Princesswendy720's Wedding 11/4/12 -Menu Tasting and Floral Planning

[princesswendy720]

I've been a long (long long long) time lurker on these wedding boards, but just got engaged yesterday! I may have made a rogue comment on your PJ or other thread at some point. Sometimes I just couldn't contain myself :goodvibes

However now that I'm officially engaged, I can start to officially plan (not that I haven't been doing it unofficially since I discovered all these great planning journals).

So...I'll start with a little bit about us

I'm Wendy. I'm 24 years old and I work in marketing for an insurance company in NJ. I'm a lifelong Disney lover, as is most of my family. My first trip was before I even turned 1. My parents had a Disneymoon 30 years ago. We went almost every year growing up. Our last full family trip was when I was 13, so I'm excited that we're all going back together. I've also been to Disneyland once and Disneyland Paris. My goal is to visit every Disney park in the world.

My fiancee's (it's weird saying that) name is Greg. He is 27 and works in IT. He likes Disney, but isn't quite as passionate as me. His real passions are video games and music (he's a drummer and is learning the bass). Although he's agreed to it, I'm not sure he is 100% sold on the Disney wedding because he thinks a lot of people won't come.

Here we are on one of our many Disney trips (3 so far and 1 Disney cruise planned)
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs027.snc3/11431_888638159929_8839524_49864316_7664831_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs007.snc3/11431_888641757719_8839524_49864399_8086689_n.jpg

How we met: We have been together for 2.5 years. We met during my senior year of college during winter break. Neither of us were actually supposed to be at the place we met, so I think it was fate.

I was living in my sorority house that year, and we weren't allowed to stay during breaks so I was in my hometown. I had the random urge to get a new piercing and called my good friend Michelle and asked if she would want to come with me the next day. Since she is also a fan of spontaneous piercings, she agreed and asked me if I wanted to go to a party at her friend's house that night. I was definitely hesitant, since the person in question had been hitting on me since I was 13 and couldn't take the hint that it was not going to happen for us. However I needed to get away from my parents for a little while so I agreed.

Greg's band had just played a show that night, and they were originally supposed to have people over his singer's house. At the last minute, they decided to go to a party at the singer's friend's house. At the party, everyone was busy playing rock band or drinking games, and me and Michelle were getting very bored. We asked if anyone had cards, and Greg and his friend said they did. We all started hanging out and talking when I noticed that this Greg kid was really cute and funny.

At the end of the night, I decided to really take a chance. I'm very shy so it was very out of character, but I knew I would regret not seeing him again, so I asked if Greg wanted my number. He said "of course!" and he called me later that week to hang out. Our first date was the movies (we saw Juno...maybe not a great first date choice in retrospect haha) but the rest is history.

We moved in together a little over a year ago and I never seem to get sick of the guy :love: We also got a puppy, Oliver the papillon, a year ago and together we're a little family.

Up next: the proposal!

[Torrance]

Congratulations on your engagement, and hurray for a Disney wedding! :woohoo:

[Disney9.9.10]

Congratulations on your engagement and upcoming wedding! I look forward to reading as you plan! And I love your goal of visiting every Disney park around the world!

[princesswendy720]

Greg and I had talked about getting engaged, and I knew he was saving up for a ring. I was hoping that we would be engaged by the end of 2010, but due to a lucky/unexpected inflow of money, he was able to buy the ring sooner than expected!

We go to the beach in New Jersey every weekend during the summer, his dad has a house there. I knew he had the ring, but didn't know when he was going to propose, and I really believed that he hadn't brought it down with us that weekend.

He asked me if I wanted to take Oliver for a walk to the bay and said I should bring my camera. He bought me a nice camera for Christmas and I'm still learning how to use it. Some pre-proposal pictures:


http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs188.snc4/37729_10100155517902759_8839524_55696526_1719268_n .jpg

My favorite subject!
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs088.ash2/37729_10100155517907749_8839524_55696527_6888088_n .jpg

We found a good spot in the sand, sat down, and he went into a cute little speech. I won't put all the details here but basically he said that he loved me and wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. Then he pulled the ring out. It was so pretty! I had sent him a few links to rings I liked and it was even more perfect in person. I said yes, (of course)!

The ring:
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs168.snc4/37729_10100155517912739_8839524_55696528_3973043_n .jpg

Using the self-timer on my camera
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs088.ash2/37729_10100155517917729_8839524_55696529_978180_n. jpg

We're both very shy and felt a little weird calling up people to announce it. So I texted my mom the picture and waited until she called :lmao: We went back to the beach house and showed his dad, sister, and step-mom. They said we were grinning like idiots when we came in and they knew something was up right away :love:

Later that night we went to his Grandma and Aunt's houses (yes his whole family owns beach houses in the same town - we see a lot of them during the summer) to share the good news.

We've gotten a lot of overwhelmingly positive reactions to the news, which is great. Of course we told everyone that we were going to be planning a Disney wedding!

[erin.w]

Congrats on the engagement!

One word about a wedding at WDW - we had to stop inviting people because no one said no and we can only afford so many guests! :p

[princesswendy720]

I've been planning the little details (and bigger ones like locations) for what seems like forever in my head. One thing that I can not seem to pick, is a date, not even in a general sense. Please excuse the rambling below - if indecisiveness bugs you...don't read on. You've been forewarned.

There are only a few months that we can/would consider getting married in Disney. Definitely no months that are unbearably hot (June, July, August, September). No months during tax season (January through April)- Greg's Dad, Uncle, and Cousin are all accountants. No December (my brother works in retail and won't get the time off). So that leaves May, October, or November. Out of those, I want November...the weather is great, the parks aren't crowded earlier in the month, the Christmas decorations are already up, and we might be able to catch the tail end of the Food and Wine Festival.

The problem? I'm just not sure that we'll be able to save the funds up for November 2011. I haven't had the "talk" with my parents yet on finances to see if they can contribute at all. My mom did mention it in an indirect way on the call, but I said we'd talk about it later. She's going to come over this week to see the ring and I'm hoping she brings it up. The other issues - we'd need to start sending deposits in right away to secure our dates and locations. Also, we already have a Disney cruise planned for February of 2011, and Greg doesn't get a lot of vacation. That means we may need to wait until January of 2012 for the honeymoon. I've considered waiting until November 2012, but it just seems so far away.

I'm also considering May 2012. We'd have more time to save (another yearly bonus and tax return). And we'd be able to take our honeymoon right after the wedding. I'm just not sold on the weather in May, neither of us like intense heat or humidity. It would be very very early May (I might even try for April 30 - if Greg's Dad can make it). Does it rain a lot in May? Also, we won't have the Christmas decorations or F&WF if we do it in May. Those are 2 of my favorite things in Disney.

Decisions Decisions. How did you pick a date? How long is your engagement? Any experience in May? Did it rain? Was it hot?

[princesswendy720]

Congratulations on your engagement, and hurray for a Disney wedding! :woohoo:

Thank you!

Congratulations on your engagement and upcoming wedding! I look forward to reading as you plan! And I love your goal of visiting every Disney park around the world!

Thanks! I'm dying to go to Japan in general, so I think Tokyo will be my next international Disney park!

Congrats on the engagement!

One word about a wedding at WDW - we had to stop inviting people because no one said no and we can only afford so many guests! :p

Thank you! Greg is concerned that no one will come, but I actually think a lot of people will! I have a plan of inviting around 50 family and close friends, hoping that 40 come. I can't afford any more than that!

[pixiegirl]

Congrats!!! Can't wait to read all your plans!!

[irishwishes]

Congrats on the engagement! I've spent my summers at the Jersey Shore all my life! I go into a depression when I'm not down there in the summer and am forced to be at work.

It took a bunch of convincing on my part to get my fiance to agree to a Disney wedding so I know how you feel. I hope all your plans come together and I'll be following along!

[princesswendy720]

Thanks to everyone who is reading along! I just wanted to post a quick update from work to say that my mom is coming over tonight so hopefully we can nail down a date. Then I can update on all my inspiration pics and ideas!

[DisneyDiva84]

:wave2: Hi and Welcome to the Boards!

Congrats on your engagement, that is so exciting and what a sweet story! I love your dog btw so cute

Our engagement will actually end up being under a year but that's because we went with the earlier date. I was the exact same as you :) Being former CM's my fiance and I knew that anything in Spring/Summer was a no-go due to crowd levels and we didn't want a Christmas wedding because its always too busy around then. So our choices were narrowed down to Oct, Feb, and Jan. February was our anniversary and I love October because of Halloween :)

Our family were actually the ones that led us to october. My parents were supposed to join us in Disney for the Half in January but got snowed in due to a freak snow strom in STL. What if that would happen during the week of the wedding!!!! Once we found out 10.10.10 was available we jumped on it.

I will say though it has been a difficult trip in the road of finances with my parents because the big payment was due 6 months after we got engaged but we have made it work. I won't say it hasn't been a struggle though so just be prepared if its something you are worried about, (you seriously remind me of me) But you will get through it. Biggest piece of advice about the date I can give is to choose one that you want but also is good with the parents and family. Just don't let them choose it for you, in the end after all it is your day :bride:

Congrats again can't wait to hear more

[KR1343]

Congrats!!! you'll have so much fun planning your "happily ever after!!" I know I am :love:

[princesswendy720]

:wave2: Hi and Welcome to the Boards!

Congrats on your engagement, that is so exciting and what a sweet story! I love your dog btw so cute

Our engagement will actually end up being under a year but that's because we went with the earlier date. I was the exact same as you :) Being former CM's my fiance and I knew that anything in Spring/Summer was a no-go due to crowd levels and we didn't want a Christmas wedding because its always too busy around then. So our choices were narrowed down to Oct, Feb, and Jan. February was our anniversary and I love October because of Halloween :)

Our family were actually the ones that led us to october. My parents were supposed to join us in Disney for the Half in January but got snowed in due to a freak snow strom in STL. What if that would happen during the week of the wedding!!!! Once we found out 10.10.10 was available we jumped on it.

I will say though it has been a difficult trip in the road of finances with my parents because the big payment was due 6 months after we got engaged but we have made it work. I won't say it hasn't been a struggle though so just be prepared if its something you are worried about, (you seriously remind me of me) But you will get through it. Biggest piece of advice about the date I can give is to choose one that you want but also is good with the parents and family. Just don't let them choose it for you, in the end after all it is your day :bride:

Congrats again can't wait to hear more

Hi and thank you! That does sound a lot like our dilemma! I'll have to check out your plans. I'm still on the fence at this point, but I am leaning towards postponing it so we can have the wedding and honeymoon of our dreams with no regrets. It will make me sad to have to wait so long to officially get things planned, but hopefully it will be worth it in the end.

Congrats!!! you'll have so much fun planning your "happily ever after!!" I know I am :love:

Thank you!!

[princesswendy720]

My Mom came over tonight for dinner and to see the ring. We did a little wedding talk as well. The good news is that her and my dad want to help us out with the wedding. But the not so good news is that even with their help, we still don't think we can make November 2011. :sad2:

I'm trying to look on the upside of things, we don't have to cancel our February Disney cruise, we have more time to save for the perfect wedding and won't have to cut corners, and me, Greg, and my parents will all have an extra year to save. It's scary to think that I can't even book until a little less than a year from now.

In other news, I'm going to add a few days in Disney after our cruise so we can do an engagement photo shoot. I want to do it at 2 of the monorail resorts and on the monorail. I'd like to carry some Mickey balloons in some of the pictures :goodvibes I'm undecided between the Roots and Studio 222. I've reached out to both on pricing. I did however get a dress for the occasion:

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/_6079268.jpg

I want to get a cool, chunky turquoise necklace to go with it.

Which brings me to some inspiration for the wedding. Our colors will be turquoise and purple. Right now (and this might change before we can actually book), I want a ceremony around 5 at Sea Breeze Point and a reception at Atlantic Dance Hall. The theme would be 1940s inspired, I'd love to be able to get a big band, I think that's out of the budget though.

Here are some of my inspiration pictures.

Bouquet
I like the blue in this one (I don't like the messy greenery)
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/bouquet.jpg

I LOVE this one even though it has a lot of green. That fluffy green stuff is actually my favorite part of it
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/lavederandpurplerosebridalbouquet.jpg

This is a swatch of some envelopment card stock that I'm going to use in our invitations. It's the inspiration for the turquoise
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/Untitled.jpg

Reception Decor: I want smaller square cocktail tables. I want it to have more of a swanky party than a wedding reception.

I like the linens and chairs here:
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/img_0662.jpg

And the centerpieces like this but with fewer calla lilies and some white ostrich feathers:
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/DS_tablestyles_39.jpg

Cakes:
I like how both of these could incorporate the pattern from the invitations:
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/mws1544_fal08_rhap_cake_xl.jpg

I prefer a square cake though:
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/3412293403_35bbe9febe.jpg
And lastly, here are the cartoon versions of me and Greg that I made and plan on using in our Save the Dates and website:
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/Untitled-4.jpg

[erin.w]

why didn't I think to style the cake after our invitations? silly me!

Loving your ideas so far! We chose the Roots and loved our engagement session with them!

[princesswendy720]

Not much to report from my end...life has been so crazy the last week! Last Friday they asked me to fly out to California for work (I live in New Jersey). This would have been great, except I needed to fly out that Sunday! So I got back Wednesday, worked Thursday and Friday, then went to Greg's Aunt's lake house. Today is my niece's 3rd birthday, so I am going to my parents tomorrow night for cake...so much for getting back on my diet :sad2: I went on weight watchers almost 2 years ago with my Mom...I lost 25 pounds and maintained my weight for a year. Since our last Disney trip in March, I've yo-yo-ed gaining and losing 5 pounds. I want to get rid of those by the end of September in time for...

..our Engagement Party! My parents are throwing a party for us at their house. So that has sprung my creativity in the form of some DIY projects. Nothing is done yet, but I'm making pinwheels that will go in clear bottles as centerpieces. I designed a label to put on them. I'm also going to by the Cricut and make some black and white, bride and groom, cupcake sticks. I saw this online and I'm going to steal the idea:

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/katie-and-morgan-backyard-picnic-lunch-engagement013.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/katie-and-morgan-backyard-picnic-lunch-engagement014.jpg

You get some twine, clothespins, and cardstock, and people write well wishes, notes, recipes, etc and hang them on the twine. I'm also going to print some pictures of us throughout the years to go on the line.

In other news, I booked a photographer to take engagement photos when we're in Disney in February! :woohoo::cheer2: I was stuck between the Roots and Studio 222...after much thinking I decided to go with Studio 222. I LOVE the Roots' work and for forever I thought that I would use them, but my gut was just telling me to go with Studio 222 and I couldn't go against it! I also got an email from them today that they are putting holds on dates for 2012 brides. Definitely something that I'm considering! It's tough though because I can't confirm my date with Disney until 16 months before (which is their normal booking window). I don't want to put the money down for a date that I might not end up getting :confused3

[pixiegirl]

I love the clothes line idea. That is adorable!!! Good luck with the family drama!!! I hope it all works out!!

[princesswendy720]

I love the clothes line idea. That is adorable!!! Good luck with the family drama!!! I hope it all works out!!

Isn't it cute? I wish I could take credit but I just steal my ideas from random places haha! I think Df's family will come around and let us decide what we want to do..it's just taking them longer than some others.

[princesswendy720]

I just got back from the supermarket and Greg is doing the dishes so I can't start dinner yet. He always does the dishes...one of the many reasons I love him :lovestruc

The cardstock I ordered to make my "Will you be my bridesmaid?" cards came in today. I ordered it from Envelopper...it was cheaper than anywhere else and they didn't charge me for not meeting a minimum order. This is my inspiration:
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/il_430xN122249855.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/il_430xN122250034.jpg

I got turquoise z-fold cards with white invitation mats. I have to buy some dark purple ribbon to wrap around. I'm going to design the cards tonight...mine probably won't be as ornate as the ones above, and I want to get some Disney elements in there too.
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/933fb57a.jpg

Off topic - look what this little cardstock came packaged in...a million little Styrofoam peanuts! I thought they stopped using these when we discovered they're not biodegradable? Not very green! :eek:
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/25c49925.jpg

I haven't actually landed on my final bridal party yet...mostly because Df doesn't know who will be on his side. I know I want my best friend Amanda to be my maid of honor, and my good friend Michelle to be a bridesmaid. My niece Keira will be my flowergirl. She'll be 5 at the time of the wedding. We might not have a ringbearer...I know a lot of little boys, but I'm not that close to them. Df's nephew will be 9 at the time of the wedding...that's too old right? Greg has 2 sisters. I'm really only close to 1. Is it rude to ask 1 to be in the bridal party and not the other? I think 4 bridesmaid is too many for a wedding of only 40 people.

I get my best ideas while driving. It's my only alone time all day and the only time I can really think. I was struck with inspiration twice today.

1. Signature Drink
I always wondered if we would do this and what it would be. My favorite drink of all time is a drink that I had last year at the Epcot food and wine festival...it's the Green Tea Plum Wine Cooler from China. Not to be confused with the Green Tea Plum Bao Bing drink that's there year-round (that one is frozen). I was thinking we could serve this with a little sign explaining that it's my favorite Disney drink and then maybe also serve Greg's favorite Disney drink with a little sign explaining why he likes that. I have to find out what his favorite drink is though!

2. Casino Games
As I'm sure you know, Disney's Boardwalk is fashioned after 1940s era Atlantic City. I've already decided that I want some subtle 1940s details in the wedding, but I thought it would be cool to bring in some casino games for the cocktail hour (upstairs at Atlantic Dance Hall). I know Disney is weird about outside vendors at ADH, so I'd have to talk to them first to see if we can bring in some outside vendors. We'd probably do roulette, poker, and blackjack. They do casino games at elementary school fundraisers up here, so how pricey could they be? I'd love to have a band at the reception (I'm not crazy about DJs), but if that's too expensive which it likely will be considering Disney's posted prices (starting at $7,000?!?), maybe we could do casino entertainment during the reception as an alternative to music?

[pixiegirl]

I love your drink idea. I think that would be really fun!! I also like the casino games. That would be very fun!!

[princesswendy720]

Does anybody watch Bethenny Getting Married? I love her. I think if we met in real life we'd be friends :goodvibes On the season finale of her show, she wore this great dress to go baby clothes shopping. I couldn't stop thinking about it. Then she posted who made it on her site! I was so excited...unfortunately everyone else go the same idea and snatched up all the dresses that were on clearance from every online retailer!

Then today I decided to do another google search, and site came up that didn't in my prior searches. They had one size left, and it was my size! I ordered it...then went back to admire it...and the page said "No longer available." At first I was scared that maybe they were out of stock and didn't realize it until after they took my money. So I emailed the store to see if it was too good to be true, and no it wasn't, they shipped my dress out today!! Here it is:

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/alice-olivia-lexi-strapless-ballerina-dress-with-belt.jpg

I also love a bargain..and I got it for a few hundred dollars off the regular price!!

My cricut is coming in the mail tomorrow, and I had to order a new printer because mine just wasn't working for the DIY stuff. That'll be here hopefully soon. I ordered engagement party invites from a great Etsy seller! She customized the colors of it and the envelope for free. I ordered them yesterday and they've already shipped! I'll post pictures when I get them.

I finished our wedding monogram...here it is:

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/monogram-3.jpg

[DisneyDiva84]

Congrats on everything thus far! I LOVE :lovestruc your engagement party dress so cute!

Can't wait to read more, the monogram looks fantastic too!

[pixiegirl]

I love Bethenny getting married. She is so funny!!! I love that dress that she was wearing while clothes shopping. I am so glad you were able to find it and on sale to boot!!! I love your monogram too!!! Looks great!!

[CityGirlLost]

Wow! Congrats on the Jersey Shore engagement and on getting so much accomplished already!

[*Pixiedust1438*]

Congrats on your engagement, and yay for ADH! I love the idea to have casino games at your cocktail hour. You have a lot done already! I just decided on my bridal party, and I ended up with 7 girls and we are only having 50-60 guests. I thought that was too many also, but in the end I just couldn't leave anyone out, and I deff. don't think 4 is too many! Have a great time at the engagement party!

[princesswendy720]

Thanks for all the comments guys! I feel like I'm starting to gain some momentum here :banana:

I got some DIY projects for the engagement party done this weekend. I just noticed Carly's giveaway this week is something similar to the first thing I made...cupcake toppers! I made these with my newly acquired cricut, excuse the crappy iphone picture

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/16ae5e4b-1.jpg

I also finished the pinwheels that I'm using as centerpieces...these will go in empty orange/grape soda bottles with labels that I designed.

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/16c9499b-1.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/2a3eb9cc-1.jpg

My new printer is coming in tomorrow...so I can finish the bridesmaid cards and centerpiece labels.

I made the dining reservations for our February trip, they are:
Sunday trough Thursday - Cruising on the Dream
Thursday: Yak and Yeti late lunch
Friday: Ohana breakfast and California Grill dinner (Engagement Pictures day)
Saturday: Le Cellier

I haven't pulled the trigger and made our hotel reservation yet. They released all the specials today, so even though I was going to rent DVC points, I think we will save some money and use the room only discount to get a moderate resort. Has anyone stayed at Port Orleans Riverside? When I called Dfi to ask him what he thought, he played dumb like he had no idea we were going to Disney :confused3 I swear sometimes he just nods and doesn't listen to a word I say ugh. Luckily for me, he's a "tell me where to go and I'll be there" kind of person.

[weedee]

We stayed at POR for our wedding in June :goodvibes It was my first time staying there and it was gorgeous. I recommend reserving a riverside view room because the view is amazing :) I'm a Wendy too btw!

[princesswendy720]

We stayed at POR for our wedding in June :goodvibes It was my first time staying there and it was gorgeous. I recommend reserving a riverside view room because the view is amazing :) I'm a Wendy too btw!

Hi fellow Wendy! :goodvibes I didn't actually meet another Wendy until I was 18 and went off to college, she was across the hall from me in the dorm ironically! I booked the room at POR :yay: Were you in Magnolia Bend or Alligator Bayou? I like the look of the Magnolia Bend buildings better, but I'm not sure if one has a better location than the other. Did you get ready there? I'm doing a hair/makeup trial before our engagement pictures so I'm hoping there is enough room for them to do their magic. Btw...your wedding was so beautiful!

Some more updates...
I forgot to mention that Greg has, to my surprise, started taking quite an interest in all things wedding. He sat with me for hours yesterday watching My Fair Wedding and was actually making commentary :lmao:

Then I looked over and he was sketching..he got a bright idea for the two of us (which really means me) to make a 2 tiered, fondant cake for the engagement party. :scared1: I'm already going to be making cupcakes, and I told him that cakes like that are a lot of work and would take hours! I made one for my niece's 1st birthday party and there's a reason I haven't done it again in almost 2 years. I'm going to take off work the day before the party, so maybe I'll humor him.

Our invitee list for the engagement party is 60 people!! We're hoping and praying they all don't come because if it rains we don't know where we'll put everyone!

[LuvLuvLuv]

Congratulations! I'm joining in!! I know Nov 2012 seems far.... but it'll be soooo worth it!!

We're not engaged yet, but have lived together for over 2 years and know it's going to happen... we just want to make sure its right, and everything we want. First it was November 2011, lol... then April 2012, lol... then November 2012... and final answer now is April 22, 2013--no matter what. I think it will be worth the wait, and I'm sure time will fly. Until then... I will sit back and quietly plan. (the other day i got tux swatches in the mail and he's like--ummmm???? lol!!)

[weedee]

Thank you! :goodvibes

We stayed in Magnolia Bend with our room directly facing the river - I just loved the look of the buildings more and I think they made for better pictures for our wedding day. The rooms are more girly :cutie: We did get ready there...we had a standard room but it was more than enough for 4 girls getting their hair/make up done. Hope you enjoy your stay there, it's lovely! :lovestruc

I actually knew a Wendy in elementary school and we instantly became BFF's since our names were the same (because of course that's how it works back then!). I haven't really met any other Wendy's face to face since then!

[Dr.Cinderella]

Hi Wendy! Congrats on your engagement from another 2012 bride! Hopefully it will be here before we know it!! I love all your plans so far, everything is beautiful and goes together really well! Cant wait to hear more!
Marissa

[princesswendy720]

Congratulations! I'm joining in!! I know Nov 2012 seems far.... but it'll be soooo worth it!!

We're not engaged yet, but have lived together for over 2 years and know it's going to happen... we just want to make sure its right, and everything we want. First it was November 2011, lol... then April 2012, lol... then November 2012... and final answer now is April 22, 2013--no matter what. I think it will be worth the wait, and I'm sure time will fly. Until then... I will sit back and quietly plan. (the other day i got tux swatches in the mail and he's like--ummmm???? lol!!)

Thank you!! I know how you feel...I really wanted November 2011 to work, but we would have had to scale things back significantly and I figure we're going to be married for the rest of our lives, what's waiting another year to have the perfect wedding? I was already designing our invitations before we were engaged :lmao:

Hi Wendy! Congrats on your engagement from another 2012 bride! Hopefully it will be here before we know it!! I love all your plans so far, everything is beautiful and goes together really well! Cant wait to hear more!
Marissa

Thank you!

[princesswendy720]

So I've been busy printing and DIYing since my printer came in on Wednesday.

Our engagement party invites came in. I ordered them from a great seller on etsy...she was super fast and customized the colors of the invitations and envelopes. Here they are
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1034-1.jpg

I also finished my "Will you be my..." cards. I'm planning on making all of our paper products (invitations, save the dates, table cards, etc.) so this was a test to see if I was any good. I think they came out OK...some issues with centering the artwork but not terrible for a first try:
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1035-1.jpg

Open
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1038-1.jpg

What do you think?

[Sccrmnky2005]

So I've been busy printing and DIYing since my printer came in on Wednesday.

Our engagement party invites came in. I ordered them from a great seller on etsy...she was super fast and customized the colors of the invitations and envelopes. Here they are
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1034-1.jpg

I also finished my "Will you be my..." cards. I'm planning on making all of our paper products (invitations, save the dates, table cards, etc.) so this was a test to see if I was any good. I think they came out OK...some issues with centering the artwork but not terrible for a first try:
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1035-1.jpg



Open
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1038-1.jpg

What do you think?

Not sure how I passed up your PJ but I love everything so far!! Cute eparty dress!!

I love the DYI things:goodvibes
Cute will you be my... cards also! GREAT start on everything

I'm looking forward to reading more

[princesswendy720]

Not sure how I passed up your PJ but I love everything so far!! Cute eparty dress!!

I love the DYI things:goodvibes
Cute will you be my... cards also! GREAT start on everything

I'm looking forward to reading more

Thanks for reading! Your PJ has kept me motivated to keeping working on the DIY stuff!

[princesswendy720]

I want to give my bridal party a little gift with the cards that I made. I was thinking getting some Disney princess dolls, Greg thought it was a bad idea. I just want it to be something fun, Disney related, nothing too fancy (I'll save the good stuff for the real gifts before the wedding). I was thinking the tank tops with "Bridesmaid" and "Maid of Honor" in crystals, but I want them to wear those in Disney and I don't know if they'll last the 2 years. Did you give your future bridal party any little trinkets? Do you have any ideas/suggestions?

[*Pixiedust1438*]

I just asked my bridesmaids, well most of them, and like you, I made cards myself, and wanted to get them a small gift. I didn't want to spend a lot since I wanted to save $ for the actual gifts for being in the wedding. I ended up getting the girls a pink striped cozie, a candle and candle holder, and an eye sleeping mask. I put everything in cute little pink bags and tied a little "glass" slipper with ribbon onto the bag. The girls loved them. I posted pictures in my PJ if you want to check them out the link is in my sig. I think it is deff. worth getting something small! BTW I think the cards turned out great!

[HollyMarie2012]

Hey Wendy! I love all of you projects that you have in the works for your engagement party and the invitations are super cute! Yay for 2012 brides!!

[princesswendy720]

I ended up buying some little cosmetic/travel bags for my will you be in my bridal party gifts..I got them for a good price at Marshalls

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/ccf21497-1.jpg

Here they are all wrapped up...people who I will see in person got bags...I wrapped the ones I have to ship out of state:

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/4b96b9f4-1.jpg

So now, to give them out/send them away. I'm shy so I'm kind of nervous about asking! I'm not sure if I've mentioned it before, but (hopefully) my bridal party will be:
Maid of Honor: My best friend Amanda. We met 6 years ago when we both lived on the same floor of the FIT dorms. We moved in together 2nd semester, but I transferred after that. We've been great friends despite that. She lived in Wisconsin for work after college, and now she lives in Florida. I think she'll make a great MoH because she is extremely detail oriented and Type A (like me!).

Bridesmaids: My bridesmaids will be my good friend Michelle who I have known since I was 13 and Greg's 2 sisters, Amanda and Stephanie.

Flower Girl: My flower girl will be my niece. She's 3 now but will be 5 at the wedding.

Since we were home this weekend, I had time to do a lot of creative brainstorming, and I narrowed down my theme a little bit. I previously said I was going with a 1940s theme, and I've decided to incorporate more of the Boardwalk into it. I made another inspiration board:

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/inspiration-board-2.jpg

1. The place cards that I make will look like ride/attraction tickets.
2. The table names will be the names of Boardwalk rides/attractions. The bottom left was my inspiration for the table names, and the square on the right with "Bumper Cars" is a mockup that I made today.
3. Towards the middle is the initial design for our Save the Dates. The picture is a picture that I took of the Boardwalk. Once we get our engagement pictures, they will make up the letters in "Disney"
4. I've decided that I really want a popcorn machine at the cocktail hour. The top are some popcorn cones. I'll make ones in our colors with our monogram for the wedding. Does anyone know if Disney rents popcorn machines and how much they charge?
5. To bring in some of the art deco design elements from ADH, I picked out that cake design (I like the bottom and middle layer, would want something different for the top) and the bottom right room as inspiration for the overall feel that I want. I think I posted the centerpiece and linen/chair ideas I wanted in my last inspiration board.

Overall, I think it's going to come together really nicely! I'm going to start making and printing the table names, since that's something I can do so far ahead.

Also, we went to my parents yesterday for dinner and my aunt and uncle from my Dad's side and their good friends were over. I told them about our plans for a Disney wedding, and it sounds like they're going to come! Our family friends were actually ecstatic about the idea! They had gone to a Disney wedding before and thought it was beautiful and totally magical. They were even already asking me about hotel room discounts!

[princesswendy720]

I just asked my bridesmaids, well most of them, and like you, I made cards myself, and wanted to get them a small gift. I didn't want to spend a lot since I wanted to save $ for the actual gifts for being in the wedding. I ended up getting the girls a pink striped cozie, a candle and candle holder, and an eye sleeping mask. I put everything in cute little pink bags and tied a little "glass" slipper with ribbon onto the bag. The girls loved them. I posted pictures in my PJ if you want to check them out the link is in my sig. I think it is deff. worth getting something small! BTW I think the cards turned out great!

Thanks for the advice! I ended up going with little cosmetic travel bags. They were about $10 each and they can use them for the wedding trip!

Hey Wendy! I love all of you projects that you have in the works for your engagement party and the invitations are super cute! Yay for 2012 brides!!

Thank you! Do you have a date picked for your wedding yet? You should start a PJ! I change my mind all the time but now I have a record of all the random things that pop into my head so I don't forget :lmao:

[Sccrmnky2005]

Thanks for reading! Your PJ has kept me motivated to keeping working on the DIY stuff!

I'm sooo glad!!! I can't wait to see more DIY from you!!:goodvibes I love seeing new ideas!

I love the gift that is perfect for them to use on the trip! I'm doing shirts and almost have the front done. I will then get the back embrodered with their names... Can't wait to see what you come up with:cool1:

[pixiegirl]

Love your new theme(well not really new but revamped)!! Everything is going to look so nice.

DF really wants a popcorn machine for the reception but unfortunately I don't think it will work for our theme but think it is great that it works with yours. I may surprise him with a popcorn machine for the rehearsal dinner though!!

[irishwishes]

The ideas look awesome! Where did you get the picture for the ticket place cards? My invitations are themed like a ticket and place cards like that would tie in nicely.

[princesswendy720]

The ideas look awesome! Where did you get the picture for the ticket place cards? My invitations are themed like a ticket and place cards like that would tie in nicely.

I think I just googled ride ticket place card or carnival ticket place card and a lot of different options came up :thumbsup2

[princesswendy720]

So if anyone has followed a few of the posts on the main board today you'll know that I'm freaking out because there is a new rule that you must have at least 150 people to book ADH! :mad:

The more I think about it the more mad I get...because I feel like we are being forced into using a theme park location if we want something uniquely "Disney" therefore we are being forced to use their own services - photography and the like.

I called up DF very upset and he said "Well I know wherever we have our wedding it will be the best day ever because I'll be getting you as a wife." :lovestruc:lovestruc Ok that melted my heart a little bit but it doesn't really solve the crisis at hand...which is where are we going to have our reception and does this mean that all of the planning and brainstorming I've been doing has gone to waste? Pretty much, yea, it does. A "Boardwalk" theme really only works at a Boardwalk location...and since Ariel's hasn't been announced as being available in 2012...I may be SOL.

So to make myself feel better, I've come up with the following options
1. Do nothing and hope that Disney revises it's new guest limit policy for ADH (this is highly unlikely)
2. Keep everything the same and hope that Ariel's is available in 2012. There's more hope for this than option 1 but I still don't want to have to start from square one when I find out it's not the case.
3. Keep our 5 pm SBP ceremony and have a theme park location for the reception...I'm particularly thinking somewhere in Animal Kingdom...most likely Tamu Tamu Courtyard since the Belvedere Ruins have a $3,000 site fee and $5000 F&B minimum. I'd also inquire about other options in the "Asia" area. In this case our theme would still be 1940s but would have to be more Casablanca than Boardwalk. We'd also only be able to use Studio 222 before and during the ceremony, and use DPS for the ceremony.
4. Change things completely and have a morning ceremony in Japan (did I ever mention the DF and I LOVE everything about Japanese culture?) using DPS then have an out of the park brunch reception with Studio 222 taking pictures and doing pictures on the Boardwalk after the reception. Since the minimums are lower we would probably do a dessert party with this option.

So...I'm going to show DF the pictures of all the options tonight and see what he thinks.

What do you guys think? Should I just stop planning until I can sign a contract? I don't want to get attached to another idea just to have it ripped away from me again :confused:

[mhawk4]

So if anyone has followed a few of the posts on the main board today you'll know that I'm freaking out because there is a new rule that you must have at least 150 people to book ADH! :mad:

What do you guys think? Should I just stop planning until I can sign a contract? I don't want to get attached to another idea just to have it ripped away from me again :confused:

You should keep looking at all of your options. Even though you have your heart set on certain things and themes, maybe you will run into something you had not though of.

Hang in there! Your wedding will be special!

[*Pixiedust1438*]

Wendy, I am sorry you are having to deal with this, I would be furious and you have every reason to be. :hug:

First off, I think you should be able to book with Disney sooner than you can, and that would solve some of the issues. Around here you can book 2+ years ahead of time for reception venues, and many people do.

As far as deciding what to do now, I think you have come up with a lot of really great alternatives that all would make for a fabulous wedding, and with your creativity I'm sure anywhere will turn out great! I would deff. ask about any waivering on ADH before doing anything (I don't see why the wouldn't let a bride with less than 150 guests use it if available, seems silly.) If that is not an option, Ariel's is a good second, there are a few more locations on the Boardwalk you could look into that would go good with your theme. How about the Attic, the Ballrooms at the Boardwalk, or the Beach at the Yacht and Beach Club (This would be so neat, maybe you could even do a reception here and a DP at the Attic and guests could walk along the Boardwalk to get there!) Disney has a lot of choices and I'm sure you will find something that you and DF love! Keep your options open, I think all your ideas sound great!

[princesswendy720]

You should keep looking at all of your options. Even though you have your heart set on certain things and themes, maybe you will run into something you had not though of.

Hang in there! Your wedding will be special!

Thanks for the encouragement! I'm sure things will work out and it will be great no matter what, I'm just feeling a little low at the moment.

Wendy, I am sorry you are having to deal with this, I would be furious and you have every reason to be. :hug:

First off, I think you should be able to book with Disney sooner than you can, and that would solve some of the issues. Around here you can book 2+ years ahead of time for reception venues, and many people do.

As far as deciding what to do now, I think you have come up with a lot of really great alternatives that all would make for a fabulous wedding, and with your creativity I'm sure anywhere will turn out great! I would deff. ask about any waivering on ADH before doing anything (I don't see why the wouldn't let a bride with less than 150 guests use it if available, seems silly.) If that is not an option, Ariel's is a good second, there are a few more locations on the Boardwalk you could look into that would go good with your theme. How about the Attic, the Ballrooms at the Boardwalk, or the Beach at the Yacht and Beach Club (This would be so neat, maybe you could even do a reception here and a DP at the Attic and guests could walk along the Boardwalk to get there!) Disney has a lot of choices and I'm sure you will find something that you and DF love! Keep your options open, I think all your ideas sound great!

Thank you for this! I really needed to hear it! :hug: I'll definitely keep brainstorming ideas...I really do like Ariel's so I hope that they don't close it down before our wedding. I agree that it's silly to restrict ADH to certain sized groups...even if they were getting complaints that there weren't as many reception spaces for large groups, those people have an equal chance at getting ADH as other people if they put their name in before the lottery. I don't know if that factored into their decision at all or if it was just about the $$ but I think there is going to be a lot of disappointed brides!

[mhawk4]

[QUOTE=princesswendy720;38065952]Thanks for the encouragement! I'm sure things will work out and it will be great no matter what, I'm just feeling a little low at the moment.

[QUOTE]

I know, it is disappointing when you have your heart set on someting and it does not work out as you hoped. Good luck, I am sure that you will find something wonderful. But, it is okay to feel low.:goodvibes

[disfan melissa]

Just started reading and I love your plans! Sorry to hear that some of them may not pan out due to Disney changes. But it seems like you have a ton of good ideas and plenty of time to fine tune, depending which venues you end up in! Wedding planning definitely brings about the highs and lows so I'm sure in the end everything will work out and be great!

Besides, Disney changes their rules so much who knows what it will be by the time you sign your contract? :rotfl:

[princesswendy720]

Just started reading and I love your plans! Sorry to hear that some of them may not pan out due to Disney changes. But it seems like you have a ton of good ideas and plenty of time to fine tune, depending which venues you end up in! Wedding planning definitely brings about the highs and lows so I'm sure in the end everything will work out and be great!

Besides, Disney changes their rules so much who knows what it will be by the time you sign your contract? :rotfl:

Thanks for reading! You're definitely right about having enough time to fine tune :lmao: my wedding feels soo far away!

[princesswendy720]

So for now, my plans will be to hope that we will be able to use ADH or Ariel's and stick with the original vintage, art-deco, Boardwalk theme. Our backup will be to have our ceremony at SBP at 5, then the reception at Tamu Tamu courtyard in Animal Kingdom to follow. You know how I love my inspiration boards, so here is the "theme" I would use for that Tamu Tamu reception...it's vintage travel:
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/travelinspiration-1.jpg

The cake table and guest tables would hopefully have either travel items like vintage suitcases, globes, binoculars, books, maps, etc. For floral on the tables, we would do a small calla lily arrangement and maybe some candles. Place cards would be vintage boarding passes or tickets. Each table name would be a different location in Africa. I would keep the save the date postcard that I already did and put it in a brown envelope tied up with string. There would be stickers that look like vintage stamps on the back (Africa, Florida, and Atlantic City - to tie in all the "locations"). No linens or chair covers...so really the only way to tie in my colors would be my bouquet, the bridesmaid dresses, and the cake.

Btw..I love that BM dress in the board. They have 2 other styles in that color/fabric that I like as well...I think they are too expensive though.

My hesitation with this approach is that we will only be able to use Studio 222 for the ceremony and pictures before it. I would want to start taking pictures at least 1.5 hours before the ceremony so we have enough. Then we would have Disney photography at the reception. If it's in the budget, it might be cool to have some Disney performers...like an old-fashioned pilot and a glam 1940s lady lol.

We went out to eat with my parents last night, and my mom needs to use her timeshare time before the end of the year. She was saying they have a new location in Sarasota and it's only 2 hours from Disney, so we could drive there and do a site visit during the week! She has to see if they have availability at all first...but I would be so excited to do this! :cool1: Also, I have asked and gotten "yes"'s from 3/4 of my bridal party, including my MoH. She lives in Ft Myers now so I will also be visiting her when I go down so I might see if she wants to come with us. I hope there's availability and we get to go!

We are going to the beach this weekend, but then I have to go into full engagement party mode and finish all my DIY projects.

[princesswendy720]

I just got off the phone with my parents and I will be making a short stop in Disney in November with them :cool1::cheer2::banana::banana:

Originally my Mom said we could go for one night, but now she wants to go for 3! So we will be at the timeshare in Siesta Key from Saturday to Tuesday, then we will go to Disney until Friday (or Saturday depending on airfare prices)! My Mom wants us to do a site visit, so I'm going to call Disney on Tuesday to schedule it!!

This is perfect, because although we're going to be in Disney for a few days in February after our cruise, we weren't going to be able to do a site visit during the trip. Now I get to see the locations...and go to the Food and Wine Festival to boot!!

The week that we're going is the equivalent to the week of the wedding in 2012. All of Christmas decorations will be up. I can't wait!! :cool1::cool1:

[disfan melissa]

I just got off the phone with my parents and I will be making a short stop in Disney in November with them :cool1::cheer2::banana::banana:

Originally my Mom said we could go for one night, but now she wants to go for 3! So we will be at the timeshare in Siesta Key from Saturday to Tuesday, then we will go to Disney until Friday (or Saturday depending on airfare prices)! My Mom wants us to do a site visit, so I'm going to call Disney on Tuesday to schedule it!!

This is perfect, because although we're going to be in Disney for a few days in February after our cruise, we weren't going to be able to do a site visit during the trip. Now I get to see the locations...and go to the Food and Wine Festival to boot!!

The week that we're going is the equivalent to the week of the wedding in 2012. All of Christmas decorations will be up. I can't wait!! :cool1::cool1:

So exciting! You will really get to figure out your themes and put together all your ideas. btw, I love your back up plan too so you have a ton of great ideas, can't wait to see how it all comes together through your planning

[CityGirlLost]

The vintage travel theme for Tamu Tamu Courtyard is an amazing idea. It's very Adventurer's Club- one of my favorite and most-missed Disney attractions. It's possible that some of the old performers/characters would be available for you to use. I'm excited to see you build on this idea!

[LuvLuvLuv]

Yay for November trips!! What dates are you going to be there?? We'll be there the 10th-16th. When I emailed about booking the site visit the other day, they said their November calendar wasn't out yet and to call around the middle or end of September. It's getting so close I can't believe it!

[Funball]

i love your cake photos! i love the square one!! the engagment ring is gorgeous with out doubt!

what an awesome story congratz!

[*Pixiedust1438*]

Yay for the November trip! I think it will be great and really help you pick a location you will love!

[princesswendy720]

The vintage travel theme for Tamu Tamu Courtyard is an amazing idea. It's very Adventurer's Club- one of my favorite and most-missed Disney attractions. It's possible that some of the old performers/characters would be available for you to use. I'm excited to see you build on this idea!

That's exactly what I was thinking! Although I never actually made it there :headache: I didn't learn of its awsome-ness until after it closed.

Yay for November trips!! What dates are you going to be there?? We'll be there the 10th-16th. When I emailed about booking the site visit the other day, they said their November calendar wasn't out yet and to call around the middle or end of September. It's getting so close I can't believe it!

We'll be there from the 9th to the 12th! :cool1: I talked to our consultant today and we are doing the site visit on the morning of the 11th. Try giving your consultant a call and seeing if they'll schedule yours!

i love your cake photos! i love the square one!! the engagment ring is gorgeous with out doubt!

what an awesome story congratz!

Thank you!!

Yay for the November trip! I think it will be great and really help you pick a location you will love!

I think so too! I'm very excited that I'm finally able to get the ball rolling officially with Disney.

We have a Wedding Consultant!

I'm so excited, I called Disney on Tuesday and they took my information. At first she was saying I couldn't start speaking with someone until closer to the wedding, but when I pressed and told her that I didn't know when we'd be in Disney again and able to visit potential sites, she said someone would be contacting me. Today I got a call from Joe D., our wedding consultant!! :cheer2::cheer2:

One of the first things he said was "I'm sorry if you were given wrong information, but you can certainly start talking about your options with us" Our site visit is scheduled for November 11th...I gave him the locations that I was interested (including ADH) and he said that there was no minimum guest count. Which is confusing because online and one of the people that answered the phones at DFTW said there was...:confused3 Oh well! We have it on the list of locations to visit, so if they'll let me book it I'm not gonna argue with them!

What should I expect from the site visit? He said it would take about 2 hours. I can't wait! Only 2 more months!!

[LuvLuvLuv]

we are totally going to run into each other!!! my site visit is on november 11th at 10am (after we get done eating breakfast at Kona @ 8:35). so we're definatley going to see each other at some point!! we're also going to MVMCP that night!! how exciting!!

[princesswendy720]

we are totally going to run into each other!!! my site visit is on november 11th at 10am (after we get done eating breakfast at Kona @ 8:35). so we're definatley going to see each other at some point!! we're also going to MVMCP that night!! how exciting!!

We'll be at Franck's at 9 am for our appointment then heading over to Epcot for the Food and Wine Festival once we're done! :cool1: It's such a small world! I was thinking about talking my parents into going to MVMCP while there (instead of buying another day of tickets). Who is your coordinator? What sites are you going to look at? (sorry for the 20 questions lol)

I'm literally counting down the days until vacation...I can't wait!

[LuvLuvLuv]

It's okay--I like questions :)

We have Bill. We've been in contact with him since early this year, and he's been wonderful through all my dramas. Our time probably would have been 9:00am, but we have Kona scheduled at 8:35am so we'll head over after that. We're going to look at the Yacht Club Gazebo, the Wedding Pavillion, the Marina, maybe the Napa Room, and a few spots for a possible dessert party if we have $$ leftover :rotfl: Not likely, but I'd rather be prepared. I also told him that if he thinks we'd like something not listed to let us know. I like to keep an open mind, and if we can't get what we want, I'd like to at least see what other options may be instead of having to decide over the phone with pictures from the internet. I put a few things aside that I want to pack the other day, lol--I'm crazy--there's only 54 days left!! I have my list of F/W booths I want to check out, all my ADRs, and I have to e-mail my IPO at the WL to add our engagement to all our DXDDP ADRs (because that would take me FORever!), get our MVMCP tickets and order our chocolate slipper dessert for CRT. I already added the engagement to the room reservation.

So where are you going to look? All over the place like me, lol??

Is your fiance really into making decisions or is he just like... "tell me where to show up"?? Mine is finally coming around and giving an opinion here and there--it's so cute!! Even though I feel like I have the perfect day planned already, I am trying to go in to the visit very open in case he finds something he likes better and we can compromise. I already told him that the phrases "it's fine" and "whatever you like" will not be accepted during the site visit :cutie:

Have a great weekend!!

[princesswendy720]

It's okay--I like questions :)

We have Bill. We've been in contact with him since early this year, and he's been wonderful through all my dramas. Our time probably would have been 9:00am, but we have Kona scheduled at 8:35am so we'll head over after that. We're going to look at the Yacht Club Gazebo, the Wedding Pavillion, the Marina, maybe the Napa Room, and a few spots for a possible dessert party if we have $$ leftover :rotfl: Not likely, but I'd rather be prepared. I also told him that if he thinks we'd like something not listed to let us know. I like to keep an open mind, and if we can't get what we want, I'd like to at least see what other options may be instead of having to decide over the phone with pictures from the internet. I put a few things aside that I want to pack the other day, lol--I'm crazy--there's only 54 days left!! I have my list of F/W booths I want to check out, all my ADRs, and I have to e-mail my IPO at the WL to add our engagement to all our DXDDP ADRs (because that would take me FORever!), get our MVMCP tickets and order our chocolate slipper dessert for CRT. I already added the engagement to the room reservation.

So where are you going to look? All over the place like me, lol??

Is your fiance really into making decisions or is he just like... "tell me where to show up"?? Mine is finally coming around and giving an opinion here and there--it's so cute!! Even though I feel like I have the perfect day planned already, I am trying to go in to the visit very open in case he finds something he likes better and we can compromise. I already told him that the phrases "it's fine" and "whatever you like" will not be accepted during the site visit :cutie:

Have a great weekend!!

We are going to look at ADH, Ariel's, and the Tamu Tamu Courtyard...we're going to skip SBP since we've already looked at it and can go back on our own...I want to see it later in the day around 5 since that's when we are having our ceremony. I figure we will walk over later that day from Epcot. Last year when we were there, I made a big passport that listed all of the F&WF booth items and I checked off what I tried! I think this year I will just print out the things I know I want - I'm so excited that I'll get to have my favorite drink which they only have during the festival! We also have reservations at Jiko for Tuesday night and Kona for Wednesday night. Thursday will just be F&WF booths. I'm considering making a breakfast or lunch dinner reservation for Friday since our flight isn't until 6. We'll see.

I thought he would care less about all the little details - but when I ordered our engagement party invites without showing them to him he was so upset! :lmao: He also sits and watches wedding shows with me and makes comments about the bride's choices - so I think he is definitely a Groomzilla in training! Unfortunately he can't make the trip for the site visit, so it will just be me and my parents. But we are already talking about video chatting on our phones during the visits so he can see them. We'll see if that works out!

[princesswendy720]

I went to Christmas Tree Shops (the name is completely misleading-there is no Christmas stuff there right now) and they had these fabulous vintage suitcase boxes for $10! I got one, in case I do my travel theme as it would be some cute decor.I think I might turn it into a wine box for the love letter ceremony though. Add some padding and satin fabric on the inside - and do some sort of stenciling on the outside.

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/180f06c6-1.jpg

Open (I seem to always have some Two Buck Chuck on hand :goodvibes )
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/26190b04-1.jpg

This weekend I am finishing up all the details for our engagement party which is in 1 week! We will have between 35 and 39 people there (people of our generation don't seem to understand the meaning of RSVP). I will post the pictures of the final centerpieces and banners tomorrow. I also need to get a haircut, manicure, get my dress pressed, and bake 4 dozen cupcakes before then :scared1: It's a good thing I'm taking Friday off!

[princesswendy720]

So I finally found some bridesmaid dress styles in the same fabric/color that I don't hate! And I think (hope) there are enough style options for everyone! What do you think?


http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/dessy2788aubergine.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/dessy2789auberine.jpg

This one is my favorite:
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/dessy2806aubergine.jpg

A facebook friend posted a picture of her in this BM dress...it looked really great on a real person!
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/dessy2810aubergine.jpg

The engagement party is Saturday!! I am off tomorrow and will be baking cupcakes and doing other DIY projects! I'll be sure to take plenty of pictures! I'm soo excited to wear my dress!

[LuvLuvLuv]

I think the 2nd dress is gorgeous!!

I have a funny story for you.

Last night when DF came home I was underneath a stack of magazines with my glasses on, a pen in hand, notebook on the arm of the couch and laptop on my lap. I mean I was surrounded by wedding madness, lol. So he sat down and was looking at stuff with me. Then he said it would be cool to have the wedding in November for Food/Wine and MVMCP. So I start looking at all the Mondays in November. (Mondays are the easiest for all my retail friends and his bar friends) I'm like, November 12th looks good... but... but... that's something, and I don't remember what. Something's happening that day.... :confused3 I couldn't figure out why it was so familiar to me. Then after a while I was surfing on here and was like, thats it!! It's your day!!

We're not even close to setting a date... I just thought it was funny. I told him that we need to sit down and talk budget before we set a date.

Hope your party goes well!!

[princesswendy720]

Our engagement party was Saturday and it was a good time! We had a pretty decent turn out and the weather was beautiful (if not a little warm)! My only regret is that we got NO pictures of me and Greg together and none of me at all in my dress. This is because I was behind the camera and my Mom and Dad were too busy cooking/entertaining and didn't end up taking any on their cameras! Oh well...now I feel like I have to wear the dress for our engagement pictures...it got a lot of compliments :goodvibes

Here are some pictures of the details.

The red velvet cupcakes and Bride/Groom Mickey sticks I made:
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs135.snc4/37081_10100206006927349_8839524_57391279_5715461_n .jpg

Cupcake sign I made:
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs075.ash2/37081_10100206006947309_8839524_57391283_3976325_n .jpg

The pumpkin cupcakes I made:
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs693.snc4/63376_10100206007920359_8839524_57391296_3793187_n .jpg

And their sign:
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs135.snc4/37081_10100206006957289_8839524_57391285_1897667_n .jpg

I couldn't get enough pictures of these!
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs353.ash2/63376_10100206007925349_8839524_57391297_3803606_n .jpg

Our picture/note hangers:
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs713.snc4/63376_10100206007930339_8839524_57391298_2204700_n .jpg

And the sign:
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs693.snc4/63376_10100206007935329_8839524_57391299_1080358_n .jpg

Tables with DIY centerpieces:
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs685.snc4/62527_10100206008678839_8839524_57391307_6066631_n .jpg

And the banners I made:
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs345.ash2/62527_10100206008688819_8839524_57391309_1704035_n .jpg

[pezaddict231]

I love everything, how cute! It's a shame that no one took pictures of you guys. I really love the cupcakes, how did you make the pumpkin cupcakes? I'd love the recipe if you're willing to share.

[LuvLuvLuv]

Everything looked so great!! You're so creative and you do beautiful work!! How fun!!

[bambi0921]

Ahhh! Oh my gosh. Just found your PJ and everything looks totally fabulous so far!!! :worship: I loooove the 40's, Boardwalk, casino, big-band theme idea. I'm pretty much obsessed with the the style, music and history of the 20's through the 40's (I'm utterly devastated that I don't have HBO and therefore cannot watch Boardwalk Empire). I so hope you are able to book ADH! If not though, I also love your Casablanca/travel theme. Both are fab. I'm soooo excited to see how your plans progress! :woohoo:

PS- I think we might be long lost sisters or something. My fiance and I have serious plans to move to Japan in the next 5 years, simply because we love the culture. We even got the Japanese Rosetta Stone.

[princesswendy720]

I love everything, how cute! It's a shame that no one took pictures of you guys. I really love the cupcakes, how did you make the pumpkin cupcakes? I'd love the recipe if you're willing to share.
Thank you! The pumpkin cupcakes were super easy - not as much work as the red velvet! lol

I just adapted a Betty Crocker Mix and then made the frosting from scratch
Cupcakes:
1 package of BC supreme moist yellow (add all the ingredients the box calls for - 1/2 cup water, 3 eggs, veggie oil)
Add 1 cup pure canned pumpkin
Add 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
Bake per the instructions on the box

The frosting was (more than enough for 24 cupcakes)
12 oz cream cheese (at room temp)
1 stick of unsalted butter (at room temp)
1 bag of powdered sugar (I think it was 16 oz?)
1/2 cup of pure maple syrup

Beat the butter cream cheese and syrup...then slowly add the sugar.

Everything looked so great!! You're so creative and you do beautiful work!! How fun!!

Thank you! I had a lot of fun making everything!

Ahhh! Oh my gosh. Just found your PJ and everything looks totally fabulous so far!!! :worship: I loooove the 40's, Boardwalk, casino, big-band theme idea. I'm pretty much obsessed with the the style, music and history of the 20's through the 40's (I'm utterly devastated that I don't have HBO and therefore cannot watch Boardwalk Empire). I so hope you are able to book ADH! If not though, I also love your Casablanca/travel theme. Both are fab. I'm soooo excited to see how your plans progress! :woohoo:

PS- I think we might be long lost sisters or something. My fiance and I have serious plans to move to Japan in the next 5 years, simply because we love the culture. We even got the Japanese Rosetta Stone.

lol I've been watching Boardwalk Empire for some inspiration! Thanks for reading along!

I'd be so jealous if you move there - I'm hoping to finagle a 1 year anniversary trip to Japan - with a few days in Tokyo Disney of course :goodvibes

Do you have PJ?

[bambi0921]

Have you really been watching? Is it good?? I'll have to get it on DVD if it is! An anniversary trip to Japan sounds like an amazing idea! :-) I don't have a PJ yet. FH and I still have to work out some details (we're debating Escape vs. Wishes) so I'm not quite ready to start anything yet. I'm hoping I'll be ready to start chronicling the adventure in January as we're looking at a February 2012 wedding. Meanwhile I'll just keep drooling over everyone else's plans! :-)

[goofyfordisney16]

just signing onto your PJ now, i'm looking to have my wedding a few weeks after you! we're just going to miss each other. :sad2:

the engagement party looked like fun, congrats on your wedding!:cool1:

[PixieDust1969]

Everything looks great! I love love love the clothes line idea and yours looked perfect! I am looking forward to following you through the planning process!

[*Pixiedust1438*]

Wendy your engagement party looked like a huge success! Those cupcakes looked really yummy... might have to make that recipe around Christmas time! I like the bridesmaid dresses as well! Are you planning on letting the girls pick their own style?

[princesswendy720]

So I bought necklace 1 for my dress...I liked the color but the shape/style wasn't exactly what I wanted:
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/23588e96-1.jpg

Here it is on me with the dress (the lighting in our bedroom is horrible ugh)
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/13f917a8-1.jpg

I have been looking for something closer to what I imagined, and found a nice looking necklace on QVC that was more of a light green than a turquoise. However when it got here, it was deep emerald green. I don't wear anything green, ever, so I'm not sure how I feel about it.

What do you guys think? Should I send it back and keep searching/stick with necklace 1?

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/184ffdd6-1.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/d99d9d34-1.jpg

[LuvLuvLuv]

oooh! i really love the second necklace... but not so much with the dress because it's sooo green. it would be tough for me to send it back when it would look AMAZING with a little black or white dress.

[Princess SarahK]

HOW HAVE I NOT FOUND THIS BEFORE?!?!?! I loooove everything! You are so creative and are so on the ball! Im sure everything will work out for your venue situation. The places I thought I wanted were kicked off the list after our site visit, so you may be surprised and/or get super lucky! I hope its the 2nd one for you! Keep all of the good stuff coming! I also agree with LuvLuvLuv on the necklaces. 2nd one is fab, but Im not sure it is meant for that dress. You'll find one though! Good luck, cant wait to read more!

[pixiegirl]

Your engagement party looked amazing!! I love the cupcakes. I am planning on making cupcakes for our rehearsal dinner for the guests to take home. It will be in the fall so the pumpkin cupcakes sound perfect. So sorry you didn't get any pictures of you and Greg especially you in your dress!!

I have to say I do like the second necklace but I agree it is kind of too green for the dress but would look adorable with something else!!!

[princesswendy720]

Thanks for the feedback guys! I'm going to hold on to the "emerald city" necklace as I'm calling it now lol for another occasion. Maybe the rehearsal dinner?

I ordered a different necklace that was on clearance:
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/joannecklace.jpg

I saw another one that I liked...but it was four times the price of the one above! If I strike out with this one, maybe I'll return it and bite the bullet and try this one instead (it's a good thing I have 4 months until our pictures..it's taking me forever to find something I like!)

Here is the one I deemed too expensive (and it's a bit flashier too)
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/j148447001.jpg

And finally...I came across this flowergirl dress this weekend...how cute/different is it?! It's expensive though...so I'd probably buy it for my niece if I decided it was "the one"
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/Areliz-400.jpg

[LuvLuvLuv]

now the top necklace that your ordered is PERFECT!!

[Princess SarahK]

agreed! it is lovely! cant wait to see it with the dress!

[pezaddict231]

thanks for posting the pumpkin cupcake recipe. My sister loves pumpkin stuff so I'll have to make them for her sometime. The frosting sounds so tasty!

I love that green necklace, too bad it won't really work for the epics but I'm sure it'll be stunning with a little black dress. I really like the first necklace of the ones you just posted.

The flowergirl dress is really pretty and I haven't seen anything like that before. I had a lot of trouble finding a flower girl dress I liked that wasn't crazy expensive. We actually ended up having it custom made and it was much cheaper than ordering it and we were able to get the color I wanted. So that's always an option too.

[princesswendy720]

I'm just patiently (yea right) waiting for vacation to come (we leave for Florida in 25 days!!). I've been thinking a lot about where we will be staying in Disney, when we will arrive, what the pre and post wedding events will be. Here is my initial timeline (I just feel like I need to get it in writing - this will probably change...a lot)

Thursday before wedding: arrive in Disney. Rent DVC points and stay in a studio until Saturday. Assemble welcome bags. I plan on shipping most of the welcome bag stuff down beforehand but will probably pick up some cases of water on the way to Disney.

Friday: Deliver welcome bags. Deliver any DIY items to DFTW.

Saturday: The plan is to rent out the Boardwalk Grand Villa Saturday night and host a welcome party that night with some trays of sandwiches and snack foods from Publix. We will probably have beer and wine too. I'd like to meet up with our wedding party earlier in the day to drink around the world in Epcot.

Sunday: Move to a 1 bedroom villa at the Boardwalk. Do you think that's too much moving? I just can't justify the money for staying in the Grand Villa for more than one night. I'd like to take my bridesmaids out to brunch this morning. I'm thinking either Cinderella's castle or 1900 Park Fair. This will be our rehearsal day. I'd like to do the Safari and Caribu Dinner at Animal Kingdom as our rehearsal dinner. I'm afraid that it will fall through since it can only be booked 45 days out though :confused3 I'm trying to come up with back up plans...my favorite alternative is Hoop De Doo...it's also cheaper than meeting the F&B minimums and rental fees for a different private dinner.

Monday: Wedding day! I'd like a 5 pm ceremony with reception to follow.

Tuesday: Switch to a theme park concierge room at the Polynesian :love: It's my dream Disney resort! We would stay here until we leave on Friday or Saturday. I want to do an in-park session too (probably MK and Epcot), I'm wondering what day would be best. Maybe Thursday morning?

As for the real honeymoon, I've put DF in charge of that. I've sent him some hints - the main one being that I want a pool in our suite! Here is the front runner right now: http://www.sandals.com/main/lucia/lu-accommodations.cfm

I know this post is a little dry...I got some DIY projects that I'm hoping to work on this weekend (memorial candle, wine box, and finishing up our first newsletter).

[Princess SarahK]

I think were going to Sandals St Lucia, too! DF is in charge of the honeymoon and thats his frontrunner right now. I mean..I dont hate it or anything..haha.;) Id be one happy camper if thats where we went!

[bambi0921]

Wow! This is slightly belated but I love all the necklaces you posted! :lovestruc That emerald green one reminds me a bit of the necklace that Carrie (lurkyloo) wore with her wedding dress (btw, not sure if you've seen her TR on Tokyo Disney but its great!). But I agree with everyone who said too green for the dress. The blue ones are gorgeous as well. You have a great sense of style!

Your wedding plans sound fab so far. I just love making schedules. It's so satisfying to lay it all out. :goodvibes

I've read a lot of TRs of people who've switched hotels a number of times so as long as you're organized I wouldn't think it would be a big deal.

[NOMNOMNOMS]

Love your plans so far...I will be an ADH bride as well. That location just screams the theme vintage...We are going with a vintage Hawaiian theme...I'll be subscribing ;)

[DisneyDiva84]

Everything looks fantastic so far, you are going to love the poly :)

[*Pixiedust1438*]

I think your schedule sounds pretty darn good so far! I don't think it will be that bad moving since your just moving rooms at the Boardwalk for the most part. I love the poly too it's so nice! And the honeymoon plans sounds awesome! My sister got married in St. Lucia and it was amazing! Deff. a perfect honeymoon location!

[princesswendy720]

I think were going to Sandals St Lucia, too! DF is in charge of the honeymoon and thats his frontrunner right now. I mean..I dont hate it or anything..haha.;) Id be one happy camper if thats where we went!

You have to let me know how it is if you go! It turns out I know someone who is a Honeymoon specialist there and gets special discounts...so it's looking even more likely that we'll go there!

Wow! This is slightly belated but I love all the necklaces you posted! :lovestruc That emerald green one reminds me a bit of the necklace that Carrie (lurkyloo) wore with her wedding dress (btw, not sure if you've seen her TR on Tokyo Disney but its great!). But I agree with everyone who said too green for the dress. The blue ones are gorgeous as well. You have a great sense of style!

Your wedding plans sound fab so far. I just love making schedules. It's so satisfying to lay it all out. :goodvibes

I've read a lot of TRs of people who've switched hotels a number of times so as long as you're organized I wouldn't think it would be a big deal.

Carrie's necklace is my inspiration! :lmao: I think she had hers made by someone, so I haven't been able to find anything exactly like it...the new one came in so let me know what you think!

Love your plans so far...I will be an ADH bride as well. That location just screams the theme vintage...We are going with a vintage Hawaiian theme...I'll be subscribing ;)

Thanks for reading! I haven't had much concrete in terms of the wedding yet b/c we are so far out...but I sure have a lot of ideas (some in here..others that I just put in a notebook)

Everything looks fantastic so far, you are going to love the poly :)

Thank you and congrats! I'm so excited for the Poly...I think it's the most romantic Disney resort :love:

I think your schedule sounds pretty darn good so far! I don't think it will be that bad moving since your just moving rooms at the Boardwalk for the most part. I love the poly too it's so nice! And the honeymoon plans sounds awesome! My sister got married in St. Lucia and it was amazing! Deff. a perfect honeymoon location!

That's what I figure...it's just a matter of moving luggage through the halls...and we can even call Bell Services if need be. I'm really hoping Df picks the St Lucia hotel!

New necklace is in!
Ok ladies, the new necklace came in. While I still don't think it's perfect...I do think it's close enough and I have to stop spending so much money on jewelry when I have a wedding to save for! :lmao:

Again...sorry for the fuzzy, iphone, mirror shots...Df's point and shoot has been dead since New Year's when he lost his charger and my camera is a huge fancy camera.

On me in the dress:
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/f56e6ef7-1.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/421cf863-1.jpg
The color in real life...a little darker than the picture on the website:

ETA: I can't believe I still have tan lines! I might need to get a strapless bathing suit for my trip in a few weeks...

[bambi0921]

Ooooohh, I love the necklace! It's beautiful and I think it looks great with the dress.

I was just noticing this morning that I also still have tan lines leftover from a beach trip in early July. I pretty much never have a tan so I wasn't sure if this normal or not, lol.:scratchin I'm sure a strapless suit will remedy the matter, and it's a good excuse to go shopping, so yay!

[elleinad16]

The new necklace looks great!

[princesswendy720]

So I feel very accomplished after this weekend...I managed to get some projects for the wedding done!

First up, our love letter wine box for the ceremony. I previously posted that I bought a vintage suitcase box at Christmas Tree Shops for $10. Here it is padded, lined, and personalized!

(I scrambled our last name in Photobucket..it's not a mess up lol)
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1177-1.jpg

The package of rub on letters that I got didn't have numbers, so the date will have to wait for now.

The inside:
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1191-1.jpg

I printed out vintage postcards from important places - Disney World, Atlantic City Boardwalk (this has 2 meanings - Disney's Boardwalk and the fact that we are from NJ and go to the beach a lot), Japan (b/c we want to go there very badly), Paris (I studied abroad there), and Florida. I don't know if these look too cheesy or not...when I asked Df he just nodded and said "nice"...I can easily remove them if you guys think it would look better without them.

A close up:
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1192-1.jpg

My next project was a memorial candle in honor of Greg's Mom, who passed away the year before we met:
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1194-1.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1195-1.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1196-1.jpg

I haven't DIY-ed this yet, but I got cardboard vintage suitcases for our card box. I just need to cut out slots and stick em together with glue dots:

I'm not crazy about the pink handles and I thought about re-painting them, but honestly I don't think anyone will even notice them so I'm not going to risk messing the whole thing up.

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1200-1.jpg

[*Pixiedust1438*]

I love the card box, it turned out great!

[princesswendy720]

I've decided I want to book Beaute Speciale to do my hair/makeup for our e-pics, but I don't know how to go about doing it. :confused3 I put a request online, but just got a generic email back. Do I have to call? I also saw a spot where you can pay a deposit, but I don't want to give them money without first finding out if they're available to do it. Any advice?

[FutureMrs.B]

Hi. I'll start by saying I'm loving all of your DIY projects. The trunk came out amazing. As for Beaute Speciale I actually called them and left a voice mail. They were pretty good about calling me back. I say go for it. Than once they get back to you and let you know their availability you can fill out the form for the deposit. HTH :goodvibes

[princesswendy720]

So I've developed some questions to ask Joe during our site visit...I arrive in Disney in exactly 3 weeks! :cool1:

Tamu Tamu Courtyard
1. What is the backup location in the event of rain/cold weather? Is it negotiable?
2. What are the music restrictions? Can you have a DJ or any amplified music or only an ipod?
3. What are the options for table arrangements?
4. Even if we don't have our reception here, I'm interested in doing the "Safari and Caribou Dinner" as our rehearsal. My question for Joe is, is there any way to set up a similar private event through DFTW so I can book it sooner than 45 days out? And if we do the Safari and Caribou dinner, do we have to charter transportation or can we meet a guide at the gate since it starts while the park is open?

Atlantic Dance Hall
1. Can we use the 4-top tables and how many can the dance floor fit?
2. Can we leave the curtain on the stage open?
3. What options (other than Sweetheart table) are there for the "head" table? For some reason, I'm really not into sweetheart tables.
4. Do all bands really start at $7,000?
5. What kind of transportation is available from SBP to ADH? We have 2 grandparents and an Aunt with mobility issues, so I want to make sure there is some way to minimize the walking they have to do. Even if it's a golf cart or something.
6. Can you see Illuminations from the balcony? How many people fit on the balcony?
7. What are the restrictions regarding outside vendors? Can you only have outside photography? Or are other outside vendors allowed as long as they are not music, food, and decor?
8. Are we allowed to use sparklers for a staged exit?

Ariel's
1. When will Disney decide if it will be available in 2012?
2. Can we use smaller tables or are 8-person round tables the only option?
3. Can you have bands? And if so, can you only get them through Disney or can you bring in an outside vendor?
4. Is there an existing dance floor or does one need to be brought in?
5. Same transportation Q as ADH
6. Where are the bathrooms located?
7. Same outside vendor Q as ADH

Am I missing anything??

Hair and Makeup for Engagement Photos
I have booked Beaute Speciale for our engagement pictures in February! I faxed over the contract today. Hear are my inspiration pictures:

Wedding day hair:
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/LaurenConradLateShowDavidLetterman58YDjmKngvGl.jpg

Adjusted a little bit for the engagement pictures:
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/lauren-conrad-bloomingdales.jpg

Lauren Conrad has such great hair..

[*Pixiedust1438*]

Sounds like you have a lot of great questions to ask, and I am wondering about many of the ones you are asking about ADH as well, so I would love it if you could share you answers when you get back (and any pictures, we have yet to see it in person :sad2:)

I can answer two of them for you though:

You can deff. see illuminations from the balcony, I have seen pictures of other brides who have used ADH with pictures of the fireworks in the background, and to me they looked amazing! However I have no idea how many people can fit on the balcony.

You can have a traditional head table instead of a sweetheart table. We are having a 16 person head table. You can also just have another 10-top table for the bride and groom and whoever else they want to sit with, I have seen this done as well.

Very exciting that you leave in three weeks! Oh and I love the hair inspiration pic's! I completely agree that LC has some great hair!

[KitKat5]

Just joining in! Everything looks/sounds so great! I love both your dresses! I love purple! :) And those cupcakes looked yummy! I cant wait to read more about your planning!! :goodvibes

[NYPrincess422]

So I've developed some questions to ask Joe during our site visit...I arrive in Disney in exactly 3 weeks! :cool1:

Tamu Tamu Courtyard
1. What is the backup location in the event of rain/cold weather? Is it negotiable?
2. What are the music restrictions? Can you have a DJ or any amplified music or only an ipod?
3. What are the options for table arrangements?
4. Even if we don't have our reception here, I'm interested in doing the "Safari and Caribou Dinner" as our rehearsal. My question for Joe is, is there any way to set up a similar private event through DFTW so I can book it sooner than 45 days out? And if we do the Safari and Caribou dinner, do we have to charter transportation or can we meet a guide at the gate since it starts while the park is open?

Atlantic Dance Hall
1. Can we use the 4-top tables and how many can the dance floor fit?
2. Can we leave the curtain on the stage open?
3. What options (other than Sweetheart table) are there for the "head" table? For some reason, I'm really not into sweetheart tables.
4. Do all bands really start at $7,000?
5. What kind of transportation is available from SBP to ADH? We have 2 grandparents and an Aunt with mobility issues, so I want to make sure there is some way to minimize the walking they have to do. Even if it's a golf cart or something.
6. Can you see Illuminations from the balcony? How many people fit on the balcony?
7. What are the restrictions regarding outside vendors? Can you only have outside photography? Or are other outside vendors allowed as long as they are not music, food, and decor?
8. Are we allowed to use sparklers for a staged exit?

Ariel's
1. When will Disney decide if it will be available in 2012?
2. Can we use smaller tables or are 8-person round tables the only option?
3. Can you have bands? And if so, can you only get them through Disney or can you bring in an outside vendor?
4. Is there an existing dance floor or does one need to be brought in?
5. Same transportation Q as ADH
6. Where are the bathrooms located?
7. Same outside vendor Q as ADH

Am I missing anything??

Hair and Makeup for Engagement Photos
I have booked Beaute Speciale for our engagement pictures in February! I faxed over the contract today. Hear are my inspiration pictures:

Wedding day hair:
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/LaurenConradLateShowDavidLetterman58YDjmKngvGl.jpg

Adjusted a little bit for the engagement pictures:
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/lauren-conrad-bloomingdales.jpg

Lauren Conrad has such great hair..

Hi! Just wanted to chime in as I am having my reception at Ariel's and can answer some of your questions.

1. Dont know
2. You can have smaller tables than 8 but it depends on how many tables you need vs. the set-up for the buffet stations. We are having 5 tables, plus a head table, plus the cake table, plus the gift/card/guestbook table...so it is a lot for them to consider when planning the floor plan. But, when I was discussing options for seating, they were able to come up with like 4-5 different options. Based on guest seating and preference, I have a table of 7, a table of 9, a table of 10, etc. So the planner can work with you on the floor plan with this location.
3. I believe you can have a band at this location but it has to be Disney. I dont believe Disney allows anyone to have any outside entertainment, that must be through Disney.
4. There is an existing dance floor so you dont need to pay a fee (as at Whitehall) to have a dance floor put down.
5. As for transportation, we have hired the limo for 3 hours and a van. Our ceremony is at SBP so we figured most people will walk from SBP, or drive from Boardwalk to Beach Club (Ariels) or hop in the van (seats 8 people max) or the limo. DF and I walked from SBP to Ariels on our site visit, its a bit of a walk for the elderly so we rented the van ($25.00).
6. Bathrooms for Ariels are located outside of the location, down the hall, by Cape May Cafe.
7. As far as outside vendors, you CAN use them at Ariels. I am having an outside vendor for Chivari chairs and for my linens. Both of these vendors have coordinated with my planner and it has been easy breezy and definitely great on the pockets (way cheaper than what Disney would charge).

HTH! :goodvibes

[LuvLuvLuv]

I thought I replied to this the other day... but I guess my computer froze and it never went thru. The candle is really pretty--very nicely done. I have my list of questions ready to go too!! We leave in 16 days! I'm so ready! I am booked solid until then so hopefully it will go fast!! It's almost 2 years to go :) So pumped!

... and LC has GREAT hair.

[KitKat5]

I love your DIY projects! They look great! :goodvibes (I somehow managed to miss them yesterday?!) I didnt have any questions when I met with Disney...your much more organised them me!! As soon as they told me Ariels was avaliable I snapped it up! Didnt think to ask them anything about it! :laughing:

[princesswendy720]

Thanks for reading along guys! I've been a little MIA...work has been crazy (not in a good way) and I'm trying to get ready for vacation. I leave Saturday and I still have to do laundry and start packing!

I will do a TR about our site visit once I am back. I should probably email Joe to confirm we are still set for the appointment next Thursday...

So is there anything I might not be thinking of? My brains feel scrambled..vacation got here so fast!!

[LuvLuvLuv]

we're in the same boat with packing and laundry! with both of us working 2 jobs, we're running out of time.

are you staying on property when you're at wdw?? are you going to mvmcp at all?? i bought tickets for the 11th today.

i've been making lists all day so if i think of anything random i'll let you know!!

[princesswendy720]

I'm back from Disney! I won't be doing a full TR on here...but I thought I'd post a little recap of my site visit with Disney. It was very productive!

We arrived at Franck’s a little early, and took a few pictures of the displays (which I’m sure you’ve seen before). Soon enough, it was time to meet Joe. Let me just say how impressed with him I am…he helped develop the Cruise Collection weddings and DFTW sends him all over the world gathering and spreading wedding info. He got to go to Disney in Tokyo recently and will get to go on a preview sailing of the Dream in January. Also, they send him to wedding shows all around the country. Ironically enough, he’ll be at one in New York on Monday, which I may go to if I can get out of work early enough. He was very, very knowledgeable, and I found him answering a lot of my questions before I even had the opportunity to ask them.

We sat down in one of the private rooms (I didn’t think to look at the name…it is on the right side of the room, towards the back). He handed us some folders with the new menus (valid through September 2011) and some basic info on outside vendors, timelines, sample pricing, FAQs, etc. I was most excited to see the new menus. They are not what is posted on magical kingdoms.

He went over the info in the folder, then it was off to see the locations! He asked if I had seen the Wedding Pavillion before, and I said no and we could take a look even though I’m not really that interested in it. It was nice, just not my style. I think my Mom would prefer that we have it here, just because it is indoors and safer if it were to rain. After that, we hopped in the car and headed over to the Boardwalk!

First, we took a walk over to Sea Breeze Point, where someone was having their rehearsal. I didn’t take any pictures because I wanted to go back later around 5 to get pictures of what will be our likely ceremony time. I asked what kind of transportation options there were for people who couldn’t walk well, and he said just wheelchairs really. We talked a little about entrance options, and he said that most brides are entering through the center (which makes for a very short walk). He said when SBP first was built, there were shrubs in the front so you couldn’t enter that way, which is why you see the 2 long walkways on either side. Some people still use those to enter. We talked a little about staged exits (FYI: it was a "no" to an exit with sparklers. They are not allowed). Note to self: when we went back later, I could see tons of cobwebs on the guardrails by the water. Hopefully, someone can come and brush those off before the ceremony.

We then walked down to ADH, where a private event was being set up. There was a golf tournament sponsored by Children’s Miracle Network while we were there, so I think this may have been a part of it. We walked upstairs (there are also elevators) to the pre-reception area.

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1377-1.jpg
This is where the bar will be set up.

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1379-1.jpg
This is looking down the other part of the upstairs(Joe is on the left, the other 2 are my parents)

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1378-1.jpg
These are the doors to the balcony, with a view of SBP in the distance.

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1383-1.jpg
Here is a shot out on the balcony. I was wondering how many people this could hold, and the answer is a lot! The balcony was HUGE! It was the entire length of ADH, and about 8 feet deep. We could fit our entire wedding and then some out there! I should’ve gotten a full length shot so you could see. You can see the finale of Illuminations from there.

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1380-1.jpg
An aerial shot of the first floor.

We then went down the main staircase to the first floor.

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1385-1.jpg
This is where they set up the buffet. There is also a balcony on the first floor with tables and chairs. This would be for the smokers.

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1387-1.jpg
Here is the dance floor from the side of the room with the main staircase. The bar on the other side of the room is the one we would use during the reception.

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1388-1.jpg


We talked a little bit about table setup options (other than 8-person rounds, which I don’t like), which we went into more detail later back at Franck’s when he showed me pictures.

He confirmed that bands are $6,000-$7,000 each.

We then went back to Franck’s to talk a bit more and looked at a ton of pictures. Seriously, they are holding out on us on their website! He had a ton of ADH pictures with all different setups. We spent a lot of the time talking about options for my rehearsal dinner and a welcome party.

Later in the trip, we decided to walk over to the Boardwalk to catch Sea Breeze Point at sunset and make sure the sun wouldn't impact the ceremony too much.

Slightly before 5...
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1403-1.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1403-1.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1395-1.jpg

Now to be honest...the sun was actually a problem for our imaginary guests (especially those on Greg's imaginary side of the gazebo)

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1399-1.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1411-1.jpg


So next steps are just to keep in touch over the next few months. He has us penciled in for our preferred date, time, and locations, and he will give me a heads up if anyone else wants the same locations/times as us. I’m honestly not sure what we will do if someone else wants it…ideally I’d hope to just adjust the time (starting at 2:30 instead of 5 for example) and keep our locations. If we can’t get our locations and an evening reception on our date, I have to decide if I want to do the 2:30 on a Thursday or Tuesday, or move it to the 5 pm slot on Sunday and pay the higher minimum. My Mom let me know how much she will be able to contribute, so it’s not a huge stretch to meet the higher minimum (and our guests would probably like that option better since it means less time away from work/school).

We can confirm our locations on July 12th…I hope the time flies by!

And I almost forgot...I can now officially say that we are less than 2 years away!!! I saw some of Greg's family tonight, and they were very interested in the information I gathered and seemed pretty excited for the wedding! Greg also hung out with some friends who initially said they wouldn't be coming, and they said they wanted to come and were excited about it. Greg is now also having a problem narrowing down his groomsmen...he has 7 possibilities (2 cousins, my brother, his older brother, and 3 good friends). He doesn't want to hurt anyone's feelings...and he wants to choose people who are responsible but fun. I have no idea what to tell him!

[sw33t_angel]

Congrats on everything so far!! :) I love all your diy projects! Good luck with the planning and look forwarding to seeing more! :) Love the monogram too! My wedding colors are going to be teal and black!

[*Pixiedust1438*]

It sounds like you got a lot of great info. during your site visit! I love the pictures you got of ADH they are great! I also have always wondered why Disney doesn't have more pictures of their website of receptions set up! Have you officially decided on ADH for the reception? Yay for less than 2 years to go!

[LuvLuvLuv]

i'm glad your site visit went well!! ours went great too!! i was soooo glad bill was back!!! i ended up taking over 1400 pictures during the week so i'm trying to sort everything out so that I can share on my pj. it definately seems like everything is falling into place now that i've seen our places in person. less than 2 years!! :cutie:

[princesswendy720]

I was just able to book our anniversary dinner at Remy while we are on the Dream in February! :banana::banana: I debated between Remy and Palo...but figured it might be a once in a lifetime opportunity...and a good test run for Victoria & Alberts...which I want to do during our weddingmoon trip! I'm very very excited! 75 days until we cruise!

[polynesianbride]

Hi Wendy! I followed you over from my PJ. I LOVE all your ideas so far. So good that you are getting so much accomplished for your wedding now... as you have seen in mine- sometimes near the end life gets in the way so it's great to have some nice details taken care of! I can't wait to follow along with your plans! Congratulations!

[donald&daisy]

I just finished reading through your PJ, you have so much done already. It's amazing! Oh, and your wedding date is my birthday! I am very fond of that date :) Good choice!

We also had Joe for our site visit. He was very nice and extremely knowledgeable. He was the one who brought up looking at the LSS and then we were sold. I wish I could keep him the whole way through...

[princesswendy720]

I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year and say to all my fellow 2012 brides that we can now officially say we are getting married next year!! I've been neglecting my PJ because I don't have much to update on...just waiting to confirm our dates and locations in July. I'm going to start dress shopping at the end of the month :banana:

We did get my wedding ring though...it's on layaway and should have it in my possession in a few months!
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs754.ash1/164561_532138674824_215300352_31542434_3228446_n.j pg

We leave for Florida in a little over a month for our cruise and short Disney trip. We're getting our engagement pictures done while there. I've changed up what I'm going to wear but it might change again so I'll be sure to post those once we get them. :goodvibes

[lilsqueakrr]

I loved all of your ideas! & your ring is gorg! I am a fellow 2012 bride. October to be exact. ;D Look forward to seeing all of your ideas! =]

[princesswendy720]

I loved all of your ideas! & your ring is gorg! I am a fellow 2012 bride. October to be exact. ;D Look forward to seeing all of your ideas! =]

Thank you! Yay for 2012 Brides :goodvibes

DIY Boutonniere and Dress Shopping
So I've officially started dress shopping! I get really self conscious when I call the shops and tell them that my wedding date is so far away :headache: I know most people are only engaged like 12-18 months and start dress shopping about a year out, but I've already been engaged 6 months and I'm going crazy waiting! Anywho, I did a trip to David's Bridal, then to a salon in NYC last weekend, then I have another appointment this weekend in NJ, and 2 weeks after we get back from vacation I'm going to Kleinfeld!! Very excited about that last one. So far, I found 1 dress that I love :love: but I need to look around some more before I commit to it. Sorry I'm not going to post pictures of the dresses on here! (lame I know). I just don't want DF to stumble across them.

The dress shopping (and potentially finding MY dress) has reignited my creativity in wedding DIY projects. I made a feather bout for Greg - which I think turned out ok. I'm going to make some more this weekend for the groomsmen. I'm also working on a cake topper, but it's not done yet.

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1554.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1553.jpg

We leave for Florida in 10 days!! Almost time to do the single digit dance! I'll do it early...:dancer: :banana: We'll be on the Dream in 11 days! We are celebrating our engagement and our 3 year anniversary on our trip :love: Some special things I have planned are a dinner at Remy on the Dream and dinner at California Grill our first night in Disney. We'll also be eating at Tusker House (breakfast), T-Rex, and Le Cellier (we'll only be in Disney 3 nights boo!). I think I might order some champagne to have waiting in our stateroom. Do you have any other tips for making our trip special/extra romantic?

For our engagement pictures, I'm going to wear two outfits:
This dress:
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/22522-1.jpg

With black tights, black pumps, and a yellow beaded necklace.

And jeans, gold flats, and this top/necklace (dressing room picture alert):
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/f603e4ce.jpg

I need to get out of NJ so badly - we've been getting pounded with snow this winter! We've had a storm every week since Christmas...and some weeks we've had more than one. It snowed yesterday morning, is snowing right now, and we're supposed to get 6-10 inches overnight into tomorrow. I can't stand it! I need to move to Florida.

[Princess SarahK]

Love the outfits! That dress is beautiful! Your bouts are great too! How did you do them? Lucky youre getting out of the snow and into Disney! Im jealous, youre going to have a great time! I cant wait for a trip report!! :goodvibes

[LuvLuvLuv]

I was wondering when we'd see an update :cutie:

I love the feather bout!

I was just saying at work last night that I can't WAIT to get out of this crazy weather! I'm jealous that you have 10 days and I have 50 :laughing:

Good luck with the dress shopping :) You'll have so much fun at Klienfeld!!!

[KristiLyn]

Love everything you have so far! And you'll have fun on your trip! What you have planned so far is great! We are planning those restaurants as well as the dinner for two at artists point. And I really want to do the pick a pearl to have a little something I can wear from our trip as a little souvenir :)

[lilsqueakrr]

Where in NJ are you located?! I'm stranded in my house due to this stupid snow & I was supposed to go to a dress shop tonight! :eek:

But I will say a lot of people haven't been shocked that my wedding isn't until 2012. They say that means I have plenty of time to figure out exactly what I wanted. I haven't been able to find much though. So here's hoping we both find something! ;D

[princesswendy720]

Love the outfits! That dress is beautiful! Your bouts are great too! How did you do them? Lucky youre getting out of the snow and into Disney! Im jealous, youre going to have a great time! I cant wait for a trip report!! :goodvibes

Thank you! I got all the supplies for the bouts are Michaels. I bought some "sets" of feathers (a big stick with different kinds of feathers attached to it), cut off what I wanted to use, bought these little wooden picks with wire (from the floral department), glued them to it, then wrapped the stick with ribbon. I used green floral wire to make the spiral and the criss cross pattern on the body of the bout, and glue gunned some pearls.

I was wondering when we'd see an update :cutie:

I love the feather bout!

I was just saying at work last night that I can't WAIT to get out of this crazy weather! I'm jealous that you have 10 days and I have 50 :laughing:

Good luck with the dress shopping :) You'll have so much fun at Klienfeld!!!

I'm actually very nervous that there will be snow when we have to fly down and we will miss our cruise! :scared1: I've been questioning why I booked a trip in the middle of winter (and why we have gotten so much snow???). I'm praying to the Disney gods that our flight leaves on time (or at least, at some point the day it is supposed to).

Love everything you have so far! And you'll have fun on your trip! What you have planned so far is great! We are planning those restaurants as well as the dinner for two at artists point. And I really want to do the pick a pearl to have a little something I can wear from our trip as a little souvenir :)

Ooh I LOVE pick a pearl! I've done a necklace (just a cage) and a ring. I'd suggest you do the cage pendant, that way you can always have it reset into different jewelry where you live if you want to, and there is no glue or anything on it. I've picked 3 so far, and I keep trying to get a blue or black pearl! Maybe I'll try again on this trip!

Where in NJ are you located?! I'm stranded in my house due to this stupid snow & I was supposed to go to a dress shop tonight! :eek:

But I will say a lot of people haven't been shocked that my wedding isn't until 2012. They say that means I have plenty of time to figure out exactly what I wanted. I haven't been able to find much though. So here's hoping we both find something! ;D

We are in Cranford (Union County), in what I call central Jersey but some people call North Jersey :lmao: I hope you were able to make it to the dress shop! There seems to be a break in the snow right now, but I'm hearing it will start up again in a few hours. I hope you find your dream dress...my frontrunner is something my Mom picked out and not something I would have tried on if she didn't insist. So you never know!

[irishwishes]

I'm with you on this crazy weather. I'm sitting in my kitchen watching the snow fall now. We go down for our planning session on Feb 11th and I'm nervous about the weather.

We had to drive to Richmond, VA to catch a flight out of there to Disney last February. Our flight got canceled at the last minute, but at least we know there's a backup if the weather doesn't cooperate again. It wasn't a bad drive and it made it more of an adventure to Disney.

[lilsqueakrr]

I did make it to the dress store! Woohoo! =] Check out my PJ in a few minutes for details..

I'm in Monroe Twp (Middlesex County) so we're not too far from each other! ;D Small world! Maybe once the snow decides to hightail itself out of here we can do a lil disbride get together! ;D

[bambi0921]

Just catching up. I love those bouts!! I so wish I was crafty. You did a great job! Your wedding ring is beautiful and I love your engagement outfits! I have been loving that Anthro top for quite some time now. I'm have a serious addiction to that store. My brother and I watch Glee a lot and I'm constantly pointing out various Anthropologie items that the characters are wearing, which I'm pretty sure is annoying, but I just get so excited! :rotfl:

I know what you mean about people giving you weird looks about your wedding date. Ours will be just a little before yours and even DF thinks I'm crazy to be thinking so much about it now. It's just too hard to wait though! I say ignore the haters! :thumbsup2

[princesswendy720]

I did make it to the dress store! Woohoo! =] Check out my PJ in a few minutes for details..

I'm in Monroe Twp (Middlesex County) so we're not too far from each other! ;D Small world! Maybe once the snow decides to hightail itself out of here we can do a lil disbride get together! ;D

A get together would be great! I always want to go to Bridal Shows etc but don't have any engaged friends in the area!

Just catching up. I love those bouts!! I so wish I was crafty. You did a great job! Your wedding ring is beautiful and I love your engagement outfits! I have been loving that Anthro top for quite some time now. I'm have a serious addiction to that store. My brother and I watch Glee a lot and I'm constantly pointing out various Anthropologie items that the characters are wearing, which I'm pretty sure is annoying, but I just get so excited! :rotfl:

I know what you mean about people giving you weird looks about your wedding date. Ours will be just a little before yours and even DF thinks I'm crazy to be thinking so much about it now. It's just too hard to wait though! I say ignore the haters! :thumbsup2

Thanks for the compliments on the bout! I have to get it together and work on the rest sometime soon. Now that vacation is over, I'll have more time to focus.

Back from vacation - wedding related items

We got back from Florida this afternoon :(

I'm so exhausted (woke up for our flight at 6:45 this morning...) but I thought I'd post about the wedding related things from the trip (which was fabulous!)

We had our e-pics with Becka and Nate on Friday at Port Orleans Riverside. It was chilly, but the sun came out that afternoon and made for some beautiful lighting as it began to set. Jackie from Beaute Speciale came to do my hair and makeup...and she was so so great! I felt like I had known her for years! Here are some pictures of the final product
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1753.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1754.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1757.jpg

Later that night at T-rex...(there was a "meteor shower" and I was being goofy)
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1773.jpg

I only ended up doing 1 outfit..it was just too cold to walk all the way back to the room and I was in a sleeveless dress so I just wanted to power through. I'm excited to see how they turned out and excited to see more of Becka and Nate in the future.

I also found toasting flutes in Disney. The original style that I liked didn't have any designs that I liked, and they wouldn't put the castle on them for me. I went to the store in the MK, then in DTD, and finally found these in Epcot. They were pricier than I initially wanted...and I actually left and went back because I thought I'd regret not getting them, or that I wouldn't be able to find them the next time we are down (which could be as far away as next May!) I hadn't seen them before at any other location. I'm going to get them engraved up here once we confirm our date.

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1864.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1863.jpg

One has Mickey and the other has Minnie
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1861.jpg

We had such a wonderful time and it was great to finally celebrate our engagement (and our 3 year anniversary) with a vacation for just the 2 of us. We live together, so it's easy to fall into a routine and not do a lot of special, romantic things (especially when you are saving up for a wedding). So this trip was a nice little pre-wedding getaway.

[KristiLyn]

Your hair and makeup looked great!! They did a wonderful job!!!
And I LOVE your toasting flutes!!
Last year we tried t-rex for the first time, and we had such a good time. I got that cotton-tini thing and it was super cool! We sat in the same area as you did, with all the pink and blue pics to show for it...haha!!

[elleinad16]

I love the hair trial pics! That's such a beautiful style and it looks like it lasted all day! :thumbsup2

That's too funny, I have the same style flutes, but they don't have Mickey or Minnie! That's so interesting...where in Epcot did you find them? I wonder if they engraved the images there? :confused3 Hmmm.

Glad you had a fabulous trip! Can't wait to see the e-pics!

[princesswendy720]

Your hair and makeup looked great!! They did a wonderful job!!!
And I LOVE your toasting flutes!!
Last year we tried t-rex for the first time, and we had such a good time. I got that cotton-tini thing and it was super cool! We sat in the same area as you did, with all the pink and blue pics to show for it...haha!!

The cottontini was the sole reason I booked the reservation! haha I got the tropical one and it was soo good.

Jackie from Beaute Speciale did such a great job...she nailed the inspiration pictures I showed her. I also got the airbrush makeup and it made me look flawless. I only wish she could do my hair and makeup every day!

I love the hair trial pics! That's such a beautiful style and it looks like it lasted all day! :thumbsup2

That's too funny, I have the same style flutes, but they don't have Mickey or Minnie! That's so interesting...where in Epcot did you find them? I wonder if they engraved the images there? :confused3 Hmmm.

Glad you had a fabulous trip! Can't wait to see the e-pics!

It definitely held up (not so much overnight after sleeping on it though haha).

I found the flutes in the crystal shop in Germany. Everything is engraved by Arribas Brothers. Their main shop is in Downtown Disney (although I didn't spot these there when I looked). I looked for flutes on our last trip in November, but didn't see them there then anywhere. I think they might be new. They were with the other engraved Disney flutes.

Here is all their other flutes (the ones I bought aren't up there at the moment)
http://www.arribas.com/istar.asp?a=3&dept=GLSWR&class=ETCHED&subclass=STEM&sortby=&numperpage=8&pos=0

[lilsqueakrr]

A get together would be great! I always want to go to Bridal Shows etc but don't have any engaged friends in the area!



Thanks for the compliments on the bout! I have to get it together and work on the rest sometime soon. Now that vacation is over, I'll have more time to focus.

Back from vacation - wedding related items

We got back from Florida this afternoon :(

I'm so exhausted (woke up for our flight at 6:45 this morning...) but I thought I'd post about the wedding related things from the trip (which was fabulous!)

We had our e-pics with Becka and Nate on Friday at Port Orleans Riverside. It was chilly, but the sun came out that afternoon and made for some beautiful lighting as it began to set. Jackie from Beaute Speciale came to do my hair and makeup...and she was so so great! I felt like I had known her for years! Here are some pictures of the final product
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1753.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1754.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1757.jpg

Later that night at T-rex...(there was a "meteor shower" and I was being goofy)
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1773.jpg

I only ended up doing 1 outfit..it was just too cold to walk all the way back to the room and I was in a sleeveless dress so I just wanted to power through. I'm excited to see how they turned out and excited to see more of Becka and Nate in the future.

I also found toasting flutes in Disney. The original style that I liked didn't have any designs that I liked, and they wouldn't put the castle on them for me. I went to the store in the MK, then in DTD, and finally found these in Epcot. They were pricier than I initially wanted...and I actually left and went back because I thought I'd regret not getting them, or that I wouldn't be able to find them the next time we are down (which could be as far away as next May!) I hadn't seen them before at any other location. I'm going to get them engraved up here once we confirm our date.

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1864.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1863.jpg

One has Mickey and the other has Minnie
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1861.jpg

We had such a wonderful time and it was great to finally celebrate our engagement (and our 3 year anniversary) with a vacation for just the 2 of us. We live together, so it's easy to fall into a routine and not do a lot of special, romantic things (especially when you are saving up for a wedding). So this trip was a nice little pre-wedding getaway.

You looked great and I LOVE your toasting flutes! I wish I could get myself a pair of them they'd be perfect! I can't find any that I like. :confused3

We could totally get together, PM me and we'll figure something out! :banana:

[redlight]

I love your e pics!

[sw33t_angel]

Your hair is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!! :) I love it!!!! (and agree that LC has some awesome hair...)

And I love your toasting flutes- I love the etching/engraving of Mickey and Minnie and the crystal bottoms are gorgeous! :goodvibes

[*Pixiedust1438*]

Love the hair and make-up! I'm glad you had a great trip! I can't wait to see the e-pics! I also want to get toasting flutes from Disney and have them engraved, and I also wanted ones with the castle on them, you couldn't find them anywhere? That stinks! Although I do really like the ones you got!

[princesswendy720]

Love the hair and make-up! I'm glad you had a great trip! I can't wait to see the e-pics! I also want to get toasting flutes from Disney and have them engraved, and I also wanted ones with the castle on them, you couldn't find them anywhere? That stinks! Although I do really like the ones you got!

Thank you! I'm excited to see them too..our photogs said it should take about 2 weeks to edit them. They had the ones with the castle, but couldn't put it on the style of flute that I preferred. They said that they need to have every piece they sell cleared by Disney - so they'd have to go through an approval process to put that design on a different style of flute. Oh well...it all worked out in the end!

Here is the one they have:
http://www.arribas.com/istar.asp?a=6&id=04102581!ABE

But I wanted it on this flute:
http://www.arribas.com/istar.asp?a=6&id=04102510!ABE

[Sccrmnky2005]

I love your hair!!! So natural and pretty!!

The toasting flutes are so cute! And a great disney touch!!! :goodvibes

[CityGirlLost]

Hey Wendy! I love the hair! It's so soft and pretty. Can't wait to see the pictures.

I love the flutes you picked but I'm sorry you had to compromise. I was just thinking that for us, because I want red flutes, I may have to use my cricut, some vinyl and a Disney cartridge to "engrave" some disney on our toasters. I'm not sure if I have a castle graphic or not... hmmmm

Cranford, eh? I went to high school in Clark!

[LuvLuvLuv]

your hair looks great!! i'm also in :lovestruc with your toasting flutes!

hope you had a great time your trip!! i'm 31 days away!! Not that I'm counting or anything!

[librarygeek]

I am just joining in, I love all of your plans so far! Your DIY projects are fabulous. If you don't mind I have a few questions :)

I really like your monogram. I've been wanting one but we are on a super budget and I don't really have any extra funds to pay someone to do it so I'm going to try and do it myself. What program did you use to make it? Any tips?

And the memorial candle is really nice. How did you get the words/design onto the candle?

[lt90]

Just stumbled on your post and just wanted to say I LOVE all your plans!Your hair and makeup is amazing!!And I love the flutes too!Waiting for more...x

[princesswendy720]

I love your hair!!! So natural and pretty!!

The toasting flutes are so cute! And a great disney touch!!! :goodvibes

Thank you!

Hey Wendy! I love the hair! It's so soft and pretty. Can't wait to see the pictures.

I love the flutes you picked but I'm sorry you had to compromise. I was just thinking that for us, because I want red flutes, I may have to use my cricut, some vinyl and a Disney cartridge to "engrave" some disney on our toasters. I'm not sure if I have a castle graphic or not... hmmmm

Cranford, eh? I went to high school in Clark!

I do love the ones we got but wish we could have gotten the castle on the other style flute! Oh well!

We (DF and I) just moved to Cranford last year...but I grew up in South Plainfield which isn't too far away!

your hair looks great!! i'm also in :lovestruc with your toasting flutes!

hope you had a great time your trip!! i'm 31 days away!! Not that I'm counting or anything!

I'm so jealous!! You have so many trips planned! I'm dying to go back...I need to get something planned ASAP.

I am just joining in, I love all of your plans so far! Your DIY projects are fabulous. If you don't mind I have a few questions :)

I really like your monogram. I've been wanting one but we are on a super budget and I don't really have any extra funds to pay someone to do it so I'm going to try and do it myself. What program did you use to make it? Any tips?

And the memorial candle is really nice. How did you get the words/design onto the candle?

Hi there! I made our monogram in Adobe Illustrator - you can get a free trial for 30 days on the Adobe site but it is a more advanced program to use. I know other brides have had some success in Word, Powerpoint, and MS Paint. They have lots of cool free fonts on www.dafont.com and www.1001freefonts.com.

For the memorial candle - you just set up your text (you can do it in Word, make sure it is in landscape and centered on the paper). Then you just print it on a piece of vellum paper and attach it to the candle with glue dots.

Just stumbled on your post and just wanted to
\]say I LOVE all your plans!Your hair and makeup is amazing!!And I love the flutes too!Waiting for more...x

Thanks for reading along!

------------------------------
So following another Bride on here, I took our names out of the title of my PJ. Df stumbled across it while he was doing a search for our wedding website, which ironically, I blocked from the search engine. I don't want our guests to do the same thing! Although Google's cache still hasn't updated and it isn't showing up with the new title yet...but I'm hoping not too many of our guests have found it.

Also - our photographers posted a sneak picture picture of our e-pics...I'm excited to see the rest!

[Disney9.9.10]

Your hair and makeup turned out fantastic and I love the toasting flutes - what a great find!

[princesswendy720]

I got my dress today! And I'm going to be evil and not post it or me in it! :rotfl: DF has found this journal so I simply can't post any details about it in a public forum.

I will tell you that it is a Tara Keely and that I'm in love with it :lovestruc

I also bought my shoes (we got 10% off getting them through the store where I bought my dress). Here they are:
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/5731L.jpg

They are 10x more sparkly and wonderful in person. My Mom bought them for me since the dress ended up being less expensive than she initially budgeted for (the dress was half the price she had been willing to pay)...and no sales tax since we got it in NJ!

And...I found out what my bonus at work was this week, and as a result I was able to confirm that we are going to be able to do an Epcot dessert/welcome party the night before the wedding (after the RD). We are penciled in for the lower UK location as of now. Less than 5 months until we can confirm! (ugh it still sounds so far away!).

[KristiLyn]

Those shoes are amazing!!! I love them!!!!

Yay for the dessert party!!! Congrats!!

And I completely understand about not wanting to post your dress. I posted mine and guess who found my pj?? haha! So I'm banking on me looking better than the model in the pic in the dress...:rotfl:

[*Pixiedust1438*]

Love the shoes! :thumbsup2

[lilsqueakrr]

I got my dress today! And I'm going to be evil and not post it or me in it! :rotfl: DF has found this journal so I simply can't post any details about it in a public forum.

I will tell you that it is a Tara Keely and that I'm in love with it :lovestruc

I also bought my shoes (we got 10% off getting them through the store where I bought my dress). Here they are:
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/5731L.jpg

They are 10x more sparkly and wonderful in person. My Mom bought them for me since the dress ended up being less expensive than she initially budgeted for (the dress was half the price she had been willing to pay)...and no sales tax since we got it in NJ!

And...I found out what my bonus at work was this week, and as a result I was able to confirm that we are going to be able to do an Epcot dessert/welcome party the night before the wedding (after the RD). We are penciled in for the lower UK location as of now. Less than 5 months until we can confirm! (ugh it still sounds so far away!).

OMG, I LOVE those shoes! =] I want them so badly, but I'm afraid that they're just too tall for me? I don't wanna be taller than DF on the wedding day.. :confused3

Cannn you PM a picture of your dress? hehe. =]

BTW, I sent you a PM a few days ago with my email in case you wanna meet up or something since we're so close to each other!:thumbsup2

[LuvLuvLuv]

oooooooh sparkles :lovestruc

the shoes are amazing! everytime i look at my sparklies it makes me smile :) great choice!!

[Mindyjoy]

OMG, those shoes are to die for! I am going to try to make my own sparkly shoes because all the sparkly ones I find are too tall for me! I have problems with gravity. :rotfl2:


I wish we could see the dress! Would you consider putting it behind a link, surely DF wouldn't be so naughty as to snoop and click on a link, eh? :littleangel:

[Sccrmnky2005]

I love your shoes!!! :banana:

[princesswendy720]

Those shoes are amazing!!! I love them!!!!

Yay for the dessert party!!! Congrats!!

And I completely understand about not wanting to post your dress. I posted mine and guess who found my pj?? haha! So I'm banking on me looking better than the model in the pic in the dress...:rotfl:

Oh no! Honestly, I'm more concerned about our guests finding it than my groom. He would probably forget what it looked like before he saw me in it :lmao:

Love the shoes! :thumbsup2

Thank you! I love them too...and they are so comfy!

OMG, I LOVE those shoes! =] I want them so badly, but I'm afraid that they're just too tall for me? I don't wanna be taller than DF on the wedding day.. :confused3

Cannn you PM a picture of your dress? hehe. =]

BTW, I sent you a PM a few days ago with my email in case you wanna meet up or something since we're so close to each other!:thumbsup2

I *think* the shoes are 4 inches high. I'm only 5' 3" so I don't have to worry about being taller than Df. I'm sending you a PM now :goodvibes

oooooooh sparkles :lovestruc

the shoes are amazing! everytime i look at my sparklies it makes me smile :) great choice!!

Thank you! They are so sparkly in person. When I get them I'll try to take a good picture with my camera.

OMG, those shoes are to die for! I am going to try to make my own sparkly shoes because all the sparkly ones I find are too tall for me! I have problems with gravity. :rotfl2:


I wish we could see the dress! Would you consider putting it behind a link, surely DF wouldn't be so naughty as to snoop and click on a link, eh? :littleangel:

I thought about DIYing my own sparkly shoes, but I just don't have the patience lol. A few other brides on here have done it and they look great - and you can customize the color and heel height. :thumbsup2

Oh a silly little link wouldn't stop him from peeking :rotfl:

I love your shoes!!! :banana:

Thank you!

[belle2211]

The cottontini was the sole reason I booked the reservation! haha I got the tropical one and it was soo good.

Jackie from Beaute Speciale did such a great job...she nailed the inspiration pictures I showed her. I also got the airbrush makeup and it made me look flawless. I only wish she could do my hair and makeup every day!



It definitely held up (not so much overnight after sleeping on it though haha).

I found the flutes in the crystal shop in Germany. Everything is engraved by Arribas Brothers. Their main shop is in Downtown Disney (although I didn't spot these there when I looked). I looked for flutes on our last trip in November, but didn't see them there then anywhere. I think they might be new. They were with the other engraved Disney flutes.

Here is all their other flutes (the ones I bought aren't up there at the moment)
http://www.arribas.com/istar.asp?a=3&dept=GLSWR&class=ETCHED&subclass=STEM&sortby=&numperpage=8&pos=0


I just found and subscribed to your PJ. Love it!


Jackie did my hair and makeup for my engagement pics too and I loved it! I booked her for our wedding!

And I'm contacting Arribas Brothers on Tuesday to see if they can make the flutes I want. They're the older DFTW flutes with Cinderella's Carriage on them. I want it sooo bad! When I stopped in the store to ask about it, the guy said he thought they had made them so he gave me a number to call to find out. Crossing my fingers!

[sw33t_angel]

LOVE your shoes!!! :love: Now if they just made them in a ballet flat... I would be ordering them as we speak... ;)

[princesswendy720]

Our photographers posted a few engagement pictures on their blog yesterday! Here are my favorites:
http://www.studio222photography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/port-orleans-engagement-session-1.jpg

http://www.studio222photography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/port-orleans-engagement-session-2.jpg

http://www.studio222photography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/port-orleans-engagement-session-3.jpg

http://www.studio222photography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/port-orleans-engagement-session-4b.jpg

http://www.studio222photography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/port-orleans-engagement-session-5.jpg

http://www.studio222photography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/port-orleans-engagement-session-8.jpg

[lilsqueakrr]

Ah! Your photos are gorgeous! I love your hair in them too! Where'd you get them taken at ??

[KristiLyn]

LOVE those pics!!! They are gorgeous!!!

[irishwishes]

awesome pictures!!

[librarygeek]

Aww, those engagement pics are too cute! Very nice!

[sw33t_angel]

Your pictures are fabulous! :) And I love your outfit!!

[LuvLuvLuv]

i love them! your epix are great!!

[pixiegirl]

Your epics turned out awesome. You look gorgeous!!!

[princesswendy720]

Ah! Your photos are gorgeous! I love your hair in them too! Where'd you get them taken at ??

Thanks! We had them taken at Port Orleans Riverside.

LOVE those pics!!! They are gorgeous!!!

awesome pictures!!

Aww, those engagement pics are too cute! Very nice!

Your pictures are fabulous! :) And I love your outfit!!

i love them! your epix are great!!

Your epics turned out awesome. You look gorgeous!!!

Thanks!

------------------------------

Well..let me start by clearing the cobwebs out of my PJ...it's been awhile! :rolleyes1 I hope you guys haven't given up on me...it's just hard for me to devote so much time to my wedding when it is still so far away. It makes me a little bonkers and frustrated when I think that we still have over a year and a half. We still have a little less than 3 months until we can confirm with Disney...so not much news to report on that front. We DID get our engagement picture DVD this month, so I'll be posting some more of my favorites. I also have a few goodies that I've made/bought recently. And my shoes came in so I will be picking those up tomorrow. Here are some pics

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/port-orleans-engagement-session-13-1.jpg

So the back story on this one is, Becka and Nate told Greg to whisper his favorite part about me in my ear. His answer? My brains.
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/port-orleans-engagement-session-18-1.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/port-orleans-engagement-session-19-1.jpg

I don't particularly love how we look in this one - but it's an awesome shot!
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/port-orleans-engagement-session-20-1.jpg

I love the lighting in this one:
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/port-orleans-engagement-session-35-1.jpg


http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/port-orleans-engagement-session-51-1.jpg

I bought a necklace:
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/necklace.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/5f9bfea5.jpg

And made a fascinator since I couldn't find anything I like on etsy:

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1905.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1910.jpg

Notice the stars on both? This is actually coincidental, but I think it may be a new running theme:
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1918.jpg

And I bought a dress from Haute Look to wear to rehearsal or bachelorette:
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/rehearsal-dress.jpg

Also, I know I've sung the praises of our consultant on here before - he continues to make me happy. I emailed him one night b/c I was interested in going to the Wedding Salon (a bridal show in NY at the end of the month) and I asked him if DFTW was going to be there. Within minutes he responds that although he won't be there this time, a few of his colleagues would be, and he was able to hook me up with a code to get free tickets (regular price is $50). So happy! It is on the 27th so I will try to take some pictures of the DFTW booth and table (designed by David Tutera) for you all.

I'm going through a little bit of Disney withdrawal. We won't be down again until next May for our PS. Anyone want to plan a DIS Bride meet up in say October so I have an excuse to go down and not have to be by myself? :goodvibes DF is out of vacation time for the year. Speaking of traveling, I have to go to Vegas for work at the end of June and Dallas at the end of July/beginning of August. Anyone going to be around these areas at that time? I hate traveling alone can you tell?

Well...I think that's it for now. I will post a picture of my shoes once I pick them up from the salon.

[redlight]

I love your e-pictures!

[KristiLyn]

Your pictures look great!! And I love that necklace and fascinator!

I saw that dress on Haute Look and loved it!!!

I will be in Disney October 1st. It's the 40th anniversary and the food & wine festival, good time to go!! Actually on October 1st I'm meeting another DisBride at Crystal Palace ! :banana: Let me know if you decide to go!!!

[*Pixiedust1438*]

Love the pictures and the new accessories! Me and DF are thinking of going down to Disney in October for a few days (might as well take advantage of our annual passes before they expire!) so let me know if you really get things rolling with a DIS bride meet up, I'm sure DF could find something to do for a few hours!

[LuvLuvLuv]

your epix turned out great... i bet you're sooooo happy! we're headed down the last weekend of food/wine (nov 11-15) and there will probably be lots of disbrides down there for 11/11 :) i like that we can hit f/w AND see the xmas lights :)

[Princess SarahK]

your epix turned out great... i bet you're sooooo happy! we're headed down the last weekend of food/wine (nov 11-15) and there will probably be lots of disbrides down there for 11/11 :) i like that we can hit f/w AND see the xmas lights :)

AAAANND my wedding is the 13th, feel free to head on down and stalk away girls!! Maybe we can try and sneak yall in!;)

[belle2211]

I'm going through a little bit of Disney withdrawal. We won't be down again until next May for our PS. Anyone want to plan a DIS Bride meet up in say October so I have an excuse to go down and not have to be by myself?


I'm local (as in less than 5 mins from MK) so let me know if you guys decide to meet up!

[sw33t_angel]

AAAANND my wedding is the 13th, feel free to head on down and stalk away girls!! Maybe we can try and sneak yall in!;)

Haha don't tempt us!! :rolleyes1

I will be down there 11/12-11/19!

I love your dress from Haute btw!!! I have been trying to find a cute white dress to wear for the rehearsal!!

[princesswendy720]

I love your e-pictures!

Thank you!

Your pictures look great!! And I love that necklace and fascinator!

I saw that dress on Haute Look and loved it!!!

I will be in Disney October 1st. It's the 40th anniversary and the food & wine festival, good time to go!! Actually on October 1st I'm meeting another DisBride at Crystal Palace ! :banana: Let me know if you decide to go!!!

F&WF time is my favorite time in Disney..I've been the last 2 years in a row. I love fall in Disney :goodvibes

Love the pictures and the new accessories! Me and DF are thinking of going down to Disney in October for a few days (might as well take advantage of our annual passes before they expire!) so let me know if you really get things rolling with a DIS bride meet up, I'm sure DF could find something to do for a few hours!

Thanks!! I will post here if I plan on going down and meeting up with ppl!

your epix turned out great... i bet you're sooooo happy! we're headed down the last weekend of food/wine (nov 11-15) and there will probably be lots of disbrides down there for 11/11 :) i like that we can hit f/w AND see the xmas lights :)

AAAANND my wedding is the 13th, feel free to head on down and stalk away girls!! Maybe we can try and sneak yall in!;)

Oh you girls are tempting me far too much! I did tell my BFF/MoH that I'd come visit her in the fall (she lives in Ft Myers). Disney is only a couple hours away :rolleyes1

I'm local (as in less than 5 mins from MK) so let me know if you guys decide to meet up!

Will do!

Haha don't tempt us!! :rolleyes1

I will be down there 11/12-11/19!

I love your dress from Haute btw!!! I have been trying to find a cute white dress to wear for the rehearsal!!

Definitely check out the designer sale sites..my favorites are Haute Look, Ideeli, Gilt, and Rue La La. Express also has a cute white dress right now but it is a little more casual.

[MissManners]

So apparently my photographer is a fan of your photographer on Facebook. I thought that was a funny little coincidence!
:cool1:

[princesswendy720]

So I'm just not sure what to do and I need some advice. I initially decided on a Monday wedding for the lower minimum. The way our estimated budget sits now, we are hitting the Sunday minimum. I'm considering changing it but I have some reservations:

Pros:
1. People who aren't considering coming bc of the day would be able to come and only miss 1 day of school/work. That one day is veterans day so they might have it off.
2. For people who would come anyway (Sunday or Monday) we are making it more convenient.
3. I'll stop getting weird looks when I say my wedding is on a Monday.

Cons:
1. I'm nervous there will be more competition for our locations on a sunday.
2. I already put a deposit with photogs to "hold" Monday and I'm not sure if I can change it (or if they're available Sunday). And what if I contact them about putting a hold on Sunday and we don't get our locations?
3. What if our rehearsal and DP locations aren't free on Saturday?
4. I'm not sure it would actually make a difference in attendance..the ppl who are coming will come no matter what day we have it. Is it worth the trouble of changing everything.

So what do you guys think? I know a lot of this could be cleared up by emailing Joe to see if everything is even available and all clear..but I'm just so nervous.

[DisneyShamrock]

I completely understand being nervous. I was jittery when I made the initial call for information. :)

I would check with your photographer to see if they could do Sunday. I would also check with Joe to make sure you can get your times and locations on Sunday. If those are a go, call your guests and see if it would increase attendance.

If more people will come, and your stuff is available, do it. If not, keep your original plan.

Take a deep breath, eat a cookie/brownie/piece o' chocolate (or all three), and email/call to check. :flower3:

[*Pixiedust1438*]

I can sympathize with you because my wedding is on a Monday. I thought the same thing, people who are coming all the way to Florida are going to come for more than two days anyway, so it doesn't really matter if it isn't on a weekned. I also am using ADH, so Monday and Sunday are the only two options. I ended up picking Monday because it had a cheaper minimum, well I went WAY over the minimum anyway! So it really didn't matter. I don't think either day will make too much of a difference for guests. And although I can also sympathize with the weird looks for a Monday wedding, if you are worried that your locations with choosing Sunday, then I would stick with Monday. Looking at your list, you have more con's than pro's, so I stay stick with Monday!

[princesswendy720]

I completely understand being nervous. I was jittery when I made the initial call for information. :)

I would check with your photographer to see if they could do Sunday. I would also check with Joe to make sure you can get your times and locations on Sunday. If those are a go, call your guests and see if it would increase attendance.

If more people will come, and your stuff is available, do it. If not, keep your original plan.

Take a deep breath, eat a cookie/brownie/piece o' chocolate (or all three), and email/call to check. :flower3:

I can sympathize with you because my wedding is on a Monday. I thought the same thing, people who are coming all the way to Florida are going to come for more than two days anyway, so it doesn't really matter if it isn't on a weekned. I also am using ADH, so Monday and Sunday are the only two options. I ended up picking Monday because it had a cheaper minimum, well I went WAY over the minimum anyway! So it really didn't matter. I don't think either day will make too much of a difference for guests. And although I can also sympathize with the weird looks for a Monday wedding, if you are worried that your locations with choosing Sunday, then I would stick with Monday. Looking at your list, you have more con's than pro's, so I stay stick with Monday!

Thank you for the advice girls. So I checked with Joe and our photographer and they said all was clear on their calendars' for the Sunday. I was really unsure what to do and was so stuck on the 12th as our date. But DF felt strongly that our guests would appreciate it if we moved it to a Sunday, so I went ahead and moved our "pencilled in" date to Sunday the 11th. I had to come to terms that it really wouldn't affect the plans I had, and that non-bridal party people could fly in Saturday and leave Monday and only miss (possibly) one day of work...I have to ask our bridal party to arrive on Friday now (still taking off 2 days). Of course, things could always revert back to the original plans if something falls through or someone else comes along and requests our date. Fingers crossed...knock on wood...hopefully we don't have too many issues.

So now the plan is, rehearsal dinner and welcome dessert party on Saturday, November 10, 2012 and wedding and reception on Sunday, November 11, 2012.

So for a fun update, I bought a dress I might want to wear at the rehearsal:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XGO-y0rof9I/TXeWYPlJ7mI/AAAAAAAAB8A/kJ2jB5phOtE/s1600/BCBG+EMMIE+CHIFFON+APPLIQUE+DRESS.jpg

And, there has been some talk about potential plans for my bridal shower next year and there is a very good chance it will be an Alice in Wonderland themed tea party! So exciting!! Fun hats, colorful lanterns, roman table, and all! I'm not sure how involved my bridesmaids will let me be. My MoH asked me when I wanted the shower...and I said maybe next September or late August. Is that good timing? I really have no idea what the protocol is with destination weddings and when to time things. I also don't want it to be terribly hot and humid (if it happens to be outside).

No other big news...I'm working on the next newsletter (to go out in late July or August) and am finishing up the designs for our Save the Date (which I'll send out around the year mark).

[lilsqueakrr]

Girl I love your dress! It's fabulous! I'm looking for something for our rehearsal, but I plan on loosing a few lbs before then! =X

can't wait to see more!

AND can't wait to meet up over the sumer!

[elleinad16]

That dress is so cute!!!! :goodvibes

[pixiegirl]

That dress is adorable!!! I have been searching for a white dress for the rehearsal. Can't wait to see the save the dates!!!

[princesswendy720]

I'm just so giddy and excited about this that I have to update..

We've been going back and forth (or I have) on the honeymoon. We decided we will postpone it to 2013 because we are both going to be traveling to Disney World for the PS in May and for the wedding in November (we'll be there for 10 days in November).

I'm been looking at so many options - Europe, Disney cruises, Mediterranean cruises, Japan, Thailand, French Polynesia, the Caribbean, etc.

Well...today Greg sent me the info on the Disneyland Kinect game that is being released, and I said that I wanted to go back to DL for real (I went in 2002 with my family). And, to my surprise, his response was "well we could go visit Jon (his brother), and my friend Tim has been bugging me to come visit him in Cali".

So...using this as an opportunity...I proposed going to California for a week (San Francisco followed by Disneyland) then taking a flight from LA to Mexico or Hawaii for a week. He agreed!! Mexico will be a much better value (we will do all inclusive) so that is where we are leaning. Right now, we are planning on going in April or May after the wedding, doing San Fran from Saturday to Tuesday, driving to Disney, then doing the DL parks Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday...then leaving on Saturday and heading to Mexico until the next Friday. The current frontrunner for Mexico is the Dreams Villamagna Nueva Vallarta (all the rooms have 2 person jacuzzis on the balcony!).

I'm so excited...I've been DYING to go to Disneyland for the last several moths! :banana::banana: Greg is not a huge Disney freak like me, so this is really big that he agreed to go there for our honeymoon. His response when I acted shocked "Well you never asked me to go there before." :scared1:

[LuvLuvLuv]

that sounds fantastic!! i've had a recent itch to try the "other" disneys, lol. when we get into dvc, i want to the grand californian---maybe in october to see their nightmare before xmas haunted mansion! the resort sounds great too!! sounds like a lot of fun!!

[lilsqueakrr]

Oh man that just sounds AWESOME! I tried doing the DisneyLand/California thing as well. But.. it didn't work out too well? Hawaii was just too darned expensive!

I've got the itch to go to DisneyLand so badly! Especially because DF's uncle lives only an hour away! We'd be there tomorrow to visit him.. but I can't stay with him because I'm deathly allergic to cats and he has 3. So my DL wishes aren't granted just yet! But I'm hoping to get out there soon!

That's soo exciting for you though! Yay! It is an awesome feeling when you book a HM. I know at this point I'm more excited for the HM than I am for the wedding haha. Except for the whole vow part and marrying my love thing.. that I'm ready for. But all the other extra junk. haha.

[librarygeek]

Your honeymoon plans sound great! I'd like to get to Disneyland someday; I have never been to California so I'm sure I could make a great trip out of it! Someday!

[KristiLyn]

Great honeymoon plans!! I think next year we are going to Disneyland. It's so crazy that I'm such a big Disney fan but I've never been there...

[DoomBuggy0922]

That sounds great!!! I agree, I've definitely had "the itch" to go to Disneyland too!!!

[Mindyjoy]

Disneyland, yes!!!!!!!!!!!

[singastory]

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who is planning things way down the road! Mostly it's just a hobby at this point, I LOVE planning. It's good distraction from the studying I'm supposed to be doing. My younger sister has a collection of bridal magazines that's probably 8 years old at least, and she's only 21 this year :rolleyes:

[princesswendy720]

I heard from Joe, and a convention has a hold on all spaces at the Boardwalk (including sea breeze point but not Atlantic dance hall). Ugh!! After all this wait and a convention is going to mess it all up at the last minute! Our locations (especially sea breeze point) are really non negotiable. I'm trying to find out how long they are there for and when they will make a decision on whether or not they need it.

[jlocmac]

So sorry to hear this!! Hopefully all will work out and those random people will be out of your venues!!!! pixiedust:

[KristiLyn]

Oh no! I hope it all works out!!! :goodvibes

[donald&daisy]

That sucks! Why would they want SBP? That seems odd to me. I'm sorry!

[Mindyjoy]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Is it possible to change your date at this point?

[princesswendy720]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Is it possible to change your date at this point?

Yes we would be willing to change dates. Once I find out when the conference is, I'll ask about other dates...the problem is that the next two weekends anchor thanksgiving week. So we have the weekend before our current one or moving to October or December.

[librarygeek]

Oh, that is awful! I agree, why would they want Sea Breeze Point? Good luck, I hope it all works out!

[LuvLuvLuv]

i can't believe what i just read! i hope you get it all straightened out!! maybe you'll end up like me and be able to see mnnshp, food/wine and mvmcp :goodvibes i'm so sorry this is happening!!

[princesswendy720]

i can't believe what i just read! i hope you get it all straightened out!! maybe you'll end up like me and be able to see mnnshp, food/wine and mvmcp :goodvibes i'm so sorry this is happening!!

Things are starting to look like our weddings will be even closer together. I'll post more as soon as I know more!

[pinkmiss3]

I am so sorry about that stupid convention! I hope everything works out for you.

[DoomBuggy0922]

Ugh--- STUPID CONVENTION!!!!! I hope everything works out

[princesswendy720]

My computer has a nasty virus and I've had to post from my iPhone, so I apologize for not being able to multiquote and respond to everyone individually! Thanks so much for the pixie dust!

Now, I'm going to pass this info along since I never read about it in the years I've been researching Disney weddings. So it turns out that the convention does not technically have SBP booked, however since they have all the indoor (ie rain backup) locations booked, DFTW is not allowed to let us book SBP. Same goes for any outdoor ceremony location over there (croquet lawn, quiet pool, and the yacht club gazebo since there is a conference there too). The 12th is also taken by the conference. The closest dates we could have are the 9th or 15th. I really wanted a Sunday or Monday, so currently we have decided to move the wedding up a week so I can have my dream ceremony location.

Greg was really sweet, saying we'd do whatever we had to to get married at SBP and when I asked him if it was ok to move it up he was excited to get a wife sooner lol.

So we will hit the 16 month mark in 17 days (D-day is in 18 since the 16 month mark is a holiday). I feel no reassurance at that milestone though since there is still the possibility of a conference booking all the rain backups again!

[DisneyShamrock]

My computer has a nasty virus and I've had to post from my iPhone, so I apologize for not being able to multiquote and respond to everyone individually! Thanks so much for the pixie dust!

Now, I'm going to pass this info along since I never read about it in the years I've been researching Disney weddings. So it turns out that the convention does not technically have SBP booked, however since they have all the indoor (ie rain backup) locations booked, DFTW is not allowed to let us book SBP. Same goes for any outdoor ceremony location over there (croquet lawn, quiet pool, and the yacht club gazebo since there is a conference there too). The 12th is also taken by the conference. The closest dates we could have are the 9th or 15th. I really wanted a Sunday or Monday, so currently we have decided to move the wedding up a week so I can have my dream ceremony location.

Greg was really sweet, saying we'd do whatever we had to to get married at SBP and when I asked him if it was ok to move it up he was excited to get a wife sooner lol.

So we will hit the 16 month mark in 17 days (D-day is in 18 since the 16 month mark is a holiday). I feel no reassurance at that milestone though since there is still the possibility of a conference booking all the rain backups again!

That sucks! :scared1: I hope another convention doesn't come in the week before.

Too bad we don't know someone who 'book' a convention and then cancel it the day after you can call at 12 months to block it out...:rolleyes1

Sending lots of pixie dust to keep another convention away. :wizard:

[princesswendy720]

I'm so excited - we booked our planning session trip!! We'll be renting points and staying at beach club villas from 5/16 to 5/20. I'm hoping this will be the first Star Wars Weekend!

In other news..11 days until our 16 month mark and 12 until we see if we need to go in a lottery. I've literally been feeling sick over it :(

[DisneyShamrock]

I'm so excited - we booked our planning session trip!! We'll be renting points and staying at beach club villas from 5/16 to 5/20. I'm hoping this will be the first Star Wars Weekend!

In other news..11 days until our 16 month mark and 12 until we see if we need to go in a lottery. I've literally been feeling sick over it :(

Yay for the planning session. :yay:

I'll be sending lots of pixie dust to hope you get your dates, times, and locations. :wizard::wizard::wizard::wizard::wizard:

[LuvLuvLuv]

I'm so excited - we booked our planning session trip!! We'll be renting points and staying at beach club villas from 5/16 to 5/20. I'm hoping this will be the first Star Wars Weekend!

In other news..11 days until our 16 month mark and 12 until we see if we need to go in a lottery. I've literally been feeling sick over it :(

Yay for BCV!! Renting points can be addicting... beware!

I'm going to be honest, I feel terribly sick about booking. We haven't even made final decisions where anything is. I haven't even thought about a lottery!! My anxiety is at a 10 this week for sure... and I'm sure the next week and a half is going to be a treat!

Good luck :) Try to relax! I'll do the same!!

[DoomBuggy0922]

Woohoo! Planning Session FTW--- and at beach club villas! We're staying there for the first part of our honeymoon, and I'm so excited. :D

I hope you get your date! Stupid lottery.

[princesswendy720]

Yay for the planning session. :yay:

I'll be sending lots of pixie dust to hope you get your dates, times, and locations. :wizard::wizard::wizard::wizard::wizard:

Thank you for the pixie dust! I think I'll need it!

Yay for BCV!! Renting points can be addicting... beware!

I'm going to be honest, I feel terribly sick about booking. We haven't even made final decisions where anything is. I haven't even thought about a lottery!! My anxiety is at a 10 this week for sure... and I'm sure the next week and a half is going to be a treat!

Good luck :) Try to relax! I'll do the same!!

They're such a great deal aren't they? We did it once before, and plan on doing it for the whole wedding trip.

Have you heard back from your consultant yet? If I were you, I think I'd call an emergency conference call for next week so you can get everything settled and on the master DFTW calendar so you can be on there when the 16 month mark hits. I was just in touch with Joe about the date change, but I think I will send a "final decision" email next week just to confirm everything.

Maybe we should both get massages this weekend? lol

Woohoo! Planning Session FTW--- and at beach club villas! We're staying there for the first part of our honeymoon, and I'm so excited. :D

I hope you get your date! Stupid lottery.

Yay! I've never stayed there before and I am SO excited about the pool. You'll have to post about it in detail once you get back.

[BethieTink]

I'm so excited - we booked our planning session trip!! We'll be renting points and staying at beach club villas from 5/16 to 5/20. I'm hoping this will be the first Star Wars Weekend!

In other news..11 days until our 16 month mark and 12 until we see if we need to go in a lottery. I've literally been feeling sick over it :(

Congrats on booking the planning session trip! We own our DVC at BCV, so if you have any questions let me know. The pool is amazing! You will love it.

Our booking date is a week after yours and I am trying so hard not to get so riled up about this, but it's not working. :sick: I will keep my fingers crossed for you.

Yay for BCV!! Renting points can be addicting... beware!

I'm going to be honest, I feel terribly sick about booking. We haven't even made final decisions where anything is. I haven't even thought about a lottery!! My anxiety is at a 10 this week for sure... and I'm sure the next week and a half is going to be a treat!

Good luck :) Try to relax! I'll do the same!!

Have you heard back from your consultant? Good luck with your decisions. I will keep my fingers crossed for you, too! Right after you and Wendy book, I am sure I will be a nervous wreck.

[princesswendy720]

Congrats on booking the planning session trip! We own our DVC at BCV, so if you have any questions let me know. The pool is amazing! You will love it.

Our booking date is a week after yours and I am trying so hard not to get so riled up about this, but it's not working. :sick: I will keep my fingers crossed for you.


I'll keep my fingers crossed for you too! Are you going to post about your site visit trip? We had such a good time when I went for mine :goodvibes

------------------------

Ok so my posts have been a little boring and whiney lately lol so here is some eye candy...

So this is my inspiration for the guys' looks.
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/gazz3.jpg

I couldn't find a pocket square that I liked, so I decided to order fabric from SpoonFlower (digitally printed fabrics), and make them myself! Here they are:

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1940.jpg

Close up:
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1943.jpg

Then, I ordered ties for the guys and they came in. I got a great deal (they were on sale and I had a coupon). I left them in the bags so you'll have to use your imagination:
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1950-1.jpg

With one of the ties:
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1954-1.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1957-1.jpg

Since Greg is getting the plaid tie, he will have a different pocket square that is not plaid, but I haven't ordered the fabric yet. I was actually thinking about maybe doing a green one for him. I have 3 pocket squares done and 1 more to do. I sewed them with a hand rolled hem (I found a tutorial and taught myself how to sew). It's tiring and my fingers get cramped easily so it's been a slooow process.

And, I relined the wine box. I think it looks a million times better.
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/IMG_1944-1.jpg

Also, I bought an Olzewski pokitpal for our ring box. I saw it on his site but couldn't find it anywhere then all of a sudden it was on the Disney Store website! Not sure I mentioned it...but I love elephants and collect them:
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/63fda687-1.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/6d5317ee-1.jpg

Lastly, I don't remember if I posted but I booked our first wedding vendor! We booking AMAZING videographers and I am so excited about them! And we got a great deal. I also bought my garter and veil off Etsy but I haven't taken pictures of them yet. I :love: them.

[KristiLyn]

The boys are going to look great in all of that!!!!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE that ring box! It's adorable!!!!

[LuvLuvLuv]

I love your stuff! You're getting so much done!! I called today and was able to get a hold of my coordinator, so all is well :) A couple twists, but I'll update tomorrow! We're still sitting here discussing it all! Those ties are great!!

PS: I went for a reflexology massage tonight and it wiped away all my worries, lol--at least for the moment. I signed a year commitment for it and will be getting them regularly until the wedding :) I think I'll need it!

[elleinad16]

Oh wow, Wendy!
First of all...Hooray for BCV!!! That'll be so much fun. :goodvibes
Secondly, I love, love, love the inspiration pic for the boys! The purple and all the patterns make it so rich and fun. I am in love with the pocket square fabric -- (who knew you could do something like that?!? :thumbsup2 ). The ties are all glam.

Also, how neat is that...I collect elephants too! I've only ever met 1 other person that does as well. We have a little club going on now. ;) But I love that Dumbo box. I've been eying it ever since it was put on Disney Store! I have a sticker of that same vintage poster so it's really awesome.

Great update!!! :yay:

[lilsqueakrr]

The ties and look for the guys looks AWESOME. I love it!

Awesome ring box! I still need to come up with something cool for our rings.. I have a few ideas.. but first need to figure out if we're doing ring bearers or not!

Cannot wait to see your veil and garter! Woohoo!

And sending lots of pixie dust of course! pixiedust:pixiedust:pixiedust:pixiedust:pixiedust: pixiedust:pixiedust:pixiedust:pixiedust:pixiedust: pixiedust:pixiedust:pixiedust:pixiedust:pixiedust: pixiedust:pixiedust:pixiedust:pixiedust:pixiedust: pixiedust:

[BethieTink]

Wendy,

Thanks for the crossed fingers! I really appreciate it. When we down there, Bill said that we shouldn't have anything to worry about, but I still do.

I uploaded the pics to photobucket last night, so TR should be coming this weekend. :banana: It was fabulous and very productive too!

Have a great day! Wish the sun would come out here in Boston. Very gloomy.

[belle2211]

oooh! I love those ties! And they'll look great with the fabric that you got!

And I love the ring box! I didn't think of getting anything to hold them in, so what did the best man use? Those plastic bubble things that you get out of the quarter toy machines at the grocery store. Everyone got a laugh out of it!

[Designer Rose]

I just caught up on your PJ and I love all of your details! :) I adore your engagement pics too, they're gorgeous!
Fingers crossed for you that you get your date! Nov. 4, 2012 is the date my fiance and I are pulling for too.

[Sccrmnky2005]

Love the ties!!

I can't wait to hear in a few more days if you got your locations!! I hope everything works out for you!! :goodvibes

[Designer Rose]

Also, I wanted to ask, my fiance and I want to look into getting Studio Photography for our engagement and wedding photos too. Were you happy with them?

[princesswendy720]

Also, I wanted to ask, my fiance and I want to look into getting Studio Photography for our engagement and wedding photos too. Were you happy with them?

Hi! We loved our photos from Studio 222. However we have a hold on them on November 4 for our wedding pictures, so if we end up with the same date I don't think they would be able to shoot yours too.

[princesswendy720]

The boys are going to look great in all of that!!!!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE that ring box! It's adorable!!!!

Thank you!! I'm very excited about all the little details.

I love your stuff! You're getting so much done!! I called today and was able to get a hold of my coordinator, so all is well A couple twists, but I'll update tomorrow! We're still sitting here discussing it all! Those ties are great!!

PS: I went for a reflexology massage tonight and it wiped away all my worries, lol--at least for the moment. I signed a year commitment for it and will be getting them regularly until the wedding I think I'll need it!

Oh I'm just trying to pass the time with all this stuff lol I'm so excited that things are coming together for you! I keep meaning to post on your PJ but I've been in Vegas for work and things have been crazy/nonstop/busy/not in a good way.

Oh wow, Wendy!
First of all...Hooray for BCV!!! That'll be so much fun. :goodvibes
Secondly, I love, love, love the inspiration pic for the boys! The purple and all the patterns make it so rich and fun. I am in love with the pocket square fabric -- (who knew you could do something like that?!? ). The ties are all glam.

Also, how neat is that...I collect elephants too! I've only ever met 1 other person that does as well. We have a little club going on now. ;) But I love that Dumbo box. I've been eying it ever since it was put on Disney Store! I have a sticker of that same vintage poster so it's really awesome.

Great update!!! :yay:

Ooh! My grandma collects elephants as well (she actually gave me one for Christmas). I really want one of the big wire/beaded elephants that they sell at AKL as a wedding present from Greg lol. I have a smaller one, but the big ones are so nice. I love finding elephant trinkets in Disney - I got a wood one at AK and a See no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil statue of elephants in the China pavillion at Epcot.

The ties and look for the guys looks AWESOME. I love it!

Awesome ring box! I still need to come up with something cool for our rings.. I have a few ideas.. but first need to figure out if we're doing ring bearers or not!

Cannot wait to see your veil and garter! Woohoo!

And sending lots of pixie dust of course! pixiedust:pixiedust:pixiedust:pixiedust:pixiedust: pixiedust:pixiedust:pixiedust:pixiedust:pixiedust: pixiedust:pixiedust:]QUOTE]

Thank you for all the pixie dust! The suspense is killing me! And we don't actually have a ring bearer (DF has a nephew but he will be 9 at the wedding and I just think that's kind of old for a ring bearer?) So we will have the best man carry the rings and the ring box will make some nice cameos in our pictures.

[QUOTE=BethieTink;41596654]Wendy,

Thanks for the crossed fingers! I really appreciate it. When we down there, Bill said that we shouldn't have anything to worry about, but I still do.

I uploaded the pics to photobucket last night, so TR should be coming this weekend. :banana: It was fabulous and very productive too!

Have a great day! Wish the sun would come out here in Boston. Very gloomy.

I've been reading along in your TR...everything sounds great!

oooh! I love those ties! And they'll look great with the fabric that you got!

And I love the ring box! I didn't think of getting anything to hold them in, so what did the best man use? Those plastic bubble things that you get out of the quarter toy machines at the grocery store. Everyone got a laugh out of it!

LOL! Where did he find one of those? BTW...your wedding TR was great...and completed in record time!


Love the ties!!

I can't wait to hear in a few more days if you got your locations!! I hope everything works out for you!! :goodvibes


I can't wait either!! Fingers and toes are crossed! How exciting that you are less than a year away! When I first started officially planning last summer, I remember there being so few 2012 brides and you were one of them. I get so excited to see the other 2012 brides getting so close now.

[donald&daisy]

I love all the new stuff! I like that the ties are all different but coordinate very well. I saw on Project Runway once where they had to design their own fabric, but I didn't know it was so easily accessible to the non-designers among us (aka me). Oh, the ring box is adorable! We aren't having a ring bearer either, but I want something cute to feature them in for pics. And I'm happy that you were able rent points! We've rented points for our PS vacation and our actual wedding stay and it has been SUCH a $$ saver. I've only rented once before at OKW and that's been like 4 years ago, but we loved it then.

[BethieTink]

Love, love, love the guys outfits! They are all going to look great!

Your ring box is wonderful! What a find!

Thanks for reading the TR. We had such a good time! We are so excited about our venues. Now I just have a litle less than 2 weeks to go to really make them ours. :) I have another update coming before the weekend...Jewelry!!

Fingers still crossed for you for next week. Hopefully, next November, you, me and Deena will have a day that will overlap so we can meetup.

[belle2211]

LOL! Where did he find one of those? BTW...your wedding TR was great...and completed in record time!


I just asked DH and said he actually bought them at the Winn Dixie right near property :) And thanks about the TR...I had time between the wedding and honeymoon, so I thought why not? Now I just need to do a TR for the honeymoon, even though it wasn't disney related :)

[princesswendy720]

I just got the email from Joe that we have tentatively confirmed our dates/locations!

11/4/12 sea breeze point at 5 p.m. And reception to follow at Atlantic dance hall

We also tentatively confirmed our welcome dessert party at UK lochside on the 3rd. We are waiting on theme park management to confirm our rehearsal dinner.

Phew! Now I need to start paying deposits on our vendors and start ordering/assembling our save the dates!

[LuvLuvLuv]

I just got the email from Joe that we have tentatively confirmed our dates/locations!

11/4/12 sea breeze point at 5 p.m. And reception to follow at Atlantic dance hall

We also tentatively confirmed our welcome dessert party at UK lochside on the 3rd. We are waiting on theme park management to confirm our rehearsal dinner.

Phew! Now I need to start paying deposits on our vendors and start ordering/assembling our save the dates!

YAY!!!! :cool1: :banana: :yay: I'll be across the water with binoculars--we're doing Yachtsman that night for dinner with the family :)

[donald&daisy]

Yay!!!! Congrats!!!

[princess_ariel_85]

Hiya!

I've just read your whole PJ and I just want to say how amazing all your DIY projects are. I wish I was half as talented as you.

Your ring box is cute too, what a great find.

Congratulations on getting your date, how exciting.

Look forward to seeing more plans. :goodvibes

[lilsqueakrr]

Yay! Congrats! That's our engage-aversery!! We wanted to do it that date but it didn't work out at home. YAY for you! So exciting!

[DoomBuggy0922]

Yahoo!!! Congratulations!!!

[KristiLyn]

Yay Congrats!!!!

[Sccrmnky2005]

Congrats on getting your date and time! :goodvibes

[elleinad16]

Hooray, Wendy! That's so exciting and relieving! Can't wait to see the Save-the-Dates! :goodvibes

[BethieTink]

I just got the email from Joe that we have tentatively confirmed our dates/locations!

11/4/12 sea breeze point at 5 p.m. And reception to follow at Atlantic dance hall

We also tentatively confirmed our welcome dessert party at UK lochside on the 3rd. We are waiting on theme park management to confirm our rehearsal dinner.

Phew! Now I need to start paying deposits on our vendors and start ordering/assembling our save the dates!

Congrats on getting everything you wanted! That's fabulous. Can't wait to see the save the dates.

Wish I could come down that early to see it all in person. :)

[librarygeek]

Congrats on having your date!! Such an exciting moment :)

[NoOrdinaryPrincess]

yay!

[NoOrdinaryPrincess]

yay!

[princesswendy720]

Yay!!!! Congrats!!!

Hiya!

I've just read your whole PJ and I just want to say how amazing all your DIY projects are. I wish I was half as talented as you.

Your ring box is cute too, what a great find.

Congratulations on getting your date, how exciting.

Look forward to seeing more plans. :goodvibes

Yay! Congrats! That's our engage-aversery!! We wanted to do it that date but it didn't work out at home. YAY for you! So exciting!

Yay Congrats!!!!

Hooray, Wendy! That's so exciting and relieving! Can't wait to see the Save-the-Dates! :goodvibes

Congrats on getting everything you wanted! That's fabulous. Can't wait to see the save the dates.

Wish I could come down that early to see it all in person. :)

Congrats on having your date!! Such an exciting moment :)

yay!

Thank you everyone!!! :banana:

I know I've been a terrible DISBride...it's been like 3 weeks since I posted in here!!! I've been a very busy lady. Some things that I've accomplished since we confirmed our date:

Booked our videographer (technically this was before we got our date)
Booked our officiant (Rev Kevin Knox)
Contacted Beaute Speciale (I'm sending in contract and deposit this week)
We are close to signing our contract with Studio 222 Photography...hopefully we'll do that this week or early next week. We've agreed upon the services (full day...8 hours)
Made our appointment with Carolyn Allens for the wedding day
Put a deposit on a BLT reservation for the wedding week
Ordered my Save the Dates (most of them that is)
Sent out an e-newsletter to our bridal party and family


And I think that's about it! lol I did a mock up of our Save the Dates...and I'm ordering the rest of the supplies that I need to assemble the final things. I'm hoping to send them out in late October once our room block is ready for people to book! Either that....or I will send earlier and send a newsletter out when it is ready. What do you think? I don't want to post the whole thing before our guest see them...so just a sneak peak for now:
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/8e0ea00b.jpg

Speaking of room block, I reached out to Joe with a thousand questions (even with lurkyloo's podcast and the question thread, I still can't wrap my head around the block). He pointed something out that I never knew - so if I book 25 rooms split between three resorts, we have to fill 20 (80%), but, all 20 could be at one of the resorts...it's fine if no one books any of the rooms we had blocked at one or two of the resorts as long as we hit the 80% of total rooms. He also said we could reduce it at 90 days out, but I think I'm just going to block very few (we'll have 9 DVC nights to count towards our free room, so I might block between 15 and 20). I don't think we'll run into an issue of no rooms being available at that time and people can still get the discount as long as rooms are available.

Non wedding related...but my bday was last week and lookie what Greg got me!!
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr181/princesswendy720/9307f65c.jpg

And I'm having a love affair with another dress. A reception dress. The problem? It costs more than my actual wedding dress. ::drool::

http://moderntrousseau.com/wp-content/gallery/2011-bridal-collection/daphne.jpg

If anyone sees a similar dress at a fairly affordable price (I'm thinking less than $350)...please send it my way!! I'm not even entirely sold on the reception dress idea, but I could wear it to the rehearsal instead. Or the after party. Is anyone else doing a reception dress? Are you going to change into it after the cake cutting?

Oh! And I'm going to be in Dallas for work from Sunday to Wednesday. Has anyone been there and do you have any restaurant recommendations for me? My nights are free.

[LuvLuvLuv]

i replied earlier, but the disboards ate it i guess.

i'll keep an eye out for a look a like dress :)

your STDs look great from what i can see!! when are you sending them out??

i love your present :) happy belated!!

are you tired of paying deposits yet, lol.... i am--but they make me feel secure :laughing:

have fun in dallas... don't know anything about the place, but it sounds fun!

[princess_ariel_85]

Happy belated birthday! Your present is fab!

from what I can see of your save the dates they look great, cant wait to see the whole thing.

Love the dress, I'll deff keep an eye out for you x

[librarygeek]

Can't wait til you send out the STDs so I can see them fully! They look great from the preview.

Also, that dress is gorgeous... good luck finding a similar one for less $$... hopefully there's something out there!

I was in Dallas once but it was part of a convention. We only left the hotel once, and we ate at a Denny's... so unfortunately I do not have much that I would recommend! :rotfl:

[elleinad16]

OH, my goodness--I love the sneak peek of the STDs! The colors are so great.
Happy belated Birthday, Wendy!

[lilsqueakrr]

I KNOW I replied to this. Just don't know where it went. That dress if absolutely fantabulous. I love it!

Cannot wait to see your save the dates also!

And don't forget we still need to meet up! ;D

[jenifner21]

I'm a lifelong Disney lover, as is most of my family. My first trip was before I even turned 1. My parents had a Disneymoon 30 years ago. We went almost every year growing up. Our last full family trip was when I was 13, so I'm excited that we're all going back together. I've also been to Disneyland once and Disneyland Paris. My goal is to visit every Disney park in the world.



Hi Wendy!!

I just started to read your PJ and the minute I read your intro, especially this part, it sounded so much like me and my family too. I have been going to Disney since forever and my mom went with her family the year it opened and has been going ever since. My goal is to do everything Disney as well, I have been to 3 parks and my goal is to get to Tokyo and Hong Gong (once I can afford it)...

I look forward to reading and following your PJ!!

[donald&daisy]

LOVE that reception dress!! Also, can't wait to see the full STD. And congrats on getting your date, that is a very exciting thing!

[princesswendy720]

i replied earlier, but the disboards ate it i guess.

i'll keep an eye out for a look a like dress :)

your STDs look great from what i can see!! when are you sending them out??

i love your present :) happy belated!!

are you tired of paying deposits yet, lol.... i am--but they make me feel secure :laughing:

have fun in dallas... don't know anything about the place, but it sounds fun!

I think we are going to send them out in October...I wanted the room block to be (almost) available before we send out...or I'm going to be fielding questions about how/when to book for weeks/months! I'm so tired of paying deposits...I'm starting to forget what I've paid! Thank goodness for budget spreadsheets!

Happy belated birthday! Your present is fab!

from what I can see of your save the dates they look great, cant wait to see the whole thing.

Love the dress, I'll deff keep an eye out for you x

Thank you for the belated bday wishes!

Can't wait til you send out the STDs so I can see them fully! They look great from the preview.

Also, that dress is gorgeous... good luck finding a similar one for less $$... hopefully there's something out there!

I was in Dallas once but it was part of a convention. We only left the hotel once, and we ate at a Denny's... so unfortunately I do not have much that I would recommend! :rotfl:

I'm going for a convention too! I have a feeling I might just hang out in the hotel...I'm not so great at networking aka socializing with strangers lol

OH, my goodness--I love the sneak peek of the STDs! The colors are so great.
Happy belated Birthday, Wendy!

Thank you! I love our wedding colors...I don't know if I ever posted an updated color palette...I'll have to do that!

I KNOW I replied to this. Just don't know where it went. That dress if absolutely fantabulous. I love it!

Cannot wait to see your save the dates also!

And don't forget we still need to meet up! ;D

My PJ seems to be eating a lot of people's responses! lol I haven't forgotten! Just have been SO busy...after I get back from my work trip I should have more time.

Hi Wendy!!

I just started to read your PJ and the minute I read your intro, especially this part, it sounded so much like me and my family too. I have been going to Disney since forever and my mom went with her family the year it opened and has been going ever since. My goal is to do everything Disney as well, I have been to 3 parks and my goal is to get to Tokyo and Hong Gong (once I can afford it)...

I look forward to reading and following your PJ!!

We are planning on hitting Tokyo in 2014!! Japan is SO expensive so it's going to take a few years of saving to do it.

LOVE that reception dress!! Also, can't wait to see the full STD. And congrats on getting your date, that is a very exciting thing!

Isn't it beautiful?? It's $2,200 though :scared1: I saw it in person, on a (surprisingly short) model at a Bridal show. I'm very relieved we are past the 16 month mark!

---------------

We got our roomblock worksheet today :cool1: I already know where I'm blocking everything lol. We are blocking 30 nights, guaranteeing 25 (just enough for the free room!). I already know my Mom wants to book 7 nights at the BoardWalk Inn through the block...so that's only 18 more to go. It's starting to feel more real!!

[qtsugarangl]

I LOVE that dress! Its so cute but not $2200 for me! You should see if you can find a local seamstress that could make it for you. It would be a heck of a lot cheaper and tailored exactly for your body and how you want it.
:banana: Yay for getting the room block packet!!! I know we are looking forward to but also dreading the room block packet! It sounds like you've pretty much decided on everything though which is great!

[lilsqueakrr]

So crazy as to how close you are getting! =] That's awesome. And go momma! Tell her to make sure the rest of the family fills up that block so you get your room! =] Yay!

Where are you going to take your free night?

[princesswendy720]

So crazy as to how close you are getting! =] That's awesome. And go momma! Tell her to make sure the rest of the family fills up that block so you get your room! =] Yay!

Where are you going to take your free night?

We are going to do it at the Polynesian...it's my dream resort. We may even stay another night there depending on what kind of discount we can get. I guess it depends on what kind of room they assign us too..if it's too nice we might not be able to afford a second night! Even for the room block, the discounted rate was $370!

[lilsqueakrr]

We are going to do it at the Polynesian...it's my dream resort. We may even stay another night there depending on what kind of discount we can get. I guess it depends on what kind of room they assign us too..if it's too nice we might not be able to afford a second night! Even for the room block, the discounted rate was $370!

Holy Moly! That's crazy. I think sometimes it's ridiculous as to how much they charge for rooms! Sheesh Louise! hehe. :rotfl:

If only we were all rich...

I'll stick with my Value Resorts! ;D However I would love to just stay, just ONCE, at the Grand Floridian. :love: Guess it's good a girl can dream... :cloud9:

[mickin]

hey i read on another PJ that you have/had a template for a times guide sheet. wondering if youd be able to share it. Im trying to do that type of thing and just having no luck with it.

[princesswendy720]

hey i read on another PJ that you have/had a template for a times guide sheet. wondering if youd be able to share it. Im trying to do that type of thing and just having no luck with it.

I just saw this! Do you have photoshop? That's what the template is in. If so, PM me your email and I can send it to you.

[princesswendy720]

I'm very excited - I was chosen to be one of the Wishes wedding mentors on the Disney Wedding Blog! My official area of expertise is Yacht and Beach Club weddings. If you ever have any questions, feel free to email me at wendy@disneyweddingblog.com!

In other exciting news, I started an etsy shop this week! I am doing Disney inspired wedding stationary. I've also been posting on my blog more frequently, so if you follow any blogs, please be so kind as to follow mine :goodvibes

Links to both are in my signature.

[tinkerbell 766]

Well done on your mentor-ship appointment - I am sure you will make an excellent job of it!!!
I checked out both your blog and your Etsy shop!! Both are very impressive and creative!! Well done sweetie!!!

[princesswendy720]

Well done on your mentor-ship appointment - I am sure you will make an excellent job of it!!!
I checked out both your blog and your Etsy shop!! Both are very impressive and creative!! Well done sweetie!!!

Thank you!! :)

[LuvLuvLuv]

I'm very excited - I was chosen to be one of the Wishes wedding mentors on the Disney Wedding Blog! My official area of expertise is Yacht and Beach Club weddings. If you ever have any questions, feel free to email me at wendy@disneyweddingblog.com!

In other exciting news, I started an etsy shop this week! I am doing Disney inspired wedding stationary. I've also been posting on my blog more frequently, so if you follow any blogs, please be so kind as to follow mine :goodvibes

Links to both are in my signature.

Yay congrats on DWB and Etsy!!! I checked out your shop last night and it looks great!!! That will be a nice time filler until next year!!

[princesswendy720]

Yay congrats on DWB and Etsy!!! I checked out your shop last night and it looks great!!! That will be a nice time filler until next year!!

Thank you!! It IS a great time filler! lol

----------------------------------

So, I found a dress online that was close to my dream reception dress but much, much more affordable. So here is the dress......it's "inspired" by Kate Middleton's dress:
http://images.asos.com/inv/media/0/9/9/2/1662990/image4xl.jpg

I also bought a sash from etsy to go with it:
http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_570xN.229605797.jpg

My only concerns are how would I change into it during the reception? Is there or a room or will I be in the bathroom? What do we do with my original dress? It needs to stay in good condition for our bridal portrait session, but I don't want to have to send my MoH or a bridesmaid to my room to put it away safely. I guess these will be good questions for my planner once I have one.

I'm not sure if I posted it, but I sent back all my room block info a few weeks ago! :cool1: Now I'm just waiting until we are closer to that year mark to sign my contract and send in my deposit!!

I've also been trying to narrow down the bridesmaid dresses...so far I'm liking Jim Hjelm Occasions, Bari Jay, and Dessy. We are going to start shopping this fall I believe. I'm actually supposed to go visit my MoH in Florida and we might make a Disney trip :banana: That is...if she ever replies to my emails or texts :sad2:

Not much going on at this point...kind of a lull in planning...

[tinkerbell 766]

Wendy sweetie - Loving the reception dress and sash!!! I see what you mean by it being inspired by the Duchess's dress - it's very similar at the top!!

[Annabelle33]

I just have to say that everything you have so far is SO beautiful! I'm still fairly new to this site, but I just had to tell you that I love everything about your wedding. I feel like you and I are very similar in our tastes-seriously I have been drooling over your shoes since I saw them! My DF and I are getting married on Nov. 10th, 2012 at the WP/GF and we've had the same problems as you have! Waiting and waiting to get our locations locked in only to find out that two conventions had booked the entire Grand Floridian was a nice little panic attack for me so it was comforting to learn that I was not alone lol. Just wanted to say hi and good luck with the rest of your planning! We're getting close to the one year mark-yay!:goodvibes