Lisacope's 6/26/2008 DFTW VR PJ - Started TR, some pix

[Lisacope]

I thought it was probably about time that I started a planning journal. First off, a little about us. I grew up in Southern California. I was working as a contract programmer and met DH on the job in 1985 or 1986 when I was about 21. He was working at TRW as a programmer and I started working there as a contractor (temporary worker). He was the person who escorted me in on the first day! I think it was love at first sight!
This was us then:

We got married on May 28, 1988 at a very pretty little church in Pasadena. The reception was in the hall that was attached to the church. My brother was my photographer, one of our groomsmen's wife did the catering, and we had a grand time! The church was nestled in a neighborhood of not very amused people - they called the cops when the reception got noisy! The band that played at the reception is still in business - they played recently at my nephew's graduation party! We then moved to Redmond, WA in April of 1989 so that we could both work at Microsoft.

Now fast forward to 2004
We now had two great kids – DS14 and DD7. I was no longer a programmer – I am now a horse trainer. DH and I had had a rough time that year and I got this idea that spending Christmas at WDW with our two kids would be just the thing to end on a good note. It sure was! We are now certified Disney Nuts and I think our kids are too!
DD7:

DD14 (In gray shirt):

Now fast forward to 2007
Next year will be our 20th wedding anniversary. We have certainly had our ups and downs but mostly we are still a couple of kids in love!

(Continued)

[hiwaygal]

I think you have enough posts (I think you need 50).

Have you loaded your photos to a photo hosting site like photobucket?

[Lisacope]

What better way to celebrate this than to have a big 'ol bash in the happiest place on earth? While we were on our annual WDW trip this last June, we met with Joe DeMatei to talk about possible locations and dates for our VR. Now, I had already been a bride with all of the anxieties of being one - I wanted this to be as fun and relaxed as possible - so we wanted a location that would not be dependent on weather and my husband wanted air conditioning - so we chose the WP for our VR and told Joe that we wanted the reception location inside as well. We also wanted a June date because of school. Bruce and I are big foodies so we told Joe that we wanted a plated dinner with great food. We also told Joe that we wanted something really unique for our reception. I think the most important thing that draws us to Disney is their ability to transport someone to a different atmosphere and place. For us, it wouldn't be right to do our VR unless it was in one of the parks. I had been really inspired by Janet2k's very magical VR trip reports so I wanted something which incorporated a real Disney feel and showcased the creative talents of Disney. Joe offered us several alternatives, including the Great Movie Ride, The Prop Shop, The Narnia Walkthrough, and the Mad Hatter Tea Party. None of these were quite what we were looking for, and then he came up with an idea that really struck a chord with us. You see, we knew we didn't want a lot of the traditional elements of a wedding ceremony. We didn't want to do a huge cake and cake cutting, a champagne toast, a bouquet toss, or a "first dance". In fact, we wanted something very celebratory but not something that called a lot of attention to ourselves. My husband, especially, doesn't like to be in the spotlight.

I am keeping the Reception Venue a surprise for our guests – so I really don’t want to post the location here. If you would like to know where it is going to be – just PM me. Please just remember that I am trying to keep it a secret so mum’s the word!

Because our venue is in AK, Joe told us that our location would not be available until 10:00pm! How would we make this event proceed in a event proceed in a sensible way? Joe suggested that we have our ceremony at the WP at 8:00pm, and we decided we would have a pre-reception (cocktails and appetizers) in the Tamu-Tamu courtyard (this is across the way from the Tusker House) from 9:00pm - 10:00pm and then we would be escorted into our reception location.

We have also been thinking about rehearsal dinners and we decided that we wanted to do a small dinner (I think Citricos) with just the wedding party (do I get to say that?) and then we are going to do a dessert party with all of our invited guests. However - we are not doing an Illuminations Dessert Party - we are going to be at the Grand Floridian Marina Patio! We are going to have the music from Wishes piped in and I think it will be really fun!

So where are we now in our planning?
The cast of Characters:
DH - The handsome Groom
Me - The used-to-be blushing bride
MOH - My sister who was my original MOH
BM - DH is still deciding!
DS14 - A reluctant GM (it will be torture just wearing a Tux!)
DD7 - Junior BM (Will not understand why she isn't the center of attention!)

We have a date (June 26, 2008).
We have a ceremony and reception venue
We have a photographer (Randy Chapman)
We have an officiant (Rev Jack Day)
I have sent in my contract with check and it has been received
I have sent in my guest list and it has been received (This started out quite modest and has blossomed!)
We now have a DFTW Planner - Michelle Wenzler (Anybody else have her?!?)
We have an MK photoshoot planned for June 28, 2008
I am going to look at dresses on August 5th with a couple of girlfriends
We have a planning session on February 20th - This is really cool because it means that Bruce and I are going to take a solo trip to DW and we will be able to celebrate the anniversary of our 1st date which is Feb 17th! We have always done this but I think this year it will be really special!

That is all I have so far - So thanks for reading!

[debbieb04]

Hi Lisacope,

You certainly seem to have everything in order. I won't ask for your reception venue because I like surprises.

Keep writing and I'll keep reading. Just think, when this is done you get to write a trip report!

Debbie

[sunsh1ne]

so sweet!!

[padisneyfour]

I will continue to read with interest. We are planning to do our VR for our 20th as well a few years yet(2010) we just got back for wdw early this morning after another annual trip. We will be going in dec for my youngest dd 13th bday. Congrats to on your vow renewal.

[RangerPooh]

Sounds like you'll have a wonderful VR. Although I am itching to find out where the location is, but I'll just ahve to wait it out as that would prove to be more suspenseful and I like suprises.

[Lisacope]

okay then - the reception stays a secret!

Anyways - I got our signed letter of agreement back and our APs
The save-the-dates have been sent out!
I have a phone conference in the morning with my planner - Michelle Wenzler. This will be my first time talking with her so I have a list of questions but I am wondering if we are just going to go through what we already have planned.

I went dress shopping this weekend! We went to three stores and I really LOVE this one dress. I am really thinking that I am going to get it. Here are some pix:





That's it for now!

[princessdisneybelle]

That's a amazing dress. It looks great on you!

[JonetteA]

What a romantic story! I LOVE that dress, it is amazing. Michelle is fabulous and you are going to love working with her. I can't wait to hear all about your planning.

[LuluLovesDisney]

Your renewal's on my birthday! I hope it is a magical day for you! What a beautiful dress - and it looks great with your petite figure!

[Lisacope]

It really helped me to see my event taking shape!

One thing I had been hoping for was an optimal time/place to show a slideshow of pictures from "through the years" kind of thing and Michelle suggested making a DVD of the slideshow and having the bus driver play it! We could do the slideshow and then add a videotaped message from both of us telling our guests where the reception is!

We also talked about the dessert party - We are going to have a hot fudge sundae station, a pastry selection, and mickey rice krispy treats. I am going to have my Dad give a toast at the dessert party and Michelle suggested using beverages in hand rather than champagne which is fine by me.

We also talked about the pre-reception - it is going to be outside and I asked if we needed any decor and she suggested some kind of lighting - maybe a hurricane lantern - so I guess I will keep my eyes peeled for something like that!

[hmgolden]

I love your story. And I can't wait to hear your reception location when you do reveal it. Surprises drive me nuts!

Also, can I just say that dress is hot! Your DH is going to love it

[padisneyfour]

everything sounds wonderful. the surprise reception site is exciting, best of luck in all your planning. And congrats.

[cryssi]

wow! sounds like fun! can't wait to hear more...