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

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Oh, that is so awesome! I hope you do a TR for your Alaskan cruise as well (just because I am being selfish and want all the details before I go!!!).

I'm hoping I can keep up with the TR for this!!!!

I just got off the phone with Nelio and we are all set. When I explained that I don't have any bridesmaids...and there is only a total of 8 people...He was like "no problem"

So, it looks like we will be all set...I do have to get my paperwork into him..part of this whole thing is my fault...but I'm afraid I'm going to forget something or not do something or who knows!!! Or what if I choose pictures and then realize that they aren't what I want...SHEESH! I just need to get over it.

QUICK TO DO LIST UPDATE!!!

And gotta find out a little more about tanning in general and get that underway...
Need to start packing too..AUGH!
Would like to find a little black dress...not sure that I will but I can at least try. (shopping with mom on Sunday!)
Gotta make my hoodie too...
Fill out photo paperwork...
Pay for hair and make up...

AND I THINK THAT IS IT! Maybe I can get this all done by the end of next week (with the exception of packing...)

 

[BecBennett]

I feel like I want to start packing now You know, the first time I went overseas I probably had done two test packs by now

That's good that you were able to get the timing right for your photos. I know how you feel about getting everything just right. Photos are the main thing for me, I rarely go anywhere without my camera, because I love capturing every moment, and the fact that I cant do that for my wedding and have to rely on someone else to do it for me worries me. That's why I picked Misty, I haven't seen a photo of hers that I didn't like, so I'm hoping she'll be able to capture everything!! You think it's weird to ask them not to stop taking photos the whole day? There's all these things I want to ask them to photograph, but I dont want them to miss out on other great photos they could be getting at the same time...

I can't believe you get 2 weddings before I even get 1!! Sorry, but that just sank in... It's not fair, you should wait for everyone else to have a go first

 

[pezaddict231]

I'm so glad it all worked out with the photography. I was thinking at least 3 hours before is a long time. I think you will be completely fine with your timeline. We did 2.5 or so before the ceremony but we had 9 people in the bridal party. For "getting ready", I only wanted some detail shots and getting into my dress, no need for the "full transformation" to be documented . We didn't want a ton of formal family portraits so we mostly did those right after the ceremony, it doesn't take that long really and you have a smaller guestlist so it'll go even quicker .

Don't stress too much about the photo list, but be sure to put family combinations that you want. DH's sister didn't do a list and there was not a single picture of just her and her two brothers, which she still regrets. So that was what I really focused on. And I told them to take a lot of detail shots since I made most of those things. I did specify some locations, on the beach, etc. Just so we were all on the same page.

Yay! You're so close now! I wish I had packed in advance, you really are so organized. On the tanning I can give some advice, I did it before a few vacations and it worked out well, which is why it was even sillier that I didn't think about it for the wedding . I went to Beach Bum Tanning, not sure if they have those in your area, but they are really nice and clean. I got their highest bed available, not sure what the name is, but with the better ones you're less likely to get burned and you can do a shorter amount of time. I also don't use the lotions they sell, I used them twice and both times got a bad burn. I do know other people that have used them with no problems so if you do use them, don't use them on your face, it can make you break out. Have them start you off slow probably around 8 mins, and you can probably go 2-3 times a week and build up a nice base. I never felt like I got that dark, but it definitely helped me not to burn on vacation. Hope that helps!

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

I feel like I want to start packing now You know, the first time I went overseas I probably had done two test packs by now

That's good that you were able to get the timing right for your photos. I know how you feel about getting everything just right. Photos are the main thing for me, I rarely go anywhere without my camera, because I love capturing every moment, and the fact that I cant do that for my wedding and have to rely on someone else to do it for me worries me. That's why I picked Misty, I haven't seen a photo of hers that I didn't like, so I'm hoping she'll be able to capture everything!! You think it's weird to ask them not to stop taking photos the whole day? There's all these things I want to ask them to photograph, but I dont want them to miss out on other great photos they could be getting at the same time...

I can't believe you get 2 weddings before I even get 1!! Sorry, but that just sank in... It's not fair, you should wait for everyone else to have a go first

I love photos too...When I spoke with Misty she said that if you had a long "must have list" she will work off that list and not get the creative things. After talking to Nelio it sounds like they have a very good system in place...For example DH did not care to have his own getting ready pictures, but I wanted the cufflinks shot at least. When I expressed this to Nelio he said that when everyone gets to the WP...he will go with the guys and get DH fixing his tie and his cufflinks..and something else...maybe putting on his bout? They have this down to a science! I don't think they will miss much...I have about 6-12 MUST HAVE shots for a 7 hour period. Which I don't think is bad....but I told him...I don't care about the pretend putting on your lipstick shot...I'd rather my mom lacing my corset...the typical detail shots and getting into my dress...other than that...no worries...

Funny...I didn't even think about the 2 weddings before you had 1...Sorry... The first was just for the paperwork...

I'm so glad it all worked out with the photography. I was thinking at least 3 hours before is a long time. I think you will be completely fine with your timeline. We did 2.5 or so before the ceremony but we had 9 people in the bridal party. For "getting ready", I only wanted some detail shots and getting into my dress, no need for the "full transformation" to be documented . We didn't want a ton of formal family portraits so we mostly did those right after the ceremony, it doesn't take that long really and you have a smaller guestlist so it'll go even quicker .

Don't stress too much about the photo list, but be sure to put family combinations that you want. DH's sister didn't do a list and there was not a single picture of just her and her two brothers, which she still regrets. So that was what I really focused on. And I told them to take a lot of detail shots since I made most of those things. I did specify some locations, on the beach, etc. Just so we were all on the same page.

Yay! You're so close now! I wish I had packed in advance, you really are so organized. On the tanning I can give some advice, I did it before a few vacations and it worked out well, which is why it was even sillier that I didn't think about it for the wedding . I went to Beach Bum Tanning, not sure if they have those in your area, but they are really nice and clean. I got their highest bed available, not sure what the name is, but with the better ones you're less likely to get burned and you can do a shorter amount of time. I also don't use the lotions they sell, I used them twice and both times got a bad burn. I do know other people that have used them with no problems so if you do use them, don't use them on your face, it can make you break out. Have them start you off slow probably around 8 mins, and you can probably go 2-3 times a week and build up a nice base. I never felt like I got that dark, but it definitely helped me not to burn on vacation. Hope that helps!

Thanks for the heads up on family shots...Really...hmmm...yeah...not high on my priority list AND MY MOTHER! AUGH! She tells me the other day she wants shots of me coming down the grand stair case at GF...Can I tell you I HATE THAT STAIR CASE! When we went to see it in 2009 it was dingey and gross...and she wants pictures of this...She said she wants pictures of my dad and I coming down it...Fine...I hope they don't take many...but what ever...if it will make her happy.

Now you have me a little worried about the whole tanning thing... I've never done this before...So, it just seems like a big deal...8 minutes!!! 8 minutes is a long dang time for my ADHD brain..and from the looks of it..I'm probably not going to get a ton of time to really tan...maybe like 2 weeks and 1 day...Is this even going to be enough time to even out my icky tan lines from this summer

As for organized...if you saw my desk you would so take this statement back...I have papers all over the place!!! I'm trying to keep it together...but think I'm accomplishing this just barely...Glad it looks like I have it together!!!

Finally WE GOT OUR AP VOUCHERS TODAY!!! Will post pics later!

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

More dress shopping with mom today. I need a dress for V & A. DH wants me in black...I just want what ever looks good...so, we will see what happens there.

I'm still sick..not sure what the deal is...sore throat-that goes away after I've been awake for a bit...stuffy...and I sound like a frog. It all needs to go away by tomorrow...but rather now that 2 weeks from now...I don't know what is taking so long for me to get past this...We are going on week #2...

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Ok are you tired of me yet??? My earlier post was during that "I woke up and still have an extra hour..." but I wasn't getting up just then to post these...So, I apologize for being somewhat OCD about posting lately...I'm just starting to get really excited...and whom else is going to join in the excitement...or understand that excitement except fellow Dis-ers???

OK so...here is the obligatory AP photo...

AND the cufflinks we got for my dad (Ebay $10!!! My mom was really worried that we would spend a lot on these and then the only time he would wear them would be the wedding b/c he doesn't own a french cuff shirt...)

I wanted to buy DH a pair..and he said no...then when I got them wanted them...and the auction ended So, I'm waiting to see if the seller is going to post more...I should have gone with my gut and just got them...AND DH WEARS FRENCH CUFFED SHIRTS!!! What was I thinking???

I just put in my vacation time for our cruise in June...I know its a bit early...but I wanted to get the time in...I decided to take 2 weeks off too...Hope that plays out alright...

Ok...I think I'm officially all caught up...

 

[BecBennett]

That seems late to be getting you AP vouchers... I've had mine for months. Oh well, you've got them now, who cares!

Any luck finding a dress? For me, I never find what I'm looking for, so when I go shopping I try not to picture anything before I go, I seem to have better luck that way

My mum had that sore throat thing too, it just kept coming back, she maybe had it for two weeks. It's probably not the same thing but hopefully it wont be around for much longer...

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

That seems late to be getting you AP vouchers... I've had mine for months. Oh well, you've got them now, who cares!

Any luck finding a dress? For me, I never find what I'm looking for, so when I go shopping I try not to picture anything before I go, I seem to have better luck that way

My mum had that sore throat thing too, it just kept coming back, she maybe had it for two weeks. It's probably not the same thing but hopefully it wont be around for much longer...

Yeah..minor snaffu in the mailing of the AP vouchers...So, we had to sign them...and DH missed the mail man...so he chased him down in our complex to get them!!!

Found a dress...very cute..pix later...

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Ok so here is the update...16 days until we leave...I so need to get packing!!!
I think I'm going to cancel the tea party :-( Here is why...my mom and I will be able to jockey our schedule around to go ...but the in-laws won't be able to...just due to timing with travel..plus the inlaws havent been to Disney ever...so I would be taking away from their time at the parks...and that isn't fair to them...plus my SIL is preggo and might be tired...and I'm going to drag her around trying to figure out how to get where...when they don't even have a sense of where they are going...nope not fair...
NOW-add into it all that mom and I have to go from the POP to GF, make sure we drop off all of our stuff at the WP...and then get settled into our new hotel room...Crazy...
I just don't see this happening no matter how badly I want to do it...

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Hi Everyone (again!) What is up with this 2 posts daily thing...I guess it is b/c I know you all understand...the next 16 days are going to be nuts! I can honestly say I feel like a real bride! Not that I didn't feel like that the first time around-but it was different...but it is just the excitement of such a spectacular event... OK but in someways it's also driving me a little nuts...

If you've been reading along you know that my aunt and uncles wedding gift to us is going to Victoria & Alberts. It is am amazing gift and one that we will cherish forever!
OF COURSE, I needed a new black dress...I looked high and low and just could not find a dang thing! So, when in doubt call in...YOUR MOTHER! This whole wedding thing has been an interesting experience for my mom and me. When I look back at some of my previous posts about my worries about dress shopping with my mom...Well, ok some of that still holds true...but we've become closer over the past 2 years.
So, we set out to find a little black dress...The first one...um...absolutely not. The second...gosh no...the third was a maybe...mom liked it but I felt it needed something...The last one...we were both unsure of...but then we kept looking at it...it was cute...mmmm...yeah...we liked it...a simple pony tale and some statement jewelry it would really be great. Then we decided...that this dress had grown on us...

Not the best picture...but super cute...trust me!

But of course...we had a $10 off coupon..if you spent $50...and the dress wasn't quite $50...so I had to spend the extra $...and pretty much got this purse for free...

don't mind the camera case behind it...but this will give me enough space to bring my camera...

ALso, I know some have talked about brining their own ipod set up...We also decided to do this. So, I set DH out on the task...and we found these at best buy...DH even made the guy open them so DH could play them! (while he was playing them someone else was looking for ipod speakers and snatched up the last set!

The sound is awesome! They are small and magnet together...and made by iHome.only complaint is that they have the wires attached...one for an ipod/iphone and another USB...but you can't have it all and for ~$40-50...I wasn't going to complain...that was what...$250 LESS than Disney's ipod set up...

 

[BecBennett]

Really? I didn't know you could take your own speakers. I might have to look into this as well...

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Really? I didn't know you could take your own speakers. I might have to look into this as well...

There is a catch if you bring your own speakers...Disney ABSOLUTELY CAN NOT TOUCH THEM. They can have a table for you to put them on...but can not touch them. Period.
It seemed ridiculous for us to spend $350 for the ipod set up for 2 songs (father/daughter and mother/son dances) So, what a total of 10 minutes MAX..yeah so not worth it...So, we decided that the $50 for the speaker set up was much more reasonable.

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

...which might end up turning into a much bigger rant....just b/c I talk a lot....

So, today mom and I go to breakfast...which is fine. We were having a great time. We talked about her boss that is getting married (who ordered her wedding gown a size smaller b/c "she'll get into it" ) <-I got all anxious just hearing that!!! We laughed.it was a good time.

On the way home...she starts..."So, what are we doing on Saturday?" Park, dinner. "Where is dinner?" Read the manual...you know those books that I spent a ton of time and effort into. "Why should I read the book if I have you. You're my tour guide." Seriously??? You have to be kidding me...like I don't have enough to juggle I have to hand hold too??? AUGH! So, we continue to talk and my dad starts chiming in "REad the book." "See I read the book." He is going to have to keep me sane!!! She is going to drive me nuts...Not surprising...that happened when we went on the cruise but seriously...I don't need this...If I wanted to be asked "why" I'd have kids.

The rest of the day went well. We picked up more SD cards, video tapes...we should be good in the media department.

Now I just need to print out my guest book sign thing...and we should be good to go!

12 days until we leave...

 

[pezaddict231]

you're getting so close. I bet the black dress will look great with some accessories and is so classic you're sure to get lots of use out of it.

Ahh, yes, people not bothering to read all the information you put together for them...sounds a bit familiar. I can only say try not to let it get to you,although I'm not sure exactly how to do that. This was something that really bothered me when we were in Disney for our wedding. There are some people that just won't take the time no matter how often you tell them and it can get really stressful. Maybe if your mom asks just sweetly say: "Ask Dad, he read the book".

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Ahh, yes, people not bothering to read all the information you put together for them...sounds a bit familiar. I can only say try not to let it get to you,although I'm not sure exactly how to do that. This was something that really bothered me when we were in Disney for our wedding. There are some people that just won't take the time no matter how often you tell them and it can get really stressful. Maybe if your mom asks just sweetly say: "Ask Dad, he read the book".

I'm trying to be sweet...really I am ...but sometimes my mother doesn't get polite, sweet, kind, or gentle. She does seem to understand short, blunt, and my father telling her to knock it off ...In this case...it might be easier to resort to dad telling her to knock it off. After all, he read the book...and can just about recite word for word and knows what meals are not allowed for anyone else buy DH and me.

Almost there...I'm starting to get into the I"m almost on vacation mode...and augh...is it almost here yet!! Let the packing commence!

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

In my last 2 posts I've been stressing over how to deal with my mother...So, I being the adult that I am rotfl2 ran to my father and asked him to run interception during the trip b/c I was pretty certain that I couldn't handle the added stress of playing tour guide. OK so it was really childish...but I didn't know what else to do...I even explained to my dad that I felt really bad asking him to do this and that I didn't want to put him in the middle...but I was stressing...My dad writes back with something to the tune of....Don't worry about it I took care of this on Sunday whens he was grilling you. After you left I challenged her as to why she was constantly asking you what the plan was when you wrote the plan out clearly for everyone!" GO DAD! Ok so my first reaction wasn't go dad! It was tears of relief...Relieved that I didn't sound like bridezilla and well...I guess it was the comfort of dad taking care of things...
So, THANK YOU DAD!

 

[BecBennett]

Yay for dad! It's one less thing to not have to worry about. I don't mind helping people book dining reservations at the moment, but if people call me out of the blue during the holiday asking where we're all eating tonight I'll lose it!

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

That is so nice of your Dad to care of that for you!

Your V&A outfit looks like it will be great! You must be excited to be going there! Only 16 days left...yay

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Yay for dad! It's one less thing to not have to worry about. I don't mind helping people book dining reservations at the moment, but if people call me out of the blue during the holiday asking where we're all eating tonight I'll lose it!

Tell me about it...Dad definitely deserves some major recognition!!!

That is so nice of your Dad to care of that for you!

Your V&A outfit looks like it will be great! You must be excited to be going there! Only 16 days left...yay

Yes, it was great that he took care of it for me...even better that he read my mind and took care of it before I asked! (He had this talk with mom on Sunday...I emailed him today!)

I love my V&A dress! I'm just going to flat iron my hair and put it up into a pony tail..it will work well for our Alaskan cruise as well (which by the way my supervisor approved my time off! )

I am super excited about going to V&A! So many things to look forward to this trip! Can't wait!!! 10 days until we leave...14 until the wedding and 16 until V&A!!!!

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

OMG WE LEAVE IN 9 DAYS!!!!

Goodness gracious where did the time go??? My living room has turned into packing central. ITS A DISASTER! Oh well...What is a girl to do?!?!?
I'm having a hard time concentrating on things like work, life, and am totally engrossed in what needs to get done. I'm worried about not having enough space to get all the things there that I will need. AND we don't have that much to really take with us! (or so I thought) So, some how we will get all of our wedding type needs together and in carry-ons...luckily dad doesn't usually carry one...so we might get him to be the one to carry extra...at the moment I feel like a pack mule.
I also prance around wearing my brides ears just to keep it fun...Yup I look like a dork...but it reminds me how great this all will be..
This seems way more stressful than the first wedding....somewhat in a good way b/c I'm trying to get it all together and I know it will be spectacular.
Now I just hope I don't forget anything!!