My plans just got stomped on....

[B2B-2008]

I first visited WDW in 1996 when I was 16 and knew then that I wanted to be married at Disney. But my mum wouldn't fly so when I was ready to marry we ended up booking a wedding at home with 120 guests. I hated every minute of the planning and so did my DF as he knew I wasn't happy. It took a lot of guts but we cancelled it and booked a DFTW, we had decided we needed to be happy and not have the wedding of my mums dreams. Lots of people hate us for it but we are so happy with our choice and are counting the days.

 

[newyearsbride]

I think that people assume that because it's disney it's going to be childish.

A lot of bride's on here say how many compliment's they got from thier geust's saying that it was the best wedding they have ever been too.

Ditto on this one. That's EXACTLY what my dad thinks... he doesn't get our Disney obsession, but eventually he came around. He still doesn't get it, but I'm his only daughter, so he's down.

 

[Malefi_Stitch]

I completely understand how you feel. I met TONS of resistance from my father, which completely bummed me out considering he's paying for 75% of the wedding. After I thought I had no choice but to have a local wedding, I started looking into options around here and got even more depressed because I knew I'd be settling on something that wasn't me for my wedding...just to please someone else.

While a couple months passed, I decided to do my homework and not sit idly while planning a wedding I hated. I bought a destination wedding book that clearly stated that destination weddings tend to cost less because there are less guests making it more intimate and the couple tends to take on more costs (also this could be their honeymoon destination). I even researched everything I could on Disney weddings, including their DFTW website, and put everything into Word docs and into a binder so I could sit down and talk to my father responsibly with research I'd done to show it's not impossible given our budget.

He looked at it, mulled it over and - after telling him that my grandfather decided he'd go anywhere for the wedding despite his health and no one would tell him otherwise - my dad agreed.

Whole point of the story... as everyone else has said, definitely don't settle. You don't want to be miserable on one of the most important days of your life. And, if you'd like, PM me your email and I'll be more than happy to send you those files I created if it'll help in your persuasion. =) And anyone else too! I think the key was to be willing to sit down and listen to his concerns and have concrete research to alleviate them.

Book I mentioned (among others that were helpful): The Everything Book Series: Everything Destination Weddings, Everything - Mother of the Bride, Everything - Father of the Bride

I hope this helps and good luck!!! As long as your DF and you are together on it and happy, that's all that matters!

 

[dakcp2001]

You guys rule, I am feeling much better today! My side of the family is actually quite excited, as most of them have never been to Disney!

We are going to invite all of the immediate family (about 25-30), and if they choose to come great, if they dont, too bad. We are going to decide between the escape, wishes & Swan & Dolphin once we get an idea of who might actually come. We have decided to do a big catered BBQ at home when we get back for the extended family (about 75 guests) and they can come to that. We are prob going to offer to pay for his parents to try to get them to go. I really hope that they can just try to make the effort to support us. We really don't talk to them or see them often as it is. DF wants to get married there as much as I do, so its sad to see his fam so negative. They ahve never been to Disney either, so I think once they see it, they will have a a change of heart.

Thanks so much for all the support, I really needed it! I was falling apart last night. You guys are the best!

This is what I am thinking:

Escape (SBP)or Swan & Dolphin Ceremony
Narcoosees
Dessert party

Now the planning begins......

 

[Mama of Indybride]

I'm excited for you! I am hoping that what will happen for you is DF fam will realize they reacted hastily and come to acceptance over time, but even so, you will have the wedding of your dreams and begin your own family, and that is what is most important..

Good luck! I will be watching!

 

[Goldeelox9]

I am glad you are moving forward! You will be happy you did!

 

[Lynn5700]

I'm so happy you guy's are doing what is best for you!!! Good for you!

 

[sarah_n_brian2006]

My advice is to show them pictures and menus so they can see that they put off more than cheesy kid parties. Most people can't see past Fantasyland when they think of a DFTW. Prove them wrong.

 

[Goldeelox9]

Although a wedding in Fantasy Land would be amazing!

 

[keenercam]

I am so happy you are doing what is right for the two of you. Remember, you will never regret that you followed your heart. You will only regret it if you start trying to accommodate everyone else and have to live through someone else's vision for your special day. Believe me, I've been there. It will be 24+ years come next January, but DH & I will finally have the wedding of our dreams, and not someone else's.

 

[newyearsbride]

Yay! Congrats! I'm really happy you're going with your Disney wedding! Can't wait to hear more!