Did anyone here *not* have a planning session?

[notnothin]

Well, I am ashamed to admit that when my fiance and I booked our DFTW, we didn't know that there would need to be a planning session. We had seen the special on TV (the same one that came on yesterday), but I guess it just didn't 'click' with us that it would be necessary. Not to mention the fact that our wedding planner has made no mention of it, nor do I see it mentioned in either the contract and/or the planning kit, and we're just under 6 months out at this point. Admittedly, we are more than a little embarrassed about this, as she doesn't have extra vacation days that she could use even if she wanted to do so.

Well, my question is this: Have any of you intimate brides out there gone through the process without having a planning session? We likely aren't going to stray too far from the default package, so is this session really a requirement? It seems like this should have been brought to our attention by now, but I really don't know for certain. Do 'overseas brides' plan a trip all the way over here simply for planning?

Should I just accept it, eat the $500 deposit, cancel everything, and try to do something else different altogether. We are so frustrated. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Laurafoster]

Although i did have a planning session, and i am having a custom wedding. I would just like to say that my wedding planner has been so so helpful, that i had made most of the decisions before the planning session. She was really great at sendingme pictures of the locations, flowers, cakes etc.

Personally i would have still had a disney wedding even if i hadnt been able to go for a planning visit!

 

[starseed]

Ask your EM to be sure, but Intimates do not get a planning session. At least, I know we don't get one for ours!

So I don't think there's any need to cancel!

 

[notnothin]

Although i did have a planning session, and i am having a custom wedding. I would just like to say that my wedding planner has been so so helpful, that i had made most of the decisions before the planning session. She was really great at sendingme pictures of the locations, flowers, cakes etc.

Personally i would have still had a disney wedding even if i hadnt been able to go for a planning visit!

Ask your EM to be sure, but Intimates do not get a planning session. At least, I know we don't get one for ours!

So I don't think there's any need to cancel!

Whew! I am feeling much better now. Thank you both for responding!

 

[Skylarr29]

Don't feel silly. Intimate brides don't get planning sessions thus the reason for no mention of it. It is basically a set package. You pick the cake flavor and the colors of the flowers and that's about it. You can add additional things to your package like extra flowers, transportation or characters. You can also email floral with pictures of what you want boquets to look like etc. There's not really anything for you to plan at a session... no food tastings, table settings, or any of that. Your EM can discuss anything you need via phone

 

[notnothin]

Don't feel silly. Intimate brides don't get planning sessions thus the reason for no mention of it. It is basically a set package. You pick the cake flavor and the colors of the flowers and that's about it. You can add additional things to your package like extra flower, transportation or characters. You can also email flower with pictures of what you want boquets to look like etc. There's not really anything for you to plan at a session... no food tastings, table settings, or any of that.

Thank you, thank you!

Your EM can discuss anything you need via phone

This part kinda makes me snicker a little bit, as getting our EM on the phone seems to be impossible. She's never available for phone calls, and we're always told "she just left to go to a wedding". We've requested a new EM, but I'm not certain that the request will be granted.

Anyway, thank you again, very much!

 

[Skylarr29]

Awww, I am sorry you are having trouble with your EM. That must be very frustrating. This is the one thing I fear the most. Since you have about 6 months or so I think alot of stuff will start happening as the date gets closer. It's still a little whiles away. Hang in there.

 

[tchan03]

We didn't have planning session either. But i think communication with your EM ,photographer, make up person etc (by phone) is vital.

Don't be shy to ask your EM any questions that you may have. (or ask us on this board for small details ).

Good luck.
Terence

 

[notnothin]

We didn't have planning session either. But i think communication with your EM ,photographer, make up person etc (by phone) is vital.

Don't be shy to ask your EM any questions that you may have. (or ask us on this board for small details ).

Good luck.
Terence

Thank you, Terence. By the way, I think that your wedding pictures are some of the best I've seen. I always show them to family as an example of the 'Disney touch'. Thanks again!

 

[ahutton]

We had a custom wedding with no planning session, we just did a tour before we decided to have a Disney wedding to show DH what locations were possible. I did everything by telephone, as way back then there was little or no email communication! I got a folder and did 6 one hour phone calls.

Remember, since you are not in competition for vendors (like you would be at home) there is very little work in advance of a Disney wedding. You will tell them (or send photos) of what you want flowers and cake to be like and they will handle the rest. It is a very hands off process if you want it to be. For me, that was perfect!

 

[tink606]

Hi, our intimate wedding is on Nov. 4 2006 which is like 5 months away and we have done everything via e-mail and sometimes the phone. All we did was fill out the planning kit paper and fax it to our EM and she said everything looks great and that's it. That was like in April, I haven't heard or talked to her again since then, since she said everything was fine. Were not doing anything extra, were sticking exactly to whats offered in the intimate wedding package, plus we havent had a planning session, and not planning to b/c we feel its not worth it, everything has been picked and ready to go according to the EM in April. The only thing I called her for was for the address to send payments to, and she emailed it right away, honestly she's been great and I trust that eveything will be fine, and also the disboards has served as an easer of stress, its been a lot of help in our process of planning.=0) so dont get frustrated cause from what ive read on the boards its the most magical place on earth to have your wedding.

 

[CJLKIM]

Our cruise wedding is five months away and all initial contact was via phone. I took the advice of some DISers when I began having problems connecting with my coordinator and found the email was the perfect solution. Now the process has gone much smoother.

I know that we will meet with our onboard coordinator when we arrive on the ship to go over final details but there are no other meetings scheduled.

My coordinator has offered to use conference calls to answers questions I have with floral and etc. so you might want to see if that would be an option for you.

 

[dee slack]

the information in this thread has also reassured us, as being in the UK most things will have to be arranged via email, especially due to the time difference for telephoning!
Everyone have fun on your big day!

 

[JonetteA]

If you are having trouble connecting with your EM, don't leave a message. Zero out and get their assistant and schedule a definate time. I don't know if you have tried that yet. The other thing I would recommend is that you come with a prepared list of items that you want to discuss. Keep all of the items in one document that you can close out as you go along or you will forget something that you sent an email about 2 months ago. The master list helps to keep things on track.