Sam & Jason's Memories Wedding ~ 4/22/12

[SJSloan]

Hi everyone! I've been lurking around here and reading everyone's PJ's for a while now and finally decided to start one of my own.

Disney is my favorite place on earth and I always said that IF I get married then it was going to be at Disney. And since I never thought I was going to get married I figured I was never going to get married at Disney. BUT (thankfully) I was wrong! I AM getting married, AND DF is allowing me to get married at DISNEY!!! EEK!!

Disney has been a huge part of my life growing up. I first went when I was 5, and then I joined a traveling basketball team and we were in the National Tournament held in the Orlando area every year. So my coach always reserved the top floor rooms of the Contemporary (facing MK so we could watch the fireworks every night) every year. And we always had tickets to Disney for the whole week. I was spoiled a little I know.... I traveled with them for seven years. Disney was always my happy place. The only "vacation" my family and I went on. It has been the center of some of the best memories of my life!

I could talk about my love for Disney forever but I'll move on...

About us. I am 26 years old, and an Accountant in Charleston, WV. DF is 30 and works for an HVAC wholesaler. We met September 2010 through Match.com (never thought I would use that either...). After our first date I told my friend I was going to marry him. We met each other when we were both going through some rough times. My family was dealing with something we never could have imagined, and DF was going through a divorce. When I look back I think it's crazy how we found each other the times that we did. We were both lost and confused about life. But in less than a year everything has turned around for the most part and we couldn't be happier!

The engagement...

DF and I had gone ring shopping after only 4 months together. Which to me is crazy but... I knew it was coming and was thinking it was giong to happen in February. Either Valentine's Day (which I was praying that it wouldn't...) or my birthday. Both came and went and there wasn't much discussion of it for a while. So in May (during the whole the world is going to end stuff...) we went to visit my sister in Charlotte. On the way back DF is additment about stopping by Lake Norman and I knew something was up... I tried to look at his pockets to see if there is a box but I couldn't see anything... So after driving about 1 1/2 hours trying to find public access to the Lake we find Lake Norman State Park. We walk by the Lake and notice paddle boat and canoe rentals. I wanted a paddle boat but they were all taken, so we rented a canoe for $5. DF had never been in a canoe and I don't like them b/c they topple easier but I went with it... I picked number 22, cause it's my favorite number. Well we go out to a secluded and shady spot and DF pulls out this HUGE box (not sure how I missed it...) and proposes! He tries to get down on one knee (he did successfully) but I am freaking out that the boat is about to tip... Anyways, I said yes (apparently...) and we paddled around for a while longer and then headed back to shore. That was on May 22.

I'll post a pic of my ring when I figure out how...

Up next....wedding plans, and our first family trip to Disney.

 

[Mickey'sMainMami]

Congratulations to you both!!! I can't wait to read about all the details! I loved planning my wedding but a wedding in Disney was always my dream but we just couldn't afford it. Well now I can live vicariously through you! lol I can't wait to see the pics! I wish you lots of happiness as you embark on this journey together!!

 

[mjshorses]

Congratulations!! I love your engagement story. It made me laugh trying to picturing a guy trying to kneel in a canoe while pulling out a ring box! hahaha!


I can't wait to hear all your plans! Be sure to post some pics!

 

[SJSloan]

So after the engagement my mind immediately goes to wedding planning. A part of me always wanted a big wedding, but another part of me just wanted to get eloped and go on with married life. But DF wanted a big wedding, so that's what we were planning. A big family wedding in Fall 2012 (I LOVE fall colors...). I had it all pictured in my head, but everytime I thought about having a big wedding, a feeling of terror overcame me. And then I was talking to my Mom who said that if my Dad walked me down the aisle then she would not come (or she would beat him with a stick before he made it to the end ). My Mom and Dad have been divorced since I was 2 and to this day HATE each other. That's a long story that we won't get into... But anyways, I had already told my Dad that he was walking me down the aisle so I had a dilemma. I didn't want to tell my Dad no now, but I also didn't want my Mom to miss my wedding or have a disgusted look on her face at the sight of my Dad. So I was having issues with dealing with potential family drama, which I didn't want on my wedding day! And everyone says they just need to get over it, which I totally agree, but they both have such hatred towards each other after 23 years, I don't think they are just going to get over it...

But I put my wedding plans and idea on hold until I could figure out something, because I had a Disney trip to plan with DF and the kids. Jason has 3 kids from his previous marriage. DD is 6 and twin boys who are 3 1/2. I absolutely adore them! My dad has a timeshare in Orlando and we were invited to vacation with them. I don't see a point in goign to Orlando and not visit Disney so we planned a trip. It was DF and the kids' first visit and it was amazing! Sometime I looked at the expression on their face and got tears in my eyes because I knew they could feel the magic like I did every time I visited! We had an amazing trip, although I realized Disney was quite different as an adult with 3 young kids, then when I was a teenager, but magical non-the-less.

While we were there, and riding the monorail passed the Grand Floridian and the Wedding Pavilion was announced. I told Jason that I always wanted to get married in Disney. He told me to look into it but I thought there was no way we would be able to afford a Disney wedding! Well as soon as I could I looked into a Disney wedding and as luck may have it, Disney is currently doing the Memories Collection until April 2012. It took some discussing, but we finally decided that we would move our wedding date up to April and go for it. Just me and him! Jason was originally sad that the kids wouldn't be there, but I told him that since we are having a reception when we get back, the kids probably wouldn't know the difference. And the boys probably wouldn't even remember it... My Mom was estatic that I was "eloping" and surprisingly my Dad was happy with the decision too! But thought I was nuts that I was paying so much but whatever, he paid $83 dollars to get married, and suggests that... Jason's Mom on the other hand was a little dissappointed and was surprised I didn't want a big wedding but overall was ok with it.

So we decided on April 22nd, 2012. The 22nd is a theme now in our relationship. My birthday is Feb. 22nd, and we got engaged on May 22nd, in canoe 22... And since the only time we can afford the Wedding is in April (DF wanted to have it in Feb), we decided on the 22nd.

We can't book our Memories Collection Wedding until 6 months in advance, so I have to wait until October 22nd before I can call... And I am stressing out about not being able to get the date, time and place that we want. April 22, 11am, an Poly's Luau Beach... Not dead set on the time, and can change the place but really don't want to...

I am a big planner, and even though I have 262 days until the Wedding, I have almost every detail planned out. Only problem is that I we don't have the funds right now to pay for anything to set it in stone...

Up next, planning...the dress, the rings, the tux/suit, etc. My head won't stop spinning...

 

[belle2211]

Congrats on deciding on your wedding! My lucky number is 22 and I always said that I would get married on April 22! However, since DH didn't propose til Dec, I knew I couldn't get it done in time this year and then since it was already 4 1/2 years in, I decided I didn't want to wait an additional 16 months just to get married on that date, so we just decided to go with our anniversary on June 11. But I love your wedding date!

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

congratulations!! my df and i started dating on april 22 (2008)!!! what a great date!!

the memories collection is a lot less stressful than the family drama you were about to have. trust me--i'm a pro in that area!!

can't wait to hear more about your plans!!

 

[SJSloan]

Thanks everyone for the congrats!! I'm a lucky girl to have found the man of my dreams and for him to allow me to get married in my favorite place on earth!!

So since I am a huge planner, I have been planning every detail for quite some time and they keep changing...it's driving me crazy! But after a recent conversation with my sister I think we have a plan.

The Disney ceremony is basically planned, although not booked yet. Waiting for Oct 22nd... Thankfully Disney only gives me a few location options, bouquets options, etc. When I have fewer options it makes my life so much easier.

We do have a few concerns about our ceremony...

I am worried about Disney photography. I have heard some bad things about it and really want to have the ceremony photographed and videoed by Randy Chapman and STVS, but I also feel that since I am already paying for the photography through Disney why forgo it and spend more money...

DF told me the other day that he wants our officiant to be a true Reverend, Preacher, etc. I don't have a preference, just want someone legal to marry me do it for the least amount possible. But whatever... He is much more religious than I am so I don't really have a preference so if he does I'll give it to him. However, my ideal time is 9am or 11am, but since our wedding is on a Sunday I am worried about being able to get a Reverend since they probably have a church service to attend Sunday morning. Anyone have an experience with Sunday ceremonies?

Those are my only concerns about our Ceremony. Now the receptions is a different story....


(I'm trying to split posts in order to get up to the 10 I need to post pictures...)

 

[SJSloan]

As I said, after a recent conversation with my sister, I think I have plan and theme that I am satisfied with for the reception.

My orginally "big" wedding plans were in the Fall, with the main colors being a plum and burnt orange (with a mixture of other deep Fall colors). But now things have done a complete 180, I'm getting married in the Spring, on a "beach."

Since we are getting married on Luau Beach at the Poly, my bouquet will have a tropical feel to it, and I want a flower in my hair, we are just going to run with the whole tropical theme. I think I can still pull off the orange and purple color scheme. I was originally scared of the idea because I didn't want the whole Luau feel with hula skirts and everything... But I think we can pull it off so that is looks for sophisticated, but still fun!

So the following plans are in place and probably won't change.

Caterer - My mom, who is an awesome cook, and my brother who is currently taking culinary classes have agreed to be my "caterer." We will have a buffet of mostly finger food or "snack" rather than a complete sit down meal. Money saved....approx $500!

Photographer - I have to FB "friends" that are photographers. I messaged both and one just found out she was pregnant and due in late March, and the other decided that day that she was no longer going to photograph weddings as her schedule won't allow it. I have the best luck sometimes...
Other photographers I have asked about are giving me quotes for $1,000+, way over budget! Since I have to pay for 2 photopraphers (ceremony & reception) I really have to watch the money. But my sister said that her dad has a friend that is a retired photographer who would probably do our reception for no more than $250! Again, HUGE savings!

Cake - I have recently taken up baking and decorating cakes. It started with my sister's baby shower where I made a Pooh cake and has grown from there. While I have never done a wedding cake, and I'm really not that great with details I think I can pull it off. But we decided on cupcakes and a small cake for DF and I to cut. Just regular cupcakes with white icing and then small plastic tropical flowers on top. Then a small white cake with a ribbon around the bottom, and real tropical flowers on top. I found some cheap clear cupcakes holders on Ebay for $7.

DJ - DF mentioned that one of his friends used to be a DJ on the side and still has all the equipment. And said he could probably do our reception for free! I don't need anything fancy, just some music...

Decorations - While I haven't figured out centerpieces yet, one "decoration" that I am going to use is a chocolate fountain that I used for my sister's baby shower. It looked beautiful and was super fun! Just put out some tropical fruit display and some screwers. I think it will be a big hit! If you haven't tried chocolate covered pineapple you need to!!

Location still needs to be decided...That is the most frustrating so far. I haven't been able to find a place I want to pay for...

Any one have any "tropical" themed ideas that wouldn't make it look Luau partyish?!