Planning our big Cuban Disney Wedding... On a budget. 1.7.2011.

[Princessfifi]

Hi,

I've been reading this board since last August, when we decided on having a Disney Wedding. After completing my first year of Law School, and noticing there are 7 months till our big day, I thought it would be fun to start posting

About Us

I'm Anais, 22, and my fiancé is Aldo, 27. We met while I was in undergraduate in Miami. He was my "powder puff" football coach for my sorority. At first, we were great friends, but after hanging out for a month, we realized that we really liked one another (He says he liked me from day one). After three months of dating we lost contact, but by January (about a month of a break) we started talking again and decided to become exclusive. Since that moment, we have been inseparable. After 2 years of dating (and countless trips to Disney), we planned a trip to run the Disney Marathon on January 11, 2009.

An Engagement Story

In October 2008, I began to apply for law schools out of state (we're both originally from FL), and we began discussing long term plans. We both knew we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together. However, I didn't think he would propose so soon. On January 9, we arrived in Disney and picked up our race packets. My best friends and my parents informed us that they were driving up to see us run the marathon. I was so excited because it was my first long race, and the thought of family and friends cheering me on, made me so excited.

We made plans to meet my best friends at Magic Kingdom on the 10th in order to enjoy the day and maybe grab some lunch. However, I noticed that my BF (my maid of honor) and Aldo were acting a bit strange. I just brushed it off, and continued to enjoy my day. However, around noon, Aldo told me that he had to take me somewhere. I thought we were going to Casey's, his favorite place to eat in MK. However, he directed me towards Cinderella's Castle and told me we were eating there. I was so excited!!! Since I was a little girl, I would beg my parent's to take me there. But they never did. I thought "That was it, that's why Aldo and Christy were acting so strange." But boy, was I in for a surprise.

After a fabulous lunch, surrounded by a bunch of little girls in their princess costumes, I see our waiter coming towards us with a huge ceramic plate. As he placed it in front of me, i look at him and let him know that we hadn't ordered desert, and he mistaked us for another table. But that's when Aldo got up, and got down on one knee. I was very confused. I thought "what's going on, is there something in the water. Everyone has lost their marbles." Then the waiter proceeded to lift the cover, and sitting there is a glass slipper was a beautiful ring (conflict free diamond) surrounded by rose petals!

I said yes, in between crying and jumps. All the disney princesses came by to congratulate us, and a little girl even came up to me to see my ring. (I thought this was hilarious!)

As we were exiting the restaurant, we were met by our family and friends who were waiting to congratulate us. That had to be one of the best moments I have ever experienced. He worked so hard on making sure it was everything I dreamed of.

Our Wedding

Since I was a little girl, my parents would take us to Disney about once every two to three months, and I remember passing by the GF WP and would look at my dad and tell him that I wanted to get married there. They would look at me, and deep down inside they knew it would occur. I have loved Disney from Day 1.

So, Aldo knew I wanted a Disney Wedding. He has grown a love for Disney since we started dating. Pretty much every vacation we took was to disney. We waited on setting a date until after I was admitted into a Law School. I was accepted to the University of Maryland School of Law, GO TERPS! I moved up in August, and Aldo moved up in December. We decided on getting married in Disney, and attended our first planning session in January 2010. Our date was set for January 7, 2011.

Wedding Details- Rehearsal Dinner- 8:30 p.m. Sago Cay, Dessert Party (Wishes)
- Ceremony- 10:00 a.m. Wedding Pavillion
- Cocktail Hour- Terrace of the Atlantic Dance Hall
- Reception- Atlantic Dance Hall, Brunch Buffet

- Colors- Pink (think coral) and hints of green (minimal)
- Bridesmaids- 4 (two MOH, and two BM)
- Groomsmen- 4 (1 BM, 3 GM)

- Wedding Specialist- Carol Mikles- I heart her so much! She is absolutely fabulous.
- Officiant- Tim Herring
- Make-up Artist- Patricia LeJeune
- Planning Session- August 13, 2010

- Theme- Even though I didn't want a "theme", I am a 70 year old woman, stuck in the body of a 22 year old. I wish I was born in the era of Frank Sinatra and Fred Astaire, where women dressed up to go to the grocery store and always looked fabulous. So we decided on keeping with that feel. Just think big band, and Rat Pack music playing, pink roses, and classic elegance. (minus to oppression of women) Plus, I love Mad Men even though that is set in the 1960's, so my dress for the rehearsal dinner is very Betty Drapper, and Aldo's suits are all accompanied with simple black and whites, and hopefully skinny tie for the rehearsal dinner.

Things we have purchased
- Luggage Tags- We ordered custom lugagge tags off of etsy
- Mickey Shirts- Off of Etsy for the RB and FG. (The RB is in camo, too cute)
- MOH Gifts- I found these fabulous red kate spade wristlets.
- Welcome Bags- We bough white trapeze boxes and ribbon tags from Etsy.
- Asprin, Shout Wipes, and Sewing Kits for the Welcome Bags
- My dress. Its a secret
- His suit

- We are currently shopping for invites for the RD and the Wedding
- I'm allowing the BM to pick their own dresses and they're shopping next weekend for them. I want them to feel beautiful

I look forward to speaking with all of you! I am so excited to hear all your advice and comments.

With love.

 

[puente0629]

From one Cuban to another, Welcome to the boards!! Your colors are so cute and can't wait to see pictures. My wedding is right after yours, 1/11/11.

 

[Princessfifi]

Hey,

I was glancing through your PJ and I love your ideas.

How do you post pictures, for some reason my profile doesn't let me post pictures.

Thanks!

 

[puente0629]

Hey,

I was glancing through your PJ and I love your ideas.

How do you post pictures, for some reason my profile doesn't let me post pictures.

Thanks!

Thanks!!

Transfer your pictures to www.photobucket.com, then when you click on the image on the left it it will say "Share this image", your going to copy the IMG Code, once you do just paste it on you board....let me know if you need help with anything

 

[Princessfifi]

Yay! I figured out how to post pictures. So here are a couple of me and Aldo.

Here is our proposal pictures.

Here are a couple of inspiration pictures we want for Ceremony decor

Possible Cakes: I have to scan better ones.

Possible Reception Decor:
We're using the tall cylanders that we're using in the ceremony as center pieces for 3 tables, and we're using 3 candelabras for the other tables.

We'll probably have table runners, rather than a full overlay.

Here are a couple of possible BM dresses:

Possible Hairstyle for me:

Possible Hairstyle for the BM:

The luggage tags we ordered:

All floral will be shades of pink roses, except my bouquet which will be all white roses.

I would love everyone's suggestions and feeback, as I really want to keep the 1950's rat pack theme/ mad men theme.

Cheers!

If you have any ideas let me know.

 

[puente0629]

I love the second cake, it's so pretty, the 3rd one is pretty 2, it was actually the cake i was going to get until i found my Chanel inspired cake.

 

[ghoulish delight]

Congrats and welcome! Love all the visuals and details you've posted so far. And what an awesome proposal story! Too cute. Looking forward to following along!

 

[Disney9.9.10]

Congratulations on your engagement and starting your PJ! Your engagement story was very sweet. You have some great ideas going already, I think that your wedding is going to be beautiful!

 

[Princessfifi]

I love the second cake, it's so pretty, the 3rd one is pretty 2, it was actually the cake i was going to get until i found my Chanel inspired cake.

I saw your chanel inspired cake and WOW it is fabulous. I love Chanel, plus it is so classy. I actually came across one yesterday, that you would love. I might scan it and post it soon, because I may be considering that new cake.

BTW, where did you get all your parisian things. My BM are planning a Moulin Rouge bridal shower and would love some guidance of where to get things.

Cheers!

 

[Princessfifi]

congrats and welcome! love all the visuals and details you've posted so far. And what an awesome proposal story! Too cute. looking forward to following along!

thank you!

 

[Princessfifi]

congratulations on your engagement and starting your pj! Your engagement story was very sweet. You have some great ideas going already, i think that your wedding is going to be beautiful!

thanks!!!

 

[Princessfifi]

So we've been discussing the issue of photography. At this moment, we were simply going with the Disney Photo Services, but after seeing so many beautiful pictures from other companies, I'm having second thoughts.

I was wondering if you guys could provide me with your opinions on your photographers, and whether the pricing was worth it.

Thanks!!!

 

[puente0629]

I saw your chanel inspired cake and WOW it is fabulous. I love Chanel, plus it is so classy. I actually came across one yesterday, that you would love. I might scan it and post it soon, because I may be considering that new cake.

BTW, where did you get all your parisian things. My BM are planning a Moulin Rouge bridal shower and would love some guidance of where to get things.

Cheers!

Thanks, that would great, can't wait to see the pic of the cake.

www.etsy.com is the best website to get vintage, handmade and new items for anything you might need.

 

[puente0629]

So we've been discussing the issue of photography. At this moment, we were simply going with the Disney Photo Services, but after seeing so many beautiful pictures from other companies, I'm having second thoughts.

I was wondering if you guys could provide me with your opinions on your photographers, and whether the pricing was worth it.

Thanks!!!

Disney photography was not for us, we really wanted a photojournalistic approach. Plus, Disney is very expensive compared to a lot of outside photographers. We are using Misty Miotto and her pictures are absolutely amazing and so are prices (www.mistymiotto.com). A lot of Disney brides have used her and swear by her. We were also really interested in Root Photography but they were way out of budget for us though they are extremely great as well.

 

[puente0629]

Like you are having a vintage theme as well, you can find great dresses for your flower girl at www.cutieclothes.com, for your bridesmaids you can go to www.dessy.com and if you really want to have ur girls dress like Mad Men ladies go to http://www.stopstaringclothing.com/sunshop/index.php?pg=5&l=product_list&c=20

 

[Princessfifi]

I just wanted to share that we booked our photographer!

I am so excited because I love their pictures, and they are extremely nice.

http://castaldostudio.com/http://castaldostudio.com/[URL="http://castaldostudio.com/"]CASTALDOStudio.com

YAY!

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[Princessfifi]

Hey!

So I've had a couple updates since the last time i posted. I've bought a guestbook off of etsy, which i absolutely love! My bird is pink with a dark pink wing, and DF's bird is black with a green wing. Our font is a harrington font, and our leaves where out guests will be signing are green. We also bought pink flowers to add as a decoration once all the leaves are affixed.

My bridemaids with the help of my mom, my mom's bestfriend, aunt, and grandma picked out bridesmaid dresses. I still haven't seen their dresses on, but I've heard that they all love the dresses they picked, which is all that matters. I want my bridesmaids to feel and look beautiful. They're dresses are in a color called begonia, which is like a rose color. Two of them are wearing the first one and two are wearing the other dress.

So we're less than a month away from our planning session! I'm way to excited.My Maid of Honor is driving up from Miami to meet me in Orlando with my grandma.

I can't wait to post more updates.

 

[Mydisneywedding]

Congratulations!!! I got so excited to see your PJ, I am getting married on 1/6/11, the day before your wedding, and I am also cuban

Disney is in for some treat 2 "cuban weddings" in 1 week. I love your ideas and your engagement story is adorable.

Best of luck planning!!!

Maria

 

[Princessfifi]

Hello! I haven't posted in a while, and thought I should provide some updates!

So, I attended our Planning Session on Friday and it was fabulous!!!! Carol is one of the nicest people I have ever met. I attended our planning session with one of my MOHs, my mom, and grandma. DF couldn't attend because he had to work.

8:30 a.m.- We met with our officiant, Rev. Tim Herring. He is awesome. He is extremely funny and really gave great advice. I felt so much better after I met him. My mom and grandmother loved him. He has worked with Carol in the past, which also makes me feel at ease.

9:00 a.m.- Planning session begins! Wow, it was overwhelming, but the planners work so hard to make sure that you feel at ease. She begun from the beginning of the wedding (the ceremony) to the end (the reception). We decided to rent a limo for three hours to take DF and groomsmen to the Grand Floridian, then to pick me up with my posse, and then to take DF and I to the Boardwalk after the ceremony. Carol, took us through a brief timeline, which i later discussed with our photographer.

Then we discussed music selections, we chose the following:

Prelude/ Guest Seating- When you wish upon a star
Our grandparents and parents- A dream is a wish your heart makes
Officiant and Groomsmen- One day my Prince will come
Bridesmaids- So this is love
Bride- West Minister Chimes (Carol's recommendation)
Unity Candle- I can't help falling in love with you- Elvis
Recessional- All you need is love- Beatles
Guest Exit- Fly me to the Moon

We decided on having a staged exit with petals.

We also decided on showcasing the bridesmaids when they enter.

Then we discussed Floral with Elizabeth from Disney Floral (she is fabulous).

I decided that I wanted a small bouquet, I am 5'2" and extremely petite. I didn't want the focal point to be the flowers. So i'm doing a solid bouquet of medium shade pink roses, with an ivory handle. My MOH and BM are having even smaller bouquets of medium shade and light pink roses. The groomsmen and fathers are wearing light pink rose bouts, DF is wearing a medium pink rose bout. We're having a unity candle and two square vases with medium pink roses. I wanted a very clean look. No pew decor, and we're having a custom aisle runner.

For the cocktail hour, we decided on ivory linens with no decor.

For the reception, we decided on having 8 tables of 4 people on the dance floor, and 8 tables of four on each side on the elevated part of the Atlantic Dance Hall. We're doing ivory linens, with ivory cocktail napkins. We're having 8 lamps the crystal ones with ivory lampshades (one on each table) and 8 small square vases with shades of pink roses. I wanted it to look like an old supper club, rather than a wedding. We're not doing chair covers (no offense but I hate chair covers), and we're keeping the wooden chairs from the ADH.

We decided that the sweetheart table will be decorated with my bouquet, and all the BM bouquets. The cake will have fresh floral.

Now for the cake We're having three tiers and each tier will have a different flavor. The bottom tier will be marble with buttercream filling, the medium layer will be red velvet with cream cheese filling, and the top tier will be chocolate with peanut butter filling (yum).

Next up... Meal selections, food tasting, stationary, photography

 

[puente0629]

Wow, everything sounds great and I like ur music selection.

Doesn't the buttercream taste exactly like the buttercream from Publix...it's do freaking good!