The Reviews!
Michelle Wenzler Dorr - A+
Anyone who has Michelle as a wedding planner is in for a special treat! She's wonderful. At first I had a million questions including silly ones and she answered them in a timely manner. She was very calm throughout the wedding planning process which can really ease a Bride's mind. After the ceremony she bustled my dress and got me a drink while we were waiting to be introduced!! During the wedding I felt like royalty. She waited on me and DH hand and foot and kept checking up on us. She did everything and then some for us. I loved her!
Elizabeth Motoc - B
I liked Elizabeth. The reason why I gave her a B is because during the planning session I felt a bit rushed. She wasn't too willing to show me linens options and colors. I was under the impression she wanted in and out which made me a bit nervous. The other thing was that I ordered a "And they lived Happily Ever After" basket for the night of the wedding so we can celebrate our first night as Husband and Wife but it never showed. However, I originally was going to do a candy bar and we must have emailed back and fourth to each other about different candy options and costs but I completely eliminated it due to being out of budget and she understood.
Beaute Speciale (Ana & Lily) - A+
Words can't describe how much I loved Ana and Lily. I had a trial done back in March and I fell in love with Ana. She has a very uplifting spirit that's so contagious. The morning of the wedding while doing my hair she really tried to keep my mind off things. It was bad enough I was so nervous I thought I was going to vomit everywhere but she kept talking and cracking jokes. I loved them both. They even helped me in my enormous dress and crinnie!
Randy Chapman - A+
Well, this is like a broken record around here on the Dis...everyone loves him. I'm in love with this guys work. Seriously! He showed up at 7:00 AM to take getting ready photos and he was wide awake and full of energy. I gave him my shoes, gargets, jewelry, flowers, and invitation and told him to go to town. He got to work right away! I was so nervous and he helped calm me down. I got into my dress and helped my girls lace up my dress. He even helped me put my shoes on! He'd snap a few photos and show me a sneak peek on his camera. He wasn't in the way like "You and you - pose!". He was very go with the flow - let the wedding happen and snapped pictures as things went along. He was awesome!
A Moment to Remember - C
Well, I they're ok. I mean, I loved my video. Just the videographer was rude, they took forever to email me back with answers to my questions and they never told me what address to send my last final payment to. Anyway, I sent my last payment and edit package to the address on their contract. A week later I call them to make sure they got it and they never did. Turned out they moved their studio and never changed their address on their contract so they told me to send another payment to their new address. Ugh! The videographer was quite rude to myself and the bridal party. Almost made Robyn cry.
California Grill Napa Room - A+
I must admit that I was waaaaay nervous about not getting a taste testing before the wedding. I was nervous my guests wouldn't like the "normal foods" like the mustard marinated chicken, goat cheese polenta, and goat cheese salad. I tried a bit of everything and OMG - to die for! The view was a hit. Even a month later and my guests are still talking about the food and view. That's what I was going for! I was very happy with that. The only thing I regret is not inviting Mickey and Minnie. That wouldn't iced the cake for the reception.
DJ Chuck - A+
I requested him because I've heard such good things about him on the boards. He was great! He played all the songs I wanted and played all the songs that were requested by the guests. For a small group our guests were a bit shy about getting out there and dancing but he was able to get them out there! He was uplifting and awesome! I highly reccomend him.
Carollyn Allens - A+
They were great! Pleasant on the phone with good prices. She got right to work and stayed out of the way. She was in and out...really quick!
Mears Limo Service - B
I liked our limo driver, however DH did not. I thought he was sweet, gentle and really cared for my dress. He didn't want it to get dirty and since I was wearing a hooped crinnie he helped me in and out with ease. DH however thought he was creepy. DH said he was talking about getting a divorce with his wife, how much he hates his life as of now, and how bad his kids were...not exactly a convo you should be having with a Groom on the way to the "altar". He kept telling DH that I looked gorgeous and not to screw up the marriage, blah blah blah. DH's dudes also said he was pretty creepy.
Day 3
WEDDING DAY!! Part 1
So I had my alarm on my phone set to 5:00 AM so I can take a shower and shave before Beaute Speciale arrive at 6. My alarm goes off and I jump outta bed and run to the bathroom. I woke up with so much energy and in such a good mood. I'm soooo not a morning person but I think I could have woke up at freakin' 1:00 AM and it wouldn't have phased me. Anyway, I forgot to pack my hair cap so it was incredibley hard to shower and not get your hair wet. I was just finishing up getting ready (brushed teeth, lotion on the legs and face, dressed, etc.) by 5:55 and wake my girls up. "Jess, Robby Ana's gonna be here in 5 mins. I've never seen them jump outta bed so fast in my life...pretty entertaining. Ana calls me to make sure she's at the right room so she's not banging on the wrong dor at 6:00 AM.
Don't blame her. Right after she came in, Carollyn Allens showed up to steam my dress and that's when things got a bit crazy. I have to say Carollyn Allens was in and out - no complaints there!
The room was a bit tight.
I look like the grinch smiling that big but I was so happy I couldn't help it. I mean
my day was finally here!! Ana finished my hair and she told me to sit with Lily and she'll do my make-up while Ana did the girls' hair. They were real quick. Before I knew it we were done. Then a knock on the door. It's Randy all bright eyed and bushy tailed - more power to him! I gave him my shoes, purse, jewelry, flowers, garters, and invitation and he went right to work. We paid them and they cleaned up while I attempted getting in my dress and Randy went next door to shoot the guys getting ready. Ana and Lily noticed me struggling so they offered a helping hand. Ana held me up while Lily pulled up my dress and the girls held my dress up while Ana pulled up the hooped crinnie. Who woulda thought it took 4 girls to get a bride dressed!
That's when Randy stepped in and helped the girls lace up my dress. Randy then helped me with my shoes as we're running a bit behind schedule. He was like having an extra Bridesmaid I swear! Anyway, he leaves to take pictures of the guys in the GF. My girls finish dressing me while they try and dress themselves. Now it's real.
I'm getting married!!
I'm obsessed with this picture! How funny do they look wearing tuxes sitting in a child sized couch watching cartoons with a child sitting in the same size chair watching cartoons with them?!
I want to blow this picture up and frame it!!
Michelle told me at round 9:00 she'll call my room to let me know that it's that time to head over to the GF for pictures with Randy. I hear the phone ring and I panic. I didn't even have my jewelry or sash on yet! Jessie runs to answer and of course it's that time. We rush to finish getting ready and make a dart for the limo. I felt like a princess walking through Poly in my gown. Everyone stopped me to say congrats and complete strangers were taking pictures of me. Crazyness! Walking through the Poly my garter is falling down my scrawny legs so I hold my legs out so Jessie can take it off so it's not hanging around my ankles.
There it is - the limo! We get in and head to the GF for pictures with Randy. We took some by the piano and staircase. I felt like I was a performer or something as a crowd started to form around us while the shoot. People congratulating me, taking pictures, clapping, ohhhing and ahhhing, etc.
Then we get back into the limo and head to the WP beach for pictures. It was a bright sunny day so the reflection of the sun off the water and the bright sun I thought for sure it was making my eye make-up run but I was good.
We headed to the WP to hang out before the Ceremony. Michelle checked up on me to make sure I ate and drank something. DMIL and Aunt Kathy visited me to see how I was doing and I handed out the corsages. I started to work on my breathing. Then I realize oh ****! I have to pee! Now, when I get really nervous, even since I was little, I feel like I have to pee. I can sit on the toilet and try to pee but I can't...it's like my bladder acts up. My girls tell me to hang in there it's probably just nerves.
Cry packs I made.
Programs I slaved over.
Aisle runner we painted.