Gina & Carl's Wedding - 6/22/12 - Swan/Ohana ~ TR Day 4 Wedding Ceremony 8/9

[tinkerbell 766]

You know, I am really sorry, but I don't have my first one. I recently had a major computer crashing incident and quite a lot of my back files were lost!!! My first newsletter was not posted on my PJ as it went out (I think) before I started seriously PJing.
I can tell you that I included things like initial plans, with a rough idea of dates, ceremony plans and a rough estimation of how much it would all cost my guests. We were providing accommodation for five days for everybody with our DVC points, but I knew that flying from the UK and the cost of further accommodation, park tickets, food etc would be a considerable expense for my guests. Therefore, I wanted to give them a ball-park figure and time-frame with which they could work out whether they could join us or not.
I used graphics and pictures (of location, accommodations etc) pulled from the internet to cheer up the whole newsletter.
There is a newsletter thread on this board and I think Vanessa (Figmentfan814) has a template which she generously e-mails out to people who want it. I am afraid that I am not as organized as she is, but here is the link to the thread about newsletters

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2138836

If I can be of any more help, please don't hesitate to ask.

 

[2dogmom]

You know, I am really sorry, but I don't have my first one. I recently had a major computer crashing incident and quite a lot of my back files were lost!!! My first newsletter was not posted on my PJ as it went out (I think) before I started seriously PJing.
I can tell you that I included things like initial plans, with a rough idea of dates, ceremony plans and a rough estimation of how much it would all cost my guests. We were providing accommodation for five days for everybody with our DVC points, but I knew that flying from the UK and the cost of further accommodation, park tickets, food etc would be a considerable expense for my guests. Therefore, I wanted to give them a ball-park figure and time-frame with which they could work out whether they could join us or not.
I used graphics and pictures (of location, accommodations etc) pulled from the internet to cheer up the whole newsletter.
There is a newsletter thread on this board and I think Vanessa (Figmentfan814) has a template which she generously e-mails out to people who want it. I am afraid that I am not as organized as she is, but here is the link to the thread about newsletters

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2138836

If I can be of any more help, please don't hesitate to ask.

That link is a big help. I wouldn't have even thought about a newsletter before you mentioned it. Yippee! A new project to work on.

 

[2dogmom]

I received an email yesterday saying my signed contract and deposit has been received so I officially have the date and time on the books. The next questions Karen had for me was regarding what type of service we wanted and flowers. I replied on the service (traditional/religious) but the flowers will really need to wait until I figure out what we all will be wearing. I'm thinking something tropical and colorful, beachy, and that will go with the swag for the bamboo structure. I haven't decided if I should make up something here with some artificial ones or get the real deal down there. I am only planning on having flowers for me and our 3 girls. I wasn't planning on any bridesmaids (I'm sure my sister won't be happy with that) but I want simple.

Next up, work on a save the date card/program. Hopefully I can make some progress this weekend. Vanessa sent me her templates so I have something to work with.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Sweet Gina - Good to know things are progressing well.
Looking forward to see what you come up with re. S the Ds etc!!

 

[2dogmom]

The newsletter is done. I haven't sent it out yet since I need to have Carl pull together all of the emails/addresses on his guest list. Here it is. Let me know what you think

 

[2dogmom]

Figured out the question I was asking

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Gina sweetie - What a fabulous job you have made of the newsletters!!!! They look really good. Well done!!!

 

[Jilian]

I like the newsletter! Nice work!

 

[2dogmom]

Wow, hard to believe it has been almost a month since I last posted. Guess work is keeping me too busy. I haven't done too much else for the wedding. Since I am doing a beach wedding at the swan, I picked up some different shells and some shell garland. I would like to incorporate the shell garland into the arch that we will be married under. I would like to somehow add some shells to the flowers too.

Oh, we were discussing how we would get down there. Usually we fly from the Chicago area, but are considering driving the almost 1200 miles. We are considering it for a couple of reasons. First, my 8yo gets terrible migraines on descent on flights. I do too, but mine end upon landing where hers continues for some time. She has even said she doesn't want to go to disney (which she loves) because she doesn't want to fly. Plus, it would be cheaper for us to rent a van or big SUV than to fly for 5 of us. Unfortunately my Subaru Forester isn't very roomy for even 2 kids. If I drive, that means I can do more stuff at home and bring more stuff too (or buy more stuff when down there ) I'm just not looking forward to two days of driving, but I have done it before and I can do it again. Carl would like to rent an RV, but that is only practical when you are staying in it, and I absolutely refuse to not stay on property for my wedding.

Speaking of property, I'm thinking of splitting out stay between the Beach Club and Poly. We LOVE Poly, and have never been to the Beach Club, but the pool seems really cool. I would want to do the Beach Club for the first half of the trip when we are getting married because it is close to the Swan.

One of these days I will need to pick a photographer... And maybe start looking for a dress... and maybe a cake design...

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Gina sweetie - Driving seems a good option considering the circumstances!!! Remember that you can stay on-site at Fort Wilderness and use the RV. I understand that you want to stay at a hotel for your wedding though!!!!

 

[2dogmom]

Gina sweetie - Driving seems a good option considering the circumstances!!! Remember that you can stay on-site at Fort Wilderness and use the RV. I understand that you want to stay at a hotel for your wedding though!!!!

Oh yes, I know that, but what is the fun in that when there are beautiful resorts to stay in and a convenient monorail to use. I will save the RV trip when we do something like drive to the Grand Canyon or somewhere else cross country.

 

[CositaRicaFabulosa]

Speaking of property, I'm thinking of splitting out stay between the Beach Club and Poly. We LOVE Poly, and have never been to the Beach Club, but the pool seems really cool. I would want to do the Beach Club for the first half of the trip when we are getting married because it is close to the Swan.
QUOTE]

I think that's a perfect plan! I stayed at the Beach Club (Villas, not hotel) for the first time in April of this year, and everyone loved it. We'd been to Cape May Cafe before, and everyone wanted to go back, for a breakfast and a dinner. Surprisingly, I was more excited about Stormalong Bay than my kids (ages 7 and 10) were, but I think it's worth a visit since you need a Yacht and Beach Club room key to get in. And Poly is so romantic! I stayed there when WDW first opened (and I was a preschooler, lol) and it was the place we stayed on my kids' first trip to WDW. How could you resist a hammock on a white sand beach with a view of Cinderella's Castle? I think it sounds spectacular.

 

[2dogmom]

I just emailed Karen to see if Randy Chapman will be available to be our photographer. I'm thinking 2 hours are enough. It would be easier if I had concrete plans for after the wedding, but I haven't really decided on that yet.

I was also thinking about doing something to symbolize the joining of both families, and kids. I bought a Unity Sand kit. I was thinking of maybe getting 5 colors of sand and we can each pour in a color (3 kids and us). I want our girls to know that they are and always will be the most important part of our lives.

One of these days I really have to start looking at dresses, but back to school, plus soccer and cross country and gymnastics and work seem to be getting in my way.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Hi sweetie - You cannot go wrong with the amazing Mr C!!! Would it not be better to contact Randy directly? Looking forward to hearing more!!

 

[2dogmom]

Hi sweetie - You cannot go wrong with the amazing Mr C!!! Would it not be better to contact Randy directly? Looking forward to hearing more!!

Is there a benefit to booking directly through him instead of Karen?

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Only that I think that there may be a mark-up if you book via the Swan or JM!!! I am not entirely sure (as I booked a lot of my vendors myself) but other Swan brides have said that it is slightly cheaper to go direct. It is with most things in life isn't it? Also, Randy has his schedule in front of him when you phone/e-mail, so I imagine you would get a quicker answer and be able to book any available slot quicker. Just a thought though!!

 

[2dogmom]

I am not entirely sure (as I booked a lot of my vendors myself) but other Swan brides have said that it is slightly cheaper to go direct. It is with most things in life isn't it?

That is so true. I called and for $225 less, I can get an extra hour. Obviously a no brainer to save money and get more picture time. Thanks for the advice!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

My pleasure sweetie - glad you are all booked up with Randy!!

 

[2dogmom]

I have started on my second newsletter. This one is all about planning a disney trip with some basic numbers/prices so people can decide if there are going to afford to join us or need to budget for it. I'm planning on including sections on getting there, accommodations, tickets, benefits of staying onsite, and dining plan options. Page one is done, only another 1-2 more to go, but I have it written out, just need to pretty it up

Last week I, well a friend, searched for a mickey shape template. I plan on trying to make some fans for the wedding. My plan right now is a mickey shape, in a caribbean blue (the color I'm using a lot at the luau), then printing out the wedding details on white paper (a little smaller than the blue mickey) and gluing that on it, on a stick of course. I want to add some rafia maybe, and either starfish or shells since I am working that into my theme for the beach wedding.

Is it just me, or do other people seem to go through these lulls where you feel like you aren't getting anything done and you know you have SO much that you could do? June seems so far away, but I know it isn't that far. I will get an idea and want to run with it, then I will go back into a lull. I guess that is the life of a busy working mom, huh?

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Gina sweetie - I hear you about the lulls!! There was many a time during my planning when I felt I should be doing something but wasn't!! Mind you, I took on so may DIY projects (maybe too many), that I could always find something that needed attention!!
Good luck with the Mickey heads!! Do you have a cricut? I think many brides have tried to cut out those darn Mickey heads by hand and had to give up and buy a cricut, because they just couldn't get a neat finish cutting them by hand. I hope you have more luck!! I considered doing Mickey head fans for my ceremony, but decided that it would be too much hassle, and just purchased white paddle fans in the end!! I am sure you will have more patience that I had!!! If the worst comes to the worst I think there is an Etsy seller who does them!!