Ashly & Daniel's PJ (8/9/2010 or 9/20/2010) SBP/Citricos - Reception Bliss

[alemmon]

Hi all,
I've been waiting to start a PJ for a long time. I guess I just felt I never really had anything to report. However, starting today I do! First I would like to start off like most and tell you all my very different story...
My name is Ashly. I am 22 and live in Springdale AR. We moved here from Missouri to attend the University of Arkansas. My major there was nursing. I attended the U of A for four years and was never able to gain admissions to their Nursing program. (you basically have to have a 4.0 gpa ) Frustrated a gave up and have since started at NWACC. Here I have a better chance of getting in. I am currently in the application process and will know around the middle of May whether I have gotten in to the Summer program or the Fall. This is the reason our Date is undecided for now. Anyways..

My very wonderful FDH is Daniel ( I call him Danny but his twin brother and I are the only ones who do.) He graduated this summer with his Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering and is not working at his big-boy job at a private firm here in Northwest Arkansas.

We met a very long time ago. In fact in 2010 when we officially tie the knot it will have been 20 years since we first met. I found out his name during roll call in our am Kindergarten class. He was 5 and I was 4. According to my mother we were friends very early on. we started dating a few years later - and don't worry by dating I don't mean dating! Geez...I mean dating as in we bought each other Christmas gifts and he wrote me notes asking if I liked him - circle yes or no. haha We were best friends. In middle school we hung out after school and held hands. In high school we were allowed to actually date. So our 1st date was the snowball dance our sophomore year. He was so sweet. Opened doors, gave me flowers, and told me I was his best friend. We graduated in 2004 and came to the University.

It wasn't until 2007 that he proposed. At the time Danny's twin had a girlfriend who was graduating High school that spring. As a gift to her (and because I had never gone) we decided to go to Disney World. I planned our trip meticulously. Dinner reservations where done 6 months in advance, we had direct flight airline tickets and were staying at POFQ. Everything went off without a hitch. We even got the room we had requested (king in building 6 with a river view)! It was all so magical. However, something would happen that I had not planned.

On our 1st full day in Disney we spent the day in MK. I had booked us a late dinner at the California Grill so we could watch the fireworks. We were seated upon arrival and ordered and ate our appetizers.

After that we watched the fireworks. After dinner it was late, like 11 or so when we got back to our room. I was exhausted. I came right in and got in bed. Danny had stepped out to David's (his twin's room) to bring him a promise ring we were holding on to. Little did I know that he wasn't just taking a ring to David's but he was also retrieving a ring. By the time he got back I was asleep. He crawled into bed and shook me a little. I believe I replied with something along the lines of, "this better be good". He ask me to roll over and when I did he was holding this:

I couldn't believe it. I was so shocked all I could say was "are you sure" LOL. After that I was on cloud 9 for our trip. He wouldn't let me wear the ring in the parks. He was afraid I would lose it! "Disney is hundreds of square miles, and that's a lot of places to look", he would say. So I only wore it in the room.

So I guess that's our story. To come: Planning Part 1

 

[padisneyfour]

welcome and congrats.... looking forward to hearing more of your plans.. have fun!

 

[tiggersam00]

so cute! Your ring is gorgeous! (PS- I would have said "this better be good" too) You cant just wake a girl up
Can't wait to read more!

 

[disneygal922]

Welcome and Congrats o your engagement! What a cute story! Can't wait to hear more of your plans!!!

 

[malibustacey]

Hello,

Your proposal is very sweet!! Its so nice that you have known each other for so long. I cant wait to start hearing your plans for your wedding. I am too getting married in Disney in 2010 (Nov 18). I am very excited, i bet you are too!!! We are also planning to get married at SBP!! Not sure on receptions yet though, but it will be either Living Seas or Sonoma Room! (plus i really really want a dessert party too after).

Anyways, i hope to read some planning stuffs soon!! Congratulations and i hope everything goes well for you!!

 

[alemmon]

Sorry it took so long to post again. Been busy with work and class. Ok so I guess to start I will tell you guys how we decided to have a DFTW and where we are with the planning.

Ever since we got engaged at Disney, we always said, "wouldn't it be cool to get married there." So this summer we moved into our first house together (before we always lived in the dorm) and started wedding talk. We found a very beautiful place here locally and when I started to get a price figured out I came to realize a DFTW would cost around the same. So after long deliberations we decided to go ahead. We know the journey will not be an easy one but I am up to the challenge.

After I started researching DFTWs I feel in love with SBP. It was the place for sure, then recently I came across lurkyloo's PJ & TR and fell in love all over again, only this time with Epcot. So I gathered up all of the bravery I had and I made my first call the Disney last week. Soon to be heartbroken, I was told NO outside venders in Epcot. I have my heart set on the Roots and am will to go back to my first love SBP to have them as my photog.
Second heartbreaker for me was to find out that Livings Seas is booked for the day we are leaning toward so I have to go back on my fall back reception site, the California Grill. The California Grill is special to us because that is where we ate the night FDH proposed so I guess I'm cool with that. Now only if we had a day...

So SBP/California, good. I hope among hopes that we can do a desert party. It just depends on our budget. Stocks are so bad right now that it might not be possible, but maybe they will go up in the coming months.

Our colors are Dark Orange and Maroon, two colors that have been picked out for a long time.

I have already bought our invitations. For me that was the 1st big step in the planning (minus picking a DFTW). We got them mega on sale at Michael's. I had plans to make my own but these are easily customizable and I adore them. FDH liked them too. We picked up 2 packs of 20 for $20 . The sets include invites, envelopes, RSVP cards, and more envelopes. Oh and a pack of thank you cards.

I am currently scouting the world for a mickey mouse head wax press so I can wax seal all of the invites.

I have cute craft stuff too but I have to get proper pics before I post more...

To come: Planning Part 2

 

[malibustacey]

oooh a mickey head wax press to wax seal the invites would be such a good idea!!

If i wasnt going to use the invites that Disney sends out then i would totally go for sealing the invites with mickey wax heads!!

 

[alemmon]

Planning Part 2 - 564ish Days and Counting

I never have been a very traditional girl, in fact, I always thought about eloping. So as I am planning I have noticed that have selected some different ways of doing things along the way.
First, I will not be wearing a veil. I cannot stand them and to be honest, in most pictures it's always blowing off to the side anyways. So therefore I have decided to not wear anything in my hair. We will see how that goes...

Two, man oh man do I hate dresses. However, I will give in on this one. For me this will probably be the last thing I select and the hardest thing to decide on.

Three, I have decided that I will not have a guest book. I never understood them. I know who came so I don't see making everyone do a roll call. Although...I did come across a fantastic website.
Signature Plates and Platters.

Instead of a guest book, guests use a special pen and sign a customized plate. You then bake the plate and huzzah! a guest list to be remembered. They are cute and reasonable priced and for someone who isn't traditional, I think they will be a fun way to remember the day.

Also, because I like share thoughts in an organized manner I have started a blog. The info there and here is about the same, it just looks prettier. You have visit of you like. http://770days.blogspot.com/

To Come: Planning Part 3

 

[disneygal922]

WOW your invites are great! And you got them for such a great deal! I was at Michaels this past weekend with my sister looking at the DIY wedding stuff! There is so much out there! Congrats on finding them!

 

[padisneyfour]

very cute.... great start to your pj looking forward to hearing more. I checked out your blog very quickly, but it looked great. I will have to go back again and check it out more. so did you decide on a date then after talking with disney? good luck with all your planning

 

[malibustacey]

good thinking with the plate!


I dont really want to wear a veil either... im not sure if it wil look right, or it will look ott?

 

[tiggersam00]

Hey looks like your making a great start to your DFTW! Great buys on the invites! I love the plate idea, and may steal it.... my cousin did that and she uses it at holidays!
I'm not doing a veil eithier, I think I may just do a few small flowers off to the side of my hair... but who knows!

 

[DISNEYMAGIC2005]

Sounds like your off to a wonderful start! I love Michael's. I could get lost in there sometimes. I got my invities from there too! Love the plate idea! DF said he would like to do that but then he said nevermind because I'm a bit clumsy!

 

[MegKate]

Awesome start for the PJ!! I just love the ring - it's gorgeous!!

Your colors are beautiful - what inspired them? (I'm so nosy I know! )

Looking forward to reading more, so write often! (yes I'm also bossy!!)

 

[alemmon]

Planning Part 3 - 561

Hey guys, thanks for all the warm wishes and complements. You guys are great. For planning part 3 I decided to detail my talk with Disney and then let you guys in on a few really great crafting things I have picked up.

I finally worked up the courage to call Disney about two weeks ago. After pressing, what seemed like 100 buttons, I was connected to a girl who took the usual; Name, Groom's Name, Number of Guest, etc.. She then ask me if I had a place in mind. I ask her first about the no outside photog in the parks, she told me that they didn't no ceremonies in the parks - at all, and that I couldn't have outside photog for any ceremony. I shook it off and decided that she was just someone who answered the phone. I then said fine, Seabreeze Point. Her reply was that seabreeze point only held 17 people and that my party size (around 40) was too big...Now I'm annoyed. I tell her whatever and said I would discuss my options with my coordinator.
The next day Diane Mahoney-Brown called. She is amazing! She was sweet and encouraging. I ask some basic questions and told her I would be calling her back soon. That was about it. I heard things I liked and things I didn't, but nothing was unfixable. So I guess my 1st call was pretty uneventful.

Now on to the crafting.

I (heart) my mother! She picked up the cutest stickers yesterday. They are stickers but look like buttons. She loved them so much she bought 8 packages. We have no idea what we are going to use them for but I don't care. I love them.

She and I also picked up some stamps. I tested them out and scanned the page in. The Hogs and Kisses one isn't really wedding related but since Danny and I both attended the University of Arkansas it's something that really screams us.

To Come: Planning Part 4

 

[malibustacey]

oh i am going to call Disney up on sat to make an appointment to see some locations in March. its true, i have read about people ringing up and getting upset because of the person on the phone told them something different to what is actually true, so i wouldnt worry. you can definately have more than 17 people at SBP- im having my ceremony there, and i have seen videos of weddings there and there is definately more than 17 there- probably about 35-40.

love all the little Disney bits you are collecting. I think i might start collection bits to make welcome bags for people. hehe!!

 

[alemmon]

Sorry it's been so long since I updated. I have been mega busy with school and work. But that doesn't stop the wedding planning!

In the mean time I have been making some important decisions and changed my mind 100 times. Danny has been great and is helping my whenever he can.

Anyways, I think we have come to a decision on our reception site. We are going with the advice of our coordinator and some other planners she has consulted. The result is....Citricos! Diane says it's great with seating and has a good pre-reception area. Aslo the lagistics for a sit down dinner are good. I have been leaning toward it for some time but I confirmed it with myself and Danny today. So yay

Another important thing I have done is make a good decision on favors. We are doubling our favors as escort cards. I found a really great website called the "The Green World Project" It's a website that provides seedlings for gifts. Check it out here: The Green World Project

We are going with the ones in the tubes. I like the white caps and wine ribbons. We have an idea for the set up. I want to get a box of wheat grass and place the trees in the grass field to be picked up when guests arrive. I think it will be cool. I was thinking for the name tags we could use letter press leaves in our colors and hand write the name on one side and the table name on the other. Idk, we will cross the bridge when we come to it.

Well, I think that concludes the planning for now. I'm sure I have other things to report but I can't remember anything else for now.