Julia & Jared's road to Happily Ever After-June 2011 **the Dress??**

[Butler_chic07]

So... I have debated whether or not to start a PJ. I have really wanted to, but am extremely nervous.
However, I am going to give it a try!

First off I want to thank you all so much for all the help you have provided me on these boards, even though sometimes I may not make myself “visible” I have gotten several ideas from so many of you.

Now that I got that out of the way, I guess I should start with introductions:

Me (Julia) - Definitely the Disney lover! I love to just curl up and hang out, watch movies, play games.

DFi (Jared) - Loves almost all sports. Huge Chicago sports fan. Likes video games. Loves pizza...

We are both college students... We both love our dog (she was a Christmas 2008 gift). We both love our college basketball team!!! They had an amazing year, and it was very exciting!

Here is a picture of us, hopefully...
***warning: I am not the most photogenic person***



And this is a picture of Jared and our puppy, Patches...



Next up: Our Story

 

[Butler_chic07]

I can't believe I actually did this! I am proud of myself, still really scared. At least I have somewhere to put ideas, even if no one reads it!

So our story begins back in middle school, 8th grade to be exact. That isn’t the fairytale part of our story. In 8th grade, we liked each other and we “dated” for a brief amount of time, but it was 8th grade, seriously... that relationship ended as most middle school “relationships” do. Little did I know that in high school we would find each other again.

Years passed, but in 11th grade our paths crossed again. We ended up having physics together, and were in a leadership group that focused on community involvement and leadership development. I actually started “talking” to one of my friends in my physics class, who was friends with Jared. They used to throw paper wads at me (I sat directly in front of them). We always did group work together. My other friend and I decided that we were going to stay just friends. Jared and I got to be close friends during physics and our leadership group. Finally in December of 2005 we went to the movies, saw Just Friends, and have been pretty inseparable ever since!

Next the engagement

 

[Butler_chic07]

Apparently Jared, had planned to propose, 3 times BEFORE he actually got the chance.
The first time he planned on proposing was August 2009. We were supposed to take a Disney vacation, that got postponed.
Second - November, another Disney trip, that also got postponed.
And I thought I was upset about the postponing of our trip... he was too.
We did finally get to go in March, but that’s another story!

The third attempt was on our anniversary. During the holiday season our downtown is covered in Christmas lights, and I have never seen it, so I really wanted to see it. On our anniversary, which was a Thursday, he was trying to get me to go downtown with him. I wouldn’t let him take me though because he had a BIG exam on Friday. I said that we could do that sometime before Christmas, but his exam was TOMORROW. So I made him study.

I had no idea that he was planning THAT!

So on Dec. 19th, we went to a basketball game, where I should have KNOWN something was up. We had our jackets with us, and normally we just lay them behind us, or set them beside us, but Jared made a big deal about putting them right under his legs, so no one would step on them or anything... come to find out he was all freaked out because my ring was in his jacket. I was oblivious to this though. After we won the basketball game, we went downtown and took a horse-drawn carriage ride to look at the lights. The night was actually miserable. It was very very cold (I am not a cold person!), and wet - the wet that isn’t really snow and isn’t really rain, but in a weird way it made the night even more special. Even though it was a gross, the lights were beautiful, but half of the ride I don’t remember. I don’t even remember what Jared said. I remember where we were/what place we were in front of when he asked me. After that all I remember was my response. I was in shock, and all I could get out was, “uh-huh...” Isn’t that just the perfect answer?!

I don’t have a good picture of my ring...
*note to self, try to to get a good picture of my ring*

Funny thing about my ring: Jared got my ring from Jared’s


The only thing I don’t have is any pictures of that night, which makes me sad, but I get to take pictures for the rest of our lives. My camera would have probably broken in the icky weather.


Tomorrow I will actually talk wedding...

 

[Disney9.9.10]

Congratulations on your engagement and DFTW!! Your proposal story is so cute - poor guy having to have it postponed so many times lol A pj is a great way to get your ideas out, and people here are really supportive and actually do read what you write!

 

[weedee]

congrats on your engagement and decision for a Disney wedding looking forward to reading more!

 

[Butler_chic07]

Congratulations on your engagement and DFTW!! Your proposal story is so cute - poor guy having to have it postponed so many times lol A pj is a great way to get your ideas out, and people here are really supportive and actually do read what you write!

Thank you so much! I was hoping you all might be supportive and I can get some input. Jared really doesn’t care about the details. His dream wedding would be on a basketball court, maybe a football field, in jersey shorts and a cut-off t-shirt. The reception would include Papa John’s barbeque chicken pizza and several games of basketball... If I ask Jared about some detail, his responses usually vary from, "sure" "yes" "okay" "that look's fine," etc. It is not the feedback I necessarily want, but oh well. I still love him!

congrats on your engagement and decision for a Disney wedding looking forward to reading more!

Thank you, and congratulations on your wedding!! You are so close, single digits!!!

 

[Butler_chic07]

Jared and I never really talked about where we wanted to get married. I have told him in the past that my dream wedding was at Disney, he wasn’t as sold on it as I wished he was. In March we took our first vacation together to WDW and during the trip we had a site visit. After the site visit Jared was more excited about getting married there.

We also had to decide on a date, which took a lot of thought...
Before we could even choose a month we needed to decide on a year. As I mentioned we are both college students. I will graduate next year, but Jared still has another 3 years! He is studying to be a pharmacist. We are so in love and really want to start our life together. We want to wake up next to each other, come home to each other, etc. (I know I am a little sappy). 2013 is when he graduates, which neither of us really wanted to wait that long. In 2012 Jared goes on his pharmacy rotations and is not likely to have the “vacation” time to get married - meaning he does not get the normal school breaks. We decided that 2011 would be ideal for both of us. We also have to have a summer wedding because a lot of our family members are teachers, including myself. I wanted an early summer wedding so that we could spend some of the summer relaxing together getting used to married life. My brother graduates high school the beginning of June though, so I had to make sure it wasn’t too close to that date. Our first choice is June 20, 2011. We are pencilled in and crossing our fingers we get the date. We are also pencilled in for a 5 p.m. ceremony.


I love the Wedding Pavilion (except for the carpet) and knew that was where I wanted to have the wedding.



We had a hard time choosing a reception location, but we wanted to save our guests the trouble of too much transportation so we decided the GF would be a good choice for our reception.

Our pre-reception will be in the Whitehall Room & Patio.





Our reception will be in the St. Augustine ballroom.








I know several people don’t get why we would want to go to Disney to have a celebration in a ballroom, but it makes the most sense for us and for our guests. I still think there is a lot of Disney magic in the ballroom.

 

[Butler_chic07]

Here is the first thing I need some help and advice on.

I already have a MOH in my mind. I just have yet to ask her. I need help figuring out how to do it. I have lots of ideas, just can't decide on one! or two! I met her about 2 years ago and we instantly bonded over Disney. She's the first person I have ever met who is almost as crazy as I am when it comes to Disney. Belle's her favorite princess, but she loves all things Disney.

Here are some of my ideas. If I can figure out how to post a poll, I might try to do that

1. Card (I bought the stuff a while ago to make her a card, but didn't like my ideas) So I am trying to come up with better ideas.
2. Tote Bag - personalized with either her initials, her name, Maid of Honor, etc. With a few Disney touches
3. Fleece throw (below) - with Disney on one side. She is also going to spend a semester in Tasmania. The flight is super long and thought she could use it then ? I could even put Maid of Honor on it, or her name or initials.

4. Scrapbook - plain scrapbook that I could put her name on the front. The first page I would create that said something asking her to be my maid of honor. Then I thought about filling the scrapbook with different papers and including some disney stickers. Or creating a disney page for each pocket. (I hope that makes sense)

Any other suggestions or ideas?

I was at Hobby Lobby and they had some cute cheap luggage tags. I am going to get her one and put her initials on it. She can use it for Tasmania and Disney. I thought about getting a 2nd that says MOH? Is that too much? I know she would love many things that say MOH. It will thrill her I am sure.



Now another question for you all. Jared has a younger sister. She is only 2 years younger. We aren't super close, but I feel as if I should ask her to be a BM. I remember I had a close friend in high school when her brother got married she was not a BM and it kind of bothered her. I don't have any sisters and she's Jared's only sibling. I think the future in-laws would appreciate it too. Any thoughts?


Thank you!

 

[*Pixiedust1438*]

Congratulations on starting a PJ! I'm also a June 2011 bride so I'm excited to follow your plans!

 

[Butler_chic07]

Congratulations on starting a PJ! I'm also a June 2011 bride so I'm excited to follow your plans!

Yay! June 2011 brides! What date are you wanting?



SO... a few things to share.

First I have to vent about something non-wedding related! I am studying abroad and leave at the end of June! I don't have my visa yet and can't even apply for their housing yet because I don't have a confirmation of enrollment. I got so excited because I got an email about it last night, finally! However my email system has blocked the attachment and I cannot unblock it! Well I have forwarded the email to the IT people at my college, so I am hoping they can fix for me soon.


Now I will share some fun stuff... engagement pictures!
When Jared and I went to WDW in March we got engagement pictures with The Roots! We loved them. Neither of us really like getting pictures taken, so we were very nervous. They were amazing. We laughed and had a good time. So I wanted to share the link. I am bad and still haven't decided what to order!! YIKES! I know I am going to get a CD, but would also love to have some prints, decisions, decisions...

Here's the link:
http://proofs.rootweddings.com/pickpic/gallery/splash.php?gallery_id=56

and the passcode is: juliaandjared

We actually had them taken at POR and we loved the resort. We didn't stay there because we didn't think we would like it, but we loved it and it was beyond beautiful!
Hope you enjoy!

I know my planning isn't a little out of order, but there are some decisions we have to make before we can make others. Right now we are trying to decide on Honeymoon spots. My future in-laws own a timeshare and are giving us a week, pretty much anywhere! Which is amazing, but there are so many places to go! We have to decide pretty soon though because my FMIL said that many of the places need to be booked a year in advance. Jared & I really want to go somewhere warm and tropical by the beach. Right now we are thinking maybe Hawaii, Aruba, Jamaica, or the Bahamas. I have never been to any of those places and am having a hard time deciding. If anyone has any suggestions or ideas or feedback on the places I have listed I would LOVE to hear it.

Next time, my dilemma with colors...

 

[weedee]

gorgeous pics!!! They did a great job.

BTW, I love that they were taken at POR because that's where we're staying for our honeymoon and I've never been. It's beautiful!

I vote Hawaii...I was there for 2 weeks a couple years ago and it's really breathtaking...and SO much to do.

 

[Boston Disney Bride]

I love your pictures! The Roots always take amazing pictures!! You look beautiful in them and Port Orleans was a gorgeous setting!

 

[pink_tink8i8]

your pictures are soooo nice

 

[pezaddict231]

the pictures are beautiful! I love the Roots! And I've never been to POR before, it looks so pretty.

I would go with Hawaii, that's where we're going and we're using my parent's timeshare. In Hawaii there is so much to see and do. I'm not sure where you're from but for us it's a long trip, so it's less likely we'd find the time to go later on, whereas we could definitely swing a vacation to the caribbean in the future.

 

[*Pixiedust1438*]

Love the pictures, they turned out great! I have been to the Bahamas only, out of the places you listed, and while I loved it and had a great time, it would not be my first pick for a honeymoon. At least, Nassau wouldn't, I don't know what island you are looking at. One of the more secluded islands might be a good choice. We are doing Hawaii. DF has said for years he wanted to honeymoon there, and since he's letting me have my DFTW, I'm letting him have his Hawaii honeymoon. (Not that I'm against going to Hawaii!!! I think Aruba looks great and have always wanted to go there. Another place that I have been that would be perfect for a honeymoon is St. Lucia. My sister got married there and it was amazing. They have three sandals resort, and a resort called Ti Kaye, where we stayed, that was just voted in the top 10 most romantic resorts in the world. I'm sure you will have a great time no matter where you choose!

 

[Butler_chic07]

gorgeous pics!!! They did a great job.

BTW, I love that they were taken at POR because that's where we're staying for our honeymoon and I've never been. It's beautiful!

I vote Hawaii...I was there for 2 weeks a couple years ago and it's really breathtaking...and SO much to do.

Thank you! POR is beautiful. I was blown away... we actually chose to stay at CSR over POR for that trip because we thought we wouldn't like it. When The Roots suggested we take pictures there I trusted them. We loved it and wished we would have stayed there. It is now high on our list for our next trip!

I love your pictures! The Roots always take amazing pictures!! You look beautiful in them and Port Orleans was a gorgeous setting!

Thank you!! POR was breathtaking. I loved The Roots pictures too, there are so many great photographers that it took a while to finally choose them, but after looking at all of their pictures I knew I was in LOVE with their style and all their photos. We didn't want a bunch of posed pictures. We wanted our pictures to really capture us and I think they were able to do that amazingly! (especially since both of us were really nervous as we aren't very photogenic)

your pictures are soooo nice

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

the pictures are beautiful! I love the Roots! And I've never been to POR before, it looks so pretty.

I would go with Hawaii, that's where we're going and we're using my parent's timeshare. In Hawaii there is so much to see and do. I'm not sure where you're from but for us it's a long trip, so it's less likely we'd find the time to go later on, whereas we could definitely swing a vacation to the caribbean in the future.

Thank you! The Roots are amazing. They caught us as us, and that is what we really wanted. POR is amazing. We will definitely be staying there in the future. We were leaning towards Hawaii, but Jared's mom gave us this HUGE book of places we could go, and it is overwhelming! It is a decently long trip for us.

Love the pictures, they turned out great! I have been to the Bahamas only, out of the places you listed, and while I loved it and had a great time, it would not be my first pick for a honeymoon. At least, Nassau wouldn't, I don't know what island you are looking at. One of the more secluded islands might be a good choice. We are doing Hawaii. DF has said for years he wanted to honeymoon there, and since he's letting me have my DFTW, I'm letting him have his Hawaii honeymoon. (Not that I'm against going to Hawaii!!! I think Aruba looks great and have always wanted to go there. Another place that I have been that would be perfect for a honeymoon is St. Lucia. My sister got married there and it was amazing. They have three sandals resort, and a resort called Ti Kaye, where we stayed, that was just voted in the top 10 most romantic resorts in the world. I'm sure you will have a great time no matter where you choose!

Thank you! I appreciate your input about the Bahamas, I have never been there (unfortunately), but one day I will, maybe just not for a honeymoon. I think I may look more into some of the places in Hawaii, it seems like a pretty "popular" honeymoon destination, and there MUST be a reason! I haven't considered St. Lucia yet, so I will definitely be doing some more homework over the next couple weeks!

 

[Butler_chic07]

After fighting a sinus infection for a few days I am finally back to thinking a about wedding stuff.

So tonight this is what I am thinking about... the dress.
I have spent months looking at dresses, but haven't tried any on yet, because I haven't found any that excited me. BUT I actually found one that I am really excited about and another one that I also really like. I am going to post both pictures and really want opinions. I really want to go try to find these dresses in a store and try them on. It won't be until next week at least , but Jared & I are going to the lake with some family until Wednesday.

So here are the two dresses, I would love any feedback! I have showed very few people, and would really appreciate more feedback.
**Sorry for posting them so big... but I think the details are important.**

Dress A

Dress A - Back

Dress B

Dress B - Back

 

[sambycat]

very pretty! i really like the skirt on the first one, the way it gathers up! have fun looking!!

 

[DVC Bride 2011]

I really like them both! If I had to choose I'd go with B, but they are both so gorgeous!

 

[Butler_chic07]

very pretty! i really like the skirt on the first one, the way it gathers up! have fun looking!!

I LOVE the first one. I think it is my favorite. I haven't showed many people these pictures, but the few I have shown said that THAT is THE Dress because it is perfectly me! I am trying to track it down so I can actually see it in person, and try it on