**Faith and Max's 12.22.12 Swan/Garden Grove/ADH Wedding!!** UPDATED 16!!

[MrsDuck]

Planning Journal Directory:
About Us--> just scroll down!
Wedding Plans!
The DRESS! And, other Wedding Attire!
Floral/Decor Inspiration + Wedding Bands AND Disney Store Swag!
First Dress Fitting, my Headband, and our Welcome Bag bags!
Buttons (Just Married?!) Galore, Ears, the MENU, and the Videographer!
Tentative Wedding Weekend Plans! Plus, I Need Your Opinions! And, a brief Honeymoon update!
Mr. and Mrs. Exit Ideas!
Engagement Picture Plans, Sand Ceremony Vase, and Bridal Party Decisions!
Upcoming EPCOT Trip and Cake Ideas!
EPCOT Mini-TR!
Current Budget-- Updated 10/30/12!
The Invites, Apartment Progress and... PUPPIES!
Engagement Pictures Sneak Peek!
My (Dorky) Holiday Greetings Video, Our Colors, and December Trip Plans!
The One Year Mark (and our 6 year anniversary!), Possible Favors, and Christmas Wishes!
ALL 300 of our Engagement Pictures are Here!
Last Week's Planning Session, a Fun Surprise, and THIS Week's Trip's Plans!
Hair Trial, Cake Tasting, Mom's Birthday, and SHANNON LOVE!!
Save the Dates and This Weekend's Disney Trip Plans!
A Few Wedding Checks, a Question, and a Life Update!
DIY Plans!
Princess Marathon Weekend Plans!
Princess Marathon Weekend TR Part 1!, Princess Marathon Weekend TR Part 2!, Princess Marathon Weekend TR Part 2 Continued and HAIR TRIAL!

A Few Small Updates (and Ch-Ch-Changes!)!
Mini Updates-- Hair/Makeup, Our Registries, the Bridal Party, and a Schedule! + More!
Bridal Shower Plans and Random Bits of Wedding Updates!
Expedition Everest Challenge Plans and a Bridesmaid Dress Dilemma (and solution?)!
7 MONTH MARK! EEC TR, Wedding Accommodations, and Personal News!
{almost}6 Month Mark Update! DIYs, Shower, Gifts, and MOAAR!
Teresa's Wedding Recap & My Wedding Updates (FINALIZED favors, rehearsal plans, officiant, gifts+!)!
Almost 2-Month Update!
Floral Order and Quote!
Groom Ear Hat, Cardbox/Mailbox, Rehearsal Deets, and 2 months!
2 Weeks to Go!
Vendor Reviews, Picture Preview, and Video Trailer!

My Vendors:
Venue: Disney's Swan Resort
Wedding Planner: Diana with Just Marry!
Reception: The Swan's Garden Grove
Photographer: Poirier Wedding Photography
Videographer: Paul Duhon of PD Weddings
Officiant: Rev. Tim Herring
Violinist: ??
Bridal Attire: For the Bride in Ft. Myers, FL. (Dress designer: Essence of Australia)
Rehearsal Dinner Dress: Tadashi Shoji
Invites: Michaels
Save the Dates: Wedding Paper Divas
Baker: It's Tasty Too!
Hair/Makeup: Beaute Speciale (Jessia T for hair)
Bridal Shower Invites: Etsy Seller-- Blue Sugar Press
Custom Hangers: Etsy Seller-- http://www.etsy.com/shop/EricaMayMade


Hi!

I have been a longtime lurker on the DIS boards for a while now but finally decided to become a member and start a PJ because WE'RE GETTING MARRIED AT DISNEY WORLD! But you already knew that... Onto the important stuff!!

Faith:

I am a social studies teacher! I love to think about Disney, go to Disney, talk about Disney, etc. When I'm not busy with that or school, I like to read, talk about Harry Potter love watch movies, pretend that I am a good scrapbooker, and sing in my car shamelessly, dancing included.

My favorite Princess is Rapunzel and my two other favorite Disney characters are: Daisy Duck and Remy!

Max:

Max graduated with his BA in Political Science in the Summer of 2010. He now works as a loan modifier for a financial company! He loves playing videogames, watching movies, Star Wars, animation, Disney World, and just having fun. Seriously, this guy takes fun pretty seriously.

His favorite characters.. well, are undecided. He simply can't pick! His favorite character (that he can list!) is Donald Duck!

About Us:

We owe everything to our Mommas. My mom and Max's mom worked at the same school for 2 years, and that is how we met! Typically, my mom's teaching department would hold parties where teachers would bring their families and everyone would chat, have fun, etc.

Max and I met at one of these parties when I was 11. We never spoke to each other that night (he was "too cool", and so was I! ) but we later both agreed that we thought the other was cute.

I became good friends with Max's sister and started seeing more of Max. We became friends, starting talking, etc. You know what happens next...

Well, on December 22, 2005, Max sent me a MySpace message telling me he loved me and wanted me to be his girlfriend. After all these years, I felt the same way. I responded and we've been together ever since!! We will be getting married on our 7 year anniversary!

We love just being together, having fun, being silly. We really are best friends and I couldn't imagine spending my life with anyone else.

We are lucky enough to get to Disney World pretty often. We live about 2 and a half hours away and are DVC members. Expect lots of mini-TRs from me between now and the wedding!

The Proposal:
A little backstory is in order before I continue with the proposal story.. Max and I have always known that we would get married one day. On October 14th of 2006, Max asked me if I'd marry him one day. I said yes.

Fast forward to October 14, 2010...
Our proposal was perfect and exactly what I wanted. Quiet, and just the two of us. Max picked me up after work to go spend the evening with him and told me there was "something" he needed to put away when we got home. I had no clue what was going on but thought it was weird he announced this. Whatever.

We get home, he goes to put this "something" away.. in the dining room. I follow him because what is he doing?! (Did I mention that sometimes I think I'm Nancy Drew?).. as soon as I see the dining room, I start crying.

On the wall, he printed out a bunch of pictures of us from last 5 years and has the words "Will You Marry Me" printed on sheets on paper.

... Max got down on one knee (and said something sweet that I don't really remember) and asked if I would marry him? I said yes!! We cried, called everyone that we needed to call, changed our Facebooks cool2.. then ordered pizza and watched a movie!!

It was perfect! My ring is beautiful.. here it is:

I am so happy that Max and I are one step closer to being Mr. and Mrs.!

Well, that's about all I can write today as I need to leave for work soon (I work Part-Time at Hallmark), but I will probably be posting pretty regularly. I have lots of wedding things to show already, and quite a few Disney trips coming up!

Up Next: Our Wedding Plans.. and "You already have a wedding planned in South Florida?!"

 

[gertiesquidge]

Hi Mrs Duck,
What a lovely story Congratulations on your engagement and your upcoming wedding

I can't wait to hear more of your plans and about your trips to WDW, you are so lucky to be able to visit so often

Best wishes
Gertiesquidge

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Faith sweetie - Yay!!! You started a PJ!!!!
Looking forward to following along!!

 

[princess_ariel_85]

Hiya Faith!

Congratulations on the engagement and the upcoming wedding.

I'll def be subbing in to your PJ, have fun with your planning, can't wait to hear more

 

[elleinad16]

Hello, Faith!

You two are so adorable!
I can't wait to read more about your plans--I love the locations you've chosen!

 

[MrsDuck]

Thanks for reading along everyone!

 

[DisneyBride'03]

Thanks for reading along everyone!

Count me in too!!! Love the avatar!! Cute couple in real life too

Like your date!

 

[MrsDuck]

Count me in too!!! Love the avatar!! Cute couple in real life too

Like your date!

Thanks so much!

I see you are running the Princess Half! My mom and I just signed up for the Royal Family 5k! We aren't runners and we thought the 5k would be a good place to start! Maybe we will bump into each other!

 

[belle2211]

Thanks so much!

I see you are running the Princess Half! My mom and I just signed up for the Royal Family 5k! We aren't runners and we thought the 5k would be a good place to start! Maybe we will bump into each other!

Congrats on planning your wedding!

My best friend and I are not runners, but to get ready for my wedding, we decided to try to start running. And we started with the princess 5K last year. It was awesome! There are people who walk the whole thing so we definitely didn't feel out of place and there are characters along the way. It's tons of fun and we've now signed up for all the Disney 5Ks (although we still hate to run outside of those!)

 

[pinkfairy1684]

Hi Faith! Glad you started a PJ! Can't wait to read more!

 

[mickin]

congrats on your engagement!!! that was a cute story...
I have a BAE in music education and let me tell you that its really hard to get a job right now in that field. My suggestion is that you try and make as many connections as you can and try to get your foot in the door anyway you can. Also check for certification status where you live. We moved from FL to DC and the school systems up here dont accept FL certifications, so I had to spend all last year taking tests and such that I already did in FL.

But best of luck to you and your fiance.

 

[MrsDuck]

Congrats on planning your wedding!

My best friend and I are not runners, but to get ready for my wedding, we decided to try to start running. And we started with the princess 5K last year. It was awesome! There are people who walk the whole thing so we definitely didn't feel out of place and there are characters along the way. It's tons of fun and we've now signed up for all the Disney 5Ks (although we still hate to run outside of those!)

Glad to know it's okay to walk the 5k! We're hoping to run it but we may have to cheat and just walk..

Hi Faith! Glad you started a PJ! Can't wait to read more!

Hi Lacey! I just started reading your PJ! Your day is so close!!

congrats on your engagement!!! that was a cute story...
I have a BAE in music education and let me tell you that its really hard to get a job right now in that field. My suggestion is that you try and make as many connections as you can and try to get your foot in the door anyway you can. Also check for certification status where you live. We moved from FL to DC and the school systems up here dont accept FL certifications, so I had to spend all last year taking tests and such that I already did in FL.

But best of luck to you and your fiance.

A fellow teacher! It's so tough to get a teaching job nowadays. I hoping that my M.Ed in Reading will help with the job situation; plus my mom is a teacher and I'm hoping her connections get me somewhere.. maybe? Fingers are crossed!

Thank you so much for the tips though- I will definitely take it all into consideration!

Thanks again for the warm welcomes! I'm sure I'll be posting a real update soon! There's so much to say!

 

[MrsDuck]

Our plans are as follows:

Ceremony: the Swan’s Crescent Terrace! I love the elevated part in the middle and the view. Plus, we also liked it because it seems fairly private for a public space! Our ceremony will be held at 5:00pm.

Reception: My family never makes/made ADRs. One trip we wanted to go somewhere nice for dinner but every restaurant was packed except the Garden Grove. Begrudgingly, we went.

Well, I fell in love. I loved the buffet, the pretty tree in the middle, and more importantly: the characters! The Garden Grove NEVER seems to be crowded and the characters always take their time with you at your table.
We are having our reception at the Garden Grove and I cannot wait! I’m not telling anyone that the characters will be stopping by! We want it to be a fun surprise!

Here are a few pictures of my family's most recent trip to the Garden Grove! Also, my mom is starring in one of the pictures!

Impromptu After-Party: We plan on continuing the party at Jellyrolls! I’ve never been but thought it’d be a fun place to keep the celebration going.

Does anyone have any reviews of Jellyrolls? Or, any other suggestions as to what else we could do after dinner?

That's about the extent of our plans.. . I'm starting to collect ideas about a no-pressure welcome party the day before the wedding (Lurkyloo style! Thanks for all the great ideas, Carrie!), welcome bags, rehearsal dinner locations, etc. Current and past brides' PJs have been of so much help!

Again, thanks to all of you who are reading along! I can't promise that my PJ will be super entertaining but I do hope it can one day help another bride and at least become a place for me to keep track of my ideas!

Hope everyone is having a happy Monday!

Up Next: The DRESS! And more attire plans!

 

[belle2211]

Your wedding plans look great! I LOVE Jellyrolls! I go there all of the time since I'm a CM and we ended my bachelorette party night there. I've seen several brides there before and I always wanted to go in my wedding dress after my wedding, but since my reception didn't end til 1:30am, I couldn't. You will have a blast there!

 

[pinkfairy1684]

Jellyrolls is AWESOME! I used to go there all of the time when I was a CM in the College Program. We plan on going back on our upcoming trip!!!

 

[vickxo]

i'm honestly in LOVE with the idea of having a reception at the garden grill because it allows you to have the disney characters without paying all the cost that a disney fairy tale wedding would charge.
i'm actually curious about something though - i know the swan decorates for the holidays but does anyone know if they decorate the garden grove? like christmas lights from the big tree? That'd be pretty neat and a nice touch.

 

[MrsDuck]

Your wedding plans look great! I LOVE Jellyrolls! I go there all of the time since I'm a CM and we ended my bachelorette party night there. I've seen several brides there before and I always wanted to go in my wedding dress after my wedding, but since my reception didn't end til 1:30am, I couldn't. You will have a blast there!

Thanks so much! I'm so glad to hear good things about Jellyrolls!

And, I'm so jealous you're a CM! Where do you work??

Jellyrolls is AWESOME! I used to go there all of the time when I was a CM in the College Program. We plan on going back on our upcoming trip!!!

Yes! Another good review!

How did you like the CP?

i'm honestly in LOVE with the idea of having a reception at the garden grill because it allows you to have the disney characters without paying all the cost that a disney fairy tale wedding would charge.
i'm actually curious about something though - i know the swan decorates for the holidays but does anyone know if they decorate the garden grove? like christmas lights from the big tree? That'd be pretty neat and a nice touch.

We are so happy that the Garden Grove has character dining-- it works out so well!

I'd love to know about the Christmas decorations too! I'm really hoping Crescent Terrace has some lights around the area but I didn't even think that the Garden Grove could have something up-- that'd be great!

Max and I are going to the World sometime this December and we will go take a look!

 

[DoomBuggy0922]

Hi Faith--- just joining in! I -love- your story, and all your plans--- and if I weren't having a disney wedding, I would TOTALLY be having a zoo wedding! (I saw it on Four Weddings a few weeks ago and I loved it.)

And I've never been to Garden Grove... but it looks LOVELY OMG!!!!!! Now I want to go! I can't wait to read more and see your DRESS!

 

[belle2211]

Thanks so much! I'm so glad to hear good things about Jellyrolls!

And, I'm so jealous you're a CM! Where do you work??


I work seasonally at The Great Movie Ride

 

[gertiesquidge]

The Garden Grove looks lovely in the photos, and it would be even more magical if they put up Christmas Decorations, fingers crossed that they do.

I've never even heard of it before, and have just had a quick look to see if it would suit our party for after our VR (the characters would definitely suit our little two!!) but the timings wouldn't work as I really really want to go on a Wishes Cruise.

Perhaps we'll schedule our look around the S&D to coincide with a character meal there instead

Gertiesquidge