Kelly&Adrian 09/22/10- SBP/The Attic/HDDR/UK - Nominated for Best Dressed Attendants!

[daisygirl902]

Okay, I will see if I can help!

Breakfast/Brunch debate:

DH and I had the same thought...we didn't like the idea of mixing pasta and chicken with waffles and pastries. There is (or was) a huge price difference between the breakfast and brunch menus, so that pretty much settled it for us. Plus, like us, you are also having a dinner, so you will have more substantial food later on. My guests all raved about our breakfast menu, and nobody seemed to mind not having lunch options.

Drinks:

If it is the morning, I probably wouldn't add much on, especially since you get them at HDDR. We added mimosas because we wanted to have some type of alcohol option, but everyone I know drinks, and I knew they would appreciate it, so it depends on your crowd.

Transportation:

I personally would hire transportation. How many people do you have? One way vans, that fit 8 people, are $25 each. I hired vans to bring people home from Epcot after our welcome party, and people were so thankful. Personally, I can't imagine not having private transportation on my wedding day (but I am also an overly anxious person). There are past brides on this board who have used public transportation, and I don't really remember them complaining...so I guess it is whatever works for you! I just wanted to give you my thoughts!

Timeline:

If you decide to get private transportation, you may want a break in between your events. After our brunch, everyone was ready for a nap, and I know the break was appreciated (but we started at 9 am). It is really all about knowing what you and your guests can handle!

HTH

Thanks for the info! I had NO IDEA you could get vans that cheap!! I was looking at transport options that were WAY more expensive than that! I am really excited now! I will definitely be getting them to cart people back to their resorts after the DP!!

The transportation also makes me see that it might be plausible to have an afternoon break...as that's part of my issue - if we break at 1:30, people taking Disney Transport to a different resort likely won't get back to their resort until 2:30 and then have to leave at 3:45 to get back to MK to catch the bus to HDDR - it just doesn't make sense....but with private transport they could be back at their resort by 1:45 really...

I don't know - I'm still not a big fan of breaking it up for some reason - mostly selfish I know, but there is no way I am going to be able to nap (I am NOT a napper - nor is Adrian)! Plus I'll be too scared to ruin my hair and makeup to go in the pool....so I'll just get bored and tired in the break time...

The other thing is we have a few guests who are not staying on resort so a break really screws things up for them.

Your input is much appreciated - that whole "van idea" made my day!

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

I know, I was really surprised when I found such affordable transportation options!

Planning a break is def more difficult when you have people staying everywhere. DH and I were at BC and everyone else was at POP, so we only needed one stop with the transportation.

We had a 6 hour break, and we didn't nap. We hung around the room for about an hour, and than went and walked around the Boardwalk area for 2 hours. When we got back to the hotel, DH watched sports highlights and I went on my computer for a bit. Eventually, we did start to get board, as there is only so much you can do when trying to keep your hair and makeup looking nice.

 

[daisygirl902]

I ordered our Halloween costumes today for MNSSHP!

Not sure if I mentioned already, but 7 of us are going the first night back from our honeymoon cruise....we decided to go with Fred and Wilma Flintstone costumes, as they are really easy to get dressed up in for the party....we'll likely get have to dressed in the public washrooms after dinner....since I don't really want to eat at Artist Point in a costume

I also got a lot of opinions on the wedding day timeline, and will likely be sticking with my original plan and just filling up most of the day - I'm really quite stuck on the idea of the caricature artist. I think it will work great for most of my guests....and for us as well! I guess I'll let you all know after it's all said and done!

 

[daisygirl902]

So - how many times can a bride possibly change her mind before it's all said and done?

A lot! And I am proof....

Ok - so remember way back at the beginning when I said how i was so set on a Wishes DP? Well I'm starting to see that as I change one thing in my plan it kind of has a domino effect....and that domino effect is kind of making me lean towards an Illuminations DP instead.

Why you ask?

Here are the Top 5 reasons:
1. With us now having brunch I need Randy to add on 2 hours to the package I had signed up for originally just due to the timelines. If I have the DP at EPCOT, that eliminates the need for Randy to come back at night, and I can use THAT 2 hours towards the daytime photography...so no extra cost there.
2. I am already buying the CD of photos for the MK shoot - so if I get the photography for the EPCOT DP too, they will add the photos on there, which is sweet - I'm all about adding value to justify my changes!
3. Speaking of value - as I mentioned way back one of the things that really ticks me off about the Wishes DP is the fact that it costs $500 to pipe in the music...I am NOT having a Wishes DP without the Wishes music! It's just not an option in my mind....but $500 is just so friggin ridiculous when you know all they really have to do is flip a switch!
4. The $500 saved from the music can go towards the photography and the venue fee if I change to EPCOT, and I almost come out paying the same amount in reality...for a minimal cost difference I feel like I'd be getting more out of my money.
5. I am truly a Wishes snob...I have watched it from a few different areas and I am totally afraid of the view from Sago Cay. I ONLY like Wishes when it's all nice and centered over the castle right from the middle of Main St. USA...I fell like the view from Sago Cay just won't live up to what Wishes is all about in my mind....

So sorry ladies...I know it's hard to keep up with me - sometimes I feel like I should just scrap this PJ and start over under an assumed name...I promise I WILL get it right, and the day will be GREAT! And I only have 4 more months...so how many more times can I change my mind?

Is this normal? Is it some kind of disease?

 

[Eviey]

So sorry ladies...I know it's hard to keep up with me - sometimes I feel like I should just scrap this PJ and start over under an assumed name...I promise I WILL get it right, and the day will be GREAT! And I only have 4 more months...so how many more times can I change my mind?

Is this normal? Is it some kind of disease?

I hope it is normal because I change my mind on everything hourly. If it isn't normal I have the same disease as you! (probably why I have never started a pj )

I think changing to an Illuminations DP sounds like a great idea!

 

[Brit_Jude]

It is your wedding - you can change your mind and plans all you want! I think all of us planning and those who have had their weddings have changed some aspects as they went along or found out more information, worked within budgets etc. I know I have and will.

 

[daisygirl902]

I hope it is normal because I change my mind on everything hourly. If it isn't normal I have the same disease as you! (probably why I have never started a pj )

I think changing to an Illuminations DP sounds like a great idea!

It is your wedding - you can change your mind and plans all you want! I think all of us planning and those who have had their weddings have changed some aspects as they went along or found out more information, worked within budgets etc. I know I have and will.

Thanks for the support ladies...I spend a lot of time thinking about and justifying all of the changes....they all just make sense to me.

I was thinking last night now ironic and funny it is that WAAAAY back when I first considered a Disney wedding I wanted to get married at SBP and have the DP at Morocco...and now look where I ended up...lol

I'm happy with all of the changes and decisions I have made...but I pity the fools who are just starting to read my PJ now...they have a lot to catch up on!

I promise I will be more organized when I write my TR! I'll even do one of those "indexes" on page 1 that I love so much...

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

Hi Kelly!

Don't think you are crazy over all your changes! You should have seen where I started out...I can't beleive so many of the brides on here stuck with me! The whole point in planning and having a PJ on these boards is that you can evaluate all your options and see what works for you!

Do you know where in Epcot you will have your DP?

 

[daisygirl902]

Hi Kelly!

Don't think you are crazy over all your changes! You should have seen where I started out...I can't beleive so many of the brides on here stuck with me! The whole point in planning and having a PJ on these boards is that you can evaluate all your options and see what works for you!

Do you know where in Epcot you will have your DP?

Thanks for the feedback! I am debating on location - I LOVE the view from Morocco, but I am also considering the UK.

 

[lpizzuro123]

First of all, I have completely enjoyed reading your report. I think your rings are just great. Your dress is so beautiful and love love love the pink shoes. I know you got a crinnie and just as an added FYI - I dyed mine pink - and it looked great - not to give you anything else to do - but a pink crinnie would look great with those shoes.

My pink crinnie:

I love the way you have changed your mind so many times and what is important is that this is you and you DF's day so make sure to get it right and to be just what you want. SBP is beautiful.

We did brunch in ADH and while I guess it is strange to mix breakfast items with pasta and chicken and salad this is what we did and everyone loved it. We did not have dinner after though so since you guys are doing HDDR after I think sticking with breakfast items is the way to go. We had the coffee, tea and juice from our brunch menu at brunch but we also added a champagne punch - which everyone loved. We paid for this by the pitcher and it worked out great. We have never done the HDDR but hopefully on our next trip.

As far as your DP goes - I agree with you being a Wishes snob. The best place to watch it is of course on Main Street - with the fireworks going off right behind the castle. The next best place is the beach at the Poly - as the Poly is directly across from the MK - you also get the fireworks right behind the castle. We have watched Wishes from the GF and while it is beautiful and you are closer then the Poly - it looks like the fireworks are going off to the side of the castle - still beautiful - but definately not the same.

Our DP was in Epcot in the UK Lower - just to give you and idea of the pictures you can get here is one from our party. This was taken by Misty (we were married before you were not allowed to have outside photographer for an inpark wedding). We have never watched IllumiNations from Morocco.

Looking forward to reading more.

Linda

 

[daisygirl902]

Looking forward to reading more.

Linda

WOW - that's stunning! I am in love with fireworks photos!

I really appreciate all of the feedback in your post - it's great to feel like people are "with me" through this!

 

[daisygirl902]

I got my contract and sent it back in today, as well as the save the date examples and a link to check out the website!

I can't wait to hear back with a planner - it feels so bizarre to be starting over this late in the game - but I'm sure it will all work out in the end! I just want to get this planning session booked...I think knowing when I'm going will be great - as I have said I'm kind of an OCD planner so thinking that I may be taking a trip next month, but having yet to have made a plan is a bit scary...

Oh well - off for a run...I put on 4 lbs this weekend on a "girls weekend"....kind of scares me what's going to happen on a 16 day Disney Trip....now you see why I need to take off 10 extra lbs to prepare!

 

[Eviey]

Grats for getting your new contract. Don't worry about "starting over" since I am sure you will work in a lot of your old ideas as well as some new.

We are still waiting for call back just to get penciled in and get a site visit set up. Hope it is soon so we can try to get a good airfare and get our rooms booked.

Nice you are getting back on the exercise! I wish I was that motivated! So awesome for you!

 

[daisygirl902]

Nice you are getting back on the exercise! I wish I was that motivated! So awesome for you!

Last night we almost caved and didn't go running at all (my sister, fiance and I all go and none of us were motivated last night)...we decided to plug through and go even though we felt like crap - what a GREAT run! This is the second time my sister has had a headache when we started out and the fresh air takes it right away!

 

[daisygirl902]

Our trip starts in exactly 120 days!!! Why is that such an important number, you ask? Well i have this weird tradition that I start a manual countdown on my Facebook and IM that days "x days till Disney!"...the first thing I do every morning is update the countdown...it seems to make the days just fly by for some reason.

YAY!!

Now I'm just hoping that my planner gets assigned soon....I hate the waiting part of this whole process...

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

Isn't it exciting that everything is getting closer?

Okay, I am going to give you my experience from Morocco (although maybe you already read it), compared to the pics I have seen from UK and the DP in UK I walked by the night of mine.

Morocco pro:
-the ambiance in Morocco, IMHO, is amazing. I love the colours, the architecture, everything. We were right behind the stage for "Mo-rock-on" (no idea how to spell that) as they were playing, so it really added to the ambiance.

Morocco con:
-It is long and narrow, and kind of separated into 2 areas, which means people are split up. I literally couldn't even see half my guests from where I sat to eat. Because of this alone, if I ever had another DP, I wouldn't pick Morocco.

 

[daisygirl902]

Isn't it exciting that everything is getting closer?

Okay, I am going to give you my experience from Morocco (although maybe you already read it), compared to the pics I have seen from UK and the DP in UK I walked by the night of mine.

Morocco pro:
-the ambiance in Morocco, IMHO, is amazing. I love the colours, the architecture, everything. We were right behind the stage for "Mo-rock-on" (no idea how to spell that) as they were playing, so it really added to the ambiance.

Morocco con:
-It is long and narrow, and kind of separated into 2 areas, which means people are split up. I literally couldn't even see half my guests from where I sat to eat. Because of this alone, if I ever had another DP, I wouldn't pick Morocco.

I know - I'm kind of scared after reading about your experience in your TR.

It's kind of funny how I ended up with Morocco actually - and I may change it once I get a planner....I asked Kristi (my Sales Rep) through email if it would be any trouble to change the DP if I decided to host it in say, Morocco...she replied with "No Problem" - 2 days later I had my LOA and Morocco was in there...lol. I didn't realize how literally she had taken me in my original email. I really did actually ask as a "what if" type of question - so once I got the LOA I kind of just shrugged it off (as I really do want Illuminations instead of Sago Cay)...

But after seeing the above pics of UK I am very very tempted to call and change the location....the only thing is I don't want to hold the process of getting a planner up. I feel like it's taking forever (I know that it's my fault, cause I changed my contract) but waiting is HARD!

So my plan now is to wait until I get my planner and then see abvout possibly making the change then.

I didn't realize that the Morocco spot is set up that way where you're in 2 different areas - ew...

 

[daisygirl902]

OMG OMG OMG I am so excited right now!! I get to keep Amy as my planner!

AND - My planning session is booked for 9 AM at Franc's on June 8th!!

This means.......

I AM GOING TO DISNEY IN 2 WEEKS!!!

The only bad part is I am going all by myself - none of my family members can go right now on such short notice....but whatever - I AM GOING TO DISNEY IN 2 WEEKS!!!

I am booked in a Savannah View Studio at AKV (I had my choice of that or a Studio at SS for 3 points less) - but since I'm not planning to go to the parks I think AKV is the perfect place for me...

I am so excited.

In case I forgot to mention it I am pretty excited right now....

And now time to get back to real life cause I'm leaving on a short trip to Yarmouth (3 hours away - my hometown) to work out of that office till Wednesday...and I still haven't packed cause Amy called right in the middle of it all...

YAY

 

[NYPrincess422]

Congrats on booking your PS ...DF and I will be there on June 2nd. Unfortunately, we're only going for one day and then heading down to Sarasota to visit family, but its still pretty exciting. Are you going to have a food tasting as well??? DF loves to eat so that's what he's looking most forward to

 

[daisygirl902]

Congrats on booking your PS ...DF and I will be there on June 2nd. Unfortunately, we're only going for one day and then heading down to Sarasota to visit family, but its still pretty exciting. Are you going to have a food tasting as well??? DF loves to eat so that's what he's looking most forward to

I think I am going to have a food tasting - I want to at least try the "non breakfast items" that I have as options for Brunch - so we'll see...

Any other DisBrides out there who may be in the area when I'm there let me know - I will be all by myself - and I'm only moderately insane...