Christine & Mike's Wishes PJ ~ October 2013

[CMA21]

Welcome!!! I've decided to add a table of contents right here in the beginning to help keep me organized as I move through this (so it won't be much for now, but hopefully it'll get better)

Our Wedding Overview
Dates, Videography, Photography
Videography, Photography, Hair/MakeUp, Reverend, and some extras
The Date (forgot to include that before)
Vendor Choices and Bridesmaid Gifts
Wedding Planner / Dresses
Wedding Dress!!
Save The Dates

So I've been reading the Wedding Boards here for a few months now, and I am soo excited to finally be a part of them!! I'll get to the proposal and the early wedding planning but I'll give you some background info first.

About Us
My name is Christine and I'm 24, my DF is Mike and he's 23. We met in 2008 when I decided to transfer colleges and because of credit transfers had to basically re-do my sophomore year. It was a blessing in disguise though because Mike is actually a year younger then me, so that was where we ended up meeting. Our major was really small, only about 24 people, so we quickly became friends and spent a lot of time together hanging out with our friends and doing projects. We were both seeing other people, but eventually one thing led to another and we were both single. It didn't take us long to start dating after that (all our friends around us thought we should have been dating 6 months earlier haha). We started dating on January 1st, 2010. Since then we've basically been in separable. By now we have both graduated, and are living in New Hampshire starting up our own business together which is really exciting!!

Here's us this past summer at his Aunt's wedding:

The Proposal
Now onto the good stuff!! I absolutely LOVE everything Disney so I was begging him for the past year to let us plan a trip there. Finally last November he said okay, and I started the planning (little did I know he was doing his own planning). So we went to Disney this past September over Labor Day. I had hinted MANY time how nice a proposal in Disney would be, but he didn't say too much about it so the whole time we were there I kept thinking it might happen but was never quite sure. We went down on a Friday and were leaving the following Saturday, so we got the Wednesday during the week and by this time I was starting to doubt a proposal was going to happen.

Welll, just when I was giving up he told me that day in the Magic Kingdom that he had canceled our dinner plans for that night and he had a surprise me. He said we have to be at the GF by 7:30, but that's all i'm telling you. So now I started to get pretty excited, but was still mainting my expectations because I didn't want to get disappointed if this wasn't it. So at 7:30 we went to the GF and he led me to the Marina. I quickly figured out he had rented a private boat for just the two of us!! We were supposed to go out on the boat at 8:00 but due to lightning we got postponed to 8:30. (I think he was starting to sweat a little at this point, because there could have been a chance it would get canceled). But alas, we were allowed to board, and a nice gentleman came over and brought us some champagne to take with us. So the boat took us out onto the Seven Seas Lagoon and positioned us right in front of the Cinderella's Castle for Wishes. Right before the fireworks started I even saw a SHOOTING STAR!! So then the Wishes music started (it was playing in the boat) and about 5 minutes into the show he got down in front of me on one knee and said some adorable things and finally asked me to marry him while holing out the ring!!! IT WAS AMAZINGGG!! And to top it all off, we pulled into the Polynesian to get let off and my absolute favorite part of my favorite movie was playing...the lantern scene from Tangled!! It was the most perfect night ever!!


I apologize that's this is a little long, but I just love re-counting all the details and re-living the moment!

Here is our boat, and our view of the fireworks minutes after he proposed!! The fireworks are a little blurry, but the boat driver was nice enough to take the picture for us and I still love it:

And here is the ring he had made for me!!

I'll post more details on the wedding itself, but I just wanted to make the introductions and start my PJ because I was just too excited to wait any longer!! Hope you enjoy reading my journey as much as I enjoy writing about it!!

 

[CMA21]

Well I said I would update later with more wedding details, so I figured there's no better time then today! I'm anxiously waiting to hear from the wedding consultant to find out if we get one of our dates today! We are currently penciled in for October 6th and the 13th of next year, 2013. Diane, our consultant, told us we would hear by the 10th (today!) if we would get October 6th. Now our ideal choice would be on the 13th, but since I hear there are alot of other brides that day, she recommended we go with a back up...so that's what we did! The day and time is more important to us, then the actual date, so at least we're a little flexible there! Soo...onto the few details I know right now about what we would like for the wedding:

We're planning a Wishes Wedding with approximately 100 guests. It'll be a fairly large wedding, but it's what I've always wanted so I'm super excited to finally start planning it!

Wedding Ceremony: The WP is where the ceremony will be. There was never a question in mind that this would be the place, ever since I knew I wanted a Disney Wedding, I knew I had to have the WP also! We are having the wedding on a Sunday evening, hoping that will give people from out of a town the chance to have a longer weekend in Disney. We ideally would like the 2:30 timeslot, but would go with a 5:00 one if we had too.

Pre-Reception/Reception: We're going to have our reception at ADH, which I'm really excited about! It's the perfect venue for us, because I know our guests will love to party and dance, and the Boardwalk / Yacht & Beach Club area is one of my absolute favorite areas in all of Disney World. I think we're going to ask if we can push the pre-reception back an extra hour (instead of just one hour after the ceremony it would be 2) to give us extra time for pictures and everything. Then I think we might extend is an hour also (to be a 5 hour reception) so that we can sneak a peak of Illuminations from the Balcony at ADH!

I know we're also planning a Welcome Party for the night before, but have no details on exactly where/when/what yet. I'm waiting to get our actual wedding planner before we make any definite decisions, so I can ask about prices and everything.

Hopefully I'll know our confirmed date (today for the 6th and next week for the 13th) soon, and then the real planning can begin!!

 

[MickeysStarTrader]

Hey Christine!
I just subscribed to your PJ! I'm so excited to follow along! I'm an October 2013 Disney Bride also you two are so adorable!! I love your proposal story, how sweet and thoughtful, I guess he picked up on all those hints can't wait for more! I hope you get the date you want

 

[LittleKittyMarie]

Congratulations! What a sweet proposal and you two make such a cute couple! Your ring is beautiful! I'm looking forward to reading more about your plans!

 

[LyndsayJ]

Congrats and welcome! What a sweet proposal story...your fiance definitely did good planning that!

We're also having the same venues and a pretty large wedding next month...130 people confirmed to be attending!

Looking forward to reading more...I hope you get the date you want.

 

[CinderALLIE]

Congratulations. Love the engagement photo.

Look forward to reading your plans progress.

 

[CMA21]

Hey everyone!! Thanks for joining!

Sooo, as I said we were going to we found out this past Wednesday that we are indeed confirmed for October 6th, 2013!! It's really exciting knowing we do have a date, but not completely yet because we are still waiting to hear about the 13th. When I talked to Diane though she said it wasn't looking too good, because there were now 7 other brides looking at that day too

Thinking about it now, I'm wondering if I should just stick with the 6th, because I'm afraid to go on a date that I know will be fully packed. I'm not sure if it will in fact effect how crazy that day would be for me, but I can't help but think things could be a little calmer for all the staff if there are less weddings in one day??? (Last time Diane told me there was only one other bride on the 6th).

I figure I'll wait till next Wednesday though and see what happens...at least give myself options!

Onto another whole topic though!! Photography and Videography!!
I started looking this week because I quickly realized I need to book them soon, since if I do go with the 6th it's technically less then 12 months away already! I know Photography and Videography are some of the most important aspects to me so I've been going crazy trying to figure out who to use. I know we're going to have a long day, so we want a lot of coverage, and although I need to keep price in mind, I'm willing to pay enough to make sure I get what I am looking for.

We've decided not to go with Disney just because I think you get less for what they charge you then outside people, and I've heard more positive reviews about outside vendors then inside vendors. I contacted a bunch of various places I was looking at last night and this morning I woke up to 10 emails and 4 phone calls!!! Needless to say I've been so overwhelmed today trying to sort through everything.

Videography
I am so excited to be doing videography for our wedding and I want to make sure it's perfect!! I think I finally narrowed down my choices to Key Moment Films, Imprint Cinema, and Simply Cinematic. I talked to Mary at Key Moment today and she was like absolute nicest person ever!! I felt like I was talking to an old friend, and could totally see her at my wedding. I also talked to Alex at Imprint Cinema, and although they were just as nice, their prices run a little bit higher. I'm waiting to hear back from Simply Cinematic still, but right now Key Moment Films is my top runner. Any opinions out there on any of these vendors??

Photography
I think this task is absolutely impossible! I love so many of their works, and each time I see a new person I fall in love again! I have picked my top few including Jason Angelini, David and Vicki Ardnt, Misty Miotto, and two other studios I know Key Moment films work with including Sona Photography and Jamilah Photography. I absolutely love Misty's work and so I think I'm leaning towards her right now, but I also really like Jamilah Photography. I haven't seen anybody use her on the boards, but I love her pictures and style. I'm not really decided on anything there yet though either (hahaha). I'm looking for a style that is definitely unique and different, that has both posed and candids.

Let me know if anyone has any thoughts, I'm open to anything that can help!!
And Happy Friday..hope everyone has a good weekend!!

 

[CMA21]

So as an update to my Photography area...I also just found Jennifer Werneth, and I'm thinking she's my new favorite. I contacted her today and I know she's open both dates, so I'm starting to lean that way...any thoughts of people who have used her in the past or are planning to do so also??

 

[CMA21]

So I've actually gotten a lot done this past week, so I thought it was about time for an update!! If you can't tell I'm one of those people that likes to just get everything done as soon as I think about it...you'll see that more as I go along haha

I got all the information about the room blocks a few days ago, so I guess that looks like the next daunting task. I think I have it pretty much figured out, now I just have to submit it by Oct. 30th so I can get on my way to getting my LOA!!!

Bridesmaids
In the meanwhile though, I started ordering stuff to make boxes for bridesmaids to have a fun way to ask them to be in the wedding. So far I've ordered:

- A bag to put it all
- Minnie Mouse Ears
- White Flip Flops
- A Disney Luggage Tag
- A Picture Frame
- And then I'm going to include a little note asking them and including all the wedding details!

- I also bought two smaller bags, and shirts that say FLower girl on them for my two little flower girls (they're only 1 1/2 right now). So once all that stuff gets in I'll have fun putting those together!

I'm going to have six bridesmaids (well at least ask 6) and I'm going to see some this weekend...so hopefully they say yes! Originally I was going to have them all in different dresses but with the same color, but then I found a dress I loved so I think I might have them all wear the same dress. This is the dress I found (and in the right color also!)
Here's the dress:

Once I have the gift bags made I'll post pictures of those too!

First up...Photography Choice!
So I finally decided to ask the Arndts to be our photographers. Their price was really good, and she has been so helpful. I e-mailed with them back and forth, and received the invoice for our package and sent off the deposit check yesterday! So I officially have a wedding photographer!

Next up...Videography
I made up my mind about videography also and decided to go with Key Moment Films. They work with David and Vicki alot, and were also really nice and affordable. I put that deposit in the mail yesterday also...so I should be all set there too!

Hair / Make-up
Knowing I was picking a somewhat popular wedding date, I wanted to make sure I could get everyone I wanted for my wedding. So next on my list was hair and make-up. I contacted Beaute Speciale and they said they were available...so I went with them. I've heard wonderful things, and all the pictures of brides I've seen that they have done are beautiful. So I've scheduled them for my wedding day and a trial before that!

Finally...the Reverence
I did some research here seeing what other brides said, as well as looking at all the Reverend's sites. I decided to go with Reverend Kevin Knox. Once I contacted them they were so quick with their response and very nice. They sent me the Ceremony Planning Kit also, and I love the options they have for ceremonies. I have reserved them for now, and once we go down for our planning session we'll talk more about what exactly we want in the ceremony!

Well I definitely got a lot done this week...but now I have to put together the bridesmaids gifts, and start getting all the info together to send to my Wedding Coordinator with the Room Blocks and then I guess it's onto making the Save-The-Dates!

 

[LittleKittyMarie]

It looks like you've accomplished a lot so quickly! Exciting! I love the things you're putting in your bridesmaid bags, they sound very fun! That's a really gorgeous bridesmaid dress! I've seen so many beautiful Bill Levkoff bridesmaid dresses, I've got a couple on my bridesmaid dress wishlist too.

But I have to ask, did you hear back about Oct. 13 or are having the wedding on Oct. 6?

 

[CMA21]

But I have to ask, did you hear back about Oct. 13 or are having the wedding on Oct. 6?

Sorry! I don't now how I totally forgot to include that detail

But I did end up getting October 13th!!! So I will be officially having my ceremony at 2:30 at the Wedding Pavilion, followed by my pre-reception from 4 - 5 at the upstairs of ADH, and then the reception at ADH from 5 - 10!!

We're also planning a welcome party for the night before. I contacted Diane, and am waiting to hear if the space is open, but we want to do it a the Marina at the GF during the Wishes nighttime show...so hopefully that'll work out too!

 

[NoOrdinaryPrincess]

Wow! I just found your PJ! I love it! Can't wait for more!

 

[CMA21]

So sorry I haven't updated lately. Even though I live in NH (we actually live super North in New Hampshire in a town called Lincoln), I was actually back home last weekend at my Parents in PA. Well obviously we got stuck in the hurricane and lost power so I haven't been able to much of anything. We finally got back up to NH yesterday, but I know my parents still don't have any power (it was lost on Monday!). But we'll all ok, and losing a little bit of power is nothing compared to the rest of the devastation that has occurred, and all my thoughts go out to everyone affected :hug

So I've actually gotten a lot done this past week, so I thought it was about time for an update!! If you can't tell I'm one of those people that likes to just get everything done as soon as I think about it...you'll see that more as I go along haha

Bridesmaids
I also put my bridesmaids bags together and gave them to the bridesmaids who I saw and mailed the rest of them out this week. So far everyone has said yes!! Here are some of the pictures (sorry for the bad quality, they were taken with my phone).

Here's what I put in the bags (flip-flops, minnie ears, luggage tag, a picture, a note explaining all the details, all in a silver bag):

Here's what the note said (sorry it's hard to read, but I basically told them the dress, the details of the hotels, who else is in the party, and the schedule of the day)

Here's what the bag looked like all put together:

And finally all the bags together (1 MOH, 5 bridesmaids, an 2 flower girls):

Originally I was going to have them all in different dresses but with the same color, but then I found a dress I loved so I think I might have them all wear the same dress. This is the dress I found (and in the right color also!)
Here's the dress:

Photography Choice!
So I finally decided to ask the Arndts to be our photographers. Their price was really good, and she has been so helpful. I e-mailed with them back and forth, and received the invoice for our package and sent off the deposit check yesterday! So I officially have a wedding photographer!

Next up...Videography
I made up my mind about videography also and decided to go with Key Moment Films. They work with David and Vicki alot, and were also really nice and affordable. I put that deposit in the mail yesterday also...so I should be all set there too!

Hair / Make-up
Knowing I was picking a somewhat popular wedding date, I wanted to make sure I could get everyone I wanted for my wedding. So next on my list was hair and make-up. I contacted Beaute Speciale and they said they were available...so I went with them. I've heard wonderful things, and all the pictures of brides I've seen that they have done are beautiful. So I've scheduled them for my wedding day and a trial before that!

Finally...the Reverend
I did some research here seeing what other brides said, as well as looking at all the Reverend's sites. I decided to go with Reverend Kevin Knox. Once I contacted them they were so quick with their response and very nice. They sent me the Ceremony Planning Kit also, and I love the options they have for ceremonies. I have reserved them for now, and once we go down for our planning session we'll talk more about what exactly we want in the ceremony!

I also sent in my Room Blocks this week, and I heard back from Diane saying I should get my LOA this week and then I guess it's onto making the Save-The-Dates!

 

[CinderALLIE]

Congrats on booking everyone.

Love the BM dress.

 

[LittleKittyMarie]

The bridesmaid bags look fantastic!

 

[SeaBreezeBride]

Congrats on your Wedding loving your PJ I will def be following along with your plans!

 

[CMA21]

So last week we sent back in our LOA!!! So now I guess it's definitely all set...no turning back now! They confirmed that they received it on Monday and then today I was in the car driving back down to PA for the holiday week, and I got a phone call from Disney about my wedding planner!! The woman I spoke to said her name was Jessica I belive, and she said she was my wedding planner's assistant. She said my wedding planner was Pam, but she was feeling under the weather, so she wanted to call and just introduce herself and the wedding planner to me. I thought that was really nice, just to get a call before being bombarded with all the info..haha. She said early next week I would be receiving an email with her contact info and Pam's info and that it would include a lot of information.

Soo I'm excited to know I have a planner and heard from them already, but still a little lost as to who it is. I did some looking around and it looks like the only wedding planner with the name Pam is Pamela Mattack (so I'm assuming it's her?) I haven't heard too much about her or her assistant, but so far it seems good!!

Let me know if anyone has any experience with her please?!

I asked all my bridesmaids / flower girls and all of them loved the gifts and without question said yes. Now I just keep bugging my fiance to make sure he asks all his groomsmen (guys just don't seem to be quite as into all this haha).

In the meanwhile, while I'm just kinda waiting to hear back from Disney after signing the LOA, I made all my appointments to start looking at dresses!! I really am excited to start looking, I just don't know how I'm ever going to decide. I keep looking at examples, and just when I think I know what I want I find something else. So the day before, and 2 days after thanksgiving I will be visiting all the bridal stores back in PA with my mom and sister.

I've finally narrowed done a few examples to post to show you the different types I'm looking at. They're kinda all over the place, but I think I know I want an A-Line gown with some sort of sparkle or glitz...just not too much. I'm also a pretty petite person, so as much as I love the full gown look, I just don't wanna disappear in the dress!!

So let me know what ya think!!!

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

I'm going dress shopping next week, starting on Wednesday, so I'll let you know how all that goes!!

 

[belle2211]

Gorgeous dresses! I'm a little partial to #3

 

[SeaBreezeBride]

Oh my gosh you are so lucky you have pam! At least is she is the pam I dealt with at DFTW. She is not our coordinator but she was our original DFTW sales coordinator. She is so sweet and will honestly help you in any way she can!
She was answering tons of questions for me and she wasn't even my planner so that's great that you have her!

Congrats on the wedding!

 

[CinderALLIE]

Ooh pretty dresses. Good luck narrowing it down to just one choice