Rachel and Kevin Celebration Wedding 1st October 2010 Updates cake and floral-pics

[rachy]

Hi guys, i have been lurking on here for a few months now, and have been very tempted to start this before today, however thank goodness i didn't because plans have changed so much, and hopefully won't change much more.

Hope it doesn't get too boring!

About Us:

I am 24 years old and my fiancee Kevin is 28 years old, and we have been together for 3 and a half fantastic years.
We live in Windsor, UK although i am originally a Northern lass (Leeds)
We are both Disney mad, i introduced Kev to Florida literally 3 months after we met. Since then we have been lucky enough to go every year.
Couple of pictures of us (hope this works, i'm not great with technology)

http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt173/reeba1/139.jpg

http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt173/reeba1/115.jpg

http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt173/reeba1/048.jpg



Here is the other love of my life

http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt173/reeba1/001.jpg

[rachy]

How we met:

I had moved to London and was living by myself, and working as many hours as i could to cover my rent. My friend asked me if i needed some help walking my dog Reeba on an evening as she knew someone (Kev) who would be happy to do it. So he started walking Reeba for me a couple of nights a week. He asked me out on a date and within 2 years we had bought a house together. So you could kinda say the dog brought us together! lol

The Proposal:

I knew we were going to get married, so i was expecting a proposal but just wasn't sure when. I knew we were going to Florida so i kind of expected it to be there.

The day before we left for Florida i booked in for some treatments doing at a really lovely spa near me. I had the most relaxing body massage and facial.

Usually after the facial the therapist will ask if you would like a cup of herbal tea, give you a dressing gown to wear and take you into a relaxation room, where you can drink your tea.
Now i was really looking forward to this herbal tea because i had never had one of there's before. But after the facial she told me to get dressed and to meet her in the relaxation room opposite the treatment room i was in. She never offered me a herbal tea, so i thought ok maybe there really busy, but then i thought well whats the point in getting dressed and going into another room, i may as well get dressed and go to reception to pay.
Anyway, i got dressed and came out of the treatment room, the room of the relaxation room was slightly open and i could see someone in there, so i thought, "oh well i'll just go to reception'" On my way to there the therapist saw me and said, "in there" pointing to the relaxation room. So i went in and there was my man in his tuxedo, down on one knee with the most beautiful ring and the a massive bouquet of flowers. So of course i said yes, and when we came out everyone was clapping, and they gave us some free products to say congratulations.

It was the perfect start to the holiday!

Here is my ring:

http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt173/reeba1/019.jpg

[rachy]

The Wedding


We were going to have a Disney wedding but once we spoke about it, we decided it wasn't what we wanted. Obviously the cost is a big factor and because we are having such a small wedding, it just didn't seem necessary. I know that may sound a little odd and i know a lot of people save up for years to pay for their big day which i think is lovely, but we would prefer to spend more money on the honeymoon.

We are now in contact with Just Marry about our Swan and Dolphin wedding. Hopefully deposits will be sorted by the end of this month.
I definately think we have chosen the location that is best for us, i have read up on a lot of trip reports about the Swan and Dolphin so i am going with my instincts on this. We have never even been to the hotel before. But when we were in Florida at the beginning of the month we were having a Disney wedding so we didn't think to have a look.

We are having a very intimate wedding. There will only be 6 guests, my mum, her boyfriend, my dad, his wife, and Kev's mum and dad.

Our chosen date is 1st October 2010 (fingers crossed we get that!)
We are planning on having a ceremony at 10am, followed by a brunch arranged by the Swan and Dolphin, in the evening we are planning on going to Cirque Du Soleil.

So far we have booked: Officiant (Ron Rosenzweig) Photographer (Randy Chapman) and Beaute for mine and my mums hair and make up.


Our Honeymoon

We have booked a villa in Kissimee for one month from 26th September. The night before the wedding i would like to stay in the Swan and Dolphin with my mum so she can help me get ready, and then Kev and myself will stay there on our wedding night.
On our final week we are planning on a 3 night Carnival cruise round the Bahama's to end our trip.

[malibustacey]

Yay you started a PJ!

Your ring is the bigger version of my ring! We got the same rings ...well almost hehe!! :cool1:

That was so sweet of Kevin with the proposal.

So yeah, welcome and cant wait to see all your plans!

Have you thought of your dress yet?

[Sarah84]

Congratulations on the wedding plans :)

The engagement story is lovely and love the ring its very simular to something i dreamed over before i got engaged, and how gorgeous is your dog :lovestruc

Look forward to reading more

[rachy]

Yay you started a PJ!

Your ring is the bigger version of my ring! We got the same rings ...well almost hehe!! :cool1:

That was so sweet of Kevin with the proposal.

So yeah, welcome and cant wait to see all your plans!

Have you thought of your dress yet?

Yes i want a big white dress. The bigger the better! My mum is coming down at the end of November and i have booked appointments at 5 dress shops. Fingers crossed i find something.

Rachel
x

[rachy]

Congratulations on the wedding plans :)

The engagement story is lovely and love the ring its very simular to something i dreamed over before i got engaged, and how gorgeous is your dog :lovestruc

Look forward to reading more

Thank you hun. Are you on Dibb by any chance? I'm sure i was reading your trip report the other day x

[Sarah84]

Thank you hun. Are you on Dibb by any chance? I'm sure i was reading your trip report the other day x

Yes I am, same username as here :)

[Chilly]

Can't wait to hear more about your plans.

[rachy]

Once again plans maybe changing. Maybe getting married in Bahama Bay, Davenport now. Saw some photographs of the location and instantly felt butterflies in my stomach. Weird feeling, didn't feel that with the Swan and Dolphin. We are just getting some quotes now, and deciding whats best for us.

So if we do change our plans to Bahama Bay, will i still be able to carry on with my planning journel, because it won't be any kind of Disney wedding then?

Rachel
x

[Chilly]

Any wedding PJs are welcome :goodvibes

[figment fan21]

Hello and welcome!!

I am excited, you're another october 2010 bride! and we're getting married one day before me! Can't wait to hear all your plans!

[rachy]

I think the date may change now to 4th October (providing Bahama Bay is available) only because on 1st October the only available time is 3pm, and we wanted a morning ceremony.

At least we are less than a year away now hun! x

[jennjones1]

Hiya,

I have just come back from florida and had my wedding at the swan and dolphin.

I had the most amazing day ever. Once i have got my photos back i will start a trip report. Unfortunately it did rain on my wedding day :sad1: so i couldnt get married at the crescent terraced but it didnt spoil the day the swan and dolphin were perfect to work with!!

[rachy]

Hiya,

I have just come back from florida and had my wedding at the swan and dolphin.

I had the most amazing day ever. Once i have got my photos back i will start a trip report. Unfortunately it did rain on my wedding day :sad1: so i couldnt get married at the crescent terraced but it didnt spoil the day the swan and dolphin were perfect to work with!!

I would love to see your photos when you get them back. Did you go through Just Marry? x

[figment fan21]

I think the date may change now to 4th October (providing Bahama Bay is available) only because on 1st October the only available time is 3pm, and we wanted a morning ceremony.

At least we are less than a year away now hun! x

Well thats kind of cool! I might have to pass by the swan and dolphin that say since i'll be @ the BWV for my honeymoon! :goodvibes

Oh and i wanted to share a picture of the two loves of my love (well other than DF of course :rolleyes1 )



http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii189/krloco821/dogs/013.jpg

Your puppy is adorable!

[rachy]

Awww what beautiful boys you have! x

[figment fan21]

thank you! lol

Did you decide on your color scheme yet?

[jennjones1]

Hiya,

No i didnt go through just marry i organised it myself with a external wedding planner. I wanted to speak to the hotel direct to know exactly what i was getting.

I know a lot of people on here say the swan and dolphin only deal with Just marry but i dealt with them direct. I wanted to cut out the middle man and have exactly what i wanted.

I also saw a report on here who used just marry and it rained on her day and they didnt have a back up plan so i wanted to avoid those sort of issues.

[rachy]

thank you! lol

Did you decide on your color scheme yet?

Our colour scheme is Red and White x

[rachy]

Hiya,

No i didnt go through just marry i organised it myself with a external wedding planner. I wanted to speak to the hotel direct to know exactly what i was getting.

I know a lot of people on here say the swan and dolphin only deal with Just marry but i dealt with them direct. I wanted to cut out the middle man and have exactly what i wanted.

I also saw a report on here who used just marry and it rained on her day and they didnt have a back up plan so i wanted to avoid those sort of issues.

I got in contact with the Swan and Dolphin because i wanted to deal with them direct but they just passed my details onto Just Marry.

Can i ask where you had your meal after, and how many guests you had at your wedding? x

[figment fan21]

oh red and white is so stunning! good choice

[rachy]

oh red and white is so stunning! good choice

What did you decide on? x

[figment fan21]

We're doing Navy blue and Fuschia. DF and I just picked our favorite colors and figured out a way to make it look good. lol

but red and white is amazing! I did alot of searching the internet on wedding colors and that was definately up there on my list. :)

[jennjones1]

Its so strange how they let me deal with them direct but other brides seem to keep getting issues. Maybe it has changed since i was planning mine.

We had the reception in one of the conference rooms at the swan. There was 20 people including me and the groom.

[rachy]

Don't know if anyone else ever feels like this but sometimes i just feel it would be better if it was just DF and myself going to Orlando to get married.

We are only inviting immediate family so technically there should be 10 of us in total but here is the situation:

*My dad (Does not get on with my mum, a couple of months ago we got together with my mum and it all ended in a row and in tears)

* My dads wife (has never met my mum so not sure how that will go down)

*My mum (see above)

*Mums boyfriend (we have met him twice and feel like he is offering a little more than his opinion when it comes to our wedding)

*My brother and his girlfriend not coming to the wedding which i am gutted about, because they are going to Mexico and this was booked before our wedding was planned. A selfish part of me wishes he would go to Mexico the year after and come to our wedding next year, but i can't possibly suggest that.

*DF's mum and dad, won't accept we are getting married in Orlando, and trying to persuade us to get married in UK. They will come to Florida but only because they feel like they have to (their words not mine) and will only come for a few days.

Never realised it would be this stressful planning such a small wedding!

[figment fan21]

OMG you're going through the same thing i am.... DF and I keep talking about moving the wedding up sooner and not telling anyone so its just us.

So first :hug::hug::hug:

My advice in your parents is this... Its you and your DF's DAY nobody elses. If people can't put aside their differences for something so important to you then they dont need to be there. And you can nicely remind them of that. Its going to be tough on you believe me, there are alot of times where i get so stressed i end up just crying and saying forget it! But you have to remember who this is for... You and your Man!

As far as your DF's parents not wanting you to do it in orlando... we have the same issue. We also told them very nicely that they didn't have to come if they didn't want to but that we weren't changing our minds. FDMIL still sends me emails of places to get married up here. I just delete them.

I dont know if you've been introduced yet but these are your "hater blockers" :cool2: Use them whenever people are giving you a hard time when it comes to your wedding. We ALL have used them on the boards. Next time someone gives you a hard time or stresses you out put them on, open up a bottle of wine and have a glass, and come vent on the boards! We're here for ya hun! :goodvibes

[rachy]

OMG you're going through the same thing i am.... DF and I keep talking about moving the wedding up sooner and not telling anyone so its just us.

So first :hug::hug::hug:

My advice in your parents is this... Its you and your DF's DAY nobody elses. If people can't put aside their differences for something so important to you then they dont need to be there. And you can nicely remind them of that. Its going to be tough on you believe me, there are alot of times where i get so stressed i end up just crying and saying forget it! But you have to remember who this is for... You and your Man!

As far as your DF's parents not wanting you to do it in orlando... we have the same issue. We also told them very nicely that they didn't have to come if they didn't want to but that we weren't changing our minds. FDMIL still sends me emails of places to get married up here. I just delete them.

I dont know if you've been introduced yet but these are your "hater blockers" :cool2: Use them whenever people are giving you a hard time when it comes to your wedding. We ALL have used them on the boards. Next time someone gives you a hard time or stresses you out put them on, open up a bottle of wine and have a glass, and come vent on the boards! We're here for ya hun! :goodvibes

Awww thank you, thats really sweet of you!

His parents have told us they will give us £5,000 if we get married in this country. An average British wedding costs £20,000, and plus even if they paid for it all we still wouldn't get married here. It's not what we want, it's not us. We don't like a lot of fuss.

Needless to say they haven't offered to give us money for Florida, not that we are expecting anything off them because we do understand how much the holiday costs, it's not cheap we appreciate that, but when someone says that they don't really want to go, they just feel like they have to be there, is pretty hurtful.

Why can't people just be happy with whatever decision you or i or anyone else that is going through the same thing make? x

[figment fan21]

Yea my mother offered to pay for the whole thing if we had it here but she wanted all control. she wanted us married at a certain church (DF and I are different religions and neither one of us is religious) and she wanted us to have the reception at this place that i can't stand. She also wanted a certain amount of her friends invited. Not fair!

And FDMIL said that if we have the wedding in disney shes not getting us a gift, not for the bridal shower or the wedding... nothing. Which is fine but do you have to make it a point to tell me this in a nasty way? I mean i understand the cost to go and i fully expect not to get alot of gifts but come on! Don't be mean about it!

Anyway Definatly dont worry... i think all brides and groom who decide to have a destination wedding have these issues at some point. Whether its a disney wedding or elsewhere. To me, small intimate weddings are beautiful. Its about the two people getting married and not about the glitz and glamour. (nothing against anyone having a large wedding i completely get it!) Make piece with your decision and use those hater blockers and make your wedding the most amazing wedding you and your man have envisioned!

[rachy]

We are now having our wedding at Celebration hotel in Celebration. The pacakge which they have there is much more suited for our small amount of guests.

We like the fact that we can have our cermony and reception meal. It's a sit down meal and the menu looks really lovely.
We also like the fact we get 2 nights in the hotel included in the price.

Please don't let the fact that we are not having our wedding at the Swan and Dolphin put anyone off, or Just Marry for that matter.

Just Marry are very professional and always replied to my emails promptly, and the quote which we had from them is very good.

If anyone is interested here is the website to the hotel www.celebrationhotel.com. I will of course keep on with my PJ, just in case anyone would like there wedding here, and hopefully will be posting some lovely photos.

Getting excited now, we love Celebration!

Rachel
x

[figment fan21]

Oh wow!!!! That hotel is beautiful! I looked at their wedding gallery and the pictures are lovely! How close is it to Disney? You could maybe even take a quick drive over with your photographer and get a few pictures taken over at the swan/dolphin. :) And if its less money out of your pocket thats awesome! If I wasn't so sold on SBP i'd definatly look into this!

[rachy]

Oh wow!!!! That hotel is beautiful! I looked at their wedding gallery and the pictures are lovely! How close is it to Disney? You could maybe even take a quick drive over with your photographer and get a few pictures taken over at the swan/dolphin. :) And if its less money out of your pocket thats awesome! If I wasn't so sold on SBP i'd definatly look into this!

Thank you. It's only just off the 192 in Kissimmee, where we usually stay. It takes about 10 minutes to get into Disney.

Yes might speak to Randy about photos, i do like the lake setting at the hotel. It's a lot less money, and we may upgrade to a suite too! Feel so much happier about everything. Been so stressed over last few days! x

[figment fan21]

Thats great! I'm glad you're not stressing anymore!:goodvibes

It really is a beautiful! You'll have to tell me all about! what does the package include?

[rachy]

Sorry for delay. In our wedding package we get:

*2 night stay at Celebration hotel for the bride and groom
*Intimate lakefront wedding ceremony
*Bride bouquet and groom boutonniere
*Dinner centrepiece
*Photography package (which i don't need because we have Randy)
*Officiant (which we don't need because we have Rev Ron)
*Violinist or keyboardist
*Candlelight dinner with chef selection of hors d’oeuvres, two-hour open bar for bride & groom and 8 Guests in the Plantation Room
*Champagne toast
*Wedding cake
*Additional guests may be added at a cost of $125.00 per guest, plus gratuity and tax (maximum total is 25 guests)
*Grand exit in one of the hotel's luxury vehicles

Our quote is $3500 but there is no tax or gratuity on that and we would like to upgrade our wedding cake and floral. But to be honest i don't think thats bad at all.

We will be getting our contracts tomorrow and sending off the deposit!

Rachel
x

[figment fan21]

Oh wow! thats a great deal!!!!

What do you want to upgrade your cake to? do you have any pictures of ones you like?

What kind of flowers are you going to have in your bouquet? I love seeing everyone's bouquet choices!

[Chilly]

That looks lovely. I hope your families come around :hug:

[rachy]

The contracts have now be signed, and deposit has been paid, so we can can officially say we are getting married on 1st October 2010!!!

I am just in the process of emailing Randy, Ron, and Ana to let them know the change in venue and to double check it's ok for them.

The cake which we get in our package is a simple one tier. So we are going to upgrade to a 2 tier. Really like these 2 cakes, let me know what you think?

http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt173/reeba1/cake.jpg

http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt173/reeba1/weddingcake.jpg

This would have red roses instead of lillies.

Which do you prefer?

[rachy]

Floral: I love anything that sparkles so these roses would be perfect for me.

Would you say most people went for 24 flowers or 36?

http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt173/reeba1/flowers.jpg

[figment fan21]

I LOVE the first cake! Its so cute with the crystals coming out of it!

And that bouquet is beautiful, i love when brides have big round bouquets! The crystals in the bouquet are great too... it would match if you did cake number 1.

[rachy]

Think i am going towards cake number one too.

Just hope the cake company will be able to do something similar. Would also love silver edible glitter to make it more sparkly!

The more sparkles the better x

[figment fan21]

alright you need to do an update missy!

I want to see your dress and hear about all your wedding plans!.... No pressure :rolleyes1

[rachy]

A lot has changed since i last posted.

We now have 9 guests, which may increase if my brother and his girlfriend decide they can come, hope they can!

We also have a bridesmaid, something which we weren't planning on having but when Kev's sister and niece decided they were coming we decided to ask his niece. I have ordered her dress from Millie bridal in China, heard a lot of good things about this company so decide to bite the bullet and order it. We want the dress to be like this but in White with a Red bow, and lots of sparkles added to the skirt, going to get her some white ballet pumps.

http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt173/reeba1/bridesmaiddress2.jpg

Let me know what you think!

For her hair we have got her a small tiara and thinking of this hair style

http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt173/reeba1/chantelhair.jpg

Oh should mentioned she is 11 by the way but taller than me, so the dress won't drown her.

[rachy]

Would also like to mention in December we got another dog as company for Reeba so we have been mega busy with him. He is also a Siberian Husky named Fester! Such a little cutey, and they get on so great together although at first Reeba wasn't too sure!



http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt173/reeba1/020-1.jpg

[figment fan21]

Oh. My. GOD! Fester is ADORABLE!!!! hehehe!!! Love that you shared that!

Back to wedding stuff... I love the dress you picked out for your bridesmaid! And the hair style i think is perfect for her age... not too grown up, yet not little girl-ish either.

Did you decide on a wedding gown?!

[rachy]

Oh. My. GOD! Fester is ADORABLE!!!! hehehe!!! Love that you shared that!

Back to wedding stuff... I love the dress you picked out for your bridesmaid! And the hair style i think is perfect for her age... not too grown up, yet not little girl-ish either.

Did you decide on a wedding gown?!

I did get my gown yes, it's a Ronald Joyce one but i can't lift the dress off the website to show you and to be honest it looks completely different on, it's called Cora if you can find it. I will be wearing a 3 hoop skirt under to make it bigger but i am renting it off Carolyn Allen's for a fantastic $30!

[rachy]

DF is also happy that his best friend is coming so he will have a best man after all, we are not really fussed on what he wears though, although we are renting a tie from Carolyn Allen's to match with DF.

Here is what DF will be wearing. Probably the only chance he will get to wear a white suit so why not go for it on wedding day. This is also from Carolyn Allen's.

http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt173/reeba1/kevoutfit.jpg

[figment fan21]

That suit is VERY classy! It'll look awesome! And i googled your dress it looks beautiful! I can imagine it with a big hoop skirt! you're going to look like cinderella! :)

I'm glad you'll get a bridesmaid and you DF will get a best man. It helps to have the support! (and somone to carry your train and hold your bouquet ;) )

[Sarah84]

yay! you're back on here updating your PJ.
Your dress is gorgeous and the red will look lovely. Do you know how much Carolyn Allens charge for suit rentals? DFi plans to rent a suit rather than buy one and we were going to get it here but would mean renting it for 2 weeks which would probably bump the cost right up so was thinking of renting once we get to Orlando.

Aww i hadnt seen that picture of Fester what a cutie :)

[rachy]

His suit costs $170 including shoes which i think is great!

Will keep updating but don't think many people are interested because it is not a Disney wedding boo hoo! :sad2:

[Sarah84]

His suit costs $170 including shoes which i think is great!

Will keep updating but don't think many people are interested because it is not a Disney wedding boo hoo! :sad2:

Oh no i want to read all your plans, and see what you are doing. Maybe you could start your own planning thread over on the dibb as thats Florida weddings in general not just disney :confused3

Thats pretty good price then including shoes. I think darren will just bring he's own shoes though, i was looking at Moss suit hire over here and they have some nice ones for about £45 for the suit or £80 for whole package suit, waistecoat, shirt, tie but that is only for 3 days and we will be gone from monday and then wouldnt be able to have it returned till at least the following thursday so about 10 days. My mum could return it as shes flying home earlier, will have to figure out nearer the time which will work out easiest and cheapest.

[rachy]

Oh no i want to read all your plans, and see what you are doing. Maybe you could start your own planning thread over on the dibb as thats Florida weddings in general not just disney :confused3

Thats pretty good price then including shoes. I think darren will just bring he's own shoes though, i was looking at Moss suit hire over here and they have some nice ones for about £45 for the suit or £80 for whole package suit, waistecoat, shirt, tie but that is only for 3 days and we will be gone from monday and then wouldnt be able to have it returned till at least the following thursday so about 10 days. My mum could return it as shes flying home earlier, will have to figure out nearer the time which will work out easiest and cheapest.

Yes i might post it on the dibb.

Because Kev is wearing white shoes with his suit, told him there is no point in him buying them and besides it will take up more space in suitcase so less room for my clothes! lol

Thats a good price though, i think renting suits is so much more convenient unless of course they are going to wear it again x