Val & Dan's PJ- Wedding Canceled

Well, I am sitting in the lobby at the Grand Californian and very sad to leave.:sad2: I met with the coordinator, Cynthia, on Wednesday and she made it pretty clear that they are not used to working with such a small party. :eek: Well, 56 people is not a small group in my opinion! So the options she showed me for a reception at the Grand Californian Hotel were basically kleenex boxes with a table in it.:scared:
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So, after talking to her for awhile my mom and I walked away and I was rather disappointed. We had a horrible experience getting to California (missed our flight & almost died in the shuttle getting to the hotel) so we decided to stay another day. On our way to our new room we passed an outside terrace that I thought was perfect!!!:cool1: So we ran to our room and I go on the phone with Dan to discuss an outside reception because we hadn't really discussed it. He said that if I liked it he was fine with it. My mother at the same time was on the phone with the hotel asking about group parties in that location.
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Well, she was sent to group sales and as soon as the word wedding was uttered they said she had to speak to the Fairytale weddings. So, she left a message with Cynthia who called me back and instantly said no. :confused: I asked why and she said it was too far from the kitchen the manager of that area said no more weddings. We quickly learned that was her favorite word. Or at least that's how it felt.
Later that night I e-mailed her and begged her to tell me of ANY other reception locations that she could think of. Obviously she showed me the sites she thought I would like and I liked none. I'm still waiting to hear back. :rolleyes1
Anyhow, I did decide that this would be a GREAT time of year to get married. The rides were all practically walk on.:thumbsup2 The weather was amazing as well. Wish me luck to convince my love to change it. He does not care for change.
However, if I did change the date the roses at the rose court garden would not be in bloom. What to do, what to do.

I'm sorry to hear you had such a difficult time. I'm just catching up on your journal and will keep reading to see if it worked out! I love the invitations you made of your bridesmaids, your tiara, and your welcome bags. I'd like to know how you did your welcome bags.. will keep reading!!:goodvibes
 

Okay here are some pictures. I will be spending the next few days stuffing envelopes full of: newsletters, save the date magnets, engagement party invites (for local guests) and a guide to Disneyland map we got during our site meeting. I am thrilled with how everything has turned out! This is just basic info for our guests because many of them have not been to Disneyland before.
Here is the whole shebang that is being mailed out.
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Here is a copy of the engagement party invite.
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And finally here is a copy of the newsletter for our guests.
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I can't wait for everyone to see them. I think it will start to build the excitement for those that aren't as thrilled with Disney as I am! Hopefully! :cutie:

Hey! How did you get that font for your newsletters?? :worship:
 
LOVE your cake...the menu sound great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
I love the cake! I can't wait to see it once the changes are made (it seems too long off!).

I also love all write-ups, the pamphlets and the like that you made. I always want to do those things, and they look great in theory! But my actual end result is never what I want it to be! ;)
 
I'm sorry to hear you had such a difficult time. I'm just catching up on your journal and will keep reading to see if it worked out! I love the invitations you made of your bridesmaids, your tiara, and your welcome bags. I'd like to know how you did your welcome bags.. will keep reading!!:goodvibes

Everything is turning out great! I'm trying to get my dessert welcome party at the terrace but if not- it's not the end of the world. I think when I first started planning I didn't realize how few options Disneyland Brides have. Now that I know I'm working within them and am not letting myself get disappointed. In the end I'm getting married and that's what matters most to me! :cutie:

LOVE your cake...the menu sound great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you! We can't wait for our planning/tasting session in two months. :goodvibes

I love the cake! I can't wait to see it once the changes are made (it seems too long off!).

I also love all write-ups, the pamphlets and the like that you made. I always want to do those things, and they look great in theory! But my actual end result is never what I want it to be! ;)


You know it's all very easy. I do everything is Microsoft Publisher which is very easy to use. Plus, I really enjoy doing it all so that makes it easier! ;)
 
My engagement part was the sunday before memorial day and it was so much fun!! It kinda snuck up on me though. We started planning it at the begining of April but I was pretty distracted with school and finals. Then, as soon as I finished my finals I started getting really excited about my sister's graduation from UofA. Then, right after that it was the e-party! :bitelip: So, this month was really exciting for me. The day before my mom, step dad and I went to the clubhouse we were having it at to wipe down all the chairs (they have been outside since January!) and move table around. We had invited 25 people and most of them were planning on coming. So we had 5 big tables for sitting and three for food! Oh my goodness the food! My mom made white bean crostinis and eggplant crostinis, my Aunt made a potato salad the is to die for. We also had crackers with cheese and meats and crackers with mozzerella, basil and proscuitto which are great but now I realize I didn't eat one! :worried: That makes me sad!! We ordered some pasta, some boneless short ribs, and sliders (yum!) from the restaurant I work at. I had one of my BM make a bunch of desserts for us because she loves baking. She made some cookies, brownies (didn't have any but heard they were a hit) & a couple cakes. Now onto the party...

The food was great! I was wearing a fabulous dress that I was so excited for. My mom had gotten my Fiance and I some pins that said Bride to be and Groom to be. That was fun! Also- That morning my mom had given me a shirt she made for me. It said Disney Bride on it. She got it for me to wear at the planning session. It is a super cute shirt and I can't wait to wear it. She also got on for my sister but didn't find a design she liked well enough yet.

So, back to my story... Lots of food, we ended up only inviting those that were invited to the wedding after all. But everyone got along really well. Of course people broke up naturally so I was doing "the rounds" and trying to spend time with each group. Although, I'm sure no one really noticed if I was there or not. Everyone was having fun. My mom got a few games: barrell of monkeys, connect four, and Disney Scene it for everyone to play. There was a pool but- we had freakish weather the few days prior. It was maybe 70 degree highs so the pool was too cold. I'm not complaining! Usually it is over 100 degrees this time of year. I think there was always someone playing ping-pong!

Overall the party was so fantastic! I'm so greatful so many people came to celebrate with us! The only down part was my Grandma wasn't having much fun. She started asking some of our guests to start clean up. That upset me because in my mind the party wasn't done and I didn't want my guests to clean up. I wanted them to enjoy themselves. Well, shortly after she asked a couple guests take down the tables everyone left. :( The family stayed and kept the party going but we eventually got "the hint" cleaned up and left. It was a great party but the ending put a sour tasted in people's mouth. Hopefully we can forget that.

Dan & I both got home that day and talked about what a great time we had. :cloud9: Overall, it was such a fantastic day I couldn't be happier with it. However, I do need to get started on the thank you cards! And drinking the wine that people brought over for us!! :woohoo:
 
Aww sounds like you guys had a great time Val!!! Can't wait to see the pictures :)
 
Not many but a few! This first one is the only pic I have with me in it. I know Dan's mother got one pic of the two of us but I haven't been able to open the e-mail. I am putting the ketchup and mustard out for the sliders.

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Here is all the good fun Dan had playing barrel of monkeys. I heard he did really good and got a long chain going.

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Finally, here is the dessert table picture. I didn't try either cake but I heard they were both really good. I can't beleive I passed up dessert but the food was too good!

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Here is a picture of all of us playing Disney Scene it. Well all of us but Dan (he was in a food coma) and my grandma (she was napping as well). Who naps at parties is my question!!

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Hopefully I'll get another picture or two. My camera was full of pictures & I didn't really have time to go throught and delete them all. These are all courtesy of my mom.
 
Just read through everything. Looks great! :thumbsup2

I love your dress! If we do end up getting to do Disney like we want, I want something simple and non-poofy like that. Elegant and beautiful, but not crazy! Although I do love the big princessy dresses. I wore those to every school dance back in HS! :rotfl2:
 
Poofy Rocks!

But my beautiful baby girl looks STUNNING in her dress, and I will probably BAWL like a baaabbby when she is walking down the aisle.

At least then I wouldn't be singing along to her processional song!

(In my mind it would be the theme song from The Princess Brice, one I have been yammering about for months and months and months, and the name escapes me right this second. No doubt due to the long work week and my delicious martini sitting within hands reach! Fairytale Story? BTW I can't sing, but I could try!)

She says No Way!! :confused3
 
Poofy Rocks!

But my beautiful baby girl looks STUNNING in her dress, and I will probably BAWL like a baaabbby when she is walking down the aisle.

At least then I wouldn't be singing along to her processional song!

(In my mind it would be the theme song from The Princess Brice, one I have been yammering about for months and months and months, and the name escapes me right this second. No doubt due to the long work week and my delicious martini sitting within hands reach! Fairytale Story? BTW I can't sing, but I could try!)

She says No Way!! :confused3

I'm excited to see the pictures of her in it!

Storybook Love?
 
Then as Val got farther into her planning, her playful side started coming out, and now it is not princessy, but funcessy.

Val, finally had time to read your PJ. You seem well on your way. I love your mom's word, funcessy, I think that ended up being our theme...but I had the big dress!
 
Just read through everything. Looks great! :thumbsup2

I love your dress! If we do end up getting to do Disney like we want, I want something simple and non-poofy like that. Elegant and beautiful, but not crazy! Although I do love the big princessy dresses. I wore those to every school dance back in HS! :rotfl2:

Thank you! I like looking at the poofy dresses! But they are just not me. And it breaks my Mom's heart! I hope you get your Disney wedding! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. :thumbsup2

Poofy Rocks!

But my beautiful baby girl looks STUNNING in her dress, and I will probably BAWL like a baaabbby when she is walking down the aisle.

At least then I wouldn't be singing along to her processional song!

(In my mind it would be the theme song from The Princess Brice, one I have been yammering about for months and months and months, and the name escapes me right this second. No doubt due to the long work week and my delicious martini sitting within hands reach! Fairytale Story? BTW I can't sing, but I could try!)

She says No Way!! :confused3

What kind of martini is that you are drinking??? I'm a little jealous! ;)

I'm excited to see the pictures of her in it!

Storybook Love?

Yes, it is Storybook Love. Princess Bride is my favorite movie! I've heard the book is better though. So I gotta read that. :bitelip:

Val, finally had time to read your PJ. You seem well on your way. I love your mom's word, funcessy, I think that ended up being our theme...but I had the big dress!

Thank you for taking the time to read! Fun is definatly what I want!!! :banana:
 
So, I've been thinking about what type of jewlry I want to wear. My dress is pretty sparkly, there are sequins all over so I don't want anything to compete with the dress. I saw a bracelet a while back that I told DF to get me for Christmas that I want to wear. I know it's very early to start asking for Christmas presents but I had it on my mind so I HAD to tell him. :rotfl: Plus I love Christmas more than I love Disney! Anyway here is a pic of the bracelet I want.

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It has a matching necklace but I don't like the necklace. It is a pendant pearl and doesn't do it for me. I found a pic of a necklace I like on theknot. So, I went to the website and there were a lot of pretty necklaces. Some of them too expensive for one necklace in my opinion though!!! I don't know if I'm going to go with one of these but probably something like it.

Here's Number 1:
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You can change the color of the pendent. There are a ton of colors you can choose from!

Number 2:
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Both of them wear the same way. But the second one is over $200!!! :scared1: So I think I'm going to keep my eyes out. Those are the type I'm leaning towards. Since I have a strapless dress I don't want anything TOO plunging down the neckline. But, I'm also thinking about not doing a necklace. Just the bracelet. Too much! This is too much!! I'm sure DF thinks I'm going to wear every peice of jewelry he's ever given me.

I'm starting to rack my brain for ideas of centerpeices. I think I really like candleabras for centerpeices but I don't really want a puff ball of flowers up there. Some votives on the table and maybe some strings of black gems. Or some black gems on the tables.

I did find out that they can do my Mickey Mad Hatter cake however she did say that I would have to find the cake toppers on my own. Which kinda sucks. I guess I'll have to look at toys or something. Maybe some stuffed animal has a mickey cap.

I still haven't heard whether I can have my dessert welcome party on the terrace I wanted. :( That makes me nervous that I won't be able to. So, I'm going to start getting excited about the Dessert Party being somewhere else. I think the only other place at the Grand Californian would be the Brisa courtyard which is where the pre-reception is. I don't really want my guests to see it set up the day before the event because I have a feeling it would look similiar. So I was thinking about the outside terrace at the Dinseyland Hotel. I can't remember the name but it is near a waterfall. However- that is right near the RCG where the ceremony takes place. :confused3 I'm very confused now. The RCG wouldn't be all set up at least. Here's a pic of the view from the terrace at the Disneyland Hotel.

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It's really pretty but the room inside is weird with a pillar in the middle of it. I wonder if I could just use the patio. I'm sure everyone could fit on it. I'm pretty sure I'll make that my back up location. If that's possible! OHHH! It's so frustrating not knowing what I can and can't do! I feel like I'm walking on egg shells with Disneyland. I don't want to bother them too much because I don't want to be annoying and them not help me as much as they can but I HATE not knowing all the time. Hopefully as we get closer communication gets a little better. My wedding planner is very busy so I can't readily get a hold of her. She is very nice and has been extremely accomadating. Just busy.
 
you're such a DIYer! that's awesome! I love your welcome package/newsletter stuff! Totally makes me wish I was having a bigger wedding so I could make fun stuff too... :)
 












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