Site vist with pics!!

[LauraInWonderland]

So ive been lurking around for the past month reading about everything there is to read on here, and finally i have something worth posting!
Yesterday we went for our site visit!!
i live in tampa so WDW is only about an hour and a half away, but i got there about 4 hours ahead of time so we could play around and visit the board walk and dtd. My mom ,step dad ,df and our 7 month old son all went, only df and i actually went to the meeting with bill barchik though, because if you bring over 3 people you cant go see any of the venues.
So first we went to the boardwalk and saw sbp, it was beautifull, its like another world at that resort. It was soo crowded, but we went on the saturday after x-mas so i expected as much. We all had lunch by the lake then set off for dtd, it was madness! people everywhere, we shopped for a bit then it was off to francks! When we got there a wedding was just ending so we got to watch the exit! so magical!
We looked around francks while bill checked on a few things for us about locations, I was so excited to be there in person, it was like de ja vu after seeing all the pictures on here. Then we were off to LSS, it was soo cool to go backstage through epcot, i was loving every minute of this whole experience.
LSS was PERFECT! we took a private elevator down, walked down the hallway with the big lighted LSS sign at the end took a right and we were finally there,we both knew as soon as we walked in to the front room it was just what we wanted, the pictures dont do it any justice. Its so unique and the mood is exactally what we were going for.
after that we went back to francks. Wellllll francks was full of people! im talking 40 50 people inside, and its not a huge place lol. All around the Wp was packed also. Turns out the daughter of the man who owns The publix grocery stores wedding was about to take place. So we got a quick look at the wp and they were just starting to set up the flowers( we saw the truck of flowers out front, it was soo beautifull and over the top) Then we went back to francks and looked at dates, we got the date we wanted Oct 23 2008, We decided on the WP for the ceremony (im too much of a controll freak for sbp id be terrified of the weather). Then brunch at LSS and the dessert party at French lower!!!
can i get a quick YEY!!!!!
I was on a wedding high, we left to go meet back up with everyone else at dtd and eat dinner, it was too crowded so we went to the animal kingdom lodge, to check it out and try the jiko room, the food was african and just not what we wanted, so we went to the GF.
Everything was decorated soo beautifully for christmas there was an orchestra and GIANT christmas tree and huge gingerbread house with cookies sold from it.
We had dinner there and sat outside, THEN
the reception for the publix family wedding was just starting!! i couldnt believe i was getting to see this!
the bride and groom go by on the horse drawn carriage, followed by the wedding party and around 300 guests, they were walking by for a solid 20 minutes! lol. It was like a parade! It was just so magical and it really made me so excited for our wedding.
Ive been to disney so many times and ive never seen a single wedding, it was just so perfect seeing this grand wedding on our site visit, it was like fate!
it was an awsome time, our son jack had a blast seeing all the people, he wouldnt take a single nap all day he was too excited lol, so about 2 minutes after we got in the car to go home he was out like a light.
So i think that concludes my site vist! im going to start a Pj so check that out!
sorry for how long this post was! Im a details girl. now for everyones favorite part .... the pictures!
DF and I aka Justin and Laura

Jack and i at the boardwalk!

SBP

The getaway car!

Francks!!

apparantley df didnt know i was taking the picture lol, i love the face! its how i felt too looking around at all the beautifull things in francks.

LIVING SEAS! (so much better in person)

Wedding pavilion and picture point

Animal Kingdom Tree

Ps... dont wear heels to disney world...

 

[romymichelle21]

Looks like you had an awesome time! Let me just say that picture of you and your son is adorable! I think I actually said "Aw!" out loud!

I'll peek in if you continue to make a PJ! Have fun planning everything now that you've got the site visit done!

(I wait anxiously for the day I can plan my site visit... there's just that small matter of a proposal first )

 

[MeeShKaPeeEsh]

Looks AWESOME! I can't wait till I get a chance to go to francks. Looks like so much fun - I'd probably be able to steal IDEAS bwahahha!

Can't wait for your planning journal!

 

[meryll83]

Your pictures are so cute and I love your hair!! Makes me want to invest in some curlers!

I doubt we'll have the funds to get over from the UK for a planning visit but it's been so interesting to read about yours. How far in advance did you book in your planning session, I think the only way we could even contemplate it would be to get a last minute cheapy holiday if it came up, but then that wouldn't leave much notice for the planner?

Is it called Franck's after the wedding planner in the film Father of the Bride? - I've always wondered that but forget to ask!!

We're thinking of using the Living Seas Salon for our Reception, but we're worried coz we think we may only have somewhere between 25-30 guests and the room may be too big for us and we'd be "lost" in the size of it. What's your opinion having been in there, do you think we should choose a smaller location? I just love the theming though, it's so unique!

 

[LauraInWonderland]

Your pictures are so cute and I love your hair!! Makes me want to invest in some curlers!

I doubt we'll have the funds to get over from the UK for a planning visit but it's been so interesting to read about yours. How far in advance did you book in your planning session, I think the only way we could even contemplate it would be to get a last minute cheapy holiday if it came up, but then that wouldn't leave much notice for the planner?

Is it called Franck's after the wedding planner in the film Father of the Bride? - I've always wondered that but forget to ask!!

We're thinking of using the Living Seas Salon for our Reception, but we're worried coz we think we may only have somewhere between 25-30 guests and the room may be too big for us and we'd be "lost" in the size of it. What's your opinion having been in there, do you think we should choose a smaller location? I just love the theming though, it's so unique!

Aw thank you, i wanted to feel bridal ! lol

We planned our site visit about a month in advance, i asked for the next available saturday, but if you were able to go on a weekday im sure you could plan alot sooner, just call and tell them your situation and im sure they could work something out. If you cant get down for a site visit dont worry, Everythings gorgeous! There is such a feeling of magic. The only reason im really glad i did a site visit is that i chose The WP for the ceremony, at first i wanted SBP, but after visiting i realized i wanted more privacy for the wedding(people can just walk by on the BW) So if you want to ensure no screaming children run past during your vows go with the WP.
(then again i was there on the busiest weekend they have)

I think 30 guests would be great for living seas, were having about 50 and they suggested it for us, Its set up perfect for smaller to medium groups, The focus is so much on the atmosphere that i hardly noticed how many tables were in there. Its not like a ballroom where you need to fill the space up. I love how unique it is too, and it hardley needs any decorating, its beautifull already.

 

[Bostonbride6292008]

You guys look like you had so much fun!! When we had our visit a few weeks ago we had a blast!

 

[poohbear227]

Wow thanks so much for posting these pics!!

 

[momofbride010103]

Hi Laura Your pictures are adorable, and so is that little sweetie of yours.

Quick question I see the picture of the carriage from Francks, Do you know if they rent those out for the reception tables or do you purchase them?? I think they are sooo very pretty.

 

[BaBeeCee14]

Hi Laura!

I'm so glad you got your date! You will be getting married 4 days after me! Maybe we will see each other there. Looks like we will be having a "twin" wedding - WP/LSS/lower UK. I'm glad you really loved LSS because I booked it based on the pictures I saw here and I thought it was what I was looking for. Having never seen it in person, I will take your word that its beautiful. Happy planning!

 

[byoung]

Congrats! Have a great honeymoon at the world.

 

[LauraInWonderland]

Hi Laura Your pictures are adorable, and so is that little sweetie of yours.

Quick question I see the picture of the carriage from Francks, Do you know if they rent those out for the reception tables or do you purchase them?? I think they are sooo very pretty.

Thanks

I believe you rent them for centerpieces but im sure you could purchase them, you can do about anything at disney for a price! lol
I also saw this link on another post for similar centerpieces

http://www.target.com/Carriage-Cent...?ie=UTF8&index=target&rh=k:centerpiece&page=1

 

[LauraInWonderland]

Hi Laura!

I'm so glad you got your date! You will be getting married 4 days after me! Maybe we will see each other there. Looks like we will be having a "twin" wedding - WP/LSS/lower UK. I'm glad you really loved LSS because I booked it based on the pictures I saw here and I thought it was what I was looking for. Having never seen it in person, I will take your word that its beautiful. Happy planning!

oh yey! ill look for you! you should come crash my dessert party! lol
Living seas is beautiful and it hardly needs any decoration, you could get away with just a few candels. i love the "ambience" (theres that word again.. disney loves to use that word haha)

 

[disneychickforever]

So beautiful!

Is little Jack going to be in the wedding? Maybe ring bearer, lol. That'd be cute!

LSS looks simply marvolus. Are there fish swimming around you though, or no? Couldn't tell.

New Years Revolution-find my "soul mate" lol. I want to plan one of these!

 

[BayouPrincess]

Hi Laura Your pictures are adorable, and so is that little sweetie of yours.

Quick question I see the picture of the carriage from Francks, Do you know if they rent those out for the reception tables or do you purchase them?? I think they are sooo very pretty.

Hi Amanda's Mom!

caryndisneydiva posted this in my PJ about carriages...I'm using some as centerpieces for my VR in November...
those carriages are great! disney charges $85 to rent theirs so if you can buy them cheaper, that's great! I'm guessing those might be the carriages of which she speaks.

I like the Target ones, but here is a link to the ones I'm buying for myself.Wire Pumpkin Carriages


Laura,
The pics are great, and little Jack is a Cutie Pie! He would be so cute in a little tux! Franck's is amazing isn't it? It's like walking into a fairytale...When those doors open and you walk in...it's like WOW! I can't wait to hear more about your fairytale wedding.

BTW I love the "Bridey" hair...it's gorgeous.

 

[LauraInWonderland]

So beautiful!

Is little Jack going to be in the wedding? Maybe ring bearer, lol. That'd be cute!

LSS looks simply marvolus. Are there fish swimming around you though, or no? Couldn't tell.

New Years Revolution-find my "soul mate" lol. I want to plan one of these!

Yepp jacks the ring bearer!
and yes there are fishys, and a sea turtle!

 

[BaBeeCee14]

oh yey! ill look for you! you should come crash my dessert party! lol
Living seas is beautiful and it hardly needs any decoration, you could get away with just a few candels. i love the "ambience" (theres that word again.. disney loves to use that word haha)

Oh yes! Come crash mine and I'll crash yours! How fun, getting wedding stalkers

Oh and I wanted to say, I'm totally with you about the WP. I much prefer the privacy and I'm too worried about the weather to have an outdoor wedding. Right now I'm a little nervous about it raining during my DP, but what can you do?

 

[momofbride010103]

HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL!!!!!!

Thank you bayou for the info on the carriages. I'm not sure its what Amanda wants but I think they are pretty.

Not sure they go with the decor at ADH. Maybe they are more for a ballroom.
Oh well Manda will decide ( I just write the check )