LuckDragon's Planning Journal

[LuckDragon]

Hello and welcome! I'm starting my planning journal today - the day I received my first phone call and email from DFTW!

I was flexible on my date, so when Bill called we immediately went to work finding a Monday evening in the Fall of 2007 (see the calendar for my date). Within 20 minutes he emailed me the personalized website instructions, room block form, final contract verification (name, spelling, etc)., and the guest list format form. I work in tourism, so filling out the room block form was no problem. There seem to be a lot of questions about it on DIS, so the best I can explain it is as a "room night" = one night in a hotel room. So if you request 5 rooms at GF on Sat, 5 at GF on Sun, and 5 on Monday your room night total is 15. The minimum I need for our wedding is 50, which wasn't a problem as every single person will be traveling. We chose the YC, PO, and ASMovies.

As of today, we're having an evening wedding followed by a cocktail/apps reception during Illuminations (French Island) and a buffet dinner under the stars at the same location. We won't be able to start music until about 10 p.m. (when they turn off the Epcot "magic") but then we can dance the night away!

Bill is going on vacation Friday, so I'm going to be working on my guest list and website info while he's out. Hopefully I'll receive my contract by the end of the year so we can get this party started!

I'm not sure what problems will be coming in the future, but already DIS has been a godsend! I'll do my best to keep this journal up to date from start to finish! Please send tips and thoughts as we begin our DFTW journey! (Especially if anyone has done a reception or knows of a reception that is similar to ours!) And, of course, you can always PM me a recommendation on a vendor (we need it all - officiant, photog, hair/makeup, etc)!

And hey, how do I make a cool signature and countdown? I'm still learning about DIS and how to figure it out!

 

[princessdisneybelle]

Welcome! Yes this is a great place for wedding info. To get the cool countdown. Just click on one of ours. it will take you to the link and tell you how to put it on a message board. The go to your user op and add it to your signature.

 

[Belle1981]

Welcome! I was reading your trip report and that sounds just like our wedding! We are going to have the prereception at the French Island and then the buffet, and desserts and then start the music after 10! What menu have you liked the best? The DIS is truly a Godsend you will see the ladies here are so supportive and helpful! Congrats and enjoy your planning!

 

[LuckDragon]

I'm glad you asked about menus, because Bill said they would be included in the email, but he hasn't seem them yet! Should I be nervous? I'm so excited right now, but want everything TODAY and am already impatient that I haven't recieved any additional correspondance or info in the mail. Do you know about how long it takes before more info arrives?

 

[LuckDragon]

Today we received (via email) our LOA, proofs for our Save the Date envelopes and letters, proofs for our room night and tickets, etc. Still no menus or vendor referral lists. As I shared with Belle1981, this is the first time I had seen my name with my DF's and it made me sooooo happy I cried. My DF is away and I had to send it to him via email. He was excited as well, but the moment was rather lost. To all those planning a DFTW while apart, send advice! I'm thankful he's in the states now, as it's a better alternative to Iraq! Also, any advice on things to watch for in the LOA? Bill told me via email that we needed to guarantee 25 rooms, but now it says 50, which I think is correct for our guest count, 50-60 people.