So I decided that if I needed help and would be asking lots of questions of you guys, the least I could do would be to introduce "us". So here goes. I don't have many of the details firmed up in my head, that is what I am hoping you guys will help is with! Might be a bit long winded so please sit back and 
US
My name is Mel and I am a chartered accountant. That basically means that I work in industry and prepare budgets, report results and plan for lots of things in a financial sense. I am lucky, I went to university and have my professional qualification, and have done well in the companies I have worked for (lots of being in the right place at the right time!!)
Lee is an engineer. He works with steel in fabrication and to be honest, thats pretty much all I know about it. With too bery diverse professions, you can probably guess that we don's spend a whole lot of time talking about work to each other
We live in South Yorkshire in England.
The Proposal
We have been together for just over 10 years, though for 4 years of that, I lived in a different county doing my degree.
We had been talking about getting married for a couple of years, we have lived together for 5 years already and my younger sister is already married with 2 kids so the pressure was mounting a little!!
We had discussed it and even gone to look at rings so he knew my size and what I liked etc.
We were going away for the weekend with my family and meeting them there (we were going to Cumbria, a lovely part of the country).
Lee had said that on the way down he wanted to call and see a place called Richmond. (for those fellow brits - the sausage place!!)
I had said that I didn't want to and that I wanted to go straight to Cumbria so I could meet up with my sister and go swimming with my nephews!
So we had a discussion and !quite surprisingly!) he won. Which should have been a clue really, cause he always always lets me have my way!.
So we set off and its a lovely day and we get to Richmond and park up. He suggests going for a walk which we do and as we walk round the corner there are these fabulous waterfalls (will try to get a picture!).
As we are stood there and we are just chatting, Lee suddenly drops down beside me, cue me asking him if he had slipped!
I finally notice that he is on one knee and he asks me to marry him.
Lots of tears later, I realise I hadn't said yes or (shock horror
!!!) even looked at the ring (will post a picture of the ring later when I am home)
I obviously said yes and thats that. Oh, other than my dad knew and had secretly shipped a case of champagne to where we were staying. Lots of strawberries and champagne for us all weekend.
The Wedding - PLan A
So we discuss it and decide that we want to get married in Italy (bear with me here!).
Not traditional at all and don't fancy all the big white wedding fluff at all. Plus huge families with lots of people that I really don't want to invite.
Upshot is, we spend a wonderful week in Italy (in July) and find nowhere that we want to get married.
Come home and start to panic. have lots of sleepless nights and its only when my parents, in their despair at my imminant depression, said that we don't have to suit anyone other than ourselves and those that are important to us will come whatever!
So we have a good think about it and Lee suggests going on holiday to have a think about it all, we decide to do disney and hey presto an idea is born!!
The Wedding - Plan B
So I have a couple of nights to think about it and decide that, loving all things disney, it would be a fabulous idea!
Have spoken to all important members of the bridal party and they are all up for it and let the planning commence.
So this is what I have come up with so far.
- Budget - original budget at £15-£20k (ummmm $30-40k)
- 20+ guests so think I will have to have a Wishes wedding (COLOR="Plum"]True?)[/COLOR]
- I want an outdoor ceremony, was thinking the arbour at the wedding pavillion.
- Thinking of a dessert party as a kind of pre wedding get together the night before the ceremony.
- really not sure where to have the reception so any suggestions as to venues will be more than welcome.
- would like a very fun "do" so am happy to theme, possibly mad hatters tea party Is this possible!!)
- Very much party people so want somewhere with lots of atmosphere, music and dancing etc
Bridal party will be
Bride
Groom
Chief Bridesmaid - best friend
Bridesmaid - sister
Best Man - Best Friend
Groomsman - BIL
Father of the Bride
We are going to be in Florida (staying at the Saratoga srpings (SSR??)) from the 21st - 28th of Sept. I am hoping to call the wedding team tonight to get the ball rolling and am really hoping that they will agree to meet with me whilst we are there. Would be such a relief to get it down in writing and have a date to plan for. We want August 2009, as long as it is in the last 3 weeks, we are not fussed for a particular date.
Couple of questions please.
What is the deposit requirements for the Wishes weddings, I know escape is $500 and remainder a coupld of months prior. Is Wishes the same or more structured?
Do I need to have paid a deposit prior to the planning meeting?
Do they charge extra for a planning meeting?
Does anyone have a BEO for a similar (ish) wedding, as in numbers and Wedding Pavillion. this would help me with the budget side of things.
Does my budget sound realistic? That is purely wedding fund, the honeymoon is seperate to this, though I guess it would include our flights and accommmodation for the 2 weeks too. We are failrly flexible and can go up by probably another $10k quite easily.
Thanks in advance for all your kind help and apologies if I have done this wrong, or in the wrong place.
Mel
US
My name is Mel and I am a chartered accountant. That basically means that I work in industry and prepare budgets, report results and plan for lots of things in a financial sense. I am lucky, I went to university and have my professional qualification, and have done well in the companies I have worked for (lots of being in the right place at the right time!!)
Lee is an engineer. He works with steel in fabrication and to be honest, thats pretty much all I know about it. With too bery diverse professions, you can probably guess that we don's spend a whole lot of time talking about work to each other
We live in South Yorkshire in England.
The Proposal
We have been together for just over 10 years, though for 4 years of that, I lived in a different county doing my degree.
We had been talking about getting married for a couple of years, we have lived together for 5 years already and my younger sister is already married with 2 kids so the pressure was mounting a little!!
We had discussed it and even gone to look at rings so he knew my size and what I liked etc.
We were going away for the weekend with my family and meeting them there (we were going to Cumbria, a lovely part of the country).
Lee had said that on the way down he wanted to call and see a place called Richmond. (for those fellow brits - the sausage place!!)
I had said that I didn't want to and that I wanted to go straight to Cumbria so I could meet up with my sister and go swimming with my nephews!
So we had a discussion and !quite surprisingly!) he won. Which should have been a clue really, cause he always always lets me have my way!.
So we set off and its a lovely day and we get to Richmond and park up. He suggests going for a walk which we do and as we walk round the corner there are these fabulous waterfalls (will try to get a picture!).
As we are stood there and we are just chatting, Lee suddenly drops down beside me, cue me asking him if he had slipped!
I finally notice that he is on one knee and he asks me to marry him.
Lots of tears later, I realise I hadn't said yes or (shock horror
!!!) even looked at the ring (will post a picture of the ring later when I am home)I obviously said yes and thats that. Oh, other than my dad knew and had secretly shipped a case of champagne to where we were staying. Lots of strawberries and champagne for us all weekend.
The Wedding - PLan A
So we discuss it and decide that we want to get married in Italy (bear with me here!).
Not traditional at all and don't fancy all the big white wedding fluff at all. Plus huge families with lots of people that I really don't want to invite.
Upshot is, we spend a wonderful week in Italy (in July) and find nowhere that we want to get married.
Come home and start to panic. have lots of sleepless nights and its only when my parents, in their despair at my imminant depression, said that we don't have to suit anyone other than ourselves and those that are important to us will come whatever!
So we have a good think about it and Lee suggests going on holiday to have a think about it all, we decide to do disney and hey presto an idea is born!!
The Wedding - Plan B
So I have a couple of nights to think about it and decide that, loving all things disney, it would be a fabulous idea!
Have spoken to all important members of the bridal party and they are all up for it and let the planning commence.
So this is what I have come up with so far.
- Budget - original budget at £15-£20k (ummmm $30-40k)
- 20+ guests so think I will have to have a Wishes wedding (COLOR="Plum"]True?)[/COLOR]
- I want an outdoor ceremony, was thinking the arbour at the wedding pavillion.
- Thinking of a dessert party as a kind of pre wedding get together the night before the ceremony.
- really not sure where to have the reception so any suggestions as to venues will be more than welcome.
- would like a very fun "do" so am happy to theme, possibly mad hatters tea party Is this possible!!)
- Very much party people so want somewhere with lots of atmosphere, music and dancing etc
Bridal party will be
Bride
Groom
Chief Bridesmaid - best friend
Bridesmaid - sister
Best Man - Best Friend
Groomsman - BIL
Father of the Bride
We are going to be in Florida (staying at the Saratoga srpings (SSR??)) from the 21st - 28th of Sept. I am hoping to call the wedding team tonight to get the ball rolling and am really hoping that they will agree to meet with me whilst we are there. Would be such a relief to get it down in writing and have a date to plan for. We want August 2009, as long as it is in the last 3 weeks, we are not fussed for a particular date.
Couple of questions please.
What is the deposit requirements for the Wishes weddings, I know escape is $500 and remainder a coupld of months prior. Is Wishes the same or more structured?
Do I need to have paid a deposit prior to the planning meeting?
Do they charge extra for a planning meeting?
Does anyone have a BEO for a similar (ish) wedding, as in numbers and Wedding Pavillion. this would help me with the budget side of things.
Does my budget sound realistic? That is purely wedding fund, the honeymoon is seperate to this, though I guess it would include our flights and accommmodation for the 2 weeks too. We are failrly flexible and can go up by probably another $10k quite easily.
Thanks in advance for all your kind help and apologies if I have done this wrong, or in the wrong place.
Mel
Yeah for calling Disney!!!
about what I want exactly though. 
There are other ballrooms at the GF if you'd like your reception there, and I am sure that if you are willing to book the extra hours for the ballroom, food service & DJ, you should be able to go as late as you like. Have fun with the planning! Can't wait to hear all about how your choices unfold.
