JaxTeach's PJ-- SBP/CG/UK Upper December 14, 2007 *After Wedding Update 12/15*

[caryndisneydiva]

your skirt looks so good with all that stuff under it! now that i have a new dress, i'm goign to wear exactly what you're wearing...the 3 hoop with the super full crinnie over it!

 

[Glorydaz]

Jaclyn, just wanted to say ...everything will be wonderful...I LOVE your gown and I'm sure you will be more than comfortable in it. I got married on Halloweenof this year , in New Jersey - it was 67 degrees outside, we took our wedding photos by waters edge ( had to be cooler there) and I never ever felt cold! so have faith!!

your bustle is gorgeous by the way - very very elegant!

Michelle

 

[JaxTeach]

I am so excited about your cake tasting - that's what I tell everyone they should do if they're having an Escape wedding and don't get a tasting. And it's great that you were able to find out that the flavors you thought you wanted weren't what you wanted.

Happy planning!

It is such a good idea. I don't mind that DFTW doesn't provide one to the Intimate brides, but anyone who has the opportunity should go for it! I really thought we'd LOVE the tropical mousse... not so much! And I thought I'd hate the strawberry mousse and loved it!

I love the original dress. I would recommend a cape. If you have time, have a satin cape made the color of your bridesmaid's dresses. I have been married almost 19 years and that is my only regret from our wonderful day. I was actually watching *Guiding Light* in 1988. In one of Reva Shayne's many weddings, she wore a red satin cape over her wedding dress. I had our bridesmaid's dresses made, the tops were navy velvet, the skirt was navy satin. I thought I bought enough satin to make my beloved cape with hood. Low and behold, I was short. To top it all off, in the hotel where we had our reception, another bride was walking around in a red satin cape. AHHHH.....oh, well. I guess 19 years of being happily married is better than any ole cape. But, it still bothers me to this day.

Oh no! I try to think about what aspects of our wedding I might regret not having... I'm definitely one to dwell on things and replay them over and over. A dark blue velvet cape would be right up my alley! I do have a satin wrap and I think I'll use that if it is chilly.

If DF and I ever have a daughter, I will definitely encourage her to dream about her wedding! I've never imagined having a wedding so this has been quite an experience for me and caused me to change my mind a million times!

Great choice on the bustle, looks much better than the suggested!

You look beautiful in your dress, so close!

Thank you! I'm so glad the seamstress was able to come up with something different than that David's Bridal suggested bustle! I think that was one thing that had me down about my dress. I love the underbustles and didn't think I could have one with my dress due to the organza tiers. I can't wait to see my dress again.

your skirt looks so good with all that stuff under it! now that i have a new dress, i'm goign to wear exactly what you're wearing...the 3 hoop with the super full crinnie over it!

Alllllll of that tulle really fills out the skirt! My dress has tulle built into it, so I'm extra poofy! I know using the 3 hoop is going to save my legs on my wedding day.

Jaclyn, just wanted to say ...everything will be wonderful...I LOVE your gown and I'm sure you will be more than comfortable in it. I got married on Halloweenof this year , in New Jersey - it was 67 degrees outside, we took our wedding photos by waters edge ( had to be cooler there) and I never ever felt cold! so have faith!!

your bustle is gorgeous by the way - very very elegant!

Michelle

Thank you Michelle! I don't get cold easily so I think I will be fine until maybe the dessert party. Florida is such a craps shoot-- one day it's in the 50s (which is cold here ) and the next it's in the 80s. If all else fails I have my wedding hoodie that I could wear once Randy is gone!

Our payment to Disney is due Friday! I've just finished filling out our credit card authorizations... We also have to pay our florist this week. Making these payments is certainly making it "real."

I have had a few last minute questions for our planner that I thought I'd share. Our DP is scheduled from 9:00-10:00pm. On our BEO it says that we have the Epcot guide for up to 4 hours. I asked our planner if we could extend our DP until 11:00pm and we have been given the okay! I'm so excited because as I'm sure everyone has gathered we are big Epcot nerds and love watching the Inferno Barge burnoff. At 11:00pm our guide will walk us to the International Gateway to walk back to the BWI.

We've also been given the okay to our mini-motorcoach schedule. Here is what we're doing, maybe it will help someone out in the future:
4:30 Pick-up guests at BWI, transport to Contemporary
8:30 Pick-up guests at Contemporary, transport to backstage Epcot
9:00 Transport guests to DTD hotels (one family has an infant and they're not attending our DP)
10:00 Transport guests to BWI/Swan & Dolphin (this is basically for my grandparents)

Anyone remaining will walk back to BWI or use a Friendship boat since our wedding night is EMH at Epcot.

Since we're almost to the end here, I thought I'd share the most valuable thing I've learned in this whole process. Never be afraid to ask your planner questions! I have bugged my planner weekly, usually several times a week via email. She has been professional in all of our correspondence for which I will be eternally grateful. That has really difused some potentially Bridezilla situations!

 

[Kristen14]

Wow, im surprised by how much filling they have in those cakes! I was picturing a quarter of that. We got almond & bavarian creme, but seeing your pics makes me want to add fresh strawberries just to take away from all the filling.

I love your monogram & water bottle... they both look great!

 

[lpizzuro123]

I have really enjoyed reading your planning journal and have gotten some great ideas. I love the way your invites came out. I think we are going to go with the pocket invites also. These are great for destination weddings. Great idea ordering some samples - we want red - with a black border - with either a white or off white card. Did you do all the printing and cutting down to size yourself? I can't quite tell from the picture - is the band you have around the invite a paper band or is it material ribbon and what did you use for a picture in the square. Also, it looks like it is held close with velcro. What a great idea rather then making stickers - that way it can be open and closed and no need to rip the sticker. Another question, where did you put the return envelope for the RSVP.

We will be down in WDW for Thanksgiving having a site visit. Hoping for a ceremony in Italy, a reception in either Ariels or ADH and then a IllumiNations desert party in UK.

Can't wait to read more.

Linda

 

[JaxTeach]

Wow, im surprised by how much filling they have in those cakes! I was picturing a quarter of that. We got almond & bavarian creme, but seeing your pics makes me want to add fresh strawberries just to take away from all the filling.

I love your monogram & water bottle... they both look great!

I was surprised with the cakes as well! I really wanted to try the bavarian cream with fresh strawberries, but DF said he wouldn't like it. I really don't know that he knows what bavarian cream is, but oh well...

I have really enjoyed reading your planning journal and have gotten some great ideas. I love the way your invites came out. I think we are going to go with the pocket invites also. These are great for destination weddings. Great idea ordering some samples - we want red - with a black border - with either a white or off white card. Did you do all the printing and cutting down to size yourself? I can't quite tell from the picture - is the band you have around the invite a paper band or is it material ribbon and what did you use for a picture in the square. Also, it looks like it is held close with velcro. What a great idea rather then making stickers - that way it can be open and closed and no need to rip the sticker. Another question, where did you put the return envelope for the RSVP.

We will be down in WDW for Thanksgiving having a site visit. Hoping for a ceremony in Italy, a reception in either Ariels or ADH and then a IllumiNations desert party in UK.

Can't wait to read more.

Linda

Good luck with your site visit! We have seen several wedding receptions at Ariels before we ever dreamed of a DFTW! I remember having fun listening to the typical wedding reception music being played while we ate ice cream at Beaches & Cream. If we were having a Custom wedding, Italy would be one of my top ceremony location choices!

The pocketfolds are great. They are a bit of work, but it's not that bad.

Here is what I did:
I purchased the blue Pocketfolds, the silver mat, response envelopes and invitation envelopes from cards-and-pockets.com .
I bought the silver ribbon at Big Lots (that's what is around the pocketfold).
The actual invitation is 4x6 card stock from Michaels.
The inserts were made from 8.5x11 card stock bought at Target (I made a huge mistake at 8:30pm the night I was putting them together and made a mad dash for Target praying they had white card stock!)
The square card on the flap is a silver piece of card stock and a white piece with our monogram on it.
I used a small piece of Velcro to close them (I did a horrible job cutting the Velcro out, that's my one regret on the invites! I got lazy and tired when it came to cutting the Velcro.)

I used one of the scrapbooking paper trimmers to trim the inserts and the silver square things.
Everything is hot glued together (the ribbon around the invitation and the square things).

The most difficult part was getting the initial measurements for the inserts correct. After I had a template, I cut everything to that size and it was quick and easy.

The RSVP envelope was placed around the RSVP card... you could still read the RSVP letters, but the envelope was there *hopefully* reminding our guests to mail it out!

If you need any help let me know, I have all of my stuff saved in Word. I'm glad to share.

 

[caryndisneydiva]

i quickly looked on ebay, they have a ton of fur wraps, priced from the low 20's-180!

 

[helloirishkitty]

1. I love love love your bustle! And you look beautiful in your dress!

2. The cake tasting is a really great idea... my DF is looking forward to that most.. lol

3. You're so close! and your PJ really is amazing

 

[lpizzuro123]

Thanks for such detailed instruction on your invitation. They really came out wonderful. I did a mock up last week using folders and cardstock I got from work. I think I will order some samples from the pocket place just to get colors. They are expensive to order but I really want to check the color. There is a paper store by me called Blue Tulip and they sell the pocket style invites but with the pocket being on the side and not the bottom of the far right fold. I was hoping they had them in stock so I could see them. I just hate ordering some stuff over the internet but I can't find it anywhere else. I was in Michaels yesterday and they sell small velcro dots. I might purchase these instead of cutting a long strip of velcro. It will probably be more expensive but I think it will make things go easier. I also like that you used silver ribbon around the invite. I couldn't tell if it was paper or ribbon.

I'll let you know how things work out. We will be down in WDW from November 17 to 26 so I probably will not have time to work on he invitations until we get back.

Thanks again for the info.

Linda

 

[BaBeeCee14]

I love your invitations! They look great, the blue looks really nice. I also love the color of your crinnie. I think I want to dye my crinnie too now...after seeing how nice everyone elses came out. What colors dyes did you use again? I'm thinking my crinnie will be my something blue. Anyway, everything looks great so far! The day is getting close...

 

[JaxTeach]

i quickly looked on ebay, they have a ton of fur wraps, priced from the low 20's-180!

I'm looking... They had the cutest faux fur cape for my flower girl a while back. I've gotta post a pic of the wrap I bought a while ago, I think that will do it for me. I love the faux fur wraps and it would look super Christmas-y.

1. I love love love your bustle! And you look beautiful in your dress!

2. The cake tasting is a really great idea... my DF is looking forward to that most.. lol

3. You're so close! and your PJ really is amazing

Thank you so much! : We really enjoyed the "cake tasting" as did my nephew... he was pleased to see 3 cakes on our table!

Thanks for such detailed instruction on your invitation. They really came out wonderful. I did a mock up last week using folders and cardstock I got from work. I think I will order some samples from the pocket place just to get colors. They are expensive to order but I really want to check the color. There is a paper store by me called Blue Tulip and they sell the pocket style invites but with the pocket being on the side and not the bottom of the far right fold. I was hoping they had them in stock so I could see them. I just hate ordering some stuff over the internet but I can't find it anywhere else. I was in Michaels yesterday and they sell small velcro dots. I might purchase these instead of cutting a long strip of velcro. It will probably be more expensive but I think it will make things go easier. I also like that you used silver ribbon around the invite. I couldn't tell if it was paper or ribbon.

I'll let you know how things work out. We will be down in WDW from November 17 to 26 so I probably will not have time to work on he invitations until we get back.

Thanks again for the info.

Linda

You're welcome! Good luck with your planning session!

I love your invitations! They look great, the blue looks really nice. I also love the color of your crinnie. I think I want to dye my crinnie too now...after seeing how nice everyone elses came out. What colors dyes did you use again? I'm thinking my crinnie will be my something blue. Anyway, everything looks great so far! The day is getting close...

I used Royal Blue and Navy Blue. I used 1 box of each to dye my crinoline. I used the custom color chart on the Rit website. http://www.ritdye.com/Create+Custom+Color.9.lasso Mine is a bit dark compared to Kristen's. I'm going to try to go a bit lighter on my flower girl's. She's asked for her's to be dyed as well!

Today is our 1 month mark!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't believe it is finally here. Today we officially paid Disney. It is such a relief to be done with it! Our final cost to Disney was $10449.72. We ended up overpaying by about $100. We are so close to the Wishes minimum, but for our date it would have been $15k minimum. Plus a 25 night room block... and the minimum is before taxes, so I think we did a great job. We have everything we could possibly have wished for on our wedding day! (Except characters, but I'll pretend to be okay with it!)

I've been searching for a ticket to fly my cousin down for the wedding. She's in college right now and has hard time things since my uncle passed away years ago. Since she was 12 I've been flying her down to spend the summers with me. I really want her and my grandmother to be at my wedding because we are "kindred spirits" as Anne of Green Gables would say. It appears that my grandmother isn't going to make it (which breaks my heart), but I found a great ticket for my cousin. I have to fly her out of 1 airport and back into another... which is pricey. It was coming up over $500 for the last few weeks, but Delta has graciously lowered their fares and I bought her a ticket for a little over $200. Sorry that was such a long tangent, but this is making me sooooooooo happy! The two of us have such a special bond-- since she was an infant really-- it's so important to have her with me!

I have a few pics to post...
Ivory Mickey Purse

Card Box (work in progress still!)

Cake Knife & Server (engraved-- sorry you can't really read it)

Custom M&Ms-- They are just going in the little Wilton favor tins. Nothing fancy! I do need to create a sticker to put on top though.

I need to make a list of things I've gotta do still...
* Engrave wedding bands
* Make menus
* Get marriage license (I have to do this soon, this has been the 1 thing I've had "wedding nightmares" about!)
* Make candle favors
* Make programs
* Make CDs
* Put together Welcome Boxes
* Create Welcome Folders to give guests
* Finalize ceremony
* Pay Randy, STVS, Whimsical Wey
* Make plans for Paris... might wanna do that one soon...
* Decorate vases for centerpieces... transport to Whimsical Wey along with bouquet jewels
* Dye wedding shoes (blue of course!)

That's all I can think of for now. I still can't believe we're 1 month away..............

As we get closer I know I'm going to get nervous and obsess about things. I think I read lurkyloo write that you should pick 3 things that you want to be perfect and leave the rest alone. Now that the planning is mostly over, I think I'll do that and let the rest happen as it will.

 

[Kristen14]

I think I read lurkyloo write that you should pick 3 things that you want to be perfect and leave the rest alone. Now that the planning is mostly over, I think I'll do that and let the rest happen as it will.

She definitely has more sense than I do I feel the need to obsess over everything!

I'm kinda tempted to get one of those mickey purses, but then the Martha Stewart inside me says to buy a white purse and sew on my own hidden Mickeys

 

[JaxTeach]

She definitely has more sense than I do I feel the need to obsess over everything!

I'm kinda tempted to get one of those mickey purses, but then the Martha Stewart inside me says to buy a white purse and sew on my own hidden Mickeys

Haha, I have certainly obsessed the last few months... but I will pick 3 things I want to be perfect on my wedding day. At least I'll try. I can just see me with a clipboard directing people. I'm trying to give that job to my brother so I can relax!

If I could sew or do anything creative, I would have gone that route. I think the purse is $30? It's really not that fabulous, but it will be handy on our wedding day. If you do your own, you've gotta post it!

 

[caryndisneydiva]

are you going to dye your shoes yourself??? this could be a great new disbrides project...

i'm so happy that you are able to have your cousin with you! that is very special! is she excited???

 

[JaxTeach]

are you going to dye your shoes yourself??? this could be a great new disbrides project...

i'm so happy that you are able to have your cousin with you! that is very special! is she excited???

No, the shoes will go to a place that dyes shoes... I think that project needs a slightly higher skill level than I possess!

YES! My cousin is super excited about coming down! She's gone to Disney a lot with us and loves it. She's planning on doing CP next year and one of her good friends is currently doing his CP @ MK. She has to be excited-- she takes her last final for the semester and then hops on a plane to Orlando for a week. I'm excited for her!

 

[cryssi]

woooow your dress is soooo poufy! I love it! You are so right that the hoopskirt will totally save you on your wedding day...it will keep all that heavy dress off your legs and you will feel so free. Just make sure that you have practiced walking in it...a LOT. I walked so funny down the aisle b/c I didn't practice enough! LOL!

 

[Bostonbride6292008]

I love your card box!

 

[JaxTeach]

woooow your dress is soooo poufy! I love it! You are so right that the hoopskirt will totally save you on your wedding day...it will keep all that heavy dress off your legs and you will feel so free. Just make sure that you have practiced walking in it...a LOT. I walked so funny down the aisle b/c I didn't practice enough! LOL!

Excellent tip! I must practice walking before the wedding... and sitting I suppose!

I love your card box!

Thanks! It was super simple to put together. Let me know if you want directions!

Nothing much to add... I ordered our signature mat at Michaels today. I got Indigo Blue. I didn't get a discount since the manager placed my order (darn it!) but she was nice enought to give me a piece of mat that is a similar color for me to experiment with pens on. I bought 3 gel pens before leaving... a sparkly silver, regular silver and white.

Oooo... Michael's also had glow bracelets 15 for $1. We already have our glow necklace (just like the ones sold in the parks) for our DP, but I bought a few glow bracelets just for fun.

 

[Kristen14]

Let me know which type of pen turns out best!

 

[cryssi]

lol, sitting is easy...Lift the hoop by your butt slightly and sit on it...that's it!