Dr. Cinderella's Happily Ever After! WP/GF 2/14/12- End of Honeymoon & Trip Report!

[tazzrules96]

I just wanted to comment, my name is Marysa and my fiancee is Chris and we are also getting married Feb 2012 thought that was a cute coincidence. Hes a pilot and I am finishing up my bachelors degree in May. Congrats on your wedding

 

[Dr.Cinderella]

Wow that is a funny coincedence! Thanks very much, and Congrats to you and your fiance as well!!

 

[*Pixiedust1438*]

The menu's sound very yummy! Your planning session is coming up quickly, I'm sure it will be a ton of fun, and after that time will start to fly!

 

[Dr.Cinderella]

Thanks for the menu advice!

Next Up: Registry!
The wedding is still 10 months away but we are having my bridal shower in September- in only 5 months so I have made been working on making a "first draft" of our wedding gift registry online. We are going to register at Bed Bath and Beyond only and are planning on going to go look at some of the items together in person as well, but I just thought it would be much easier to put it together online where I could carefully research everything and not be pressured by a sales associate. So I was wondering if you could tell me how this looks? Is my list too long? Am I forgetting anything? Any other tips?

Thanks very much!


http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/regGiftRegistry.asp?wrn=-1891334717

 

[pezaddict231]

Hey Marissa,

We only registered at BB&B too and I found they had basically everything we needed anyway. I did a lot online and we went into the store too. They really didn't pressure us at all and just gave us some tips and let us go around with the scanner. But I've seen them go around the store with the couple too, so just depends on how much help you want from them.

I did take a look at the registry and it looks like you have all the major areas covered. The one item you don't have, and I think everyone should register for, is a Kitchenaid mixer. They are pricey but awesome and really a wedding shower is the only time anyone is going to buy one for you. My MOH and SIL both didn't register for one and told me how much they regretted it later on since they can't really justify going out and buying it for themselves. If you like to bake or cook, it is really helpful, there is a reason why every Food Network Chef has them on the counter.

I would also try to make sure that BB&B has the items you want in the store. I found no one really wanted to order the stuff online and I don't blame them, I'd rather put the money towards the gift than shipping myself. It wasn't that big a deal since we just got the other stuff that was in store, but I had a few people tell me they planned to buy the bathroom stuff but the store didn't carry it.

 

[Princess SarahK]

Hey Marissa! I think the registry looks good, but I do agree with Sara....the Kitchenaid Stand Up mixer is a must have! It is so amazing! I suggest the 600 series because it has a bigger motor and if you ever made anything with a thicker batter or something you might need the extra strength. The smaller one can do it, but not as easily as the pro series. I have dreamt about having one since I was a little girl and am so excited to hopefully get one! (sounds stupid, you'd think im talking about a wedding but no; its just the mixer ive drooled over since i was 6...cheesy!) Its so funny when I look through your registry because our tastes are so eerily similar!! Although I think you may have more reign with bedding than I do...Bobby kept saying "too girly, too swirly, no way, yadda yadda"....i wanted the stuff you have listed too! sigh...

Heres a look at my registry..its pretty amusing!

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/regGiftRegistry.asp?wrn=-1018920525&

Keep in mind we dont live together and have absolutely nothing!! So that explains the ridiculous length of it! Do you think Im missing anything?

 

[Dr.Cinderella]

Thanks Sara and Sarah for the advice! What exactly is the stand mixer for? What does it do that a hand mixer cant? Sorry, you can tell I dont cook! It just seems like such an expensive thing to ask for! Sarah, that is too funny how similar our registries look! I dont see anything you have missed, it looks very complete! I felt like my registry was too long too! But we havent lived together either and I know nothing about cooking, kitchens, etc so I was kind of just going off the checklist they recommended and trying to keep things affordable!

 

[pezaddict231]

You basically use it for all the things you use a hand mixer for, except it is much more powerful and it makes everything much easier. Great for cookies or anything with a thicker dough. I've actually broken hand mixers making cookies. And to not have to sit around and hold the mixer is great too, you can whip up frosting or whipped cream in no time and with almost no effort. I think you can do pie crusts too but I haven't tried that yet. I do have a hand mixer too that I use for easier jobs.

You don't have to just use it for baking, you can also make mashed potatoes in it. There are attachments for other things. I have the ice cream attachment and it was really fun (and delicious) to make my own ice cream. There is also a pasta attachment, juicer, meat grinder, etc.

 

[Princess SarahK]

If you bake a lot they are great. If not then you could definitely get by without one! The heavy duty one is really awesome for breads, doughs, etc..and the regular one is great for the same. Batters, icings, anything and everything! You can even get attachments to make your own pasta (i know youre italiana ) and like a chopper/processor type thing, and a bunch of others. Really its up to you, if you think you would ever possibly use it register for it, but if you know without a shadow of a doubt then dont waste your time and someone else's money either. I would research it a bit and form your own opinion on it and go from there. I have an ENORMOUS sweet tooth and LOVE to bake so thats why I'm pretty obsessed! Happy searching!


And Im so glad Im not the only one who hasnt really and truly lived with DF. I mean we did a little bit in college (maybe two or three semesters, max) but I dont really count those since we had roommates, and we werent really "on our own" by any stretch of the imagination. We are really looking forward to moving out of our parents' houses soon...HALLELUJAH!! I catch so much flack from people about how its a mistake to marry before living together etc.. but excuse me!! lots of people do it their own way and make it work just fine! AANND if we've made it through 7 years of hormones and college (including long distances) and a whole slew of other crap I would just LOVE to shove my long lasting and happy marriage in your nay-saying face! Na na na na boo booo! WHEW! Sorry for the rant, Ive heard a lot of crap from some meanies lately so Im a little tense. Sorry to highjack!


Oh and Im glad youre back, missed you for a while!

 

[Dr.Cinderella]

Thanks to you both...I will have to do some research on it and decide if I want to register for the mixer. I dont really bake or cook much, but I am super busy with medical school so maybe some day! I am Italian and want to learn all that, plus I have to learn to be a good wife eventually haha. I do have a major sweet tooth too!

Sarah, that is totally weird that people are giving you a hard time about NOT living with your fiance before the wedding! I know my family would freak out if I did live with my fiance before we got married- but hey I guess theyre traditional. Try not to let it bother you! I so cant wait to be able to see my hubby every morning when I wake up though!

 

[Princess SarahK]

Sarah, that is totally weird that people are giving you a hard time about NOT living with your fiance before the wedding! I know my family would freak out if I did live with my fiance before we got married- but hey I guess theyre traditional. Try not to let it bother you! I so cant wait to be able to see my hubby every morning when I wake up though!

Oh yes definitely! My family is pretty traditional too but they have their modern understanding moments as well. So its definitely not my family thats giving me trouble, its friends, coworkers, and the like. But I guess they can just get over it and get happy in the same pants they got mad in! I love that saying! Im really looking forward to actually sharing and combining our lives too, it will definitely be awesome!

 

[Dr.Cinderella]

I think I may have found a solutiton about the mixer! I found a mixer at Bed Bath and Beyond that functions as both a hand and a stand mixer in one! It is by Cuisinart and much cheaper than the Kitchen Aid one. I just cant see asking for something so expensive that I dont even know how to use! The only problem is that it is white and stainless steel, but all of the other small kitchen appliances we picked are black and stainless steel. I guess we will have to keep that one under the counter if we get it!

 

[Princess SarahK]

I think thats a great deal!! There are definitely a lot of other options out there that are not as expensive but do pretty much the same thing. Good for you!! And this way, it will encourage you to cook!

Im the same way! Since I live at home with my parents I never cook, and when we were registering DF kept saying "Well I guess once we have all this stuff theres no reason for you not to cook!" He's sooo funny!

 

[DisneyChicky]

I love all your wedding plans, especially the Maggie wedding dress! I'm getting married in February of 2012 also!

 

[Dr.Cinderella]

Inspired by Amy's recent post with her honeymoon plans and reading lots of Frommer's Travel Guide Book tips, I have been working on making an itinerary for our honeymoon. We have decided to stay just on one island since we will only be there for a week and to really immerse ourselves in that island. We will be staying at two different resorts however. I tried to includes a mix of relaxation and seeing the sights in Hawaii in our plan. What do you think? Any tips from anyone who has been or is going to Hawaii? I am so excited to go!! Thanks!

Chris and Marissa’s Hawaiian Honeymoon Itinerary!
• Day 1
o Fly From Orlando to Honolulu First Class Via Alaska Air, Arrive at 9:30 pm
o Pick up rental Jeep, drive to Ko Olina, check in to Disney’s Aulani Resort
• Day 2
o Explore and Relax at Aulani Resort pool and beach, Quick Breakfast and Lunch at resort
o Paradise Cove Luau Show & Dinner, Ko Olina 5-9 pm
• Day 3
o Drive to North Shore, Have Breakfast at Café Haleiwa
o Explore the North Shore Surf Town of Haleiwa
o Have Lunch from Giovanni’s or Holy Smokes Shrimp Trucks, Get Shaved Ice from Matsumoto
o Watch surfers and big waves in Waimea Bay
o Stop at Aloha Flea Market on way home (open until 3:00 pm)
o Drive back to resort, relax, then dinner at AMA Signature Beach Restaurant at Aulani
• Day 4
o Check out of Aulani, Quick brunch at resort, drive to Polynesian Cultural Center (open at 12:30)
o Spend day at Polynesian Cultural Center
o Have dinner at Turtle Bay Resort- 21 Degrees North Restaurant
o Drive to Kahala Resort in Honolulu, check in
• Day 5
o Breakfast at Resort, spend day on Waikiki Beach- in front of Royal Hawaiian Hotel
o Lunch at Duke’s Canoe Club at Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach
o Surf lessons- Aloha Beach Service at Moana Surfrider
o Go back to resort, relax, dinner at Hoku’s at resort
• Day 6
o Breakfast at Resort, drive to Hanauma Bay for snorkeling
o Drive to Manoa Falls, hike in rain forest to waterfall
o Have lunch at Andy’s Sandwiches and Smoothies in Manoe Marketplace after hike
o Drive to Lanikai Beach- relax, kayak
o Drive back to resort, get dressed, drive to Waikiki for drinks & dinner
o Halekulani Hotel: Get a cocktail at House Without a Key, then romantic late dinner at Le Mer
• Day 7
o Breakfast at Hula Grill at Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach
o Shopping Day- Visit Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, then Aloha Tower and Marketplace
o Lunch at Don Ho’s Island Grill at Aloha Marketplace
o Royal Sunset Dinner Cruise aboard Navatek I, 5-7:30 pm
• Day 8
o Hike up Diamond Head volcano in early morning
o Go back to resort, check out by noon
o Relax at Kahala pool and beach during day, lunch at Seaside Grill, watch dolphins in lagoon
o Dinner at resort- Tokyo Tokyo Sushi or Plumeria Beach House
o Leave resort by 8:00 pm, Return Car, First Class Flight from Honolulu leaves at 10:40 pm
o Arrive back home the following night

 

[madamemim1975]

All of your honeymoon plans sound great!

We just got back from Hawaii on April 6th from my brother's wedding. We stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village not far from The Royal Hawaiian. We did take a day and do Pearl Harbor and The Dole Plantatio Both were okay and glad we saw them. We also drove to the north side of the island to see the North Shore and the local spots. Also, if you are there on a Friday night, the Hilton Hawaiian sets off fireworks on the beach/lagoon and they are a good show.

There is a place called the Side Street Inn where we had a GREAT meal for a reasonable price. It was about $64 and that included our drinks. We just took a taxi there but we had Sauteed mushrooms for an app and then I had the best calamari and DF had the steak with some rice and veggies. One of the best meals we had, other than the reception which was held at Tiki's. Had really good madadamia encrusted mahi mahi here - not sure if it was a special for the reception or if they serve it all the time!

Your honeymoon sounds like it is going to be SO relaxing! We would have loved to go to Hawaii for ours, but since we just went, we are only doing the Disney cruise. DF said we can go back to Hawaii for our 10th Anniversary - I'm holding him to that! Without a doubt, Hawaii has been the best vacation I have ever had!

 

[Pengwend]

Hi Marissa! I just read through your plans and love everything! I am totally jealous of your shoes! I really wanted to get the rhinestone Laboutins, butI broke my foot in October and really don't think I'd be able to wear them long enough even though my foot is mostly healed. Our colours are hot pink and green with a splash of silver, so I have gotten a lot of good inspiration from your journal! I've only got a little over a month to go and you've done so much more than me! Keep the posts coming so I can remember what I need to do!

 

[*Pixiedust1438*]

Love the plans! I am so jealous you are flying first class and staying at the Disney resort, I wish it was open when we are going! You deff. have to post plenty of pictures of the resort when you get back. I will be sure to let you know how our trip went since we are doing some of the same things, and let you know any tips/suggestions I discover!

 

[Dr.Cinderella]

Thanks everyone, I am so excited to go to Hawaii! Thanks Amy I can't wait to hear all about your trip! I am really looking foward to seeing the Disney resort and will be sure to take lots of photos. For our flights, we opened up a credit card with Alaska Airlines that gave us a companion flight for $99 to anywhere they fly-including Hawaii! So since we got the second flight for almost nothing we decided to upgrade to First class. I've never been in it before, so am really looking forward to that too. Especially for such a long flight! I just the time until next February goes by fast!!

 

[Dr.Cinderella]

Small Update:

This Saturday we are having a Bridal Shower planning day! My sister (MOH) is going to be in town for Easter weekend, so we are taking advantage and doing lots of fun stuff for my shower. It is going to be me, my sister, mom, grandma, and FMIL. Here's the plan: We are meeting with an my event planner who will be showing us centerpiece mock-ups, and is also doing a candy buffet, cupcake display, and other decor. Then we are doing a cupcake tasting- the bakery just happens to be called Fairy Tale Cupcakery! Then we are visiting 4 possible venues- 2 country clubs, a banquet hall, and a restuarant where we are having lunch. I will post some photos and updates afterwards, should be a fun day! We are shooting for early September for the shower so it is still warm outside.