Boardwalk Bride's PJ Morocco/Canada/Attic/SCP updates 01/09!!

[Boardwalk_bride]

Repeat after me...Breathe in, breathe out…RELAX

I think we all go through similar feelings. I know I did…I wanted something small, super simple, no bridal party. We ended up compromising because df wanted a bigger wedding that his whole family could attend, and he wanted a bridal party. We finally agreed on just one person to stand up for each of us and a slightly larger wedding, but still manageable (and affordable!)

We all go through lulls too! I know I definitely get too wrapped up in the wedding sometime. It’s my new hobby!! Take a deep breath, and a step back and you will be fine. Oh and Ben & Jerry’s could probably help too

Thanks Mandy The problem is, this really wasn't a spur of the moment rant.....we have been thinking about this for awhile (hence my not updating for awhile). I (we) kinda feel like we either want a simple wedding, or a dream wedding, and not really in between. We just feel like if we do the in between thing, we will either regret spending too much on a wedding that was nice, but not what we REALLY wanted, or we will regret not spending the extra on what we REALLY do want (an Epcot ceremony).

So basically right now, we have no idea what to do. We are going to just think for awhile, and not completely ruin everything we have done. When we did debate having a "wishes" wedding before, it was so that we could have a ceremony in Epcot, but we (DF) didn't want to get up that early. Now that we are (because of the MK/EP shoot) it obviously doesn't matter timewise anymore.

So here is our dilemma: we don't know if we should
1) Go back to our more simple idea....still have a bridal party since we have asked them and have them outfitted, but have a casual dinner, and a DP later
2) Stay with the current plan. Do a loosely based carnival theme, with SBP, Attic, DP
3) Shoot for our dream wedding. Ceremony at Epcot at either Japan or Germany, than decide on reception and dp location from there.

If the minimum for wishes was still $10,000 it would be no question, we are already exceeding it. But adding an extra $1500, and than taxes and sc's works out to being, well, A LOT. At the same time, as much as I love SBP, I am scared that I will regret not shelling out the extra amount. At least with a wishes wedding, everything you pay for is what you actually want. Do I want a violin at my wedding? Not really. Do I want a limo? No

So this is it.....total confusion! I am in a position that I have been offered many side jobs through school, so I am making more money than I ever have. But the question is, where do I want the money to go?

Sorry about the rant.....I am just so confused and sometimes writing about it helps to get some stuff off my chest!

 

[MainStMandy]

Don't apologize for ranting!! That's what we are here for.

Seriously, we were in the exact same position (lol look through my original PJ) We went from ceremony in France, reception at Attic...to Escape at SBP with dinner after, to Wishes at the WP. It's a lot of pressue, I think because you get to do it once...and it's a lot of money.

We made a pro's and con's list of an Escape vs Wishes. In the end we figured we were spending almost as much on an Escape but not getting everything you wanted. Step back and kinda start from scratch.

Plus we are all here to help!!

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

Don't apologize for ranting!! That's what we are here for.

Seriously, we were in the exact same position (lol look through my original PJ) We went from ceremony in France, reception at Attic...to Escape at SBP with dinner after, to Wishes at the WP. It's a lot of pressue, I think because you get to do it once...and it's a lot of money.

We made a pro's and con's list of an Escape vs Wishes. In the end we figured we were spending almost as much on an Escape but not getting everything you wanted. Step back and kinda start from scratch.

Plus we are all here to help!!

I you Mandy! You know just what to say! I think we will do a pro and con list, and also make a Plan A, Plan B situation (Plan B being the current one). I knew this would happen! I tried to plan everything before school/work started. Now I have a pile of things to do, and I am changing (maybe) my wedding plans

Oh well, at least I have other things besides school to look at!

 

[Sarah <3 Disney]

I think you should go for the dream wedding. You will only be doing this once!

And there are ways to save as well. For example, if you want your ceremony in Epcot, try picking a reception location there as well. That way, you can save on transportation costs if you and your guests can just walk to the reception. And plus, a morning ceremony/brunch reception is always cheaper than a dinner one! And with brunch, you won't need to serve alcohol, so that is good too.

I agree with Mandy though, make the pros and cons list, and also a list of things you really want in your dream wedding. Then see what package best applies.

 

[pezaddict231]

Just wanted to say hang in there . I think that happens with every wedding. You and DF just need to figure out what you really want. If you dream wedding is in Epcot, I would say go for it, even if it is a little more. Yes, you could eventually have a vow renewal...but once houses and kids are in the mix, it seems like there are a lot of other costs that are going to come first and may be harder to justify. I know there are plenty of women on these boards that do have a dream VR which I think is great, but I know that I wouldn't be able to do it, so I gotta just spend the money now.

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

I think you should go for the dream wedding. You will only be doing this once!

And there are ways to save as well. For example, if you want your ceremony in Epcot, try picking a reception location there as well. That way, you can save on transportation costs if you and your guests can just walk to the reception. And plus, a morning ceremony/brunch reception is always cheaper than a dinner one! And with brunch, you won't need to serve alcohol, so that is good too.

I agree with Mandy though, make the pros and cons list, and also a list of things you really want in your dream wedding. Then see what package best applies.

Exactly, I am only doing this once! If I ever do have a VR, it will be on a really small scale. I originally wanted a courthouse wedding, but now I feel like if I am going to do a "real" wedding, I need to do it right!

Doing a reception in Epcot is a great idea, but I have already booked outside photographer, and would love the chance to still use it!

Just wanted to say hang in there . I think that happens with every wedding. You and DF just need to figure out what you really want. If you dream wedding is in Epcot, I would say go for it, even if it is a little more. Yes, you could eventually have a vow renewal...but once houses and kids are in the mix, it seems like there are a lot of other costs that are going to come first and may be harder to justify. I know there are plenty of women on these boards that do have a dream VR which I think is great, but I know that I wouldn't be able to do it, so I gotta just spend the money now.

Thanks! I definitely don't want to plan on VR, since so many costs will be in my future, I might as well spend all of what I have now

 

[MainStMandy]

Exactly, I am only doing this once! If I ever do have a VR, it will be on a really small scale. I originally wanted a courthouse wedding, but now I feel like if I am going to do a "real" wedding, I need to do it right!

Doing a reception in Epcot is a great idea, but I have already booked outside photographer, and would love the chance to still use it!


Thanks! I definitely don't want to plan on VR, since so many costs will be in my future, I might as well spend all of what I have now

When we first booked France we had already booked Randy too. Our plan was to have him for the before pics, after "Bridal shots" and the reception and let Disney do the ceremony. The important pics to me was the after shots anyway. There are ways to get what you want!

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

When we first booked France we had already booked Randy too. Our plan was to have him for the before pics, after "Bridal shots" and the reception and let Disney do the ceremony. The important pics to me was the after shots anyway. There are ways to get what you want!

So can Randy actually come into Epcot with us?

 

[MainStMandy]

So can Randy actually come into Epcot with us?

Nope...he would have to be excluded from that. But if you have the reception outside of EPCOT he could get everything else. Then just add the smallest Disney photography session to your wedding (I think it’s 3 hours). Check with him but he agreed to split the time for us.

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

Nope...he would have to be excluded from that. But if you have the reception outside of EPCOT he could get everything else. Then just add the smallest Disney photography session to your wedding (I think it’s 3 hours). Check with him but he agreed to split the time for us.

Ok, that is why I thought...thanks for clearing it up! DF and I are thinking we are going to switch to a Wishes ceremony, so I am going to try and talk to my planner tomorrow. She did call today (but unfortunately I was at school) so I am hoping she is available tomorrow to help answer all my questions. The one thing that sucks is that if we do switch to wishes, I think we will loose her. I really like her as a planner, and wish she could still do it (maybe she still can, this is just what I heard).

What do you ladies think for Epcot venues? We really like Germany and Japan, and I want to see if anything is available in Canada or Norway. I also want to try and keep the colour scheme I have, so I need to work with that. I need to keep pink and aqua for sure, since the bm dresses are being made....but I could change the red to another colour if need be.

 

[MainStMandy]

Ok, that is why I thought...thanks for clearing it up! DF and I are thinking we are going to switch to a Wishes ceremony, so I am going to try and talk to my planner tomorrow. She did call today (but unfortunately I was at school) so I am hoping she is available tomorrow to help answer all my questions. The one thing that sucks is that if we do switch to wishes, I think we will loose her. I really like her as a planner, and wish she could still do it (maybe she still can, this is just what I heard).

What do you ladies think for Epcot venues? We really like Germany and Japan, and I want to see if anything is available in Canada or Norway. I also want to try and keep the colour scheme I have, so I need to work with that. I need to keep pink and aqua for sure, since the bm dresses are being made....but I could change the red to another colour if need be.

I think your colors would be really pretty in Japan!! I have always loved the gardens there!

 

[figment fan21]

I go back and forth all the time... sometimes i want DF and I to just go to the courthouse and then other times i want my dream wedding. I know exactly how you feel.

Did you get your BEO yet or do you just have a feeling you're exceeding 10,000$? That is another thing that worries me as a fellow escaper lol.


No matter what you decide it'll be great i promise... i'd do what Mandy said and make a pros and cons list and decide what will ultimately make you and your DF the happiest!

 

[pezaddict231]

Another vote for Japan. The gardens are so pretty! Germany is very nice, but maybe there's a little too much going on in the background?, lots of competing colors. Canada could be really nice too, there's that area by the waterfall that would be nice. I think Japan has the biggest wow factor though!

I wish Disney would change their outside photography rule, I really love the theme park venues!

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

I think your colors would be really pretty in Japan!! I have always loved the gardens there!

I go back and forth all the time... sometimes i want DF and I to just go to the courthouse and then other times i want my dream wedding. I know exactly how you feel.

Did you get your BEO yet or do you just have a feeling you're exceeding 10,000$? That is another thing that worries me as a fellow escaper lol.


No matter what you decide it'll be great i promise... i'd do what Mandy said and make a pros and cons list and decide what will ultimately make you and your DF the happiest!

Another vote for Japan. The gardens are so pretty! Germany is very nice, but maybe there's a little too much going on in the background?, lots of competing colors. Canada could be really nice too, there's that area by the waterfall that would be nice. I think Japan has the biggest wow factor though!

I wish Disney would change their outside photography rule, I really love the theme park venues!

Thanks ladies for all the opinions and advice. DF and I were just at the gym, and were in separate classes...when we met up after (like 30 mins ago) I asked him what he was thinking about (assuming he was thinking about the wedding. His response: Germany....mine was the same! The whole way through that stupid hard as hell class, all I could think about was the Germany pavilion. I realize it is not as pretty as some of the other options, but it just feels right. It is soooo European, and we are obsessed with a life of travel (and Germany and Italy are at the top of our list)

Anyway, we are thinking more and more that Epcot makes sense. What brought us together was our undergraduate degree in geography (so there is our travel/world thing) and what keeps us together is our lifelong goal to travel. Since Germany is one of the first places we want to go, we just feel it sets the "tone" for our life together.

Okay, sorry for another rant, but does this make sense to anyone? Or do you think I am trying to hard to justify something?

 

[pezaddict231]

lol, well first off, I don't think you need to justify anything at all. Just you and DF liking it better is enough of a justification.

I think Germany is beautiful too, and especially since it's important to you, that's even more reason to go with it.

When you do go to Germany, definitely be sure to visit Munich. It is such a great city with a lot of old world charm. I was lucky enough to go for business and I really enjoyed it. The Epcot Pavilion really reminds me of Munich.

 

[Sarah <3 Disney]

I think Germany would be awesome as well. I think it is so unique and vibrant! I don't know if you saw this but Lurkyloo recently posted a ceremony set up there near the statue, and I really like it:

I know some people complain about the signs, but maybe your photographer could photoshop out the "Octoberfest" and "Imbiss" and make the awnings a solid green.

 

[lpizzuro123]

Germany is just beautiful. If that is what is in your heart - then go for it.

Here are two photos taken a few years ago and the one of the two of us is one of my favorite Disney photos. When we were deciding on an Epcot location we definately thought of Germany. At the time we were deciding there really had not been any weddings in Germany that I had seen and we both decided on Italy (I really wanted to walk over the bridge).

Anyway, like I said earlier, go with what both your hearts tell you.

Linda

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

lol, well first off, I don't think you need to justify anything at all. Just you and DF liking it better is enough of a justification.

I think Germany is beautiful too, and especially since it's important to you, that's even more reason to go with it.

When you do go to Germany, definitely be sure to visit Munich. It is such a great city with a lot of old world charm. I was lucky enough to go for business and I really enjoyed it. The Epcot Pavilion really reminds me of Munich.

I really do love the pavilion. We can't decide if the background is too busy or not. At the very least, we will make sure to get it in our photo session!

Thanks for the advice! We will definitely make sure to go to Munich! I have heard many great things about it!

I think Germany would be awesome as well. I think it is so unique and vibrant! I don't know if you saw this but Lurkyloo recently posted a ceremony set up there near the statue, and I really like it:

I know some people complain about the signs, but maybe your photographer could photoshop out the "Octoberfest" and "Imbiss" and make the awnings a solid green.

Yes, I did catch her post that! I think it is so gorgeous, but like other people, I am worried about all the background stuff going on! I just think it is so "charming" like a quaint little village!

Germany is just beautiful. If that is what is in your heart - then go for it.

Here are two photos taken a few years ago and the one of the two of us is one of my favorite Disney photos. When we were deciding on an Epcot location we definately thought of Germany. At the time we were deciding there really had not been any weddings in Germany that I had seen and we both decided on Italy (I really wanted to walk over the bridge).

Anyway, like I said earlier, go with what both your hearts tell you.

Linda

Those pictures are great! I really think that maybe it would be better to just get some pictures there during the photosession, rather than having the ceremony there. I did talk to my planner this morning....and I have a lot of things to think about! I don't think there is a problem with a lot of events happening on my day, so I think I have a lot of time to think about it. I think for now, we might just play around with neutralizing our colours so that they can fit with any venue! The reception area is really important to me, and as long as I know I have the attic, that makes a big difference to me as well!

Thanks for all the help ladies!

 

[MainStMandy]

Looking at those pictures though, I think your colors would work! Look at the colors in the background there...blues, purples, reds, pinks!! I think an inspiration board is in order!! I have some real work to do, but you may have just given me something to occupy my afternoon!!! Be back later

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

Okay, you asked for it! ANOTHER inspiration board!!!

I also have real work to do today, but I am a huge slacker! Anyway, I am really starting to doubt red (although I am not ready to completely abandon the idea) so I made a new inspiration board using pink, aqua and champagne/gold.

Since we don't really know what our venue is, and we may not know for awhile, I figure these colours may work better.....plus, I really like them!

Thoughts?