Katie & Mike TR - SBP/Bluezoo/Morocco - Dessert Party (8/5)

[PrincessShea]

Oh, I am also thinking about changing the hotel reservation from GF To Beach Club. It would be a little less $$$. Then of course, I will have THREE hotel reservations Gotta start canceling some!

[honey2741]

Originally Posted by PrincessShea

My biggest problem with the escape package is zero options for eating afterwords. I originally went with an escape because with 10-14 guests

...I got my dress. Trust me it's magical! I always thought I would get something super simple and super A-line. Well, my dress is not. So now I want to get my money-worth from that baby! I don't want to change out of it and I want everyone dressed up.

Right now I am investigating private dining in restaurants at The Swan/Dolphin.

If you area interested in any info about the Swan/Dolphin private rooms, just ask and I'll post them as I get them.

Wow! Are you in my brain? This is EXACTLY what I'm struggling with. I am so sorry you are going through this madness. It does help to either talk or write it out. Thank you so much for posting. I NEVER even thought of private dining locations at the Swan/Dolphin. I would love to read any information you may obtain about private dining at the Swan/Dolphin.

The point is to have a nice event, stay in the dress as long as possible, but stay within budget! Good luck and wishing many blessings to come your way. It will all work out

[PrincessShea]

Originally Posted by honey2741

Wow! Are you in my brain? This is EXACTLY what I'm struggling with. I am so sorry you are going through this madness. It does help to either talk or write it out. Thank you so much for posting. I NEVER even thought of private dining locations at the Swan/Dolphin. I would love to read any information you may obtain about private dining at the Swan/Dolphin.

The point is to have a nice event, stay in the dress as long as possible, but stay within budget! Good luck and wishing many blessings to come your way. It will all work out

Thanks! I know what you mean. All I wanted was something simple and to have a fun week with my family in Disney World. But I feel like Carrie in Sex and the City...once I got the dress things got out of control If I can get a private room at one of these S/D restaurants, I am definitely just gonna stick with the escape package.

The private party menus for Shulas are here, and I got more specific info in an email today. It seems like a lot, but the $1000 minimum is basically what it'd cost to eat at Narcoossees. And they have crab cake and mahi mahi! The pictures of the place look nice...but I still don't know about the sports theme. I'll post Swan/Dolphin private dining info as I get it!


Private Party Pricing
Room Sizes

The following rooms can accommodate group sizes up to:

Ribeye Room 20 – 28 Guests; with $2200.00 in Food & Beverage minimum
Porterhouse Room 30 – 42 Guests; with $3200.00 in Food & Beverage minimum
New York Room 42 – 60 Guests; with $4200.00 in Food & Beverage minimum
Coach’s Room 55 – 65 Guests; with $5200.00 in Food & Beverage minimum
Sideline Room 10 – 14 Guests; with $1000.00 in Food & Beverage minimum

Hall of Fame Rooms

Nick Buoniconti 12 – 15 Guests; with $1200.00 in Food & Beverage minimum
Larry Czonka 12 – 15 Guests; with $1200.00 in Food & Beverage minimum
Bob Griese 12 – 15 Guests; with $1200.00 in Food & Beverage minimum
Larry Little 12 – 15 Guests; with $1200.00 in Food & Beverage minimum
Hall of Fame Capacity 78 Guests


No-Name Lounge
Receptions

Entire Lounge 30 – 75 Guests; with $3000.00 in Food & Beverage minimum
Partial Lounge 10 – 30 Guests; with $1500.00 in Food & Beverage minimum



Groups must meet the minimum amount of guests for the private dining rooms or a room charge of $68 per person up to the minimum amount will be accrued.

[B2B-2008]

Everything you have written was exactly the way I felt. We originally was going to have an escape but changed to a Wishes because I wanted a full day and a nice private meal. And my dress was staying on me

When I originally phoned Disney I only had 8 guests and they said I may have to justify why I wanted the wishes option but that was so easy because with everything I wanted on the wish book I was hitting just under the $10,000 without any food!

I was so worried about having to pay a bill at the end of the meal and then not having enough money etc, I wanted it all paid for on the day so I didn't have to worry about a thing.

Could you not have a wishes dessert party in the grounds of the GF, I have seen some girls have these?

[PrincessShea]

Originally Posted by B2B-2008

Could you not have a wishes dessert party in the grounds of the GF, I have seen some girls have these?

That's true, but I'd prefer the more lively atmosphere of Epcot. I think the 12-14 of us are going to be tired of staring at just each other all day

Well, many decisions were made today during lunch period! Again, not sure if anyone cares but maybe a window into the madness will help another bride later on

I decided to just stick with the escape package. I have contacted Bluezoo at the Dolphin and they have a private room available June 12. I haven't received the menus yet, but even if the minimum is $2000, it will still be less than wishes.

I also cancelled my reservation at the Grand Floridian. Yes, it would be cool to stay at a monorail resort, and the same resort that the Tanner family visited on the magical Full House episode where Michelle learned a valuable life lesson about sharing (BEST.SHOW.EVER )... but I just have too many reservations about transportation logistics. I wanted to stay the Beach Club, but found a Boardwalk Villa for the dates we need that's the same price as a BC standard room (no Beach Club Villas were available ). I'm not gonna lie, the clown pool scares me, but I think for the room size, it's worth it. On the wedding day, with my mom and sisters in the room and the makeup artist, it will just be better with a villa. I'll of course still keep my eyes open for BCV between now and June!

So the plan is SBP @ 2:30
Bluezoo @ 5:30
Morocco DP @ 8:30

So everything will be walking distance! Plus after the ceremony, it will be easy for my family to just go chill in our room while we take pictures since there will be time between the ceremony and dinner. Phew. I feel better about things! Maybe tonight I'll actually be able to sleep!

Still pouring over the MK photoshoot. Also considering a character at the cake cutting ceremony. More to come eventually, including operation weightloss at the YMCA!

[honey2741]

Originally Posted by PrincessShea

So the plan is SBP @ 2:30
Bluezoo @ 5:30
Morocco DP @ 8:30

So everything will be walking distance! Plus after the ceremony, it will be easy for my family to just go chill in our room while we take pictures since there will be time between the ceremony and dinner.

Congrats on your reservations. More importantly thank you for sharing the information about the food and beverage minimums at the Swan/Dolphin.

Since everything is within walking distance, did DFTW tell you that you had to have motor transportation to get into your dessert party?

[honey2741]

Would DFTW decorate a private dining room at the Swan/Dolphin? Or do you think it wouldn't be a problem to get an outside florist to do a little decoration in a private dining room? I think this may be a better solution

[PrincessShea]

Originally Posted by honey2741

Since everything is within walking distance, did DFTW tell you that you had to have motor transportation to get into your dessert party?

I was told we could meet the escort at International Gateway and just walk.

Originally Posted by honey2741

Would DFTW decorate a private dining room at the Swan/Dolphin? Or do you think it wouldn't be a problem to get an outside florist to do a little decoration in a private dining room? I think this may be a better solution

I don't know. I have a phone appointment with Rosie in a couple weeks. I will also speak with the coordinator at the Dolphin to see if they can do anything. However, I think the room looks nice enough as it is, and I don't know if I even want to waste money decorating it, especially since there will not be professional pictures there. I just wish I could rip up the bridesmaids bouquets and use them somehow as decoration because I am still aggravated on what a waste of money those will be

[PrincessShea]

The Shoe Conundrum

You aren't really planning if you aren't obsessing over something, right? Well this week's dilemma revolves around the all important topic of shoes!

Ah shoes. Let me just say you'll see this smiley a lot when I discuss shoes

Now part of me wanted to wear some fabulous 4 inch heels. But then the practical part of me remembers that I am a spaz and despite having several nice pairs of heels, they mostly sit in the closet because I can't walk in them. On the first day of school I wore some nice heels, and boy did I pay for it later

The wedding is outside, there is going to be a lot of walking, so flats it is!

Now some back story...Prior to Black Friday I repeatedly said to anyone who would listen; 'you are crazy if you go out. I am boarding myself up in my apartment and weathering the storm.'

Sure enough, Black Friday rolls around. DF and I wake up at around 8:30. I ask him what he wants to do. "Whatever you want to do," he says.

Me: ...Let's go downtown

So like a couple of lemmings heading towards the edge of a cliff, we get on a train and off we go!

The first stop is Macy's on State St. Right up to the 4th floor for shoes! I see them...





Perfect. They are flat, they are sandals, and they are sparkley! I take a closer look.



The pictures do not do them justice. They are amazing. Next comes the part I dread. I turn them over.

I turn to DF. "Guess how much these cost." He takes a breathe "A hundred dollars."

"Keep going," I say.
"$200."
"Keep going."
"$300"
"Keep going."
"$400"
"Keep going."
" Are you serious! $500"
"Keep going."
"People are starving. $600."
I gesture upwards with my thumb
"$700"

"Yep," I finally reply. "$695. So with tax; $765."

He says nothing, grabs my arm and we leave I will definitely be checking back for sales and crossing my fingers it ends up an outlet store before June

Next stop is Michigan Avenue. DF finds a Borders where he spends some money on DVDs and then decides to park it with some coffee and read while I go in more "girl stores."

I go to Neiman Marcus. The one day of the year where there are enough people in the store so the sale associates don't harass me (harass me as in try to get me out of there since it's obvious I don't belong )

Again, straight to shoes. It's kind of a madhouse, because all the sale shoes which are 40% (I think) are now additionally 30% off of sale price. I spot these:


How precious! And they would fix my "something blue" problem. Also, I would definitely wear them again, right!?!! So I flag someone down to get me a size 40.

He brings out a 40 and 41, because they run small. Well a size 40 is a US size 10. I am between an 8.5 and 9. So the 41 is a US size 11. But I try on the 41 first. It is ridiculous. I am spilling over the edge with my giant monkey feet. They are so narrow, and look ridiculous. You need really dainty, small feet to pull them off. For $300, forget it. They have to be perfect.

Defeated, I head over to Bloomindale's before I head back to Borders. They have nothing. And it's a zoo. However, I see these:



How adorable. They are almost exactly like a similar pair I bought over the summer. The mouse face wasn't printed on the shoe, rather the features were embellishments, so it gave the shoe dimension. I ended up returning the shoes because I paid full price and figured I would rather spend the money on something I'd wear more often (I didn't know back then I'd be needing a lot of mouse-related stuff!!!)

Of course they didn't have the style I bought months ago. So it was back to Borders and then back home to search the Internet for the shoes I let slip away....

I'll just say now that I did find them online, ordered two different colors, and they are supposed to be delivered Tuesday. I will take pics and post when I receive them so you can see some 'real' pictures, rather than these one's I 'borrowed' from the Internet

[PrincessShea]

Well the shoes arrived early! They are actually kind of big, so I am returning them for a smaller size, but here are the pics anyway.

I also got a silver pair, but think these will go better with the dress:



Taking pictures of your feet in front of a mirror is really awkward





Well, I think they are fabulous and hopefully the smaller size fits better. These are definitely the shoes

For now...

[pink_tink8i8]

Alright girlie, you and I need to get talking. We're practically having the same wedding lol

[Lorelei528]

PrincessShea-

Hi there! Loving your PJ so far!
Us too (tee hee) will be having a 2:30 ceremony at SBP, dinner (at Jiko's Wine Room) at 5:30 and Morocco DP at 8:30....

I just wanted to interject...have you checked with your WP about the walking from IG to Morocco in your dress?

I know we're all told different things, but Tanis is my coordinator and we had a long talk about DP logistics before she left for maternity leave...I was told if I wanted to wear my dress for the DP, I would have to enter "backstage" and would not be able to walk from IG in my dress as it is too far....

Unless, your'e not planning on wearing your dress...but I know you are!!!

So, just confirm with your coordinator.....

Can't wait to hear more!!!

Lori

[PrincessShea]

Originally Posted by Lorelei528

So, just confirm with your coordinator.....

Can't wait to hear more!!!

Tis better to beg forgiveness than ask permission I was told our guests could walk from IG and that transportation is not necessary. I have no problem entering backstage, but I am 100% not paying for some $500 bus to transport 1 person. If I can use the limo to do it, sure. But frankly I'm not bringing up the dress.

Also, I showed my mom the shoes today and she said I was "a weird one"

[Lorelei528]

Oh no, you should be good then...yep, guests can walk in from IG, only brides having DP's in Morocco have to enter through backstage if they are in their dress and so yes, you can use the limo...this is basically what I'm doing as well... for us!! LOL

So, yay!!!!!

[Lorelei528]

Originally Posted by B2B-2008

I was so worried about having to pay a bill at the end of the meal and then not having enough money etc, I wanted it all paid for on the day so I didn't have to worry about a thing.

I'm confused....if your coordinator arranges/books the dinner or lunch and/or dessert party then they are on your BEO and is due before the wedding with the rest of it. So, those meals would be pre-paid...

I think a lot of Escape brides think they have to book the meal themselves, but that may or may not necessarilty be true. I was told that that they (the coordinators) can book any meal on the wedding date and sometimes even a dessert party the night before if it's not offered on your night (April brides ie).

Any other meals, we have to book ourselves (now if only we could make our ADR's!!!!) Aargh!!!!