for a while, I'm worried I'll start it and then leave it for months on end! :rotfl:

Everything looks great so far, that dress you've been looking at is beautiful!

[Sarah84]

Hi Sarah :wave2: I'm here lol, I didn't realise you'd started your PJ!!

I don't think I'll start mine for a while, I'm worried I'll start it and then leave it for months on end! :rotfl:

Everything looks great so far, that dress you've been looking at is beautiful!

I was worried about that too but im sure i'll be thinking about colour schemes and changing my mind about this that and the other plus i can use it just moan about anything to do with the wedding planning etc aswell :laughing:

Oh go on start your's, i really think you should ;) I know we've been chatting via PM's a bit but i'd love to read EVERYTHING you have in mind, how you came to your decisions etc

I'm really hoping i can go see the dress in person but im having trouble finding somewhere that stocks it, which surprises me considering im in London. If it is THE DRESS and it won't be around in say a years time then i'll order it now even if it is waaaaay to early :rotfl:

[Sarah84]

Well I haven't posted any updates or anything in a couple of weeks because well there hasn't been anything to post about though im going to start sharing some more ideas with you soon even if i am starting early :) and also because one of the most important people i wanted at my wedding passed away 2 weeks ago, so it's been a hard time.

My aunt was 42 when she passed away 2 weeks ago today and apart from my mum and my sister she and my uncle were the only 2 people in my family I wanted at my wedding :sad1:. Since I got engaged and decided on a wedding in Disneyworld I hoped and prayed they would come but we wasn't sure what was going on as she had been very ill this past year and was due to go for an assessment for a lung transplant last wednesday but unfortunately she didn't even get that far.
I talked about the wedding like she would get her new lungs and all would turn out ok and she would be well enough to travel to Florida for it. But sadly it wasn't to be and Cystic Fibrosis got the better of her, it's been difficult to accept and is hard to take that she won't be there to share my special day with me.
But she is now at peace with the angels :littleangel: and no longer suffering.

I will deffiently be adding something into the wedding ceremony to remember her, so would like to hear if anybody has done anything for a family member/friend that had passed away and what you did?

[Boardwalk_bride]

Sarah,

I am so sorry for your loss. I hope you and your family are able to take a lot of time to heal. It sounds like you are looking at the positive of the situation, and I am sure your aunt is happier where she is.

A lot of brides have done/are planning on doing things to honour loved ones at their wedding. Carrie (Lurkyloo) had a locket with her moms pic. Some brides put lockets with pictures around their bouquet. A lot of people also but roses on a chair to signify the person that would be there.

I am sure others have better ideas, but maybe that will help!

[rachy]

Sorry for your loss Sarah, and i am sure she will be there in spirit x

[pezaddict231]

I'm so sorry for your loss Sarah. :hug: She'll still be looking down on you during your wedding day, although I know it's hard to not have her there.

There are lots of ways you can honor her at the wedding. You could play her favorite song at some point, you could have a memorial candle at the ceremony, a rose left on the seat, pictures in a locket, you can put something in the program.

We're most likely going to do a vase at the reception on the guestbook table with a plaque that says "In Loving Memory of..."

[gemmybear83]

Sarah big :hug: there are loads of ideas on here on how they could be remembered, I'm planning on doing something for my grandparents.

[Chilly]

Sorry for your loss :hug:

[Sarah84]

Thanks ladies :hug:, i will have a search on here of what others have done for some ideas

[reya88]

I'm so sorry to hear about your aunt. I'm sure the ladies in the forum will have many an idea to help you remember your aunt thru ur wedding. My condolences :flower3:
Thanks for commenting on my PJ. Dont' worry about planning too early! my DF and i have been talking about a disney wedding even b4 we got engaged. I am so excited to find another 2012 bride! i can't wait to watch your PJ & plan alongside you. beautiful dress choice by the way. I hope u can find it somewhere & get a chance to try it on.
take care

[Sarah84]

I'm so sorry to hear about your aunt. I'm sure the ladies in the forum will have many an idea to help you remember your aunt thru ur wedding. My condolences :flower3:
Thanks for commenting on my PJ. Dont' worry about planning too early! my DF and i have been talking about a disney wedding even b4 we got engaged. I am so excited to find another 2012 bride! i can't wait to watch your PJ & plan alongside you. beautiful dress choice by the way. I hope u can find it somewhere & get a chance to try it on.
take care

I wasn't lucky enough to be planning my Disney wedding befor ei got engaged, infact i didn't think i'd ever get it. I had been on here dreaming about it but as DFi is not a disney fan i didn't think it would happen i was so happen when he agreed :worship:

I thought the same when i read your's about being pleased to see another 2012 bride too. I might go searching for my dress in the next few weeks even though it is extremely early

[weedee]

I'm so sorry for your loss Sarah. My DF recently lost his grandfather this past summer and his grandmother several years earlier, so we will definitely be adding to our ceremony as well to keep them there in spirit.

Congrats on the engagement. The dress you're looking at is gorgeous and I look forward to keeping up with your planning! I think I'm behind the curve...I haven't even started to look for my dress yet and my wedding is in June! I should probably get on that...

[Boston Disney Bride]

So sorry to hear about your loss. I also am looking at ways to incorporate DF's grandmother who passed away. Let me know of your ideas.


I'm so sorry for your loss Sarah. My DF recently lost his grandfather this past summer and his grandmother several years earlier, so we will definitely be adding to our ceremony as well to keep them there in spirit.

Congrats on the engagement. The dress you're looking at is gorgeous and I look forward to keeping up with your planning! I think I'm behind the curve...I haven't even started to look for my dress yet and my wedding is in June! I should probably get on that...

I don't have my dress either. I went looking but was unsuccessful, I wont be able to go again now till xmas, so don't feel bad, I'm way behind too!!:eek:

[jenny105]

Hi! I don't know why it took me so long to realize you started a PJ but I found it!

April 24 is me and my DBf's anniversary! So cute! We've gone to Disney around that time and I hate to say it but it was the most crowded I've ever seen it. I hope it's not like that for you guys!! You should be able to just walk right on the rides, you're a Disney bride!!!!

Can't wait to read more.

Sorry about your dress. Did you have ANY luck finding it anywhere??

[Sarah84]

Hi! I don't know why it took me so long to realize you started a PJ but I found it!

April 24 is me and my DBf's anniversary! So cute! We've gone to Disney around that time and I hate to say it but it was the most crowded I've ever seen it. I hope it's not like that for you guys!! You should be able to just walk right on the rides, you're a Disney bride!!!!

Can't wait to read more.

Sorry about your dress. Did you have ANY luck finding it anywhere??

Hello and welcome to my PJ :yay: i must get back over to your TR and finish reading i've not been on much lately.

Arghh no i hope that was just because easter happened to fall later in april the year you guy's went. I know you have spring break over there but isn't that usually in march? and the year we plan for 2012 easter is the first week in april if i remember right so fingerscrossed all crowds should have gone home :confused3 if not maybe i'll think about having it a week later. I just really want a time of year with nice sunshine but lower chances of rain plus low crowds would be good.

No luck finding the dress yet but I haven't really been looking due to my aunt passing away and not being well but i plan to start ringning around either this week or next, I HAVE to see the dress in person and see if it is THE ONE! :)

[jenny105]

Hello and welcome to my PJ :yay: i must get back over to your TR and finish reading i've not been on much lately.

Arghh no i hope that was just because easter happened to fall later in april the year you guy's went. I know you have spring break over there but isn't that usually in march? and the year we plan for 2012 easter is the first week in april if i remember right so fingerscrossed all crowds should have gone home :confused3 if not maybe i'll think about having it a week later. I just really want a time of year with nice sunshine but lower chances of rain plus low crowds would be good.

No luck finding the dress yet but I haven't really been looking due to my aunt passing away and not being well but i plan to start ringning around either this week or next, I HAVE to see the dress in person and see if it is THE ONE! :)


I really don't remember when Easter was that year. I'm pretty sure it was before our trip though. We do have Spring Break over here but it can fall in March or April. It all depends on the school I guess! I hope it's not super crowded for you guys. I don't know why but that is just a busy time of year to go. Maybe because of the Flower & Garden festival? :confused3

I still haven't finished my TR lol. I'm on day 5! About halfway done!

I'm sorry to hear about your aunt. :hug: I hope you can find the dress to try it on! It's gorgeous!

[Sarah84]

So, having never planned or even help plan a wedding before I don't really know everything I need to get, plan, decide on etc so I need your help in helping me create a list of all the things i need to think about.

Obviously & most importantly of course The Dress - how far in advance has everyone brough theres?
Groom's suit
Bridesmaids & their dresses
Flowers what do i need flowers for? apart from obviously my bouquet
Colour scheme
Ceremony location Already decided on Sea breeze point, hopefully when the time comes to book i won't have any problems getting my date/time
Reception location Napa room @ Cali grill in mind atm, but it all depends on money and if i don't see something else i like instead
Ceremony decoration what comes as basic @ SBP?do you have to pay for all flowers, ribbons, seat decor etc?
Reception decoration/centrepieces

Save the dates Does everyone send these out? how far in advance do you normally send them?
Invites Again how soon as everyone sent these out? espcially wondering with fellow UK brides
Favours What exactly are these?
Cake cutting set
Champagne toast flutes/glasses
Hair & Makeup How soon after confirming you date did you start to arrange this? whos hair & makeup apart from obviously my own do i pay to have done


Ok, so what other things am i missing that i will need to think about/buy/organise for the wedding?

[Chilly]

So, having never planned or even help plan a wedding before I don't really know everything I need to get, plan, decide on etc so I need your help in helping me create a list of all the things i need to think about.

Obviously & most importantly of course The Dress - how far in advance has everyone brough theres?
Groom's suit
Bridesmaids & their dresses
Flowers what do i need flowers for? apart from obviously my bouquet
Colour scheme
Ceremony location Already decided on Sea breeze point, hopefully when the time comes to book i won't have any problems getting my date/time
Reception location Napa room @ Cali grill in mind atm, but it all depends on money and if i don't see something else i like instead
Ceremony decoration what comes as basic @ SBP?do you have to pay for all flowers, ribbons, seat decor etc?
Reception decoration/centrepieces

Save the dates Does everyone send these out? how far in advance do you normally send them?
Invites Again how soon as everyone sent these out? espcially wondering with fellow UK brides
Favours What exactly are these?
Cake cutting set
Champagne toast flutes/glasses
Hair & Makeup How soon after confirming you date did you start to arrange this? whos hair & makeup apart from obviously my own do i pay to have done


Ok, so what other things am i missing that i will need to think about/buy/organise for the wedding?

Everyone is different on the dress but i'd say at least 6 months before.

You might want flowers for your parents/Best Man/Bridesmaid/Alter decorations/table decorations.

Nothing comes with SBP you have to pay for any decor.

For UK Brides I'd send the STDs out as far in advance as possible. Then formal invites when you are all booked with Disney.

Favours are something the bride & groom give to each guest and are usually on or beside their plate at the reception, they are normally just small things such as chocolates.

I booked my hair & make up straight away. You don't have to pay to have anyone's hair and make up done, its up to each bride to decide if they want to or not.

[Sarah84]

Everyone is different on the dress but i'd say at least 6 months before.

You might want flowers for your parents/Best Man/Bridesmaid/Alter decorations/table decorations.

Nothing comes with SBP you have to pay for any decor.

For UK Brides I'd send the STDs out as far in advance as possible. Then formal invites when you are all booked with Disney.

Favours are something the bride & groom give to each guest and are usually on or beside their plate at the reception, they are normally just small things such as chocolates.

I booked my hair & make up straight away. You don't have to pay to have anyone's hair and make up done, its up to each bride to decide if they want to or not.


Thank you. I had a feeling thats what favours were but wanted to make sure.

I might think about doing the STD's soon after the new year then, i want to give people enough warning because of having to save coming from the UK

[pezaddict231]

My comments are in purple. :goodvibes

So, having never planned or even help plan a wedding before I don't really know everything I need to get, plan, decide on etc so I need your help in helping me create a list of all the things i need to think about.

Obviously & most importantly of course The Dress - how far in advance has everyone brough theres? I found it about a year in advance and will be ordering it around 9 months in advance. I'm in the process of losing weight so I wanted to order it at the last possible minute. If you're ordering you definitely want to give it at least 7-8 months since it could take six months to come in and then you'll need time for alterations. Usually the dress will only take 4 months or so to come in, but it's good to have the extra time in case there are problems.
Groom's suit we haven't done this yet, I'd say probably 4 months in advance
Bridesmaids & their dresses BM dresses will probably take three to four months to come in and then you need time for alterations. So look to order around 6 months in advance.
Flowers what do i need flowers for? apart from obviously my bouquet decorating the alter, decorating the ceremony space. For all outdoor locations, keep in mind if it rains they may put you in the convention center. If you don't have any decorations for outside, you won't have any inside either. Petals for tossing, if you wanted to do that. If you plan to have a private dinner somewhere you may want centerpieces
Colour scheme Are there any colors that you really like?
Ceremony location Already decided on Sea breeze point, hopefully when the time comes to book i won't have any problems getting my date/time as long as you're pretty flexible it shouldn't be a problem.
Reception location Napa room @ Cali grill in mind atm, but it all depends on money and if i don't see something else i like instead I think this is a great option and you probably don't need too much in the way of decor unless you wanted.
Ceremony decoration what comes as basic @ SBP?do you have to pay for all flowers, ribbons, seat decor etc?
Reception decoration/centrepieces it's just the space itself, they will provide plastic chairs and a table or two for the alter. All other decorations you add.

Save the dates Does everyone send these out? how far in advance do you normally send them? We sent ours a year in advance, figured the sooner people knew the better.
Invites Again how soon as everyone sent these out? espcially wondering with fellow UK brides We'll probably send ours about 3-4 months in advance.
Favours What exactly are these? just a little gift from the bride and groom, usually something small, you could really skip it altogether, or do a charitable donation instead.
Cake cutting set DFTW sells one, or you could just borrow theirs if you don't think you'll need it or want it after the wedding.
Champagne toast flutes/glasses You can provide your own or just use what they have.
Hair & Makeup How soon after confirming you date did you start to arrange this? whos hair & makeup apart from obviously my own do i pay to have done We booked this about a year out since I knew I wanted Ana, so figured why risk waiting. They don't charge you until a few weeks before the wedding and you can change the details around if you need to. You only have to pay for your own, although some brides do pay for their BM or the mom as part of a gift.


Ok, so what other things am i missing that i will need to think about/buy/organise for the wedding?

[Sarah84]

My comments are in purple. :goodvibes

Thanks for your help much appriciated.

So is there anything i've missed that i iwll need to think about/organise?

[pezaddict231]

I think you have most everything...have you thought about which officiant you want to do the ceremony? And you can start thinking about gifts for your BM... although that may be a US thing....

It seems like you're in pretty good shape so far. =)

[Sarah84]

I think you have most everything...have you thought about which officiant you want to do the ceremony? And you can start thinking about gifts for your BM... although that may be a US thing....

It seems like you're in pretty good shape so far. =)

Officiant will be thought about once i've booked. Just wanted to check I have all things noted that will need to be thought about at some point

[hkrox]

I'm a little late to join but better late then never.
Can't wait to hear more about all your plans!

[mbfqueen]

YEAH!!!

Hey gorgeous ring and nice nails! I always wear a french manicure and got them done today and noticed them lol ..

Can't wait to live through you here and your wedding!

Hubbs and I were 23 yrs last Sunday! Yeah us!





The engagement story & a little history..

I've been lurking on the wedding section of these boards for about 9 months now dreaming that one day I could be planning my very own wedding and even more of a dream that it would be a disney wedding. I kept dropping hints, ok more like there was no hinting just complete obviousness from that I wanted to get enagaged. Since I met Darren he had always been the type of person that never wanted to get married, he had no desire to do so and always said he would never bother :( after being with him for a while and relising he was the person i wanted to spend the rest of my life with i become disapointed that he felt like that, growing up i always hoped i'd meet my price charming, we'd get married and live happily ever after as they say.

A little while on and it seemed Darren was having a different attitude, i always used to say to him when he'd mention about never wanting to get married that he only felt like that because he hadn't met the right person, i was beginning to think i was right. For about the last year or two we have both talked about getting enagged abit and he had actually said yes he would marry me but went on about how the average wedding cost £22,000 and we just don't have that sort of money.
Roll on to when i started coming on these wedding boards and i really wouldn't shut up to him about getting engaged, his issue was now that he never had the money for an engagement ring and how it would take ages to save up blah blah blah everytime i mentioned weddings he'd entertain me by pretending to listen :headache: and replying with the same old 'we don't have the money, to have the wedding you deserve' and i just used to say to him he was using it as an excuse as he just didn't want to marry me (i'm not nasty honest, this wasn't said in a nasty *****y way im always sarcastic with him like that)

Fast forward to September of this year and we were heading on our holiday something that I had been planning for over a year. We were heading to the USA for 16 nights visiting Disneyland California, Las Vegas, San Diego & LA. In the run up to the trip the proposal hints started again :rotfl: (i know, i know but when you really want something you can't help but keep going on till you get your way right?) and I dropped in that I would love nothing more than to get engaged while at Disneyland during the fireworks this was just brushed under the carpet along with all my other hints (or at least that's what I thought)

We left the UK on Tuesday 1st September and our first 6 nights were being spent in Anaheim visiting Disney on the thursday, friday & sunday. We spent the whole morning in Disneyland on the thursday from opening till about 1pm when we headed back to the hotel for an afternoon break before going back to Disneyland around 5pm to see the park at night, watch the fireworks and just enjoy being at Disney (ok, so i was the only going to actually enjoy being at Disney). We got changed and headed back to the park that evening, through bag search where once i was through carried on walking well Darren didn't have a bag so he was bound to be behind me, right? WRONG! I looked round and the lady at bag search was talking to him humm, wonder what that's all about :confused:
In the park, i was full of energy and ready to enjoy my Disney filled evening, now normally Darren is a very bubbly, chatty and noisey person but he was not being himself at all hardly talking much, giving me short conversations and answers when I talked to him, umm surely he wasn't sick of Disney already? we had only spent a morning here already and had 2 more days on our tickets :confused3
We walked around the park having a lovely time and just enjoying be on holiday, doing some rides but nope something still wasn't right with Darren he was still very quiet, he wasn't even this quiet or appearing this bored at Disneyland Paris and he didn't exactly like it there but he enjoyed the trip still and was still smiling and himself the whole time so why was he acting weirdly?. Deep down I was hoping he was nervous about something ;) but trying not to get my hopes up infear of being disapointed i tried not to think about that too much.
As the evening went on and it got later he started going on about what time the fireworks are and how he didn't want to be in the huge crowds watching them (he doesn't like crowds & ques) and was asking me the time constantly, then again what time the fireworks were and this carried on from about 7pm till the fireworks at 8.40. Thoughts were running through my mind but then i just figured he was just wanting to go and knew that once the fireworks were over we could get out of Mickeymouse land for the night.
I went on Big thunder railroad on my own (Darren doesn't 'do' any sort of fast ride or rides with big drops) and once off it was about 8.20 again I was asked the time, how long till the fireworks and as it was only 20 minutes to go Darren suggested we go find somewhere to watch them from we had a little walk around and decided to sit on a bench not far from BTMRR were we just sat and relaxed, talking well a few words from Darren hardly a conversation :rolleyes: and right near a spot we'd be able to see the fireworks and at the moment looked like we'd pretty much be alone watching them apart from another couple of people that were in the same area.
Well the fireworks started and we got up to stand over by some railing to lean against watching they were so beautiful and it was at this point i just remeber all over again why I love Disney so much it's just such a magical place. Darren was stood cuddling me and began saying how much he loved me and how romantic it was, well that shocked me in itself romantic? I didn't think he even knew what that word was let alone how to have a romantic situation :laughing: so I made some sarcastic comment about that and looked up carrying on watching the fireworks and it was at that moment (now i can't remember it all word for word as it was all such a blur as was most of the remainder of the night as i was just in my own little world) but I remember him saying something about being romantic and when I looked down it was there shinning in all it's glory a beautiful ring, everything was so perfect and just the way I had always dreamed it would be:lovestruc I couldn't hold back the tears and started to cry :sad:
After the shock was over and we finally let each other out of the cuddle, fireworks over etc we headed out of Disney to go have a nice meal like planned at Rainforest Cafe (I love that place) over dinner he explained how nervous he had been all evening, which was why he was so quiet and explained that the lady at the bag search had stopped him because she wanted to know what was in his pocket and he was so worried she was going to spoil it all, and was asking how i didn't notice he had hardly removed hes hands from hes pockets all night, looking back at the photos he has hes hand in his pocket in almost every single picture gripping onto the ring for dear life :rotfl:

I couldn't wear the ring because it was too big but Darren knew it would be, apparently when he went to buy it he hadn't relised it would take them weeks to order my size in so he had to take the bigger size they had in the shop and when we got home take it back to order my correct size. So we got home on 18th September and the next day we went to the jewellers to take the ring back and order my size I was so sad when they took it back then said it would be upto 27 days till they get the right size it, as the weeks went by I have been so desperate to have my ring back and just be able to wear it finally on tuesday I was able to go pick it and now it's sat perfectly on my finger :)

Here's some pictures of the gorgeous ring, its the exact style that I had always loved & hoped for...

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y98/x_sarah_x7/PJ/Ring001.jpghttp://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y98/x_sarah_x7/PJ/Ring011.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y98/x_sarah_x7/PJ/Ring007.jpghttp://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y98/x_sarah_x7/PJ/Ring010.jpg


And here's me with my enegagement pin I managed to get on our last night at Disney (excuse the pizza haha), plus a couple more pictures from the last night on our very special & memorable visit to Disneyland

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y98/x_sarah_x7/PJ/Holiday2009394.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y98/x_sarah_x7/PJ/Holiday2009357.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y98/x_sarah_x7/PJ/Holiday2009429.jpg

[mbfqueen]

I'm catching up here ...

But so sorry for your loss =[ .. that's around my age of your Aunt, yikes!

This last Friday, I lost my mom =[ ... she was in pain, but is no more .. so I know how you feel about that ..

I would DEF. do something that has your Aunt's flair in the wedding .. for my mother .. she LOVED to decorate to the HILTS all holidays, I mean spendy stuff .. and my sisters are stinkers but didn't want any of her decorating stuff .. so right now I am already Christmas decorated finished .. more so in honor of her .. she wasn't the best mom, but did the best she could ..

So whatever fun, cool quirky quirks your Aunt had .. do something in memory of her ...


Here's our tree:

http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/peamage/373000-373499/373346_600x600.jpg

And at night:

http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/peamage/373000-373499/373347_600x600.jpg




Well I haven't posted any updates or anything in a couple of weeks because well there hasn't been anything to post about though im going to start sharing some more ideas with you soon even if i am starting early :) and also because one of the most important people i wanted at my wedding passed away 2 weeks ago, so it's been a hard time.

My aunt was 42 when she passed away 2 weeks ago today and apart from my mum and my sister she and my uncle were the only 2 people in my family I wanted at my wedding :sad1:. Since I got engaged and decided on a wedding in Disneyworld I hoped and prayed they would come but we wasn't sure what was going on as she had been very ill this past year and was due to go for an assessment for a lung transplant last wednesday but unfortunately she didn't even get that far.
I talked about the wedding like she would get her new lungs and all would turn out ok and she would be well enough to travel to Florida for it. But sadly it wasn't to be and Cystic Fibrosis got the better of her, it's been difficult to accept and is hard to take that she won't be there to share my special day with me.
But she is now at peace with the angels :littleangel: and no longer suffering.

I will deffiently be adding something into the wedding ceremony to remember her, so would like to hear if anybody has done anything for a family member/friend that had passed away and what you did?

[jenny105]

I'm sorry to hear about your aunt. My aunt recently passed as well, not even a week ago. :hug: At some weddings I've been to, they've had a table with pictures of the people in the bride and groom's family that have passed. Maybe you could do something like that?

[Sarah84]

I'm a little late to join but better late then never.
Can't wait to hear more about all your plans!

Thank you, i love your signiture pic :)

YEAH!!!

Hey gorgeous ring and nice nails! I always wear a french manicure and got them done today and noticed them lol ..

Can't wait to live through you here and your wedding!

Hubbs and I were 23 yrs last Sunday! Yeah us!





I'm catching up here ...

But so sorry for your loss =[ .. that's around my age of your Aunt, yikes!

This last Friday, I lost my mom =[ ... she was in pain, but is no more .. so I know how you feel about that ..

I would DEF. do something that has your Aunt's flair in the wedding .. for my mother .. she LOVED to decorate to the HILTS all holidays, I mean spendy stuff .. and my sisters are stinkers but didn't want any of her decorating stuff .. so right now I am already Christmas decorated finished .. more so in honor of her .. she wasn't the best mom, but did the best she could ..

So whatever fun, cool quirky quirks your Aunt had .. do something in memory of her ...


Here's our tree:

http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/peamage/373000-373499/373346_600x600.jpg

And at night:

http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/peamage/373000-373499/373347_600x600.jpg



Welcome to my PJ, i always have my nails like that too :)
Congratulations on 23 years to you & your hubby. Im so sorry to hear you lost your mum :hug:, I cannot even imagine how hard that must be I am extremely close to my mum and could not even imagine how hard it would be to loose her.
Lovely tree, we have a white tree and we decorate it with blue so good taste you have ;)

I'm sorry to hear about your aunt. My aunt recently passed as well, not even a week ago. :hug: At some weddings I've been to, they've had a table with pictures of the people in the bride and groom's family that have passed. Maybe you could do something like that?

Im sorry to hear about your aunt :hug: hope you are doing ok

[disneyland89]

I'm coming in late....and havent gotten a chance to read everything in here but I just had to comment!
First, congradulations on getting engaged in DL and getting married there too! (from what I've read, you are having your wedding in DL right?)
My fiance proposed in DL in June '08 and we are getting married at the Grand Californian in June '10. We've had a lot of fun doing all the Disney wedding things with our planner.

[Pirate's Princess]

So I just found your PJ, and first I want to say congratulations. I'm glad your man finally broke down and got some sense! And hooray for convincing him on a disney wedding!

Secondly, I'm so sorry for your loss. :hug:

As for the dress drama, I will stand up and proudly say I bought my dress when I thought I was 30 months out. Yes I BOUGHT it. Didn't just look. We did end up moving our wedding up a year, so it was only 18 months out, but I did it when I thought it was 30. I had seen it online, fell in love with it, and 2 days after we got engaged my mom and I jokingly went dress shopping, and I tried it on. It was the one. And then we were worried what would happen during the time between then and the wedding...what if it's discontinued...what if I can't find it (ps I can totally get paranoid). It was the right price so I bought it. It came in about 2 months later and it's currently living in my basement, hididng from DF. So I say the only time that's too early, is probably before you even have a ring or been asked.

[Sarah84]

I'm coming in late....and havent gotten a chance to read everything in here but I just had to comment!
First, congradulations on getting engaged in DL and getting married there too! (from what I've read, you are having your wedding in DL right?)
My fiance proposed in DL in June '08 and we are getting married at the Grand Californian in June '10. We've had a lot of fun doing all the Disney wedding things with our planner.

Thank you, we did get engaged at DL it was amazing and DL was wonderful but will be getting married at WDW. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding, only 6 months to go. I hope it's wonderful :)

So I just found your PJ, and first I want to say congratulations. I'm glad your man finally broke down and got some sense! And hooray for convincing him on a disney wedding!

Secondly, I'm so sorry for your loss. :hug:

As for the dress drama, I will stand up and proudly say I bought my dress when I thought I was 30 months out. Yes I BOUGHT it. Didn't just look. We did end up moving our wedding up a year, so it was only 18 months out, but I did it when I thought it was 30. I had seen it online, fell in love with it, and 2 days after we got engaged my mom and I jokingly went dress shopping, and I tried it on. It was the one. And then we were worried what would happen during the time between then and the wedding...what if it's discontinued...what if I can't find it (ps I can totally get paranoid). It was the right price so I bought it. It came in about 2 months later and it's currently living in my basement, hididng from DF. So I say the only time that's too early, is probably before you even have a ring or been asked.

Now i don't feel so crazy thinking of buying my dress so early, glad to know someone else has been in the situation. Im going to seriously think about ordering it after christmas.