mjshorses 4/2/12 Wishes PJ-3 DAYS TILL THE WEDDING!!!!

[Jilian]

I don't know how I've missed your PJ all this time, our weddings are only a week apart. I love all of your plans so far and your engagement pics are beautiful! Sorry to hear about the in-law drama, I agree 100% with setting firm boundaries right now and not being afraid to stick to them. Sorry to hear about the dress drama, I hope you get it sorted out soon.

 

[Ash8716]

I just started following along with your pj. Everything looks amazing. I love the country/disney theme going on, it is so cute! Your engagement photos and save the dates were great! I can't believe everything going on with your fils. I hope everything is going ok and that they at least keep you informed about the rehearsal dinner. It is amazing that everyone can't get along for something this important but at least you are keeping your cool with them! You can show them you are the bigger person I can't wait o find out more, good luck!

 

[ccbride412]

lol, great minds think alike!! I now dub thee my wedding twin.

Awww, I wish I could stalk your wedding but we're leaving for our cruise on your big day. You'll have to be sure to post lots of pictures!

Michelle, You'll be getting on the boat just as we're getting off! We get married on CC on 4/3/12. Wow, so many April brides! Congrats to you too sarahjs!

I just found your PJ tonight. Wish I had found it earlier, I could've used some help starting mine. So sorry to hear about your FIL's and your dress. I'm having a similar issue to you, but not with my FILs-with my mom. She's all stressed about paying for the wedding since DF says its tradition when I've been saving for this day for a long time knowing that I would pay for some of it. It's made a huge mess out of things so you have my deepest sympathy.

Good luck! Everything looks super cute and I love your invitations! Oh and the horse statue and the hourglass. You have some great ideas!

PS my friend did the boots/dress thing for her wedding and it looked great!

 

[Sccrmnky2005]

Hope to hear about your planning session soon

 

[Ash8716]

Hi!! I'm sorry I haven't updated this in a while and left you all hanging. I've had quite a lot happen in between then and now and I need some time to collect myself. Hahaha, I thought I was going to lose it there for a while.
I'm just going to give a quick update because I don't have a lot of time. I leave to go down for my planning session Tuesday and I have a lot to get done before then so details will have to wait till I get back. (I'll be sure to take plenty of pics).

I don't have a real answer on what happened with the rehearsal dinner. The FILs were being so difficult about it that I JUST recently (as in two days ago) threw my hands in the air saying "Just do whatever you want. I don't care anymore!" (but not in those words. Don't worry, I was tactful). So as of today, I don't know what's going on with the rehearsal dinner. I put it in the in-laws hands and I'm not going to worry or fret about it anymore. I'll do HDDR with my family as some point in are trip so I'm happy.

My dress has also been a MAJOR source of stress for me. If you remember a year and a half ago I bought a dress from Priscilla of Boston but we were waiting to have them start make it till this April hoping that I would lose some weight by then (and I was down 13lbs but then the Thanksgiving came, then Christmas, New Years...etc, well, I'm sure you all know what Holidays do to diets). Anyway, I put it all back on so unfortunately my dress size remained the same but at least the dress hasn't been sitting around collecting dust and stuff all this time...or at least that's what I thought till I received an email from Priscilla of Boston saying they were closing. And, by "closing" I mean "closing-for-good-all-their-locations-everywhere"-closing.

I don't have my dress yet and I wondered what that meant for me so I called their store in Boston (the one where I purchased my dress from) to try to get some answers but their line was continuously busy (hmmm, I wonder why) so I made an impromptu trip down their with my parents (it's only an hour or so drive) to find out what was going on. Anyway, i'll elaborate more on this when I get back to but let's just say after the leaving the store an hour later in tears my dress is riding on the hopes and the word of a corporate POB employee. (insert a banging head on wall smilie here).

I'd love to elaborate more but I'm out of time. I got to get back to getting things ready for my PS trip. (Oh my gosh, I thought this day would NEVER come!!!)
I will be brining my laptop so if I have the chance I'll try to keep you up-to-date on my trip, which also includes meeting Tim Herring (our officiant) and having my hair and make up trial with Patricia Lejeune !! (At least my veil had come in).

Hope you all are doing well! (I've got to catch up on all your news too!)
Talk to you soon!!!!!!!!

Well hopefully things end up working out with the FILs. I know it can be disappointing but at least you are showing them you are the bigger person!

On to more important things you are leaving for your planning session soon! That should get your mind off of other things. You are going to have so much fun. Don't eat much that day as you will be amazed on the amount of food you will be given at the tasting Can' wait to hear all about it when you get back!

Sorry to hear about your dress, I hope you are able to work things out with the company.

 

[mjshorses]

Hi, it's been a while and I know I say this a lot but I'm really bad about making time to sit down and write on this, and I apologize.

Let me give a quick update on everything and then I'll try to get into a little more detail about the Planning Session and things.

Thankfully things are starting to work themselves out! Whew!

First I’ll start with the rehearsal dinner. (Ya’ll are going to laugh at this). So, as you probably recall, I gave up and didn’t want to deal with the stress and aggravation my FMIL was putting on the rehearsal dinner. She really doesn’t understand why we’re getting married at Disney and so she certainly didn’t understand why’d we ever chose to have our rehearsal dinner at HDDR. It basically was a “silly” idea to her. Well, after putting it all in her hands she went to work calling places and getting information, AND, after playing phone tag, trying to find places that accepted our party size (we’re having some close family members attend as well as the bridal party so I believe it’s a rehearsal dinner for 33 people) well, it started to look like some of the only options were to book a private room at one of the restaurants and meet the require food/beverage minimum making it even more expensive then HDDR. So, I guess you can say she was forced to see the light, and now finally understanding how much less stressful it would be and cheaper than a lot or our options she quickly ate some humble pie and made the rehearsal dinner for the Hoop Dee Doo Revue! (And I’m an absolutely wicked girl because it makes me smile on the inside.. I can’t wait for her to have a good time lol!)

Now, what’s going on with my wedding dress? Well, I’m thrilled to tell you that Priscilla of Boston came through for me and on November 4th I went to their corporate office in Charlestown, Mass to try on and pick up my dress and get a tour of the facilities. It was a really neat experience. Everybody was so kind and friendly. And, another cool thing is that the woman who helped me worked on Miranda Lambert’s wedding. She helped do the alterations of Miranda’s Priscilla of Boston dress that she wore to the reception (she wore her mom’s dress for the ceremony) and she personally handmade all of her bridesmaids dresses. She also showed me a picture of Miranda standing in the same room in her dress that had a whole bunch of scribbles and measurements on it! I was glad she showed this because she kind of looked short and stocky (in the photo, all though she probably isn’t as short as I am) like me so it made me feel a little bit better about myself.

Anyway, I tried on the dress to make sure there was nothing wrong with it. It was a TINY bit big in the top but not much and the height was perfect. I really need to get back on my diet because my arms look ginormous and my hair is hanging over my shoulder and it blocks the top making it look crooked? Also, I wanted to ask, do you all think it comes up too high on me? Like it looks almost like its in my armpits and I feel like I lost my neck. Is it just me? These aren’t great photos. My dad took the pictures and he had the camera on the wrong setting and I wasn’t standing on a pedestal like you normally wood so he’s look down on me. (Which, I feel makes me look even shorter than I already am). I don’t think I noticed these things when I was there because I was just so excited to have my dress. But now that I’m looking at it, these are the things I see.
Unfortunately, since they will be closed for good they won’t be doing the alterations like originally was planned but they did give me the contact information to an employee that worked with them for 30 years who still does alterations so I’m going to contact her and see how that goes.

Anyway, here’s the pics. What do you guys think?

Front view

Front View with Veil

Back

Back with quick mock up of possible bustle

And of course, the cowboy boots!!

After I got out of my gown they took me on a tour of the place. I got to see all these vintage dresses. Did you know that Priscilla of Boston made the dress that Grace Kelly wore when she married the Prince of Monaco? It looks like it kind of inspired Kate Middleton's dress.

They’re going through all their gowns to see what they’re going to put in a couple museums. Priscilla Kidder was the first American Couture/high End wedding dress designer in America. They said they might possibly put some dresses in the Smithsonian.
As, I walked through they took me through different rooms. Rooms full of fabrics, rooms full of lace (Mr. Kelly, the person who took over the production of my dress and was kind enough to give me the tour told me the lace on my dress cost $180 a yard! Holy geez, that’s crazy).

I got to see actual seamstresses hand making veils and one person was sewing on individual swarovski crystals onto a piece of fabric. The whole experience was so neat!

I did ask Mr. Kelly what was going to happen to all the workers there. He said they had people coming to help the workers redo their resumes and give classes on interviewing and stuff. A lot of the workers having been there for 25-30+ years and some where children of people that worked there and went straight to working there after highschool. Some of them do have degress in design. I think it’s so sad what David’s Bridal has done.

Anyway, they were so nice and they apologized for how the whole thing was handled.

But, I have my dress and veil that will now be vintage so I’m happy!!


Up Next: PLANNING SESSION AND ALL THINGS TANGLED!

 

[librarygeek]

How cool that you got such an interesting tour of the place! Especially to meet and talk with the woman who worked on Miranda Lambert's dresses, I think that's really neat! Also, I think your dress looks lovely on you. The little things that are bothering you will probably be easily fixed in alterations.

Also, I'm so glad that your FMIL finally saw that light and you are getting for HDDR rehearsal dinner!

 

[LyndsayJ]

I'm just now coming across your planning journal and everything looks great!

Wow, it's been quite a while since I've posted and I'm really sorry about that. It's not that I haven't been around, i have been, it's just I guess I get so caught up in reading everyone else's planning journals, that I tend to forget I have one too!

Anyway, here are pictures of some of things that I have had made for the wedding.

First, I'll start with my wedding invitations. (I just put them out in the mail today!!!! Yay, there's definitely no turning back now!).

Our wedding colors are soft browns, dusty pale pink, champagne. So, as you can see the outer envelope is a chocolate color with a shimmer to it with a champagne or golden color card stock for the backing of the invitation which was done on ecru colored paper. In keeping with the country rustic theme (of which I would like to incorporate buttons and burlap) I made a mickey head silhouette with light shimmery brown buttons. In keeping with the "horse" thing I have going on, I added western, horsey wording on the invitations and a WICKED cute stamp on the mailing envelope. (at least I think it's really cute! hahaha )I was also going to tie burlap ribbons around the outer part of the invitation but the post office wanted to add a lot of money for postage because it made the envelope bulky. So, with a little bit of disappointment, I decided to nix the idea of the burlap ribbons. I'll find another use for them somewhere down the line.

Here are pictures of the invitations:

the outer pocket:

mickey head:

Cute stamp:

inside the outer pocket:

Invitation:

Accommodation, Reception, and RSVP cards:

Accommodation card:

Reception card:

RSVP card:

RSVP return envelope:

***Next up: Decor pieces for the reception!****

Your invites look awesome!! Did you make the invites yourself or buy them...if you made them, where'd you find the supplies? I really like the button mickey...mind if I steal the idea?

We're using this hourglass for the Sand Cermony.

the sand (white and sand):

My bracelet in silver:

And last, but not least, one of my favorite things. I had this door magnet made so I can hang it outside on the door on the disney cruise we're going on for our honeymoon. I also had one made so I can put it on my car!

****coming next-tackling the planning kit for our upcoming planning session*********

I love the hourglass idea...such a unique keepsake!

 

[mjshorses]

^^^Thank you so much! I had the invitations made but I added the buttons myself. I got them from Joann's Fabric and just glue-dotted them on like you would if you were scrap booking. As you'll be able to see in my next post, I got the theming from my cake. Steal away, I don't mind!

 

[mjshorses]

My Planning Session was on October 10th but we arrived in Orlando a few days early so I could spend time with my sister and my nephew, Grayson, whom I had not met yet as they live all the way in Seattle. We got to attend MNSSHP and I had an absolute blast! Even though I used to work for Disney I had never been but I have now vowed that I want to go every year. (My birthday is on Halloween so it’s of course, one of my favorite holidays).

There were two things that were the highlight of the party, 1st getting to see the headless horseman ride down main street (I LOVE that character)

2nd getting to meet Rapunzel and Flynn Rider!!! Hahaha, I loved them! Flynn was so funny and if you ever see him make sure you ask him what’s in his satchel. It’s so cool!

On Monday morning we weren’t sure how bad the traffic going to be so we left early and arrived at Franck’s at 10 till 8. The planning session wasn’t scheduled to start till 9am but we had made plans to meet our officiant, Rev. Tim Herring, at 8:30 at Franck’s, so we just sat in the car for about 15mins and I quickly went over a book I had made of inspiration pictures. Then we got out of the car and headed into franck’s. They were preparing for a morning ceremony and I really wanted to hang around outside so I could watch but I didn’t want to be rude or intrusive so I went inside and sitting there on one of the couches was Rev. Herring. I’m just going to say that if you haven’t booked your officiant yet you should seriously consider Tim Herring.

What a nice guy! He could tell that I was really nervous and he kept cracking jokes and telling stories and within 5 minutes he had me laughing and joking back with him! He was amazing! He told me about himself. He then listened to what I wanted and expected, and then we went over what we were going to do. I’m so excited to get to work with him. He was so easy going. Just an overall nice guy. Hey, did I mention he’s a REALLY nice guy? hahaha.

We were done about 10 minutes to 9 so we decided to just remain on the couch till someone came and got us. It wasn’t long before Diane Bowen came and introduced herself to us. Now, I forgot to mention that Nathan was unable to come down to the planning session because he’s still in school and he really couldn’t afford to miss any of his classes plus he stayed home so he could house sit my dogs and horse. So, in his stead, my sister flew down from Seattle to come to the planning session. She was unable to leave my 10 month old nephew at home so he ended up coming with us to the planning session. I’m sure you all are aware that Disney prefers you not to bring children to the planning session but if I wanted my sister there, he had to come too.

My sister and my nephew, Grayson.

Diane an was so nice about Grayson being there. She was so accommodating and when he started to get fussy she went and brought us some water, juice, and crackers for him. When it became apparent that he wasn’t going to sit still my dad stepped out with him and we continued on no big deal. Diane was great!

We went over the timeline of when payments were due. The estimated guest count. Transportation, entertainment, the workflow of the day, and she was never pushy. She never tried to sell anything extra in fact she talked me into saving some money because I was going to have a cellist and guitarist and she convinced me that the organist that came with the wedding pavilion was really good and did not sound anything like I was probably thinking. I really can’t say enough good things about her!

I’m sure there was more that we went over but I can’t remember but before I knew it, it was cake tasting time!!!!!!!

Yum, yum, yum!

I believe for cake there was chocolate, plain, lemon, almond, and marble cake.
The filling options we had were, buttercream, raspberry mousse, tropical, white chocolate, dark chocolate, amaretto, bavarian crème , and baileys mousse. I love lemon anything and so does Nathan but I know that not a lot of people do so I chose to make the top layer lemon with Raspberry Mousse. It was SOOOOOOOOO good.

My sister was in love with the almond cake and bailey’s mousse so that’s what I chose for the middle layer, and then I had been informed that my niece will only eat chocolate cake so I decided to go with chocolate cake with white chocolate mousse for the bottom layer.

I forgot to mention we’re doing a 3-layer cake and it’s got buttons and lace on it, which is where the buttons on the invitations came from. Well, let me just show you my cake.

After we finished eating it was time to meet with our floral specialist, Laura Kidd.

Up Next: Floral Décor-So many choices I’m glad you know what you’re doing

 

[LyndsayJ]

^^^Thank you so much! I had the invitations made but I added the buttons myself. I got them from Joann's Fabric and just glue-dotted them on like you would if you were scrap booking. As you'll be able to see in my next post, I got the theming from my cake. Steal away, I don't mind!

Thanks! What company made your invites? I just love the sparkly outside pocket fold. My wedding colors are fern, orange, and brown (pics in my planning journal linked in my siggy) so I'd love to find a pocket fold like yours...just in a lighter brown.

Just saw your pics of the planning session too...I can't wait to try the different cake flavors!! Your cake looks awesome too!

 

[mjshorses]

Thanks! What company made your invites? I just love the sparkly outside pocket fold. My wedding colors are fern, orange, and brown (pics in my planning journal linked in my siggy) so I'd love to find a pocket fold like yours...just in a lighter brown.

Just saw your pics of the planning session too...I can't wait to try the different cake flavors!! Your cake looks awesome too!

This is the company I used. She was was really great!

Shelly Koza

Owner/Consultant

ALL THAT INVITES

www.allthatinvites.com

Voted Best of Weddings on TheKnot!

603-205-6071 or 1-866-607-2019

 

[Ash8716]

Your dress is beautiful and is perfect for the theme you are going for. I'm glad to hear everything worked out for you. That is so cool that you were at the same place Miranda was. I just lover her

The cake you chose looks great too, very unique! Glad everything went well at the planning session. Now its time to wait on the BEO!

 

[librarygeek]

Wow, awesome planning session! I love your cake choices - I'm with you, the lemon and raspberry combination sounds amazing! Also, your cake is beautiful, I'm sure that will be stunning.

 

[DoomBuggy0922]

Oh, I love everything! You look absolutely gorgeous in your dress. Priscilla of Boston is SO talented; I can't believe they've gone under. So sad.

Your PS looks awesome! I loved the almond cake--- it was so moist. DF, not so much. And your cake!!! Amazing.

 

[mjshorses]

Your dress is beautiful and is perfect for the theme you are going for. I'm glad to hear everything worked out for you. That is so cool that you were at the same place Miranda was. I just lover her

The cake you chose looks great too, very unique! Glad everything went well at the planning session. Now its time to wait on the BEO!

Wow, awesome planning session! I love your cake choices - I'm with you, the lemon and raspberry combination sounds amazing! Also, your cake is beautiful, I'm sure that will be stunning.

Oh, I love everything! You look absolutely gorgeous in your dress. Priscilla of Boston is SO talented; I can't believe they've gone under. So sad.

Your PS looks awesome! I loved the almond cake--- it was so moist. DF, not so much. And your cake!!! Amazing.

Thank you all so much for the kind words! I will get the floral and food tasting part of the planning session as well as my first BEO's this weekend!

 

[princess_ariel_85]

Hiya,

Nice pic of the headless horseman and Flynn... gutted I missed them when we went.

the planning session looked like so much fun! (especially the cake tasting bit ). Brilliant cake choices, I think you've covered most peoples tastes with them.

The cake is spectacular... the attention to detail is amazing. wow. xx

 

[elleinad16]

I'M SO HAPPY YOU GET TO HAVE YOUR REHEARSAL DINNER AT HDDR!!! YAY!!!
Also, you look amazing in your dress...you shouldn't worry about a thing!
The planning session looked great! We also had the lemon cake with raspberry mousse...everyone went nuts and that's what we ended up eating throughout the rest of our stay (didn't bother saving the anniversary layer). Can't wait to read more!

 

[Fay]

Hey!

So nice to catch up on your PJ! Everything looks fab! Your dress is beautiful! What a nice experience getting to see behind the scenes of dress making!

The cake tasting sounds and looks lush! You made good choices too!

LOVING the cowboy boots too! WKD idea!!!!

Mwah - Looking forward to hearing more too!

Fay

xx

 

[KristiLyn]

Just catching up on your pj! Everything is looking great!
Your dress is amazing!! I really love it! It's beautiful!!
Those invites look great! And I love the hourglass idea!!
BEAUTIFUL cake!!!
Can't wait to read more!!!