Andreah and Brian - Dec 8th, 2009 (Reception Photos Posted)

[acwinsett]

Happy New Year everyone! Now that 2009 has arrived, I can officially say, "I'm getting married THIS YEAR!" Okay, so we're aiming for the END of 2009 - but it's 2009 nonetheless. So close yet so far away . . . we have a LOT of planning to do. So, here it is - the very first post in Brian and Andreah's DISboards.com Wedding Planning Journal!

Thanks for stopping by!


Planning Journal Contents:

General Info
- Our Story: [post=29516344]#2[/post]
- The Big Decisions - When, Where and How Much?: [post=29555318]#7[/post]
- Disney Fairy Tale Weddings: [post=31233336]#65[/post] , [post=31496043]#80[/post] , [post=31966143]#92[/post]
- Color Scheme / Style: [post=30986298]#46[/post] , [post=32356805]#141[/post]
- Theme - "A Season of Joy": [post=29767899]#14[/post]
- "To Do" List: [post=33484745]#283[/post] , [post=33563995]#313[/post] , [post=33655160]#327[/post] , [post=33830983]#341[/post] , [post=33917621]#352[/post] , [post=33997774]#364[/post]
- Greetings from Cinderella and Prince Charming: [post=33885024]#347[/post]

Budgets / BEO's / Estimates
- Disney Fairy Tale Weddings: [post=33219864]#254[/post]
- Disney Floral: [post=33162561]#246[/post]

Attire
- The Wedding Dress: [post=29875327]#25[/post] , [post=31905584]#84[/post] , [post=31909799]#90[/post] , [post=32050056]#108[/post] , [post=33639271]#320[/post] , [post=33830968]#340[/post]
- Gown Steaming: [post=34014730]#381[/post]
- Rings: [post=29517173]#3[/post] , [post=29894245]#29[/post]
- Bride's Jewelry & Accessories: [post=29875327]#25[/post] , [post=31421192]#73[/post] , [post=32179183]#132[/post] , [post=33830968]#340[/post] , [post=34105865]#390[/post] , [post=33997990]#368[/post]
- Bolero Jacket: [post=33943856]#360[/post]
- Maid / Matron of Honor Dress: [post=32137968]#126[/post]
- Rehearsal Dinner Dress: [post=30026903]#39[/post]
- Bridal Party Jogging Suits: [post=33074266]#242[/post] , [post=33668171]#332[/post] , [post=33997880]#366[/post] , [post=34225360]#407[/post] , [post=34225424]#408[/post]
- Groom / Best Man Tuxedo: [post=33928267]#353[/post]

Ceremony
- Officiant: [post=31966256]#93[/post] , [post=33943856]#360[/post]
- Marriage License: [post=34333633]#405[/post] , [post=33943856]#360[/post]
- Altar Decor: [post=32555189]#153[/post], [post=32976669]#216[/post], [post=33162561]#246[/post]
- Ceremony Script: [post=32555415]#155[/post]
- Programs: [post=34301079]#457[/post]

Reception
- Menu Cards and Place Cards: [post=32354306]#137[/post] , [post=33993856]#365[/post]
- Centerpiece Ideas: [post=31966551]#97[/post] , [post=32555189]#153[/post], [post=33162561]#246[/post]
- Decor: [post=32976669]#216[/post], [post=33162561]#246[/post]
- Cake: [post=31421192]#73[/post] , [post=31422510]#75[/post] , [post=32555296]#154[/post], [post=32940884]#209[/post]
- Guest Book: [post=33595775]#317[/post]
- Cocktail Napkins & Cake Bags: [post=33885006]#346[/post]

Invitations / Printed Materials
- Save the Dates: [post=31148522]#63[/post] , [post=31233336]#65[/post] , [post=31360952]#71[/post]
- Newsletter: [post=31001904]#50[/post]
- Invitations: [post=31966357]#95[/post] , [post=33527079]#293[/post] , (ladies' brunch) [post=33527123]#294[/post] , (guys' "plunge") [post=33527162]#295[/post]
- Email Newsletters: [post=33230345]#258[/post] , [post=33563906]#312[/post] , [post=33913382]#351[/post]

Website / Graphics
- Cartoon Artwork: [post=29739999]#12[/post]
- Website: [post=29580677]#8[/post]
- Email Newsletters: [post=32940533]#208[/post]

Photography: [post=31233336]#65[/post] , [post=32120715]#118[/post] , [post=32977141]#218[/post]
- Engagement Photos: [post=33022710]#227[/post] , [post=33480724]#273[/post] , [post=33502085]#286[/post]

Diet and Fitness: [post=31134573]#60[/post] , [post=31966438]#96[/post] , [post=32076238]#113[/post]

Cosmetology: [post=31233336]#65[/post] , [post=31966307]#94[/post] , [post=32977141]#218[/post]

Personal Floral: [post=31001467]#48[/post] , [post=32555189]#153[/post], [post=32976669]#216[/post], [post=33162561]#246[/post]

Planning Session: [post=31496043]#80[/post] , [post=31966076]#91[/post] , [post=32675118]#170[/post] , [post=32675268]#171[/post] , [post=32731750]#173[/post]
- Trip Report Day 1: [post=32829844]#179 - 182, #184[/post]
- Trip Report Day 2: [post=32866926]#195 - 196, #201 - 202[/post]
- Trip Report Day 3: [post=32940884]#209, #216, #218 - 219[/post]
- Trip Report Day 4: [post=32982759]#222 - 224[/post]

Favors / Pre-Arrival Boxes: [post=29769677]#17[/post] , [post=34258030]#421[/post] , [post=33997918]#367[/post]

Travel Planning: [post=32924042]#206[/post] , [post=32940533]#208[/post]
- Itinerary Planning and ADR's: [post=33482664]#277[/post] , [post=33482904]#279[/post] , [post=33484666]#282[/post]

Showers: [post=34323821]#468[/post] , [post=34105865]#390[/post]

Wedding Gift for Brian: [post=34147784]#394[/post]

 

[acwinsett]

Now for the introductions . . .

Andreah - The Bride

31 years old, E-learning Director for a real estate investment trust
Memphis, TN

Brian - The Groom

38 years old, Film / Television Producer
Memphis, TN

And our story . . .

Okay, I'm totally cheating here because I'm going to post our story in the words of my darling fiance, Brian, who is obviously a much better writer than I am. It seems like most grooms take a pretty "hands-off" approach to wedding planning, but my sweetie wants to be right in the middle of it! Brian met with an editor from a bridal magazine and she requested some information to post on their website. This is what he sent:

A Day We Won't Forget

In December 2007 Andreah, her son (Gavin, age 10) and I went to Walt Disney World for Christmas. We had a fantastic time. Once we came back home (and back to work), it didn't take a month for both of us to joke to each other we needed another vacation! I "suggested" we should book a trip back to Disney, but of course having just been there, I was not serious. Fast forward to April 2008 where on my birthday Andreah pulled a big surprise with two plane tickets to Orlando for an adults-only trip! It was an overwhelming surprise. Turns out September is a great time for adults to go; kids are in school and it's Value Season, which means low crowds and great deals for the parks. Nice.

Now Andreah and I had been dating for about two years and had not really discussed marriage (having both been married once before). It was around this time I started scheming... Little did she know what I was planning ... and little did I know how interesting this story would become. Fast forward again to Late July: During a routine medical check up I was informed by my doctor that of all things possible, a cancerous tumor was growing inside me. He told me flat-out I needed to decide on a surgeon, and fast. Scary. So, in less than three weeks on August 4, I was in surgery for a radical hemicoloectomy, and had no idea if our trip was going to pan out. Well, I'm happy to report that the surgery went great. Incredibly, at the advice of my surgeon we did not cancel the trip (in fact he encouraged it) and to my relief I recovered much quicker than expected. Everything looked on-track again ... and Andreah was still none-the-wiser!

But not so fast. A week before the trip, when everything looked like it was working out, all news media became inundated with report after report on the weather. It was apparently more than Value Season in Florida - it was Hurricane Season. Unless you were sleeping under a rock at the time I'm sure you remember the news: Hurricane Gustav, Hurricane Hanna and Hurricane Ike were all brewing off and around the Florida coast. Andreah became worried sick all that week. We may have had to cancel the trip. Even worse we might have been unable to fly into Orlando due to high winds in Memphis from Gustav. Meanwhile I had a ring burning in my pocket. Needless to say, it was a crazy time.

So before you know it, the day came to fly out. Thankfully, Gustav had missed Florida, spared the Gulf from a major disaster and veered west of Memphis. Simultaneously, Hanna was being very unpredictable and slow, bearing northwest near Florida's coast. But slow was good and we had 24 hours before Hanna could come close enough to be a danger to our trip. So, we flew out that morning. To our amazement, the weather turned out to be absolutely perfect upon landing with nothing but white clouds and blue skies - and we were ahead of schedule!

Speaking of schedules, here's a little detail about Andreah you may enjoy: She likes to plan. A lot. In spite of my best efforts (and the weather's) she had our first day all planned out. At the time we landed, Andreah's schedule did not include our going to the Magic Kingdom park. Instead, we had an appointment for photo portraits at 5:30 clear across Disney property, and before that we needed to check into our hotel room and dress up a little. But both the fantastic weather and our early arrival gave me one chance ... and I took it:

"Wow," I said, "The weather is perfect today! Call me crazy but why don't we run over to Magic Kingdom and get a quick photo in front of the Castle beforehand? We'll be dressed up, and who knows what the weather will be like the rest of this weekend?"

She bought it. Without a clue, Andreah agreed to change our itinerary and rushed with me to the hotel. Somehow along the way we found ourselves ahead of time getting into the Magic Kingdom park. A great way to start your vacation by the way, walking into the happiest place on earth. I remember what time it was when we walked in, too: just about three o'clock, because they were just getting ready for the three o'clock afternoon parade. "Oh no," Andreah told me. "We may not be able to get a photo during the parade." Great. So we hightailed it down Main Street, dodging guests and cast members as they were roping off the sidewalks. Finally we made it up to a staff photographer. Would she take our picture? YES! What a lucky break. So, we thanked her, stood in the spot where she told us to with the castle right behind us, and then, I did what I'd planned to do for months.

I walked straight off! Yup, I walked completely away from Andreah, and up to the photographer. I'm sure both women were wondering what the hell I was doing. "Do you have a lot of exposures left?" I asked. "Sure," the photographer said. "That's good because ... She doesn't know this yet ... but I'm about to propose to the gal behind me. Right here, right now. So if you don't mind, will you snap as many photos as you can?" The photographer was surprised ... and genuinely excited for us, I could tell.

So the time had come. I took a breath, turned around, and marched right back down Main Street USA toward the iconic Cinderella Castle and the love of my life, who was looking quite puzzled at me the whole way, I might add. This was a special day for many reasons. It was September 4th at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Literally one month to-the-day of my surgery - to-the-hour in fact - yet against all odds I'd recovered like it had been two months, even more. Not one - not two - but three hurricanes had threatened to stand in our way, and yet here we were. And now, standing right in front of me was the best girl in the whole world, my best friend who had been by my side through a whirlwind of recent challenges, and was just about to find out how important this day - this moment - was.

The pictures say the rest, really. I hardly remember saying the things I said. Of all my planning, I hadn't practiced a single thing to say. I remember starting off with something along the lines of how special the day was. I remember stammering a bit as I pulled the ring out. I definitely remember her reaction as the crowd, roped off from the street and waiting on the parade, erupted in applause as I stepped down on one knee. Didn't plan on that one! I remember her tearing up a little. Ah yes. And I definitely remember her answer:

"OF COURSE!"

So now it only makes sense we return to the scene of the crime, and with luck we'll tie the knot December 8, 2009. The whole park will be decorated for Christmas again, and we'll make sure Andreah's son Gavin gets to come along this time. I'm sure he'll like that.

 

[acwinsett]

Here is a photo of the engagement ring that Brian gave me:

There's a very sweet story behind the ring, actually. First of all, the diamond was a gift from my future mother-in-law. Brian tells me that a couple of months - just out of the blue - his mom told him that if he ever decided to ask me to marry him, that she wanted me to have the diamond from her engagement ring. No pressure . . . just throwing the idea out there!

He said that he had already decided at that point that he was going to propose on our Disney World vacation, but there's no way that he could let her know - not yet anyway. Brian's mom is soooo sweet, but she can NOT keep a secret to save her life!

So, if you read the "Our Story" post, then you know about the fact that Brian had major surgery in August 2008. I took a week off work to stay with him when he was in the hospital, but when he was recovering at home, I needed to go back to work. So Mom would come over each day to "babysit".

Brian was so determined to recover as quickly as possible, but even I was surprised on my first day back at work when Brian told me that he and his mom had a really great day. They went to lunch and shopping to pick up a couple of things. Are you CRAZY?! Major surgery - a week ago - and you're going on field trips already?!

Anyway, it wasn't until awhile later that I found out what happened that day. Apparently Brian decided to finally let Mom in on the plan. Without hesitation, she wanted to go get the diamond and start ring shopping - so they did!

They took a trip over to the jewelry store where Brian (knowing me as well as he does) had 2 criteria in mind - (1) it has to be silvertone (white gold or platinum) and (2) it has to sparkle like crazy! At the jeweler, he found a wedding band that he liked with baguette diamonds going around the top, but he didn't see a ring like that with a diamond mount. But the jeweler knew someone who could make exactly what he wanted.

I've ended up with a ring that is extra-special. The diamond was a gift from Brian's mom, and the ring was designed especially for me by my sweetie

I also think it's funny that on that day, Brian sat down with his mom and laid down "ground rules" because he was so afraid the surprise would be spoiled. For example, no discussing the proposal / ring over the telephone. She was to speak of it only when she was in the physical presence of Brian and no one else. I think she nearly slipped up a time or two, but I was oblivious to the whole thing right up until the ring was on my finger and Brian was pulling me out of the middle of Main Street to the sidewalk so I wouldn't get run over by parade floats!

 

[padisneyfour]

welcome and congrats. great story! looking forward to hearing more of your plans.

 

[polynesianbride]

Great start! Congrats on everything! Can't wait to hear more!

 

[acwinsett]

One of the first things that I said to my darling finance after our engagement was "So you decided to propose to me at Walt Disney World. You realize that you aren't getting out of this without us wearing those Mickey Groom and Minnie Bride ears, right?" That was my way of saying that I wanted to come back to Disney for our honeymoon, and YES it IS too late for you to change your mind!

I spent the next few hours in a daze for the most part. But I do remember calling my mom an hour or so later to tell her the good news. So, right off the bat, she wants me to put Brian on the phone with her, and they spent the next 10 minutes or so talking about our wedding plans. They decided amongst themselves that we should have a Disney Fairy Tale Wedding. No arm twisting on my part, I swear . . .

In a few days we came home and re-joined the "real world". But after considering some of the other options, we realized that a wedding at Disney seemed to be a great fit for us! Having both been married before, we wanted something small and intimate, less traditional, but very special and unique, and that's exactly what Disney offers with its Escape wedding packages.

And, yes, it will be expensive - but no more expensive than if we were to have a reception here at home. Here's the thing, if we have a party at home, we'd have so many guests - extended family, all of our friends, co-workers, clients, etc. We just wouldn't wouldn't have the heart to cut anyone from the invite list. And as much as we love and adore all of these people who have been so great and supportive - it's would just be a lot more of a production than we want for our wedding. Large group in Memphis? Small group at Disney? Expense-wise, they're about the same.

Speaking of expenses, I'm more of the "frugal" type than Brian. I'm not "cheap", I don't compromise on quality, but I just like to save money when I can so that I can splurge on the things I REALLY want. I did struggle with the idea of spending a big chunk of money for a wedding, but I do think a nice wedding is worth spending money for. I just have a couple of rules to keep us in line. (1) We will NOT go into debt for a wedding - that's no way to start off a marriage - and (2) I am not going to slow down my rate of savings or debt reduction. With those guidelines in mind, we feel that we can save up about $15,000 to $20,000 to spend on the whole sha-bang, assuming things continue to go well with Brian's business and we don't have any major financial surprises between now and then.

So when is the big day going to be? We're hoping for an early-December wedding during that window of time that's still Value season, but when Disney has all their Christmas decorations up and special events going on.

Brian INSISTS that we use the Wedding Pavilion, so we can't book it until April. We've called and starting speaking with a sales consultant, who was able to answer a few of the questions that we had. (Her name is Bree, and she seems really nice.)

So those are the basics . . . when, where and how much!

 

[MainStMandy]

Just wanted to say your website is just beautiful! Congratulations!!

 

[acwinsett]

Thanks MainStMandy! I'm so glad you like it!

Because I'm a total geek, and our family is located throughout the country, and there's so much information that guests need to know when they attend destination weddings - one of the first things we needed to do is to set up a wedding website. I do a LOT of web design for my job, so I knew I didn't want to use one of those "pre-packaged" services. That being said, those pre-packaged sites do have a lot of great features and a lot of them look really nice.

After careful consideration of the different options available, I decided to use Apple's iWeb to create the site. There are pre-designed page themes that you can choose from - they've done a lot of the "leg work" for you already, which allows you to focus on the content of your page. The downside is that you aren't able to "tweak" the backgrounds, so if you want the gray page to be a pink page - you're kind of out of luck. But when it comes to all the "stuff" on the page - text, images, links, etc. - those items are highly customizable. You are able to choose your favorite fonts and stuff like that - so it's not terribly "cookie cutter".

So, if you like how we've set up our website and would like to set up something similar, here's what you'll need:

• An Apple Mac computer, with the iLife software suite. (My version is iLife '06 - I'm a couple of versions behind the times). The web authoring program is called iWeb. (COST: not practical if you're not already a Mac owner)
  
  
• A hosting service. To make the most of iWeb's features, you really need to have Apple's MobileMe service to host the site. You certainly may use another hosting service, but some of the features might not function "like clockwork" and publishing is a little more complicated. (COST: $99 per year)
  
  
• A domain name (OPTIONAL). We chose to have an intuitive domain name for our site, so that it would be easy for our guests to remember (andreahandbrian.com). To set this up, we used Network Solutions. They have a service called Web Forwarding, which means that we can specify a URL to point to when someone types our domain name. So andreahandbrian.com will forward you to our "real" URL, which is something like www.me.com/andreahandbrian/web/wedding - I'm not sure what it is to be honest with you! (COST: Domain Name - approx $36 for 1 year, including Web Forwarding)
  
  
• Photos. We were fortunate enough to have lots of Disney photos from two vacations in the past couple of years. For the "filler" photos, we searched http://images.google.com. Also, I discovered that some of the best photos can be found on Flickr. These are photos captured by amateurs, but some could easily pass for Disney PR photos. You'll need to search Flickr directly, as the images do not typically appear in Google image searches. (COST: Free, if you're resourceful)

Here are the rest of the details, in case you're interested:

The iWeb theme we chose is called Formal.

The fonts that we chose are:

• Felix Titling - for the block headings
• Edwardian Script - For the decorative "script" headings
• Cochin - for the body text
• Mickey Mousebats - for the Mickey icons

Just one last thing . . . . I discovered TripIt for our last Disney vacation, and it ROCKS! This free web service allows you to store and organize any information about your trip itinerary in one convenient location, hotel info, flight info, schedules, dining reservations, etc. You can also "share" your trip with others, so that your guests can enter their information as well. Anyway, the website is www.tripit.com. I set up a TripIt itinerary for our guests to "collaborate" on, and posted a link to it from our wedding website. And if you're an iPhone-carrying Apple geek like me and my fiance, then you can access and iPhone-friendly version of your itinerary in the palm of your hands throughout your vacation. Sweet!

Related Links:

• http://www.apple.com/ilife/iweb/ - Information on Apple's iWeb software
• http://www.apple.com/mobileme - Information on Apple's MobileMe service
• http://www.networksolutions.com - Domain names and hosting services
• http://www.flickr.com - Good place to find Disney photos
• http://images.google.com - Another place to find photos
• http://www.tripit.com - Great website that allows you to build and share trip itineraries

 

[polynesianbride]

LOVE your website! Thanks for the info on how to set it up... unfortunately I am not very computer savvy . I think all I need is a Mac Book though because everyone I know who is good with computers has one... . Maybe I'll find a way to build it in to my wedding budget! I can't wait to see more plans!

 

[acwinsett]

Thanks Adelia! MacBooks are awesome! They're great for all the fun stuff, like photos, websites and music. It's my "Carrie Bradshaw" computer

And I'm sure no one would notice if you sneaked that teeny little purchase into your wedding budget

Funny you say that, though. DF went to the Apple Store last night looking for one of those new 17 inch MacBook Pros. They didn't have them in stock yet thank goodness! Those things START at like $2800 . . . Yikes!

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Another Mac fan here! I thought about the website thing...but will wait until we are closure to the wedding...End of Nov beginning of Dec 2010 here!
Can't wait to hear all of your plans

 

[acwinsett]

I've gotten quite a few comments about the cartoon artwork that we used on our wedding website, so I thought I'd share the back story on that:

The cartoon is kind of a funny coincidence, actually. I do a lot of graphic design as part of my work as an e-Learning director. Whenever I need stock photos for websites or training courses, I'll search a website called iStockPhoto (www.istockphoto.com). They have photos, but they also have a lot of "vector art", or illustrations like cartoons or clipart that can be scaled as large or as small as you need it.

So, not long after I got engaged, I did a search on iStockPhoto for "wedding", and I ran across this vector art graphic of a bride and groom. It looked so much like Brian and me that I had to do a double-take! So, I printed the graphic and started taking it around to co-workers and saying "Who does this look like?" They said stuff like "Don't be silly!", "That's you and Brian, of course!" and "Who made that for you? Did you make that?" So I bought the graphic, flipped the part on Brian's cartoon hair and composited the cartoon against the castle background. I think the artwork cost like $12 or $13. But don't tell anyone! We want everyone to think it was extravagantly expensive artwork that we had commissioned by an artist

Related Links:

• http://www.istockphoto.com - inexpensive stock photos and illustrations

 

[MainStMandy]

I've gotten quite a few comments about the cartoon artwork that we used on our wedding website, so I thought I'd share the back story on that:

The cartoon is kind of a funny coincidence, actually. I do a lot of graphic design as part of my work as an e-Learning director. Whenever I need stock photos for websites or training courses, I'll search a website called iStockPhoto (www.istockphoto.com). They have photos, but they also have a lot of "vector art", or illustrations like cartoons or clipart that can be scaled as large or as small as you need it.

So, not long after I got engaged, I did a search on iStockPhoto for "wedding", and I ran across this vector art graphic of a bride and groom. It looked so much like Brian and me that I had to do a double-take! So, I printed the graphic and started taking it around to co-workers and saying "Who does this look like?" They said stuff like "Don't be silly!", "That's you and Brian, of course!" and "Who made that for you? Did you make that?" So I bought the graphic, flipped the part on Brian's cartoon hair and composited the cartoon against the castle background. I think the artwork cost like $12 or $13. But don't tell anyone! We want everyone to think it was extravagantly expensive artwork that we had commissioned by an artist

Related Links:

• http://www.istockphoto.com - inexpensive stock photos and illustrations

I was wondering about that! It super cute!!

 

[acwinsett]

From the beginning of our engagement, Brian and I decided that we wanted our wedding to be about much more than the two of us. We want it to be a celebration of the family and friends who have been so supportive of us throughout our relationship and who stood beside us during Brian's surgery and recovery.

We're planning a celebration that will combine the joy of our wedding, the joy of the Christmas holiday and the joy of a Walt Disney World vacation into one amazing experience for our guests. Inspired by a beautiful greeting card that we found at Hallmark, we felt that "A Season of Joy" was the perfect phrase to express what we want our wedding to be.

I snatched up two boxes of these greeting cards and we're hoping to convert them into untraditional (but tasteful) wedding invitations.

 

[Chilly]

Great engagement story!

I'm another Dec 09 Bride who can't book till April.

 

[polynesianbride]

Those are beautiful and I love how it pulls together your entire story and doesn't just focus on one day! Congrats! It's a great start and will really set the scene since the invitation is the first thing your guests receive!

 

[acwinsett]

Since our guest list is so small, I thought it would be fun to put together nice gift bags for our guests when they arrive. I'm making 12 bags because that is the easiest quantity to make. If you have a 2-pack, 3-pack, 4-pack or 6-pack of something, it divides evenly!

Here's what we have so far:

Gift bag:

Purchased at Hallmark
$1.50 each (40% off the day after Christmas)
I also snatched some gold glitter snowflakes off our Christmas tree to use as tie-ons.

Mickey Beanz plush toy:

Purchased at Target
$6.00 each
These are so cute and soft, I just couldn't resist buying them, even though I feel they were a little pricey for what they are. I just picked up 2 each time I did my grocery shopping at SuperTarget for a couple of months.

Mickey stud earrings:

Purchased online from Avon
$5.00 each

Disney-Pixar notepads:

Purchased at Target ($1 bins)
$1.00 each

Disney-Pixar markers:

Purchased at Target ($1 bins)
$1.00 each

Disney-Pixar cold packs:

Purchased at Target ($1 bins)
$1.00 each

Pampering supplies to use after a long day at the parks (bath fizzers and foot pumice):

Bath fizzers purchased at Michael's (after-Christmas sale)
$0.60 each
Foot pumice purchased at Pier 1
$1.00 each

Christmas ornament:

Purchased at Pier 1
$0.87 each
I found these ornaments at Pier 1 marked down from $15.00 to $0.87. Why? Because it was 2008 and the ornaments were dated 2007. So, I figured I'd just take a gold paint pen and change the 2007 to 2009. They look very wedding-ish with the heart and doves, and I was also thinking of glueing a hidden mickey on each one made of Swarovski crystals in two sizes. We'll see how all that goes . . . But I figured it was worth the price if all we used was the beatiful boxes they came with.

Between now and December, I'm planning to throw in a few more items:

A mix CD of Disney songs from our wedding and dinner event (selections from the Jim Brickman CD, the Disney Weddings and Honeymoon CD, the Steve Tyrell CD, Colbie Calliat's version of "Kiss the Girl" and stuff like that . . .)

A "brag book" photo album. You can get these for like $2 each at Target. I'm just going to throw out the cardboard front and back covers and replace them our wedding graphic on card stock.

Wedding Information:

I saw these "Index invitations" on www.envelopperinc.com and thought they would be a nice way to present our guest information in the welcome bags. We'll have a tab for each event or each day, or however it works out.

And of course . . . munchies!

Fairytale brownies:

If you've never had these, I insist you proceed IMMEDIATELY to www.brownies.com and order some. They are soooo decadent!!! What are you doing still reading my planning journal?! Go get those brownies!!!

Disney mints:

From www.candywarehouse.com . . . I found some little snowflake tins for $0.60 each at Michael's post-Christmas sale that will make nice containers for these.

Not sure if there will be anything else . . . maybe we'll track down some of the celebration buttons to throw in . . . maybe some more muchies to throw in . . . but the bag's getting pretty full at this point, so we might have to stop at that

 

[acwinsett]

Great engagement story!

I'm another Dec 09 Bride who can't book till April.

Thanks! You're a Dec WP bride . . . Really?! When in December will you be there?

Don't know about you, but the wait is agonizing!!! We'll just have to keep each other entertained until we can sign our contracts . . .

 

[MegKate]

Wow Andreah, you got some really awesome deals!!

 

[Chilly]

Thanks! You're a Dec WP bride . . . Really?! When in December will you be there?

Don't know about you, but the wait is agonizing!!! We'll just have to keep each other entertained until we can sign our contracts . . .

No I want Sunset Point which at the moment is also 8 months as the back up location is under construction, WP would be my second choice. We hope to marry on Dec 30th.

Great bags, don't think most of my guests would appreciate them so I'm not bothering.