Jennifer & Daniel's PJ-WP/Ariels/SCP-6/14/10- DP &MK Pics,album,HM TR - updated 1/25

[girli565]

So, I figured I could start this seeing that I have already bought a dress, shoes, and booked Randy.

So let's meet the players...

My name is Jennifer and I am marrying Daniel.
We are Disney enthusiasts, and try to go to Disney at least once a season. Being from Miami really helps us in that endeavor, lol. We usually go in February, sometime in the summer, October (for my b-day) and always in December.



Danny and I met in high school... heck we dated our senior year but I was flighty and he was crude so we didn't work out. Then we bumped into each other at our local Target when I was a Junior in college. He was working there and I was shopping, my favorite past time . I was iffy about dating him, especially because he just broke up with someone but we gave it a shot and look at us now... getting married.



He proposed on a cruise we took

we had friends with us and got a great video of it, even if it is blurry.

My ring is a 1.5 carat totalweight with a 1.36 carat center square brilliant cut stone.

he did a very good job

 

[girli565]

So onto wedding stuff...

Once he proposed we both had no other thought than this was going to be a Disney wedding. We both love it there and he'd never let me have it anywhere else.

I'm a teacher for emotionally handicapped students and he is a paramedic. Now as a teacher we all know I am sorely underpaid but because I live at home with my mom, aunt and uncle I really get to save a lot of $$. So I have a nice savings account but the fiance does not. So we are doing this on a budget. He gave me a number, we negotiated and came to a compromise (or really the # I wanted ).

So we decided an Escape Wedding was perfect for us. Now all we needed was a date and time. We wafted between summer (easy for me because of the job) or my dream time of year Christmas. We originally decided on June because we could honeymoon right after. Then June came this year and the 100 degree weather started. So we changed it to December.

Our agreed upon date is now 12/20/2010!


Once we got that settled we started planning. Now we all know we can't book anything with Disney until possibly December of this year but most likely even later than that so I can't get into anything official but I will tell you what I have booked.


On May 31st I went dress shopping, I know it's early but I didn't go in with the intention of buying, lol. I had 2 appointments that day, one at Alfred Angelo and the other at David's Bridal. AA was first. We went in, my mom, aunt, two cousins and older cousin's son. Tried on 5 dresses and fell in love with one. It just so happens that the dresses were on sale and this dress that was originally $600 was now $425. Not a bad discount. But this was only my first dress store so I must go to another one. We went to the DB store, had a beyond rude woman helping us and left after only trying on 2 dresses. It just so happens that AA and DB are on the same street in Coral Gables, FL so we just walked back to AA and I paid for my dress. I loved it, yes, but the fact that it fit into my budget was even better!


The Dress

My mom crying at me in the dress

And just for cuteness my baby cousin playing in the rack of veils

 

[girli565]

So I picked out a dress, no veil yet, the one in the pic is not the one I want. I'm leaning towards a mantilla veil to honor my hispanic roots.

But I have known what shoes I wanted since even before I bought the dress. I'm not a traditional personal at all, and I want to dye my crinolin but my dress does not have a separate layer of it so I figured the only funky I will have is my shoes.

I own a pair of white/black/red shoes (which many will recognize from Target). They are my most comfy heels and are relatively new. They will be my something old. My zebra print and patent red peep toe heels.

Pictures
I have been following the weddings board for a while now and have been looking at Randy Chapman's pictures forever. I thought I would be fine with disney photography services but after comparing both I knew I wouldn't be completely happy with only disney's pictures. SO I discussed it with Danny and then he did the comparison. He even agreed that we needed to go with Randy.

So I contacted Randy, got the prices, and then flipped at how cheap it was. Even with an extra hour added in we kept it at under $1000. I was so happy that this extra expense was so affordable.

So that is what I have done up to now. I have a few ideas for welcome baskets, favors and of course reception locations in a planning folder. Once I get to it, I'll post again.

 

[Ann117]

Everything looks great so far I love your dress and yes he did a really good job picking out the ring

 

[girli565]

Everything looks great so far I love your dress and yes he did a really good job picking out the ring

Thank you! he actually listened, so I was very pleased, lol.

 

[MainStMandy]

Congratulations!! I love your dress...mine is from David's too!! And those shoes....

 

[snow.white]

Yay!!! You started! Sounds like a great start, you have the dress so it's downhill from now LOL. I got married in December too, I think that is such a beautiful time of year to get married. Oh and I love the shoes, too cute!!!

 

[polynesianbride]

YAY- another Dec 2010 bride (I'm 12/6 hopefully)! Your plans look great so far. I'm jealous that you get to go to Disney so often- lucky girl! I love your dress too it looks stunning on you! Can't wait to follow your plans

 

[princess22]

Yay! A new PJ to read. Love the dress and I love the shoes! I love that you call yourselves Disney enthusiasts. My brother called me and DF disney dorks and I told him, we prefer disney enthusiasts!

Anyway, I can't wait to read more, gorgeous ring by the way!!

 

[girli565]

Congratulations!! I love your dress...mine is from David's too!! And those shoes....

Actually mine is from alfred angelo, DB has a similar dress but with less pleating detail. The shoes are my fave too! They are my favorite shoes... and I love that they are from Target.

Yay!!! You started! Sounds like a great start, you have the dress so it's downhill from now LOL. I got married in December too, I think that is such a beautiful time of year to get married. Oh and I love the shoes, too cute!!!

I love december, great weather and just a beautiful time of year in disney. I am so in love with my shoes. The fiance hates them but he'll have to deal.

YAY- another Dec 2010 bride (I'm 12/6 hopefully)! Your plans look great so far. I'm jealous that you get to go to Disney so often- lucky girl! I love your dress too it looks stunning on you! Can't wait to follow your plans

Don't be jealous, it really hurts the pocket, lol! Hopefully we'll both get our dates!

Yay! A new PJ to read. Love the dress and I love the shoes! I love that you call yourselves Disney enthusiasts. My brother called me and DF disney dorks and I told him, we prefer disney enthusiasts!

Anyway, I can't wait to read more, gorgeous ring by the way!!

My mom calls our disney love "a waste of money" but I like to call it money well spent . Thanks about the ring

 

[ghoulish delight]

Hi Jennifer! I gotta say, it sounds great so far! Your dress is perfect on you, your ring looks like a beautiful force to be reckoned with, and those shoes are AMAZING! Peeptoes are so adorable!

Looking forward to reading more!

 

[girli565]

Hi Jennifer! I gotta say, it sounds great so far! Your dress is perfect on you, your ring looks like a beautiful force to be reckoned with, and those shoes are AMAZING! Peeptoes are so adorable!

Looking forward to reading more!

Hi!

Target had new ones at least once a season so i scoop them up every time. Right now they have them in Patent looks, red, black, white all with Tan details. I love them.

 

[girli565]

Ok, so I'm debating where to have my reception. We are going to be just 25 people in total but those 25 (us included) are party people! SO I want a place we can have an iPod setup or a DJ (he's in the budget now so cross your fingers that he stays) and space to dance.

So any suggestions? I want to be armed and ready when I get to my planning session with all my ideas and places.

 

[girli565]

And also, aside from reception help...

I'm debating whether we should rent DVC points so we can afford to stay at the BWV or BCV for our entire stay. I know it's a bit too early to rent them for next year but it seems like it comes out so much cheaper. The Boardwalk resort for those night this year is $510 a night, waaaaay to expensive!

If I rent it might be under $1000. I think we're going to lean towards renting DVC points.

 

[MainStMandy]

When we were deciding on reception site, we used magicalkingdoms.com a lot. The prices may be off but it gives you a good idea of what spaces are available and for how many people.

I am all for renting points, I think it's a great way to stay at a fabulous resort for a little bit less. I have done it several times!

 

[girli565]

When we were deciding on reception site, we used magicalkingdoms.com a lot. The prices may be off but it gives you a good idea of what spaces are available and for how many people.

I am all for renting points, I think it's a great way to stay at a fabulous resort for a little bit less. I have done it several times!

Thanks, I've glanced at the site, I may need to look closer.

The fiance is sleeping in this morning, but I think I'm going to run the points thing by him, he flipped when I showed him the 2009 room prices. Renting seems so much cheaper, and it will allow us to stay at the same resort for our entire trip, instead of switching from a value for the first few nights to the deluxe for a few more nights.

 

[girli565]

Ok, so I'm thinking of calling the DFTW peeps and asking for a site visit. I'll be in Orlando in August with my mom and Danny so it's the perfect time. I'm not wavering between the gazebo and SBP for the ceremony.

I think a visit will be perfect.

 

[ChocoKat]

Hi hi!
Just started reading your PJ, you two are so cute together!!!
I love, love, love how the dress looks on you, it is perfect!
Can't wait to read more!

 

[girli565]

Hi hi!
Just started reading your PJ, you two are so cute together!!!
I love, love, love how the dress looks on you, it is perfect!
Can't wait to read more!

Thank you! And that was a sample dress that was waaay too small, I now have it in the perfect size and it's even more gorgeous!

 

[acomasdiaz]

I love the dress! You look great! The shoes are so cute! I love Target too. It's like my second home. Can't wait to see what else you plan...