Andreah and Brian - Dec 8th, 2009 (Reception Photos Posted)

[polynesianbride]

Hi Andreah! I just got all caught up and it looks like things are moving along amazingly well! First off I am so glad Brian is done with chemo and that he did so amazing with it (I'm sure it helped him a ton to know he had you at his side)! Secondly.... WISHES So awesome that you are "upgrading"! And what an awesome deal for your PS trip... are you going to do a TR? Pretty please? Also I absolutely love your newsletter... I think it's the best one I've seen yet! And the STD's are so cute, I love how you addressed the envelopes! Congrats on everything can't wait to hear more!

 

[acwinsett]

Aww . . . thanks for checking in! I have soooo many updates that I need to post, but it's just been nuts around here. In the past couple of weeks, we've been assigned an event planner, booked our officiant, received our counter-signed contract and set a loose itinerary for our planning session in July. Whew! I'm tired! I promise to post lots of details soon.

 

[Pirate's Princess]

Congrats on the contract!!! And the trip!

 

[acwinsett]

First of all, I apologize for completely neglecting my "bride-to-be" planning journal duties over the last few months. So much has happened over the last few months and I will try my best to catch up.

So, over the last several days I have purchased TWO more wedding gowns! It's not that I didn't like the one I already bought - I do really love it - but these deals were really too great to pass up.

To refresh your memory, this is the first gown I purchased:

Da Vinci 8005 / David's Bridal 2295E
Original Retail Price: $695 (Currently selling on DB outlet for $449)
Purchased on eBay for: $120 + $20 shipping = $140

Well, last week a beautiful Kirstie Kelly for Disney gown was listed in the size I needed, and this NEVER happens. I have only seen a couple of these gowns ever listed, and the starting price has been like $1,200 or $700 - way more than I'm willing to pay for a sight-unseen gown. But this one was listed starting at $99 - brand new with tags. So, once again, I figured that if I could get a good deal, then I should go for it. I had to compete against once other bidder, but managed to snag it.

It apparently comes from Bellezza Bridal, a bridal shop in Denver that is going out of business. They had hosted a Kirstie Kelly trunk sale a few months back.

Kirstie Kelly for Disney / Style B2812 (Inspired by Belle)
Retail Price: $2,390
Purchased on eBay for: $114 + $50 shipping = $164

So, wouldn't you know, that on Saturday, the very very prettiest ever Kirstie Kelly gown would be listed starting at $99. So my first reaction was "darn it!", but it didn't take long for me to decide that this is the gown I really wanted to try for. It's called "the Platinum Gown" and is inspired by Cinderella. BRAND NEW WITH TAGS!! I couldn't stop thinking about it. I was losing sleep over it. I had butterflies in my tummy. So I rationalized the purchase of yet a THIRD wedding gown by looking at the money that I had actually spent on my bridal attire thus far.

Wedding gown #1 = $140
Wedding gown #2 = $164
Kate Spade Shoes = $72
Kate Spade Handbag = $55
Headpiece = $29
TOTAL = $460 - That's just CRAZY!

Then, I kept thinking about how the rouched bodice and dropped waistline would be flattering (and FORGIVING!), and the gown would be so apprpriate for a winter wedding at dusk.

This one was a bit tougher - I was bidding against three other people by the time it was all over. But, I had a game plan together and used my time-tested and proven eBay method. And . . . . ta-da!

Kirstie Kelly for Disney / Style C2826 (Inspired by Cinderella)
Retail Price: $3,390
Purchased on eBay for: $275 + $15 shipping = $290
That's 8% of retail!

So, only time will tell if these dresses will arrive in good condition, if they look good on me, etc. But, I have a substantial amount of money budgeted for gown alterations - so I think I can probably make at least one of them work well. I've had pretty good luck with eBay in the past, and purchased these gowns from reputable eBay sellers, so here's hoping!

I'll post more photos and additional information once the gowns arrive

 

[29apr00]

WOW the 3rd one is my fav!!

 

[Chilly]

Wow 3 dresses! I think you should wear them all! That 3rd one is stunning.

 

[polynesianbride]

WOW! You are a SUPER bargain shopper! The third is my favorite by far!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Can't wait to see pics!

 

[missy0107]

You should offer up the 2 you don't go with to DISbrides!!

You inspired me to buy a gown on eBay today, you are a bad influence with all these beautiful (cheap!) dresses to choose from! Good for you!

 

[MainStMandy]

OMG I am going to hire you as my personal shopper!! I really like dress number #2...BUT WOW!! Dress # 3 is amazing!!!

 

[acwinsett]

The Belle gown arrived in beautiful condition. It appeared to have been tried on once or twice, but there was no damage and there were no stains.

I suppose I'll try it on this afternoon when I get home from work

 

[acwinsett]

I mentioned a few posts back that we had booked a Planning Session for July 18th - 21st when we were able to snag a really really cheap airfare. It'll be a really quick trip, but I think we'll feel a lot better about everything by doing our planning in person.

So, a couple of weeks ago, we created a rough itinerary and booked our dining reservations. Here's what we're planning so far:

Saturday, July 18th

• Depart Memphis at 1:45PM (Central Time)
• Arrive Orlando at 4:44PM (Eastern Time)
• Magical Express to Pop Century Resort
• Check in hotel around 6PM
• Quick visit to Magic Kingdom 7PM to 9PM
• Late Dinner at Narcoosee's 9:30PM

Sunday, July 19th

• Morning at Magic Kingdom
• Evening at Epcot
• Dinner at Chefs de France 7PM

Monday, July 20th

• Planning Session with Karen Heyn, our Wedding Event Planner 9AM to 1PM
• Animal Kingdom 4PM to 6PM
• Dinner at Jiko 7:20PM

Tuesday, July 21st

• Morning at Disney Hollywood Studios
• Lunch at SciFi Dine-In Theater 11:15AM
• Magical Express to Airport 1:45PM
• Depart Orlando 4:49PM (Eastern Time)
• Arrive Memphis 5:50PM (Central Time)

To Do List

• Pick up Bride and Groom mouse ears (veil and top hat, if they have them)
• Pick up lots of brochures for welcome bags and pre-trip mailings
• Pick up celebration buttons to stuff in welcome bags

There are a couple of optional items, that we're not sure if we'll be doing:

• Trial run hair and makeup with Patricia LeJeune?
• Meet with Rev. Kevin Knox in person?
• Engagement portraits?

 

[acwinsett]

Things are moving along like clockwork with DFTW. We received our counter-signed contract and our annual pass exchange vouchers on Saturday, May 16th.

We were assigned a Wedding Event Planner, Karen Heyn and she seems fantastic! I can't wait to meet with her in person during our planning session.

The only thing I'm not sure of at this point is our Save the Dates from Disney. We sent our own Save the Dates, but we're still planning on having Disney sent their version as a follow-up. I guess I'll send Karen a message next week along with our guest list and addresses . . .

 

[acwinsett]

At the end of April, we called and booked Rev. Kevin Knox as our officiant. I spent a little bit of time on the phone with his wife, Theresa, and she was really really sweet! I was tempted to see if she would be our officiant instead (I read on their web site that she is also licensed to officiate.) Theresa immediately mailed us a packet of information that contains a billion different options for the ceremony. It is very very helpful!

We're people of faith, but we don't belong to a particular church or denomination, so we're planning a ceremony that is light-hearted (with a bit of humor) and that incorporates a few non-denominational religious elements. Not heavily-religious, but not entirely civil, either.

My father is very involved with his church back home so I've asked him if he would be willing to share a message and reading from the Bible at the ceremony, and he has happily accepted the invitation. (He's also going to say the blessing at the reception).

Our only other requirement for the ceremony is that my son should be involved in a portion of it. He's 11 years old and will be my escort AND stand up as Brian's best man (that little multi-tasker . . .). So we also want to incorporate him into the ceremony somehow, either a unity candle, sand ceremony, child vows or family medallion ceremony. Theresa said that Rev. Knox especially loves to perform ceremonies where children are involved - so I'm feeling great about it already!

 

[acwinsett]

We booked Patricia LeJeune for our hair and makeup on the day of the wedding and on the morning of our Magic Kingdom / EPCOT portrait sessions. I've seen the work she's done with other disBRIDES and have been incredibly impressed with everything I've seen so far.

So, unless we decide to use an outside vendor for photography, I think we've managed to book all the outside vendors that we wanted (that require a specific availability date).

 

[acwinsett]

I wanted to say thank to the disBRIDE that posted the 20% discount code for Cards & Pockets last week. I decided to go ahead and order the supplies for our Invitations, Programs, Menu Cards, Place Cards and Tears of Joy Kleenex packets - 25 of each. Using the discount code, we saved $17.00. Yippee!

Total cost for supplies: $76.52, including shipping.

The supplies have shipped, so I will hopefully some mockups to post soon!

 

[acwinsett]

I was doing so great . . . . until this month! I lost another 2.5 lbs in April.

But so far, May has been a disaster! I have been completely off program this month. I've barely had any time at all to exercise and, while I haven't gone completely nuts, I haven't stuck to my eating routines as well. The worst part is that I haven't been weighing myself or journaling as I should. At last check a couple of days ago, I'm up 2.5 for May - so a complete washout for the last two months.

I'm going easy on myself considering the craziness of this month. My diet and fitness challenges have included:

• My uncle died under very unfortunate and unexpected circumstances
• Best friend's birthday celebrations
• Other best friend is moving away - goodbye parties
• Mothers day
• Memorial day
• Son's elementary school graduation
• 2 weeks of big groups of trainees at work (I work in a training department)

Aaaaaaggghhh!

So, anyway, I'm not upset or angry with myself. These things happen. But I need to get back on track and make a fresh start in June. I'm still in much better shape than I was in February!

And now, I have that beautiful Cinderella platinum wedding gown to keep me motivated!

 

[acwinsett]

I've been thinking about what types of centerpieces to use at our California Grill Napa Room reception, and I came across this on MarthaStewartWeddings.com:

I love the idea of using candlelight instead of floral. The candlesticks are REALLY affordable on CB2.com. We could get 5 assorted candlesticks for each table for about $25.00. I think we'll have 3 or 4 tables in total.

I already have some rhinestone confetti from Pier One, and was thinking these would be pretty with scattered tea lights. I was going to see if they would keep the lights fairly dim throughout the evening as we're having a night-time reception. I love dim lighting for dinner.

 

[MainStMandy]

Oh are you getting so excited?!?? You have so much going on and everything sounds great!

 

[MainStMandy]

I've been thinking about what types of centerpieces to use at our California Grill Napa Room reception, and I came across this on MarthaStewartWeddings.com:

I love the idea of using candlelight instead of floral. The candlesticks are REALLY affordable on CB2.com. We could get 5 assorted candlesticks for each table for about $25.00. I think we'll have 3 or 4 tables in total.

I already have some rhinestone confetti from Pier One, and was thinking these would be pretty with scattered tea lights. I was going to see if they would keep the lights fairly dim throughout the evening as we're having a night-time reception. I love dim lighting for dinner.

Oh I really like this too!!

 

[pinkcow]

Everything looks so great!! We're wedding twins, except we'll be on DCL! I too have been buying up dresses on Ebay! I LOVE the Cinderella dress, in fact I think I may have seen that listing! The best part is that you can resell the ones you don't need, and may even be ahead of the game!