jasonandlisa's PJ -- 9/2/07 UK Pavilion/LS -- DPS pics added!!

[curiouser]

You look gorgeous in your dress!! From your side/back reflection in the mirror I think it looks a lot like the top photo. Just remember, the dress that model is wearing has been cut, re-cut, taped, pinned (she's probably sewn in), and photoshopped. There might even be cups sewn in to the bodice to make her chest look more voluptuous (along with makeup shadowing).

Perhaps inquire into having some molded cups added to the bodice to give it more form or look into Hollywood tape to tape the top to your body? Either way, I think it looks really perfect on you!

 

[MickeyAnne]

Everything looks amazing - and by everything I also mean the dress. I think you look wonderful in it! No, its not very "showy" but thats where its elegance lies. Maybe the next time you try it on you will feel better about it

 

[HarbinsMom]

I am sitting here with my mouth watering at your reception menu. Wow, what a neat idea for the breakfast. I, too, love breakfast foods. Now, I'm completely re-thinking the Vow Renewal.

 

[jasonandlisa]

Wow Lisa... I just read your whole PJ and all I can say is WOW I love your dress, invites, cake, colors, and proposal stories!! I cannot wait to see how your wedding is going to come together-- it's going to be beautiful!! Where in NJ are you originally from?

Thank you! If it turns out half as well as yours did, I'll be a very happy bride come September!!

I'm from Island Heights, which is near Toms River and Seaside Heights. That's where my parents still live. They were Jersey born, too. Freehold and Little Silver. I went to highschool in Hightstown and have lived in apartments in Princeton, Lawrenceville, Allentown, Lakewood, and Long Branch. Where are you from?

 

[jasonandlisa]

You look gorgeous in your dress!! From your side/back reflection in the mirror I think it looks a lot like the top photo. Just remember, the dress that model is wearing has been cut, re-cut, taped, pinned (she's probably sewn in), and photoshopped. There might even be cups sewn in to the bodice to make her chest look more voluptuous (along with makeup shadowing).

Perhaps inquire into having some molded cups added to the bodice to give it more form or look into Hollywood tape to tape the top to your body? Either way, I think it looks really perfect on you!

Thank you!!! You're brilliant. Seriously. It never even occurred to me that the biggest difference was that the model's chest is probably a couple cup sizes and several inches bigger than mine. I was just looking at voluptuous vs. very plain. I really feel so much better. Maybe I will ask about molded cups or try to Hollywood tape. I was thinking a bra/tape wouldn't really make a difference, since there's no need to try to "create cleavage" with this dress. If it were V-neck or sweetheart, I'd be looking for all kinds of tricks!

 

[jasonandlisa]

Everything looks amazing - and by everything I also mean the dress. I think you look wonderful in it! No, its not very "showy" but thats where its elegance lies. Maybe the next time you try it on you will feel better about it

Thank you. I think I will. Actually, part of the problem might have been that I didn't have a friend there with me who could give an objective opinion. Of course, my parents always think I'm beautiful. And the lady who sold me to the dress is unlikely to be at all critical.

O.K., I'm definitely going to stop obsessing about this. Thank you to everybody for all the kind words and support

 

[Dremwvr]

Lisa,
I think the dress is absolutely stunning on you. I think when your mom picks it up and you don't have the pressures of the seamstress and those horid lights it will probably be a different story. Don't compare yourself to the model in the photos, remeber they are airbrushed to make them look better. And the part of the boddice, your mom is right she is laying down in that picture. Go ahead and lay down in your dress and I am sure yours will look the same! The only thing I wonder about is, if you wait till August, and you end up hating the dress, you really wont have enough time to rush another dress. So your options are limited. Can't wait to hear what happens.

 

[BrcsDisneyPrncs]

I know that with a wedding dress, if it doesn't "feel" perfect to you, it can be really disappointing. But, i just wanted to add, that i think the dress is beautiful, and looks great on you in those pictures. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you and hopefully when the length and few imperfections are fixed when you go back in august it will be just like you pictured it! Good luck!! All of your wedding plans sound great!

 

[Cinderella22]

Clearly you must be nuts, because that dress looks INCREDIBLE on you. The models get photoshopped etc. You aren't. You look perfect! Everything looks and sounds so wonderful!!!
Maggie

 

[Cinderella22]

Clearly you must be nuts, because that dress looks INCREDIBLE on you. The models get photoshopped etc. You aren't. You look perfect! Everything looks and sounds so wonderful!!!
Maggie

 

[Cinderella22]

Clearly you must be nuts, because that dress looks INCREDIBLE on you. The models get photoshopped etc. You aren't. You look perfect! Everything looks and sounds so wonderful!!!
Maggie

 

[BaBeeCee14]

Yep, the prices for the table decor are pretty crazy. I'll list them here, in case people are curious. And yes, I'm getting sooo excited!! I think I might be just as excited about the Disney vacation part of it as I am about the wedding, though. I haven't been much at all in the past few years, and we used to go every year when I was a child. So I've missed it!

chargers $11.75 each
rental of glass vases: $15 each for 22", $5 each for smaller sizes
22" centerpiece: $175 each
smaller centerpiece: $125 each
shotglass votive: $2.50 each
satin tablecloth: $29 each
organza overlay: $20 each
swagging: $16 each
napkins with ribbons: $4 each

So, an average table is:
6 * 11.75 +
(15 + 5 + 5)/ 3 +
(175 + 125 + 125)/3 +
6 * 2.50 +
29 + 20 + 16 +
6 * 4
-------
$324.50

Lisa,
I really wanted to go with the whimsical table setting also. I was wondering, do you know if I can get the whimsical setting, but still be able to customize it to my needs? For example, I see that you are getting the 2 different centerpieces that go with that setting, but I was thinking about making my own centerpieces. Do you think they would allow that? I still want the satin tablecloth, organza overlay, swagging, napkins, and candles. Just to me, the centerpieces they provide are little pricey. I hope this question makes sense. Thanks for your help!

 

[jasonandlisa]

Lisa,
I really wanted to go with the whimsical table setting also. I was wondering, do you know if I can get the whimsical setting, but still be able to customize it to my needs? For example, I see that you are getting the 2 different centerpieces that go with that setting, but I was thinking about making my own centerpieces. Do you think they would allow that? I still want the satin tablecloth, organza overlay, swagging, napkins, and candles. Just to me, the centerpieces they provide are little pricey. I hope this question makes sense. Thanks for your help!

Other brides may know better than me, since there are plenty on here who have done their own centerpieces, but... I think it's fine if you want to bring your own stuff. There's a certain number of "pieces" (like favors, menus, decorations) they'll set up for free. Beyond that, you'd have to pay the setup fee. But maybe there's more to it. I'm sorry I'm just not sure.

 

[IrishLily]

BaBeeCee: Where are you having your reception? If it's not in one of the parks and they allow outside vendors at the venue you are planning on then yes, you can customize it to however you like.

Lisa: I absolutely LOVE the dress. But I do know that if you don't feel comfortable in it, it won't be the best experience. I can't tell you how many times I've bought clothes based upon everyone else insisting that I buy it because it looks gorgeous on me, and then they end up hanging in my closet with the tags still there because I don't feel comfortable wearing it. With that said, I agree with your mom and how the length adjustment may make a difference. The dress does look like it fits you like a glove, even if it doesn't feel like it.

And I love the idea of caricature artists coming in! Who doesn't love having someone draw them funny? How much are they? I may be able to squeeze one into the budget...

 

[Summer-Caitlin]

Lisa, first off let me say that you look beautiful in your wedding dress. Put it all into perspective when comparing yourself to the model pic. She is wearing loads of make up, her hair is done and the pic is photoshopped, perfect lighting etc. She is larger in the chest than you are so the dress probably does cling more to her than it would to you. However I do think that you need to try the dress on again, but this time do your hair and make up (please don't take that the wrong way ) What I mean is sometimes you can only get the full picture when you are do all that. I for one look totally different in outfits, depending on my make up and hairstyle, I also feel differently towards my outfits. If I'm not wearing make up I feel underdressed
Now in regards to you not feeling it. I completely empathise with you on this, you probably remember my fiasco with my first dress, same situation as you bought the first dress I tried on. However I do think that maybe you are just feeling upset beacause there were a few things wrong with the dress and this has tainted your feelings towards it. You need to be really happy with your dress, if this isn't the one then it isn't. Try it on again as soon as you can and make the decision, you wouldn't be the first one to want a different dress
I do think you look great though, you have an amazing figure, have you tried it with your headpiece (tiara or veil)
On another note, i love your shoes and we have almost the exact same songs , thank you once again for helping me on that

 

[jasonandlisa]

Clearly you must be nuts, because that dress looks INCREDIBLE on you. The models get photoshopped etc. You aren't. You look perfect! Everything looks and sounds so wonderful!!!
Maggie

Thank you, Maggie. You guys are all making me feel so much better (and a little bit like I must be nuts to not be seeing what y'all are )

I know that with a wedding dress, if it doesn't "feel" perfect to you, it can be really disappointing. But, i just wanted to add, that i think the dress is beautiful, and looks great on you in those pictures. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you and hopefully when the length and few imperfections are fixed when you go back in august it will be just like you pictured it! Good luck!! All of your wedding plans sound great!

Thank you so much. These disboards are so great for lapses of confidence. Some decisions have been so easy and have just felt "right", like my shoes, my hair-and-makeup stylist, my DF's suit, the menu, and a few others. With other decisions, you go back-and-forth and second guess yourself so much that you drive yourself a little crazy. I can definitely relate to all those "2 dress" brides now!

Lisa,
I think the dress is absolutely stunning on you. I think when your mom picks it up and you don't have the pressures of the seamstress and those horid lights it will probably be a different story. Don't compare yourself to the model in the photos, remeber they are airbrushed to make them look better. And the part of the boddice, your mom is right she is laying down in that picture. Go ahead and lay down in your dress and I am sure yours will look the same! The only thing I wonder about is, if you wait till August, and you end up hating the dress, you really wont have enough time to rush another dress. So your options are limited. Can't wait to hear what happens.

Thank you! Maybe I'll have to get a lying down picture, just to post here.

I worried about not having enough time either, but the good thing is that I can't picture myself wanting anything other than all lace, A-line, strapless. And in the months since January, I've never once spotted a dress in a wedding magazine that made me think I wish I had chosen it instead. So... I think this must be the dress for me, despite my doubts. I just need to feel confident that it fits as well as it's supposed to.

I was actually feeling pretty good at the time of the fitting (other than no one else noticing some of the little flaws I saw.) I just asked my dad to email me a couple more of the photos to post here. This one was the one that triggered the "meltdown". When I looked at it, I began to seriously question the fit:

Of course, my mom, ever the rational one, said that I'm not going to be bending over like that in wedding photos. And, of course, she's right. But it made me notice the little gap right in the middle, below my breasts, in the rest of the pictures:

Again, super-rational mom says it's just a shadow. And after everybody's comments here, I'm feeling much, much better. Feeling like it is actually completely fine. And that it's not just mom saying what she thinks will work to make me feel better.

 

[jasonandlisa]

And I love the idea of caricature artists coming in! Who doesn't love having someone draw them funny? How much are they? I may be able to squeeze one into the budget...

That was an idea suggested by my wedding coordinator. At the beginning, I told her we wouldn't have dancing and that as a result, I was concerned about keeping my guests entertained. She suggested the Living Seas and the caricature artists.

Each one is $535.00 for a 3-hour call time featuring 3 30-minute sets.
For 80 guests, I'm getting 3, for a total of $1605.00 (The price includes the service charge and taxes.) It's looking like I'll probably have more like 90-100 guests. I don't know whether that'll mean adding one more artist. I hope not!

 

[jasonandlisa]

Lisa, first off let me say that you look beautiful in your wedding dress. Put it all into perspective when comparing yourself to the model pic. She is wearing loads of make up, her hair is done and the pic is photoshopped, perfect lighting etc. She is larger in the chest than you are so the dress probably does cling more to her than it would to you. However I do think that you need to try the dress on again, but this time do your hair and make up (please don't take that the wrong way ) What I mean is sometimes you can only get the full picture when you are do all that. I for one look totally different in outfits, depending on my make up and hairstyle, I also feel differently towards my outfits. If I'm not wearing make up I feel underdressed

I completely know what you're saying! The first time I intentionally didn't wear make-up. (And mom told me not to.) Because I didn't want to risk any of it coming off on the dress. But since I step into it, I don't think make-up should be a problem. I thought that I'd just ignore how my hair and make-up looked, but I guess it really does affect how you look.

Now in regards to you not feeling it. I completely empathise with you on this, you probably remember my fiasco with my first dress, same situation as you bought the first dress I tried on. However I do think that maybe you are just feeling upset beacause there were a few things wrong with the dress and this has tainted your feelings towards it. You need to be really happy with your dress, if this isn't the one then it isn't. Try it on again as soon as you can and make the decision, you wouldn't be the first one to want a different dress

I remember!! You were one of the brides I was thinking of when I said some brides have way, way worse "dress nightmares." Mine's really nothing in comparison. It's tough having to wait until August, but I definitely need to go back *after* I get all the RSVPs in so that I know how many welcome gifts I need to put together. (The deadline is 8/2) And trying to fly back-and-forth twice between now and the wedding is just too much, I think.

I do think you look great though, you have an amazing figure, have you tried it with your headpiece (tiara or veil)
On another note, i love your shoes and we have almost the exact same songs , thank you once again for helping me on that

Thank you!! Maybe next time I can at least put on my headpiece. The veil won't stay on without some major work by a stylist. It literally slips right off my head.

My pleasure to help on the songs. That was one decision that was relatively easy for me, fortunately.

 

[jasonandlisa]

I'm using Naomi from About Face (www.bridalbeauty.com). Initially, I wanted half up, half down. I'm a little self-conscious about my ears. It's not that they're huge. It's more that my head is too small for my ears. Baseball caps and me are not friends...

At my trial run (in March, when I had my planning session), Naomi started by putting my hair in hot rollers while she worked on my make-up. For make-up, I was asked whether I wanted "natural", "more than natural", or "glamorous". I went for "more than natural". I'm pretty easy when it comes to make-up. No allergies, and just about anything works. So I wasn't at all worried about that part of it. I had brought a picture of what I wanted makeup-wise, too.

Now, my hair is a different story, as Naomi quickly learned when she took out the hot rollers. It fell flat immediately. It's very, very fine hair, and there's not much of it. Sooo... I wasn't too surprised when Naomi said that half-down wouldn't work in the heat and humidity of early September for my outdoor ceremony. It would just look limp and lifeless.

The thing I really liked about Naomi (besides that she was young and fun and had a similar style to mine) was that she was able to look at the various pictures of hairstyles I had cut out of magazines, even the ones that couldn't possibly work with my hair, and "get" what kind of look I liked. She didn't just try to copy a particular hairstyle, but rather, she created a style that suited my taste and worked for my "difficult" hair. One thing I might ask her to change when she does my hair for the wedding is the pieces on the side of the face. She didn't curl them because after her hot roller experience, she figured the curls would just fall out. But I think I'd still like to start with them curled. Maybe they'll at least last through the ceremony and a few of the pictures.

Here are some pictures from the trial run:

 

[jodeeluvsdisney]

gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!!!