Happybratpack's Rambling Wedding PJ ~GF Marina/Fultons/Italy Feb 2 Flowergirl Dress!

[happybratpack]

Well, here I am somewhere I never thought I'd be...starting a planning journal for my upcoming wedding. If you asked me after my divorce if I would be getting married again my answer would have been a resounding NO!

Times change, life and outlooks change and I'm happy to be marrying my true soul mate and best friend. I have no idea of the direction this pj will take as we have already changed our minds 15 times this week.

Up next...about us. Hopefully I will be better about updating this than I am my trip reports.

 

[happybratpack]

Larry & I have been together for almost seven years now, we met during both of our divorces. Yep, we were each other rebounds and somehow just stuck together.

Larry has two awesome kiddos that I love dearly.

We also have fur-kids, which some of you might know from their blog...

We share a deep love of all that's Disney and have spent many great vacations together there goofing off and having a wonderful time. It only made sense that we get married at WDW and I just can't wait.

Now, if we could only decide what we want to actually DO for the wedding.

 

[MainStMandy]

Congratulations and welcome to the wedding boards!! I too said I would never get married after my divorce...but here we are!! Can't wait to hear more about your planning...and don't worry about being indecisive...I think I am the most indecisive bride on the boards!!! Can't wait to read more!

 

[happybratpack]

Wow, Pam at Disney ROCKS. She just sent me more photos of the locations we're trying to narrow down and it's helped tremendously.

First up is France...I love it. However, I'm wondering how teensy it will look set up with my # of people vs all those chairs in the pic.

Besides, that fountain always makes me have to go to the bathroom so I'm forever running to Morocco.

The UK was my favorite going into this, but after seeing these I wonder again about my # vs all the people here. Will it seem empty? I only have enough for one side.

I think it's gorgeous but not really feeling it for what we want. Darn it.

I'm REALLY liking Germany, bordering on love. I need to search and see other ceremonies there.

She said the Italy Courtyard wasn't available due to possible refurb but sent the pics for Italy Isola...

I'm not getting that warm fuzzy feeling for a ceremony...but I think I'd love it for reception or DP.

I loved the Morocco shots...it's vying with Germany for my fave.

 

[happybratpack]

Congratulations and welcome to the wedding boards!! I too said I would never get married after my divorce...but here we are!! Can't wait to hear more about your planning...and don't worry about being indecisive...I think I am the most indecisive bride on the boards!!! Can't wait to read more!

I don't know if anything worse than telling people now who are all "WHAT!? You said NEVER!" like I can't remember what I said.

 

[wvdisluv2]

Here! Waiting to hear all the good details!!! Thinking I may have to divorce Sam and re-marry him so I can get a Disney Wedding I'm going to live vicariously through you and Larry for now....I think it may be cheaper I love all the pictures....I'm a big fan of Germany too...BUT Morroco...is really pretty too *sigh* You've got your work cut out for you~but it's going to be FUN work

 

[CharacterFan]

Welcome! Isn't Pam the BEST! She's been my consultant and I met with her a few weeks ago for a site visit and she just put me at ease.

DFi and I didn't really get the warm and fuzzy's when we went to look at Italy Isola a few weeks ago.

Morroco is so pretty and I love the colors. If you haven't yet, check out Lurkyloo's Planning Journal/Trip Report she had her ceremony in Morroco and the pictures are from her setup.

Don't worry about filling a place. I've never seen a location where it looked empty. There are lots of ways to photograph around it, and they can sometimes change the chair set up to better suit your guest size.

 

[KristinBelle]

Congratulations!!

 

[happybratpack]

Here! Waiting to hear all the good details!!! Thinking I may have to divorce Sam and re-marry him so I can get a Disney Wedding I'm going to live vicariously through you and Larry for now....I think it may be cheaper I love all the pictures....I'm a big fan of Germany too...BUT Morroco...is really pretty too *sigh* You've got your work cut out for you~but it's going to be FUN work

I just wonder if I want the Octoberfest Buffet sign in all of my pictures!

Welcome! Isn't Pam the BEST! She's been my consultant and I met with her a few weeks ago for a site visit and she just put me at ease.

DFi and I didn't really get the warm and fuzzy's when we went to look at Italy Isola a few weeks ago.

Morroco is so pretty and I love the colors. If you haven't yet, check out Lurkyloo's Planning Journal/Trip Report she had her ceremony in Morroco and the pictures are from her setup.

Don't worry about filling a place. I've never seen a location where it looked empty. There are lots of ways to photograph around it, and they can sometimes change the chair set up to better suit your guest size.

I think we're leaning towards Morroco, Lurkyloo's report really swayed me.

Congratulations!!

Thanks so much, we're still telling friends & family.

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

Congrats on your engagement, and YAY for starting a PJ!!! I love reading Epcots ones, since I wish I could have had my ceremony there!

My vote is for Germany, although I think I may stand alone! We were debating a wishes wedding, just because we wanted to have an Epcot ceremony, but in the end, it didn't make sense with our small guest #'s. I really love Germany, but I have never seen a ceremony there and the background could be really busy.

Good luck with whatever you decide

 

[padisneyfour]

Just wanted to say welcome and congrats! Pam is great , she was our WC!Good luck with all your plans!

 

[Chilly]

Looking forward to hearing more.

 

[wvdisluv2]

I just wonder if I want the Octoberfest Buffet sign in all of my pictures!

What???? You don't like Octoberfest????


I think we're leaning towards Morroco, Lurkyloo's report really swayed me.

I read all of Lurkyloo's trip reports....we won't talk about how much time I spend on the DIS

Thanks so much, we're still telling friends & family.

Whooot! I'm "friends"

 

[happybratpack]

Whooot! I'm "friends"

After next months trip I'll have seen you on vacation more than I have my mother in years.

 

[happybratpack]

I've been out running around all day looking for house stuff but thought I'd post what I've gotten done the last couple days.

No decision yet on ceremony or reception....or DP for that matter. Larry is out of town for the weekend to a football game. I've been browsing the web looking at invitations, I want them to be something unique and Disney so collecting some ideas from all over.

I DID have a nice long chat with Randy Chapman the other night...SUPER nice guy and funny as well. I'm bummed that he can't take the photos if we have the ceremony inside of Epcot, I really like his work. He'll at least be able to do the reception though. I went ahead and booked him for December for an engagement photo shoot at the Boardwalk. I'm excited, I hope they turn out well with all the holiday decorations.

I also booked Beaute Speciale to do my hair & makeup that morning although I'm wavering a little bit. I've read such good things about LeJeune as well but wasn't enthused about paying a $50 travel charge.

Other than that not much going on wedding planning related here...except that I think I want a shorter wedding dress, maybe tea length. I'm short and big dresses seem to overwhelm me plus it's just not "me" if that makes sense. I like the look of these:

 

[pezaddict231]

I booked Beaute Speciale as well. I had always really liked the work of Patricia LeJeune and figured if I did have a Disney wedding that's who I'd book. We did our engagement shoot in June and I didn't want to pay that much to have my make-up done for it so I booked Ana, it was only $50 for make-up and no travel fee. At the time, we weren't sure if we were having a Disney wedding, so it didn't make sense to pay $100 for my make-up since it wouldn't even be a trial. I loved the way my make-up turned out and really got along with Ana. She shared some funny stories and really knew her stuff. I know Patricia is known for a more "natural" look, but I asked Ana for a natural look and she did an awesome job, I still looked like me, but fabulous! If you aren't sure, try her out for your e-pics and if you don't like it you can always book Patricia for the wedding.

I have Pam as my consultant too, she is so awesome. And she never ever makes me feel like any of my questions are dumb...which some of them really are! She really makes it seem like her pleasure to answer any and every question I have, she is awesome!

 

[kafitty]

as a huge bratpack fan, i'm so pumped to see you have a wedding thingy here on the DIS! Somehow i vaguely remember finding you via these boards, but i was shocked when i saw your username here!

can't wait to hear more!

 

[happybratpack]

I booked Beaute Speciale as well. I had always really liked the work of Patricia LeJeune and figured if I did have a Disney wedding that's who I'd book. We did our engagement shoot in June and I didn't want to pay that much to have my make-up done for it so I booked Ana, it was only $50 for make-up and no travel fee. At the time, we weren't sure if we were having a Disney wedding, so it didn't make sense to pay $100 for my make-up since it wouldn't even be a trial. I loved the way my make-up turned out and really got along with Ana. She shared some funny stories and really knew her stuff. I know Patricia is known for a more "natural" look, but I asked Ana for a natural look and she did an awesome job, I still looked like me, but fabulous! If you aren't sure, try her out for your e-pics and if you don't like it you can always book Patricia for the wedding.

I have Pam as my consultant too, she is so awesome. And she never ever makes me feel like any of my questions are dumb...which some of them really are! She really makes it seem like her pleasure to answer any and every question I have, she is awesome!

I love Pam...I think I apologize everytime I send her another list of questions. Thanks for letting me know about Ana, I'm sure I'll love it after all the good things I've read here.

as a huge bratpack fan, i'm so pumped to see you have a wedding thingy here on the DIS! Somehow i vaguely remember finding you via these boards, but i was shocked when i saw your username here!

can't wait to hear more!

It's funny what a small world it is!! I've met a lot of DISers through the dog's blog that I had no idea where Dis fans. It's great to "meet" you!

 

[happybratpack]

:::warning, long rambling post ahead:::

OK, I've spent the last couple days feeling stressed about the minimum for Wishes weddings plus the 21% gratuity plus the 6.5% tax. So I've been trying to build an Escape wedding with add-ons that would still be what we want while keeping the budget a bit smaller than Wishes.
(I hope)

The biggest thing is giving up the opportunity to be married in Epcot, but I just have to think that for our situation it might not be the best route. So now I'm beating my head against the wall in the Wedding Pavilion vs Sea Breeze Point debate....I like the idea of the Commanders Terrance at the GF w/ the WP, but is it worth an extra $1k to have it at the WP?!

Then either direction we go after that do we do a lunch reception somewhere like Narcoossees or the Attic or do the cake/champagne then do a buffet/dessert party at Epcot that night? Is it weird to have a lapse in the festivities between a morning ceremony and an evening buffet/dessert party? So that would leave several hours until we'd be at Epcot, what would everyone do?

Having an afternoon wedding at SBP in August worries me with the afternoon showers/heat so thinking I would try to do earlier in day. Having it at the WP would solve that problem but again there's the 1k difference. Would I rather spend it on something else?!

The other thing that stresses me about the Escape packages is the guest limit...we would pay the extra $500 to have 23 guests but when I made our list we're RIGHT at the 23. I have a horrible time turning someone down if they say they want to come and in that case we'd no longer qualify.

I'm overanalyzing this, I know. I can't seem to help myself though. (Where's the "beating head against the wall" smiley when you need it?!)

 

[pezaddict231]

lol, I apologize to Pam every time I send her an email too!

Okay, so on the SBP vs. Wedding Pavilion Debate. I always thought I was a SBP girl, loved all the pics of it, loved the TR's I read where the wedding was there. The WP I wasn't really that into, just wasn't my thing. I wasn't really impressed with the pics I saw of it. But with SBP, what if it rained? I didn't want my ceremony in a ballroom.

When we were there in June we decided to look at some of the locations. We walked past SBP. It was pretty but very open at the same time and DF didn't really like it as a ceremony location. Then we went to the WP. OMG, it is seriously so beautiful I actually started tearing up and knew I had to get married there.

I think it is worth the extra $1k for a few reasons: 1) A/C. It will crazy hot in August, and you'll really be thankful for the A/C. 2) it includes an organist, which you would have to supply your own music at SBP. 3) It's indoors, so you don't have to worry about the weather. 4) Don't need to spend any money on decor if you don't want to. 5) the view at the WP of Cinderella Castle vs. view of S/D at SBP. 6) more private

I think in planning any wedding there are going to be those days when you want to hit your head against a wall. We had a huge problem working out the timeline and it took a few days to figure it out. Speaking of which, I know people have had breaks between the ceremony and a DP and as long as there is enough time for people to go to their rooms and change or take a nap or whatever, most of their guests actually enjoyed it.