Thank you so much everyone!
So now that my recaps are getting more into the wedding festivities I thought I would add my vendor eviews and things I was happy I did or didn't do.
Happy we followed our hearts and had a Disney wedding
Of course at some moments I doubted the choice myself, but Disney is just Dan and I. it was there that I realized I truly and deeply love my husband, and it was there he proposed to me in a way I will never forget. So while other people may have been skeptical, we always knew this was the place we were destined to be married.
Happy I spoke up and asked for a new planner
While I won’t get into all the drama with my first planner, I will just say she almost had me doubting my decision to use Disney. Once we spoke up and voiced our concerns to Kristi Davis, she assigned us to Dian Bowen. The woman is spectacular. I never had to wait more than 24 hours for a response to anything, or a revision. She was just awesome and she was as nice and sweet in person. My only regret is that I did not have her from the beginning and the P.S. (which was totally out of my control lol!)
Randy Chapman
Again another decision I was on the edge about. There were a few photographers in mind and in the end Dan made the final decision. His choice was made (of course on Randy’s work) but also his experience. There had to be a reason all these people use Randy. Well after knowing him now I know why. There is not a cooler, sweeter more easy going guy than Randy. No matter what he will make you smile and he will make you feel beautiful. Plus he knows Disney and how to photograph it.
Kennedy video productions
Another vendor I cannot say enough good things about. Kathleen and Ray are just the most amazing people. After we saw their work we didn’t even look anywhere else. I have complete trust that my video is going to be completely amazing.
Disney floral
I know many people have had issues with Disney floral but I am so happy we used them. Rose Dizon is one of the most talented floral designers I have seen. Some girls dream of the coach or whatever but my thing was the flowers, my bouquet and the centerpieces and the room. I was very clear of what I wanted and rose knew that but from the moment I met her at the PS she just got it. In fact I thought because I asked to reduce the price of certain things to fit within our budget that my floral would be smaller than I had initially hoped, but actually quite the opposite- it was drop dead beautiful- I am bias of course
Happy we had our reception at the Boardwalk
Ahhh I just love that resort. Everything about it. The service everywhere from the Inn, to the villas, to the convention center was just top notch. The chef at the BW (chef Dennis) was just awesome. He knew how important the food was to us and everything was awesome. The service the night of the wedding was insane. I would take a sip of a drink and the waiter would give me a new one- literally! Also having the Inn so close to the CC was great and most of my guests stayed there also which made it very convenient. Plus I am so happy I decided to use the BW for pictures. I just love the feel there and it is so much in character with Dan and I.
Lisa Pena
I know people have had issues with her as well, but I was blown away by the work she did for me. I almost cried when I saw my hair and makeup- it was EXACTLY what I wanted. We had all together 8 heads of hair and 4 faces of makeup and in my opinion every single person looked beautiful! We were done with way more than enough time. A good friend of mine who is a stylist and owned salons in NYC and Florida wanted to do my hair. I wanted her to enjoy the wedding. She was nervous and standing by on- call in case I freaked but even she was amazed at how good of a job Lisa did!
Added all of the “extras”
It was all a big hit and people were just blown away by the detail. The Rolls- Royce (which while I love the carriage it is just not me and I do not regret whatsoever not having it), The butler (which was a last minute addition that everyone is still talking about, the sorbet (the biggest hit of the night), the slipper, and the confetti canons.
Welcome dessert party
Another thing we were going back and forth on. See the thing is I really wanted to have a 5pm ceremony. Being part Greek most wedding are not until the evening and the party goes all night so I wanted a later ceremony- so no DP. We decided to do it as a welcome party and it was a big hit. People were amazed. It was also a great ice breaker. I got to meet people from Dan’s family and vice versa so the wedding greetings went super smooth. What I regret is not eating any dessert because I was so full from O’Hana..grrrr! I am also happy I had this professionally photographed and video taped.The thing I would have saved money on here is the bus transportation- 2 buses were not needed for 70 people 25 of which were staying at the BW.
Broke tradition and stayed with Dan the night before
This was not planned but I was so nervous I don’t know what I would have done without him. He has a way of calming me down. He is the yin to my yang. Anyway he slipped out early in the morning way before I woke up and we didn’t see each other until the ceremony.
So happy we used the Garden Suite to get ready and for the 2 nights after the wedding
I just love, love, love that suite. So cute. It had so much space and it was perfect for getting ready. Plus I think we will have some great pics in there. Plus it was really romantic after the wedding.
Took the day after the wedding to unwind
We totally pampered ourselves with a couples massage at the Mandara and Victoria and Albert’s and it was perfect and a great way for us to unwind and spend alone time together.
Thing I may have done differently......
Not stayed off property for 2 nights
We had scheduled a week and a half of Disney before the wedding. As we approached the date we just wanted to get down there and do a full 2 week vacation before the wedding. Plus Dan had never been to Sea World. We couldn’t book the Boardwalk so we decided to stay at the new Vistana. Well it wasn’t that we hated it (there was still a ton of construction going on) but it just wasn’t the same. Plus moving was annoying. We really felt like our real vacation started when we arrived at the Boardwalk. Sea World was fun but even if I decide to back I will still stay on Disney property.
I would have had Disney Arrange Something different for the Pre-reception
My Ch was supposed to be on the boardwalk outdoors under the lobby. Well that day it didn’t really rain which I am so thankful for. I think it sprinkled for like 2 mins at 3pm and that was it. But Disney was scared it was going to rain. Plus because there was no rain it was craaaaazy hot and humid. Disney basically said look one of 2 things is going to happen 2a. it is going to pour on your guests or b. someone is going to pass out it is so hot. So I said fine, move it inside- boohoooo. I know I wasn’t even there but I loved that spot. Not sure what else I could have done but forced it to be outside and my guests be miserably hot which would have been selfish of me. This leads me to the next wish I had…
Not had it at the end of June
Again nothing I could have done to really change this. I graduated at the end of May, my BM’s are college students and the other a teacher. We had no other option but August. It was soooo hot. I am so amazed it did not rain. In fact, aside from the heat it was a beautiful day. The thing is the 2 weeks leading up to the wedding were torture. Every time there was a 4 or 5 pm rain shower which was like almost everyday (and man did it pour) I would get depressed and say oh man right now our ceremony would be beginning. So in the end it was great but there was always that heat and rain floating over our heads.