Sungela's PJ & TR Merged! Finally an Update! Faux Disneymoon Time

[Gillian]

There is also a bridal shop that I went to in Trenton that had a very large selection.

Linda, which one was this? Did they have bridesmaids dresses too?

 

[lpizzuro123]

The shop in Trenton is Fantasy Weddings on Washington Blvd. (actually are we allowed to write this) it was in a shopping center but I do not remember the name of the center. I will PM you with their phone number. Yes, they had Alfred Angelo bridal and bridesmaids gowns and dresses - along with alot of other designers. They also had beautiful tiaras. The one I loved was $300.00 but I just might have to go back and look at it.

Linda

Linda

 

[sungela]

I remember you are in the Princeton area - I am in South Brunswick - Kendall Park - about 9 miles north of you. I found the AA dresses in a bridal shop in Linden - about 30 minutes north of me. There is also a bridal shop that I went to in Trenton that had a very large selection. My dress is also Alfred Angelo and I am purchasing it at the shop in Linden. There is also a very little bridal shop in East Brunswick on Rt 18 right next to Davids Bridal. They carry the AA bridesmaids dresses and gowns.

Thank you--that is very helpful! My person of highest honor is on vacation, and I'm waiting til she gets back, but then we'll have to go check it out. I love the VS dresses, especially the color, but they do look too much like cotton sundressess.... I was thinking maybe we could have them wear nicer pashmina-type orange shawls to dress it up, but it's a little hot in Orlando in late June. Back to the beginning.... but that is definitely the right blue.

Dude, I buy almost ALL my dresses from Vickie's And it's the only place I can get jeans that are long enough, too. And - great sales!

They have longer pants? DF will flip--she usually has to buy guys' pants because women's don't extend far enough. That or she wears a pair of jeans once or twice, then she shrinks them and they become mine.

Oy vey, today is the first day where I've gotten kind of frustrated at Disney. I understand that they do the whole package, and it's what I like about them--I am not a DIY-er. But the price for a string trio is $1365, on top of the "free" organist that we pay for in the $2500 to the Wedding Pavilion. An outside trio (likely the same one hired by Disney) costs $650-700. But Disney doesn't let outside musicians play with the organist or play at the pre-reception. So we either pay $700 for a ceremony trio sans organ (which is way too expensive) or $1365 for everything (ditto). It's not that much cheaper to go with a duo (around $990), and the musical among us think a strolling violin isn't enough.

Let me mention that I am tone-deaf, and I would be totally happy with either an organist or a choir of cats mewing. I don't care about music one bit. BUT DF is a classical pianist, and even though she never gave a second's thought to her wedding, she has always envisioned a string quartet escorting her down the aisle. And let me also mention that my parents are footing the bill for everything, including the rehearsal dinner, after shelling out lots of $$$ for college tuition. My future in-laws, who are now retired, did not pay for DF's schooling, and aren't paying anything for the wedding. I thought *maybe* this would be a good expense for them, because they do care about music (my parents are similarly musically-challenged, while FMIL was the demanding stage mom) and it's a good discrete expense. I don't want to ask my mother to pay for something I think is superfluous on top of everything else they're paying for, but Angela doesn't want to ask her parents because she doesn't think they have the money. So looks like we're footing the bill for it....

Any advice? Has anyone used the trio and absolutely loved it? Or gone with an outside vendor and somehow figured out a way that Disney would allow it? Figured out how to ask non-paying relatives to pick up the tab for something that by all means they should pay even if you are pretty certain they would just put it on the credit card and go into debt? Spent all of their savings on the Disney wedding of their dreams when they should have saved up for a down-payment?

 

[Gillian]

I'm sorry I can't help with the music! It's very thoughtful of you to look for something affordable & meaningful for your FIL's, even if it isn't working out. My MIL paid for the rehearsal dinner. My parents covered the rest, and it was a bit of a mess since it was all separate.

The shop in Trenton is Fantasy Weddings on Washington Blvd. (actually are we allowed to write this) it was in a shopping center but I do not remember the name of the center. I will PM you with their phone number. Yes, they had Alfred Angelo bridal and bridesmaids gowns and dresses - along with alot of other designers. They also had beautiful tiaras. The one I loved was $300.00 but I just might have to go back and look at it.

Linda

This is in Robbinsville/Washington Twp in the Foxmoore (sp?)shopping center off Route 33. It's easy to get to from Rt 130, Rt 1 would be trickier.

Another bridal shop that looks nice & is close to Fantasy Weddings is Bridal Suite in Hamilton (also just off rt 33 but closer to Princeton/rt 1) http://www.thebridalsuiteofhamilton.com/

 

[sungela]

Thank God for my mom! She said, "If Angela's life-long dream has been to have this type of music at her wedding, than she should have it. You only get one wedding!" So Angela's going to ask her parents if they want to chip in, but if not, my mom will cover it! I am so relieved I could cry.

I've got to figure out something nice to do for my mom at the end of this...

 

[mla1977]

What a great mom! My mom is cool with a lot of the things I want to do, but she seems to be pushing me toward an Escape wedding, but then wanting to invite everybody in the family. I am trying to convince her that a Wishes wedding would still be cheaper than something here. Can I borrow your mom for a bit?

 

[lpizzuro123]

Just wanted to let you know that I found a bridal shop much closer to Princeton (in Lawrenceville) right on Rt 1 that carries the Alfred Angelo line. The name is Bridals by Micheel Renee (they used to be in Trenton but recently - not sure how recently) moved to Lawrenceville.

I went there Thursday and Friday at lunch - I work about 15 minutes away and am going there this Saturday with one of my bridesmaids. I was all set to order an AA dress (one with some color in it) but found another designer with a beautiful dress - they are all beautiful. Anyway this store carries both bridal dresses that I am deciding between and the full AA bridesmaids dress. This way I can try on my dress along with the bridesmaids and see how they look together.

I can pm you the address and phone number.

Linda

 

[sungela]

What a great mom! My mom is cool with a lot of the things I want to do, but she seems to be pushing me toward an Escape wedding, but then wanting to invite everybody in the family. I am trying to convince her that a Wishes wedding would still be cheaper than something here. Can I borrow your mom for a bit?

Maybe I should consider renting her out to earn extra $ for the wedding... Seriously, though, she is amazing! I thought that she might try to plan me the big pink wedding of her dreams, but instead, she's been so helpful and basically goes with whatever I want. It's funny, too, because I read about all the drama everyone goes through, and I keep thinking, "that's odd--everyone has been so nice to me." And then I remember that my mom is probably blocking out all the Disney haters so that no one ruins my perfect planning process.

Thanks, Gillian and Linda! We might go this weekend to check out the dresses. I also found Aria Bridesmaids, and I love their stuff: http://www.ariadress.com/. Unfortunately my @#$%# MOH is too busy every weekend from now until June to shop for a dress, so we're going without her. I have the same body type as my sister (another BM), so I figure whatever looks good on me will fit her. And too bad for MOH. She's had since October 6, 2006, to find a dress, and she hasn't been at all helpful. I've tried really hard to find a cute, inexpensive dress that she could wear again (and she does wear dresses often), but she's got to do her part too.

And onto the next planning dilemma: I was absolutely positive that our first dance was going to be to Sarah McLachlan's Angel. It is the song we wake up to every morning (our alarm clock is a CD player), and I always melt when I hear it (because Angela's my Angel, duh). But then we decided, on a lark, to look up more about it, and it turns out it's about someone who OD-ed on heroin. So not a good wedding song at all. I made a spreadsheet of many possible songs (I LOVE Excel), going through the soundtracks of our favorite movies, songs with sunny/sunshine or Angel in the title, songs that expressed our feelings, etc. And of course, Angela's favorite is It Is You (I Have Loved) by Dana Glover, aka the Shrek theme song. Let me explain: Angela is a six-year-old in an adult body. We watch Shrek (1, 2, or 3) every weekend. We own every Shrek game ever made (Monopoly, Operation, game castle, you name it, we own it). We have multiple Shrek stuffed animals and other assorted merchandise. I think it would be pretty hilarious if our wedding song was the Shrek motif (if you watch Shrek, listen for the repeated melody). But the words are sooo cheesy; let me know what you think:

There is something that I see
In the way you look at me
There's a smile, there's a truth in your eyes

But an unexpected way
On this unexpected day
Could it mean this is where I belong
It is you I have loved all along

It's no more mystery
It is finally clear to me
You're the home my heart searched for so long
And it is you I have loved all along

There were times I ran to hide
Afraid to show the other side
Alone in the night without you

But now I know just who you are
And I know you hold my heart
Finally this is where I belong
It is you I have loved all along

It's no more mystery
It is finally clear to me
You're the home my heart searched for so long
And it is you I have loved all along

Over and over
I'm filled with emotion
Your love, it rushes through my veins

And I am filled
With the sweetest devotion
As I, I look into your perfect face

It's no more mystery
It is finally clear to me
You're the home my heart searched for so long
And it is you I have loved
It is you I have loved
It is you I have loved all along

 

[keenercam]

The words are beautiful! What a wonderful sentiment! I'm sorry I don't know the melody, but if you don't use this for your song, maybe you could use part of the lyrics on your programs or something like that!

 

[caryndisneydiva]

i love that sarah mc. song. i didn't know it was about someone who od'd...i agree, not the sentiment needed at a wedding. i think shrek is fabulous!

 

[mermaidbride1108]

IMO....and I mean no offense when i say this.... Songs are meant to be interpreted in different ways. So what if your Angel song was intially written for an someone who OD'ed. It sounds like to me it has really special meaning to both of you so I'd use it anyway. I can't recall anything that says specially overdosing in the song that would rule it out as a wedding song. I'd so go with it because it means something to you both. And it's an absolutely gorgeous song! No one else has to know it's original meaning

 

[mla1977]

Sunny,

Is Angel the song from City of Angels (or whatever it was called with Meg Ryan and Nicholas Cage)? If so, I've always thought that it was a very pretty song.

 

[twiu]

Shrek at Disney? Isn't that kinda weird though. Hey, I love shrek too but it is a universal studios character - I don't know if Disney will let you do that.

 

[Gillian]

I also found Aria Bridesmaids, and I love their stuff: http://www.ariadress.com/.

My friends who got married in Princeton last year used Aria. It's a great way to outfit a bunch of different bodies, but yeah, they're pricey!

The Shrek movies are very romantic!

 

[Beep]

Love the Shrek idea! We want You Belong To Me from Shrek 1 and as it isn't a Shrek song we will be ok. I've found the sheet music so I'm going to get that. We're going to have that played during the sand ceremony.

Go with what you want - so what if the Angel song is to do with OD-ing? Unless it has some direct reference to it I think it is brilliant if it is what you want and it means something to you. Some of the most beautiful words in songs have been written about a tragedy and make no reference to it, just feelings. Go for it!

We are going for Vivaldi's Four Seasons (not the whole lot lol) as it is music we 'sing' along to and generally have a really good laugh to. I'm sure Vivaldi would love us for that. We are going to have the theme to The Godfather when we cut the cake to represent Tim coming into 'The Family' and it will be a good laugh for our guests.

 

[Lynn5700]

use whatever song you want Iwaouldn't worry about the Angel song,nobody will ever know that it's about somebody having an overdose,I would never know.

 

[sungela]

Shrek at Disney? Isn't that kinda weird though. Hey, I love shrek too but it is a universal studios character - I don't know if Disney will let you do that.

We joke about doing our Vow Renewal at Universal so we can have a Shrek theme--although I don't know if either of us wants to dress up as an ogre.

I ascribe to the belief that interpretation is more important than artistic intention, but "Angel" is kind of a depressing song, and it doesn't have the cute, quirky feel that we're trying for/represents us. And after our Shrek marathon this weekend (Fri-1; Sat-2 and 3), I think we're convinced that we want the theme song, in spite of--or perhaps because of--its extreme cheesiness. Angel will just be my private song for Angela. I definitely plan to play a few Sarah Mc songs at the wedding, especially the one that goes, "Your love is better than ice cream." That's a high bar to set, but of course, DF surpasses it.

We had a VERY productive weekend, which almost never happens. We finally picked out the BM dresses! We found our invitations! And we finalized a ton of details!

First things first, we went to the Bridal Suites of Hamilton on Saturday, and tried on dozens of dresses. I represented our bustier maids, and Angela represented our flatter ones. After going through all the color swatches, we picked Watters & Watters, Wtoo line, voile in Pacifico. I can't copy the dresses to post them, but here are the links:

For my sister:
http://watters.com/product.php?coll=wtoo&style=390

Jess: http://watters.com/product.php?coll=wtoo&showid=760&style=193

And Eileen, my MOH:
http://watters.com/product.php?coll=wtoo&showid=643&style=197

We let them pick their own out of the four possibilities, and they each chose a different one. All of them will be in the same color as the second dress, and Eileen's will have a tangerine (orange) sash. I can't express how relieved I am--they kept reminding us how last-minute we were, and how we couldn't wait another week to get the dresses. (They need an OY smilie, imo).

We also found a perfect flower girl dress at Target:

We're going to get her a sash to match the bridesmaids' dresses, so she'll look coordinated. This dress is $23, compared to the $100-ish range I've been seeing for dresses that look exactly the same elsewhere.

We originally were going to have my two 14 year-old cousins as my junior bridesmaids, but one of them is going through a rough patch of teenager stupidity, so it looks like they're out. (Can't invite one without the other, according to the powers that be in my family). Saves us on flowers and BM jewelry, so I'm not too upset.

We got our paintings scanned in at a digital design studio, and they did a much better job than Kinko's, so we took the CD to Blue Tulip on Saturday. We went through a number of those lovely invitation books, and found this one by Carlson Craft:

Instead of the picture of the couple, we'll have our beachy scene, with blue words instead of grey, and the three bigger words will be Laugh, Dance, and Celebrate to match our invitation text. (On the sample it says Live, Laugh, Love). We're also making the text much more readable (I hate invitations where I have to squint and say, "Who is this again?" and I have a good number of older relatives). The saleswoman is supposed to call me today to make sure that we're good to go.

Last week I had my mini "Holy God, we have three months go" meltdown, but I feel much better now. Next step: tomorrow's phone call with Laura, our florist, aka how little can I pay and still have the most beautiful wedding ever?

 

[mla1977]

I love the dresses! That color is great too.

 

[Briarrose09]

I am doing something very similar with my bridesmaid. I have picked out 9 dresses from the Jordan line and they are each going to pick their own dress from those. I have 6 maids with 6 very different styles and I want them each to be beautiful and look like themselves. All of the dresses will be the same length and have rhinestone accents. And of course will be the same colors... Did you post the new invites or did I miss them?

 

[Briarrose09]

Opps.. Just noticed your invites were already in the post.