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

[*Pixiedust1438*]

Liz, thanks so much for the info. My mom isn't thrilled with the choice for a few reasons, none of which are that she doesn't like the look of it. She doesn't like the fact that the minimum F&B is $5,000, or that we have to do a buffet, or that we can't use an outside florist or DJ. We are using Randy for photography. The other places I am considering are the Napa and Somona rooms and the Whitehall room and patio. Possibly others as well. We really don't want a ballroom, because I agree with you that if we were gona use a ballroom we might as well get married up here. However I do really like the Whitehall room. I also agree that ADH is so unique and that is why I like it, and we originally choose it because we want a lot of dancing and I think ADH will be good for that. Maybe I'm just getting nervous because we are about to book, I just wish I could do a site visit because I've never seen ADH and it's just so hard to decided on a place through pictures only.

 

[Disney9.9.10]

I have been reading about so many brides (myself included!) changing their locations lately. Disney has so many wonderful places to choose from that it makes it really difficult, and you want to make sure that you are completely happy with whatever you choose! This may sound really cheesy, but since I cannot make decisions to save my life, this is what I did. I made a list of pros and cons of the locations I was looking at and then weighted them. This really helped me see it all on paper - and deep down, I knew what the decision would be. But I would definitely take a look at some of the other sites that Disney offers - there are some really unique (and not ballroom) spaces. When you have all of the information on available locations, it will help you make a decision. Good luck!

p.s. - we are using Randy as well and he worked with us to come up with a package that was in our budget. Isn't he great?

 

[DVC Bride 2011]

I'm sorry you are having a difficult time with your reception location! I struggled with mine too - first because I couldn't get the one I wanted, then because I wasn't 100% happy with the backup one, so I ended up moving my date up one day to get the one I wanted. It is hard because Disney has so many great locations! I agree with PP, maybe make a list of pros and cons? It might be easier if you see it all right in front of you, you know?

I didn't want a ballroom either but I don't feel like the WHR is a ballroom because it's so much smaller and has the patio. Good luck making your decision!

 

[*Pixiedust1438*]

I have been reading about so many brides (myself included!) changing their locations lately. Disney has so many wonderful places to choose from that it makes it really difficult, and you want to make sure that you are completely happy with whatever you choose! This may sound really cheesy, but since I cannot make decisions to save my life, this is what I did. I made a list of pros and cons of the locations I was looking at and then weighted them. This really helped me see it all on paper - and deep down, I knew what the decision would be. But I would definitely take a look at some of the other sites that Disney offers - there are some really unique (and not ballroom) spaces. When you have all of the information on available locations, it will help you make a decision. Good luck!

p.s. - we are using Randy as well and he worked with us to come up with a package that was in our budget. Isn't he great?

I'm sorry you are having a difficult time with your reception location! I struggled with mine too - first because I couldn't get the one I wanted, then because I wasn't 100% happy with the backup one, so I ended up moving my date up one day to get the one I wanted. It is hard because Disney has so many great locations! I agree with PP, maybe make a list of pros and cons? It might be easier if you see it all right in front of you, you know?

I didn't want a ballroom either but I don't feel like the WHR is a ballroom because it's so much smaller and has the patio. Good luck making your decision!

Thank you for the advice girls! I spent hours last night looking at the Whitehall room and the Napa and Somona rooms, and after looking at past brides pictures, I do love both, but for the amount of guests we think we will be having, they are just too small for us. I also think I was letting my mom sway me. She really likes ADH, it's more the costs that are bothering her, because it would deff. be cheaper to have the reception somewhere else. But I really love ADH, and me and DF really want a party and lots of dancing, and I think ADH is such a great location for that. If we used one of the other locations we would have to set up a really small dance floor. So, for now I am sticking with ADH, and hopefully we will end up keeping it, but if we end up with less than 45-50 guests, we might switch is somewhere else is available at that time because I think ADH is just too big for less than that. I hope I don't second guess everything about my wedding!

I also spent the night making our guest list, which was REALLY REALLY hard, especially because we had to not invite some family. I really wanted to invite everyone in my family, but in the end we just could not. It was either cut the guest list or don't do the wedding, because if everyone decided to come, we just wouldn't be able to afford it.

I didn't want a ballroom either but I don't feel like the WHR is a ballroom because it's so much smaller and has the patio. Good luck making your decision!

I completely agree, I think the Whitehall room is beautiful and not at all like a ballroom, I wouldn't even have considered it otherwise! I am glad you decided to move your date and keep it, I like Ariel's but I think you will be happier in the Whitehall room since you had your heart set on it!

 

[DVC Bride 2011]

Thank you for the advice girls! I spent hours last night looking at the Whitehall room and the Napa and Somona rooms, and after looking at past brides pictures, I do love both, but for the amount of guests we think we will be having, they are just too small for us. I also think I was letting my mom sway me. She really likes ADH, it's more the costs that are bothering her, because it would deff. be cheaper to have the reception somewhere else. But I really love ADH, and me and DF really want a party and lots of dancing, and I think ADH is such a great location for that. If we used one of the other locations we would have to set up a really small dance floor. So, for now I am sticking with ADH, and hopefully we will end up keeping it, but if we end up with less than 45-50 guests, we might switch is somewhere else is available at that time because I think ADH is just too big for less than that. I hope I don't second guess everything about my wedding!

I also spent the night making our guest list, which was REALLY REALLY hard, especially because we had to not invite some family. I really wanted to invite everyone in my family, but in the end we just could not. It was either cut the guest list or don't do the wedding, because if everyone decided to come, we just wouldn't be able to afford it. In the end I am ok with it because I am inviting everyone I am closest with, as is DF, and the family we can't invite, although I wish they could be there, are people I see once a year at the most. By cutting the guest list it will also be so much easier to find out who is planning on coming, which is important because of our location dilema!




I completely agree, I think the Whitehall room is beautiful and not at all like a ballroom, I wouldn't even have considered it otherwise! I am glad you decided to move your date and keep it, I like Ariel's but I think you will be happier in the Whitehall room since you had your heart set on it!

I'm glad you are going with your gut and sticking with ADH! It would be stressful if you chose one of the other locations and had to worry about how many people were coming and how much room you would have. This might be more expensive but at least you will be getting what you want! What kind of bar are you doing? That might help you reach the F&B minimums really easily. It's scary to see that you HAVE to spend so much on F&B, but I think most people get close to that # anyways. Plus - you really love ADH and that is super important in choosing your venue.

I'm with you on the guest list thing! My family is huge - if we got married up here I could easily invite 200 family members! Cutting our list down to 40 people was SO hard and I hated cutting some people out. I kept reminding myself why we chose Disney - to make it more affordable and smaller! I think most of my family members that aren't on the list will understand. We are having a reception at home (a casual, picnic style one) so the rest of my family can celebrate with us. Is that an option for you guys? It might make those family members who were not included feel like they are still a part of your wedding celebration

 

[*Pixiedust1438*]

I'm glad you are going with your gut and sticking with ADH! It would be stressful if you chose one of the other locations and had to worry about how many people were coming and how much room you would have. This might be more expensive but at least you will be getting what you want! What kind of bar are you doing? That might help you reach the F&B minimums really easily. It's scary to see that you HAVE to spend so much on F&B, but I think most people get close to that # anyways. Plus - you really love ADH and that is super important in choosing your venue.

I'm with you on the guest list thing! My family is huge - if we got married up here I could easily invite 200 family members! Cutting our list down to 40 people was SO hard and I hated cutting some people out. I kept reminding myself why we chose Disney - to make it more affordable and smaller! I think most of my family members that aren't on the list will understand. We are having a reception at home (a casual, picnic style one) so the rest of my family can celebrate with us. Is that an option for you guys? It might make those family members who were not included feel like they are still a part of your wedding celebration

I love following your plans because mine are so similar! DF's family is HUGE, if we did the wedding up here we would probably have 300 guests which would cost a ton and we just don't want that big of a wedding. I thought about doing a reception up here, but I don't think I really want to do that. My sister got married in St. Lucia a few years ago with only 6 guests, and then had another at home wedding, which started out as a picnic and turned into a full blown wedding. If we were having less guests I might opt. for a picnic at home reception, but because we are going all out in Disney, cost wise, I don't think it would be affordable, and because my sister did an at home wedding I just feel weird doing the same thing.

I have been starting to work on some things I am making myself, just to see if I can make them and they will look decent... I'm not the most artistic person in the world! I will post pictures when they are done, right now I am working on table signs (numbers) and place cards for guests.

 

[*Pixiedust1438*]

I'm happy to report we got our date confirmed today! Monday June 6th, 2011. Ceremony at the Wedding Pavilion at 5:00 with the reception to follow at Atlantic Dance Hall!!! Yay! I have to say it's a little scary we are only one year away, I have so much to do!

 

[iixheartxyouxox]

congratulations! can't wait to read about more of your plans!

 

[DVC Bride 2011]

Congratulations Amy! This is so exciting!

 

[lzimm13]

I'm happy to report we got our date confirmed today! Monday June 6th, 2011. Ceremony at the Wedding Pavilion at 5:00 with the reception to follow at Atlantic Dance Hall!!! Yay! I have to say it's a little scary we are only one year away, I have so much to do!

I just read your entire PJ because I found out we have the same date! lol Don't feel bad about things left to do! at least you booked a Photographer! I haven't done that yet!

 

[pink_tink8i8]

congrats on the date!

 

[*Pixiedust1438*]

congratulations! can't wait to read about more of your plans!

Congratulations Amy! This is so exciting!

Thanks girls!

I just read your entire PJ because I found out we have the same date! lol Don't feel bad about things left to do! at least you booked a Photographer! I haven't done that yet!

Glad to hear someone else hasn't done much either, some PJ's I read of girls getting married around the same time as us have sooo much done, it's starting to scare me I hardly have anything done! I saw on the 2011 thread you are doing Ariel's!

congrats on the date!

Thank you!


Well, we did get one thing done this weekend! We got our rings. When DF bought my engagement ring he got a "Santa's Certificate" from Kay Jewelers, $100 off every $300 you spend. It expires on the 20th so we figured we better use it. It ended up saving us quite a bit! My ring is a set, but I have never been crazy about the wedding band, and my ring is a unique style so most bands wouldn't look right with it. I ended up getting two bands, one for each side of the ring, which are similar to the band in the set but a little smaller. I'm really happy I got two because I did not like the look of only one, I felt like you couldn't even notice the band and that it just blended in and made the ring uneven. DF liked a pretty reasonable ring the best! so that was good! We also just put a deposit down to move into a Duplex on July 1st, our first place together! We were thinking about getting a house but decided against it because I'm graduating next year with a teaching degree and who knows where I will find a job! I'm really excited and it's really nice! I am also taking a summer class, so between that and getting everything ready to move i have been really busy. I can't wait until July when we are moved and I'm done with my class so I can spend the summer doing some seriously needed wedding planning!

 

[*Pixiedust1438*]

Wow it's been a month since I updated! We got our LOA and mailed it back about 2 weeks ago, as well as our Guest List. So now we are just patiently waiting to be assigned a planner and for our STD's to be mailed out.

We moved into our new place last weekend and everything is pretty much all set up!

I am also planning on going to start looking for dresses in the next few weeks!

I have been beginning to look through some menus at http://www.disneycateredmenus.com/me...us_v100609.pdf
and really like the Glass Slipper Event Dinner Buffet. I am pretty sure it is all stations (one seafood, one salad, one action, and one dessert) which I think would be really neat and different than a typical buffet. I am hoping I can eliminate a few things though because it is pretty pricey and I need to add food for the cocktail hour and drinks!

I have also been trying to decide who to have in my bridal party, and it's really difficult! I feel like if we were getting married up here it would be a lot easier. I am thinking of holding off for a little while on officially asking everyone because I don't want to ask someone and regret it later... when do you think this should be decided by?

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

ok I'm behind...yeah for getting your date! yeah for the duplex! You should be moved in...but not quite settled yet...
As for choosing BMs...I would see how long it takes to get gowns for them and then add sometime to decided whether or not they can really MAKE the wedding...(expenses and such) I'd also explain that when they are making their decision to except that you would understand if they can not do it b/c of financial issues etc...If they can't make it don't take it personally...Tat's my 2 cents -whether it's right or wrong...just my thoughts

 

[*Pixiedust1438*]

ok I'm behind...yeah for getting your date! yeah for the duplex! You should be moved in...but not quite settled yet...
As for choosing BMs...I would see how long it takes to get gowns for them and then add sometime to decided whether or not they can really MAKE the wedding...(expenses and such) I'd also explain that when they are making their decision to except that you would understand if they can not do it b/c of financial issues etc...If they can't make it don't take it personally...Tat's my 2 cents -whether it's right or wrong...just my thoughts

Thanks for the advice... I think that is a really good idea. My problem is I have too many people I am considering asking, and although I don't know if all of them would actually come, I think they would be upset if I don't ask them, but I really don't want a HUGE bridal party. I am delaying asking because a few of my friends I am on/off with and two of them might be moving out of state in the near future. It's such a tough decision.

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Thanks for the advice... I think that is a really good idea. My problem is I have too many people I am considering asking, and although I don't know if all of them would actually come, I think they would be upset if I don't ask them, but I really don't want a HUGE bridal party. I am delaying asking because a few of my friends I am on/off with and two of them might be moving out of state in the near future. It's such a tough decision.

Are they people you WANT to ask or people that are just assuming that you will ask them? There is a huge difference there. Those that you are on/off again with...I'd just nix them from the list...you don't want them to be "off" during this time in your life. I would just use a couple of really close friends...the ones that have really stood by you no matter what...or if it is that difficult...maybe family members that you look up to and have always been there for you.

Or you could do what I'm doing...and not use any...Saved a ton on floral costs and headaches all the way around!

 

[*Pixiedust1438*]

Pretty much everyone are people I want to ask, but then there is just too many people. My sister is going to be my MOH, and then I am deff. having my DF's two sisters and his sister in law. Then maybe I should just leave it at that. The other people I am considering are my DF's stepsister, who I am pretty close with and she is really close with DF's two sisters and always feels like she gets left out, and two of my friends, one of whom already basically asked if I was going to ask her and I pretty much said yes, but that was a long time ago. The other friend I have know for over 10 years, but am on/off her, but I think she will be hurt if I don't ask her. Way too many people though, so I need to cut some out, but I just don't want to hurt anyone's feelings.

In other news, I am going to be in NYC in early August on my way back from Rehoboth Beach for a family vacation, and I made an appointment to go look at dresses at Kleinfelds! I am super excited since it will be my first time looking at dresses and to be going there!

 

[*Pixiedust1438*]

I just booked my PS trip, although I haven't actually booked my actual PS yet, so I hope it will all work out ok. I am still waiting to be assigned a planner, and was going to wait until then to book my PS trip, but after finding a great deal today I was too afraid it wouldn't be there by that time. We were originally planning on staying at the Dolphin for 6 nights, because all of the Disney hotels were expensive due to it being the week before Christmas, and also due to the fact that the Dolphin was offering every other night 50%. I was afraid that deal would go away, but made myself wait to book it. Well last night me and DF were talking about money, and the cost of the PS trip was the one part of the wedding we knew we were going to have trouble paying for. So we talked about not going, , going for less time, or staying off property at somewhere much cheaper. This morning I went on the Swan and Dolphin website, and the 50% deal was gone, so there went that option anyway, now it cost way too much. Then I went on expedia and started looking at off property hotels, which I found a couple really cheap. Then I saw the Disney Value resorts were being offered for $82 a night on expedia! We would have originally stayed at one of the value resorts in the first place but every time I have looked they have been $139 a night and with the 50% off at the Swan/Dolphin, it would have been cheaper for the Deluxe compared to the Value. Needless to say I was very happy to see this and decided to book it right away for fear the prices would go up again. We also decided to cut out one night to save money as well, and this way me and DF will both have to miss one less day of work we won't be getting payed for (Df's vacation is already gone for the year, and I don't get paid vacation).

So, we are all booked for 5 nights at the Pop Century resort in December. The hotel is totally refundable so I figure if worst comes to worst and we can't get our PS while we are there we can just cancel it, although this is really the only week we can go anyway, and I did mention that when signing my contract. I am very excited it's booked since yesterday there was a small chance we might not even go! And as much as I would have liked to stay at the Dolphin, me and DF both like the value resorts and we have never stayed at the POP before. Now I am working on changing my plans around to fit everything I want to do into one less day!

 

[DisneyDiva84]

Congrats on planning your PS trip! It really is such a blast you are going to have so much fun! I'm sure it will work out great. My wedding consultant and planner were amazing on getting me the exact time I wanted because I had my hair and make-up trial that day as well as my engagement photos that weekend so I was super worried but they worked around it which was fantastic!

Cant wait to see/read more

 

[Disney9.9.10]

Congrats on booking your planning session! I also think that is too good a deal to pass up and you should be able to get a session during the time that you will be there - you still have a few months so I would hope they could fit you in! I have stayed at Pop and we enjoyed it, despite it being a value, it has a real fun Disney feel to it, which I love.