OK, y'all are so sweet again! I was really worried what everyone would think of my dress and so far everyone loved it! I mean, I have to love it, and that's all that matter, but I do, and y'all do, and my family and friends do, so WIN WIN!
Now for nailed down details.
We DO have a DJ. They are someone I am completely taking a chance on, and hope are great! I found them through a groupon for not DJ services but rather a Photo Booth. I called them about the fine print of the coupon, and we got to talking and decided to meet in person. When we met, he was a great guy, and we were able to strike a bargain with him. He would include DJ services AND the photo booth, for what most other DJ companies were charging for just the DJ. It was better than the groupon deal, and the photo booth includes more than what was on the groupon, and now I also have a DJ..... Hoping they don't suck LOL!
Officiant. My girlfriend was engaged to be married in 2008, and the man left her 2 weeks before the wedding. It was awful. She is one of my nearest and dearest and a BM in my wedding. I have known her from day one, and she was sweet enough to refer me to the man who was going to do her wedding. He is just a dad to one of her good friends, but went to become an officiant for my friends wedding, that never happened. I have met the man, and he is super sweet, and will really make the ceremony beautiful. Have I mentioned yet that I am not actually happy about the ceremony part? OF COURSE I am elated to marry Bob, but I am DYING and SO STRESSED about having to walk down an aisle, stand in front of over 130 people for however long and be stared at. DYING. You may not know it from here, but I HATE being center of attention, and have been having frequent nightmares about it. Bob however LOVES being center of attention which makes me even more scared, because I know he will pull some fast ones on me up there..on the dance floor....during dinner... ugh. SCARED!
and last but not least, and the part that has made my life, and ALL I have EVER wanted or dreamed of.....
Our photographers!
In case you don't know, I have been a faithful Lurkyloo follower since before she was the Dis celebrity that she is (btw, in case you live under a rock, and do not know her, check out her
blog! )
I was one of the few that was lucky enough to read her wedding PJ/TR and follow everything that went on. She and her husband had their wedding at WDW, and hired at the time, a couple who was new on the Orlando wedding photography scene. Like Lurky, I loved their style, and was HOOKED once I saw her pictures.
After that, I became a junkie to this couple and followed their blog daily. Their love for each other is in inspiring, and their team work, and photography skills shine through each and every picture they take.
They inspired me to buy my first DSLR (which I admit, I have YET to learn how to use with anything but auto settings
) , they even took time out of their busy schedules to write back and forth to me on different cameras that would work for me. They are super kind like that!
If I thought I was as cool, I would say they are the Tennessee version of Bob and I!
BUT, I knew I could never afford this couple. How could I, they live in frakkin Tennessee !
So, I emailed them, they had been so helpful in the past with any other photography questions I had. I figured, if I can't have them, maybe they can at least advise me on how to go about picking a photographer (btw, did I mention photography was the most important thing to me?)
So, I emailed them.
Jensey and Nathans response are what fairy tale dreams are made of.
While they knew my situation, they replied that with my willingness to move my date, and my presence on their blog and facebook, and years of countless entries with them, they would work out a deal with me so that I COULD in fact have them!
I will not get into detail on what our deal is, but all I can say is, they are truly the kindest couple, and if you love someone like I loved them, pimp them out, show your support! In the end, following something I love, and being true to myself and posting all about them because I so strongly believed in them scored me a GREAT deal, AND my DREAM photographers!
OH, and in case you still don't know who I am talking about, I am talking about :
ROOT PHOTOGRAPHY!
ELATED does not even begin to describe how I feel about it, but it will have to do, as I could write an entire book about how happy we are!
and YES, I said we are, because Bob was thrilled as well! Over the years I had shown him their work, and already loved them as well!
I literally can NOT wait to meet Jensey and Nathan! I am sad however, that they are not bringing their beloved side kick Huck. Maybe it is the dog walker in me, but I feel a bond to this pup that I have never met. lol.
So there is the nailed down facts.
Other things that have been mostly set are menu, and we have an open bar, and a couples drink martini.
The martini we chose was a "hot" chocolate martini. Basically just a chocolate martini, but since it is a winter wedding, we played off of that!
For starters there will be a Imported and Domestic Cheese Board. Chefs selection of 5 hard and 5 soft cheese, accompanied by fruit, crackers, and assorted crackers.
Yes, I know, boring and over done, but Bob and I are cheese junkies! So we went with classic.
Then..
We will have 6 passed hors d'oeuvres
*Flatbread Pizza with Caramelized Pears and Melted Carabazola Blue Cheese
*Tequila Marinated Shrimp Ceviche Shooters with Lime Juice, Cilantro, Red Onions and Jalapeno
*CBI Steak & Fries : Fried Potato Disc, topped with Cheesy Philly Shaved Steak, Caramelized Onions and Spicy Ketchup (gotta rep the Philly in us, even though we are not originally from here )
*Black Bean and Goat Cheese Quesadillas
*Asian Marinated Flank Steak Rolls with Cucumber & Scallions, Sesame Seeds and Spicy Hoisin Sauce
and
*Mini Tomato Caprese Tart: Oven Roasted Heirloom Tomatoes with Fresh Basil and Warmed Mozzarella on Puff Pastry Circle, with Reduced Balsamic Drizzle
I love little foods, and I can not wait to eat all of that lol! YES, I will make sure I eat!
After that, will be a congratulatory champagne toast.
Once that is done, we will asked to be seated and will be served the first plate.
*Mixed Young Local Field Greens tossed with Granny Smith Apples, Candied Nuts and Lemon-Poppy Seed Vinaigrette- We also added goat cheese to this
I thought a salad course was silly..but Bob liked it, so it's staying.
and now the main course!
Honestly, if I could eat this every day I would.
Originally, we did not love the set options they had, so asked if the chef could work with us.
Sure enough he said yes, and the pork with chimichurri sauce they offered was made into pork with a dark cherry, shallot, and port wine rosemary chutney.
OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG. This is paired with mushroom risotto and I could just die. I HATE mushrooms, and this was to die for. DIE.
Not only did we love it so much, but chef decided to make it a permanent offering for all future brides there! I'm a trend setter like that.... LOL!
We also picked - Pan Seared Breast of Organic Chicken, Wrapped in Prosciutto with Preserved Lemon and Rosemary Jus de Poulet. Paired with the same mushroom risotto, and holy guacamole! DELISH! I loved this but preferred the pork, bob loved the pork but preferred this! Funny, huh?
and last but not least.. wedding cake!
NO clue how I want that to look yet! But here are a couple ideas I have liked so far
We also upgraded to chocolate covered strawberries for each table. That may go though.. not sure yet?
As a thank you, we intend to have a candy bar, full of our favorite candies. If all goes as planned, it will look something like this... or at least have the rustic affect of this table I loved online
Oh, I guess I forgot to mention, the whole wedding theme is rustic.. with a touch of Disney... not sure where Disney will be yet, but I know I am going to use a pin or a few on my bouquet, maybe on my dress..vinylmations somewhere.. idk.. subtle Disney hints
So far, this is the first center piece we have come up with
It is a work in progress, but you get the idea.
The mason jars belonged to Bobs grandparents that passed a couple years ago, so I was smitten to have something so vintage and something that belonged to such wonderful people.
The wedding colors are black, gray, and purple. But none of it is the highlight, it's just there subtly, in the dresses, flowers, etc. No big purple lighting or tablecloths.
NONE of the flowers I actually wanted are available at a reasonable price for winter, so the flowers you see are some of what I compromised on, and honestly, I think it actually looks gorgeous. These will change a bit, but you get the idea for now.
and as you can see, the table numbers are made with love by Bob
Tree was cut down from his moms yard, and he is wood burning all the table numbers and guests names for the tables.
I love it! and I love him for being so crafty!
and invites.... leaning towards these..but man are they pricey!
So there you have the basic of the wedding so far... and pretty much all we have so far.. we still have a LONG road ahead of us, and I look forward to posting new floral, the real invites, bouquets ideas, etc.....
I'll also leave you with this beautiful cake that my future MIL made as an engagement surprise for us at Bobs birthday.
Is she the SWEETEST or what? and how well does she know me (us) and appreciate my love for Disney??
In my next post, I will try and post some bouquet ideas I have liked... it isn't a i priority for me, not as much as the center pieces are, so I'll need input!
Off to work I go, I hope you all have a great day!
I guess that's what happens when I DIS before bed. I dreamt that your wedding was super fun and everyone had a good time. Everyone looked beautiful and handsome. You had your hair up and just a small sort of tiara tucked into your hair which was up and curly. You looked like a princess.
), and congrats on the photographer...that is awesome.
. The only thing they really have left to do is decide where the honeymoon is.
