Petals & Pixie Dust Planning Journal 11/30/2009/2010

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

So, I was talking to my mom tonight...DF & I had to change out plans for Xmas Eve since the weather is suppose to be bad, we wanted to get on the road early. So, we are meeting my mom for breakfast-unfortunately dad will be at work. this kind of bums me out b/c I usually spend just about every Xmas Eve with them and mom and I were planning on doing some planning. Oh well. Mom was happy that we were leaving earlier than planned. Anyway, I digress.

SO, mom and I start talking about the wedding a bit and how I plan on pitching it to his family blah blah blah...This is a BIG stressor for me b/c I want them to be excited about all of this. I explain the difference in resorts and different ways to book and that we will look around for the best deals for them, she can call AAA yadda yadda yadda...and my mother pipes up with "You mean you can call AAA." Excuse me? "You're planning our trip there." You'll have to call with your number, credit card number, you'll have to call. "But you'll be planning our trip though."
ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!! I'm planning a wedding, our trip, and now my parents trip too? YIKES. Glad I got the heads up! Now, the kicker is going to be DF saying "Don't worry, she'll take care of everything. She's a great cruise director." I'll die...Right there...Right then...DEAD. 3 trips I can probably juggle. My parents aren't high maintenance ok fine. Add on 3-4 other trips, 2 people per trip...I'm going down with the ship. SUNK. Good thing I told DF that if they start talking weddings to let me do the talking. Keep your fingers crossed that the others in the family know how to call a travel agent. This could get scary!

 

[DisneyBrideToni]

OMG I know how you feel and I am sorry you have to deal with that! I had to book my FMIL, brothers, ours, FFIL and DF's brother and sister-in laws trips. Apparently I am the Disney expert so it all fell on my lap. I hope everything else runs smooth for you.

Happy Holidays!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

OMG I know how you feel and I am sorry you have to deal with that! I had to book my FMIL, brothers, ours, FFIL and DF's brother and sister-in laws trips. Apparently I am the Disney expert so it all fell on my lap. I hope everything else runs smooth for you.

Happy Holidays!!!!!!!!!!

After talking to my FMIL I think I've given her enough to think about to look at
"all of the options" That she might just do her own. (More on that in a minute) If not, my TA will help no worries.

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

So, lets just start this out by saying that my mom called DF's mom a couple of weeks ago and one of the major concerns was the cost. Ok. I think the last time my FMIL was at WDW DF was 4, FSIL has never been and neither has FBIL. Fine. No worries. Before leaving I contacted my TA and asked "How do I pitch this?" Figured, who best to ask then those who do this for a living. She was great explained to check and see how many days they were planning on staying, and then from there just pitch staying onsite and all of the extra magic that goes with it. No problem. We brainstormed some of the important extras and I was set to go.

We get to DF's mother's house and it was immediately- "Hi!" *hug* "Congratulations! Let me see the ring." DF's sister wanted to see it up close and made me take it off. No worries, she was an arms length distance and couldn't escape if she tried.-Not that she would, but I'm a little over protective, I've waited a long time for this ring. After that-there was nothing else said about the ring, the wedding, plans, nothing. Ok. No worries. We were all tired anyway especially since we had a long drive up. We opened Xmas presents that night and at the end FSIL asked her mom if she could give us the other gifts. They agreed and FSIL gave us 2 boxes and 3 cards. In one box from his mother was this:

It was beautiful and signed by the artists. DF's bro, sis and BIL got us a digital picture frame. It was really cool. We even got one Cinderella Engagement card!!! I didn't even know they made them! I was happy to see that they did something. I was just hoping for cards, and was kin of bummed when they kept telling me that they had them but they never sent them. I figured they were just saying that and that we might not see them. His mom also said that she had champange to make a toast, but forgot to do it at dinner. I told her that was fine and not to worry about it. DF and I don't really drink and others in the family don't either. Not a big deal.
Fast forward to Xmas morning, just before FSIL is supposed to leave. I was talking to FSIL and FMIL and how traveling with my mom is a joy. (She can get a little skittish while planning and getting there) FMIL says, "Oh that will be fun." I explained that as long as my mom is told what to do and doesn't have to worry about making connections and such on her own she is fine. If all else fails, dad will deal with her. That seemed to smooth things over. FSIL left and there was no further discussion. I was hoping for some sort of conversation between the 3 of us, but I didn't know how to start it. I was kind of bummed but whatever -we've got a ton of time. It seemed like when ever I showed FMIL the WP or Commanders Terrace she just looked at them said "That's nice." and dropped it. I was a little bummed. I was having a bratty inner child moment. I wanted to talk about my wedding. Luckily my adult self kept the inner brat in order! *haha*

Fast forward again to yesterday after breakfast. It was just me and FMIL ad somehow the conversation started. I don't remember how exactly. I think she brought it up. Apparently, as a child she never got mouse ears when they went to DL. It was always something that she wanted, but never got. Her sister sent her a pair of mickey ears a couple of days before DF told her we were getting married at WDW. She said that must have been her sign. We got a good chuckle out of it and I somehow started to explain all of the in's and out's of a Disney wedding....Leaving out that we were giving mouse ears as favors or having mickey and minnie there. I told her that I had some magic up my sleeve that I wasn't sharing with her just b/c I wanted her to enjoy it. We talked about people being there, amount of time they might need to stay, staying onsite, and the options that went with that. She seemed much better then when the conversation or weekend started.

One thing she did mention was announcements. Is this a formal thing? Separate cards? I need a little insight here. I should have asked her more questions but I didn't.

Tomorrow is dress shopping with mom and HMOH. Wish me luck!

 

[Rora]

Glad things worked out in the end with FMIL. It's so frustrating that she didn't seem interested in seeing where you were actually getting married. But don't you worry- everyone will love it and you will have a wonderful wedding!

As far as announcements go, we are planning on doing them. Since we are having an Escape everyone is not going to be able to attend. So we are sending those out to let people know the details of our wedding and plans for an at-home reception. I plan on just making them myself (try to go low-budget for a while, gotta save my money for the big stuff, like my dress! ) on the computer- they will be seperate cards.. about 5 x 7 if you're curious about our dimensions.

I hope dress shopping is so so much fun tomorrow. You MUST take pictures and then come show us!!

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

AUGH! *said as I take a deep breath and sink down into my chair* What a day! We (my mom and HMOH) went to 1 bridal store today. I went in with no expectations and tried on 20 + dresses. None-not a single one-made the cut. I liked the top of one with the bottom of the other. Or the beadwork on one-but it didn't work. There wasn't one that jumped out and said I'M THE ONE! Not even for my mom! I found 1 that I thought I would love and tried that one on first, but I felt like I was settling. My mom said the sweetest thing. She doesn't want me to settle for my gown. I have to love it and that I'll know which one is the one.
My HMOH took pics of just about ALL the dresses I tried on. She was great. She got me in and out of dresses at record speed, pulled my train straight, got different camera angles, laughed at my ridiculous socks and just had fun. No worries, I will have pictures to post tomorrow.
I was really surprised at the number of brides at the shop. What was sad was that no one seemed HAPPY that they were there and trying on dresses. They all seemed so mad and critical. I was critical, but our dressing room was the loudest. My mom would come running with something that I would never pick out and say "Try this!" Ok in a flash I was in it and we'd get a good chuckle. Or we would say "Yeah that one is nice, but I'm not loving it."
What an absolutely exhausting experience.
Like I said, pictures soon. Possibly tomorrow.

 

[Beep]

Hiya hun,

Dress shopping sounded, umm, fun?! Don't forget to post piccies

We have done save the date fridge magnets for people and sent these out as soon as the date was confirmed with Disney. We emailed everyone at about 18 months to let them know the date we were aiming for, but mainly to let them know what week it was going to be.

All our guests (apart from our friend in Delaware) are in the UK so we wanted to give them as much notice as possible so they could look at costs, holidays from work etc.

We only emailed rather than sending anything formal as there were only 9 guests at that stage. My brother and his awful wife have dropped out so now we are down to 7. We are really sad that my brother won't be there but it is SO outweighed by the fact that SHE won't be going

 

[Lorelei528]

HEY! Fellow Syracusian!! I'm loving your PJ so far!!! I think I went to about 6 different bridal shops before I found THE dress!! So don't worry...it will happen!!

Looking forward to hearing more (and seeing more pics!)

 

[XxStaceFacexX]

Howdy!
With my internship done, no classwork to do, no deadlines, and only working 1 day a week...Leaves me for a ton of time to do nothing! I'm bored! This has never happened before, but it gives me the opportunity to wedding plan, play wii, be on the wii fit once a day (gotta get in dress shape) and cook for DF...Which I don't do much of once school starts.

Xmas is in a couple of days. Every year DF and I get a xmas bulb for the tree. This started when we got our first tree and needed to get ornaments-that was an expensive year! DF didn't want ANY xmas bulbs and I insisted on just one-at least. So, each year we've gotten a bulb from Hallmark. It's become tradition. The years that we don't get a Hallmark bulb we get a mouse ears one from WDW and have it painted and mailed home-Nothing like getting pixie dust when you get back from your trip! There is one stipulation to this. The year we get married, each child's first Xmas-gets an ornament commemorating that year. So, this year, instead of getting a bulb, I found this...

I fell in and had to have it! The only problem I have is that it doesn't have the date on it. So, I'm in search for a small silver tag to put on it to have something like "Engaged 11/19/2008" Now, if I can only find a tag that doesn't go to a bracelet or cost a ton, we'll be talking business. Any ideas greatly appreciated.

Ok off to sharpen my Wii skills. DF downloaded Super Mario Bros. Figures, he gets me an up to date game system and I want to play the old games!!! He even bought me a Wii Points Card to get them! I'm telling you-that boy doesn't buy me flowers-he buys me electronics...And that's ok-they last longer!

sooo cute! Where did you find this?

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Hiya hun,

Dress shopping sounded, umm, fun?! Don't forget to post piccies

It was fun...Just exhausting! My HMOH was a trip and my mom was great. No issues there at all (We'll see what happens when it comes down to the line if we don't find anything) It was disappointing to see the other brides NOT have as much fun. They all looked a little grumpy. No time for that! Of course the looks on my face are pretty funny too. I probably look all mad-but I'm not. I made sure to hold my dress like Cinderella's step sisters. and my socks of course were kind of loud. I'm going to wear the tie dyed ones next time!
I'm uploading the photos now. HMOH made a disk for me in under 24 hours. She rocks!

HEY! Fellow Syracusian!! I'm loving your PJ so far!!! I think I went to about 6 different bridal shops before I found THE dress!! So don't worry...it will happen!!

Looking forward to hearing more (and seeing more pics!)

Howdy! I'm looking forward to more shopping, but we all decided that we could only look at one store a day! I must have tried on 20+ dresses. We were all wiped out! I've got time so I'm not worried. I was just hoping it was going to be the first one I tried on. It's all good!

sooo cute! Where did you find this?

Hallmark. I love it! Which reminds me-I still need to find a little tag thing for it.

OK loading photos...back in a bit!

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Ok here they are...After looking at my face in these pics...I guess I don't look the happiest in them either. don't know why. I was having a great time... So, with out further ado...

Um yeah...I blinked...

The back

A bit too much for me

I like this top...

With this bottom

Um no...definately not...my bum looks like Cinderella's step sisters!

The straps snapped out of this...but the sequins looked like they just put some here and some there...

I'm going to see if I can photoshop the top and the bottom together that I like and bring that pic with me when I shop. Or is it better to NOT have expectations and see what comes of it? I don't know...I'll just shop some more!

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

OK sorry about that...I guess you'll have to tilt your head. I rotated and saved all of them...but apparently that didn't work...Sorry <--Disregard this...for some reason they were fine when I looked at them this AM...

 

[keenercam]

Oh, WOW! You were definitley made to wear a wedding gown. Every single one of them looks gorgeous on you! I really, really like the style of the first one on you. Very pretty! Congratulations on having so many choices that look nice. It is a wonderful problem to have!

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Oh, WOW! You were definitley made to wear a wedding gown. Every single one of them looks gorgeous on you! I really, really like the style of the first one on you. Very pretty! Congratulations on having so many choices that look nice. It is a wonderful problem to have!

Aw shucks. Thanks.

 

[Rora]

All those dresses look great on you!!!!

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

All those dresses look great on you!!!!

Thanks!

...I'm so bored tonight I'm staking my own User CP

 

[Rora]

...I'm so bored tonight I'm staking my own User CP

It happens.

Have you thought about the style dress you want? Mermaid, Princess, A-Line, etc?

 

[Beep]

Wow, how fantastic do you look in a wedding dress lady?! I'm jealous...

I vote for the one that you thought was too much for you - well, I am biased because it is very similar to mine! Problem with me is that dresses have to work with my waist and hips so the top sits a bit too high. I've got a high and defined waist so all dresses find their own 'level, but then encounter my hips that keep trying to shove the dress back up! Hopefully another 14lbs will help - already lost 14lbs.

I'm sure you will find a dress that will take your breath away. Don't discount anything that the bridal shop assistants suggest as you wold be surpirsed at how they look when they are on.

Keep us posted and keep the piccies coming

ps - nice to put a face to a virtual voice!

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

It happens.

Have you thought about the style dress you want? Mermaid, Princess, A-Line, etc?

I was originally thinking A-Line, tank cut, chapel length train and bead work. Now, I'm thinking strapless, pick-ups, minimal bead work short train. My only major concern with strapless is that the girls aren't big enough. And as I get a little older...they are starting to show their age. Any ideas on how to make the girls perky is greatly appreciated.

So, it looks like what I thought I wanted and what I'm starting to think I want has definitely changed. They say you'll know it when you see it...Good thing I've got time!

I'm sure you will find a dress that will take your breath away. Don't discount anything that the bridal shop assistants suggest as you wold be surpirsed at how they look when they are on.

Thank you. I took EVERYTHING into the dressing room. All the assistant had to do, or my mom of HMOH was pick something up and say "What about this?" I'd reply "Why not-send it back let's try it!" I'm trying to keep open minded about the whole thing b/c something on a rack doesn't look the same on.

The one thing that made me laugh was trying them on. It felt like there was SO much material that it was between my legs...Like the front of the dress wasn't moving fast enough to get out of the way when I took a step. Yep I'm gonna fall on my bum!

And here I was worried that if I wore a strapless gown that I would trip on the hem and pull the whole thing down. Have you seen some of the straps that are inside these puppies! My poor mother is going to need a how to manual to get me in and out of the thing.

 

[Beep]

I tell you what, those strapless lace-up jobbies do wonders for the girls! My bridal shop told me to hold the dress in place whilst they laced it up from the mid-back, then grab the twins and hoist them up whilst they laced the top.

I looked like my C's had gone all Pamela Anderson!