Ali & Chris's Planning Journal - WP/GF 6.30.14

[LittleKittyMarie]

Hope you are feeling better! Sorry to hear about the family problems and the issues with your Priest. I wish I had some better advice to offer.mtry and stay positive and remember you're marrying the one you love.

I love the pale pink colour... I'm surprised they're aren't that many pink flower girl dresses. I didn't have a flower girl so I never looked into it, but yeah, I think pink would be so much cuter!

 

[taylorali]

I know I haven't posted in months! I am long overdue for some planning details.

First of all, our engagement pictures won Best Engagement Shoot for the Magical Day awards for the Disney Weddings blog. So exciting! We felt very special that people voted for us and anything helps at this point - which I am sure you girls all know!!!

We are 118 days out! Holy crap that goes fast!

So we got our first budget beo and we are at around 35,000 (without hair/makeup, photography/videography) craziness!!

So from our first event BEO from our planner, Lisa, here are the things that will be there & that are included in our budget:
Wedding Pavilion Usage
Single Bag Piper
Cinderella' Coach
Hosted Bar/Premium Bar

Menu as of right now: Cocktail Hour
* Flora's H'dourves menu (choose 3) - pigs in a blanket, empanadas, spring rolls
* Antipasto Station

Reception - Buffer 100pp
* Cesar Salad
* Mixed Greens Salad
* Penne Ala Vodka
* Parmesean Crusted Chicken (Sauce/Cheese on side)
* Carving Station: Beef Tenderloin
* Mashed Potato Action Station
* Baby Veggies
* Steam White Rice

Kids Menu - Donald Duck
* chicken fingers, french friends, mac & cheese, & a mickey's crispy

This is the cake we LOVE and we had this topper! But it fell and broke. So now we are debating buying a new one, or doing something different. It will be gold and ivory.

Our cake is going to be chocolate cake and buttercream How can you go wrong?

(We also have it in the works to have a popcorn stand for dessert time as well.)

Alrighty, well I will post more updates and pictures tomorrow! Thanks for reading. xo

 

[elphie101]

Yummy! I love you menu choices, we're hoping to have a lot of similar things (potato station, Parmesan chicken). It looks delicious!!

That cake topper is adorable, so sorry it broke!

Congrats on winning! Your pictures were super cute. Can't wait for more!

 

[taylorali]

Yummy! I love you menu choices, we're hoping to have a lot of similar things (potato station, Parmesan chicken). It looks delicious!!

That cake topper is adorable, so sorry it broke!

Congrats on winning! Your pictures were super cute. Can't wait for more!

thanks so much! we shall figure it out! we might changing our cake now because we found something we really like now and won't have to buy a new cake topper, but we'll see!

I think we are gonna loose the pasta and the rice But everything else shall remain the same. *I think lol*

 

[taylorali]

So I know I am so behind on everything.

My bridal fashion has still not been chosen. This is something that is so hard to even talk about because through this whole planning time - my Grandma has been so sick - and it's just. Blah! It's been so difficult. I know it'll all work out and by the time June comes around, I'll be wearing something. My mom is buying me my gown as her gift to me. (As we have a very traditional family.) But she has been very preoccupied obviously with other things - so it's been very stressful.

Anyways! So our invitations! I found this amazing girl, Tiffany, on Etsy. Her store I believe is called Embelished Paperie. She makes beautiful things. We are sending out invites out in the beginning of April - so we need to make this decision like yesterday - but we keep going back and forth on what we want on the side. (There's two pictures - one that doesn't have a ribbon and one without. We like both!)

Tiffany is also making our table numbers, ISPY cards (which we will have at each table), and possibly our programs. (Haven't gotten that far yet! )

Definitely let me know what you think. <3

We're going to also have a reception card & travel/accomodations card. Haven't worked out the wording on that one yet. Oy vay. Stresssssss.

 

[taylorali]

Location! Location!

So! We didn't have a real planning session unfortunately. We did have our Phone Session on Feb 18th & we had a Floral Planning Session before that! Both went fantastic! Both Lisa & Elizabeth (who is on maternity leave. she had a little girl!) got me immediately and were so easy to talk to and work with!

So we are having our rehearsal dinner at the Boardwalk's Big River Grille! It's being hosted by my FMIL. I'm going to pay for a grooms cake for Chris from Tasty Too! (I think it's going to be an airplane ) We shall see about that! I believe our menu is about 30pp - and the kids just order from the kids menu. I think our group of 50 will be taking up the whole place! David & Vicki Arndt will be coming earlier to take family pictures before our dinner at 7! Pictures of the Boardwalk should be so much fun!

We are having our rehearsal actually at the Boardwalk before hand so that the actual first time we EVER see the Wedding Pavilion will be the day we get married. Which I think is so special. I don't know where in the Boardwalk yet - but they can't confirm anything until 30 days out anyways.

So here is where our Rehearsal will be:

Yummy! I'll see if I can find the menu and post it!

So then wedding day! Dun dun dun!

We are using Beaute Speciale for hair & makeup. Which is going to start at 10:30am! It's gonna be a long day! I'm going to need my 'Bride' Starbucks from the Magic Kingdom.

So I gave my girls the option to do their hair & makeup because I honestly cannot afford for 8 girls to get their hair & makeup done. My sister, and 3 bridesmaids are getting theirs done. The other 4, who are DF's cousins, are doing their own. But, they always look beautiful so I am not worried at alll!

My mom is also having hair done and my future MIL As a gift from me to them.

I "Might" take some Boudoir pictures for DF before pictures officially begin around 1:30. I'm just so nervous to do it! Like so much of my family is gonna be there and my girlfriends, oh not to mention my future mother in law! I don't think I can do anything remotely sexy at that time without consuming large amounts of alcohol.

Anyways! I am staying at the Grand Floridian with my family. So that is where all the Bridal festivities will take place. I am staying in a room with my sister and 2 of my other bridesmaids. My bestest friend from England is staying with her Husband either at our hotel or the Contemporary. I am so excited that I get to spend the night before my wedding with my closest friends!! It feels like I haven't had that in so long!!

Ok so back to location! I know I ramble.

So we're getting married in the Wedding Pavilion. Here are some pictures if you are unfamiliar. It's stunningly beautiful and I cannot wait to get married here. We are having a 5pm ceremony.

We were going to have our Cocktail Hour in Sago Cay - but it's Florida. In June. It's going to be so hot! Not matter what time it is. So we changed it to Salon A&B (Depending on how much space we need.) Our cocktail hour will begin at 6. I don't really have any great pictures of Salon A&B during cocktail hour - only people who have used it for their receptions. So if anyone has one. Please send it my way!

Our reception will be in St. Augustin Ballroom at Disney's Grand Floridian - this is another ceremony that was there. Ours will look different, but we are having the tulle canopy!

Very excited about all our choices!

 

[taylorali]

So as for fashion! Here are all our choices:

Grooms/Groomsmen - Classic Black & White Tux from Men's Wearhouse with Bow Tie
Maid of Honor - Jim Hjelm Occasions Dress - Two tone Rose/Blush - We are going to add a blingy belt to her dress as well!
Bridesmaids - Donna Morgan Bridesmaids Blaire Convertible dress (some will be wearing strapless, others wearing with the strap!)
Accessories - Simple Drop pearl necklace (gift from the Bride), gold shoes/accessories
Flower Girls - Us Angels Petal Dress

 

[taylorali]

So I am going to try and put my BEO for Floral here from Elizabeth - there are things that are definitely going to change!

We are adding a sign to the ceremony.
We are adding our names & date to our runner.
All the groomsmen's roses will be ivory - only Chris's pink
My Dad is no longer attending.
My grandma won't be able to come.
Chris's grandparents aren't sure if they are coming.

It's weird when I pasted it - so I edited it a bit.

CEREMONY TIME 5:00pm

PRE RECEPTION TIME 6:00pm-7:00pm

DINNER TIME 7:00pm-11:00pm

CEREMONY ; WEDDING PAVILION

BRIDAL QTY COST

GOWN COLOR:

BRIDAL BOUQUET:
Round, French bouquet of light pink peonies. See picture.

Wrap the stems 100% with ivory satin and wrap ivory lace over top of the satin.

Place a row of 6 single Swarovski pearls down the handle.

MAID OF HONOR

GOWN COLOR: Shades of light pink

BOUQUET Round, French bouquet of light pink peonies and ivory hydrangea.

1 Wrap the stems 100% with #115 powder pink satin ribbon and wrap ivory lace over top of the satin.

BRIDESMAIDS

GOWN COLOR: Blush

BOUQUET Round, French bouquet of ivory roses and hydrangea.

7 Wrap the stems 100% with #115 powder pink satin ribbon and wrap ivory lace over top of the satin.

Option: Hand tied bouquet of 12 ivory roses $100/per bouquet.

FLOWER GIRL

4 - Ages 5-8 Bride to provide baskets - fill with light pink rose petals.

CEREMONY
50 Guests

GROOM/BEST MAN/GROOMSMEN/RING BEARER:
Light pink rose with ruscus. Wrap the stems with ivory satin ribbon.

MOTHERS:
Ivory spray roses with filler, greens and an ivory sheer ribbon bow. Wrist.

GRANDMAS:
Smaller version of the moms corsages. Wrist.

Bride to provide a unity candle and taper set.

Mini Unity Set up - lit votive, 2 lighting tapers and matches.

Crystal unity stand - rental.

6" Cube vase - rental.

Wrap a gold firefly ribbon around the middle of each vase.

Top each with a hand tied arrangement of ivory and light pink floral using roses & hydrangeas

Place spaced across the altar table - two per side of the unity candles. See picture.

3 Bride to provide (3) memorial candle.

Place on a column with chiffon skirting with two on the grooms side and one on the brides side - Accent the base with coordinating fresh floral. 3 25.00 $75.00

6 5' Gold candelabras with bobeches, crystal (going to be pearls not crystals) swags and (4) candles - rental.

Place on both sides of the aisle at the first/middle/last rows.

6 Top with a large, full arrangement of light pink and blush pink floral using: roses, spray roses, hydrangea and lisianthus.

1 Ivory fabric aisle runner preset from the altar table to the back of the pavilion.

1 Scatter light pink and blush pink rose petals with accents of ivory rose petals down both sides of the aisle.

25 Rose petals in blush and light pink for the remaining guests loose in a basket for tossing.

MOVE CEREMONY FLORAL TO DINNER: Yes see below*

SOLD BY: Elizabeth Davis / Lisa Smith UPDATE: January 30, 2014

CEREMONY TIME 5:00pm

PRE RECEPTION TIME 6:00pm-7:00pm

DINNER TIME 7:00pm-11:00pm

PRE-RECEPTION

Cocktail Tables - 6

Highboy Tables - 6

6" Bubble bowls - rental.
Place one per table.
Fill halfway with water and top with a floating light pink rose bloom.

ESCORT CARDS No Bride to provide.

DINNER Resort to provide ivory table linens.

Sweetheart Table

50 Gold chiavari chairs with an ivory chair pad.

Please note: $75 delivery fee

6 Rounds 50 Blush satin napkins. Resort to fold.

Grand Floridian: Sago Cay Pointe (This is changed)

Grand Floridian: St Augustine CD

Resort to provide ivory table linens.

June 30, 2014

QTY COST

6 26" Cylinder vase - rental.

Place one per table. Transfer the ceremony arrangements and place one per cylinder.

Swag (not drop) pearl strands from the underside of each arrangement

6 Scatter light pink and blush pink rose petals on each round

7 Place 4 antique gold votive cups on each round and the sweetheart table.

Transfer the altar arrangements and use on the sweetheart table.

FAVORS TBD

PLACE CARDS No

TABLE NUMBERS No Bride to provide.

MENU CARDS No Buffet - no menu cards needed.

BOUQUET TOSS Yes Small hand tied bouquet designed to match the bridal bouquet. $35.00

COMMENTS: Colors Are: Pale Pinks (light and blush), ivory and gold

Likes/Dislikes: Likes hydrangea, roses, peonies, garden roses, sweet peas

No in park photo session currently scheduled. This might be changing! Hopefully!!

CONSULT DATE: SOLD BY: January 30, 2014

January 28, 2014 Elizabeth Davis / Lisa Smith

 

[taylorali]

So here are some pictures of what my floral is talking about:

This is the bouquet I want:

As you can imagine - those are peonies, and it's gonna be pricey. My sisters is going to be a combo of pink peonies and ivory roses/hydrangeas - and the bridesmaids are just going to have ivory roses & hydrangeas.

This is what the aisle will look like/our centerpieces are different, but same idea of fullness and look - except the candelabras will be gold and there will be pearls swagged from them. But rose petals down the sides.

This is the sign we want to be at the beginning of the aisle to imply "open seating."

This is the crystal stand we are renting and that is what our altar will look like minus the sign. Our memorial candles are going on both our respective sides. These altar arrangements will be transferred to our sweetheart table!

Then cocktail hour we are having just a rose floating in a bowl on each table. Kinda like this. But out table cloths will be ivory.

These are the pictures I sent for inspiration for my centerpieces. I am trying to decide whether to stick with the Gold Candelabras for the tables - or use the cylinder vase I originally wanted. Let me know what you guys think.

https://31.media.tumblr.com/47128e4085cb3c07d010f7eb03ca458e/tumblr_n20c0u1F4n1qbo7f6o2_1280.jpg

Then I think we are going to add a floral arrangement to the Guestbook table, Photobooth Prop Table, Gift Table. These I want to look something like this:

I LOVE the pearls on the bottom! But we might with something simpler like this -

OR this:

But in a gold/clear vase.

So I think that's it for floral! Many things to changee!

I will post more about other things we're planning tomorrow! Finally getting sleepy enough to fall asleep. *Fingers crossed*

 

[taylorali]

Decor/Entertainment:

So! For our wedding we are having some fun decor/entertainment elements!

Our ceremony is very floral based decorated - but we are also having a bag piper! This is to represent my grandfather who passed when I was little. I believe, to this day, that he is my guardian angel. I find little pieces of him everywhere. In music that's playing, to something I find randomly while cleaning. He's very special to me. I'll actually have a charm of his picture on my bouquet. I'm not sure how we're going to work it into the ceremony yet, but he will be at the ceremony then play for guests at the cocktail hour

For our guestbook, we created a custom book with Mixbook.com. We are still waiting to get it! We used our engagement pictures with David & Vicki Ardnt! We love those photos so much!!

I am trying to think of other decor to include on the Guestbook table. We are thinking of doing a "Wish Jar" and having people put wishes in for us the whole night. We're going to have a picture of us blown up and framed - and then hopefully family pictures.

We're going to have a memorial table with pictures of our grandparents & memorial candles. I'm going to get a sign for this table but haven't yet.

I still haven't decided between a traditional photobooth or photomingle? I've heard good things about both! But I'm not sure what direction to go in!

As for lighting - we're probably going to use someone outside of Disney as their prices are too high for us right now. I've contacted a few places, but again, have to figure out the photobooth situation first!

This is the color pink I would like the lighting to be:

We are having a DJ so as comes with the DJ packets we are going to have "And they live Happily Ever After" on the wall behind our sweetheart table & the carriage on the dance floor.

We are also having the tulle canopy

Oh! Our escort cards! This is the feel I'm going for.

I originally wanted to have them hanging - but my planner expressed she thought this would make things difficult for my guests, so I'm wondering if we should have an overlay or something on the table so they don't look so bored! The keys will be attached with a light/blush pink ribbon to an ivory card. (Although I'm rethinking the ivory card bc our table clothes are ivory) Need to talk to my planner! Hopefully they'll come out nice!

I have no figured out exactly about our programs yet because we are waiting for Rev Tim to send us this book called "The Catholic Wedding Outside the Church" - or something that effect. We are having a recovalidation ceremony at home in our church on August 9th. But I don't know how to word anything and what not. And we have to pick reading and all that. So until we get that book, we won't really be able to make this decision.

Have I mentioned we're 115 days out? AH!

 

[taylorali]

So ceremony flow!

I have 8 bridesmaids! (Including my maid of honor.) I have 4 flower girls! It's gonna be craziness!

We had to pick a ton of music for the ceremony and we've made a whole lot of changes since our picks. Our ceremony is going to be different than a traditional Disney ceremony. Typically Disney has it so that all the guys walk in and then all the girls. Traditionally in my family, people walk down in pairs. I'm also not having all my bridesmaids/flower girls stand at the alter. Just maid of honor and best man. They'll be sitting in the first row on my side and groomsmen on DF's side. That's also something that traditionally happens in a church wedding - so we wanted to incorporate that into our Disney wedding.

So as people are being seating we would really like "Married Life" off the UP soundtrack to be played. It's the main song from the movie if you're not sure what I'm referring to. You can also google it and there are many fine examples of it being played. Our wedding is very fairytalesqe, but we wanted to incorporate a little bit of Up! as I think we are headed straight to being Carl & Ellie. I'm sick a lot and my DF is a grump! So, we really wanted to add that.

Then we were going to have parents & grandparents walk down the aisle! But! My Mom is walking me down the aisle. DF's grandparents might not be in attendance. My grandma can't come bc she is very, very sick. We are actually having the wedding streamed live (Thank you Trinity!!) Anyone can watch from home!

So if DF's grandparents do come - they're walk down the aisle, followed by DF's Mom & Stepdad. They will walk down the aisle to Bette Midler's "The Rose."

Then comes to GROOM! Chris's Best Man, Justin will then come out, followed by Chris & Reverand Tim. They will be coming down to Indiana Jones! So much fun! DF thought I'd be upset with this choice, but I think it's perfect and hey, it's HIS day too!

SO then come the Bridesmaids & Groomsmen - They'll be coming down to Canon in D Major. Traditional.

Then comes the beautiful 4 flower girls and EJ our ring bearer, who will be holding a sign that says, "Chris, Here Comes Your Bride!" They'll be walking down to "A Dream is A Wish Your Heart Makes" from Cinderella!

Then comes my sister. Maid of Honor. Lisa, our planner, suggested I have a song for her. So after much debate between Tangled "I See the Light" and "Beauty and the Beast" we actually decided to go with Beauty & the Beast. When DF and I started listening to it, we started to cry.. So yeah. It does the trick!

Then! The bells in the Wedding Pavilion will ring 5 times since our ceremony is at 5pm! And traditional Here Comes the Bride! I'll be walking down with my Mom.

So there will be bits and pieces added to our ceremony musically, that mostly have to do with our religion, but I know during the lighting of the Unity Candles, "Ave Maria" will be playing. Which I think will be beautiful!

We are just going back down to the Traditional Processional and then the Main Street Electric Parade music will start to play!

Then I shall be a married woman!! And exhausted.

More soon!

 

[taylorali]

Horray! Our Ring Bearer Sign came in today! We bought this off etsy from a shop called CastleInnDesigns. The shop owner is so helpful! Definitely recommend her for anyone looking for a sign like this.

Slowly, but surely - things are coming together.

 

[taylorali]

Wanted to share this in case anyone else is interested in having their Rehearsal or welcome party at Big River Grille. We are having our Rehearsal dinner there June 29th and this is our menu. Kids order from the kids menu. :

Menu A $38 Per person

Soda, tea and coffee included.


Your Choices this Evening are

Entrées
Served with choice of a Brew house salad, Caesar salad or Cup of Beer Cheese soup.


Chicken Alfredo Pasta
Penne pasta blended with grilled chicken in a creamy Parmesan cheese sauce with Roma tomatoes and mushrooms.

New York Strip
Grilled 8 oz. New York strip served with garlic mashed potatoes and vegetables.


Salmon Caesar Salad
Fresh Salmon, grilled and served atop a classic combination of romaine lettuce and creamy Asiago Cheese dressing

Hazelnut Crusted Chicken
Boneless chicken coated with hazelnuts, sautéed and served in Sun dried Cherry sauce. Accompanied by garlic mashed potatoes and vegetable of the day.


Dessert and Coffee
Your choice between a wonderful piece of our New York style Cheesecake or a Chocolate Confusion Cake.

 

[alyaki]

Wanted to share this in case anyone else is interested in having their Rehearsal or welcome party at Big River Grille. We are having our Rehearsal dinner there June 29th and this is our menu. Kids order from the kids menu. :

Menu A $38 Per person

Soda, tea and coffee included.


Your Choices this Evening are

Entrées
Served with choice of a Brew house salad, Caesar salad or Cup of Beer Cheese soup.


Chicken Alfredo Pasta
Penne pasta blended with grilled chicken in a creamy Parmesan cheese sauce with Roma tomatoes and mushrooms.

New York Strip
Grilled 8 oz. New York strip served with garlic mashed potatoes and vegetables.


Salmon Caesar Salad
Fresh Salmon, grilled and served atop a classic combination of romaine lettuce and creamy Asiago Cheese dressing

Hazelnut Crusted Chicken
Boneless chicken coated with hazelnuts, sautéed and served in Sun dried Cherry sauce. Accompanied by garlic mashed potatoes and vegetable of the day.


Dessert and Coffee
Your choice between a wonderful piece of our New York style Cheesecake or a Chocolate Confusion Cake.

Mmmm, this menu sounds awesome, and that's a really great price! Really like everything you've been planning. ^_^b I may have to look into Big River when we start worrying about booking the rehearsal dinner.

 

[taylorali]

Mmmm, this menu sounds awesome, and that's a really great price! Really like everything you've been planning. ^_^b I may have to look into Big River when we start worrying about booking the rehearsal dinner.

Thanks so much.

Definitely check it out. Best food for the price

The manager is also very very nice.

 

[taylorali]

So new things!

This week we started work on our welcome bags!

I bought pink folders from amazon. (My mom had prime - so shipping is free!) So I bought them in bulk to save money.

Another Disney Bride, Christie, sent me "I'm Celebrating" Buttons & maps to all the parks as well as DD So nice of her!

So I used a label maker and made the buttons say "Ali & Chris's Fairytale Wedding"

I'm going to put a sticker on the folders and get just regular craft bags from oriental trading. Not sure what size yet because I need to see which size fits the folder.

The folder will also have a welcome letter. Itinerary. A cute "About Us" Story. And I plan to add the times guide they put out every Sunday.

Not sure what else we are going to put in there. (Probably water, snacks of some sort -)

Any tips would be great!!

We also got our invite proofs back! I'm in love with them! They are perfect for our colors/theme

We got them off etsy from Tiffany from EmbellishedPaperie.

My bridesmaids have all received their dresses now! Genny & Nashi sent me a picture of them in it and the two different ways it can worn. The color looks different bc they're standing in front of a dish tank lol. But I love it The dress is by Donna Morgan!

Their socks are a nice touch.

I also got one of our photo props that I will probably put on the cake/gift table for the reception. We're gonna paint it pink & Ivory. Don't mind our puppy, Lucy, sniffing away. Lol

That's it for right now. 102 days to go!

 

[October 2014 Bride]

I love all your wedding ideas. We have very similar ideas. We are having the candelabras and clear jars with flowers floating in them for our cocktail hour. I really love your invitations as well. Everything looks fabulous and I've enjoyed catching up with your plans.

 

[lilofigment1]

I love the wooden Mickey 'love' sign. Where did you get it from?

Everything for your wedding looks absolutely beautiful

 

[taylorali]

So I am sad as I write this.

But our Disney Fairytale Wedding was cancelled.

How it happened and what was done to my fiance & I is devastating. To sum it up, My father, who decided he wanted to throw me & Chris (my DF) a wedding, backed out a month before. He will not speak to me. He literally has fallen off the face of the earth. It has been an absolutely horrible experience and I cannot wait for it to be in the past.

Nevertheless, my DF and I still want to plan SOMETHING for June 30th. We were planning our wedding for over a year, and it's heartbreaking to let go of things that you always dreamed of, but at the end up the day you have to realize that this about the rest of your life and this wedding is just ONE day of that.

It's also been amazing being a part of such amazing community of girls who inspire me not to give up on my dreams!

So with that said, I think I shall start a new planning journal to start fresh bc God knows, I need to.

 

[andeesings]

So I am sad as I write this. But our Disney Fairytale Wedding was cancelled. How it happened and what was done to my fiance & I is devastating. To sum it up, My father, who decided he wanted to throw me & Chris (my DF) a wedding, backed out a month before. He will not speak to me. He literally has fallen off the face of the earth. It has been an absolutely horrible experience and I cannot wait for it to be in the past. Nevertheless, my DF and I still want to plan SOMETHING for June 30th. We were planning our wedding for over a year, and it's heartbreaking to let go of things that you always dreamed of, but at the end up the day you have to realize that this about the rest of your life and this wedding is just ONE day of that. It's also been amazing being a part of such amazing community of girls who inspire me not to give up on my dreams! So with that said, I think I shall start a new planning journal to start fresh bc God knows, I need to.

I'm so sorry!!!! :-( Whatever you do for your wedding, it will be beautiful. You'll make your own fairy tale!