Cheryl & Mathew's 11/11/11 Disney Wedding!

[lilsqueakrr]

Aw, no problem luv! You'll get the hang of it eventually! =] If you need to refind mine, it's always in my signature!

 

[belle2211]

LOL that's awesome! I remember you from Target. I shopped there a LOT. I knew i recognized your face- now I can picture you wearing the red shirt lol. I never forget a face. And I've known Ellen (and her sis Charlotte) for years, totally knew Jon, too (he ended up living by me after high school). Jason Wells- lord I've known that kid for as long as I remember! We went to church together at Advent & went to school together. I keep in contact with him now on FB.
I worked at Papa John's on Wells (for like a minute) when I was 16, then Steak N Shake on Wells in high school, and Roadhouse (the restaurant, not the bar lol). After high school I worked at Olive Garden & a few years later Hops.

Such a small world!

 

[MegsClubHouse]

Your dress is one of the prettiest I've ever seen.

Best wishes to you!

 

[CherylLynn]

I know I'm soooo late updating about our PS & MT, but..... My son came home today!!!! He's been at his dad's for the summer for 2 MONTHS. I thought I would die while he was gone. But he's back! I'm such a happy Mommy!!!!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Cheryl sweetie - That is one gorgeous dress!!!

 

[lilsqueakrr]

Aw! Yay! So happy your little guy is back home! <3

 

[CherylLynn]

Aw! Yay! So happy your little guy is back home! <3

Me too! I swear he grew another 2 inches while he was gone!

Cheryl sweetie - That is one gorgeous dress!!!

Thank you! I LOVE my Dress!!!!

 

[CherylLynn]

PART A: PLANNING SESSION
I received my handy dandy questionnaire by email and filled it out with all the prelim stuff- how many people, whats your vision, what are your colors, what things do you want to address, etc. I also filled out the Floral forms & Menu Requests. So by the time we got there, we could make the most of our time. I was really pleased with that.

So anyway, last Thursday we went down to Disney for our PS/MT. Woooo! DF, me, my Mom, Sister, & my FMIL went down together (there's only supposed to be 4 people but my WP pulled some strings and allowed my Sis to come). We met at Franck's at 9am ready to go- let me tell you, my tummy was in knots! I was sooo excited! Our WP Christy Jacoby introduced herself and we got started. Unfortunately, my FMIL decided to take over and spend the next 45 minutes talking about her wedding, asking questions we already had the answers to, and moving past things that she didn't see as important (but I DID). Grr! But I didn't want to make waves, as I understood she was just happy to be a part of everything and caught up in the moment, so I kept my mouth shut. Finally her 3 cups of coffee wore off and the rest of us were able to talk.
As you would expect, they run everything in chronological order. So we began with the Rehearsal. I wanted info on having our RD at Chef Mickey's (my fave restaurant there) or a Dessert Party at Epcot. Since Our Wedding has very few Disney elements, we wanted our RD to be purely authentic Disney. Of course, that was what my FMIL brezzed right past. She said that we were most likely going to have it off-property & would discuss later (um, excuse me?). This has been a sore subject for me, but I didn't want to get into it in front of everyone, so I let it go. So moving on. We went over the ceremony site, which is now the Croquet Lawn (max like, 300 people), but we'd really, really like to cut the GL down from 125 to 80 so we can have the ceremony at Sea Breeze Point (80 person max). It's just so much prettier! But for now we planned as if it stayed at CL w/ our Pre-Reception at SBP. When we were in our initial meeting with Stacy (our Coordinator) the pics we saw had all these pretty white folding chairs. But at our PS we were informed that the basic chair for the ceremonies are these horrible plastic patio chairs. Um, no. So we debate for awhile on what chairs we could have, how much, etc. We'd also like different chairs for the reception, so we played with numbers on having them moved. Chivari Chairs are my ideal, but at $12.50 a pop it's a tad ridiculous. Christy informs me they have a new chair vendor, and they're only $9.50! Happy dance! Moving swiftly along, we go over our ceremony. Ours is pretty unique, but simple. I'll have a portrait of my Mom at the altar in rememberance. No Unity Candle or Sand Ceremony, but we will do a Family Medallion. Basically my son & DF exchange a cute little pendant to symbolize a blending of our family, and exchange vows to each other. Just for the record, I will be a sobbing mess at that point LOL. Here's a pic of the Medallion:

Our officiant is one of my best friends, JP, who got ordained for the occasion. It's so much more personal than some random person we just met. We're all super stoked about it. As for the rest of the BP, we have 1 Best Man, 4 Groomsmen and 12 (yes, I know) 12 BMs. No MOH. I'll address the number and reasons why later. The girls will be wearing navy dresses & carrying pink flowers. The guys will coordinate w/ DF, but we haven't nailed down anything solid yet. I could really care less as long as they look nice with the BMs. So we cover some more basic ground for our ideas, and move onto the Pre-Reception. A smattering of tables, a few chairs for the older folks, music, and a bit of food (I'll go over all our food/drink stuff when I hit the MT). Reception: Promenade East & West Ballroom at BW. DJ for music. Monochromatic flowers, lots of candles. Good food. Open Bar. Dancing. Cake. You get the idea. We get back to the chairs. I have to say, I HATE the ballroom chairs. I realize thats a strong word, but I do hate, detest, loathe, abhor those ballroom chairs. They are HIDEOUS. And the only thing I hate as much as those chairs- chair covers with frilly bow sashes. I realize that amillion brides love them & use them, so sorry if I offend anyone. I just can't stand them. They haven't progressed since the 1980's, and to me, they are so cookie cutter ballroom reception decor (let it also be said I am also not a fan of ballrooms, but thats all that was available, so we're dealing). We had to wait for the Florist to discuss the rest of the decor. Soooo, cake time!
We tasted all their basics. Cakes: Chocolate, Vanilla, Almond, and Marble. Fillings: Raspberry, White Chocolate, Bavarian Creme, Bailey's or Kalhua, Dark Chocolate, Tropical something or other, and maybe a few others that were unmemorable. The only frosting you can have is buttercream. Boo. But whatever, one less decision to make. We requested special flavors- I HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU DO. Red Velvet cake, Cream Cheese filling, and Strawberry filling. After tasting every possible combination, we decided on pretty much all our special requests. We'll be getting a tiered cake for 65, and serving 1 or 2 quarter sheet cakes.
Bottom layer: Vanilla cake with Strawberry filling
Middle layer: Red Velvet cake with Strawberry filling
Top layer (for us to take home): Red Velvet cake with Cream Cheese filling. The sheet cake will also be Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese filling for guests.
***Here's a tip, Brides: We went with Vanilla cake on our bottom layer since we would be cutting into it. Dark colored cakes don't look very good in the pics that you take during the cutting- who wants brown or dark red crumbles in their teeth? Yuck!
The whole cake will have Buttercream frosting with a fondant layer. After we cut the cake, it will be wheeled to the kitchen, the fondant will be removed & it'll be cut & plated. You can't tell the difference between the fancy cake or sheet cake once its plated, so why waste the money? The guests will never know.
After that the Florist, Elizabeth, came in.
Personal floral: I have always wanted pink peonies for my bouquet. For as long as I can remember. Unfortunately, for a Nov. wedding it's impossible to get peonies. My only option is to go with a very similar looking flower, the garden rose (a premium flower), or silk peonies. But the only way to get the garden roses is to order (and pay for) an entire box, which is 72 stems. I told her we'd have to decide based upon the cost. For the BMs we'll either do a monochromatic pink basic flower, like gerbera daisies, regular roses or carnation pomanders. If we get the box of premium garden roses they'll just carry a few of those. DF picked an orchid & calla lily bout for himself, with a single calla lilybout for thr GM & Dads. Our moms will have corsages made with a pink & ivory roses & ivory ribbon. We'll also place one at the base of my Mom's portrait. Our grandmothers will have a smaller version of the Moms corsages. The flower girl will either have a wand with ribbons or a pomander.
Ceremony Decor: We're having a ceremony in the round with a chuppah-like arbor thingie. It'll look basically like this but without the floral endcaps & aisle runners:

Down the aisles we'll have rows of tall cylinder vases with floating candles and maybe a smattering of rose petals. Maybe a few carnation pomanders here and there depending on the cost.
Pre-Reception Decor: White tablecloths on scattered high & low tables. A low round vase with a floating candle and single flower bloom. Chairs for the older guests.
Reception Decor: We found out that long, narrow roman tables are provided free, so we opted for those over the basic ballroom rounds. we'll be using the ivory linens with a runner of sheer navy with silver stars. We went back & forth on the overlays, but we thought the silver stars would look great with the candlelight so we went with those & a pink napkin (I have a pic but haven't gotten it loaded up on the computer yet). We'll reuse the cylinders & candles from the ceremony on the tables, as well as each BM bouquet placed fully inside a large round vase. In the tall cylinders we may have them add either a single boom running down the length of the vase, or tint the water either pink or blue. Now, the dreaded chairs. We wanted to use silver Chiavari chairs at the ceremony & have them moved into the reception. The company that chargers $9.50 per chair will NOT let the chairs be used outside at all. So we'd have to pay for a set of white folding chairs at the ceremony (which I think are $6 or $8 apiece) & then pay $9.50 per chair at the reception. Lame. It may end up being cheaper just to use the company that charges $12.50 p/chair in both locations (and yes these to vendors are the Disney vendors). If we have 125 guests, thats $1500 in chairs alone- Redonkulous! But thats how much we hate the ballroom chairs. (One more reason knocking our GL down to 80 will be awesome).

I think that about covers the decisions we made. Now, the gripes.
1) Since you only get 4 hours to plan your entire wedding, you think they would give you more info going into it. Pictures, viable options, etc. Like if I had known I couldn't get peonies in Nov, I could've gone in there with other ideas. Instead we wasted valuable time figuring out back-up plans. Also, a lot of our decisions will be made based on cost. If I had a basic price list of what things were, I could've gone into this meeting with a clear vision of what we want and what we can afford. Instead, we wasted a lot of time asking questions about things we may most likely not be able to fit into our budget. And if that's the case, I'll pretty much be back at square one when I have to adjust the BOE.
2) You are given almost no prices at all. I thought the point of this meeting was to plan and make decisions. How can I make a decision if I don't know what the costs are??? I do not like the way they want you to give every possible thing you could want, and then tell you to cut it down later. Because that way I will most likely be disappointed, having pictures of my dream decor with the vision in my head, then having to get rid of it all because it turns out I can't afford it anyway. I have no idea if the choices we made cost $2000 or $15,000! That's ridiculous!

Either way, gripes or not, I am soooooo excited that we are moving forward with Our Wedding. It is so exciting! It really feels real now. We've been engaged for 3 long years, so to finally have things moving so quickly is thrilling! I have to go feed my child and myself, but I wil be back shortly to continue our saga with Part B.

 

[lilsqueakrr]

I am SO sorry about you FMIL that's why I don't involve mine in anything. She's got all input and nosey-ness when in reality she can't say anything because she's paying for NOTHING. It's all my parents and even in that case they get minimum say (hehe). Other than that everything sounds great!

Honestly, I cannot say as to how much we are alike! I wanted Peonies as well, but I'm in October so no Peonies for me. =[ I'm debating on the silk route?? But who knows.
AND THANK GOD SOMEONE WHO AGREES ABOUT THE BALLROOM CHAIRS! I absolutely, positutely HATE HATE HATE them! They make me feel all icky inside and it's the only option that my current venue has! I'm trying to butter up a relative to pay for them! But I'd need about 150! =X Ah, hugs to us girls who hate them things! They're so retro and so not elegant at ALL! I hate that you can't get your feet underneath without the STUPID cover getting in the way! hehe.

I can't wait to hear about part 2 and see pictures! And I LOVE your color scheme! <3

 

[CherylLynn]

I am SO sorry about you FMIL that's why I don't involve mine in anything. She's got all input and nosey-ness when in reality she can't say anything because she's paying for NOTHING. It's all my parents and even in that case they get minimum say (hehe). Other than that everything sounds great!

Honestly, I cannot say as to how much we are alike! I wanted Peonies as well, but I'm in October so no Peonies for me. =[ I'm debating on the silk route?? But who knows.
AND THANK GOD SOMEONE WHO AGREES ABOUT THE BALLROOM CHAIRS! I absolutely, positutely HATE HATE HATE them! They make me feel all icky inside and it's the only option that my current venue has! I'm trying to butter up a relative to pay for them! But I'd need about 150! =X Ah, hugs to us girls who hate them things! They're so retro and so not elegant at ALL! I hate that you can't get your feet underneath without the STUPID cover getting in the way! hehe.

I can't wait to hear about part 2 and see pictures! And I LOVE your color scheme! <3

Bwahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!
It is so good to see another with a loathing of ballroom chairs!!! they just redid the carpets in the Ballroom, you think with as much money Disney makes they could change the chairs! They're AWFUL!!!! And now that there's new carpet the chairs don't match AT ALL. *shudder*

I always knew peonies were only in season in May & June, but I had been hoping that 1- we're in Fl and its warm year round, and 2- it's Disney. They can make anything happen. Oh well. The garden roses look almost exactly like peonies. You can hardly tell. I actually brought a portfolio in w/ pics of the flowers I wanted, and it turns out one of the shots were garden roses anyway You should look into them, too. Here's a pic:

 

[elleinad16]

Hooray! It sounds like you got quite a bit done at the planning session, even though it was on a time crunch! I know you are rooting for Sea Breeze Point, however, I really, really LOVE the picture of how you would arrange the ceremony at Croquet Lawn! It's so unique! I wish I could sneak by to see it! I agree 100% about ballroom chairs too! You would think that they'd just purchase some soon? Don't you just love Elizabeth?! She was amazing to talk to and she had a lot of great ideas. I feel really comfortable in her hands. Oh, I cannot wait until your Menu Tasting installment! I love to hear about Disney food!!! Oh, and that reminds me, I am PRAYING you can get Chef Mickey's for your Rehearsal Dinner, that is my favorite restaurant too, and it's perfect for everyone to experience the Disney magic!

 

[lilsqueakrr]

Oh man Disney, they need to stop slacking on their ballrooms and give them some love! Rawr, I hate them.

And that's a bummer, but the garden roses are quite purty! ;D If they have a peachy orange color I'd be sold. I'm shocked Disney doesn't have them available all year round? Especially with all their greenhouses?? Amazing! =/

 

[Princess SarahK]

Sounds like a great PS!! And the ceremony set up is so beautiful and unique! I loove it! I took your advice on getting quotes for carnations, and am so impatient! Have you heard anything back about your carnation pomanders price-wise? Im so interested as to what she says!! Anyways, cant wait to read more!

 

[mmmbop]

Even in a time crunch, it seems like you're doing a great job pulling things together!

 

[princess_ariel_85]

sounds like a great planning session & I think you handled FMIL situation well.

Everything sounds great so far xx

 

[CherylLynn]

3 months from today!!!!!!

Hooray! It sounds like you got quite a bit done at the planning session, even though it was on a time crunch! I know you are rooting for Sea Breeze Point, however, I really, really LOVE the picture of how you would arrange the ceremony at Croquet Lawn! It's so unique! I wish I could sneak by to see it! I agree 100% about ballroom chairs too! You would think that they'd just purchase some soon? Don't you just love Elizabeth?! She was amazing to talk to and she had a lot of great ideas. I feel really comfortable in her hands. Oh, I cannot wait until your Menu Tasting installment! I love to hear about Disney food!!! Oh, and that reminds me, I am PRAYING you can get Chef Mickey's for your Rehearsal Dinner, that is my favorite restaurant too, and it's perfect for everyone to experience the Disney magic!

I am super happy with the layout of the CL, but it will cost so much more to decorate. And.... (I'll post more about this in the next PJ entry) when we went to see the CL the grass was dead & brown. They swore up & down at our initial meeting it NEVER looks like that, but it sure did. I'm super worried it will be brown & ugly in all our wedding pics But I have time to figure it out, so we'll cross that bridge when we come to it!

Elizabeth is awesome! She was sooo helpful & super nice. She even helped keep my FMIL in check!

Oh man Disney, they need to stop slacking on their ballrooms and give them some love! Rawr, I hate them.

And that's a bummer, but the garden roses are quite purty! ;D If they have a peachy orange color I'd be sold. I'm shocked Disney doesn't have them available all year round? Especially with all their greenhouses?? Amazing! =/

That's what I thought. They can make a pumpkin the size of a car, but mno peonies?

Sounds like a great PS!! And the ceremony set up is so beautiful and unique! I loove it! I took your advice on getting quotes for carnations, and am so impatient! Have you heard anything back about your carnation pomanders price-wise? Im so interested as to what she says!! Anyways, cant wait to read more!

I haven't got ANY prices or anything back from anyone. Still waiting....

Even in a time crunch, it seems like you're doing a great job pulling things together!

Thank you

sounds like a great planning session & I think you handled FMIL situation well.

Everything sounds great so far xx

Thank you so much!

____________________________________

I promise the MT is coming soon. I've been swamped registering (myregistry.com is awesome!) and we're creating the wedding website from scratch. It's taking foreverrrrrr. But totally worth it! I also want to get the invitations out in 2 days (at the 90 day mark) but I haven't even designed them yet! Eeek! Hopefully they'll be done by next week! I work best under pressure, luckily!

 

[lilsqueakrr]

I know! Ridiculous, they need to get on it!

As far as your 3 month mark goes that is just so exciting! I wish I was that close because then all of the craziness would be settled! Bah!

Good luck with everything! Can't wait to see how the invites and website turn out!

 

[sw33t_angel]

HAPPY THREE MONTHS!!!

 

[princesswendy720]

Just joining in! Everything looks great so far. I really like the croquet lawn, but I have seen some pictures where the grass is not so green. Hopefully they will have it nice and healthy by the time your wedding comes along! I'm looking forward to your next PS installment (PS trips are my favorite!)

 

[tric8783]

First, Congrats!! I just found your PJ, your story is so sweet and all of your planning is really coming together!! I have been stalking these boards for some time now and we actually just got engaged last Saturday! I have a phone meeting today with Christy to hopefully get some dates and locations for April 2012! I was really nervous about what would be available so late in the game but your planning is making me hopeful! We also want an outdoor wedding and your setup for the ceremony at CL is amazing! I am hoping we will be able to lock in a date and location through phone communication since we live in CT and are coming down for our regularly planned vacation the first week of October. I can only imagine how much slimmer our chances and choices will be if we wait until then!

Looking forward to reading more about your plans and seeing everything come together!!!