Katie & Mike TR - SBP/Bluezoo/Morocco - Dessert Party (8/5)

[MegKate]

We should have a disbrides meet in the France pavilion and stage a little revolution. We could all carry posters of our bad pictures and chant 'liberty, equality, outside photography!" as they drag us out of the park.

I am so there with you!!! I am willing to chain myself to something and organize the sit in!

I'm really glad you're sharing your pain with the Dessert Party photography - I now know not to have any expectations. My entire family is going to look like Casper (we're pale, but wanna bet I get to be the tomato?) and Lord knows what fireworks are going to erupt out of our heads. <sigh>

I'm sorry about your disappointment with DPS!

 

[jack_loves_sally]

thanks I really debated even doing a TR but in the end this board helped me sooooooo much I felt obligated and hope that something I write helps at least one person



Hahaha, glad I made you laugh. Glad to hear that the editing looks ok. It's hard to do because all the pictures colors look different on each of the computers we have and when you open them in Photoshop the colors change ...I dunno. The edited prints from Walgreens look decent and that's all I care about. It's all about making a good blurb book at the end of the day

I did write a REALLY long email to Jeff Wells..I think that was his name..., maybe Walls... Director of DFTW. I went on and on about how great my Coordinator was, how great floral was...just to soften the blow...and then I went into photography. However, the rant was mostly about the no outside photographers rule.

I think I might contact Disney Photographic Services. I am hesitant though because I hate to "get someone in trouble." I liked the photographer, he was nice and funny, and some of the pics are ok. I need to think how I can word things nicely :

My anger is more about the no outside photography rule. Honestly, the Honeymoon pictures aren't horrible, so I don't think he is incompetent, I just really would have liked photos similar in style to the other ones I will get from Studio 222.

It would be glorious though if they finally listened to all of us and changed the rule. We should have a disbrides meet in the France pavilion and stage a little revolution. We could all carry posters of our bad pictures and chant 'liberty, equality, outside photography!" as they drag us out of the park.

Oh man...
I have to say I also liked above mentioned photographer...not so much for his skills as a photographer....more as a stand up comedian. I agree that you should write DPS....after our wedding I was talking with Randy, and I brought up the whole outside photography rule, he mentioned to me he had been shooting Disney weddings for longer than most of the team at DFTW has been there, and now he (and all of the other fabulous photogs in the area) are limited to DFTW's that they can shoot.
I think they are really alienating brides that would have in-park ceremonies by telling them...."Sorry you have to use DPS."
I think you did a good job editing your photos, there is definitely an improvement over the original. The sad thing is that you shouldn't have to edit PROFESSIONAL photos, but writing will let them know, I don't think you're going to get you-know-who in trouble...if anything I would think of it as more constructive criticism...you may help out another bride in the end.

 

[PrincessShea]

Thanks for the review of DPS. It is really helpful to the rest of us though I am sorry your pictures aren't what you had hoped.

Happy to help

I am so there with you!!! I am willing to chain myself to something and organize the sit in!

I'm really glad you're sharing your pain with the Dessert Party photography - I now know not to have any expectations. My entire family is going to look like Casper (we're pale, but wanna bet I get to be the tomato?) and Lord knows what fireworks are going to erupt out of our heads. <sigh>

Hahaha. Viva la revolution!

I hope my pain helps others. When you have your DP, honestly, just be commando. Round up your family and get everyone to stand where you want the picture to be taken and tell the person to take a picture. You and Rob should practice your poses now. I know it sounds weird but I think it would have helped us. Put your camera on automatic or whatever where it takes a picture every 10 seconds and just stand and analyze your pictures so you don't make the mistakes Mike and I made.

Oh man...
I have to say I also liked above mentioned photographer...not so much for his skills as a photographer....more as a stand up comedian. I agree that you should write DPS....after our wedding I was talking with Randy, and I brought up the whole outside photography rule, he mentioned to me he had been shooting Disney weddings for longer than most of the team at DFTW has been there, and now he (and all of the other fabulous photogs in the area) are limited to DFTW's that they can shoot.

I agree he was funny.

I do feel bad for all the outside photographers. I read virtually all their blogs and look at all their websites. Randy, Misty, the Roots...they do so many Disney weddings and I think right about now the weddings that were booked after the October cut-off date are beginning; so I think we are going to see less and less outside photographer pictures.

The sad thing is that I bet these boards represent such a small fraction of the actual amount of Disney weddings...there are probably so many brides who aren't even aware of all this photography drama

 

[PrincessShea]

I still don't have official pics, but I might as well get the boring part of the TR out of the way...

My family flew down to Orlando on June 10. Michael and I did not fly down until June 11. The reason being is that the last day of teacher meetings was June 10. Little did I know that the meeting would end up being canceled; otherwise I would have left on the 10th as well.

So on the 10th Michael and I were up at 3:30AM! We drove my sister and her boyfriend to O'Hare for their 6AM flight. Then at 7AM we drove my parents and other sister and her boyfriend for their 9AM flight. Later that day I got my nails done, worked out, and basically just killed time until it was 8PM. I knocked myself out with NyQuil and fell asleep.

On June 11 I was up bright and early at 3:45AM. I did my morning routine and then put all the morning routine stuff in the checked bag. At 4AM we hopped on a taxi and headed to O'Hare.

We get to O'Hare. I already did online check-in and prepaid for the checked bags. So we check the bags and then get in the security line. There is a MASSIVE pack of kids obviously going on some school or camp type trip to Orlando (they all had Disney paraphernalia on)...so the line was long and loud.

Finally we get to the belts. We take off our shoes and put everything in the plastic bins. Michael walks through the metal detector. No problem. I walk through. No problem. Then I see them looking at my carry-on bag at the x-ray machine.

"Ma'am. We are going to have to open the bag and inspect it." Uggggh. I know what it was. All my welcome bag stuff was in the checked bag. I was worried about the fans being crushed and the MMs melting in the checked bag, so I put it in carry-on. So the people working the x-ray machine saw stacks of little metal tins and things that looked like rotating blades with batteries tape on them. I can see why it looked suspicious. Anyway, this search of my bag was accompanied by a full pat-down, which got my Disney adventure off to a very magical start.

We go to the terminal. and wait some more. We board the flight. We fly to Orlando. We land. It is now around 10AM Orlando time. This is important for later in the story. Now I have never used Magical Express before and I was way too paranoid about someone else handling my luggage so we did NOT do the Magical Express bag check thing. Therefore after the flight lands we head to baggage claim. I get my bag. We wait for Michael's bag.

And wait.

And wait.

The belt is now empty and there are other people standing and waiting. Grrrr. So we go to who I believe was the nastiest United employee ever.

Hi. It's been like 20 minutes and no more bags our coming out. We are missing one.
::audible sigh:: Go to the machine over there : points: and to see where the bag is.
Ok

So we enter our flight info and get SOME MORE PIXIE DUST!!! Michael's bag is on another flight and will be arriving in Orlando at 2:00PM. Fantastic.

So again we have no idea what to do. We go to the United desk, back to the same woman.

Hi. So we used the machine and it said our bags are on a different flight and won't be here unti...
: ::audible sigh as she cuts us off:: Go to the machine over there and file a lost baggage claim.
Ok...

At this time there are other people discovering the same thing about their bags. So the mood is not happy at United baggage claim. The machine tells us we have a couple choices.

1. Wait in the airport until the flight arrives and get our bag then.
2. Have United deliver the bag to the hotel.
3. Have the bag sent back to Chicago

So Michael and I debate this. Do we really want to waste time sitting in the airport waiting for the bag. We had other things to do. At the same time we didn't know if we could trust United to deliver our bags. All of Michael's stuff, included wedding items he needed, were in the bag. So maybe we should just wait and guarantee we get our bags.

So we go back to the woman.

Hi. We want to know if there is a guarantee that our bags will be delivered today. We don't want to risk..
:cuts us off again: YES. THEY ARE DELIVERED BY 6, UGH. ::turns to next customer::
WOW. ::whips out pen and paper, turns to Michael:: Hold on a second I need to write down her name...

Ok so we go back to the machine. Now it is asking us all this info. It wants to know the address of Beach Club. Michael asks me if I know. "Uh...no." So we hit cancel...back to the woman."

We don't know the address of the Beach Club.
::rolls eyes:: Just put in "Beach Club WDW" and they will know what it means!

Again, I don't understand why she had so much attitude. How on Earth were we supposed to know that?

So that is finally done. We head to Magical Express. I have never used Magical Express before. All I had with me were the tear-out vouchers from the giant book they send. Apparently you need to bring the whole booklet. Then why are the vouchers tear-out? So we have to get in another line where someone proceeds to write "B" on the voucher. Then we go back to the original line. I don't understand why "B" couldn't have been written on the ticket in the original line considering all the lines had employees with computers.

So now we wait in more lines. It takes a good 30-40 minutes to get on a bus. Then we wait some more. Our bus is not magical. There is no video. No pomp an circumstance as we enter Disney. I would never use Magical Express again. I would rather pay $30-$50 and get on a MEARS bus, other type of shuttle, or cab and not stand around and wait forever.

So FINALLY we are at the Beach Club...

 

[SleepingBeautyOH]

Subscribing!
Hopefully your arrival day gets better!

 

[honey2741]

I love your Studio photos. Thanks for sharing your experience with DPS for the Dessert Party. It helped me more than you know. Unfortunately, I am still going to go with them and PRAY for Firework shots. Shouldn't they know the show like the back of their hands? I don't want to have to go commando, but I will!! Now you paid for the CD, what do you get if you DON'T purchase the CD? Thanks.

 

[twenty3curls]

Always cracks me up someone has a job that rotates entirely around customer service and he/she is the CRANKIEST person in the building. Perhaps a new career?!

Well, I hope everything worked out with the luggage delivery! Looking forward to reading more.

 

[PrincessShea]

Subscribing!
Hopefully your arrival day gets better!

Thanks for following

I love your Studio photos. Thanks for sharing your experience with DPS for the Dessert Party. It helped me more than you know. Unfortunately, I am still going to go with them and PRAY for Firework shots. Shouldn't they know the show like the back of their hands? I don't want to have to go commando, but I will!! Now you paid for the CD, what do you get if you DON'T purchase the CD? Thanks.

HTH Unfortunately I do NOT know what you get if you don't buy the CD. I'm sure someone on the main board will know.

Always cracks me up someone has a job that rotates entirely around customer service and he/she is the CRANKIEST person in the building. Perhaps a new career?!

Well, I hope everything worked out with the luggage delivery! Looking forward to reading more.

Yea seriously, I don't get some people! Thanks for following!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

"I do feel bad for all the outside photographers. I read virtually all their blogs and look at all their websites. Randy, Misty, the Roots...they do so many Disney weddings and I think right about now the weddings that were booked after the October cut-off date are beginning; so I think we are going to see less and less outside photographer pictures."

Please, what is this October cut off date? Please tell me that Disney is not cutting out ALL outside photographers!!!! - Just in the theme parks, right?

I am so sorry you were disappointed but you still look GEORGEOUS in the photos posted here!!

Hugs
Joanne

 

[PrincessShea]

Finally Magic Express is at the Beach Club.

Behold it's glory

We had never been inside the lobby. We have only admired it from afar. So I was kind of surprised how small the lobby is. I was expecting something bigger, like the Dolphin lobby, or GF/Poly. Regardless, we checked-in and the room is ready. It was 566 at the Beach Club Villas. So we headed over.

We saw this painting on the walk over. Want!

We get to the room and it's ok. It was really nice having an area with a fridge and microwave. It came in very handy when we had left over wedding cake. We got the room through the buy 4 get 3 free deal, and if I paid anywhere near rack for the room I would have had severe buyers remorse. The view was...of the DVC pool and parking lot. We had a nice sized balcony though.

Pan a little right

A little more right

Night vision! And a better view of the pool.

We got a towel animal!

I unpack everything and prepare the welcome bags. Then we head over to Epcot. On the walk over I took a picture of Boardwalk across Crescent Lake. You can almost SEE how thick the humidity was.

A preview of the horrible stiff awkward poses to come

At the International Gateway we exchange our AP vouchers for the actual pass. We also buy a Tables in Wonderland card. It is around 1PM now, so we decide to mill around Epcot a bit. We take a picture in Morocco where our DP will be. At this time I realize that the wall at Morocco is not level. If you are facing future world, the wall on the right side of the water wheel is taller than the wall on the left side. Just an FYI because I *believe* you can reserve only one side of the terrace for a DP. We ended with the East and West side for $200 but I am almost positive we were offered just one side for $100 venue rental fee.

We walk around some more. At the entrance to future world we stop and get our first Photopass pics. I will do a whole rant about Photopass later in the TR. We start getting hungry at this point and decide to got to Downtown Disney to eat. We eat at Earl of Sandwich. Mmmm. I got a tuna melt. Very delicious.

Advanced warning, there is almost no food porn in this TR. I am not a good TR picture taker.

We also went to Goofy's Candy Company. Here is where I made a mistake. I got a Mickey crispie thing covered in milk chocolate, dipped in rainbow sprinkles, and drizzled with white chocolate. I ate the whole thing. So now I have that whole thing and a tuna melt in me and I feel horrible.

We head back to the room and relax for a little bit. Soon enough it's around 6PM. Michael's parents pick us up and we go to Port Orleans where we pick up Michael's best man. We then head outside of Disney and to Giordano's where we meet up with my family. This was our welcome dinner. It was cheap and had food everyone liked. And yes, I know how sad it is that people from Chicago went all the way to Orlando to have Chicago pizza.

There was a lot of food left over so we ended up taking practically an entire stuffed pizza back to the room with us. Thank god for the fridge. We then went on the balcony and talked for a bit, then it was off to bed. Tomorrow would be the wedding day!!!!

 

[PrincessShea]

Please, what is this October cut off date? Please tell me that Disney is not cutting out ALL outside photographers!!!! - Just in the theme parks, right?

I am so sorry you were disappointed but you still look GEORGEOUS in the photos posted here!!

Hugs
Joanne

Thanks

If you signed your contract before October 2008, you could still use outside photography in the parks. If you signed your contract after October 2008 you cannot use outside photography inside the parks.

You can still use them OUTSIDE the park though. So if you are planning anything at the Wedding Pavilion, or SeaBreeze Point, or inside the resort banquet halls, you can use outside photography. If you want your ceremony inside Epcot though for example, you must use Disney Photography. If you are having a dessert party inside Epcot, you must use Disney Photography.

 

[Pirate's Princess]

So I have been reading your TR and just caught up reading the PJ. Let me just say I love the jewelry and the shoes. I totally want them!!!

Secondly I totally appreciate the honesty about DPS. While it makes me very sad since I'm required to have them. But at least I know what to expect. And I'm definitely willing to protest with you ladies!

Sorry about the magical express horror. We've always checked out bags but that sounds like a nightmare!!

And P.S. I feel your pain about time constraints as a teacher. I just signed with a new district that has different vacation times, so I'll need to take a couple more days off than I planned, but oh well.

 

[LittleMissMagic]

Hello! Just wanted to drop by and say you and your new hubby are absolutely adorable!!! The pictures turned out great. Your wedding looks fabulous. I can't wait for more updates!

 

[kafitty]

hey there, i'm subscribing! you're gorgeous and hilarious - that hubby of yours knew what he was doing. i can't wait to see the rest of your pics!!

 

[PrincessShea]

Hello! Just wanted to drop by and say you and your new hubby are absolutely adorable!!! The pictures turned out great. Your wedding looks fabulous. I can't wait for more updates!

hey there, i'm subscribing! you're gorgeous and hilarious - that hubby of yours knew what he was doing. i can't wait to see the rest of your pics!!

Thanks ladies Since it's been a month since the wedding, I've contacted Studio 222 and they said the pictures should be here any day . Can't wait to fill you all in on the rest of the details.

 

[Vallie]

just joining in! u and ur hubby are tooo cute!

 

[PrincessShea]

Getting ready....

Well, the clock strikes 5:30 am. Actually it blinks to 5:30 am; I digress. Carolyn Allen's is scheduled to arrive at 8, so I have a lot of time to kill. I try and fall back asleep, but it's useless. My psychosis gets the best of me, and I decide to go check the weather. I grab Michael's laptop and head down to the Beach Club lobby. I check weather.com. accuweather.com, wesh.com, weather.gov, and weatherunderground.com. The Weather Channel was actually the most pessimistic with a 40% chance during the afternoon. Accuweather was the most positive with a 10% chance.

I go back upstairs and basically just stare at the wall. Eventually Michael wakes up. We talk a little bit and go through weather scenarios with him. He stares into space and pretends to indulge my paranoia. Two ladies from Carolyn Allen's arrive and promptly begin ironing the dresses. They are fast, efficient, and out of the way. I really recommend them.

They finish around 9am. Patricia Le Jeune is scheduled to arrive at around 10:30. Mike and I talk a little more. I run through all the things he has to do: 1. don't forget the rings, 2. give Ron the check 3. Give Amy the cake topper and champagne flutes. "I know, I know," he says. Mike leaves at 10 to go have breakfast with Carl, who is staying at POFQ. After breakfast they are going to the Swan to get ready with Michael's parents and sister.

Shortly after Mike leaves my sisters and mom arrive. At 10:25 Patricia arrives with her assistant (whose name I don't remember! Anyone recognize her?) They promptly get to work. Patricia starts my sisters makeup and the assistant preps my hair. After my hair is prepped, my sisters get their hair started.

Durp de durp

At noon, Disney floral arrives with the bouquets. Although in hindsight, I really love the way my bouquet looks, my initial reaction was UGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH

My #1 request was that the roses be opened. I hate the way bouquets look when the roses are all tight and closed. So like a total OCD weirdo I start opening them one by one. The other thing I wasn't crazy about was the greenery in my sisters bouquets. I wanted pink and hot pink roses with white or ivory delphiniums at the bottom. However, I did request that fewer roses be in the bouquet so the price was $75 instead of $125. Well, maybe Disney floral thought they were doing me a favor by adding the greens to fill it out. I also didn't like the green in the white flowers at the bottom. BUT, in hindsight...oh my god who cares. I was a little too psycho about it.

Bridesmaid bouquet

My bouquet

Hidden Mickey

The hidden Mickey is another thing I want to comment on. Yea it was only $3...but if I were advising someone, I wouldn't do it. For one thing, it took forever for me to find it. LOL. And by the time I did, it was so buried in there, my only thought was "really, what was the point." Again, do what makes you happy, but hindsight being 20/20; I would have used the $3 to buy...uh...half an ice cream Mickey?

Shortly after Disney floral arrived, Becka from Studio 222 arrived.

The dress

Pic I took that I prefer

At this point Patricia had finished my sisters hair and makeup and was ready to move on to me. She asked how I wanted it and I said I wanted to look like I had makeup on, but I didn't want to look ridiculous. In other words, I am a plain Jane everyday of my life so no need to replicate that look ...but at the same time I don't want to look like a clown. For my hair I went back and forth a lot prior to the wedding. Part of me wanted to have it up because I love Patricia's updo's so much. But another part of me also imagined my hair down whenever I pictured our wedding. I decided to go with down. I had been growing it out for so long, so might as well make it worth it.

I love this picture of Patricia. She was so sweet. I really, really, really recommend her. I know a lot of people complain about the poor communication they have with her, and honestly, I had it too. I even booked someone else. But a couple months before the wedding my gut just told me to go with her. Glad I did.

My sisters were still fidgeting even though it looked perfect

Patricia and her assistant leave and at this point it's time to get into the dress. So Becka just stands there and is like "ok, get in"...um? So I am dying of embarrassment telling my mom and sisters DON'T LOOK! So I get it, with my pants on, while Becka is snapping pictures. None of these pictures made the cut and I'm sure there is a good reason. I didn't strip down in front of other people for gym class, and I sure wasn't going to start now!

Put on the earrings

And voila. Behold the power of MAC cosmetics!

Next time on Katie's TR...a very special trip to the Walt Disney Swan. But first stay tuned for a message from our sponsors, "Accessories, Rings & Things"...

 

[TimeforMe]

OMG--your post made me LOL. We've all been there and gotten a little too psycho over things, huh? Nice you can laugh at yourself though Your gown is gorgeous, flowers beautiful, your hair is awesome--everything looks great!

 

[twenty3curls]

I love how your hair turned out! I want to do a very similar style, using my natural curls. And, I'm leaning toward Patricia, so it's nice to see a good example!

 

[lurkyloo]

My #1 request was that the roses be opened. I hate the way bouquets look when the roses are all tight and closed. So like a total OCD weirdo I start opening them one by one.

OMG - me too!!! In fact, when we were planning an Escape wedding I was all over these boards trying to find pictures of the Escape rose bouquet with open roses, and I even posted here asking about it. I just think closed roses look cheap - like they came from the supermarket or the gas station or something.

BUT, in hindsight...oh my god who cares. I was a little too psycho about it.

HIGH-larious! I am so excited that you got your pictures and can do your report now!