DisneyEverAfter's Escape 5/8/12 SBP/Fultons/Japan ~ TR put on hold...

[DisneyEverAfter]

Hi Everyone! I've been lurking on the boards for some time now & decided as our wedding day comes closer that I'd actually make an account & share planning ideas! Because I'm new bare with me.. I'm sure I will mess up somehow...

INTRODUCTIONS & HOW WE MET
Any-who! Let me introduce myself.. My name is Renee and just turned 23. I'm originally from Connecticut and moved to New York for university. I graduated in 2010 with my BSN. While in school I met my wonderful fiance, Nyx (almost 24). We had our work-study at the same job. I knew him from one of our boring core classes our second year that we had together (although he doesn't remember because he was in the front & I hid in the back to do other homework ). We didn't really work together at work-study until our third year. We had picked the same 6 hour slot to work together, so we had a lot of time to do nothing but talk. I was in another relationship my third year at university, but our fourth year I realized I was with a jerk, realized I had feelings for Nyx, and broke up with the other guy. About a month later we officially became a couple! We both had mutual feelings for one another for a little while and one night while walking under the stars around our campus, we held hands, gazed into each others' eyes, and from there it's history...

We graduated the next semester in May of 2010. I received my BSN and am an RN at a hospital in New York. He received his BA in social work and is currently working in New York with the mentally challenged and disabled to be successful out in the community on their own (he has so much patience!).

THE PROPOSAL
On December 4th, 2010, we were on our way down to NYC to go see Santa at Macy's and to see the Christmas Tree all lit up (which we'd done the year before). We got to Macy's and I went to go to the bathroom (which took over half an hour to even get to, thank goodness it wasn't an emergency!) Nyx said he'd be waiting for me outside the bathroom and when I got out he wasn't there. I called him, no service.. I looked for him & couldn't find him... I went back upstairs to the main floor & it took me 45 minutes to even get a hold of him. After a few choice words to him, I just wanted to get out of there & skip Santa. He said he really wanted to go but understood if I didn't want to see him. I decided to go since that's what we went there for. We got in line and after TWO AND A HALF HOURS of waiting in line at Macy's in NYC, we finally reached Santa. Let's say I wasn't a happy girl at this point...

On the way into go see Santa, Nyx got a phone call 10 minutes before we were at the hall of Santas. He stepped away from me & I thought it was "fishy" & knew something was up, but I didn't say anything because I didn't want to ruin any more of my day.

A few minutes later we got escorted to a small room in the back with a Santa sitting in the corner. We sat and took a picture with him. Then Santa turned his head to Nyx and asked him, "What do you want for Christmas?" Nyx got up, took the little black box out of his pocket and said, "I want one thing". He turned to me, got down on one knee, and then he said, "Renee, will you marry me?" Of course I said yes, and pictures were flashing as the photographer took extra pictures of us.

Now I felt guilty for yelling at him earlier, but knew it was totally worth it to wait those awful two and a half hours of kids bumping into my legs left and right. After the proposal when we got out of Macy's, I yelled at him never to bring me to Macy's Santaland ever again, even if we have children!

UP NEXT
Pictures! If I can figure out how to use it =\

 

[CinderALLIE]

I love your story. Especially the part where Nyx said all he wants is you. Reminds me of that song All I want For Christmas Is You. Great, now I'm going to have that song stuck in my head all day LOL

 

[yourgypsy]

Aww, what a great proposal story! I think to post pictures you have to have at least ten posts on here? I can't remember, but it's something along those lines. I look forward to reading your plans!

 

[NoOrdinaryPrincess]

Aww your story is so very cute.

Regarding pictures, I think you need to have more posts on your account before the site will allow you to post pictures.

 

[CDsSleepingBeauty]

Welcome! Your proposal story is soooo sweet! Your wedding is also the day after ours!!

 

[tric8783]

Welcome and Congrats! Such a cute proposal! We are getting married 3 days before you!

Where are you getting married? Details!

 

[DisneyEverAfter]

Thanks guys! I agree with the picture thing It said something like that when I tried... Oh well... Lol I'll post tomorrow with the wedding details!

 

[figmentfan814]

What a great proposal story, looking forward to reading about your plans!

 

[DisneyEverAfter]

So why Disney for a Wedding? Well, DF & I were originally planning a wedding in NY, but after a few months of researching and reviewing, I kind of realized I didn't want a big wedding, mostly because it cost WAY too much money! $$$!! DF & I have a ridiculous amount of student loans and there was just no way we would be able to have the wedding we want on our kind of budget. And I don't want it to be some unorganized boring wedding... Plus my side of the family is really naggy & I didn't really want to deal with them... We wanted to Honeymoon in Disney anyway so when I was researching I found you can have a wedding at Disney, for a decent price too! They're simple, it's Disney, so we were SOLD on the idea! Plus we love Disney everything so WHY NOT?!

His parents are up for whatever we have planned, my dad was okay with whatever, but my mother (pretty much to this day) is still giving me a hard time. She kept trying to trick me into having a wedding in the NY/CT area! None the less, now that we have "saved the date" with Disney she's realizing she's loosing the battle & it becoming Okay with it now.. She thinks we should have a big wedding but my defense is "Who's going to pay for it?! You know we're poor!" Seeing as the average wedding these days costs $25k, So I think she gave up..

The wedding will be immediate family ONLY (which is why my mom is probably fighting me.. but I just don't want a big boring wedding! I mean.. come on, boring wedding versus memorable DISNEY wedding!) My mom & dad & brother, and DF's mom & dad & sister. Plus a friend or two if they can afford it! But definitely 10 or less Which I like.. intimate & DISNEY! =)

OUR PLANS THUS FAR
Okay so we originally were going to get married in September, but on a whim moved it up to May 8th 2 weeks ago So I'm under pressure, I feel! It's only about 75 days away! So I figured a PJ will help me organize my thoughts now that I feel like we're rushing to the finish line

Resorts: POR for 2 nights, then the remainder 7 nights at Disney's ASMusic (which may be interesting)... We're definitely on a budget! We'd rather spend more on the parks & entertainment than the hotels It will be our second vacation together, so we really want to vacation!

Ceremony: SBP at 12pm for an escape wedding is our plan so far. We had our date reserved 2 weeks ago, and 1 week ago we sent in our deposit & LOA, so I'm just waiting to hear from a planner (which better be really soon! D:< )

Dinner: We don't know yet! Any ideas DISers & fellow brides??? Like I said we're on a budget, we don't get the "reception" with the escape package, but we don't need one really with 10-ish people either.. A nice dinner will do! We plan on wearing wedding attire & I've referenced Carrie's book, but just can't decide on what we want! Perhaps an early dinner/late lunch, possibly DP?? What do you think?

PICTURES
Okay guys I got it!

DF & I at our Senior Year Formal! I've never been to High School Prom so he wanted to take me to at least The College Formal..

Us at graduation, I was super excited & had horrible piccies that day Oh well!

Us at our anniversary vacation in 2010 in Bar Harbor, ME! LOVED the views ^_^ Super windy though!

One of our Engagement pics from Macy's Santaland! Notice his Pirates of the Caribbean leather jacket it bought in Disney in 2007!

Will post later about my inspirations!

 

[tric8783]

Hi there! I just sent you a PM We have a room block and are getting married 3 days before you, if you want it.
For a dinner or reception type meal, you could rent the grand 1 and do a wishes cruise, or maybe have an in-park meal at Epcot in a private space to watch Illuminations? With only 10 people I think you could do a lot! Maybe tell us how much youre looking to spend per person or total and we could give better ideas?

 

[enchantedream88]

Aww, your proposal is adorable! Very excited for your upcoming DFTW!

 

[virtuous girl]

Congrats on ur BIG DAY!! SO close I Luv everything disney

 

[DisneyEverAfter]

I. Am. Freaking. Out. I have 9 weeks (reality is hitting hard!) to plan this thing & have yet to hear from the planner. I haven't had alterations done (or even scheduled!); I have no shoes; Don't have wedding jewelry/accessories; DF doesn't have a tux/suit/shoes/ring; I haven't figured out photography; Don't have makeup/hair booked; Don't have an officiant; ....Crap.

I need to make an official list. But it's hard to make some decisions without consulting the planner! Le sigh...

...Plus I broke my toe (oh, yes I did, just my luck). Not that I can't plan whilst my toe is broken, but I guess it makes me feel lazier... Guess I need to get on the planning bit... Seriously.. I need to make some decisions soon. Browsing the boards for BEOs definitely helps in decision making

DEEP BREATHS

 

[yourgypsy]

Aww, I'm sorry about your toe! I know that pain all too well!

If it helps, I'm still missing a lot of you're missing! Disney hasn't gotten back to you yet? That's very odd!

Well, since you definitely have the date set, I'd say start contacting photography, officiants, etc., since those are pretty key I feel like the guys have it easy, clothing-wise, so that part you can breathe easier on. As for the dress, do you have any idea as to what you're leaning towards, style-wise?

You can totally do this in nine weeks. You have all of us here to help out!

 

[DisneyEverAfter]

Aww, I'm sorry about your toe! I know that pain all too well!

If it helps, I'm still missing a lot of you're missing! Disney hasn't gotten back to you yet? That's very odd!

Well, since you definitely have the date set, I'd say start contacting photography, officiants, etc., since those are pretty key I feel like the guys have it easy, clothing-wise, so that part you can breathe easier on. As for the dress, do you have any idea as to what you're leaning towards, style-wise?

You can totally do this in nine weeks. You have all of us here to help out!

I'll definitely be leaning on all you girls for opinions!!! Started pricing & researching photog & makeup so I hope to have those booked today & tomorrow.. As for the dress, I just need to get alterations! Don't want to post pics of me in it, don't want DF to see! But I need to get it hemmed & have the french bustle put in, & am unsure if it needs to be taken in (Haven't tried it on in a year!) But I definitely need to make an appointment soon

The Dress:

 

[yourgypsy]

Oh, good, the dress is already in your possession! (Wait, did you post that, and did I miss that? ) That dress is SUPER pretty! I love the detail work on the back.

As far as the hair and makeup goes, I compared prices of all the ones that Disney listed, and found that Beaute Speciale had the best prices, and 95% of the people on here that have used them spoke very highly of them.

Umm...let's see. We went with Rev. Tim Herring, even though we're having a non-religious ceremony. Again, people on here speak very well of him, that he's very personable and funny. And, hey, being on one income right now, his $200 fee was better than the others.

 

[DisneyEverAfter]

Oh, good, the dress is already in your possession! (Wait, did you post that, and did I miss that? ) That dress is SUPER pretty! I love the detail work on the back.

As far as the hair and makeup goes, I compared prices of all the ones that Disney listed, and found that Beaute Speciale had the best prices, and 95% of the people on here that have used them spoke very highly of them.

Umm...let's see. We went with Rev. Tim Herring, even though we're having a non-religious ceremony. Again, people on here speak very well of him, that he's very personable and funny. And, hey, being on one income right now, his $200 fee was better than the others.

Thanks for the input Kristen! Definitely make a lot of decisions today & contacting people... Now I feel productive!

 

[NoOrdinaryPrincess]

I. Am. Freaking. Out. I have 9 weeks (reality is hitting hard!) to plan this thing & have yet to hear from the planner. I haven't had alterations done (or even scheduled!); I have no shoes; Don't have wedding jewelry/accessories; DF doesn't have a tux/suit/shoes/ring; I haven't figured out photography; Don't have makeup/hair booked; Don't have an officiant; ....Crap.

I need to make an official list. But it's hard to make some decisions without consulting the planner! Le sigh...

...Plus I broke my toe (oh, yes I did, just my luck). Not that I can't plan whilst my toe is broken, but I guess it makes me feel lazier... Guess I need to get on the planning bit... Seriously.. I need to make some decisions soon. Browsing the boards for BEOs definitely helps in decision making

DEEP BREATHS

Here's my advice:

1) Alterations: Call you dress shop. Explain your situation, see what they say. They WILL work with you.

2)Shoes, ring, etc: Give yourself a deadline to have this done by and stick to it. Do research, then when your deadline approaches, make a decision. Don't look back, it will be fine.

3) DF clothes: DELEGATE: Tell him what he needs to do and when he needs it done by. Force him to make decisions.

3) Photography: You're an escape bride, so photography is included, so worst case scenario, you still have pictures. If you want a second photographer, CALL them and ask for their availability (if possible). Email is wonderful, but a phone call is more efficient.

4)Officient: Make a top 3 list of officents (there are a lot of people who can make good recommendations here). Call in order of priority. If your first chose is not available at your date/time, move on to the next.


You got this. You can do it! No matter what, your wedding will be absolutely magical.
5) Beaute Speciale is one of the top reccommended stylists on the site. Patricia Legune is a close second. Call them. See if they will work for you.

 

[tinydancr06]

Just joining in! Don't worry about getting everything done. For me, sitting down and making a list of everything I need to do really helps. (The Escape list in the Passporter book is really good, too) I know this can stress some people out but better to have a list of exactly what needs to be done than to miss things along the way. Just have fun with it!

 

[tric8783]

Hi there!! Don't freak out... breathe!
I am getting married on 5/5, have yet to have any alterations or set up my alterations appointment... my shop told me I need to make it within a month or so. No worries!! I have to find my shoes to start my alterations currently...

Haven't looked at rings yet either!

We do have a photographer, and hair & makeup booked- we're using Beaute Special and we're bringing our photographer with us from CT. I think you're good to go!

DF and all the GM are getting their suits from Carolyn Allen's. I highly suggest this. You can email them and tell them what kind you want, they will write you back within 24 hrs, send you links to suggestions, all he has to do is fill out a form with his measurements and send it back with 50% deposit- they will deliver the suit to him at your hotel. Again, easy breasy.

You can totally do this!