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

[DisneyCookie24]

Well, Fulton's sent me all of their information and I really think that's the way we're going to go for the reception. Here's the photo they sent of the area we would be in, plus we would have the outside deck as well which I really like.

We can get quite a bit more for the $ food wise as well so I think that would work out well.

I can have a cake delivered an hour prior so I'm trying to decide what we'll do for that. I had my heart set on a mad hatter cake from Disney w/ a Mickey icon theme. Since I don't know if I can still do this through WDW I'm trying to explore other routes. Any local bakery referrals would be most appreciated.

Next I need to decide on colors and work on the wording for the Save the Dates. I'm almost 100% sure I'm going to use the lady from Etsy I ordered the invitation samples from.

Shiho from Disney sent me all of our options for the welcome party and dessert party so we need to decide on that as well. I think we're going to do the Epcot DP the night of the wedding but not sure what the welcome gathering is going to be yet.

So many decisions!

I just got some information from Fulton's too and I am most likely going to be going with them too! That makes me feel good to know that someone else likes what they have to offer also. I think we will be going with the Bow, which was the other room they have. I haven't looked into any bakeries yet but if I do I will let you know what I find.

Just out of curious, when are you shooting for to have your wedding?

What number or email address did you use to contact Disney about the dessert and welcome parties?

Haha, I feel like I am copying your wedding, sorry, but I really like it!

 

[Chilly]

That room looks nice.

 

[happybratpack]

I just got some information from Fulton's too and I am most likely going to be going with them too! That makes me feel good to know that someone else likes what they have to offer also. I think we will be going with the Bow, which was the other room they have. I haven't looked into any bakeries yet but if I do I will let you know what I find.

Just out of curious, when are you shooting for to have your wedding?

What number or email address did you use to contact Disney about the dessert and welcome parties?

Haha, I feel like I am copying your wedding, sorry, but I really like it!

I think we'll end up liking Fulton's, don't you? I haven't seen the pics of the Bow yet, but I like the lounge in that it looks "finished" and doesn't need a bunch of decorating. Geez, I sound so cheap.

I think it's fun to share ideas, it's helped me tons so far to read others plans and ideas. We're looking at Saturday, July 31st, 2010. Once the Swan is confirmed today it will be concrete w/ the three main players for ceremony, reception and photography.

We're going to have some kind of welcome gathering Friday night and then an Epcot DP the night of the wedding.

I'll find the WDW info and PM you!

 

[happybratpack]

OK, I just faxed back the room block contract to WDW and have butterflies in my stomach. Here's what we ended up doing for the block:

5 rooms for 4 nights at each resort:

Animal Kingdom Lodge - $212
Port Orleans Riverside - $147
Pop Century - $110

WDW also sent the info for our welcome gathering...it's looking like the Grand Floridian Marina as the other locations are already booked for the date we wanted. Any input on this location for a Wishes party would be greatly appreciated.

Now we're trying to decide what we want to do for food...since we're doing the Illuminations DP the next night we don't want it to be just desserts. Hopefully I'll get some menus w/ pricing today from them.

My contract for the Swan should be coming from Michele today as well so we'll be confirmed at the Crescent Terrace for 10 am.

I need to still complete the Fulton's contract with the $300 room deposit and Randy Chapman's contract as soon as everything else is confirmed.

So excited!

 

[DisneyCookie24]

Wooohooooo, progress!

Talked to WDW today - AWESOME rep is helping me and it's taken a huge weight off. She's emailing me links to all the group event info including the Sunset Safari and Dessert parties.

Since we're doing the Swan we can't have the wedding reception through WDW so we're going to do that elsewhere...possibly Blue Zoo or Fulton's, still working on that. I'm ok with that, more so now that I know I can do the two other events with Disney direct.

So now the tentative schedule...

Saturday, July 31st - Welcome Event somewhere on WDW property

Sunday, August 1st am - Ceremony at Swan
Reception/Cake at either Blue Zoo or Fulton's or ?
Dessert Party or Other Event on WDW property

I'm so relieved to have a good contact.

In addition she's setting up our room blocks at Animal Kingdom Lodge, Port Orleans Riverside and Pop Century.

Oh and the invitation samples came in from Etsy - LOVE THEM! I'll scan and post.

So happy that you are speaking with a good rep now and will be getting your DP after all and I totally didn't think that Disney would allow room blocks for a wedding that wasn't through DFTW, that makes me sooo relieved to hear! yay!

I think we'll end up liking Fulton's, don't you? I haven't seen the pics of the Bow yet, but I like the lounge in that it looks "finished" and doesn't need a bunch of decorating. Geez, I sound so cheap.

I think it's fun to share ideas, it's helped me tons so far to read others plans and ideas. We're looking at Saturday, July 31st, 2010. Once the Swan is confirmed today it will be concrete w/ the three main players for ceremony, reception and photography.

We're going to have some kind of welcome gathering Friday night and then an Epcot DP the night of the wedding.

I'll find the WDW info and PM you!

I definitely like Fulton's so far, but we may actually still end up at the Swan and Dolphin for the reception (at Il Mulino). I am torn between the two, so I think I am going to make my mom do the final decision making, hehe . I think I will be happy at either.

The bow looks the same as the lounge for the most part, just a little bigger because it can accommodate more people. And I said the same thing about the decorating, it's not being cheap, it's just knowing a good value when you see one!

It sounds like everything is really coming together for you! Excellent! Congrats again!

 

[happybratpack]

So happy that you are speaking with a good rep now and will be getting your DP after all and I totally didn't think that Disney would allow room blocks for a wedding that wasn't through DFTW, that makes me sooo relieved to hear! yay!

I don't think they do...but we booked it as a reunion. All my wedding stuff is not through DFTW since it's at the Swan & Fulton's. I just won't be wearing wedding clothes at either of the WDW functions which is no biggie to me.

I had to guarantee a minimum of 10 rooms for one of the nights. Credit card hold and there's a decent cancellation policy a couple months prior to the event. She put a hold on the Grand Floridian Marina for the evening we need, once the contract is processed she said someone would be in touch to complete the paperwork. I have no idea what the deposit situation is for that though.

 

[Chilly]

Don't know if it'll be the same for you but my deposit for Sago Cay was $250 so the GF Marina might be similiar.

Its all coming together now.

 

[happybratpack]

Don't know if it'll be the same for you but my deposit for Sago Cay was $250 so the GF Marina might be similiar.

Its all coming together now.

Thanks for the info!

I wished we could have gotten Sago Cay, I'm a bit concerned about the Marina.

 

[Chilly]

Thanks for the info!

I wished we could have gotten Sago Cay, I'm a bit concerned about the Marina.

What are you concerned about? I think it looks nice.

 

[pezaddict231]

Glad to hear it's all coming together! Why are you concerned about the Marina? I think the view may even be a little better, it definitely has a more centered view of the Castle, the area is also a lot more open and wider, whereas Sago is more long and narrow. I'm not sure how many people you have but there are some tables already there, so you may not even have to pay extra to have any set up.

 

[happybratpack]

What are you concerned about? I think it looks nice.

Glad to hear it's all coming together! Why are you concerned about the Marina? I think the view may even be a little better, it definitely has a more centered view of the Castle, the area is also a lot more open and wider, whereas Sago is more long and narrow. I'm not sure how many people you have but there are some tables already there, so you may not even have to pay extra to have any set up.

I had just read a couple of not glowing reviews of DP's there, but the more I think about it the more comfortable I am. I mean, it's not like the GF is going to put on a bad party, right? I think those reviews were probably nit-picking a lot more than I would.

 

[pezaddict231]

really? Do you mind sharing which reviews? I'd like to read them since we're using the Marina too. We have too many people for Sago.

Honestly, with any type of review, you'll find some really picky people out there, I read some hotel reviews and I'm like, seriously? So if you're relatively easy to please, like me, I'm sure you'll be fine. Every restaurant I have ever eaten at at the Grand Floridian has been really good, so I don't see why the food for their private parties would be any different. The food would also be coming from the same kitchen for Sago or the Marina.

I know it's not going to be the same as an Epcot Dessert party, for Epcot, you're right there. For Wishes you're outside of the park so it's not the same. If you have ever seen Wishes from outside of the park, you know what I mean. The fireworks aren't perfectly centered on the castle, they are kinda off to the side. I think your guests will still really enjoy it because most likely they are there to see you and for the desserts and the fireworks are a cool extra!

The only other downside I can see to the Marina is that it's more out in the open, so you're more likely to have regular guests standing around, but some people may like the extra attention, so it just depends.

 

[happybratpack]

really? Do you mind sharing which reviews? I'd like to read them since we're using the Marina too. We have too many people for Sago.

Honestly, with any type of review, you'll find some really picky people out there, I read some hotel reviews and I'm like, seriously? So if you're relatively easy to please, like me, I'm sure you'll be fine. Every restaurant I have ever eaten at at the Grand Floridian has been really good, so I don't see why the food for their private parties would be any different. The food would also be coming from the same kitchen for Sago or the Marina.

I know it's not going to be the same as an Epcot Dessert party, for Epcot, you're right there. For Wishes you're outside of the park so it's not the same. If you have ever seen Wishes from outside of the park, you know what I mean. The fireworks aren't perfectly centered on the castle, they are kinda off to the side. I think your guests will still really enjoy it because most likely they are there to see you and for the desserts and the fireworks are a cool extra!

The only other downside I can see to the Marina is that it's more out in the open, so you're more likely to have regular guests standing around, but some people may like the extra attention, so it just depends.

I've got them bookmarked on the other computer, will send to you.

I was thinking about it being so open but surely guests wouldn't just come up and stand around, right? Right?

 

[Chilly]

I've got them bookmarked on the other computer, will send to you.

I was thinking about it being so open but surely guests wouldn't just come up and stand around, right? Right?

I doubt that very much and if they did i'm sure Disney would discretely ask them to move on.

 

[happybratpack]

Just checking in...not a ton going on right now.

-Etsy seller is working on the proofs for the Save the Dates. I'm still waiting on the group code info from WDW so she can finish.

-Called today and made the group discount arrangements with both American Airlines and Airtran since almost everyone will be flying in. Need to email that for the STDs too.

-Contracts & deposits are off to Michele Butler for the Swan and Fulton's for the reception.

-Still waiting to hear from my assigned event coordinator at WDW to complete the event contracts/deposits.

-Heard back from a couple of the bakeries, need to scour the cake threads for ideas so I can get quotes. Ditto w/ flowers.

-Decided on red for the main color with some black/yellow in there...Mickey. I figured why not go all the way.

-Giving some thoughts to favors...I'm going to look when I'm at WDW next week and see if I can come up with something. Thinking about welcome bags for everyone w/ goodies but haven't gotten much further than that.

 

[princess22]

I just read through your PJ. I'm glad everything is coming together for you! I got married on August 1 also (this year though!) If you are still looking for a cake, we got ours from Publix. I had so many people tell me it was the best wedding cake they have ever had! It really was delicious and they work with you and will do whatever you want!

Can't wait to read more!

 

[happybratpack]

I just read through your PJ. I'm glad everything is coming together for you! I got married on August 1 also (this year though!) If you are still looking for a cake, we got ours from Publix. I had so many people tell me it was the best wedding cake they have ever had! It really was delicious and they work with you and will do whatever you want!

Can't wait to read more!

I've been reading so many good things about Publix, I'm going to check them out for sure. Thanks for stopping by here.

 

[happybratpack]

I've been poking around online today and found a couple different bouquets I like...I want something simple.

Everyone has been raving about Publix cakes so I'm on their site now looking around. I wonder if I can get something w/ a Mickey theme or not going through them.

I'm still waiting on WDW for the group reservations number and for the assigned event person to contact me regarding finalizing both the party plans. I know she said she held the Marina for me but it makes me nervous the more time passes. On top of that I want to find out what Epcot locations are available that night and get it settled. It drives me nuts having things just "hanging out there"!!

On a side note...I took some time to browse the Knot boards....WTH is the hostility/meanness towards Disney brides over there?!?! Wow.

 

[pezaddict231]

The flowers are really pretty, I like the mix of roses and callas the best. I saw a pic of Stacey's cake in her PJ and it looked great! Couldn't hurt to ask about the Mickey, maybe if it was an abstract Mickey, more like a hidden Mickey it shouldn't be a problem. Just tell them you want a very specific three circle design .

I know the worst part about Disney is waiting for them to confirm things, but I'm sure it will all work out.

I can't believe it either! I honestly don't know what is wrong with those girls. I can understand how you may not agree with someone's choices, but to be so mean about it? If you don't like it just move along, it's their day, you have yours. My guess is they really have nothing better to do with their time and it makes them feel better to bring other people down. I really pity the men they've tricked into marrying them. I won't even post over there, much better to save that for the disboards where people are nice.

 

[happybratpack]

Website is up....still a little under construction though. Larry built it, still working on some edits.

http://www.ourwdwwedding.com