Bec & Chris - Wishes Wedding 03/01/11 WP/WHR/SCP - Some extra pics and **COMPLETE**

[DVC Bride 2011]

Your checklist is really helpful! I like that you added items that Disney did not include...some things that I probably would not have thought of until the week of the wedding!

And yay for getting great deals on the flights!

 

[BecBennett]

I got Michelle Wenzler as my planner

We worked around the deposit thing, what we ended up doing was getting a travel mastercard, so it's Australian, but loaded up with US $. So we loaded $2500US onto it, and sent the details away to DFTW.

So all we had to pay was the exchange rate difference

It's a good travel card too, as it works just like a prepaid credit card, and it only costs 1% of every reload.

 

[BecBennett]

Why on earth is the planning CD from Disney taking so long!?!?

According to Michelle my planner, it was already on it's way to me on the 16th of June, and it still hasn't gotten here

I know, I'm being impatient, but I want it already!!

In other news, DF likes the look of Rev Jack, I was a bit dubious of him because some of the reports that have come back about him, but I'm happy to go with what DF wants. I requested that he contact me the other day, so hopefully I'll hear from him soon. If I haven't heard from him in a week I'll talk to DF and we'll decide on someone else.

In other other news, Jack Johnson is coming to Australia in December we bought tickets for his Sydney show yesterday. Can't wait!!

 

[mebbradley]

Oh my goodness! I hope your CD shows up soon!

 

[BecBennett]

My DFWT Save The Dates turned up today however I'm still waiting on my planning CD, and to hear back from Rev. Jack

Oh well, we go dress shopping tomorrow, so hopefully I'll be able to report back that I've found "the Dress". Probably no photos though, as they don't really allow that here.

 

[Chilly]

It must be driving you nuts waiting for the CD.

 

[BecBennett]

It really is!!

***

I wrote on the main board that we went dress shopping yesterday, and have narrowed it down to two dresses. I've got to get the sneaky photos off my mum, and then I'll post them here, they're not very good, but it was funny so I'll post them

 

[BecBennett]

As promised, here are some photos from our dress shopping expedition.

We set our alarms for 5am, and headed off on the road at about 6:10am. Which is a really good effort on our behalf, as we were hoping to get away by 6, and usually we're at least half an hour behind schedule.

We stopped off a Maccas about half way for breakfast, and I called FMIL to find out how she was going, as we were meeting her and a friend at the dress store. They too were on their way.

We got back on the road and continued our journey, arriving in Newcastle at around 9:45am. We had a really good trip, because it's usually atleast 4 to 4 1/2 hours drive away.

We also managed to find a park almost right out the front,

We went inside, and like any budget concious bride made a beeline to the sale area unfortunately none of the dresses on my short list were in there. I browsed around the Maggie Sottero section, and was pleasantly suprised to find that most dresses were around the $2000 mark.

When approached by a sales lady I gave her my shortlist and she started collecting the dresses for me. As all three fitting rooms were currently taken she took them out into the back room for me to try on.

The sales lady was lovely, she wasn't pushy and she made us feel welcome, and not in the slightest bit rushed.

She disappeared for a little while, so my BM helped me into the first dress, and my mum started lacing me up. I was fine with this, and was hoping it would continue as we would have had plenty of time for sneaky photos

Unfortunately we forgot about taking photos of the first dress, and then by that time she was back in, and then almost never left my side

In order, I tried on:

Monalisa
Allyssa
Fiorella
Jenna
Krisha
Cassandra
Ambrosia

And then Allyssa again...

Whenever my BM and I were alone in the back room she snapped a few photos, the first time she had to jam the camera down her pants as the sales lady came back in, another time she was just focusing when the sales lady came in, and had to play dumb like she didn't know you weren't allowed to be taking photos.

Monalisa up close

Allyssa on the rack.

Allyssa up close.

Jenna on me. (I was keeping a look out )

Ambrosia on me.

Now if you haven't seen it, Maggie Sottero's Monalisa is a very "Cinderella" dress, and it was the first one I tried on. So everyone immediately decided it was perfect. It really is a beautiful dress, and it is perfect for a Disney wedding, but I was there to try on 7 dresses, so I was going to try on the 7 dresses.

Then I tried on Allyssa, and everyone changed their minds. This was the dress!

I continued trying all of the dresses on, and none of them really compared to Allyssa, they couldn't find Ambrosia, and were starting to think they must have sold the floor model, so I was about to put Allyssa back on, and decide for sure that it was what I wanted, when they found Ambrosia.

So I put it on and went out and stood on that box thingy that's in front of the mirror, and FMIL started crying I think mum may have gotten a little teary too, but she's made of harder stuff like me, so it wasn't really noticable

After we finished up here we went to have lunch and chat about the dresses. It was down to Allyssa and Ambrosia. Allyssa was priced at $2200, and Ambrosia was $3500

FMIL and her friend left us after lunch and we headed to a nearby store so my BM could try on her dress. Alfred Angelo - 6471.

The closest store shut at 2pm, and we got there at 2:15pm... No one was inside either. It looked like they were long gone.

I looked up the Alfred Angelo site, and it was able to tell me there was another store about 30 -45 minutes away. I gave them a call and they didn't shut until 4pm, so we decided it was worthwhile going to.

We got lost a couple of times, but eventually made it.

Here is my BM taking some sneaky photos

This was actually a really good store, as it also had a whole heap of lovely mother of the bride outfits. We may not buy the BM dresses here as they were $240 each, and I know where I can get them for $140 each, but we will most likely go back so my sister can try on a dress, and I think mum wants to get something from here too.

Over all, a successful day. Now just the tricky part of deciding which I want to buy...

 

[Chilly]

The Jenna dress looks lovely on you.

 

[shippedtosea]

yay pictures! I vote the Ambrosia, you look beautiful in it!

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

My vote is still for ambrosia...you had the FMIL and the MOB teary eyed...That's your dress...bottom line.

 

[pezaddict231]

All of the dresses are really beautiful, but it sounds like you really want Ambrosia, and that you would be settling if you picked Alyssa. When I went dress shopping I found I kept comparing every dress to my dress and that was how I knew.

It is a lot of extra money, and it may mean some compromises in other areas, but it's not like the other dress is "cheap" either, so you should get what you want.

Maybe you can get it from somewhere else cheaper. I know Pearl's Place or RK Bridal sell the actual dresses, I'm not sure if they will ship internationally though. There are also sites where brides sell preowned dresses, some have never even been worn, the bride just changed her mind, so that could be an option too. I know saw a post on PW where a girl is selling hers, she decided on a different dress, not sure if the size and length would work for you, or if she sold it or not yet.

Good luck!

 

[BecBennett]

I've come across a slight snag with the dresses. Apparently no store is allowed to sell a Maggie dress to someone outside of the US... I'm hoping perfectbridal.com will, but I'm waiting to hear back from them.

Otherwise I can't find either second hand, and I don't want an imitation. However I'm still working on it.

It's really come down to a decision of: do I want the "wow" factor of Ambrosia, or the "elegance" of Allyssa...

I can however check two things off of my "To Do" list! I booked Port Orleans Riverside from Feb 23rd to March 5th, I requested a room in Magnolia Bend, and because (stupidly) I didn't include the king rooms in my room block, I also had to request a one of those two, instead of just booking one. It shouldn't matter though, as I'm hoping the general public deals will come out and be much better value, so I can just book a king room anyway. It's just a huge weight off my shoulders that it's finally booked

The lady that booked the accomm for me said that I should expect a confirmation email between 2 and 12 hours of making the booking, we're now 35 minutes away from 12 hours, do you think she may have taken down the wrong address? I had to repeat myself a lot because of my accent, but my email address is pretty much my name, so how wrong could she have got it?

I've also booked and paid a deposit for Beaute Speciale. I requested Ana, so hopefully she comes, but I wont be too concerned if she cant.

Now, still waiting to hear back from Rev. Jack, and to get my planning CD (hopefully today's the day!) I asked my planner if it was sent before or after the Save The Dates, but haven't heard back from her yet either

I'm also hoping to get my wedding ring made soon. I want it to sit snuggly against my engagement ring, so it means I've got to part with it for maybe a month while they do it That's why I haven't organised it yet either...

I think that's all for today... I'm looking into booking someone to do my hair and makeup for a friends wedding in October and using that as a hair trial, but I haven't decided yet...

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

find another ring to wear in place of your e-ring..your finger will feel naked without it!!!

 

[Disney9.9.10]

I love love love Maggie Sottero dresses - although I am a little biased because that's what my dress is lol But I think that both dresses are beautiful! They do have a few common elements, but they are still both different. I would definitely not settle though, make sure you get the one you really want!

It is unfortunate that they won't sell a dress outside of the US. But do they mean North America, or is it just this certain store that won't sell outside? Because I live in Canada and I bought a Maggie Sottero. Maybe I just misinterpreted what you meant, but it should be possible for you to get that dress!

Seems like you are doing some waiting on other fronts - which is kind of frustrating. I don't think that my planning CD took very long to come in so hopefully you get yours soon!

 

[BecBennett]

find another ring to wear in place of your e-ring..your finger will feel naked without it!!!

I know, I'm not looking forward to it!

I love love love Maggie Sottero dresses - although I am a little biased because that's what my dress is lol But I think that both dresses are beautiful! They do have a few common elements, but they are still both different. I would definitely not settle though, make sure you get the one you really want!

It is unfortunate that they won't sell a dress outside of the US. But do they mean North America, or is it just this certain store that won't sell outside? Because I live in Canada and I bought a Maggie Sottero. Maybe I just misinterpreted what you meant, but it should be possible for you to get that dress!

Seems like you are doing some waiting on other fronts - which is kind of frustrating. I don't think that my planning CD took very long to come in so hopefully you get yours soon!

I can buy a Maggie Dress, I just cant buy it from a US Store, from here... If that makes sense. I can either buy one from an Australian store, or get someone in the States to buy me one from an American store. Sounds really stupid, but it's something I've come up against a couple of times. I'm definitely having a Maggie Dress, they're too beautiful to pass up, it just depends on where I can get it from...

My CD finally came today! I feel like I'm finally doing some proper planning!

 

[Disney9.9.10]

I know, I'm not looking forward to it!



I can buy a Maggie Dress, I just cant buy it from a US Store, from here... If that makes sense. I can either buy one from an Australian store, or get someone in the States to buy me one from an American store. Sounds really stupid, but it's something I've come up against a couple of times. I'm definitely having a Maggie Dress, they're too beautiful to pass up, it just depends on where I can get it from...

My CD finally came today! I feel like I'm finally doing some proper planning!

I see what you are saying now, but you are right, it doesn't really make sense. I hope you can find the dress you want at a price that is right!

Yay for getting your CD!! It will be loads of fun now!

 

[amyy]

I believe we emailed about the gluten free food. The Napa room did a great job. I ad randy take pictures but I don't have them back yet. She had her own salad, main course looked a ot like what the rest of us had-it was huge, brownie with ice cream and chocolate sauce for dessert. I never did see the gluten free cupcake but she was very happy with her dessert.

The dessert party was another story. I was so disappointed. She had one item unwrapped and 2 that were wrapped with the store packaging. I could have went out and bought her some things a lot cheaper. She was also able to have the fresh fruit we had. Luckily she was still full from lunch so she didn't really mind.

I can share pictures when I get them. Glad your planning is coming along.

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

I hope everything works out with the dresses...that seems so weird that you cannot order any from the US? What about Canada? Lots of stores here sell that designer.


They all look gorgeous, but I love the Jenna on you!

 

[Chilly]

I hope everything works out with the dresses...that seems so weird that you cannot order any from the US? What about Canada? Lots of stores here sell that designer.

Or can you order from the UK? Not sure if they are just as expensive as Oz.