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

[lzimm13]

lol We should just get together and plan everything together. We're making all the same choices anyway, The date, the boardwalk, the day of the MK shoot, lol! We're choosing the chicken with bacon, shallots, ect. and the 2 pepper rubbed beef too. As for the potatoes, I'm on the fence between the yukon gold and a mashed potato bar, but then again I have a love affair with potatoes! lol

 

[*Pixiedust1438*]

lol We should just get together and plan everything together. We're making all the same choices anyway, The date, the boardwalk, the day of the MK shoot, lol! We're choosing the chicken with bacon, shallots, ect. and the 2 pepper rubbed beef too. As for the potatoes, I'm on the fence between the yukon gold and a mashed potato bar, but then again I have a love affair with potatoes! lol

LOL... yum a mashed potato bar sounds super good! DF is also in love with potatoes.... he wants mashed potatoes for dinner like every single night!


So I have been trying to decide what to do as a "welcome party" for our guests. Since a full blown welcome party is not in the budget, I have been toying with several ideas of what to do. I really want to do something because after all out guests are coming so far and I want to spend some time with them. I was thinking or doing a drinking/eating around the world, come if you want, casual meet and greet, and was thinking this would be a lot of fun. However, I decided against it for a few reasons; I don't know if everyone is getting park tickets, were doing our rehearsal at Epcot the next night, and I feel like it might take the magic away from the DP on Sunday, and I'm not sure if some of our older guests would want to do this. So, after looking into a few options, I have decided (for now at least!) that we are going to just go to Raglan Road in DTD for dinner and to hang out, and invite everyone, but have it be a no pressure, come if you want, type thing. I think this will work well because no one needs a park ticket, people can order what they want (an appetizer, drinks, or a full meal) and people who are only coming for a few days and want to spend time in the parks won't feel pressured to come. I'm thinking then we can also spend some time with the bridal party after, maybe go out and get a drink or two. Now I am just trying to figure out what the best way to make a reservation is, if we even should, since I don't want people to have to decide in advance.

 

[lzimm13]

We want to do the same kind of thing. His parents are paying for a rehearsal dinner but I want to have a no pressure come if you want thing for everyone too. I was initially thinking of telling everyone to meet at one of the beach club movies on the beach but it sounds like those events are really low key and family oriented and I wouldn't want my mom's big fat Italian family to blow that up,lol. Another idea I was given was JellyRolls but I've never been there and I don't know if its loud and I want people to be able to talk.

 

[*Pixiedust1438*]

We want to do the same kind of thing. His parents are paying for a rehearsal dinner but I want to have a no pressure come if you want thing for everyone too. I was initially thinking of telling everyone to meet at one of the beach club movies on the beach but it sounds like those events are really low key and family oriented and I wouldn't want my mom's big fat Italian family to blow that up,lol. Another idea I was given was JellyRolls but I've never been there and I don't know if its loud and I want people to be able to talk.

Those both sound like really great ideas! The movie idea is very creative! I'm just finding it hard to figure out how to go about planning something that will be come if you want because I just have no idea how many people will come then! lol I think as we get close it will be easier to talk to people and see what everyone's plans are, especially since we have a relatively small guest list and see everyone fairly frequently.

 

[*Pixiedust1438*]

I've been really busy with school and work, which is so frustrating because I feel like I have so much left to do for the wedding, and just never have time! Luckily, my sister and MOH has been helping me out. She is planning an Alice in Wonderland Tea Party for the bridal shower, and we have decided we are going to have it at her house, in the backyard with a tent, this way we can really theme it out and keep costs reasonable. She found a place that will make us trays of really yummy finger sandwhiches and scones, and then we are going to make everything else. I'm really excited plans for this are starting to come together. Also, we decided on going to taste the food and then going dress shopping after in the next few weeks. I'm finally going dress shopping! I can't wait! Any suggestions since I have no idea what I really want?

I also need to vent about something. All along we have decided we really wanted someone in our family to marry us. We just didn't like the idea of having someone we never met before come the day of the wedding and marry us. So we decided to ask DF's uncle (whom he lived with for like 10 years and basically considers his aunt uncle and cousin part of his immediate family). Well, we did not get the response we were hoping for! We thought he was going to be really honored that we were including him in the wedding since he was such an important part of DF's life, and he didn't say no, but he didn't seem like he really wanted to do it. He said he was nervous about talking in front of all those people (although we are only having about 50 guests). So now I have no idea what to do. I have not even looked into officiants at all because I figured he would deff. want to do it. Should we talk to him again, consider asking someone else in our family, or start looking into Orlando area officiants? I don't know what to do.

 

[lzimm13]

I've been really busy with school and work, which is so frustrating because I feel like I have so much left to do for the wedding, and just never have time! Luckily, my sister and MOH has been helping me out. She is planning an Alice in Wonderland Tea Party for the bridal shower, and we have decided we are going to have it at her house, in the backyard with a tent, this way we can really theme it out and keep costs reasonable. She found a place that will make us trays of really yummy finger sandwhiches and scones, and then we are going to make everything else. I'm really excited plans for this are starting to come together. Also, we decided on going to taste the food and then going dress shopping after in the next few weeks. I'm finally going dress shopping! I can't wait! Any suggestions since I have no idea what I really want?

I also need to vent about something. All along we have decided we really wanted someone in our family to marry us. We just didn't like the idea of having someone we never met before come the day of the wedding and marry us. So we decided to ask DF's uncle (whom he lived with for like 10 years and basically considers his aunt uncle and cousin part of his immediate family). Well, we did not get the response we were hoping for! We thought he was going to be really honored that we were including him in the wedding since he was such an important part of DF's life, and he didn't say no, but he didn't seem like he really wanted to do it. He said he was nervous about talking in front of all those people (although we are only having about 50 guests). So now I have no idea what to do. I have not even looked into officiants at all because I figured he would deff. want to do it. Should we talk to him again, consider asking someone else in our family, or start looking into Orlando area officiants? I don't know what to do.

The tea sounds great!Finger sanwiches! yum! I'm sorry to hear about your officiant dilema...that really sucks If I were you I'd start looking into other officiants in the area. I wouldn't contact anyone yet but I'd be looking at reputations and individual styles. In the mean time though I'd talk to your Df's uncle again. You don't want to pressure him but maybe if you explain how important it is he'd be more open to it. Its worth a shot, and if not then you have some research done. Good luck!

 

[*Pixiedust1438*]

Thanks Larisa, I think that sounds like really good advice!

In non-wedding relates news, we bowl in a league on Thursday nights, and there was a costume contest this week. DF came up with his idea, and made his own costume all by himself, and he won first place in the contest. I was so proud of him I had to share! He is deff. not the type to do things like this and it turned out great! I was really impressed... and now I'm nagging him to help me make some stuff for the wedding! Here is a pic of him in his costume:

 

[April Elizabeth]

Great Costume! Your DF is talented!
I was just catching up on your PJ and got hungry reading your menu and all the talk about potatoes, LOL! I can't wait to hear how the tasting goes.

I'm sorry to hear about your DF Uncle. It sounds like he may just be shy. In that case, he probably wouldn't do as good (because of nerves) as someone that does it all the time at Disney. Maybe you could just check into some Orlando officiants that are on the Disney list. There are a lot of good ones here on the boards. I have contacted 3 so far and love them all. I think I should just quit contacting and choose one.

 

[*Pixiedust1438*]

Great Costume! Your DF is talented!
I was just catching up on your PJ and got hungry reading your menu and all the talk about potatoes, LOL! I can't wait to hear how the tasting goes.

I'm sorry to hear about your DF Uncle. It sounds like he may just be shy. In that case, he probably wouldn't do as good (because of nerves) as someone that does it all the time at Disney. Maybe you could just check into some Orlando officiants that are on the Disney list. There are a lot of good ones here on the boards. I have contacted 3 so far and love them all. I think I should just quit contacting and choose one.

Thank you! That's what I really don't get, is that he is not shy at all! I am really glad to hear that you like all the officiants you have contacted, that makes me feel a lot better!

 

[Disneyfreak616]

I'm from Buffalo too! Congrats on your engagement!

 

[*Pixiedust1438*]

I'm from Buffalo too! Congrats on your engagement!

Yay for being from the B-lo! Thank you!

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

yeah for upstate...well.. I'm from Syracuse...So, not too far away!

 

[*Pixiedust1438*]

yeah for upstate...well.. I'm from Syracuse...So, not too far away!

Yay! Me and DF are very proud Buffalonians and Upstate NYorkers!

So I looked into officiants from the list Disney provided, narrowed it down to 2, emailed them both, got reply's and picked Luther Kistler! I just emailed him back confirming our date and seeing if we can schedule a time to meet while we are in Disney in December for out P.S. Wow, that was all a lot easier than I imagined! We decided to go with Luther because I was very pleased with the contact we have had so far, and the fact the he wanted to meet with us helped as well, because I have mentioned above we would like to at least casually know the person who is marrying us! Also, he was a pastor at a St. John's Lutheran Church, which is the exact same name as my church in Buffalo, so I thought it was a sign we should go with him. I'm really excited to meet him and his wife in December!

In other news I am starting to freak out about whether or not we should do the MK/Epcot photo shoot. I just posted a thread about why, so here is the link since I don't feel like retyping it here. I need some help! http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2592134

 

[*Pixiedust1438*]

I'm still debating about the MK photo shoot, I'm going to take some time to think about it. Now I'm focusing all my time on getting everything ready for our planning session, which is only 5 weeks away! I am so excited to be going the week before Christmas and see all the Holiday decorations!!!

Day 1:
We are leaving on Thursday, around 3:30, flying through JFK, which I'm sure will not be fun, and arriving in Orlando around 10:00pm. We wanted to leave at night so that DF could go to at least 1/2 day of work. We will then take the Magical Express to Pop Century, check-in, and probably just go right to sleep, because we have a very busy day in the morning!

Day 2:
Today is super busy! We are waking up and heading over the Poly to have breakfast at Kona Cafe (9:30 res.) we love Kona Cafe and go there every trip! Then we are meeting Randy in the lobby of the Poly for our 10:30 engagement shoot! I'm very excited about this. I still need an outfit for this, which I'm going to look for on Thursday. After our e-shoot, we are going into Epcot for the afternoon, and possibly doing the behind the seeds tour, if time allows. We both love the Living with the Land ride so I think this would be neat and it's very reasonably priced. In mid-afternoon we are heading back to the hotel where we will most likely garb lunch and maybe swim quick if the weather is decent. Then after getting ready for the night we are heading to DHS to see the Osbourne Spectacle of Lights, and maybe go on a few rides, and then hopefully see Fantasmic. After Fantasmic we are heading over to Fort Wilderness to check out some of the holiday decorations there, and then haven dinner at the Hoop De Doo Revue at 9:30. (DF's fav!) I know this is a busy, busy day!

I will post the rest of our plans very soon. I'm watching a special on Disney Holidays right now!

 

[lzimm13]

OOO! the plans sound so exciting!! We're coming in that Friday! I can't wait!

Edit: did you get your annual passes yet? We wanted to use ours while we were down there and we haven't gotten them yet.

 

[lzimm13]

Oops Double post! sorry!

 

[DVC Bride 2011]

I love your DF's costume!

We are struggling with the MK photo shoot as well. DF does NOT want to do it at all, he thinks it's way too expensive. And to be completely honest, I had no idea you could even have a MK photo shoot when I decided I wanted a DFTW - only after reading these boards did I find out, so it's not like my wedding dreams are being crushed. He also doesn't want to get up early which I understand too - but now that the 2011 times are being changed I thought he'd be more inclined to do it, but nope. I think we are going to compromise on getting DPS for our dessert party the night of the wedding so we can have some in-park pictures. I think that's only around $300 so it's much cheaper than the $1400 we would have spend on the bridal portraits. My brother is very good at photoshop (he's a web designer) so I may be able to get him to work some pixie dust for us.

Our PS is next week, I am getting so excited! In between hyperventilating over having to get on a plane, lol. Do you have a list of questions to bring to your PS? I'm trying to work on that now. I can't wait to meet my planner and find out who our floral planner is!

 

[*Pixiedust1438*]

OOO! the plans sound so exciting!! We're coming in that Friday! I can't wait!

Edit: did you get your annual passes yet? We wanted to use ours while we were down there and we haven't gotten them yet.

Yeah, we actually got ours a while ago, I would email you planner and ask her about them so you can have them for your trip, we also plan on using them on our trip.

I love your DF's costume!

We are struggling with the MK photo shoot as well. DF does NOT want to do it at all, he thinks it's way too expensive. And to be completely honest, I had no idea you could even have a MK photo shoot when I decided I wanted a DFTW - only after reading these boards did I find out, so it's not like my wedding dreams are being crushed. He also doesn't want to get up early which I understand too - but now that the 2011 times are being changed I thought he'd be more inclined to do it, but nope. I think we are going to compromise on getting DPS for our dessert party the night of the wedding so we can have some in-park pictures. I think that's only around $300 so it's much cheaper than the $1400 we would have spend on the bridal portraits. My brother is very good at photoshop (he's a web designer) so I may be able to get him to work some pixie dust for us.

Our PS is next week, I am getting so excited! In between hyperventilating over having to get on a plane, lol. Do you have a list of questions to bring to your PS? I'm trying to work on that now. I can't wait to meet my planner and find out who our floral planner is!

My DF feels the same way about the photo shoot. That's so exciting you PS is in one week! I am nervous about flying too since it will be in December from the North East so a good chance of snow, and we have to fly through JFK which I am nervous about. I have been putting all the questions I have into a word document as I have been planning, and before I leave I plan on really thinking about any other questions I might have. I'm sure after the PS I will be like "shoot, why didn't I ask that!" but then I will just email my planner after so, no worries! I hope you have a great time and can't wait to see pic's when you get back.

 

[*Pixiedust1438*]

P.S. Plans continued:

Day 3:
We plan on waking up early, grabbing breakfast at the hotel, and heading to AK for a good portion of the day. I feel like every time we go to Disney this is the park we spend the least amount of time in, and there is still a lot I have never done, despite we have been many times, so I plan on spending a lot of time there on this day. We plan on watching the Jingle Jammin Jungle parade in the late afternoon, and then heading back to the hotel. We are then going to meet with our officiate (Luther Kistler) and his wife. I'm not sure where yet, we are still deciding, but most likely either at our hotel or at the GF lobby. After this, we are heading to DTD to do Characters in flight, a little shopping, and then have dinner at T-rex. After dinner we will be having a few drinks at Raglan Road, and then at ADH and Jellyrolls on the Boardwalk. This will be our night out! I really want to see ADH during it's normal hours, and think Jellyrolls sounds awesome, so I'm excited for this.

Day 4:
Heading to MK in the morning for breakfast at Crystal Palace where I haven't been in years, and DF has never been. Spending the morning in MK before heading back to the hotel for lunch and possibly swimming. Around 4:30 we will head to Epcot where we have the Candlelight Processional Dinner package booked at Biergarten. So after dinner we will see the show, along with Illuminations after, and walk around World Showcase at some point if time allows. I'm debating where to watch illuminations from, because I guess there is a roped of area for those who booked the dinner package, but I also kind-of want to try viewing it from someone at UK, or UK lower if we get lucky, since this is where our rehearsal dinner/dp will be.

Day 5:
Today is out PS from 9:00-1:00, followed by our menu tasting on the Boardwalk at 2:30. I'm so excited, but I have a lot of work to do, getting everything together. After all of this, we are having dinner at Jiko, and getting there a little early to check out AKL since we have never seen it before. I know AKL is a little out of the way, and wanted to do it the day we were at AK, but it just didn't work out that way, so oh well. After dinner we are heading back to MK for the night to see Holiday wishes. I'm kind of bummed because I was under the impression the holiday parade would be going on this night, and now I found out it will be at 3:00pm instead, and we wouldn't be able to make it then since our tasting is at 2:30. Also, this is the only day it is going on while we are there, that is not part of MVMCP, and I really had my heart set on seeing this, but I can't justify spending over $100 on MVMCP tickets when all we care about is the parade. At least we get to see holiday wishes I guess.

Day 6:
We are leaving today. We plan on waking up super early, checking out, and getting to DHS as soon as it opens, doing some rides, and then taking the boat to the Boardwalk to have lunch at Big River Grille and Brewery Works before heading back to the hotel to take the Magical Express back to the airport. Our flights home are horrible. We leave MCO around 3:15, and then have like a 3 1/2 hour layover at JFK, and don't get back in Buffalo until after 11:00, but any other flight was like $100 more pp, so oh well.

I'm so excited to be going, we haven't been to Disney (not counting a Disney cruise), in almost 3 years, so I can't wait to go back, and I'm especially excited about all the Christmas stuff because I love Christmas! I still feel like i need to decide on so many things before we leave though, I have NO idea what I want to do for floral, since DF nixed the carriage centerpieces. I can't seem to find any I like!

 

[*Pixiedust1438*]

So I got a few things accomplished over the weekend. I was planning on buying a dress to wear for our e-shoot, which will be at the Poly, but when I looked, it was impossible to find anything I wanted since it's November! All that was out was Christmas and New Year type dresses, when I was looking for a nice spring/summer floral dress. Luckily, I have a dress that actually will work really well, so I decided to just go with that, since I've only worn it once or twice anyway, and get some nice accessories to dress it up. So here is the outfit for the e-shoot:

I also went dress shopping with my mom and sister over the weekend, after we had "afternoon tea" at this really cute bed and breakfast where we are going to get trays of finger sandwhices and scones from for the bridal shower. Everything was really good so I was happy about that! I decided to start dress shopping with David's bridal, to get a feel for what I like, and then check out some other bridal shops. I liked four of the eight dresses I tried on at David's bridal, but I'm not sure if any of them are "the one." Here are some pic's of 3/4 I liked (I forgot to take a pic of the first one.) Let me know what you think.