Meryll83's SBP/Citrico's/Morocco PJ - Update: Trip Report now underway!!

[helloirishkitty]

Congrats on finding your perfect dress! I'll probably be a Maggie bride too... her stuff is just BEAUTIFUL!

 

[meryll83]

Well at the moment we are leaning towards Randal Miller, purely based on email manner!

I filled in the online forms for Randal Miller, Jack Day and Kevin Knox to get more info from them, as these seem to be the most popular choices.

Kevin Knox keeps sending me pre-generated emails trying to sell me extra things which is rather annoying when there seems to be at least one email a week coming through. His wife did send me a very small personalised message at the start though, just mentioning that I was certainly planning ahead!!

Jack Day I received 2 email reponses from, both saying the exact same thing! Again, I presume these are standardly generated ones, as they said my date had been pencilled in, but I didn't give an exact date, just late October

Randal Miller sent what seemed to be a personalised response, and when I replied with a query, he was quick to write back to me and clarify things for me. So, at the moment he's winning!!

 

[meryll83]

I am so happy you got the dress, and at half price with free storing!!! Wow, you did good. I can't wait to see pics of you in it!! I really love that dress.

I really just got lucky, I didn't have to work at the price or anything!

Congrats on finding your perfect dress! I'll probably be a Maggie bride too... her stuff is just BEAUTIFUL!

Your signature just reminded me of Simon's comment that as long as my dress wasn't as big as Giselle's from Enchanted all would be fine....

 

[BayouPrincess]

CONGRATULATIONS MERYLL!​

On finding your dream dress! and at half price too. You are a great bargain hunter!

I've been lurking around your PJ and have enjoyed it very much.

I must say, I would be slightly miffed with "auto" responses from these officiants. And then to get a note that says you're planning early...I just don't think I would like that.

I think Summer used Rev. Miller and she liked him. I'm afraid I'm no help in this matter, I'm brining my own officiant.

Keep up the good work! I'm excited to hear more!

 

[Summer-Caitlin]

REV MILLER, REV MILLER ALL THE WAY!!!

I think you know I LOVED him, he was amazing and I am so glad we chose him.

Also , CONGRATULATIONS on getting your dream dress, I love that Maggie Sottero dress, it's exactly the type of skirt I love and I adore the straps, I can't wait to see a pic of you in it. You are so lucky you got it half price.

 

[helloirishkitty]

Your signature just reminded me of Simon's comment that as long as my dress wasn't as big as Giselle's from Enchanted all would be fine....

Philip said the same thing as soon as I said I wanted a big skirt!

 

[TamTab]

Jack Day I received 2 email reponses from, both saying the exact same thing! Again, I presume these are standardly generated ones, as they said my date had been pencilled in, but I didn't give an exact date, just late October

We booked Jack Day. Our Planner Meri had so many nice things to say about him. The only thing she did say was try not to e-mail him as he's not very good with e-mails. You are better off to call him.

We called him and he was so nice and funny on the phone. He is sending us his "Jack pack" in the mail so we can pick what kind of ceremony we would like to have.

Good luck with your search though and congrats on finding your dress.

 

[Beep]

I filled in the online forms for Randal Miller, Jack Day and Kevin Knox to get more info from them, as these seem to be the most popular choices.

Kevin Knox keeps sending me pre-generated emails trying to sell me extra things which is rather annoying when there seems to be at least one email a week coming through. His wife did send me a very small personalised message at the start though, just mentioning that I was certainly planning ahead!!

I didn't like this about Kevin Knox either, everything seem geared to sell me something.

Jack Day I received 2 email reponses from, both saying the exact same thing! Again, I presume these are standardly generated ones, as they said my date had been pencilled in, but I didn't give an exact date, just late October

We had the same response from Rev Jack telling us he was sending 'Jack's Pack' in the post. When it came it said we were already pencilled in and to return the form with the fee. He also sent the wrong pack, he sent the religious and we wanted non-religious. He said over email that he gets it right 99% of the time. I thought yeah, and the other 1% will be on our wedding day! I wasn't mad keen as it seemed really pushy.

Randal Miller sent what seemed to be a personalised response, and when I replied with a query, he was quick to write back to me and clarify things for me. So, at the moment he's winning!!

I've emailed him but not checked for a response yet.

 

[keenercam]

congratulations on finding that gorgeous dress IN your size AT an awesome price !!!!! It was meant to be!!!

 

[lurkyloo]

Wooohoooooo!

I managed to track down the notorious dress and lo and behold the size 12 they had in fit perfectly!

She looks at the tag and reiterates the price quoted on the phone - £840, but then says "Oooh there's a little pink tag here, I think this means we can sell you this sample at half price"
Off she pops to check with the Manager....

And the rest is, as they say, history!

HOLY! That is the perfect dress-shopping story - you are so lucky! Congrats on finding The One!

 

[meryll83]

CONGRATULATIONS MERYLL!​

On finding your dream dress! and at half price too. You are a great bargain hunter!

I've been lurking around your PJ and have enjoyed it very much.

I must say, I would be slightly miffed with "auto" responses from these officiants. And then to get a note that says you're planning early...I just don't think I would like that.

I think Summer used Rev. Miller and she liked him. I'm afraid I'm no help in this matter, I'm brining my own officiant.

Keep up the good work! I'm excited to hear more!

Thank you!

I didn't really hunt for the bargain, it found me - thankfully it saved me the dilemma of whether to pay full price to have it here at a known dress shop in England or if I should risk buying it online from the US to save money...

Yeah, that was my first thought when she said "You're certainly planning early" - Beast!

REV MILLER, REV MILLER ALL THE WAY!!!

I think you know I LOVED him, he was amazing and I am so glad we chose him.

Also , CONGRATULATIONS on getting your dream dress, I love that Maggie Sottero dress, it's exactly the type of skirt I love and I adore the straps, I can't wait to see a pic of you in it. You are so lucky you got it half price.

Hiya chick,
Nice to see you back out and about on the boards!
I remember you saying what a great choice Randal Miller was.
That reminds me, while I am pinching your wedding elements, where did you get the bottles for your sand ceremony? I'm still not really decided on what to do at this part of the ceremony, but the unity candle displays seem expensive. Look at me, now I've got a half price dress I'm wanting everything at half the cost!
I really was so so lucky with the dress!

Philip said the same thing as soon as I said I wanted a big skirt!

I'm still trying to figure out a way to subtly incorporate a bit of Enchantedness, perhaps the pianist at the reception can play a bit of True Love's Kiss

We booked Jack Day. Our Planner Meri had so many nice things to say about him. The only thing she did say was try not to e-mail him as he's not very good with e-mails. You are better off to call him.

We called him and he was so nice and funny on the phone. He is sending us his "Jack pack" in the mail so we can pick what kind of ceremony we would like to have.

Good luck with your search though and congrats on finding your dress.

I think we have the pack on the way, but we'll have to see how long it takes to get through the postal system to over here.
OK, so with your recommendation perhaps I won't deduct points just yet and give him the benefit of the doubt over the email thing! Although I have to say, it is often easier for me to pop together a quick email than it is to make a phone call, especially to the states, although I do have a 2p per minute number to go via but I don't know if Disney are now blocking it, as the last time I tried calling DCL it didn't seem to work anymore

I didn't like this about Kevin Knox either, everything seem geared to sell me something.

We had the same response from Rev Jack telling us he was sending 'Jack's Pack' in the post. When it came it said we were already pencilled in and to return the form with the fee. He also sent the wrong pack, he sent the religious and we wanted non-religious. He said over email that he gets it right 99% of the time. I thought yeah, and the other 1% will be on our wedding day! I wasn't mad keen as it seemed really pushy.

I've emailed him but not checked for a response yet.

Unfortuately, I'm thinking that Kevin Knox may be ruled off the list altogether now for this reason. I need to figure out how to get him to stop sending me stuff now - is there like an unsubscribe thing?
Still um-ing and ah-ing over Jack Day, so many DISbrides have a lot of great things to say about him.
When did you email Randal Miller? I'm not sure I actually emailed him to begin with, more I filled the online form in, is this what you did also?

congratulations on finding that gorgeous dress IN your size AT an awesome price !!!!! It was meant to be!!!

HOLY! That is the perfect dress-shopping story - you are so lucky! Congrats on finding The One!

I feel like I should go home and listen to Destiny from Mission:Space I do love that song!
I am truly grateful that it was perfect though and now the Great Dress Hunt can end, I'm often a bit of a man when it comes to clothes shopping, just grab things off the rail and think it'll be fine rather than trying it on
True, there are still the Bridesmaid dresses to find, but at least this time it's not me who has to stand around in nought but my undies!

 

[meryll83]

Ok so I went off on a tangent on a thread about walking from Epcot/Boardwalk Reception locations, so figured I'd better move the debate over here!:

It would save so much money if we can have everyone work from the LSS to our dessert party (I'm presuming - how much is the escort fee? )

At the moment I can't decide what time to do our ceremony.
I originally wanted the 2.30pm so that after the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception we could just go straight to the dessert party, but the minimum food and bev expenditure at the LSS for ceremonies before 2pm is $1,900 and after is $3,500!
We then decided to have a 10am ceremony with a gap between the reception and dessert party, just so we don't have to spend that much money at the LSS!
However, I'm thinking that we might end up around the $3,000 mark anyway, so it might be better to add some extras to meet the higher minimum and have the day flow as one as originally planned (and not have to get up as early and have such a long day )
Gonna be over the overall minimum by a fair wack though I think
Sorry to go off topic there a bit, just wondered if anyone had any good advice?

Pros for early ceremony

• LSS minimum food and bev spend $1,900
• Perhaps guests can get themselves to dessert party after the break so no coach fee (park admission needed for everyone though)
• Guests can get changed into more comfortable clothes and also get themselves home on standard Epcot transport, so again, no coach fee

Cons for early ceremony

• Break from 4pm til dessert party collection time - what do we do in this gap?
• We will probably have to pay for a coach to take everyone back to hotels and pickup again for dessert party - additional cost
• The additional coach costs may equal the additional food and bev costs for the later ceremony (eg, just the dinner menu at $100 x 25 = $2,500 and that's before cocktail hour and any drinks)
• We all have to get up earlier and it will make for a long day

Pros for late ceremony

• Not as early a start, takes less time out of the guests day and lowers the chance of tired grouchy guests (and us!)
• Day flows as one continuous event
• There is a possibility of walking to the dessert party - saves on transport costs, but park admission required?

Cons for late ceremony

• $3,500 food and bev minimum at LSS
• We will need the coach to take everyone home - I doubt they will want to use standard Epcot transport if they are still wearing full wedding gear

I'm sure there are other points to consider, but this is what I have come up with so far... didn't realise it could be so complicated!!

I also have a horrible feeling that by next October all the prices will have gone up, I've already discovered that the dessert party menus have changed and, no suprise, as well as different items, they're all more expensive.

 

[dislovr]

OMG you found it!!! I am sooo unbelieveably happy for you, you have no idea. Now you know this means that i'll be flying to the UK to slip into it so I know weather or not to have my local bridal shop to order it for me or not
lol

Congrats, and good luck! I'll be watching you!

 

[BaBeeCee14]

Sorry, I'm a little late with this but CONGRATS ON FINDING YOUR DRESS!!!

 

[Beep]

Hey Meryll,

I emailed Randall Miller about a week ago and not had a response yet.

We have decided (I think) to have our dinner reception at the Yachtmans Steakhouse and then hop into Epcot afterwards. We know that people will have to buy a ticket to get in but we figured that the majority of the people going will want to go to at least one or two Disney parks so we will recommend that they buy the MYW ticket and include our wedding day as a day - if you see what I mean!

So, if they want to go to Epcot and MGM we will recommend that they go for the 3 day ticket instead of buying separately.

That way it's a bit cheaper than buying a one-day ticket separately.

It may seem a bit unfair to expect them to pay but hey, they get the priviledge of seeing me in my dress so that alone is worth it!

We've got one couple that are thinking of doing a week in Orlando and a week in New york and I would put money on the fact that the only time they go in a Disney park will be on our wedding. Strange but true... You know the type - "Disney is for kids" "Disney is just Mickey Mouse." Unfortunatley we have to have them there as it is my brother and his wife!

 

[Beep]

Meryll, have you thought about how to get your dress to Florida?

I had this info from Carolyn Allen if it helps:

The dress is steamable it is $85 for steaming, $20 for the petticoat steaming, $15 for bridal gown storage and delivery and $8 for the petticoat storage and delivery. Be sure to send everything 2 weeks in advance, if you are sending It earlier than 2 weeks there is an additional charge for each month that we are storing the items.

You do not have to send your credit card information with the dress. You can send it using the online order form for steaming, storage and delivery payment. We do not take this information over the phone as we need an authorized signature on file to use your card.

I don't think my dress will fit in a cabin-sized bag and there is no way it is going in as checked luggage so I think I'll ship it to Carolyn Allen. They will bring it to your hotel room either the morning of the wedding or the day before if it is an early start too.

 

[BethanyMouse]

Congrats to you on your engagement and finding the dress. I just joined the boards recently because I too am planning a disney wedding. I have loved reading your PJ. You have so much helpful information! Best of luck with the rest of planning!

 

[Beep]

I'm not sure if this is the same company as the one Summer used but we're going to go with these - http://www.forevermemories.com/bottles_purchase.htm

They will deliver to a Disney resort which saves postage and having to transport them over there

Ours ceremony has a Native American Indian theme and the sand ceremony fits perfectly. I've written our vows around a NAM ceremony too.

 

[meryll83]

OMG you found it!!! I am sooo unbelieveably happy for you, you have no idea. Now you know this means that i'll be flying to the UK to slip into it so I know weather or not to have my local bridal shop to order it for me or not
lol

Congrats, and good luck! I'll be watching you!

Sorry, I'm a little late with this but CONGRATS ON FINDING YOUR DRESS!!!

Thanks girls!
And Leah, if you want to make that flight....... Seriously, I'd ring round and see if you can find it somewhere not too far away and try it on, and then you can always order it from your local shop.

Hey Meryll,

I emailed Randall Miller about a week ago and not had a response yet.

We have decided (I think) to have our dinner reception at the Yachtmans Steakhouse and then hop into Epcot afterwards. We know that people will have to buy a ticket to get in but we figured that the majority of the people going will want to go to at least one or two Disney parks so we will recommend that they buy the MYW ticket and include our wedding day as a day - if you see what I mean!

So, if they want to go to Epcot and MGM we will recommend that they go for the 3 day ticket instead of buying separately.

That way it's a bit cheaper than buying a one-day ticket separately.

It may seem a bit unfair to expect them to pay but hey, they get the priviledge of seeing me in my dress so that alone is worth it!

We've got one couple that are thinking of doing a week in Orlando and a week in New york and I would put money on the fact that the only time they go in a Disney park will be on our wedding. Strange but true... You know the type - "Disney is for kids" "Disney is just Mickey Mouse." Unfortunatley we have to have them there as it is my brother and his wife!

Hmmm it seems strange he hasn't replied, my reply cam through the same day....
Jack's Pack arrived yesterday but I've not had a proper look through it yet.

I think a lot of our guests will have park passes already to be honest, but perhaps on the invites we can mention that Epcot park admission is required on the wedding day. It's a pain that they can't escort people in on foot paying the viewing fee and that you have to hire a coach to take advantage of this.

Your brother will probably get addicted when he comes to the wedding day and end up having to buy more tickets!!

Meryll, have you thought about how to get your dress to Florida?

I don't think my dress will fit in a cabin-sized bag and there is no way it is going in as checked luggage so I think I'll ship it to Carolyn Allen. They will bring it to your hotel room either the morning of the wedding or the day before if it is an early start too.

I may well do this too, how do you pack it for shipping though? Do you have to buy a big box or something? Sorry I'm not very good at this!

Congrats to you on your engagement and finding the dress. I just joined the boards recently because I too am planning a disney wedding. I have loved reading your PJ. You have so much helpful information! Best of luck with the rest of planning!

Congratulations to you also, firstly on your engagement and forthcoming Disney wedding, but also on joining the madhouse!
Everyone is so helpful, just ask loads of questions!!

I'm not sure if this is the same company as the one Summer used but we're going to go with these - http://www.forevermemories.com/bottles_purchase.htm

They will deliver to a Disney resort which saves postage and having to transport them over there

Ours ceremony has a Native American Indian theme and the sand ceremony fits perfectly. I've written our vows around a NAM ceremony too.

Ooooh yes, I like this one:

I think this could be what Summer had actually.

I suppose sand ceremonies are more traditional if you're outdoors to stop candles blowing out, but I'd be terrified I'll end up setting fire to my veil or something! At least sand is pretty non-threatening!

Where did you find out that this company deliver to a Disney resort?
Do you need to ring the resort in advance so they can expect it and not dispose of it when it arrives?

 

[meryll83]

So, just a couple of little not so exciting updates.

My mum and I went shoe shopping yesterday and got me a new pair of silver dance shoes, which I am going to use as my wedding shoes.
Here they are:

Which means I can now arrange for my dress to be altered.
Because of this, I approached the subject of my mum coming to Florida again, as I said that if she wasn't going to go then Julie would definitely have to be at the fitting too so she can learn how to lace the back of the dress.
I'm pretty sure now that my mum isn't going to come to Florida so I guess I need to start getting used to that. She honestly doesn't seem to feel like she'll miss much coz she says the ceremony will only be so many minutes long, and we're having a reception here, but it's such a shame she doesn't want to come to Florida.

My hairpins and jewelley arrived from Ebay, I won't post the pictures of the items again, but I just have to show you the beautiful presentation boxes each item came in:

The ribbon isn't as neat as it was before I opened it, but I tried to redo it! So cute, I expected them just to be shoved in a cardboard box!

Not especially relevant to the shopping, but was just browsing my photos and thought you guys might like to see a couple of our piccies from our last visit to WDW.
The obligatory Castle shot, I need to suck that belly in! :

That scary ole Tower of Terror:

Monkeying around at the AK:

Just after we got engaged we should really have done a proper pose, I'm not even pretending to flash the (then non-existent) rock!:

Excited we have candy!:

Naughty potato:

Star Tours fun:

Hunting for hunny:

The man himself:

And a nice slushy one to finish!:

So, that's us! There are plenty more, I'm on Facebook if anyone is interested.

I'm just waiting to hear from Julie when is a good day for her to come and get the dress altered, and we're trying to decide on our UK venue at the mo.
From what we can gather the school term dates for when we plan to go will be released in March, so soon we can get a definite date picked out

That's all for now!...........