Brenda & Marty June 2010

[Disney9.9.10]

Originally Posted by amyy

I don't know how Disney decides but we are now back to an Escape wedding. I will assume their wouldn't have been a savings with going to Wishes even though we are well into the Wishes price.

Stressed as I went to pick up my dress today. She didn't take it in enough on one side and forgot to hem it and do whatever they do with bustling. The shop is about an hour from my house so it isn't like I can just go there whenever. It felt kind of lose on the top. I am hoping it will be ready and fine next weekend when I go back again. There are only 2 more weekends left until our wedding. I guess it is best she forgot about hemming it since she had marked it too short. I had been worried about that. I just hope she remembers which mark to follow when she cuts it.

Pretty sure I am upgrading to the crystal cake and taking out the flowers on the handrails to SBP.

I love Emily's pictures with the parasol (all of her pictures actually) and am thinking of ordering one today as a photo prop. I also saw some photos in Heidi (can't remember her whole screen name) report where the bridesmaids have hillbilly teeth on and thought that would make a great prop. I work with some people that have pretty bad teeth so I hope they wouldn't be offended. But they did make some unkind comments of me in my dress....

If I want to add soda and bottled water to lunch it will cost around $450. I never drink soda so I don't care. I am worried my guest will think I am cheap to not have any. I have almost thought of telling them the cost and I know they would understand then.

Adding the MK session to our photo shoot (along with AK). I lost my 6:00 slot awhile back and can now have the 5:00 slot. Patricia is not available to do my hair that day but Beauty Special is (I don't think I am spelling the name quite right).

I tried to make reservations at the ESPN club for a few night before our wedding but they don't take reservations. We will be meeting at least one set of guests who will be driving to the wedding. This way they will have an idea of the location, time they need to plan for etc. We have never eaten there so I hope we enjoy it.

I still need to finish up with the ceremony wording. It was suppose to be done at the month mark but I am hoping the Rev will still accept it.

Guess that is it for now.

I am sorry that you are having some of these troubles so close to your day Hopefully your seamstress will get it right this time so you won't have to worry! Parasols are beautiful and make really nice photo props - and I have seen some on the DIS that looked amazing (figmentfan was one, I forget the whole screen name sorry!). It is ridiculous how fast the drink costs add up isn't it! But if you feel like you don't need them, then don't worry about it. It is your day so do what will make you happiest. $450 is a lot of money!

[amyy]

I ordered some labels from this site to put on the cake bags, maybe the caricature tubes, thank you envelopes etc. I bought them in the hot pink with the saying "and they lived happily ever after" and an M in the middle.
http://www.myownlabels.com/

I just pre-ordered the photo pass CD for our upcoming trip. It is $99 to order now and $149 if you order it after the trip. I didn't buy one for our Dec trip and regret it now.
http://www.disneyphotopass.com/previsitoffer.aspx

[ericapixiedust]

One of my rules of thumb when planning has been, "Will this be a tiny detail that will be forgotten or will it contribute to everyones' enjoyment of the day?" That's why I have put the bulk of my budget into food/beverages and entertainment. It is scaldingly hot down here in Florida. The extra money for drinks seems like a lot of money, but refreshing, non-alcoholic drinks are really an essential for any party (especially in this heat). There may be something that can be dropped in order to pay for drinks for your guests. They sent me the bar menu-I thought sodas and water were included with any bar package.

[amyy]

Originally Posted by ericapixiedust

One of my rules of thumb when planning has been, "Will this be a tiny detail that will be forgotten or will it contribute to everyones' enjoyment of the day?" That's why I have put the bulk of my budget into food/beverages and entertainment. It is scaldingly hot down here in Florida. The extra money for drinks seems like a lot of money, but refreshing, non-alcoholic drinks are really an essential for any party (especially in this heat). There may be something that can be dropped in order to pay for drinks for your guests. They sent me the bar menu-I thought sodas and water were included with any bar package.

I appreciate your point of view. We are having coffee, tea, ice tea, pitchers of water. This will be at the Napa Room were it is air conditioned. For the price we only would get coke/diet coke/sprite/bottled water. I only drink water so it is hard for me to understand that people won't be happy unless they have soda but I know it is true and I am glad you are reminding me. I am buying some milk for the kids.

I am torn I just called one of the guests. She wasn't home so I talked to one of the kids and gave him the choice of soda, water or ice tea and he picked ice tea. I think he may have been thinking "my mom doesn't let me drink soda" There is really only one guest I am concerned about and her life is either Pepsi or Coke. It is true if I am spending so much money on the whole thing I don't want to skimp on the one area they will be wanting.

I am adding fresh fruit for an enhancement at the Napa Room and have no problem spending the money here as I know people will eat it.

Just got to looking at the dessert party menu and there is no water listed just coffee, tea and fruit punch. Glad you got me to look into these detail as I will make sure there is water there regardless of the cost.

[daisygirl902]

Originally Posted by amyy

I appreciate your point of view. We are having coffee, tea, ice tea, pitchers of water. This will be at the Napa Room were it is air conditioned. For the price we only would get coke/diet coke/sprite/bottled water. I only drink water so it is hard for me to understand that people won't be happy unless they have soda but I know it is true and I am glad you are reminding me. I am buying some milk for the kids.

I am torn I just called one of the guests. She wasn't home so I talked to one of the kids and gave him the choice of soda, water or ice tea and he picked ice tea. I think he may have been thinking "my mom doesn't let me drink soda" There is really only one guest I am concerned about and her life is either Pepsi or Coke. It is true if I am spending so much money on the whole thing I don't want to skimp on the one area they will be wanting.

I am adding fresh fruit for an enhancement at the Napa Room and have no problem spending the money here as I know people will eat it.

Just got to looking at the dessert party menu and there is no water listed just coffee, tea and fruit punch. Glad you got me to look into these detail as I will make sure there is water there regardless of the cost.

I am just serving the juices and water/coffee/tea that comes with the brunch menus. I talked to a few of my guests (one of whom is a pepsi fanatic) who said "don't bother with the extra money." The non-alcoholic drink packages are just so ridiculously expensive!!

Oh and now I think I need to make labels too - I love that idea and was looking for a place to get them done (for my caricature tubes and the back of my mouse ears...).

Did you decide on a caricature artist btw? I think I have no flip flopped and decided to use the ones that Disney provides just so it's easier....although $300 extra is a lot....I just don't think I want to deal with an outside vendor! Plus my planner said with me only needing 12 tubes they'll include them in the price and not charge extra.

[amyy]

daisygirl902-Thanks for you thoughts on the drink situation.

I am just sticking with Disney for the caricature artist. It is nice they are including the tubes because as I thought about that would take up a bit of room in my suitcase. It is just "easier" to go with them. I am really hoping it is a hit.

I don't know how the labels would stick to the mouse ears. I thought the price was really good. I may just buy white paper lunch sacks and put the label on where you fold the top down. As I thought more about it I have guests that are families of 6 adults/kids, 5 adults/kids so there hands are going to be full with tube (and cake if they don't eat it with their lunch). I may buy a few inexpensive paper bags with handles to put all their stuff in. I wish I didn't keep thinking though because I keep worrying about what I am not thinking about You know what I mean?

I am thinking if I do well with my budget of buying the mouse ears when I get down to Florida so they would need to be carrying those too.

It is great you are getting down for a planning session. I think it will help so much and wish we could have done that.

[amyy]

Just coming up with a list of shoot I want to be sure are included. Thought I would add it here in case anyone else is interested and/or can add more.
*groom and Mickey shoulder to shoulder
*bride & groom kissing with cake in front and M & M with their hands over their eyes
*groom on one knee with Minnie's hand
*M & M with each family
*young cousins together
*brother and sister family together
*bride and groom with my mom and cousins
*group photo with M & M (with and without ears if I get them)
*group photo without M & M at some location
*group photo of all the kids
*red background at the Boardwalk
*lots of the cake table
*bride and groom on the observation deck at the Napa Room
*wide shoots of the Napa Room
*buffet at the Napa Room
*caricature artist at work (from the front and back)
*picture with my wedding planner
*guitar player
*photo both photos on the Boardwalk
*on the bikes at the Boardwalk
*with a big bunch of balloons if I can find them
*sunglasses shots
*numbers to make a date photo like I saw in Southern Living magazine
*how could I do some hidden Mickeys???
*signing of the wedding license

[amyy]

Getting last minute details squared away.

*manicure at the spa at the Yacht Club. It is $35. I figure while I am getting a manicure Marty and my mom can hang out and after we are meeting up most of our guests at the ESPN club. As much as I would love the acrylics I have flat nails and often one pops off. I hope if I take good care of my nails for the next few weeks they will look ok

*I am having a trial hair & make up session. Thinking I will also do the lashes after hearing positive reviews.

*my cousin has scheduled us for some pirate show off of Disney. Her son is looking forward to it and it will be nice to all go together.

***booked the dolphin swim at Discovery Cove We have never been and have talked about it for the last few years. We also get free tickets to Sea World and Bush Gardens and I have never been to either of these place. Thinking we will be canceling the park photo shoots to cover this. Discovery Cove is for the whole day and I hope the photos with the dolphins come out to make up for the park ones

*I am also thinking of not buying the Disney photography cd and will buy a few prints off their website. In a few years we can buy the cd at the reduced price. Hopefully with Randy photos I will have plenty that I like.

*ordered a swimsuit-

*cancelled some dining reservations because of the above. This leaves us with brunch at the Crystal Palace for 15 of us, Le Cellier for 2. Shulas for 2.

*wrote up the wedding ceremony and emailed Rev. Day

[amyy]

http://www.framethedate.com/frame-the-date.html
I thought this was a cute idea and wanted to share. I like the one with the date at the top and a large wedding photo below.

[Disney9.9.10]

Hi!
I just wanted to stop by and say that I hope everything went well with your wedding, and I hope you are enjoying married life! Are you going to be doing a TR? If so, I can't wait to read about your big day! If not, I wish you all of the best with married life!

[amyy]

I would love to do one but I just wasn't sure if anyone would actually read it Thanks for taking the time to stop by. I don't have pictures yet but a lot I can talk about.

[kcampbell]

Hey Brenda! You crossed my mind last week- I hope everything went wonderfully well for you on your big day! Did you end up cutting the cake outside or in?? Hope you have some time to share some pics soon. Take Care!

kelly

[Disney9.9.10]

Originally Posted by amyy

I would love to do one but I just wasn't sure if anyone would actually read it Thanks for taking the time to stop by. I don't have pictures yet but a lot I can talk about.

Well if you would like to take some time, I will read! I can't speak for everyone else of course, but I am sure that people would love to hear about your wedding!

[amyy]

kcampbell-I don't have any pictures yet (except that friends posted on Facebook and I can't see to paste them here). We did end up with our cake cutting outside. The cake did have a big bubble due to the heat (I guess) but I am hoping it won't show in photos from a certain angle. Now what to do with the ribbon? I loved the cake and thanks for all your help.

Disney 9.9.10-happy reading and I will be back with pictures as soon as I have some. One thing we didn't bring to the wedding was our camera and I am regretting that a bit.



Disney Wedding Staff-far exceeded my expectations. I already knew my planner, Amy, was wonderful from all our emails and phone calls. I couldn't get over how many Disney staff were present at each event. I just said the word water to a friend and a glass appeared. We were at 10:00 wedding at SBP and there was a 12:00 wedding. My planner was not able to come to lunch because she had the 12:00 too so another planner came along. Not sure how this usually works.

Boardwalk Bakery-The bottom layer was marble with white chocolate mousse. Very light and delicious. As some of you remember I was a bit stressed about having our cake out in the heat. The fondant did bubble. A rather large bubble on the side of the top layer. I am nervous to see the pictures and hoping it can be air brushed out. Of course I realize this is not the fault of anyone (maybe me for having the cake outside). My cake was my splurge and costed more then my wedding dress due to the rhinestone ribbon on each of the two layers. I still have the ribbon and the rhinestone initial cake topper. The top layer was almond cake with chocolate filling. I ate this the rest of the vacation. (Marty only had a bite as he is against left overs).

Patricia LeJeune-My makeup held up all day (as did my hair). Enough said. The $10 lashes are a steal and I am so glad I had them. My bangs instantly due this cork screw curl thing in the heat an I was very impressed that they didn't. I noticed the hair spray was something from the Big Sexy Hair line. Her personality was great and she even stayed to help lace up my dress. She also did my mom, groom's mom and the flower girl. My mom is so thin and Patricia made her look so healthy. I can't wait to see the pictures. She also had an assistant but I don't remember her name. She mostly worked on the flower girl's hair in my room. I don't know what who did what on the mothers.

Carolyn Allen-Very professional and my dress looked great. She had to wait a few minutes to tie up the back and didn't seem to mind waiting. I can't think her enough (and Patricia) for helping me lace up my dress. Marty's tux was fine. I had them pick up m dress at the hotel to have it dry cleaned and boxed.

Disney floral-I loved, loved, loved my bouquet. I can't believe how beautiful they made SBP look. I first had a bouquet picture that I gave Rosie and she worked "everything" from there. On the handles they put hot pink ribbon with sheer green for the bows and draped. Pink and green petals down the aisle. I had been nervous about the two colors but the looked great together. The white chair covers with pink bows like everyone has seen, ivy on the cake table... I think that is it. (My friend made Mickey ears programs with a hot pink paper in the middle, wording in the back in green and pink bows. I thought the went great with the pink bows on the chairs.)

Caricature Artist-We booked him through Disney. He was the hit of the reception. The kids stayed very entertained watching him. He would ask each person a few questions about themselves to then tie into the sketch. His personality was great.

Rolls Royce-Probably Marty's favorite part of the wedding. I am so glad I/we spent the extra. The driver owned the car and Marty enjoyed talking to him. He was early, attentive (taking my sunglasses when necessary, having water for us etc). the driver thought to have Marty get photos with just the limo. Marty is talking about using this on his facebook page.

Randy Chapman-I haven't seen the pictures yet. I had read before that he was better then a brides maid and I see why. He was always fixing my earrings, leading me away from crisis (limo), noticed that I was having trouble rolling my caricature sketch and took care of it for me etc.

Limo-through Disney. Just miscommunication but I will share. He was suppose to pick up our moms & friend at 9:00 at POFQ and 9:15 at POR. At about 9:35 Amy said to me that the limo was at POFQ and no one was there. It was instant panic as I knew my mom had probably been sitting there since 7am. Her health has been touchy so I thought maybe something had happened, another guest is undergoing cancer treatment and so I thought maybe it was him, I had left my phone in the room so I had no way to contact the guests at POFQ etc. I can't believe how many thoughts went through my head in a few seconds but mostly I worried about my mom. Randy just sensed the stress and led me away. Come to find out the limo driver was with the 3 guests at POFQ but was waiting for us. It got cleared up, everyone got picked up and the wedding stated on time. By far the worst few minutes of the day.

Key West Style guitarist-I was to "busy" that I never really heard him. You must know what I mean. The guests commented how they enjoyed him and had fun picking out the songs. The caricature artist commented on the guitarist too.

Napa Room-Where to start. Beautiful views, perfect size for the number of our guests, attentive staff, kids enjoyed the telescope, guests commented how surprised they were with the quality of the food given it was a buffet (very delicious but my stomach was a little upset at this point so I didn't eat a lot), and delicious desserts. The one gluten free meal looked good and I was told it tasted good. The guten free dessert of brownie sundae really made the guest happy. Her gluten free cupcake never appeared. One thing we were disappointed in was the amount of fruit for the appetizer. When I first saw the plate I couldn't believe that was all there was (plus a bowl of berries or something). By the time Marty went to get some there was none left. The chocolate creme brulee was to die for in my opinion. I would give anything for the recipe and to know what type of chocolate they used.

Dessert Party-We loved the location of Morocco and everything worked out fine. It started a bit rocky. Our town car was a bit early and we arrived at 8:00. The lady who greeted up back stage talked to some Disney staff and said "we have a major problem" which I didn't think they were allowed to say There was no food or table linens at this point. Eventually the food an linens arrived and we were able to get started. The site looks fine with out chair covers but for us i am so glad I spent the extra. We had black linens with pink bows, pink napkins and orange gel candles. Silly but I didn't like that the desserts were set up on white linens. We had too many desserts but I wouldn't do it any different. We also had the flambe which I didn't think a lot of people had but Marty said it went over well. For whatever reason I thought we would see fire more often. When the kids wanted to see it they did light it. As with all the venues I couldn't believe the amount of Disney staff.
***Gluten free plate was a huge disappointment for the price. She had one unpackaged item and 2 packaged items that I could have bought in a store myself. She also could eat the fruit that we had. I am not one to complain but this was not at all what I expected from Disney.


Disney photography-I can't really review at this point as haven't seen any pictures. We had Brian for the wedding and he was very personable. We had Ty for the dessert party.

Jack Day-He made it seem like he knew us. I wrote up the ceremony and he enhanced it a bit.

Misc
*glad I had back-up wedding shoes. I had worn my rhinestone pair to work to break them in. Right at the hotel I realized they were not going to work because the strap on the heels was loose. Luckily I had back up shoes.
*I had a list of photos but still missed out on getting a group photo. I felt kind of rushed at SBP and this where I wanted it.
*I wish I had hired transport for 3 guests to and from the dessert party. We paid for a taxi to the resort near the International Gateway but they still got lost. They were too tired after the dessert party.
*MK photo shoot-we didn't do it and I suppose that I don't regret this 100% means we did the right thing.
*wish we had a bit more cash on hand for tips for everyone
*probably should have brought my phone with me (limo crisis) and camera
*Discovery Cove (which we did with some of the money we would have spent on a MK photo shoot) was wonderful. I can't even describe how much we enjoyed the interaction with the dolphins, snorkeling, lazy river, aviary etc.
*now that we are home and I don't have to worry about wedding hair I have had it cut short. It has quite a bit of natural curl and I do very little to it. It looks so much healthier, quick & easy. I think my days of long hair are long gone.

[daisygirl902]

Thanks for posting!! Great reviews so far, and I cannot wait to see your pictures!!!

You're making me reconsider doing NO decor for the dessert party....sigh...all I have is the glow bracelets/necklaces...