October 2013 Wishes Wedding!

[ncp17]

Hi DISFriends!

I'm Nicole; a nurse who currently lives in St. Louis, MO. But more importantly, I'm a DTFW bride to be!!

After 5 1/2 years together, my fiancee Rick and I have been engaged since Christmas Day of 2012. It was the most intimate and lovely thing... I'm a sucker for Christmas, but this one has taken the prize for best ever!!!
The wedding planning is in full swing now! (Much to my DF's chagrin he's a resident at the local hospital and I'm sure he's glad he's working quite a lot lately so he doesn't have to deal with my Disney wedding madness!!)
I have been on DISBoards for a long time now, but finally got my own account and can't seem to get off now!
In the beginning stages of planning, my father was the one to actually suggest a DFTW in the first place! ( gotta love the man). Like so many of you, I have spend countless family vacations on the wonderful WDW properties, and it has become such a huge part of my life! It only makes sense to start planning the beginning of my 'forever' with Rick at the Happiest Place on Earth!
So here I am, starting my own PJ! ah!

I spoke with a Disney consultant (Michelle G) last week, and was fully intending on going with an Escape wedding.......
well.... that didn't last long!

In discussing with my parents, it didn't seem feasible to discount so many members of my family. My entire family is from Buffalo, NY and with a guest list capped out at 20... seemed a bit daunting. So I called Michelle back today, and we have tentatively set a Wishes Wedding for 10/19/13 with WP/LSS! I am just thankful I have a spot at all.. I figured planning this now would lead me to have a wedding in 2015!! But it seems that someone is looking out for me so far, and is willing to let me have a wedding in oh... 8 MONTHS?! (wait... what am I thinking?!) I'm still trying for a Friday morning maybe but we'll see what happens More discussions with Michelle tomorrow! I always end up having a ton more questions after I get off the phone but these boards have been excellent in answering things and giving me insights, so thank you!!
Can't wait to share this amazing journey!

 

[Bewitch324]

Congratulations! I can't wait to hear more about your plans as things move along!!!

Brooke

 

[lurkyloo]

Congratulations! Happy planning!

 

[SarahFarra]

Congratulations Nicole!! I used to live in MO but moved to New England about 3 years ago. SO miss the zoo!!! I can honestly say that's the only thing I miss about MO haha!

We're getting married 11.8.13! So just shortly after you if all works out for your October date! It's so exciting isn't it?! Can't wait to hear more as your plans come along!

 

[ncp17]

Congratulations Nicole!! I used to live in MO but moved to New England about 3 years ago. SO miss the zoo!!! I can honestly say that's the only thing I miss about MO haha!

We're getting married 11.8.13! So just shortly after you if all works out for your October date! It's so exciting isn't it?! Can't wait to hear more as your plans come along!

Congrats to you as well! I can definitely agree about the zoo- amazing place! They just made a huge renovation to one of the sea lion areas and its absolutely beautiful. There were many different locations I looked at in StL for this wedding but nothing really jumped out to me! So,
Disney it is )

Do you have your locations set? I heard back from my consultant today that we are all ready to go to the next step of the process! Im locked in on 10.27.13 for WP at 10am & then Citricos @ GF for a brunch before everyone breaking to change and then hit MK together!! She said she was going to send me an email of just various questions. So excited!! It's still kind of surreal that this is all happening! Best of wishes for your planning as well!! Can't wait to hear about it!

 

[SarahFarra]

Congrats to you as well! I can definitely agree about the zoo- amazing place! They just made a huge renovation to one of the sea lion areas and its absolutely beautiful. There were many different locations I looked at in StL for this wedding but nothing really jumped out to me! So,
Disney it is )

Do you have your locations set? I heard back from my consultant today that we are all ready to go to the next step of the process! Im locked in on 10.27.13 for WP at 10am & then Citricos @ GF for a brunch before everyone breaking to change and then hit MK together!! She said she was going to send me an email of just various questions. So excited!! It's still kind of surreal that this is all happening! Best of wishes for your planning as well!! Can't wait to hear about it!

Oh man, I might just have to drag myself out there for a sea lion visit!

Yes, we are all booked and just waiting for plans to start developing! We have a 10am ceremony at Seabreeze Point with a brunch reception immediately following at the Atlantic Dance Hall! I'm SO happy with our choices and that we got our preferred dates and times! Much like you it sounds like! We have our planning session in June and I CANNOT wait! Are you going for a planning session? Or have you thought about that yet?

 

[ncp17]

Oh man, I might just have to drag myself out there for a sea lion visit!

Yes, we are all booked and just waiting for plans to start developing! We have a 10am ceremony at Seabreeze Point with a brunch reception immediately following at the Atlantic Dance Hall! I'm SO happy with our choices and that we got our preferred dates and times! Much like you it sounds like! We have our planning session in June and I CANNOT wait! Are you going for a planning session? Or have you thought about that yet?

Always a fun time at the zoo! I'm sure you don't miss this crazy weather though! We had snow and awful weather yesterday... and now looking out my window it is sunny without a cloud in the sky. .... so weird. This state has the most bipolar weather of anywhere I have ever lived!

So exciting that your plans are starting to come together! I kept telling myself once I had a date and location, everything else will fall into place. I feel like someone was looking out for me that they had exactly what I had in mind in regards to times and places- I never thought this would be happening! I don't know much about the planning sessions, only what I've seen on the boards and in this small information email they sent about setting up a session. How is yours set up if you don't mind me asking? Is it a day long process? That has to be so exciting!! A disney trip before an AMAZING disney trip! (Who wouldn't like to go more than once a year?! I get so jealous of those people who live in Orlando!)
Hope you've had a great week so far!

 

[SarahFarra]

Always a fun time at the zoo! I'm sure you don't miss this crazy weather though! We had snow and awful weather yesterday... and now looking out my window it is sunny without a cloud in the sky. .... so weird. This state has the most bipolar weather of anywhere I have ever lived!

So exciting that your plans are starting to come together! I kept telling myself once I had a date and location, everything else will fall into place. I feel like someone was looking out for me that they had exactly what I had in mind in regards to times and places- I never thought this would be happening! I don't know much about the planning sessions, only what I've seen on the boards and in this small information email they sent about setting up a session. How is yours set up if you don't mind me asking? Is it a day long process? That has to be so exciting!! A disney trip before an AMAZING disney trip! (Who wouldn't like to go more than once a year?! I get so jealous of those people who live in Orlando!)
Hope you've had a great week so far!

Hahaha that is true about MO weather! Although I miss when my flowers would start coming up in Feb/March whereas here I have to wait till like May for any sign of life under the cold ground and then they're all gone three months later. BUT the summers here on the lake and so close to the ocean are phenomenal so I can't complain!

Once you get settled with your planner and she (assuming "she" but there are a few guys I think too) sends you your official welcome email she will encourage you to think about whether or not you can make it down for a planning session. If not, it's not a big deal, you can do it over the phone (but you won't get to taste yummy food or do a cake tasting). I know lots of people do them over the phone and are perfectly happy with that! My fiance and I really wanted to be able to have the chance to sit down with her face to face to plan this thing! So I'm happy we're able to. The annual pass helps a lot too! Which you should be getting in the next few weeks!!!

The planning session is 3-4 hours which they schedule 9am-1pm or 1pm-5pm. They typically (some exceptions) plan this 4-6 months out from your wedding date. So you have some time to think about it! You'll get a planning packet (emailed to you as PDF attachments) that will help you focus your thoughts in direction you'd like to see your wedding. This is (as I've been told) how your planning day will go as well. Your planner will guide you through all the elements of your wedding! You also get to meet with your floral planner who will help you with whatever you need in that department as well! It's basically a one stop shop!! Then somewhere in the next 6ish weeks (after the planning session) you'll receive your BEO which details all your wedding events and the costs associated with all of it. You have the oportunity to cut or add whatever you want at that point.

Hope that helps!

If you don't have it already, I would suggest getting Carrie Hayward's Passporter's Disney Weddings and Honeymoons book! It's basically a bible for planning your DFTW!
http://www.passporter.com/weddings.asp

Also, there's a private group on facebook (DISbrides) to join if you haven't that is super helpful!

 

[DisneyDudet]

Another October bride here! We are locked in for 10-21-13 (2:30 at the WP)!! We are doing an Escape package (as much as I'd love a Wishes wedding), as I'm personally paying for all of it. Plus, my fiancé wants a small wedding, so we get the best of both worlds! I wouldn't want to help coordinate travel or anything for more than those coming. It is already a bit stressful!

Michelle is my consultant, too! She just emailed me my contract to return and sign today! She is WONDERFUL and has all the answers to your questions, or she will find the answer for you!

Congrats to all our October brides!

 

[mmmbop]

Aw congrats! I'm an October 19 bride as well! We just signed the contract last week! Eek!

 

[ncp17]

Hahaha that is true about MO weather! Although I miss when my flowers would start coming up in Feb/March whereas here I have to wait till like May for any sign of life under the cold ground and then they're all gone three months later. BUT the summers here on the lake and so close to the ocean are phenomenal so I can't complain!

Once you get settled with your planner and she (assuming "she" but there are a few guys I think too) sends you your official welcome email she will encourage you to think about whether or not you can make it down for a planning session. If not, it's not a big deal, you can do it over the phone (but you won't get to taste yummy food or do a cake tasting). I know lots of people do them over the phone and are perfectly happy with that! My fiance and I really wanted to be able to have the chance to sit down with her face to face to plan this thing! So I'm happy we're able to. The annual pass helps a lot too! Which you should be getting in the next few weeks!!!

The planning session is 3-4 hours which they schedule 9am-1pm or 1pm-5pm. They typically (some exceptions) plan this 4-6 months out from your wedding date. So you have some time to think about it! You'll get a planning packet (emailed to you as PDF attachments) that will help you focus your thoughts in direction you'd like to see your wedding. This is (as I've been told) how your planning day will go as well. Your planner will guide you through all the elements of your wedding! You also get to meet with your floral planner who will help you with whatever you need in that department as well! It's basically a one stop shop!! Then somewhere in the next 6ish weeks (after the planning session) you'll receive your BEO which details all your wedding events and the costs associated with all of it. You have the oportunity to cut or add whatever you want at that point.

Hope that helps!

If you don't have it already, I would suggest getting Carrie Hayward's Passporter's Disney Weddings and Honeymoons book! It's basically a bible for planning your DFTW!
http://www.passporter.com/weddings.asp

Also, there's a private group on facebook (DISbrides) to join if you haven't that is super helpful!

Thank you so much for all that insight! I talked to my DF and we are planning a trip down there hopefully in the end of May. Excited! There is so much to do and I'm nervous and can't believe it's happening at the same time. I go dress shopping this Friday- and I'm really looking forward to it! eep! I'm working on my room block and then hopefully will return all the preliminary questions to my consultant and have this contract in the works ASAP! I'm getting anxious

Another October bride here! We are locked in for 10-21-13 (2:30 at the WP)!! We are doing an Escape package (as much as I'd love a Wishes wedding), as I'm personally paying for all of it. Plus, my fiancé wants a small wedding, so we get the best of both worlds! I wouldn't want to help coordinate travel or anything for more than those coming. It is already a bit stressful!

Michelle is my consultant, too! She just emailed me my contract to return and sign today! She is WONDERFUL and has all the answers to your questions, or she will find the answer for you!

Congrats to all our October brides!

Michelle was a really great consultant! I felt like I bothered her so much though with all my questions- but then I think she has to be used to it by now! ha! Congrats to you as well with your day! I loved the option of the Escape package; DFTW really has every base covered. Which I know I appreciate!

Aw congrats! I'm an October 19 bride as well! We just signed the contract last week! Eek!

Congrats to you!!!!!!! 10/19 was my original date for the Escape wedding we had in mind until the plans changed! Good luck with your planning!!

 

[ncp17]

Sent my prelim questions to the consultant along with the room block agreement on Tuesday... I don't think I can be patient enough to wait 10 business days to receive my LOA! Ahh! But I've got my first dress shopping days next Friday so hopefully that will help