Renewing the magic: Andrea and Franco's 10th anniversary VR--Just Marry blog entry

[quandrea]

Oh Joanne, thank you for your words of encouragement. I think you are so right. I notice you are on right now too. I haven't gotten on until now because we are having a very busy day. I have the three children home together for summer holiday and the days are very full. My dd 7 is swimming every day. She has one more level to complete before she begins lifeguard training. Today has been a lovely day with them. We went swimming, then to the library. The twins had their nap and when they woke up everyone made and decorated cookies. Just about to start dinner.

Have I mentioned that we are just waiting to close on 200 more DVC points? We purchased at SSR this time and are very excited. That brings us to 700. We figure we will be down there more often now. We have travelled on cruises from Southampton for the past two years, but the overseas travel is not much fun any more now that the babies are more active. We'll be sticking closer to home for now. The extra points will help with that. Any surplus, we'll rent to friends and family, although with my calculations, I don't expect many extra points. We always get a two bedroom and it does add up.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Oh the summer break from school!!! Lovely to have the wee ones home from school but it can be tiring and time consuming!! Alfie doesn't start until next week. I think, generally we break up from school later than you guys do. I think we also go back to school later - Alfie goes back on 7th September.
Yay for more DVC points!! 700, wow that's a lot!! We have just 260, but it works for us as with the cost of flights to US, we usually only manage a trip every two years. I would love to think we could add on more in the future (maybe at the potential GF development), but we'll have to see!!!!

 

[CityGirlLost]

Hi Andrea! Just popping in to say hello! I love all of your plans so far!

 

[quandrea]

Hi Andrea! Just popping in to say hello! I love all of your plans so far!

Thanks so much for reading. I'm really enjoying the planning--more than the wedding in fact.

Just go my bra in the mail on Friday. It is a perfect fit. I haven't tried it on with the dress yet because I have to dig the dress out, but may get to that on Thursday. Keep worrying that dh will be upset that I bought a new dress. I think that's a bit of my own guilt over spending the $100--I don't think he'll mind one way or the other really. He may think I'm a bit crazy. I don't think he quite gets my excitement over this VR. He's humouring me though.

Also, I'm really behind with my do it yourself projects. I've done two door hangers and have two more to do. The welcome folders are well under way. I haven't done anything with the picnic baskets, but I will probably do much of that down at WDW because the m & m s will be delivered to OKW. The welcome folders will also get finished down there during our Sept trip. I feel like I have a lot of lose ends right now.

My sister is coming for lunch tomorrow and I plan to talk with her about our photos. I want her to take ones of the flip flops, my bouquet, the bouteneires, my dress before I put it on and the ceremony site. I got all those ideas from Joanne's TR.

I'll be faxing in our deposit for Mickey on Aug 1. It is due on Aug 14.

That's it for now.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Yay for another update!!
Don't worry about getting behind with your projects!! They will get done. I didn't print out my programmes until three days before the start of our trip!! I was up till the early hours that day!!!
Feel free to show your sister any of my photos - it will be easier for her to gain an idea of what you want from a picture, rather than your trying to explain it.

 

[quandrea]

I was just about to send in my contract to have Mickey attend our reception and dh said we should have Minnie too! I emailed the sales manager and had her add Minnie to the contract. They will both join us for half an hour following the ceremony while we enjoy our afternoon tea. We are not telling anyone that Minnie is coming too. They know about Mickey already. THis is going to be so much fun.

I also did some work on my welcome folders today. I found little pocket guides to the Hidden Gems of each park on Mouse for Less. I've put one for each park in all my packages. The door hangers are done as well. Now all that is left if to get the maps and celebration pins when I'm down in Sept.

Things are coming together. Oh, also booked our flights for Dec--we're going down on points. We have to fly out a little earlir on the last day, so we'll be having an early character breakfast at 'Ohana. Should be a fun end to the trip. Also booked Coral Reef after trying for weeks. My dd, 7 wanted to go back there.

 

[quandrea]

Feeling a bit down about our plans. Last Sunday, dh told me to add Minnie. Tonight he's asking what it's all going to cost. I had asked him why he want ed to add Minnie--just talking really--I think he didn't feel like talking about it. He wanted to add Minnie, b/c we'll never be doing this again and might as well. I guess his attitude just seems indifferent. I know he is doing this for me, but I hate when he talks about the cost. I've tried to keep costs down. I didn't even want one character if it meant more money! I think he is probably just being a guy--doesn't really care about the plans and I should probably just carry on and not talk about it too much. I'm really excited about getting married again in front of our children. I think it's going to be a beautiful day. I guess it says a lot that we're doing it at all given that dh is a quiet, shy man and there is nothing quiet or shy about getting married for a second time at Disney of all places. Sorry to ramble, just need to get it all out.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Andrea sweetie
I know how you feel!!! I think I said in my TR that Paul was much the same, and didn't really want to have a lot to do with the planning of our VR. It was originally his idea to re-new our vows but I think he envisaged something far 'quieter' than the event he got!! Paul knows how much Disney means to me, and the fact that he went along with my plans (even though he was sometimes a little uncomfortable with them), just because it made me happy, makes me love him all the more!!
I am sure that when it comes down to it, your DH will really enjoy your day - mine says it was the best day of his life. Paul was really not sure about trashing the dress, but now says he enjoyed that as much as he did the actual VR (if not more). Try to be patient - wedding/VR planning is really a girl thing and I am sure he wants this as much as you do!!
Your plans seem to be coming together nicely. I hope you enjoy Coral Reef more than we did!! It was the least enjoyable dining experience we had during our trip. We usually love it and have been several times before, but this time it just didn't seem up to scratch. Maybe we just caught them on a bad day!!

 

[quandrea]

Andrea sweetie
I know how you feel!!! I think I said in my TR that Paul was much the same, and didn't really want to have a lot to do with the planning of our VR. It was originally his idea to re-new our vows but I think he envisaged something far 'quieter' than the event he got!! Paul knows how much Disney means to me, and the fact that he went along with my plans (even though he was sometimes a little uncomfortable with them), just because it made me happy, makes me love him all the more!!
I am sure that when it comes down to it, your DH will really enjoy your day - mine says it was the best day of his life. Paul was really not sure about trashing the dress, but now says he enjoyed that as much as he did the actual VR (if not more). Try to be patient - wedding/VR planning is really a girl thing and I am sure he wants this as much as you do!!
Your plans seem to be coming together nicely. I hope you enjoy Coral Reef more than we did!! It was the least enjoyable dining experience we had during our trip. We usually love it and have been several times before, but this time it just didn't seem up to scratch. Maybe we just caught them on a bad day!!

Oh thank you so much Joanne. Knew I could count on you. It's like you are there waiting to respond when I hit send. I know he wants this day too, and I know he is basically doing it for me. I always thought we'd have a quiet tea following at the GF. He suggested we have the private one at the Swan. He suggested adding Minnie. He's the one who's added the really special extravagances and I know it's for me. I think I have to keep some of the chatter to myself. It probably is getting a bit tiresome. I'm just so excited and having such a good time planning. I'll save most of it for here and just update him now and then.

 

[PrincessSamtastic]

First of all I wanted to Say congrats on your VR, and also your babies! I'm so glad everything worked out for you. I love your plans for far and those flip flops are so adorable! Can't wait to read more!

 

[quandrea]

First of all I wanted to Say congrats on your VR, and also your babies! I'm so glad everything worked out for you. I love your plans for far and those flip flops are so adorable! Can't wait to read more!

Thanks so much for your kind wishes and for reading.

Quick little update. My parents are joining us, as you all know and I'm not sure it's a good idea. My mother and father have been fighting about some flight they are taking to England--something about sitting on the aisle across from each other. Anyway, bottom line is, I'm not sure my mum is going to be the best travel companion. She and dad are at each others' throats lately. I know she won't want to do anything and when we want to go off and do things, I think she'll get miffed. Anyway, it's only three days, and I won't have her run the trip. I'll let her in on our plans and it will be up to her to join or not.

I hadn't intended for my parents to come, but mum said she wanted to come along when she heard we'd planned the VR and I couldn't very well say no, could I? Well that's what's new here.

 

[minniebride]

Hi fellow Swan bride!

I am getting married at Crescent Terrace the week before Christmas.

I am LOVING your PJ so far-I love all of your ideas! I think your afternoon tea is the best idea I have ever heard for a reception!! We booked afternoon tea on Christmas day at the GF on our honeymoon. but yours is going to be wonderful!!

Which vendor are you using for your flowers? & are you having any live music?

I can't wait to hear more about your planning!!!

 

[quandrea]

Well, after a prolonged absence, I'm back. Final preparations for our VR are underway. Just yesterday, I purchased passes for my sisters and mother, as well as tickets to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. Evelyn (DD) and I went to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party back in Sept and had a fabulous time. DH stayed with the babies and it was terrific mummy/daughter time. My two sisters will join us for MVMCP on Dec 14. It promises to be a fun girls night out.

I ended up returning the original dress I'd purchased for the VR. It was a long a-line satin number that I loved. I just couldn't shake the ideas that it was a bit much though. Talked with Mum about it and she said if you don't feel right about it to go with something else. So glad I did. The new dress is beautiful and more in keeping with the ease of our event. Can't show you a picture however, because it's not available any more from david's bridal. sorry. It is a bright blue chiffon dress, short with beaded wide straps. The skirt is full and flowy and I feel very beautiful in it. Not bad for a 39 year old mum of three (dd 7, and twins 2).

I don't have any music arranged for the VR yet. I'm hoping my sister will bring her wireless ipod dock and I'll have dh download something. Any suggestions? I was thinking Married Life from UP as that is our theme.

Karen has been just great. Spoke with her earlier this week and everything is in order.

I'm holding a pre-disney party on Dec 3, the week before we leave for WDW. I figured it would be easier to give everyone their welcome packages than, rather than dragging it all down to WDW myself. The packages have the itinerary, menus, park maps, little booklets from the mouse for less called "HIdden Gems" for each park, Christmas wall clings so everyone can decorate their room/windows for Christmas. I've also made tshirts for everyone with a Mickey ice cream pop on the front and the date. Very cute. We'll watch the vacation planning DVD, have munchies and talk about our plans for the trip. Should be fun.

My sisters arrive on the 14th and my parents the 15th. The VR is on the 16th. We all head home on the 18th. We'll be down for a week before the VR though. This year we are packing a Christmas tree.

The twins are getting so grown up. They loved all the characters in Sept, but are even more aware of them now. I think they will flip when Mickey and Minnie arrive at the reception! Minnie is a surprise for everyone. Everyone is just expecting Minnie.

Still have to order our m & ms to be delivered to OKW. Shipping to Canada is outrageous. I'll have to do our favours while down in WDW. figure I'lll work on them when the children go to bed at night. If you recall, we're doing little picnic baskets filled with personalized m & ms. Goes with the UP theme.

I'll close for now. Congratulations to all you Swan brides out there.

 

[quandrea]

Just heard from our onsite co-ordinator, Jennifer. It's getting close now. Just starting to put aside all the things I need to take down with us--Christmas tree, flipflops, Minnie ears, favours, etc.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Andrea sweetie - So exciting to see the final preparations coming together!!
I think (but I am not entirely sure) that Jennifer was Karen's assistant on our special day, and if it was the same Jennifer, she was lovely. I am afraid that I unashamedly begged Karen to stay with me throughout, and so was lucky enough to have her co-ordinate my day for me.
Looking forward to sharing the excitement as your big day looms ever closer!!

 

[quandrea]

Thanks so much Joanne. I've started packing in earnest now. Just finished Christmas shopping, so now I can focus on getting ready for our trip. It's very busy here; dd has a swim meet all weekend and this is our weekend to put up the Christmas tree. I'm busy baking for the holidays too. Happy times though. Everything for Christmas has to be ready before our trip, as I want our time upon return to be a peaceful one. No sense going on hoiday and returning with a mile long list of Christmas chores to do.

 

[quandrea]

Hi fellow Swan bride!

I am getting married at Crescent Terrace the week before Christmas.

I am LOVING your PJ so far-I love all of your ideas! I think your afternoon tea is the best idea I have ever heard for a reception!! We booked afternoon tea on Christmas day at the GF on our honeymoon. but yours is going to be wonderful!!

Which vendor are you using for your flowers? & are you having any live music?

I can't wait to hear more about your planning!!!

Just found your question. Sorry to not get back to you. I have no idea who is doing my flowers. Karen arranged it. I'm just having a bouquet and the kids are carrying balloons, so there isn't much. I gave Karen a pic of my bouquet. It will be ivory roses and blue hydrageas with an ivory bow. I saw it in the info guide for the Memories pkg for DFTW.

As for music, my sister is making a two hour playlist and bringing her portable speakers. My processional will be Married Life from Up and the Recessional will be Zip a Dee Doo Dah. I also want some Bruno Mars in there. Can't remeber the name of the songs; one about getting married and the other about being beautiful. I was also going to ask her to add a few Christmas songs.

 

[Jilian]

Welcome back! Your new dress sounds beautiful. You are getting so close! When do you leave?

 

[quandrea]

Welcome back! Your new dress sounds beautiful. You are getting so close! When do you leave?

We leave the first week of December. This is a long trip for us. Our family doesn't join us until the 14 or 15. Very excited.

 

[quandrea]

Final arrangements are done. I just heard back from the Swan with our final Food and Beverage arrangements. Sounds wonderful. There will be high and low cocktail tables set up in the West Courtyard for our tea and a tea wagon with the tea service. Our alternate venue is the Toucan room. Would love to know what it's like if anyone knows. I added the children to the meal, as they were free before, but now they are eating so much, I figured we should provide for them.

My dress is on it's way to OKW as are the personalized m & m. My son's tshirt is also due to arrive.

We are having our pre Disney party on Sunday to hand out the info packs and just to have some fun