Cam & Howard's Vow Renewal PJ -1/12/09 - WP&WH--p.98: TRIP REPORT BEGINS

[Honeibee]

Oh Howard, that is our song!

I mean Charlie and I. Not you and I.

 

[keenercam]

Work has been so busy and stressful that I haven't had much DIS time!

First, I wanted to say what a GREAT time I had trying on dresses with Kathy and Judy. They were so supportive and non-judgmental and honest and I didn't feel self-conscious at all about being undressed in front of them. That is a HUGE deal for me. Our bridal consultant at the Demetrios Salon at Macy's Cherry Hill was so sweet and helpful and very, very patient. We ended up being there more than 3 hours!!! I don't know how many dresses I considered and how many I tried on but Kathy and Judy think close to 20! Kathy is involved in the theatre so she spent a lot of time under my skirts, straightening and tugging! LOL! Judy helped me maintain modesty, being in charge of the panel you can insert in the back of a dress to cover your skin so you can go out to the pedestal/mirrors. It was SUCH a positive experience that I absolutely intend to buy my gown there.

When all was said and done, we had 4 gowns that we all really liked on me. I have pix of me in them and will email the link if anyone wants to see. Just PM me your email address.

After shopping, we had drinks and a great dinner at Bahama Breeze. Then home to Delaware where we worked on crafts with Andrew until almost 1 (well, we wore Judy out a tiny bit earlier than that, which is totally understandable considering she gets up in the wee hours of the morning to take care of her horses and work out -- she is MUCH more diligent than I! ). Thanks to Kathy's and Judy's creative ideas (none from me!) we figured out how to attach and tie various things and we got all of the personalized tags for the wine stoppers decorated and attached and we attached wishing star tags to most of the pens until we ran out of ribbon. Everything looks wonderful!

Sunday, we accomplished so much,too! A trip to World Market yielded a tall rectangular "flat" glass vase and irridescent flattened glass stones to put in the bottom of it. At Michael's we found wide, wired pink organza ribbon for the vase. My idea is to put the irridescent beads in the bottom and tie a huge pink bow on the wide front of the vase and stand the programs in it for the ceremony. I didn't want to use a basket and thought this might be pretty in a simple way and then functional later (I love the vase so it will be nice to use it at home and remember that it was from the VR ceremony). At Michael's we also found additional gold and pink organza ribbon for the various crafts, save the dates & invitations. Oh, and I am now the proud owner of 2 mini glue guns AND glue sticks!

Here are the two items that were Saturday night's project:

The pens are clear, though the star on this one picks up the color of the cherry coffee table it is sitting on.

This is similar to the vase we found:

I can't find a picture of the exact flattened glass beads/stones for in the bottom, but they are like this but irridescent -- I'd love to find some in pink (or perhaps, gold) to mix in and also to "raise" the floor up a bit for the programs to sit on (Michael's didn't have them but I am going to check JoAnn's or ACMoore):

UGH! Work calls. More later!

 

[caryndisneydiva]

that is SUCH A GOOD IDEA FOR YOUR PROGRAMS! i love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

pming you my email addy NOW!

 

[keenercam]

Awww, I hadn't seen Howard's post -- I think we were writing at the same time. What a sweetie!

Caryn -- I am so glad you like the idea! I'd love to "assemble" it now to see what it would look like, but I'd hate to tie the bow and then have it get smashed in packing. Maybe once I get the pink stones I won't be able to resist. I am just not feeling the traditional "basket" thing and then couldn't decide whether to do white or what shade of tan/brown. I LOVE glass, so this seemed like a good fit. And since neither Kathy nor Judy tried to "talk me down" from the idea, I think it might be a good one!

 

[keenercam]

By the way, the pictured rectangular vase is $130!!!! The one we found was $19.99, less 20%, bringing it down to $15.99.

 

[keenercam]

YAY!!!!! I am so excited! I got a call yesterday from my consultant at Demetrios where we were Saturday. They have located my "dream gown" (posted here on page 12) (I couldn't find a single salon within 3 hours that has it) and they are having it sent to them for my March 8 appointment. Once I have tried that on, I will be able to make a decision on whether that is "the one" or whether I will keep looking. BTW, the non-organza gown I posted on page 12 was not at all appealing to me in person. the styling on the skirt looked terrible on me.

Oh, and NO ONE has been of any help in helping me decide between the four I narrowed it down to last weekend. It just goes to show why designers have a gazillion styles! The feedback I got was everything from "I LOVE that one on you" to "That one just isn't flattering at all" and I got positive and negative feedback on every single one! And the ONE that I thought was the frontrunner? Someone told me last night I'm too short to wear it. Now, I appreciate all the advice and feedback and I LOVE hearing what everyone thinks, but it seems like I may have to head back to the drawing board. Frankly, the process has been so much more fun than I expected that I don't mind at all. So, I'll carve out some time to look for more styles to consider before my March 8 appointment, now that I have some ideas of what my fashion advisors think might look nice. Thank you so much to everyone who helped!

 

[lpizzuro123]

Love reading your report and I will send you a PM for photos of the dresses. I understand that you want opinions but ultimately it is your decision in the end and pick the one that makes you the happiest and don't look back.

Linda

 

[keenercam]

Thanks, Linda! It is so hard for me to be objective and I really do appreciate everyone's feedback. It is easy to get wrapped up in the sentimentality of a dress but even looking at the pix now, my opinion changes day to day. One more reason I was so relieved that Kathy and Judy were there and so candid with their opinions. I would NEVER have considered 2 of the styles that I ultimately fell in love with and yet they were the ones who said "Here. Try this!" It's so much fun! Hey, maybe I'll just keep shopping and shopping until I MUST order a dress!

 

[Honeibee]

Hey. Who told you that you were too short???

 

[keenercam]

Hey. Who told you that you were too short???

Actually, it was someone who very honestly expressed that they thought dress #2 was designed for someone a couple of inches taller. It really does look that way in the pix, too. LOL!

 

[DisneyLaura]

Cam - I love the idea for the vase to hold the programs. I can't wait to see them. I also gave you a pm with my email so I can see the pictures too.

 

[keenercam]

First -- he cc's me on an email he sent to Andrew (DS14):

Sent: Thu, 28 Feb 2008 12:24 pm
Subject: Idea for the Vow Renewal Ceremony....


Andrew:

What do you think of this for you at the Vow Renewal? It may be hot and this would definitely keep you cool. The chicks dig it, obviously.

http://www.carolynallens.com/for_him/accessories/misc/boys_shorts.htm

Love ya!

Dad

 

[keenercam]

And here is what it says:

gown photos

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi, I am excited to see your gown selections. Please send them to me. I am using your DH's email so that it is easier for you to send it since it is in your address book. I know you are very busy at work everyday.

Your DH will not see these, honest.

I want to give you my honest opinion. Good luck with your choices! I can't wait to see what you like.

Hugs & Love,

Disneylover143
__________________

Isn't he adorable?!?!?!!? What a SNEAK!!!

 

[pjstevens]

your hubby is so funny....

 

[hope1826]

Your DH is hilarious!! You should send him the pic of the Afghan Hound wearing a gown from my PJ!!

 

[keenercam]

UGH!!! I am stuck at work almost all weekend and when I am not here, I will have to work on taxes. YICK!!!

My bridal consultant called from the salon yesterday to say the "dream gown" had arrived and I could go in anytime I want to try it on. If I do,they'd honor the 15% discount that I'd get at the trunk show next weekend even if I went early. Unfortunately, there is no way I can get there until next weekend. And there is no way I want to go alone to try it on. I am really excited that Kathy and my friend Marie (MoH at our wedding and Godmother to our kids) and now Jenn (dear, sweet, DS19 and MoH) are going with me next weekend.

Work is crazy busy and I am beyond fried. I am so glad I am not time-crunched for VR planning because there is no way I could carve out the time to do anything right now.

A couple of other things are done as of this week:
Appointment for Tux selection/fitting: Howard scheduled tux fittings for him and Andrew on 6/27. YAY!!! I think we'll have to keep an eye on Andrew as he continues to grow like a weed and I'd hate for Carolyn Allen's not to bring the right size tux. So, I guess we'll measure his height and arm length at home in June and then again right after Christmas and let CA know if there is any significant growth. Since he'll be in Orlando on Friday before the VR, if there is a fit problem, CA should be able to take care of that on Friday (I've read they can't switch out pieces on the weekend).

Tasting and Planning Session: I'm not sure if I mentioned that our tasting session and our planning session are scheduled for June 26. We realized that Howard and I won't be in Orlando together for any weekday before January, so Joe (I feel like I have my very own personal miracle worker! ) was amazing in getting us in communication with someone who scheduled all of it for us. The person we have been in touch with is Alix who is an absolute sweetheart and so responsive. I'm not sure if she is a planner or not; it seems we wouldn't have a planner until we sign a contract in May, but maybe she is the person who handles all of the scheduling until a planner takes over. I'm not sure which, but she has been helpful. It is amazing to have that planning packet in hand. Disney thinks of EVERYTHING, don't they? Reading through the materials helped me to consider some issues I hadn't thought of and I've added lots to my planning files.

Room Block -- Joe was able to confirm that our room block is in place. We decided to increase our guarantee to 50 room nights and were able to block 20% more than that or 60 nights. We decided to block only a value and a deluxe hotel. Many of our guests will be staying DVC so we'll have the benefit of their room nights credited against our minimum, but we are now able to be sure that each of our guest families will have the option of POP or WILDERNESS LODGE with no likelihood of our block at one or the other being totally exploited before someone gets to make a reservation. Some of our friends who are DVC owners may even use our blocked rooms for Friday and Saturday night, because DVC point reservations are so high for Fridays and Saturdays.

 

[lpizzuro123]

She is Meri Williamson's assistant and is really great to work with (both of them are). Good luck with your next dress shopping trip and looking forward to seeing more pictures.

Linda

 

[keenercam]

Thanks, Linda! I wonder if that means that Meri will be our planner. I have heard really wonderful things about Meri, so that would be fabulous.

 

[Deesknee]

I just started reading this thread today. I keep feeling wetness running down my cheeks. Tears of joy for you. I logged on to make myself feel better with a disney fix. Boy did I pick the right thread to read. Thank you!!!!

DH & I met as very young children. Then remet as teens & have been married for 25 years now. We were planning a small vr for our 25th, but it was not meant to be. I know they say God doesn't give you more than you can handle. So I will hold on to hope that maybe for our 30th we can plan something like what you are doing.

I love all that you are planning. I love the appreciation you have for you family and friends. I admire your faith & love of your relationships.

I will continue to enjoy your journey. My prayers will be with you that your life is always as blessed as it is today....May all your wishes come true.

 

[keenercam]

Deesknee -- You are so sweet! Thank you so much for reading and taking the time to post such a thoughtful, kind note. Congratulations to you and your DH on 25 years. What a lovely story! I hope you get to have your dream event for your 30th anniversary -- how fun to have all this time ahead of you to mentally plan it! (yes, I can find a positive side to EVERYTHING! )

I love sharing all of our planning here; my motives are completely selfish! I am wringing every moment of joy out of this process. And I am really enjoying the feedback and advice and opinions that everyone shares. We really want to share the joy of our love with the people who mean the most to us in our lives; we want this to be a beautiful and FUN party for our friends and family, to thank them for supporting us and for being so important to us. I am hoping that when all is said and done, that will be the message our guests carry away with them. Thank you, again, for posting. I hope you felt better after your "Disney fix"!