~*Amy and Shawn’s PJ*~June 6th, 2011 - Our Hawaiian Honeymoon!

[*Pixiedust1438*]

Table of Contents:

Planning Journal:
Intro and Engagement Pictures - This page!
Reception Tables and Decor - pg. 9
Will you be my Bridesmaid? - pg. 9
Monogram - pg. 9
Bridal Party Gifts, Dresses, and Wedding Bands - pg. 10
Inspiration Board - pg. 11
The Dress - pg. 13
Planning Session Trip Report Started - pg. 14
My bouquet and Invitations - pg. 15
Professional Engagement Pictures - pg. 16
Tiara, Garter, Ring Bearer Pillow, & Bridesmaid dress - pg. 17
Aisle Runner, Place Cards, Card Box, & Tuxes - pg. 18
Accessories - pg. 19
Rehearsal Invites, Menus, & Bathroom Baskets - pg. 20
Bachelorette Party, Shower, & Welcome Bags - pg. 21
Programs - pg. 22

Trip Report:
Sneak Peek Photos & TR started! - pg. 24
Rehearsal & Wedding Day - pg. 25
First few days as Newlyweds - pg. 26
Professional Pic's - pg. 26
Reception Pic's & Wish I did & Vendor Review - pg. 27
Hawaiian Honeymoon - pg. 27 & 28

°Hi everyone. I just wanted to start by saying how much wonderful information I have already gotten from these boards! I think it’s great that there is such a huge amount of information on here that you cannot fine anywhere else, and am very glad I discovered this! Thanks for all the help I’ve already gotten from the boards!

°I am very excited to finally join the boards as a member and begin planning my Disney World Wedding! Me and my DF got engaged on Friday December 11th, 2009.

Some background information on us:

The Bride: Amy, 22. I am currently a full time student, majoring in Early Childhood/Childhood Education. I also work part time as coordinator of the School Age Child Care after School Program in an Elementary School, and waitress.

The Groom: Shawn, 23. Shawn works full time installing granite counter tops, and also attends school part time as a Communications and Media Arts Major.

How we met: We have been dating for almost 7 years (February 12th is our anniversary). We met when I was a freshman and he was a sophomore in high school. He transferred to my school and we immediately became really close friends. After a few months of hanging out all the time, one day we kissed and have been dating ever since!

Engagement Story:: We have both known we were going to get married at some point for a while. Recently we have been talking about getting engaged soon, and about a month and a half ago he took me to look at rings. I picked out a few I liked. He wanted to surprise me so didn’t tell me any details of when or where. We live about 40 minutes from Niagara Falls, and had plans to spend the weekend up there to see the Winter Festival of Lights. He took a half day on Friday the 11th, and we drove up to Niagara Falls. We had a hotel room with a Jacuzzi, fireplace, and great few of both the American and Canadian Falls. We spent some time relaxing in the Jacuzzi with champagne and some chocolate covered strawberries I made. Then we went out to dinner at the Skylon Tower’s revolving dining room. The dining room actually revolves as you eat dinner so everyone can have a view of the falls. I have wanted to eat here forever, and it was really neat! After dinner we drove/walked around and saw all the lights. There is an area of the light displays that has a bunch of Disney displays, including sleeping beauty castle. Right after we looked at all the Disney displays, we walked across the street to watch the fireworks they do on Friday night’s right over the falls. While we were watching the fireworks he got down on one knee, told me he loved me, and asked me to marry him. Of course I said yes, and he had gotten me a beautiful ring! After the fireworks we went Ice skating, and then went to a lounge to have a drink and celebrate in the nearby casino.

Why Disney?: I have been talking about getting married in Disney for as long as I can remember! I LOVE Disney! I have so many wonderful memories at Disney; I couldn’t imagine spending my special day anywhere else. I have been several times with my family, and me and DF also took our first vacation together here (and walked over and looked at the WP and Franc’s!) When I first brought my plans up to my DF a long time ago, he was not really sure because he wanted his whole family to be there, but when we got engaged he told me he wasn’t getting married unless it was in Disney!!!

Wedding Plans: We are planning on getting married at the end of May 2011. This will be when I graduate from school. I have done some research on Disney Weddings in the past, and we know we want to get married at the WP. I also know we want to have a Wishes wedding, since we will have too many people to do an Escape, and we definitely can’t afford a Couture. I haven’t talked to DF about the reception site yet, but am leaning towards ADH from the research I have done so far. I haven’t contacted Disney yet, but plan on doing so in the next few days, even though the wedding is far away, I want to get some initial information.

°I am very excited to finally be planning a Disney Wedding! I have dreamed about it for a long time, and can’t believe it’s finally here. I want to thank everyone in advance for all the help I’m sure I’ll get on the boards. Any advice, suggestions, or information about their own wedding anyone has to share, I would love to hear!

 

[*Pixiedust1438*]

Our hotel room

View from our room

The Skylon Tower

View from the Skylon Tower as it revolves

Me enjoying dinner

A few of the Disney Displays!

Me in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle Display right after we got engaged!

Me in our hotel room the morning after our engagement

My engagement ring

DF at Clifton Hill

 

[Pirate's Princess]

YAY! I'm the first to say CONGRATS! and

That is a beautiful engagment story, and now it's on to the fun part!! Call Disney, you're past the 18 month mark and you can get a consultant who can help you with all yours questions, and of course there's us! And you should get Carrie's passporter book. It's a really great resource.

Congrats again!

 

[MainStMandy]

Just wanted to say hello and Congratulations neighboor!! I live in Rochester, but graduated from Buffalo State College (a few years ago, )

I can't see your pictures though Looking forward to reading more!

 

[*Pixiedust1438*]

YAY! I'm the first to say CONGRATS! and

That is a beautiful engagment story, and now it's on to the fun part!! Call Disney, you're past the 18 month mark and you can get a consultant who can help you with all yours questions, and of course there's us! And you should get Carrie's passporter book. It's a really great resource.

Congrats again!

Thanks for being the first to welcome me! I wasn't sure when to contact Disney so thanks for the advice, I will call them in a few days when Christmas is over. Also thanks for the advice on the book, I bought it today and it is awesome!

Just wanted to say hello and Congratulations neighboor!! I live in Rochester, but graduated from Buffalo State College (a few years ago, )

I can't see your pictures though Looking forward to reading more!

Thanks! I have family in Rochester and will be visting there this weekend! Nice to have someone nearby reading my PJ. I now have someone to complain to about the cold and snow who will understand! LOL. I tried putting my pictures up again and think they are working now, but they are really small. I'm still trying to figure everything out on the boards.

 

[BecBennett]

Congratulations! I can't wait to follow through with your plans!

 

[Boston Disney Bride]

Yay! Welcome and congrats on the engagement!!! I look forward to following your plans! Have a nice Christmas

 

[*Pixiedust1438*]

Congratulations! I can't wait to follow through with your plans!

Yay! Welcome and congrats on the engagement!!! I look forward to following your plans! Have a nice Christmas

Thanks girls! Right now I am trying to decide where to have the reception so I can call Disney and possibly get penciled in. I am thinking ADH, but am not sure. I like it the best, but think I will only be having around 50 guests, and am afraid it will be too big for that number. It also says that all floral, decor, and entertainment must be provided by Disney. I would much prefer to make and bring my own centerpieces, favors, etc. Any opinions?

 

[MainStMandy]

Thanks girls! Right now I am trying to decide where to have the reception so I can call Disney and possibly get penciled in. I am thinking ADH, but am not sure. I like it the best, but think I will only be having around 50 guests, and am afraid it will be too big for that number. It also says that all floral, decor, and entertainment must be provided by Disney. I would much prefer to make and bring my own centerpieces, favors, etc. Any opinions?

We are having abour 40 people and I started to think ADH was too big. Someone sent me pictures...but I believe she has removed them now so I can't share. For 50 people it would be a little big, but not huge!! I'm not sure about bringing your own stuff because I thought ADH has special rules. We ended ruling it out because of the cost for an evening reception. I love it in there though!! I miss when it was actually a 1940's style swing club...it used to be so much fun!

 

[lpizzuro123]

We were married last November and our reception was at ADH and we had exactially 50 people. I just posted a bunch of photos from our wedding on someones thread (was it yours - did you just ask that question) I don't remember. Check it out and let me know if you have any questions or want to see some photos. Misty was our photographer and we have over 3,500 photos so you can see all you want.

Linda

 

[lpizzuro123]

Ok - I just checked and that was you . Go check it out and then let me know if you have any questions. I just love talking about our wedding and it was over a year ago and my girlfriends at home are getting tired of listening to me (not like my fellow brides here on the disboards) .

Linda

 

[Chilly]

Welcome and COngratulations.

 

[*Pixiedust1438*]

Ok - I just checked and that was you . Go check it out and then let me know if you have any questions. I just love talking about our wedding and it was over a year ago and my girlfriends at home are getting tired of listening to me (not like my fellow brides here on the disboards) .

Linda

Linda, thank you so much for sharing your photos. They were awesome and gave me a really good idea of what ADH would actually look like during a reception, rather than just during regular club hours, which are pretty much they only pic's I have found so far. I am deff. leaning towards picking here, just have to get DF on board. I would LOVE to hear details of your wedding, especially you reception. Are you glad you had it at ADH? Anything you would have done different?

Welcome and COngratulations.

Thanks so much!

We are having abour 40 people and I started to think ADH was too big. Someone sent me pictures...but I believe she has removed them now so I can't share. For 50 people it would be a little big, but not huge!! I'm not sure about bringing your own stuff because I thought ADH has special rules. We ended ruling it out because of the cost for an evening reception. I love it in there though!! I miss when it was actually a 1940's style swing club...it used to be so much fun!

Yea I really like the old fashioned style it has. I just tried showing DF it and he was falling asleep. (I know it's late) He is usually the "Whatever you want type," only because he doesn't fell like spending time looking into things. But since this is our wedding, I really want him to have a say, especially where we have our reception. Oh well, I guess I will try again another day.

 

[MainStMandy]

Yea I really like the old fashioned style it has. I just tried showing DF it and he was falling asleep. (I know it's late) He is usually the "Whatever you want type," only because he doesn't fell like spending time looking into things. But since this is our wedding, I really want him to have a say, especially where we have our reception. Oh well, I guess I will try again another day.

Oh Linda's wedding was beautiful!! I'm glad someone showed you pictures. ADH is so awesome...it's absolutely gorgeous inside!!! And my df does the same thing...I pick the major things to show him...kinda narrow it down first otherwise I lose his attention.

 

[weedee]

Hi Amy, welcome to the boards! Congrats on your engagement, I just read through your PJ. Niagara Falls is so gorgeous, what a fantastic place to get engaged . Looking forward to hearing about your plans!

 

[ChocoKat]

Welcome to the boards Amy!
Your story is sooo cute!
Can't wait to follow along as you keep on planning

 

[*Pixiedust1438*]

Hi Amy, welcome to the boards! Congrats on your engagement, I just read through your PJ. Niagara Falls is so gorgeous, what a fantastic place to get engaged . Looking forward to hearing about your plans!

Thanks so much! We are lucky to be so close to the falls, however we do have to put up with the snow and cold so I guess it's a trade off!

Welcome to the boards Amy!
Your story is sooo cute!
Can't wait to follow along as you keep on planning

Thank you!


*So after spending LOTS of time with mine and DF's families the past few days we got a chance to tell everyone about our engagement and Disney plans. I was a little worried that no one would come, but a lot of people already said they will come so hopefully they all really will. One reason we are choosing Disney is because DF has a HUGE family, so a wedding up here would end up costing as much if not more for something we really don't want. And although we would love for everyone to be there, we really want a Disney wedding.

*Also, yesterday I was showing Df some choices for our reception, cocktail hour, and rehearsal dinner. After talking this is what we are thinking as of now. Deff. not 100% sure yet.

Rehearsal dinner: Epcot UK upper or lower during Illuminations.
*I liked the idea of having a dessert party on the day of our wedding, but DF does not want one. He doesn't want to have an early reception, and doesn't like the idea of having to move everyone to Epcot after the reception. The only reason I'm not fighting it is because if we end up doing ADH for the reception, I like it much better at night when it is dark. Because we are thinking May, it won't get dark until late, and if we did a dessert party it would be light almost the whole time in ADH. So we compromised and decided instead to do our rehearsal dinner at Epcot during Illuminations. (I am hoping you can do this, it says some hot foods can be served here, so it sounds like it.) Has anyone done this or know of any other Disbrides who have? Do you think it sounds like a good idea? Also, we are not sure about UK, but it sounds like for the # of people we will have and in order to serve hot food this is pretty much our only option. Any opinions on UK or advice on a diff. Epcot location that might work? We will have no more around 25 I think.

Ceremony: WP either 2:30 or 5
*This is the one thing we are sure about, is the WP. We are not sure which time would be better. Leaning more towards 2:30. Can you do the ceremony at other times or only the listed times such as 2:30, 5 etc. I would really prefer to do something in the middle but don't know if that is possible. Any advice on which time slot is better?

Cocktail Hour: Marina at the Grand Floridian.
*We are thinking our guests can just walk over and enjoy some drinks and snacks while we take pictures. I like this location because when me and DF were down a few years ago we rented boats from the marina and then ate lunch there. I liked the view of Cinderella castle from where we ate, and think the guests would enjoy being able to view the castle as well.

Reception: ADH
*Not 100%, but deff. leaning towards it. Df is not crazy about having to have a buffet, I don't mind because I think it provides for more mingling between guests. It is funny to see Df concerned about these things. I would never have imagined! LOL

*Please let me know your opinions on all of this. I would appreciate feedback even if it is constructive criticism.

 

[helloirishkitty]

Congratulations on your engagement! I'm excited to see other 2011 (and Buffalo!) brides planning too!

 

[Butler_chic07]

I read the beginning of this and knew I had to reply! This is why:

I also recently just got engaged (12/19) and have always known I wanted a Disney wedding! I have been browsing on these boards for awhile now and completely agree that it is a true treasure.

I am also 21 and majoring in Early/Middle Childhood Education. I have known by DF for 8 years. We have known that we are a "perfect match" and knew that we wanted to get married.

We also want to get married in 2011. May would be nice, but it will have to be later because my younger brother will be a senior in high school and won't be out of school until the beginning of June.

I am so excited for you and to read your plans. Hopefully I will get a PJ started soon! And look forward to hearing all the information you get from Disney because I wanted to contact them for some initial information too.

Congratulations!!!!!

 

[MainStMandy]

Amy. my Df had the same concerns over the Dessert Party. We compromised and are doing this:

Rehearsal
Dinner at 'Ohana for just bridal party
DP at UK

Wedding Day will be ceremony at WP at 5 and then bus everyone over to our reception.

I think it's a great compromise. We are also doing a buffet that I wasn't too thrilled about until we tasted the food! Not your average buffet...it was awesome!!!

We are excited we get the best of everything and our guests can still enjoy their vacations! I think you plans sound wonderful!!