Rachel and Corey's Wishes Wedding 12/7/15 Update 4/20 HONEYMOON DAY 1

[kanadar]

Love all the details! Looks like everything is coming together! It's so exciting!

Rehearsal Dinner 6pm-8pm at the Attic

We are having the Chip & Dale buffet. We are substituting out the ice cream and adding the ooey gooey toffee cake from LTT. We are having an open beer & wine bar from 6pm-7:30. We are inviting all of our guests since they are traveling.

We had a Welcome Dessert Party (we couldn't do an illuminations DP because it was a weekend during F&W) and we invited everyone. This was one of the best decisions we made! We were able to talk to pretty much everyone then so we didn't feel pressured to walk around to every table and thank everyone for coming. We were able to actually enjoy our reception!

Can't wait to hear more!

 

[rachel09985]

I have a small little update to post!

I just got back from my first dress fitting. I was really worried about the length and that she was going to shorten the caramel color in the middle. She was able to take it up throughout the middle so it didn't affect the caramel color.

While I was there she did a sample bustle (you can see in pictures). I thought it was fine there but my BFF did not like it and then everyone else agreed they didn't. So i looked for my dress on Mori Lee instagram and saw a different much simpler bustle. I am almost positive that she did this as an example when I dropped my dress off so I don't know why I didn't say something then.





I am also regretting having her take the belt sash off. It looks weird how it stops short of the back. Grr..

Anyways-- I created my welcome letter for the wedding. This one is specific to the wedding but I will have on specific to christmas at wdw.





I also got my bachelorette party ears. The party is this weekend.



My good friend who just found out she is pregnant with twins just told me she isn't coming. So now we are down to 26 people for sure. I am still waiting to hear back from corey's aunt and uncle, my aunt and uncle, and my friend from minnesota. I am pretty sure they will all say no.

I also bought a really cheap bracelet from Macys for the wedding day

 

[fallonkendra]

I love reading these! I love the colour of your dress, it's so different!

 

[mandy_22]

Hi Rachel,

Your planning journal has been really helpful and fun to read! I love all of your pictures. I am trying to figure out how much our wedding will cost as far in advance as possible, and I am curious about your outside vendors. So if you don't mind sharing....Who are you using for photography and videography? And what is included in the packages you chose?

Thank you!

 

[Hydra]

Omg, your shower was adorable! Also the budget numbers, I'll agree, are super helpful.

Are those rhinestone ears heavy?

 

[rachel09985]

I love reading these! I love the colour of your dress, it's so different!

Thank you! Me too!

Hi Rachel,

Your planning journal has been really helpful and fun to read! I love all of your pictures. I am trying to figure out how much our wedding will cost as far in advance as possible, and I am curious about your outside vendors. So if you don't mind sharing....Who are you using for photography and videography? And what is included in the packages you chose?

Thank you!

We are using Ashley Jane photography. We are paying for 10 hours which is about $3,400. 8 hours is $2,600. Videography is with Beyond Videography and his package is $1,750 for 10 hours and two videographers.

Omg, your shower was adorable! Also the budget numbers, I'll agree, are super helpful.

Are those rhinestone ears heavy?

Thank you!! No, they are very light! They are very deceiving. Super cute though.

 

[rachel09985]

I had my bachelorette party last weekend! It was a lot of fun but I am now old and don't like going out.

The first thing we did was have a painting class. That was so much fun!!



I also gave my bridesmaids their shirts to wear. They really liked them!





My painting with the hidden mickey in the tree.



After painting I changed in to a dress with my mickey ears.









We went to the casino and I lost $25! We also went out and had a couple drinks. It was fun! I got $125 to spend at Victorias Secret, some lingerie from armani! (my friend got it from free from work), some bridal night lingerie, undies to wear wedding day, a picture album, and a bottle of Rosa Regala!

On another note we got out final guest count. We are having 26 people including us. I really wanted around 30 but at least it saves money. I also added the ride mix in after the dessert party. I then wanted to add Minnie but lowering my guest count didn't make a big enough dent so I had to drop Minnie again. And corey doesn't really want her either. Haha. We are most excited for the ride mix in.

Our final count is
Corey and Me
My Dad and Stepmom
Mom
Brother and Sister
Three Aunts on my mom side
Aunt and Uncle on my dads side
Dads brother and family
Bridesmaid Emily and her bf
My friend Karyn
My cousin and her daughter
Corey's sister, BIL, and nephew

I really hope it will still be fun. That is honestly what I am most nervous about. With so few people we have to get up and dance!

Countdown is going on to 25 days and I am going to be so broke for the next few months. I couldn't pay all of it in cash so some had to go on credit card. I know it isn't good but I had no other option.

 

[Libby_Darling]

Hi Rachel! Aahhhhh I've just caught up with your PJ, it's all so exciting! And we have so many similarities! Both booking Ashley-Jane, similar dress, similar guest count, buffet, dessert party...lots of good stuff! I'm gutted because I'll just miss you - we're flying out for our PS on the 19th December! You'll be all married and loved up by then, yay!! Your bridal shower looked so lovely, we don't really do that in the UK! Annoyingly, haha!

What is Ashley-Jane like? We are soooooooo excited to meet her hopefully in December! She seems so so so awesome on email, I can't wait to work with her! Your engagement photos are beautiful

Thank you so much for sharing your budget, we have a very similar guest count so it was so helpful! And thankfully it's pretty much what I've budgeted for us! So fingers crossed we can stick to that Your buffet sounds amazing, so much good food! We are getting so excited for our planning session now and to try all our food!

Not long to go now!! I've been reading your dining reviews since before our first trip in 2011 so I kinda feel like I know you and I'm so excited for you!! You're going to have the most amazing day, don' worry about the money (easier said than done I know as I'm exactly the same) but you won't have any regrets on the day Putting some on a credit card is really not that bad, we'll probably have to do the same and I've had to just get over it, it's not like we got out a huge loan and then got married and had to pay it all off for the next 5 years! That's what Ben always says to me, and he's right!

Enjoy the final few days before you get married and just try to relax and enjoy the build-up! xxxxxxxxxx

 

[Sarah28]

Just caught up - love all your engagement pics, and bridal shower / bachelorette party pics, looks like you ladies had fun! Your dress is beautiful and you are so close to your big day! We have 26 guests too and we feel the same about it, good we're saving money but hope people will still enjoy themselves. Enjoy your last few weeks and can't wait to see wedding pics! x

 

[rachel09985]

I have a few updates to post.

We just had our first dance lesson on Thursday night. We were both pretty nervous but it was fine. I am not a very good dancer, apparently I have control issues and was having problems with Corey leading. We have been practicing every day and I am closing my eyes so I can feel him lead from now on.

We also had his suit fitting today! His jacket was a bit bit but we are getting it altered.



We also bought his shoes. On the left. They were more than we wanted to spend but they are so nice!!



On Thursday I got our hangtags for our welcome bags.



And one more bridesmaid gift-- they are so spoiled!!!



I have also never posted this but we have had our wedding bands for a while even though we owe a little bit more on them. Mine was expensive...eeek! corey's is cheap because it is titanium.







I also ordered my cookies from Cookie Cousins, which is a place in Orlando. They are pretty expensive but I really wanted them. They are basically our wedding favor. We will pick them up on the way in.

We are getting 10 GB Packers Helmets


10 Mickeys


10 Monogram


I also bought a couple more welcome bag items.

Advil Packets
Bandaid Packets
AntiBac from BBW
and our first snack Breadstick and Nutella to go (from costco)

We are also adding
sparkling water
chips from costco
granola bars from costco
trail max from costco
bottled water
mini wine bottles
Fruit (buy once we get to orlando)
his and her candy bag- mine will have reeses and coreys will have snickers
and possibly mini ornaments once we get to orlando

I know that is a lot but with only 9 welcome bags it makes it easy.

The other drama is that the company that I am renting my chairs from is being a pain. I decided to get rid of the cocktail party chairs and just use the tall tables and the benches. Well I told Orlando party & rentals (you can change your count up until 3 weeks) which is monday. She called me back and said that is going under the minimum. There was never no mention of minimum nor does it say that in my contract. I am not going to be very nice if she doesn't lower it for me. That would save me $80! Which at this point is a lot.

Thats it for now! Three weeks left. Freak out mode full swing.

 

[rachel09985]

Two weeks until we leave for Florida and 18 days until the wedding. It is starting to get so real.

I picked up my dress yesterday and had a major panic attack afterwards. I just didn't like how it looked compared to when I tried it on. The back is beautiful though.





I emailed her and told her I wanted the top be moved up a bit but she basically emailed me back and said that in order for the top to be tight against me it had to change the shape a little bit. I like it I just miss what it used to look, especially in the middle.

We also got our hashtag sign frames. I LOVE these hashtag signs.



As I mentioned before I didn't get to do a hair trial. It kind of bothers me but not too much. If I don't like it I will just make them do it again. I want something simple and elegant.

Here are some styles I like.







Because I didn't like my dress I decided to add a necklace. This is the necklace I bought from Dillards. I hope I like it.



It matches my earrings very well.

I have been thinking about modifying our BEO. I thing I want to remove the floral at the ceremony. I want a little color somewhere though so I am not sure what to do. I am hoping they can add something that is cheaper.

Otherwise, I am going to remove them. The things I want to add at the reception are a gold tablecloth on the cake table, candles on the cake table and sweetheart, and a navy overlay on our sweetheart table.

We had our first call with the DJ(Charles Miles). He seems great! He seems like he shares my vision and likes a lot of the same music we do. I just don't want any corny music at all. He definitely understood that!

 

[happy2012]

I'm all caught up Rachel. Oh my gosh-only days now!!!!!!!! Let me just say, I think everything is perfect so far. I LOVE your dress it's so elegant, classy, all of those things, you look beautiful! I adore those sweet, vintage Disney movies in frames,that might be my favorite extra added design touch. Have an incredible time, I'll be thinking of you.

 

[Sugarbaby1022]

Just read your journal from the start! Congrats on your planning and your wedding coming up!!!! Absolutely LOVED all the dress pics, but definitely LOVED the dress you chose. It's perfect!! CONGRATS AGAIN!!

 

[rachel09985]

I'm all caught up Rachel. Oh my gosh-only days now!!!!!!!! Let me just say, I think everything is perfect so far. I LOVE your dress it's so elegant, classy, all of those things, you look beautiful! I adore those sweet, vintage Disney movies in frames,that might be my favorite extra added design touch. Have an incredible time, I'll be thinking of you.

Thank you!! I miss you on facebook! I am super excited! Mostly for the vacation!

Just read your journal from the start! Congrats on your planning and your wedding coming up!!!! Absolutely LOVED all the dress pics, but definitely LOVED the dress you chose. It's perfect!! CONGRATS AGAIN!!

Thank you so much!! I am so excited.

 

[rachel09985]

We have one week left until we leave for Florida. When we moved to Ohio we decided we were going to drive to Florida. It is about a 13 hour drive to Gainesville then two hours to Orlando. So needless to say anxiety is kicking in. Severe anxiety. On top of figuring out how I am going to pay for all of the remaining things I have to pay for I am trying to tie up all loose ends. And Thanksgiving is tomorrow so we are heading home for that.

A few updates:

I have started to put together our welcome bags. The pink bag has bandaids, hand sanitizer, and advil. I still have a lot more to buy for them.




We got Corey's suit.. so handsome!


I got my necklace in the mail. I don't think I am going to keep it. I like it but I originally wanted just earrings.





We also got our card box. I got a mini trunk and then ordered a cards sign on etsy.





Tonight I printed out our guest bag documents. It was a lot more than I thought. I should have just printed them off at work. It was $31 for 20 copies!







Also, there has been a lot of etsy drama. I ordered a sign +two months ago that was expensive and no sign of shipment or proof sent to me. I emailed and send etsy messages and was not getting responses. Finally she sent me the proof (without the disney and hidden mickeys) I had to have her add them in. I really love it but it was train wreck.



I took my dress back last week to get fixed. The top wasn't even and the fabric puckered. So she fixed it.

In this pic I am pulling it down taut.



I also printed out my guest book sign. I really like it.



I also made the decision to get my dress steamed in disney. I am not happy about the $150 cost just to steam a dress but I just feel like it would be better.

On my to do list
Buy Kids gifts (4 $25 gift cards)
Buy parents gifts
buy groomsmen gifts
finish welcome bags
get my hair highlighted next week
pack

EEK! So much to do!!!

 

[Hydra]

Your signs are so cute!!!

 

[Doodlebug25413]

Your (oh my gosh now hubby?!?!) is handsome!
Love everything. Hoping everything has smoothed itself out & especially your gown. Talk about last minute stress.
Can't wait to read your updates!!

 

[UGAFan0829]

HAPPY WEDDING DAY!!!

 

[AmandaM84]

Just started reading this....and noticed the date. CONGRATULATIONS!!! I cannot wait to see photos. Loved everything you've done.

 

[TXMNie]

Congratulations! Can't wait to hear all about it!