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

[acwinsett]

I've been soooo busy over the last couple of weeks, I've totally been neglecting my "bride to be" duties. For good cause, though. Last weekend we drove down to Destin, Florida to celebrate with our good friends as they got married on Grayton Beach. I'll post more about their wedding later. It was just AMAZING!!!

So here's where we are now:

DONE:
- Email Newsletter #3 - Disney's Theme Parks
- Wedding gown alterations
- Make arrangement to FedEx dress to Florida - Change of plans: Dress is riding with Amber
- (DECIDED NOT TO DO THIS ONE) Email Newsletter #4: Getting to Disney (Current airfares, checked luggage fees, Magical Express, TSA guidelines, limo / taxi / towncar services)
- Wrap wedding party gifts
- Make music playlists

IN PROCESS:
- Talk to manager of Grand Floridian Cafe about merging 2 reservations into one large group reservation - Left Message
- Talk to manager of Yachtsman Steakhouse about merging 3 reservations into one large group reservation - Left Message
- Update Patricia LeJeune contract with services for attendants - sent an email message to Le Jeune PCA - they can accommodate as many services as we need - Erin & Sonja - Hair Only
- Make bridal party t-shirts

WEDDING "TO DO" LIST

**ATTIRE**
- Order tuxes for Brian and Gavin - Oct 10th
- Make arrangements for gown storage and steaming - Oct 10th

**PRE-WEDDING PROJECTS"
- Make and send "pre-arrival" packages with plush Mickey's, park maps, celebration buttons, etc.
- Make "bingo cards" for the "Journey into Intoxication" at EPCOT World Showcase

**CEREMONY**
- Music selections, editing and playlists
- Order marriage license - Oct 11th
- Send ceremony script to Rev. Kevin Knox - Oct 11th
- Make wedding programs

**RECEPTION**
- Make place cards
- Make menu cards

**EMAIL NEWSLETTERS**
- Email Newsletter #5: Park Attractions (Andreah and Brian's Favorite Attractions, Attractions that will be closed for refurbishment)
- Email Newsletter #6: Room Block Reminder (Room block will close on Nov 8th, Please send us your confirmation #'s)
- Email Newsletter #7: Photography (PhotoPass, photography supplies)
- Email Newsletter #8: Christmas Happenings (Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, Candlelight Processional, Osborne Spectacle of Lights, Resort Decorations, TV Specials on Travel Channel and Food Network)
- Email Newsletter #9: Getting Around in WDW (Transportation Guides for each resort, info and prices for taxi services)
- Email Newsletter #10: Last Minute Tips (Orlando Weather Forecast, Tipping Guidelines, Packing List, online resort check-in)

**MISCELLANEOUS**
- Try to get tickets to the DIS party at Hollywood Studios
- Purchase attendant gift for Gavin
- Complete the shot list and schedule for Misty Miotto
- Prepare photography shot list for Disney Photography (Magic Kingdom / EPCOT portraits)
- Final DFTW Payment - Nov 8th (based on # of expected guests)

 

[Chilly]

Love those earrings.

 

[Sarah <3 Disney]

Love the new pictures! You will be a beautiful bride!

 

[GoonieBride]

the dress looks beautiful on you. it fits perfect too!!! i tried on that dress i looked like (scale from 1 to 10) a 5 in that dress you are 20! BEAUTIFUL!!
and the earrings go so well. so happy for you!

 

[Dr.Cinderella]

Wow you look so great in that gown Andreah! Thanks so much for the earring photos! They are gorgeous! Love them! Cant wait to see your wedding photos!!
Marissa

 

[acwinsett]

Here are pictures of some cocktail napkins and "take home" cake bags I ordered from InvitationConsultants.com:

I just KNOW we're going to have TONS of cake left over. Maybe people can take slices back to their resorts!

 

[acwinsett]

Yesterday when I arrived home, there was a sturdy mailer with this inside:

 

[Chilly]

OMG they are soooooooooooooo cute.

 

[acwinsett]

Okay, I know this is a little off topic, but I wanted to share a few photos from our friends' wedding a couple of weeks ago. It was so AMAZING!

The Happy Couple: Sean and Ellen
Date: September 26th
Location: Grayton Beach, Florida

The Backstory:
Sean and Ellen have probably endured and overcome more challenges over the last few years than anyone I can imagine. In 2005, Sean lost all of his posessions in a house fire that destroyed the home he shared with he and his brother. Later that year, Sean's father died in a car accident - I actually heard of this when I was having dinner at 'Ohana one night (my brother had run into Sean that night and called me to tell me the news). It wasn't long before Danny (Sean's dad) died that he began dating Ellen. What a way to start a relationship! But it gets even worse . . . within another year, Sean lost both his step-father and his little brother (the one he shared a home with).

Things started looking up in May 2008 when Sean told Brian and I that he was planning to propose to Ellen the following month. But, sadly, in that month, Ellen's father passed away. But not before giving Sean his blessing on the marriage. Sean decided to continue with the proposal on the planned date, and Ellen did not hesitate to say "YES!".

The Wedding:
So the big day finally came! They chose a location on Florida's "emerald coast" called Grayton Beach. It was GORGEOUS!!! The water was truly "emerald" color and the sand was soft and white like sugar.

As we were getting set up, though (Brian was filming the ceremony), we began to worry when we saw a big storm brewing off the coast:

As the time for the wedding approached the column of water got bigger and BIGGER and we all just KNEW we were about to get SOAKED with big-giant-buckets-o-water!!! But all of a sudden I heard a collective gasp from the wedding guests that had assembled. I looked to the sky and saw this:

A beautiful TRIPLE rainbow (you can't see all of the color bands in this photo) appears!!! And right on cue, the harpist starts playing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow".

And, to our amazement, the storm just passed right by us, never making landfall. The wedding was perfect and Ellen looked like an angel:

It was truly one of the most amazing things I have ever seen in my entire life! How amazing that Ellen's dad, Sean's father and brother found a way to add a little magic to this wonderful day!!

But, not to be outdone, I've now contacted Disney and have requested that there be FOUR rainbows on MY wedding day! (Get ON that, will 'ya?!?! . . . )

 

[Chilly]

That was a happy ending.

 

[acwinsett]

We sent out a new email newsletter this morning. It's our FAVORITE attractions at Walt Disney World . . . hope you enjoy!

Click here for our favorite attractions newsletter.

 

[acwinsett]

Starting to get a little shorter . . . this is almost scary!

By the way, I've got a bunch of things I need to post photos of, but I'm just about to get a new camera. I'll post project updates and photos soon!

DONE:
- Make (reception) music playlists
- Order tuxes for Brian and Gavin - Oct 10th
- Email Newsletter #5: Park Attractions (Andreah and Brian's Favorite Attractions, Attractions that will be closed for refurbishment)
- Jacket to go with wedding gown - meet with seamstress on Oct 10th
- Make bridal party t-shirts
- Send ceremony script to Rev. Kevin Knox - Oct 11th

IN PROCESS:
- Talk to manager of Grand Floridian Cafe about merging 2 reservations into one large group reservation - Left Message for manager, sent email to wedding planner
- Talk to manager of Yachtsman Steakhouse about merging 3 reservations into one large group reservation - Left Message for manager, sent email to wedding planner
- Update Patricia LeJeune contract with services for attendants - sent an email message to Le Jeune PCA - they can accommodate as many services as we need - Erin & Sonja - Hair Only - Amber - Hair and MAYBE makeup
- Order marriage license - Oct 11th

WEDDING "TO DO" LIST

**ATTIRE**
- Final fitting for Brian and Gavin's tuxes - Dec 4th
- Make arrangements for gown steaming
- Drop off fabric at Roxanne's bridal for bolero jacket

**PRE-WEDDING PROJECTS"
- Make and send "pre-arrival" packages with plush Mickey's, park maps, celebration buttons, etc.
- Make "bingo cards" for the "Journey into Intoxication" at EPCOT World Showcase

**CEREMONY**
- Music selections, editing and playlists
- Make wedding programs
- Phone meeting with Rev. Kevin Knox (Oct 13th)

**RECEPTION**
- Make place cards
- Make menu cards

**EMAIL NEWSLETTERS**
- Email Newsletter #6: Room Block Reminder (Room block will close on Nov 8th, Please send us your confirmation #'s)
- Email Newsletter #7: Photography (PhotoPass, photography supplies)
- Email Newsletter #8: Christmas Happenings (Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, Candlelight Processional, Osborne Spectacle of Lights, Resort Decorations, TV Specials on Travel Channel and Food Network)
- Email Newsletter #9: Getting Around in WDW (Transportation Guides for each resort, info and prices for taxi services)
- Email Newsletter #10: Last Minute Tips (Orlando Weather Forecast, Tipping Guidelines, Packing List, online resort check-in)

**MISCELLANEOUS**
- Try to get tickets to the DIS party at Hollywood Studios
- Purchase attendant gift for Gavin
- Complete the shot list and schedule for Misty Miotto
- Prepare photography shot list for Disney Photography (Magic Kingdom / EPCOT portraits)
- Final DFTW Payment - Nov 8th (based on # of expected guests)
- Buy a new camera!

 

[acwinsett]

Here are a few photos from the tuxedo shop this past weekend. We decided to pick up the tuxes here and take them to Florida with us. The owner of the formalwear shop is "a friend of a friend" and we thought it would be nice to get them from someone that we know.

Here is the tux we chose for Brian and Gavin to wear:

Brian being silly (wearing the vest and tie that we DIDN'T choose):

My little guy . . . doesn't he look like a young Paul McCartney in this photo?!?

 

[pezaddict231]

Love the napkins and cake bags from invitation consultants. Did you have to have them customized? I looked on their site but couldn't find them, so I guess they discontinued them?

That was such an amazing thing to happen at your friend's wedding. It's so great that they got a perfect day after everything they've been through.

Love the tuxes, they look great! Gavin looks adorable. I love how he's mastered the casual pose!

 

[pinkcow]

I'm loving the bags and napkins!! Your boys look great!

I was teary reading about your friends wedding, that is just beyond incredible! And yes, 4 rainbows on the 8th! Ha!

 

[acwinsett]

Love the napkins and cake bags from invitation consultants. Did you have to have them customized? I looked on their site but couldn't find them, so I guess they discontinued them?

I just ordered these a couple of weeks ago, so I'm sure they're not discontinued . . . here's how I got them:

Go to www.invitationconsultants.com
Select Partyware, then Napkins (under "More Accessories)
Select any of the solid colored napkins on Page 1

There are lots of Disney designs you can choose from:

 

[acwinsett]

I'm loving the bags and napkins!! Your boys look great!

I was teary reading about your friends wedding, that is just beyond incredible! And yes, 4 rainbows on the 8th! Ha!

Yes, and the four rainbows must be visible from both, Walt Disney World AND the cruise ships!

 

[pezaddict231]

Thanks! I didn't realize those were just the colors, I was like geeze, why do all these napkins say "Celebrate", lol!

 

[acwinsett]

Thanks! I didn't realize those were just the colors, I was like geeze, why do all these napkins say "Celebrate", lol!

Funny!

I'm very pleased with InvitationConsultants.com. My order was received very quickly, and I really like that they had so many designs to offer. There aren't many online retailers that do Disney imprinting designs.

 

[acwinsett]

Brian's Parents Officially Cancelled
Brian's parents cancelled their trip, officially. I asked them to hold off as long as possible - just in case they changed their minds. But, I think the 45 day mark is coming up in a week or so, so they just went ahead and cancelled.

Brian texted me yesterday while I was at the gym yesterday to say that his mom stopped by and dropped off a beautiful wedding card. Apparently they decided to give us a chunk of the money they were going to spend on the trip because the card was filled with cash!

Phone Appointment with Rev. Kevin Knox
Brian and I had a phone appointment with Rev. Kevin Knox yesterday, and everything went great! He's SUCH a nice guy! We spent about 20 minutes going through the processional and ceremony, and another 20 minutes or so just getting to know about each other.

We made just a few revisions to our ceremony script, including:

• Moved the Special Reading of 1 Corinthians 13 to BETWEEN the marriage vows and ring vows

• Moved the Prayer Blessing the Marriage and Family to after the Unity Candle

• Removed the "Family Medallion" presentation

• We also discussed the changes that would need to be made to accommodate Brian's parents' absence.

In the absence of Brian's mom and dad, Brian will actually have no blood relatives in attendance. We decided to place Amber (our Honorary Bridesmaid) in the family processional and ask her to light Brian's unity candle taper. She's kind of like a sister to Brian, anyway. And she'll be thrilled, I'm sure of it!

We also had a discussion of what to do with the presentation rose for Brian's mom and dad. I had contacted Rose at Disney Floral to remove the corsage, boutonniere and presentation rose for Brian's mom and dad. But, after our phone meeting with Rev. Knox, they guys decided that we should place the rose in the place they "would have been sitting" if they were there. I have mixed feelings about this . . . it seems kind of like they died. I asked Rev. Knox to say something along the lines of "Brian's mother and father are with us in our hearts and we look forward to celebrating with him when we get home." (We're having a video made just for their benefit, so we want them to feel included, even if not there in person.) I thought, IF we're going to do the thing with the rose, then it would be nice if we could bring it back as a keepsake for them, so I emailed Rose yesterday to see if she could do ONE of the presentation roses in silk, so that we could really give the rose to them when we return. Still waiting to hear back.

Marriage License
We sent in the initial paperwork to Brevard County by fax on Friday, and received an email confirmation the same day! And yesterday (Tuesday) we ALREADY received the second set of paperwork in the mail. We'll go sometime this week to get it notarized. Speedy speedy!

"Artsy Craftsy" Projects
I decided that we need to have all of our "artsy craftsy" projects COMPLETED by Nov 15. I figured that with the Thanksgiving holiday in the mix, that I really need to be able to spend the last 2 to 3 weeks before the trip packing, shopping, tanning, mani/pedi, hair appointments, etc. I've got some updates and photos to post as soon as I get a nicer camera.

Bolero Jacket
I went to David's Bridal to see if they had a wrap or a jacket that I could wear with my wedding gown and, let me tell you, I was NOT AT ALL impressed with the customer service. The first lady took me over to a rack with a bunch of stuff and I found a nice bolero jacket in satin with 3/4 length sleeves. The person that took me to the rack was busy helping someone else, so I went over to another person and told her I wanted to order it in "ivory". That person told me it was a bridesmaids' jacket and I should take a look in a different section for brides. So I looked at the brides jackets and didn't see anything I liked. They were all more "poofy" and bulky and they all had full length sleeves. The material wasn't shiny, like satin. It was kind of matte-looking. And the sizes weren't quite right for me. (They were only available in S, M, L - where the first jacket I found was size by number). So I went BACK to the lady and told her that I didn't see anything on the "bride's" rack that would work, and just wanted to order the first jacket in "ivory". Then she tells me that it doesn't come in ivory. Bummer! So I just told her that I would look somewhere else and I left.

I went over to another bridal shop near my office at lunchtime one day. It was a small-ish shop and there were two ladies working there. They looked all over the place for bridal jackets and couldn't find anything. But they said that their seamstress could make one for me. I found a jacket on a bridesmaid's dress that was just like what I wanted. I met with the seamstress yesterday and she said she JUST made the exact same jacket in the exact same size and still has the pattern for it. And guess what?!? She's going to use the leftover material from where I had the train cut off my wedding dress, so it will be an EXACT MATCH!

So excited! I think that's all for now . . . more updates soon!