Vendor Review
Invitations: Impressions,
www.fairytalewedding.com
Programs: DIY
(sorry about the extremely poor quality...)
Dress: Essense of Australia
Salon: Allusions, Brea, CA
Alterations: Harmony by Teresa, Orange, CA
Bridesmaids dresses: Alfred Angelo
Tiara: Royal Romance
Veil: DIY, Crystal & Mom - tulle: Class Act Tutu,
www.classacttutu.com, crystals:
www.artbeads.com
Shoes: Touch-Ups Cinderella,
www.shoebuy.com
Bridal party flowers: gift from cousin, assembled by mom, aunt, sister, & cousin
Tux: Mens Wearhouse
Hair/Makeup: Hair Comes the Bride,
www.haircomesthebride.com
Stylist: Gina
Photographers: Boutwell Studio,
www.boutwellstudio.com
Videographers: Radiant Video Productions,
www.radiantvideoproductions.com
DJ: Disneys DJ Invisible Touch,
www.invisibletouchdj.com (we had to use Disney's DJ b/c of our in-park reception)
Centerpieces/floral: Disney Floral
We had the most magical, very nearly perfect fairy tale wedding on a Friday evening.
Note on shoes:
I now realize why it was so difficult to find closed-toe clear vinyl Cinderella pumps. Those suckers are uncomfortable! Now if you are stubborn like me, this vital information will go in one ear and out the other. I was DETERMINED to have clear Cinderella shoes. Might I suggest the open-toe version. My toes were crammed into the front of the shoe because vinyl does not give at all. Loved the shoes, but my poor toes!
Allusions:
I had a pretty good experience with Allusions. My sister and I happened to make an appointment when they were having the Essense trunk show. The Essense rep asked me what I was looking for (strapless, sweetheart bodice, organza ballgown) and proceeded to show me the *perfect* dress! It was from their custom mix and match collection. I have not seen anyone else with it!
. Alterations were good...I only had 2 fittings, and I picked up my gown on the way to Disneyland for the rehearsal (I had had it steamed). Word of advice to all brides, if your seamstress tells you that your bustle would look better as a sweep train, be firm and say NO (unless of course, that's what you want). I wasn't really concerned with it getting dirty, just people stepping on it. Wouldn't you know that DH stepped on it and pulled out the bustle.
Photography:
If you can work it into your budget, absolutely, 100% go with Doug & Chenin! They are the most amazing, cool, talented photographers. When they shoot your event, it really is like they are your good buddies. We HIGHLY recommend them! They are awesome and the photos are gorgeous
Videography:
Our main concern with a videographer was that he/she didnt get in the way of the photographers. When you spend that much money, you want your photos to be the best. On the recommendation of Doug and Chenin, we went with Jack and Carolyn of Radiant Video Productions. We only needed raw footage, since we will do our own editing. They are a husband and wife team and did 7 hours of 2 camera footage. It was great to work with them, and as they know Doug and Chenin, it made it all the better.
*(we have not watched/edited the footage yet - over 1 year later!! - b/c we don't have a camera that reads miniDV...LOL, well, we'll get to it eventually!)
Hair & Makeup:
I was much happier with my makeup on the wedding day than at my trial. After my trial, I had e-mailed suggestions and comments to Hair Comes the Bride, who passed it on to Gina. She totally worked it so that my wedding makeup was practically perfect. I really liked it! My hair kind of lost its curl throughout the night, but what do you expect from an outdoor, evening, wedding/reception at DCA?
DJ:
The Disney DJ was great! They have a website where you put in all your information and song selections, and then you actually meet or phone conference the DJ, and he will tailor your party to the type of event you want. He brought along another DJ as well, and they did a great job!
Disney Floral:
They did a GREAT job! At our tasting, they showed us 2 centerpiece samples. We went with the tall, slender one. We had to use Disney floral because our park reception came with a per table floral allotment that we had to use. We provided the mini snowglobes (see my sig. photos).
Aisle Runner - ordered through FTW:
A dark photo of the coach:
Food: *note we fed the photographers and videographers the buffet.
The Disney people really outdid themselves. The food was absolutely amazing. Yes, we DID eat. There was no way we were missing out on THAT. I HIGHLY recommend and suggest the Royal Feast buffet. Here is what we had:
Rock Crab Cobb Salad
Endive and Radicchio with parmesan balsamic vinaigrette
Carved Prime Rib
Grilled chicken breast with sun dried tomatoes and Portobello mushrooms
Cioppino
Pumpkin Ravioli
Grilled seasonal veggies
Roasted baby artichokes
The Royal Pastry Chefs assortment of desserts and pastries
OMG, the best wedding food ever, probably up there with the best food ever. If you have this for dinner at your wedding, can we come?? LOL The prime rib was to die for, LOVED the pumpkin ravioli
and the desserts!
Cake was vanilla with white chocolate mousse and passionfruit! YUMMY! The other layer was chocolate cake with dark chocolate mousse. I am a big chocoholic, but I definitely preferred the white and passionfruit cake. Mmm...
Well, this has gone on long enough. Feel free to ask me anything! We had a blast!
(I'm a Disneyland bride)
