J & T's Wishes Wedding 5/5/12 SB/SBP/BW *Wedding & Aulani HM TR Complete!*

[BethieTink]

Tricia,

Looks like you had a very productive call with Maxine. That's great. What's not so great is that your Mom made changes too without telling you, but I guess that's what mom's do, right?

I will try to comment in order, hope you don't mind --- And it's long, sorry...

DP

- That's great that you don't have to pay for all the admissions to Epcot, up front. I had never heard that before, so that was really good info to have.
- We are doing the Celebration DP Menu and it's essentially ice cream with the toppings, cookies, brownies and fruit salad. Coffee and tea, too. The menu I have lists it as $27 a person. Not what you were exactly looking for, but it might help.

Ceremony
- Again, great news on the chairs and maybe paying just the move fee. The sand would be an issue, but it seems like Disney can make it work. I will have to remember this when I need the same thing.
- Not sure if this is something you want to consider, but I read in Carrie's book that if you have the microphones, you can add a CD player for a nominal fee. This way you could play the versions of the songs you like and skip the guitarist cost. It also comes with a tech, so he could run the music for you. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE using Sweet Caroline. Go Sox!

Cocktail Hour
- Sorry Mom changed the menu, but I am sure everyone will be just fine with antipasto display. And if it half the cost, even better. People just want to nibble and get ready for the real stuff anyway.

Good job on the cake. I like the idea of serving it as a buffet. Makes alot more sense to me.

Dinner
- Sorry your mom struck again on the pasta course, but she might be right on this one. After the anitpasto, a salad, entree and cake might be just the right amount of food. I doubt anyone will go hungry. If it also means that the entrees can be fabulous, it is a good trade. People will always remember the entree good or bad.

Hope you get your photobooth. Great that Maxine is making the space for it.

I have no words on the bar package. If your in-laws are paying, why should Mom be concerned with it. Hopefully, you can work this out, so that everyone is happy. Question - is Disney accomodating about playing around with the bar packages? We like some choices and not others. Figures. I also wish they offered better beer. Paul, being a lifelong Bostonian, needs his Sam Adams.

Hope that these changes help out the budget for you. Fingers crossed!

 

[tric8783]

Wow! You made a ton of changes (Well, your mom did too...): good for you! I think the cake definitely sounds like the best idea. And I am LOVING the idea of the chiavari chairs in the sand. What color are they? Gold? Whatever, they'll look gorgeous.

And what the heck about the bar: why does your mom care?! Ugh, parents, right?!

Thanks! I hung up the phone feeling a little relieved, I didn't seem to get any eye rolling that I know of from Maxine, she was really helping me to get the costs down. I'm hoping this will reflect with the updated BEO! The chairs we have currently are silver with a white cushion!

Tricia,

Looks like you had a very productive call with Maxine. That's great. What's not so great is that your Mom made changes too without telling you, but I guess that's what mom's do, right?

I will try to comment in order, hope you don't mind --- And it's long, sorry...

DP

- That's great that you don't have to pay for all the admissions to Epcot, up front. I had never heard that before, so that was really good info to have.
- We are doing the Celebration DP Menu and it's essentially ice cream with the toppings, cookies, brownies and fruit salad. Coffee and tea, too. The menu I have lists it as $27 a person. Not what you were exactly looking for, but it might help.

Ceremony
- Again, great news on the chairs and maybe paying just the move fee. The sand would be an issue, but it seems like Disney can make it work. I will have to remember this when I need the same thing.
- Not sure if this is something you want to consider, but I read in Carrie's book that if you have the microphones, you can add a CD player for a nominal fee. This way you could play the versions of the songs you like and skip the guitarist cost. It also comes with a tech, so he could run the music for you. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE using Sweet Caroline. Go Sox!

Cocktail Hour
- Sorry Mom changed the menu, but I am sure everyone will be just fine with antipasto display. And if it half the cost, even better. People just want to nibble and get ready for the real stuff anyway.

Good job on the cake. I like the idea of serving it as a buffet. Makes alot more sense to me.

Dinner
- Sorry your mom struck again on the pasta course, but she might be right on this one. After the anitpasto, a salad, entree and cake might be just the right amount of food. I doubt anyone will go hungry. If it also means that the entrees can be fabulous, it is a good trade. People will always remember the entree good or bad.

Hope you get your photobooth. Great that Maxine is making the space for it.

I have no words on the bar package. If your in-laws are paying, why should Mom be concerned with it. Hopefully, you can work this out, so that everyone is happy. Question - is Disney accomodating about playing around with the bar packages? We like some choices and not others. Figures. I also wish they offered better beer. Paul, being a lifelong Bostonian, needs his Sam Adams.

Hope that these changes help out the budget for you. Fingers crossed!

I love that you took the time to comment on everything, thank you!
You make some good points, esp with the food, maybe taking out the pasta and having great entrees is a good trade. hmmm... things to consider!! She couldnt remember the prices for the DP so we'll see what we're getting with the update!
I have to remember to email Laura today with some more updates to the Floral, including the chairs. I am watching my 1.5 yr old nephew this morning so hopefully I don't forget! He's so cute but of course, curious... especially with my puppy! hahah

You're right, originally I had thought about just playing a CD of the songs we like, (I got the ideas for my songs from the DFTW love songs CD) and of course Sweet Caroline. Maybe I will add these up and see if we should do them instead of the guitar. Thanks!

My mom and the bar... who knows. I can't explain or understand it either. But YES! Disney is very accomodating and people switch things out all of the time apparently. DF's family drinks certain beers too, as well as certain vodka etc. So we are going to switch some things out. They also have things like scotch and whiskey in the bar packages, we don't drink that much so we're taking them out and upgrading one or two things to keep the cost the same. Maxine says it's very common! I'm sure you can definitely get Sam Adams, especially in Epcot/AAP!

 

[tric8783]

Our STD's!! I'm really excited to send them out! DF took one to work today to weigh it (I'm nervous it might require more than one stamp but hoping I'm wrong!)

I took pictures of each page so I'll post them and see if we can read what the pages say, if not I'll type it out!

The front:

The first page, "Our Wedding"

The second page, "Travel Information"

And the last page, "Accomodations"

I figured since we're actually pretty close to the wedding now, I'd give a little extra information and share our website, that way people now know they are definitely being invited and will start booking their rooms.
Invites will go out around February, so this is definitely just to let them know they are being invited. Apparently a few family members on DF's side are wondering if they are. We only started planning with 8 months to go, and I wanted to wait for our e-pics for the STD's. Sorry I wasn't faster on getting them out! haha Hope you like them as much as I do!!

I also took a picture of our Christmas cards we sent out! I used the same picture I posted of Goonie earlier on here, but this one is a little more festive. I wish I could have participated in the Card Exchange, I am normally a Christmas freak, but we are budget strapped this year, I had about 75 cards to send plus our STD's. Please forgive me for not sending you all cards!! Next year I promise to participate!!

Hope everyone has a great weekend, TGIF!!

 

[MrsDuck]

The Save the Dates are INCREDIBLE!!!! I love them!

 

[virtuous girl]

Everything is awesome!!
Now concerning ur mom changing things on the BEO, i think i would of felt a little heated 2 bcuz she didnt run things by u 1st... but i understand that she is paying & u guys r really close ... BUT it is still ur wedding.. as long as everything works out in the end thats all that matters...

 

[tric8783]

The Save the Dates are INCREDIBLE!!!! I love them!

Thanks Faith!! They are all packaged pretty, stamped and ready to send tomorrow! yippee

Everything is awesome!!
Now concerning ur mom changing things on the BEO, i think i would of felt a little heated 2 bcuz she didnt run things by u 1st... but i understand that she is paying & u guys r really close ... BUT it is still ur wedding.. as long as everything works out in the end thats all that matters...

Thank you! Ugh.. yes I was so heated. Like I said I don't really like confrontation so I emailed her to call her out and she has not responded to me yet regarding it. I'm still irritated with her not telling me but I'm starting to come to terms that her cuts do make some sense. And I'm glad she didnt try to take out the DP I guess. You win some, you lose some
I'm going to try to battle my floral beo some more now and see what else I can change there Your decor estimate has me motivated to make mine less!

 

[tric8783]

So I was reading in Bethie's PJ and she posted that she was able to secure DJ Chuck. I looked on his website, plugged in my date and he's not available. This is making me nervous, as I do have an exact list of songs I want played (all of our slow songs are wedding songs for couples at our wedding, etc). I am slightly OCD about music, I don't want a DJ that is super interactive with everyone or annoying, I don't want to give an option for any requests etc. Will Maxine ever ask us about our music/dj preferences or we'll just get assigned someone and it's luck of the draw?

I sent him a contact email to ask if he is booked through Disney for my date? Do you think it's possible they booked him for me already and I just don't know it yet? Hopefully yes. I guess I'll find out when he replies!

 

[donald&daisy]

I love the way your STDs turned out!! So cute. And your Christmas cards are adorable.

As for the DJ, it seems like I remember telling our planner I wanted a DJ and a little about what I was looking for and she said she would put in a request for a couple of her favorite DJs. So you can definitely request one, but /i think its kind of like Disney Photography--you aren't guaranteed your request.

 

[Jilian]

Wow, your STDs are awesome!

 

[BethieTink]

So I was reading in Bethie's PJ and she posted that she was able to secure DJ Chuck. I looked on his website, plugged in my date and he's not available. This is making me nervous, as I do have an exact list of songs I want played (all of our slow songs are wedding songs for couples at our wedding, etc). I am slightly OCD about music, I don't want a DJ that is super interactive with everyone or annoying, I don't want to give an option for any requests etc. Will Maxine ever ask us about our music/dj preferences or we'll just get assigned someone and it's luck of the draw?

I sent him a contact email to ask if he is booked through Disney for my date? Do you think it's possible they booked him for me already and I just don't know it yet? Hopefully yes. I guess I'll find out when he replies!

Tricia,

Sorry I haven't commented sooner. The afternoon seems to have gone by way too quickly.

Your Save the Dates are amazing!!! Very well done. Your guests will love them.

My advice on the dj (since Chuck is booked) would be to contact Maxine and tell her your concerns and wants. Then ask her for recommendations, so you can check them out on line and then let her know your preferences. I, obviously, understand the anxiety over this, so I will double cross my fingers for you.

You are welcome on all the comments. I hope they weren't too much. I just hope they helped a bit. I am very happy that we can totally customize the bar packages. That is great news! Paulie will be very happy to have his Sam Adams.

Forgot to comment on the chairs at Asbury Patio. I don't mind them either. I don't plan on doing any decor for the breakfast. They are lucky they are getting fed! So those chairs will be fine. For the ladies event, I might go with the Mad Hatter decor, but if it is too much, I can take out the chair covers.

How did the day with your nephew go?

 

[tric8783]

I tried to add photos here but photobucket is doing something crazy. I will come back later and try to edit and add them!

I love the way your STDs turned out!! So cute. And your Christmas cards are adorable.

As for the DJ, it seems like I remember telling our planner I wanted a DJ and a little about what I was looking for and she said she would put in a request for a couple of her favorite DJs. So you can definitely request one, but /i think its kind of like Disney Photography--you aren't guaranteed your request.

Thank you!! I think I'll definitely inquire with Maxine and let her know what I'm looking for and see what happens!

Wow, your STDs are awesome!

Thank you!! Really with us being so close to sending out invitations we debated sending them at all, but when I found them I really loved the design to them and had to have them. I hope our guests like them! I mailed them out today!!

Tricia,

Sorry I haven't commented sooner. The afternoon seems to have gone by way too quickly.

Your Save the Dates are amazing!!! Very well done. Your guests will love them.

My advice on the dj (since Chuck is booked) would be to contact Maxine and tell her your concerns and wants. Then ask her for recommendations, so you can check them out on line and then let her know your preferences. I, obviously, understand the anxiety over this, so I will double cross my fingers for you.

You are welcome on all the comments. I hope they weren't too much. I just hope they helped a bit. I am very happy that we can totally customize the bar packages. That is great news! Paulie will be very happy to have his Sam Adams.

Forgot to comment on the chairs at Asbury Patio. I don't mind them either. I don't plan on doing any decor for the breakfast. They are lucky they are getting fed! So those chairs will be fine. For the ladies event, I might go with the Mad Hatter decor, but if it is too much, I can take out the chair covers.

How did the day with your nephew go?

Thanks so much! I am definitely going to ask Maxine about the DJ and let her know what we are thinking. I just emailed her our "ideal bar" yesterday so maybe I'll wait a day or two.

Friday with my nephew was a lot of fun! He is obsessed with my pup, and Goonie has been pretty good with him lately, except when Tyler is running around my house wanting Goonie to chase him, which of course any puppy would do! I'll try to come back and post a picture of the two of them for my picture lovers. Don't pictures just make everything more fun to read?

 

[Ash8716]

Sounds like your phone call with Maxine went pretty well!! Looks like your bro should drop quite a bit . I can't believe your mom called without telling you, what a surprise. I know she changed your cocktail hour but we did the same. We originally had several hot stuff and then wanted to save money somewhere. Our planner recommended the antipasto display. We weren't overly thrilled with it at first. It didn't seem like it would be enough. I never saw the antipasto but I did eat it! It was really good. My mom said it was awesome and got several comments about. I guess it is huge and laid out really nicely. Hopefully I will have some picture I can show you soon

Glad to see everything worked out with the kids! That's a big money saver there. My parents really wanted prime rib too but they of course couldn't do it, I don't get the issue Disney has with it but oh well. Can't wait to hear how the bel looks when you get it back!!!

I love, love your save the dates They are so pretty!

 

[Ash8716]

Btw for the dj you can put in a request for one that you choose! We called a couple to get idea of personality and really liked chuck! It was really nice and has amazing reviews. He filled me in on the process and said if we wanted him all we had to do was call our planner. Pamela confirmed and put him in our beo!!! I would highly recommend this as a dj can make or break your wedding!!!

 

[yourgypsy]

-The STDs look SO AWESOME! And your dog! I just want to snuggle him! Can you give him a snuggle for me, please?

-Yay for getting some things figured out and prices lowered! Very happy that Maxine's patient, too.

-As much as I hate footing the bill completely ourselves, I'd have some serious issues if my mom called up and changed things. (Granted, we don't have the best relationship to begin with, but oy! The thought makes my blood pressure go up! )

-Definitely understand the DJ concerns. I'd much rather give them a 'please play' list rather than them go with whatever's popular nowadays lol.

 

[CourtenayB]

Awww your Christmas cards are so cute! Love your doggie!

 

[BethieTink]

Tricia,

Glad you had a great day with your nephew. He must love Goonie!! The pictures must be so cute. Can't wait to see them.

Good luck with the bar package. I am so happy about being able to customize it for what we want/need. I am curious to how yours comes back pricewise. Just curious are you adding any brands that they normally don't have on there? I know they will, but just wondered. We have a bunch of our guests love tequila shots, but only if it is Patron. I would hate not to have it, but not for a huge price. They will get over it, if needed.

When I told Paul that you were using Sweet Caroline as your recessional, he flipped. He loved the idea! I am now afraid that we will be walking back up the aisle to the Bruins goal song. I love hockey and the Bruins, but not sure about a song from Zombie Nation at a reception.

 

[tric8783]

Sounds like your phone call with Maxine went pretty well!! Looks like your bro should drop quite a bit . I can't believe your mom called without telling you, what a surprise. I know she changed your cocktail hour but we did the same. We originally had several hot stuff and then wanted to save money somewhere. Our planner recommended the antipasto display. We weren't overly thrilled with it at first. It didn't seem like it would be enough. I never saw the antipasto but I did eat it! It was really good. My mom said it was awesome and got several comments about. I guess it is huge and laid out really nicely. Hopefully I will have some picture I can show you soon

Glad to see everything worked out with the kids! That's a big money saver there. My parents really wanted prime rib too but they of course couldn't do it, I don't get the issue Disney has with it but oh well. Can't wait to hear how the bel looks when you get it back!!!

I love, love your save the dates They are so pretty!

Oh I am so glad to hear about the antipasto display! I'm really hoping it will be great also and people will love it / it will be enough food! I hate that she changed it on me, but I do see the understanding behind it

Btw for the dj you can put in a request for one that you choose! We called a couple to get idea of personality and really liked chuck! It was really nice and has amazing reviews. He filled me in on the process and said if we wanted him all we had to do was call our planner. Pamela confirmed and put him in our beo!!! I would highly recommend this as a dj can make or break your wedding!!!

Chuck did write me back and said he is booked for a wedding on 5/5/12 but it's not through Disney, foiled. I'm going to email Maxine and let her know what kind of DJ we are hoping for. Hopefully it works out! oy!

-The STDs look SO AWESOME! And your dog! I just want to snuggle him! Can you give him a snuggle for me, please?

-Yay for getting some things figured out and prices lowered! Very happy that Maxine's patient, too.

-As much as I hate footing the bill completely ourselves, I'd have some serious issues if my mom called up and changed things. (Granted, we don't have the best relationship to begin with, but oy! The thought makes my blood pressure go up! )

-Definitely understand the DJ concerns. I'd much rather give them a 'please play' list rather than them go with whatever's popular nowadays lol.

Thanks! Yes I will give him an extra snuggle! Funny side story, he sleeps in bed with us (obviously) when we go up to bed, i hold him against me to calm him down and let him know it's time for bed -we call it snuggle time. haha. (that wasn't the story I meant) - the other night he stepped on my face in the middle of the night. Yes stepped on my face. Woke me up obviously. He loves to sleep on top of our pillows, sometimes that means on top of us too if we are in the way. baahaha. he is loving.

Awww your Christmas cards are so cute! Love your doggie!

Thanks Courtenay!

Tricia,

Glad you had a great day with your nephew. He must love Goonie!! The pictures must be so cute. Can't wait to see them.

Good luck with the bar package. I am so happy about being able to customize it for what we want/need. I am curious to how yours comes back pricewise. Just curious are you adding any brands that they normally don't have on there? I know they will, but just wondered. We have a bunch of our guests love tequila shots, but only if it is Patron. I would hate not to have it, but not for a huge price. They will get over it, if needed.

When I told Paul that you were using Sweet Caroline as your recessional, he flipped. He loved the idea! I am now afraid that we will be walking back up the aisle to the Bruins goal song. I love hockey and the Bruins, but not sure about a song from Zombie Nation at a reception.

hehe yes Tyler is obsessed with Goonie! I'm not sure if Goonie really understands why Tyler is so little and makes so much noise. haha He is talking now and constantly says "doggie! doggie!" we are working on "goonie"

The bar packages have a lot of different liquors that I honestly don't even know what they are (cutty sark anyone??). Our ideal bar that we submitted for a price was: Beer: Coors Light, Mich. Ultra, Corona and Budweiser. Liquor: Absolut, Absolut Citron, Patron, and Capt Morgan's. Wine: Beringer White Zinfandel, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Rosa Regale and I threw in potentially adding a champagne.

Really the normal bar comes with 4 beers (we changed bud light for coors light and heineken for budweiser), then like almost 10 liquors and we only want 4, then 3 wines and we're asking for 5. I'm hoping it will come out around the same or maybe even less. I assume I won't find out until I get my revised BEO and at this point I assume this wont be for awhile. I wish it would be sooner but I'm not holding my breath.
Maxine had commented during our PS changing out the SKYY for Absolut wouldnt be a big difference, but I'm not sure about changing from Sauza to Patron. I guess we're about to find out!

haha too funny!! We love Sweet Caroline and will likely play it again at the reception as the night goes on, just so we can scream like we're at a game and try to lose our voices We actually got the idea from a wedding we just went to at Stowe this past May where they exited to Dirty Water. I knew instantly I too wanted a Sox reference.

 

[tric8783]

I emailed Laura and let her know I want to use the Chiavari chairs for both ceremony and reception. Hopefully this will work. I figure even if there is a move fee, it's likely less than $440 (cost for the white folding chairs currently). Right now we also have two revere bowls on our sweetheart table, so I told her we only need one. Minor revisions I know, but anything is something
Oh I also added the square gel cups for our DP with pink gel. They're only $5 each and I told her I'd auth 20, even though I don't think we need that many and that's only $100. I think they will be just the right "pop" of pink!

I tried to google for pictures of the chiavari chairs in the sand, and though these are under cover, I like it:

I came home from work and our mailbox was empty, so the mailman took our save the date's! So excited to hear from people that they're getting them soon- yipppeee!

 

[BethieTink]

The bar packages have a lot of different liquors that I honestly don't even know what they are (cutty sark anyone??). Our ideal bar that we submitted for a price was: Beer: Coors Light, Mich. Ultra, Corona and Budweiser. Liquor: Absolut, Absolut Citron, Patron, and Capt Morgan's. Wine: Beringer White Zinfandel, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Rosa Regale and I threw in potentially adding a champagne.

Really the normal bar comes with 4 beers (we changed bud light for coors light and heineken for budweiser), then like almost 10 liquors and we only want 4, then 3 wines and we're asking for 5. I'm hoping it will come out around the same or maybe even less. I assume I won't find out until I get my revised BEO and at this point I assume this wont be for awhile. I wish it would be sooner but I'm not holding my breath.
Maxine had commented during our PS changing out the SKYY for Absolut wouldnt be a big difference, but I'm not sure about changing from Sauza to Patron. I guess we're about to find out!

haha too funny!! We love Sweet Caroline and will likely play it again at the reception as the night goes on, just so we can scream like we're at a game and try to lose our voices We actually got the idea from a wedding we just went to at Stowe this past May where they exited to Dirty Water. I knew instantly I too wanted a Sox reference.

Love the story about Goonie stepping on your head. Ozzie loves to sleep in my legs, which makes for some interesting nights. Rocket and Yaz both like to climb on my chest and give me the kneads and purrs. It's amazing I get any sleep. Ozzie also likes to tell us when he feels it's time for bed. He will come into the living room and tap Paul on the leg, usually around 10. If we stay up later than that and he has to tap again, he gets more insistent. Two or three times and he is absolutely put out.

Okay, you and I must be really close to sharing some brain cells. Your bar package is very close to what I would like to offer (especially since you added Patron and Rosa Regale), so now I want you BEO back really quickly. Fingers crossed it works out cheap! BTW, Cutty Sark is a brand of scotch.

Cannot believe that you mentioned Dirty Water. As I was telling Paul about it, we both mentioned using Dirty Water. We also talked about the Bruins goal song, but only if we added the horn! We will still probably do a Disney song.

Love the chiavari chairs in the sand. Gorgeous!

 

[tric8783]

Love the story about Goonie stepping on your head. Ozzie loves to sleep in my legs, which makes for some interesting nights. Rocket and Yaz both like to climb on my chest and give me the kneads and purrs. It's amazing I get any sleep. Ozzie also likes to tell us when he feels it's time for bed. He will come into the living room and tap Paul on the leg, usually around 10. If we stay up later than that and he has to tap again, he gets more insistent. Two or three times and he is absolutely put out.

Okay, you and I must be really close to sharing some brain cells. Your bar package is very close to what I would like to offer (especially since you added Patron and Rosa Regale), so now I want you BEO back really quickly. Fingers crossed it works out cheap! BTW, Cutty Sark is a brand of scotch.

Cannot believe that you mentioned Dirty Water. As I was telling Paul about it, we both mentioned using Dirty Water. We also talked about the Bruins goal song, but only if we added the horn! We will still probably do a Disney song.

Love the chiavari chairs in the sand. Gorgeous!

too funny!! Goonie was crazy last night for whatever reason and spent the night in his crate! We loved when he was little and our bed was too tall for him to get in/out on his own. Now it's game over! haha

Almost all of our liquor is for our guests! My brother-in-law needs the Citron, DF's best man needs the Patron, the Rosa is for ME, coors for DF, mich ultra for my future father-in-law, etc. DF and I aren't hard to please so we figured these should work for everyone. Maxine emailed me back last night at 10:45PM (she is a saint I swear) that she submitted our request and will let me know the price! Not a scotch drinker! Thanks!

We are doing Disney instrumentals for the processional so we can get both in!

I think they look pretty, right? Glad you agree! Hopefully Laura lets me do it!