Tracey & Neil's UK Fairytale Wedding * A TON OF UPDATES PG 7*

[Racey]

The Fairytale begins in a somewhat distinctive land called "Tracey always changes her Mind'ville" ......

When Neil finally got round to proposing on the 27th July 2008 he gave in to the fact there was only one place on my mind I wanted to say our vows ....and agreed I could have it at WDW ....... a few months down the line my mum had a heart attack and we decided it wasn't fair to make her travel so far and therefore WDW was off ..... but 1 month after that we told her and she said it was our wedding and where ever we wanted it she would be there, so it was back on at WDW ...... a while after that the H2b found out that his father and mother (split and both remarried other people) would not travel that far, so we decided somewhere closer like Cyprus (so Disney once again was off) ..... then I started to come back on the boards and tried my hardest not to visit the W&H section, but that section would just cry out to me every time I logged on and in a bridezilla moment, I got home from work one day and told Neil "I don't care about anyone else, I want a disney wedding" .... but the guilt of my H2b's family only consisting of his sister, her hubby and niece compared my 10 family members at least became too much and I gave in ...... so we were back to being in limbo with where were we going to say our vows, my Dream WDW was not going to happen. I am still gutted that we cannot have a DFTW, but hey, Disney do VR's right?!

However, that being said, one day I saw an advert that a local wedding venue was having an open day, so I booked an appointment and at the same time they mentioned that their sister venue was also having an open day that was just 10 minutes away, so I thought what the heck, lets go see it while were out that way. I wasn't particularly interested because their website wasn't great. BUT from the minute we parked up we were gobsmacked. Its no Cinderellas Castle/WDW Wedding Pavilion, but its a Priory which has the presence of a castle and from that minute on we kept saying "ohhhhh this is stunning". This is the place, nestled in part of the Essex countryside....

So, introductions:

Bride/Me - I'm Tracey, 32 (a far cry from the "married at 18" I always said i'd be) Unfortunately I work in Insurance! I have a house with my partner and my two babies (Avalanche & Ascari - our two huskies) who, because of there less than caring ways will not be attending our wedding. There are far too many nice clothes to jump up at, and too many children to run after and pounce on!

Groom - Neil, 33 works in retail but is currently trying for another job. Funny enough, he lives with his partner and dogs too (us three!). He is not looking forward to being the centre of attention for a day, and apart from the cake, his suit and the cars he is not bothered what goes on for rest of the day. This suits me as I get to do all the organising and decision making.

In every PJ I've read every bride has stated one thing .... how great it was to have one place to put your thoughts down. I was always jealous that not only did they get that place, but they had others to help with decisions. So one day on here I asked "Is it ok to have a PJ even if I'm not a DFTW bride?" You can probably guess the answer as I'm now here typing away and hoping to get the same help/thoughts from others (especially as i'm getting no help from H2b).

I cant say I blame H2b for keeping out of it though. Just from my opening story you can tell that I change my mind more times than the wind changes direction! You will all probably be bored of reading the changes sooner than you think!

I really hope that the fact i'm not a DFTW bride doesn't put you off - we may not have the same venue's/florists/chef or even part of the world, but we all have one thing in common .... we want our Fairytale Day and I hope you enjoy reading my PJ as much as i've enjoyed everyone on here (I'm a lurker by the way!)

If any of you would like to read about us, our engagement or my amusing blog (consisting mainly of strange wedding related dreams!) I have a wedding website which is: www.neilandtracey.gettingmarried.co.uk but dont feel obliged.

Let the planning beginning ......

 

[Racey]

So .. what decisions have I made so far .... A shorter list would be "What are Definites so far?"

Date: Tuesday, 27th march 2012
Venue: Leez Priory, Essex, UK
Time for ceremony: 1:30pm
And more importantly to me the dress ....
I did have pictures up here, but i've realised that my H2b may get a sneek peek at it when he goes into our photobucket account. So, it the Alfred Angelo - Disney - Tiana dress. The photos do it no justice because its alot fuller than the press release pictures AA did.

This is so far from what I originally wanted ... I wanted massive plain skirt with heavily encrusted bodice. However I am going to get some crystals sew onto the lacey detail when I start alterations.

 

[lt90]

Welcome

Of course well still be interested (well I will anyway!)
I love the Tiana dress its sooooo pretty!!
I know what you mean about family Im having a WDW wedding but getting people to commit is like getting blood out of a stone!!!!My guest list started out at 20...then 18 (still not bad)...then 11 and now just 7 (plus my little princess !!!!!!!!! I felt exactly like you, like they were sort of holding me back and now im thinking ill have to change all my plans again (sigh!!)
But Im sooo glad you found a venue to have your own special fairytale ive seen that venue in my wedding mags all the time it looks so beautiful
My DF is exactly the same only wants to pick his suit and the cake flavours and thats his wedding attention span LOL!!

Looking forward to more

P.S- Loving the dogs At one time living at home we had 8 collies between 3 of us (yes 8 !! Used to compete in Flyball) Always loved Huskys but unfortunately DF is allergic

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

welcome it's okay you're not having a disney wedding! you're having a fairytale and that's what matters! i live in a town called "deena always changes her mind'ville" sounds like a similar place to yours

your venue is beautiful and the tiana is amazing dress! i can't wait to hear more details!!

 

[PinkSleepingBeauty]

Welcome and congratulations from one UK Bride to another Your venue looks and sounds great! Look forward to hearing more

 

[Sarah84]

I love reading about wedding plans, wether they are at Disney or anywhere else it doesn't matter it's all about the fact that it's your fairytale day

Sounds like we are from the same town I'm constantly changing my mind, if it be about colours, locations or just about anything really. Glad I don't have the only fiance who thinks wedding planning is just a matter of picking a suit & wedding cake.

Your venue and dress are gorgeous, can't wait to read more

 

[KristiLyn]

Welcome and congrats!! Beautiful dress! Can't wait to hear more!

 

[librarygeek]

I'm excited to read another PJ that isn't a DFTW! We aren't doing a Disney wedding either, but an at home wedding with a fairy tale theme. Your venue is absolutely stunning. I must admit I'm a little jealous, I dreamed of getting married in a place like that, but there aren't too many here in the US and they are super expensive anyway.

We are also hoping to one day do a Disney vow renewal, and of course we'll be honeymooning there! Do you have any honeymoon plans?

 

[Bickimook2]

Welcome, Welcome!!! I am another At home Disney bride!!! Your castle locale is amazing you must be so thrilled!!! I can't wait to hear of more of your plans we also plan on doing a vow renewal, probably on the Disney Dream though. I too like librarygeek am interested to know what your honeymoon plans are

 

[Racey]

Thank you all for welcoming me - i'm glad I can put it all here

Welcome

Of course well still be interested (well I will anyway!)
I love the Tiana dress its sooooo pretty!!
I know what you mean about family Im having a WDW wedding but getting people to commit is like getting blood out of a stone!!!!My guest list started out at 20...then 18 (still not bad)...then 11 and now just 7 (plus my little princess !!!!!!!!! I felt exactly like you, like they were sort of holding me back and now im thinking ill have to change all my plans again (sigh!!)
But Im sooo glad you found a venue to have your own special fairytale ive seen that venue in my wedding mags all the time it looks so beautiful
My DF is exactly the same only wants to pick his suit and the cake flavours and thats his wedding attention span LOL!!

Looking forward to more

P.S- Loving the dogs At one time living at home we had 8 collies between 3 of us (yes 8 !! Used to compete in Flyball) Always loved Huskys but unfortunately DF is allergic

Im glad (but not in a good way) that i'm not the only one. I don't think we ever got an actual YES or NO from his parents, but he just knew from conversations they weren't planning on going - I suppose asking for a 9 hour flight from someone who doesnt even own a passport is a bit much - but hey ho, its not worth worrying now.
Thank you for the compliment on the dogs.

Im so glad i'm not the only one with a fiance that does the minimum! But hey, I suspose i'd only change what he decides on ha ha

welcome it's okay you're not having a disney wedding! you're having a fairytale and that's what matters! i live in a town called "deena always changes her mind'ville" sounds like a similar place to yours

your venue is beautiful and the tiana is amazing dress! i can't wait to hear more details!!

lol @ deena always changes her mind'ville - I will tell my H2b that he's not the only one to be subjected to it

Welcome and congratulations from one UK Bride to another Your venue looks and sounds great! Look forward to hearing more

Thank you and Congratulations to you too - I shall go and read your planning journal soon

I love reading about wedding plans, wether they are at Disney or anywhere else it doesn't matter it's all about the fact that it's your fairytale day

Sounds like we are from the same town I'm constantly changing my mind, if it be about colours, locations or just about anything really. Glad I don't have the only fiance who thinks wedding planning is just a matter of picking a suit & wedding cake.

Your venue and dress are gorgeous, can't wait to read more

Yaaayyyy - someone else from my neck of the woods he he

I shall tell my Neil that your hubby to be lets you decide everything too.

It seems the suits and cake seem to be a grrom thing

Welcome and congrats!! Beautiful dress! Can't wait to hear more!

Thank you - I cant wait to go and read your wedding journal

I'm excited to read another PJ that isn't a DFTW! We aren't doing a Disney wedding either, but an at home wedding with a fairy tale theme. Your venue is absolutely stunning. I must admit I'm a little jealous, I dreamed of getting married in a place like that, but there aren't too many here in the US and they are super expensive anyway.

We are also hoping to one day do a Disney vow renewal, and of course we'll be honeymooning there! Do you have any honeymoon plans?

I was thinking of doing a fairytale theme but I dont think my H2b would put up with that, plus my colours aren't really fairytale so nothing will be right. And to be honest, apart from being in WDW it wouldnt have had much DISNEY in it. I am however doing little bags for the 3 children who are attending with Disney Princess stuff in.

As for the honeymoon .... a tricky subject ..... we have a car that were selling and i've said that until it goes we arent going to book the REAL honeymoon. Its an expensive and specialist car so it wouldnt surprise me if we still have it this time next year!! However, in the shortlist at the moment is "Maldives" (we've been to the south, so would go to the North), or "Bora Bora" (I LOVE the film Couples Retreat just purely for the scenery so would love to go there). However St Regis (where the film takes place) is like butler service and way out of our price range, but i'm sure other places that are cheaper. So, if te car hasnt sold I said we will do a last minute to Florida for a semi honeymoon

 

[Racey]

Welcome, Welcome!!! I am another At home Disney bride!!! Your castle locale is amazing you must be so thrilled!!! I can't wait to hear of more of your plans we also plan on doing a vow renewal, probably on the Disney Dream though. I too like librarygeek am interested to know what your honeymoon plans are

Thank you for the warm welcome. I shall go and read your journal now (wow I have alot of them to read - thank god for being bored at work at the moment he he)

 

[belle2211]

Im so glad i'm not the only one with a fiance that does the minimum! But hey, I suspose i'd only change what he decides on ha ha

Congrats and I can't wait to read more!

My DF does the bare minimum too. He says that when I ask his opinion and he gives it to me, if it's different, I get upset because it's not what I want, but if he tries to give me the answer that he thinks I want, then I get upset because he's not really giving my opinion oh well....I let him have his say in things that I know are really important to him...hmmm, which so far is really only the rehearsal dinner, the photobooth and one of the cake flavors!

 

[Racey]

Congrats and I can't wait to read more!

My DF does the bare minimum too. He says that when I ask his opinion and he gives it to me, if it's different, I get upset because it's not what I want, but if he tries to give me the answer that he thinks I want, then I get upset because he's not really giving my opinion oh well....I let him have his say in things that I know are really important to him...hmmm, which so far is really only the rehearsal dinner, the photobooth and one of the cake flavors!

oh my - there really are more of my fiance's out there than I thought!

Were are you having your rehearsal dinner? Its not really a tradition in the UK to do that, or have a rehersal (i'm not having a religious ceremony). I'm a little nervous about winging it on the day hey, how wrong can I get the saying "I Do"

I'm off work today and want to get some mock-ups of my invites done .... but considering I used to be so creative at school I have NO IDEA of what i'm going to do???? I'd really like a monogam of our initials too, but once again it's just not happening in my mind. So perhaps i'll just surf the net for ideas

I am looking forward to going through all your PJ's though so that will probably take me all day

 

[DoomBuggy0922]

The priory is gorgeous!!! Very Northanger Abbey (at least, that was my first thought!) I love reading about all of the British weddings, and I cannot wait to read more!

 

[brer rabbit 28]

Hi Tracey

Just followed you over from my pj! Your wedding venue is absolutely stunning. You will have such a fabulous day there with all your family around you. We agonised over what we should do too, but in the end we picked Florida as both sets of parents are divorced and it would have been awkward for them all to be together in another country. It's not like you can just go home is it! I guess we were both quite selfish but as neither of us are close to our Dads it seemed like the best solution.

I love the Tiana dress and that you cried when you tired it on. I guess that's how you know you've found the one. Can't wait to see more pics of your accessories.

I laughed out loud when you talked about DF just being interested in the cake. Chris was exactly the same! he insisted on coming to meet the cake lady and being very specific about what he did and didn't want! Most of the other stuff he has left to me. Although he was eager that we book lots of character meals for our honeymoon

 

[belle2211]

oh my - there really are more of my fiance's out there than I thought!

Were are you having your rehearsal dinner? Its not really a tradition in the UK to do that, or have a rehersal (i'm not having a religious ceremony). I'm a little nervous about winging it on the day hey, how wrong can I get the saying "I Do"

We are having our rehearsal dinner at Bahama Breeze. Definitely not my favorite restaurant, and I wanted to keep everything on Disney property, but DF planned it and since his family is paying for it, he picked Bahama Breeze...oh well!

I think you'll be okay without a rehearsal We wanted to have one just for the tradition and to make sure our flower girls and ring bearers knew the drill

 

[Wannabe*Belle]

We can be not DFTW sisters. We had to give up an actual WDW wedding for similiar reasons, granted we're alittle closer to FL then you are but people still gave us a hard time.

I love your dress. I really wanted to try the Tiana and the Belle dress but when I went to Alfred Angelo back in January (just after they came out) they didn't have them yet so I had to go with another dress b/c I couldn't wait too long. It's a beautiful dress in the pictures and I'm sure you looked even more amazing in it in person.

 

[librarygeek]

We are having our rehearsal dinner at Bahama Breeze. Definitely not my favorite restaurant, and I wanted to keep everything on Disney property, but DF planned it and since his family is paying for it, he picked Bahama Breeze...oh well!

I think you'll be okay without a rehearsal We wanted to have one just for the tradition and to make sure our flower girls and ring bearers knew the drill

I like Bahama Breeze! But then again, I'm up in PA, so going there feels kind of tropical and different... I suppose in Florida you feel that way more often!

For our rehearsal dinner we are having it at a local place, not sure exactly where yet. I live on Long Island and we're right near the water, so we're looking at a few seafood places on the water's edge. They're not formal places but still nice. I think it's okay if you don't have a rehearsal. Just as long as everyone knows what they're doing, probably can't mess up too badly!

 

[Racey]

The priory is gorgeous!!! Very Northanger Abbey (at least, that was my first thought!) I love reading about all of the British weddings, and I cannot wait to read more!

Thank you - we love it and were actually going to go and have a REAL good look next week when were both off. Im taking the camera too so hopefully get some more photos of the inside and see what the toilets are like (I dont know why i'm such a pain about the toilets, but I realised on their open day I never even went in them)

Hi Tracey

Just followed you over from my pj! Your wedding venue is absolutely stunning. You will have such a fabulous day there with all your family around you. We agonised over what we should do too, but in the end we picked Florida as both sets of parents are divorced and it would have been awkward for them all to be together in another country. It's not like you can just go home is it! I guess we were both quite selfish but as neither of us are close to our Dads it seemed like the best solution.

I love the Tiana dress and that you cried when you tired it on. I guess that's how you know you've found the one. Can't wait to see more pics of your accessories.

I laughed out loud when you talked about DF just being interested in the cake. Chris was exactly the same! he insisted on coming to meet the cake lady and being very specific about what he did and didn't want! Most of the other stuff he has left to me. Although he was eager that we book lots of character meals for our honeymoon

I really dont blame you for going to florida if the family situation suits. Like I say, i'm very jealous. I cant wait to see all yoru photos.

I think Neil may start getting mroe involved in the little details because yesterday I was showing him some flowers and he started moaning about this certain flower, so I've got a feeling he may start becoming more involved at some point! In a way I hope he doesnt, but i cant stop him!

I have to get round to doing more pictures of the bits i've bought so far.
I already have my tiara (which I wore the day of the royal wedding as Neil was at work ha ha ha), and i've got "a pair" of shoes - although i'm going off them now. Plus I "Think" i have my earrings (I can put a picture up and get all your opinions actually!

We are having our rehearsal dinner at Bahama Breeze. Definitely not my favorite restaurant, and I wanted to keep everything on Disney property, but DF planned it and since his family is paying for it, he picked Bahama Breeze...oh well!

I think you'll be okay without a rehearsal We wanted to have one just for the tradition and to make sure our flower girls and ring bearers knew the drill

from what Librarygeek says Bahama Breeze sounds cool - i'm going to go and have a look at their menu and get excited for you he he

I hope yoru making up one of those rehearsal boquets - i'd love to do one of those for myself .... maybe I will for my hen weekend he he

We can be not DFTW sisters. We had to give up an actual WDW wedding for similiar reasons, granted we're alittle closer to FL then you are but people still gave us a hard time.

I love your dress. I really wanted to try the Tiana and the Belle dress but when I went to Alfred Angelo back in January (just after they came out) they didn't have them yet so I had to go with another dress b/c I couldn't wait too long. It's a beautiful dress in the pictures and I'm sure you looked even more amazing in it in person.

Its a shame you couldnt try on the disney dresses - they are all so lovely - even the over the top frilling ones. From what my seller was telling me the Cinderella is the best seller in her shop. Its probably because it has a reall sparkly skirt to it. My sister loved it but I wasnt too overly keen. I should have tried on sleeping beauty but the skirt put me off. I think I also tried on belle straight after tiana but by that time I just wanted to get my dress back on

Im sure however, that the one your have is perfect for you. When its meant to be - then it will happen!

I like Bahama Breeze! But then again, I'm up in PA, so going there feels kind of tropical and different... I suppose in Florida you feel that way more often!

For our rehearsal dinner we are having it at a local place, not sure exactly where yet. I live on Long Island and we're right near the water, so we're looking at a few seafood places on the water's edge. They're not formal places but still nice. I think it's okay if you don't have a rehearsal. Just as long as everyone knows what they're doing, probably can't mess up too badly!

Ha ha - the only one that will mess up without a rehearsal is me - but hey - if my friends are laughing at me then they are leaving someone else alone i suppose

 

[Racey]

I have just bought a few wedding magazines as I have my sister-in-law-to-be spa weekend tomorrow. So I plan to sit around the pool, get treatments and read my mags in total relaxation for a whole day