Newbie with several questions!

[brookegreene22]

So, I'm new and I've been skimming through the many many posts from all the other bride-to-be's and the ones who have been lucky enough to already have their wedding!

My fiance and I are having a very low key intimate wedding. We have been together for four years and have two children together. We have chosen the Memories collection, since we don not want a big affair. Just us, the kids and our two best friends. We're obviously on a budget, but I don't want this day to become "cheap". I've spoken with my coordinator but she can't really assist me with these questions....so here goes.

1) hair, makeup, and nails. I want to get my nails done the day before the wedding, since..as crazy as this sounds...I'm running the Disney Princess Half Marathon the morning of the wedding. The spa at the GF is going to be closed, so I'm unsure of where else to go for my nails! Anyone use one of the other spas? did they do a great job?? Hair and makeup - who did everyone use for this? I've spoken with several of the places my planner gave me, but no one really seems to "listen" when I'm trying to explain what I'm looking for. One place wanted to charge me over 300 for just my makeup!!?? I about had a heart attack!!

2) Photography. With the Memories collection we get one hour of photography for the ceremony and pictures afterward. I would like to have someone who can come and do maybe an hour or two of me getting ready, my fiance getting ready, and then a little extra time possibly after the ceremony (before we head off to dinner) for some pictures around the GF resort? However, I've seen that some people hired an outside photographer and then the Disney photographer didn't do such a hot job. This is not want. I want both photographers do a great job. Who did you hire (if you used an outside venue) for maybe photos after the ceremony, maybe before?

3) I'm also having THE hardest time figuring out what my fiance and son should wear. I don't think a full on tux would be appropriate since I'm wearing a tea-length casual dress and it's on the dock at Narcoosee's landing. What did everyone have their fiance's wear for a casual wedding?

I know this post is long, and thank you for bearing with me and offering any advice!!

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

So, I'm new and I've been skimming through the many many posts from all the other bride-to-be's and the ones who have been lucky enough to already have their wedding!

My fiance and I are having a very low key intimate wedding. We have been together for four years and have two children together. We have chosen the Memories collection, since we don not want a big affair. Just us, the kids and our two best friends. We're obviously on a budget, but I don't want this day to become "cheap". I've spoken with my coordinator but she can't really assist me with these questions....so here goes.

1) hair, makeup, and nails. I want to get my nails done the day before the wedding, since..as crazy as this sounds...I'm running the Disney Princess Half Marathon the morning of the wedding. The spa at the GF is going to be closed, so I'm unsure of where else to go for my nails! Anyone use one of the other spas? did they do a great job?? Hair and makeup - who did everyone use for this? I've spoken with several of the places my planner gave me, but no one really seems to "listen" when I'm trying to explain what I'm looking for. One place wanted to charge me over 300 for just my makeup!!?? I about had a heart attack!!

2) Photography. With the Memories collection we get one hour of photography for the ceremony and pictures afterward. I would like to have someone who can come and do maybe an hour or two of me getting ready, my fiance getting ready, and then a little extra time possibly after the ceremony (before we head off to dinner) for some pictures around the GF resort? However, I've seen that some people hired an outside photographer and then the Disney photographer didn't do such a hot job. This is not want. I want both photographers do a great job. Who did you hire (if you used an outside venue) for maybe photos after the ceremony, maybe before?

3) I'm also having THE hardest time figuring out what my fiance and son should wear. I don't think a full on tux would be appropriate since I'm wearing a tea-length casual dress and it's on the dock at Narcoosee's landing. What did everyone have their fiance's wear for a casual wedding?

I know this post is long, and thank you for bearing with me and offering any advice!!

I'll do my best to answer your questions

The only place the does acrylic nails on property is the Mandara Spa at the Dolphin. I believe the others may just do manicures check relaxed yet dot com (all one word). I had massage services at Saratoga and they were amazing.

I'm using Niki Bryan (WDW's salon) In-Room Service, but lots of girls use Patricia LeJeune or Beaute Speciale. They all do hair and makeup.

Photography--I know this for sure because I'm doing it. With the Memories collection--if you use an outside photographer--you forfeit the Disney Photographer. I could care less. I am going thru Jason Angelini and am happy for him to take all of our pictures for 3 hours.

My fiance got an AMAZING deal on a suit at Macy's and we had a coupon to make it even sweeter! We thought that a black suit or tux would look harsh up against the sand and water so we went with a tannish/greyish suit.

Carolyn Allen's will come and steam my dress and his suit the morning of

Hope this helps!!!

 

[geek+nerd]

1) I used Beaute Speciale for hair and make-up. I cannot recommend them enough. They will come to your room, the women are fantastic (it was such a fun way to start the wedding day), and I felt the prices were reasonable.

2) Randy Chapman, Randy Chapman, Randy Chapman! Randy is amazing!!!!!!!! There are several photographers recommended by DIS brides, but I think Randy's prices are the most reasonable. We got a disc only package with him that was 1/4 the price of other photographers. And, his work is beyond beautiful. My whole family loved him, and my sister wants to do a family shoot with him the next time we go to Florida.

3) Our Escape wedding was somewhat casual. DH wore khakis, a white shirt, navy sport coat and a white tie. The other guys wore the same thing minus the tie.

Best of luck as you plan your wedding!

 

[jshora]

First of all, I love the fact that you are running in the Half Marathon the morning of your wedding! You are a lot braver than I am! We're doing the Wine & Dine Half Marathon Relay the weekend before our wedding. I LOVE the Princess Half Marathon! It's one of my favorite Disney races!!!

I'm going off-site with my bridesmaids to Reflections Day Spa for manis/pedis the day before. I know nothing about them except that they had good reviews online and they are cheaper than the Disney salon. I can let you know in a month (after our wedding) how they actually were. http://www.reflectionsspaorlando.com/

We haven't had our wedding yet, but we've booked Randy Chapman. He's got outstanding reviews on the boards. A lot of brides have used him and have been very happy with him. He's been great to work with and very flexible!

My sister had a small, casual beach wedding. The men wore khaki linen suits and she wore a very casual dress. It was very nice.

Hope that helps!

 

[geek+nerd]

I forgot about nails. I actually got a shellac manicure, not fake nails, two days before we left for the wedding. The shellac manicure stays pretty intact for 10-14 days. That might be a consideration for you instead of trying to get something done the day before the wedding.

 

[leonix8238]

So, I'm new and I've been skimming through the many many posts from all the other bride-to-be's and the ones who have been lucky enough to already have their wedding!

My fiance and I are having a very low key intimate wedding. We have been together for four years and have two children together. We have chosen the Memories collection, since we don not want a big affair. Just us, the kids and our two best friends. We're obviously on a budget, but I don't want this day to become "cheap". I've spoken with my coordinator but she can't really assist me with these questions....so here goes.

1) hair, makeup, and nails. I want to get my nails done the day before the wedding, since..as crazy as this sounds...I'm running the Disney Princess Half Marathon the morning of the wedding. The spa at the GF is going to be closed, so I'm unsure of where else to go for my nails! Anyone use one of the other spas? did they do a great job?? Hair and makeup - who did everyone use for this? I've spoken with several of the places my planner gave me, but no one really seems to "listen" when I'm trying to explain what I'm looking for. One place wanted to charge me over 300 for just my makeup!!?? I about had a heart attack!!

2) Photography. With the Memories collection we get one hour of photography for the ceremony and pictures afterward. I would like to have someone who can come and do maybe an hour or two of me getting ready, my fiance getting ready, and then a little extra time possibly after the ceremony (before we head off to dinner) for some pictures around the GF resort? However, I've seen that some people hired an outside photographer and then the Disney photographer didn't do such a hot job. This is not want. I want both photographers do a great job. Who did you hire (if you used an outside venue) for maybe photos after the ceremony, maybe before?

3) I'm also having THE hardest time figuring out what my fiance and son should wear. I don't think a full on tux would be appropriate since I'm wearing a tea-length casual dress and it's on the dock at Narcoosee's landing. What did everyone have their fiance's wear for a casual wedding?

I know this post is long, and thank you for bearing with me and offering any advice!!

Congratulations on your up coming wedding!

1) I can't answer on the subject of nails but as for hair and make-up I used Beaute Speciale and would highly recommend them, you can find a price list for them here: http://www.beautespeciale.com/pricing_beautespeciale.pdf

I found that then tend to leave discussing your 'vision' until the actual appointment, if you want something in particular I recommend taking along inspiration photographs so they can see what you're after.

2) For outside photography I highly recommend Randy Chapman. He is such a great guy and a wonderful photographer. I also found he worked well with Mike from Disney photography at our wedding. I was happy with the pictures I got from Disney but they couldn't touch Randy's for quality. I also believe Randy has a deal on for memories couples: http://chapmanphotography.typepad.com/.a/6a00e5529b1c418834014e5f8070d8970c-pi

http://chapmanphotography.com/

3) I recommend you browse the trip reports on the boards or the photographs on the various photographers blogs for wedding attire inspiration.

I hope that helps a little. Happy planning!

 

[Chilly]

Another shout out for Beaute Speciale and Randy Chapman.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

Congrats!! We had a Memories Vow Renewal last year and it was wonderful!

To answer your questions:

1) I had my nails done before we got to WDW and they lasted surprisingly well. I had a regular French, but I bet a shellac, done at home, would probably be in great shape still for your wedding. I used Beaute Speciale for hair and make-up. Can't recommend them enough! Great service and so nice to work with. I also liked that they were willing to come out for just one person.

2) I wanted to point out that the most recent info I've heard was that with Memories, if you get an outside photog for your ceremony you forfeit the Disney photog. We just used Disney and I was very, very happy with the outcome. I didn't add on any time though.

3) I wore a tea length dress in a platinum-y color and DH wore a black suit with a white shirt and pink tie (to tie in with the pink accents in my flowers).

Have fun planning!