Derrick & Jens DCLW - 10/16/11 Mexican Riviara Wonder - Guest Favor Delivery Question

[jenpaige]

If your name is Derrick, please stop reading now!!! (there's secret wedding stuffs (like the dress) in here that I don't want to ruin the surprise of please!!!!) Love you, thank you, bye!! ​

I have to thank all the wonderful posters that have inspired me to start my own PJ. I've realized there's a vast pool of great knowledge and ideas that I can't help but want to tap as we begin planning our wedding. So for those before me, and those reading now, thank you thank you!

Index

• How we met
• How I knew he was the one
• How we got engaged
• Why a fairy tale wedding
• The Couple
• The Engagement Ring
• The Inspiration
• The Obstacles
• The Plan
• Cake and flower options
• The Dress
• The Photography

How we met
I never thought I would have been one of those eharmony girls. But after years of unsuccessful relationships, I figured a website couldn't do any worse than I had! Especially one that had such convincing commercials. So I did it, five years ago I signed up to find 'the man', it wasn't until a year later that I was finally matched with him....Derrick. We started communicating in October of 2007, and it wasn't long until we set up our first date.

How I knew he was the one
If him ending our first date early (so we could meet again the next morning for breakfast and video games) wasn't enough to let me know he was the man for me, the years of our time together has only solidified it. He's laid back, always makes me laugh, and loves many of the same things I do (Including Disney!). So after 2 years of dating, and a year of living together, I was confident he was the man I wanted to be with for the rest of my life.

How we got engaged
As we had just recently purchased a new home, when time came for vacation this last December we had agreed on a 'staycation' to enjoy our new home. I had just recently renovated our master suite, stripped grand 90's wallpaper, and brass fixtures. So when our first day for a spa day on our staycation came around, I was prepared with bubbles and chocolate covered strawberries. When we went to the spa for our massage, I giggled when the gals kept asking about my husband. Needless to say, a couple hours later, back at home I was in for a surprise. Preparing for our retreat at home, I was confused when I had asked him to fetch me the strawberries, and he stood looking at me, silently. It wasn't long until he disappeared....and reappeared, strawberries in one hand, down on one knee hiding something under the plate. From there I'll be honest, I was so shocked and elated that I can't be sure how he asked, but I do know that it kept me smiling for hours on end because I fell asleep thinking how bad my cheeks hurt from too much smiling.

Why a fairy tale wedding
It wasn't more than 10 minutes after our engagement that he asked if it was too early to start talking wedding plans. We had talked about it before, wanting a small ceremony, and two larger receptions for our families both in Oregon and California. But how to keep the ceremony small....we had always aimed to do a cruise or destination wedding. Within minutes it was apparent, we couldn't think of anything better than our own Disney fairy tale...a Disney cruise.

Let the planning begin!

Jen & Derrick

 

[KristiLyn]

Congrats and welcome!!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Cogratulations and welcome!! Can't wait to hear all about it!!

 

[sw33t_angel]

What a cute story!

Congratulations!! Can't wait to hear more!!

 

[Mindyjoy]

woohoo, a DCL PJ! How exciting! I am going on the Wonder in April and I'm so excited I'll be able to follow along with your PJ and Trip Report knowing what the Wonder and the ports look like.

 

[jenpaige]

KristiLyn, tinkerbell, and sw33t_angel, thank you all for the kind words, hopefully I can include some fun stuff in here

woohoo, a DCL PJ! How exciting! I am going on the Wonder in April and I'm so excited I'll be able to follow along with your PJ and Trip Report knowing what the Wonder and the ports look like.

I'm so excited to find another California Disney Bride! I've not had much luck finding many DL or DCL brides, seems everyone is over in WDW. So I look forward to keeping up on your PJ too!!!

 

[jenpaige]

So I guess to set the back story - the pre wedding, I figured I'd post some pics...I'm a visual person what can I say.

The Couple:
For some reason, all of our pictures together seem to be centered around food...

The Engagement Ring:
He spent months trying to find the perfect diamond with the perfect setting...he was very clever, I never suspected that his late working nights, and nights out with the 'boys' was really nights spent at over 15 various jewelers, and multiple loose diamond shows!

The Inspiration:
So we both love the teal/brown combo, but I needed some more pop, and something that cried a little 'tropical' to me. So here's what I'm thinking so far as far as inspiration.

The Obstacles:

• Families in two different states
• Neither of us wanting a big ceremony - nor are we very traditional
• Learning new traditions necessary for a Chinese wedding
• Wedding on a budget (we want to keep everything minus the engagement ring and one reception under $10k)...DIY ideas welcome please!
• Cultural barriers and expectations of a FMIL that doesn't understand 'final guest list'

The Plan:
There will be three celebrations to help meet the said above obstacles.

1. Wedding aboard the Disney Wonder (departing LA October 16th, 2011)
2. San Diego Reception - Formal Tea Ceremony and Chinese Banquet (Day after we land back in LA from cruise, October 24th, 2011)
3. Portland Reception - Party at the home of the newlyweds (Saturday after we return to our home, October 29th, 2011)

 

[lilsqueakrr]

You're story is too cute! Congrats! Can't wait to see how everything unfolds! ;D

 

[jenpaige]

So, perhaps I'm just dense, but for the life of me I never could find what the DCL wedding choices for 2011 were for us DCL brides. I finally received my planning packet from Shanda, and figured, if I had so many problems finding options, maybe folks would appreciate some insight to choices before starting their planning. So here it goes:

Flower Choices (included in package):
So really two types of choices included with no extra charge
Roses -

Tropical -

Flower Choices ($75 extra charge):
So a few additional choices if you have the budget
Cala Lillys -

Themes -

Extra Flower Options (various extra charges):

Cake Style Options:

Cake Flavors:
Chocolate
White
Yellow
Marble

Filling Flavors:
Chocolate Mousse
White Chocolate Mousse
Strawberry Mousse
Bavarian Cream
Butter Cream

Our Plans:
Since flowers aren't a high priority for us, we figured we'd rather allocate the extra cost to photography than pay for overpriced floral that we won't get to keep. We will go with the included bouquet and boutonniere. I like the idea of the Tropical bouquet because it seems more fun and light hearted, but I'm not sure it would work with any 'theme colors'....so I could just do orange roses, but seems too formal for us (we wanted the Disney cruise because it was fun!)

As for the cakes, I immediately cut out the square cake because I feel like it's just two sheet cakes resting upon each other. But I'm not sure which way to go between the two rounds....traditional or classic. I'm a no frills kind of gal, so thinking traditional?

Anyway, hope that helps other DCL brides to be if you haven't gotten your planning packets yet. I'll post the recommended song lists and photography packages next for you guys.

 

[elleinad16]

Congrats!
I'm so excited to read all about your DCL planning!

Also LOL to the inspiration picture--looks familiar That's pretty cool we like the same color scheme, I'll have to share more ideas with you

 

[jenpaige]

Haha, yes! My original inspiration was the teal/orange/white photo, but when I ran across your PJ my jaw dropped...was excited to find someone with the same thoughts! I'll definitely be following your PJ to see how your plans work out. I've been enthralled so far!

I absolutely love your art deco cake with the teal/orange/brown...I wish we had more control over our cake, because your vision is beautiful.

I will be doing a 'welcome bag' for my cruise guests as well, we should bump heads on what to put in them. A lot of mine will be cruise oriented, but I'm planning some non-cruisey stuffs too.

 

[elleinad16]

Haha, yes! My original inspiration was the teal/orange/white photo, but when I ran across your PJ my jaw dropped...was excited to find someone with the same thoughts! I'll definitely be following your PJ to see how your plans work out. I've been enthralled so far!

I absolutely love your art deco cake with the teal/orange/brown...I wish we had more control over our cake, because your vision is beautiful.

I will be doing a 'welcome bag' for my cruise guests as well, we should bump heads on what to put in them. A lot of mine will be cruise oriented, but I'm planning some non-cruisey stuffs too.

Thanks for all the compliments! That really means a lot to me!
I'd love to talk wedding and bounce ideas off each other! Especially the welcome bags...I am having a hard thinking what to put in there too.

Maybe you could find flower leis and put them in your bags?
Hmm..I will think of more!

 

[redlight]

Congratulations! You are a cute couple!

 

[jenpaige]

Congratulations! You are a cute couple!

Haha, thank you! Although our friends like to think of us as beauty and the beast, so don't let him know he hit a cute meter anywhere!

 

[Goofy4Ever]

Yeah...another DCL bride Congrats!! I can't wait to hear more about your planning.

 

[jenpaige]

The Dress
So this last week has been very dress centric. After endless hours of my DF putting up with replays of 'say yes to the dress', I figured that even though I want to lose 15lbs before the wedding, that 15lbs shouldn't change the fit enough to order a different size....so for his sanity, and mine I've decided to go in for the plunge.

First, I have got to say...that show sets some pretty fowl expectations. I was terrified I wouldn't be able to walk into a gown store and give them a budget under 1k without eye rolls. (Based on the show it seemed everyone was in the 3-5k range minimum, and I just can't get myself to spend that much for anything that I'm only going to use for a couple hours). But after walking around some stores, it looked like I could very possibly keep a nice gown under $500 even which works great.....as I'll need two gowns! So the goal was set. Two gowns + shoes + accessories all for under 1k....can I do it?

So with budget in mind, and a vision for the dress I was all set for fittings. The goal? Find a gown that is cruise friendly, figure flattering, not heavy and hot and would travel well.

I've now gone to three fitting appointments at three different stores. First store I didn't find anything I really liked, but I learned some great things from that first fitting that helped me steam through the next two fittings knowing exactly what I wanted, so here's my lessons learned 'short list':

• Taffeta is much lighter/cooler than satin but still looks elegant
• A lines are very flattering for pear shapes (I've got huge tush+thighs)
• Dropped waists are NOT flattering for pear shapes (to the point I couldn't even get into them)
• Lace reminds me of my grandmas home
• I like sparkly stuff!
• I don't like too much sparkly stuff....
• Slips really make a difference, find what is comfortable - if two tiers of tool is too much...don't do it
• Straps are nice to feel secure and hold a dress up
• A corset gown is also a nice way to feel secure and hold a dress up
• Sitting in a corset gown means I'll have wonderful posture all day!
• A small sweep train is a good way to throw back to a traditional gown, without a ton of fabric to haul around
• Ruching is very slimming on asymmetrical lines

So with that list I ended up looking for:

• A-line
• Short Train
• Corset Back
• Rouching
• Taffeta
• Some Sparkle

I narrowed it down to two gowns:

More on dresses (including the Qipao for the tea ceremony) this evening hopefully!

 

[KristiLyn]

I love both choices!

 

[Mindyjoy]

I also love your choices! I am trying to keep my entire outfit under $1k as well so it's nice to know it's possible! I haven't done any in-person dress shopping yet (but lots online).

 

[redlight]

I like both choices as well, but the second one is my favorite and I'm usually not a fan of strapless.

 

[jenpaige]

Thank you all!

Under 1k is entirely possible (and I'm squeezing both a traditional white gown and traditional chinese gown into that!)

Online shopping is great, but it's really hard to know what things look like without atleast going in to try on some silhouettes. I had no clue drop waists wouldn't go over my hips, or that empire cuts made me look preggos until I tried some on. My recommendations (and boutiques probably hate me for this) but go into a boutique and tap their vast knowledge of what gowns fit your body, your style, and your vision. I approached it as a process of elimination, if a fabric felt too hot and heavy (hi satin), I knew for my tropicalesque wedding I needed something lighter (hi taffeta)...and sure enough eventually you'll narrow it down your dream gown. But I walked into those fittings knowing, regardless of how wonderful the dress was, I was not going to be purchasing that day, and it gave me time to do research on the gown I wanted, and weigh my options for the best buy.

I'm fairly confident I'll be going with the second gown up above, and I'm very grateful to the gal that helped me find it nailed one that looks wonderful on me. But unfortunately the same make/model is available for $200 less at another boutique for special order (or $500 less online at a discount ebridal store!). I'm thinking tonight I'll go order from the cheaper boutique as they will have an in house tailor for alterations, will store my gown for free until the event (better to hide from the DF!), and provide free gown steaming/preservation.

I've also been doing some research on my Qipao, and I've narrowed it down to a few choices...unfortunately I'm terrified that they look too 'waitress-y'

Qipao options:

I'm leaning towards the first as it's closer to an a-line and more forgiving on an 'American figure'. I've found a great site that will do tailor made measurements which I'd need done anyhow. But we'll see...unfortunately traditional Chinese garb wasn't designed with curvy girls in mind!