HopefulDisneyBride
Living my fairytale at last
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2008
- Messages
- 187
We are back from our Disney Wishes wedding and our honeymoon and it was absolutely a perfect day. Disney was amazing and we are sooooo glad that we decided to have our wedding there.
We had a Welcome Dinner for all of our guests at Sea Breeze Point around sunset, which was gorgeous! They had a catered buffet and did an excellent job.
The ceremony was at the Wedding Pavilion and the Reception at the Grand Floridian. It was literally perfect....there was not a single thing I would change. I was so happy with everything, and all of our guest are still telling us that it was the best wedding they had ever been too.
I wanted to post a few reviews to hopefully help everyone in their planning. If it wasn't for this board and past brides help, I don't think it would have gone as smoothly!
Say I Do Weddings - A
This was fast and easy to do. The returned license was mailed back to us in plenty of time. It is a little more expensive than doing it yourself, but for me I was so stressed out as the wedding was approaching, I just wanted it done.
Carolyn Allens - A
I shipped my gown to Carolyn Allen's about 2 weeks ahead of time. It made it soooo much easier. My gown was very poofy and it would have been dreadful taking it on the plane. I called before I shipped it and told them the day it would be arriving. The girl on the phone was great, she said that if they knew they were expecting a gown, they would wait for it that day (in case of a later delivery). They called me as soon as it got there to let me know it was in good shape and had arrived without problems. The day of the steamer Sue arrived with her husband right on time and she did the girls dresses while her husband did the guys tuxes. They were both done in about an hour.
Beaute Speciale - A
I didn't do a hair trial with them, so I was a little nervous about going with someone I didn't know. They both instantly put me right at ease. I did a trial at home and brought in pictures and I actually liked what they did more! Everyone was happy with their hair and make-up and some of my girls can be picky! My hair held up great throughout the entire day and even the next day. The make-up held up really well too, I barely needed to touch it up at all which I was worried about since I tend to get shiny. I think they actually said "we could go swimming and the make-up would stay put". They were fun and easy going and I'm very glad that we went with them. They also gave everyone touch ups of foundation and lipstick. Ana even helped me get into my gown and had some advice for how to do it easier.
Randy Chapman - will update once get pictures back
We haven't gotten the pictures back yet, but based on how he was thus far, I have been extremely happy. I booked him before I actually had my wedding date with Disney set and he was very flexible about Disney's lottery and changing the date if need be. He called me as soon as I emailed him which impressed me as I didn't request a phone call - I found him to be very personable. All of his emails were prompt, I never had trouble with him getting back to me. The day of the wedding, he arrived early and went straight to work. He seemed to be getting some amazing, creative shots, I can't wait to see them! As a side note, my veil came off when I got out of the limo, and he was the only one who could fix it (the Disney girls couldn't get it back in). He was great to work with, and I'll update once the pictures are in
Transportation - B
We used the charter bus for the Welcome Dinner and the Wedding. It was a little rough the day of the Welcome Dinner, and I guess that worked out the bugs for the wedding day itself. The driver was waiting for people that were actually already on the bus, so it arrived a little late to the dinner. I wish the driver had called me or one of the people who knew what was going on because it was a little chaotic until a guest finally called me and it got straightened out. I know he was trying to be nice, but it was a little crazy and some of our guests complained about waiting on the bus so long unnecessarily. Also, many employees at the Disney Boardwalk did not know where Sea Breeze Point was. It worked out okay for the ones on the bus, but people that drove or took a cab asked for directions once they got there, and several employees couldn't tell them where it was located and had never heard of it. I had this problem myself with the gate attendant.
Disney Floral - A
I loved our floral! I was a little apprehensive during the planning session because they were throwing out names of flowers that I had no clue what they were or what they looked like. I showed pictures of what I wanted and they nailed it! My bouquet was exactly how I wanted it, so they know there stuff if you give them an idea! It was a little pricey, and I know we probably could have gotten it cheaper through an outside vendor, but again I was so stressed I just wanted it simplified. Our planner told us the florist was calling her all during the wedding day to make sure we liked everything - I thought that was really nice.
Wedding Planner/Assistants - A+++
They were amazing. I feel so lucky to have had such a great team work on our wedding. Our planner was Carol and she always got back to me right away. I felt so comfortable with everything and everything was very organized. The day of, they helped it all run smoothly and everyone knew where they were supposed to be. I really can't say enough about how great they were. Any request I had, they would find a way to make it happen.
Rev. Jack Day - A
He is adorable. I was a little nervous at first because he was a little slow getting back to me through email, but as it got close, he was great. We wrote our whole ceremony by taking bits and pieces from certain things, as well as writing our own vows. He was totally fine with all of it. We talked on the phone several times right before the wedding to make sure it was all straight. He was prompt the day of the rehearsal (we were actually late), and ran through everything perfectly. He delivered the ceremony in a very heart felt manner, he was so sweet, many of our guests commented on how great he was. He also took care of mailing our marriage license, and did so promptly because it was back by the time we were home from the honeymoon.
Disney DJ - Steve - B+
His communication also was just so so, but he made up for it the day of the wedding. He played every song we asked and read the crowd so that everyone was up dancing. He talked us into doing the "singing tables" which I was skeptical of, but worked out great. He knew his audience and it worked! Everyone kept telling us how great he was. I only gave him a B because his microphone didn't work for the toasts - I felt like that should have been checked ahead of time. It wasn't a huge deal because we had a small group, but still...
Overall, I loved it!!!!!! I feel kinda silly that I graded everyone so high, but really they deserved it, it was amazing! I want to add too, that we had some skeptics in our family who had some negative things to say when we first announced we were doing a Disney wedding. They thought it was cheesy and tacky....well, those skeptics have been put in their place. Everyone admitted that they were wrong and how they were totally blown away by how elegant and beautiful it was! For future Disney Brides - it is so worth it!!!
PS, yes I know I need to start a trip report and post pictures
We had a Welcome Dinner for all of our guests at Sea Breeze Point around sunset, which was gorgeous! They had a catered buffet and did an excellent job.
The ceremony was at the Wedding Pavilion and the Reception at the Grand Floridian. It was literally perfect....there was not a single thing I would change. I was so happy with everything, and all of our guest are still telling us that it was the best wedding they had ever been too.
I wanted to post a few reviews to hopefully help everyone in their planning. If it wasn't for this board and past brides help, I don't think it would have gone as smoothly!
Say I Do Weddings - A
This was fast and easy to do. The returned license was mailed back to us in plenty of time. It is a little more expensive than doing it yourself, but for me I was so stressed out as the wedding was approaching, I just wanted it done.
Carolyn Allens - A
I shipped my gown to Carolyn Allen's about 2 weeks ahead of time. It made it soooo much easier. My gown was very poofy and it would have been dreadful taking it on the plane. I called before I shipped it and told them the day it would be arriving. The girl on the phone was great, she said that if they knew they were expecting a gown, they would wait for it that day (in case of a later delivery). They called me as soon as it got there to let me know it was in good shape and had arrived without problems. The day of the steamer Sue arrived with her husband right on time and she did the girls dresses while her husband did the guys tuxes. They were both done in about an hour.
Beaute Speciale - A
I didn't do a hair trial with them, so I was a little nervous about going with someone I didn't know. They both instantly put me right at ease. I did a trial at home and brought in pictures and I actually liked what they did more! Everyone was happy with their hair and make-up and some of my girls can be picky! My hair held up great throughout the entire day and even the next day. The make-up held up really well too, I barely needed to touch it up at all which I was worried about since I tend to get shiny. I think they actually said "we could go swimming and the make-up would stay put". They were fun and easy going and I'm very glad that we went with them. They also gave everyone touch ups of foundation and lipstick. Ana even helped me get into my gown and had some advice for how to do it easier.
Randy Chapman - will update once get pictures back
We haven't gotten the pictures back yet, but based on how he was thus far, I have been extremely happy. I booked him before I actually had my wedding date with Disney set and he was very flexible about Disney's lottery and changing the date if need be. He called me as soon as I emailed him which impressed me as I didn't request a phone call - I found him to be very personable. All of his emails were prompt, I never had trouble with him getting back to me. The day of the wedding, he arrived early and went straight to work. He seemed to be getting some amazing, creative shots, I can't wait to see them! As a side note, my veil came off when I got out of the limo, and he was the only one who could fix it (the Disney girls couldn't get it back in). He was great to work with, and I'll update once the pictures are in
Transportation - B
We used the charter bus for the Welcome Dinner and the Wedding. It was a little rough the day of the Welcome Dinner, and I guess that worked out the bugs for the wedding day itself. The driver was waiting for people that were actually already on the bus, so it arrived a little late to the dinner. I wish the driver had called me or one of the people who knew what was going on because it was a little chaotic until a guest finally called me and it got straightened out. I know he was trying to be nice, but it was a little crazy and some of our guests complained about waiting on the bus so long unnecessarily. Also, many employees at the Disney Boardwalk did not know where Sea Breeze Point was. It worked out okay for the ones on the bus, but people that drove or took a cab asked for directions once they got there, and several employees couldn't tell them where it was located and had never heard of it. I had this problem myself with the gate attendant.
Disney Floral - A
I loved our floral! I was a little apprehensive during the planning session because they were throwing out names of flowers that I had no clue what they were or what they looked like. I showed pictures of what I wanted and they nailed it! My bouquet was exactly how I wanted it, so they know there stuff if you give them an idea! It was a little pricey, and I know we probably could have gotten it cheaper through an outside vendor, but again I was so stressed I just wanted it simplified. Our planner told us the florist was calling her all during the wedding day to make sure we liked everything - I thought that was really nice.
Wedding Planner/Assistants - A+++
They were amazing. I feel so lucky to have had such a great team work on our wedding. Our planner was Carol and she always got back to me right away. I felt so comfortable with everything and everything was very organized. The day of, they helped it all run smoothly and everyone knew where they were supposed to be. I really can't say enough about how great they were. Any request I had, they would find a way to make it happen.
Rev. Jack Day - A
He is adorable. I was a little nervous at first because he was a little slow getting back to me through email, but as it got close, he was great. We wrote our whole ceremony by taking bits and pieces from certain things, as well as writing our own vows. He was totally fine with all of it. We talked on the phone several times right before the wedding to make sure it was all straight. He was prompt the day of the rehearsal (we were actually late), and ran through everything perfectly. He delivered the ceremony in a very heart felt manner, he was so sweet, many of our guests commented on how great he was. He also took care of mailing our marriage license, and did so promptly because it was back by the time we were home from the honeymoon.
Disney DJ - Steve - B+
His communication also was just so so, but he made up for it the day of the wedding. He played every song we asked and read the crowd so that everyone was up dancing. He talked us into doing the "singing tables" which I was skeptical of, but worked out great. He knew his audience and it worked! Everyone kept telling us how great he was. I only gave him a B because his microphone didn't work for the toasts - I felt like that should have been checked ahead of time. It wasn't a huge deal because we had a small group, but still...
Overall, I loved it!!!!!! I feel kinda silly that I graded everyone so high, but really they deserved it, it was amazing! I want to add too, that we had some skeptics in our family who had some negative things to say when we first announced we were doing a Disney wedding. They thought it was cheesy and tacky....well, those skeptics have been put in their place. Everyone admitted that they were wrong and how they were totally blown away by how elegant and beautiful it was! For future Disney Brides - it is so worth it!!!
PS, yes I know I need to start a trip report and post pictures
