Arghhhh! We’re back from our amazing Christmas trip, and thus back from our Planning Session!! I can’t believe I’m writing our PS recaps this is just so exciting! I’m so sorry I didn’t have time to do any more updates before we go away but hopefully i’ll make up for it now!!
So, here we go!!
Monday 28th December
So we’d been at Disney just over a week already but I’m going to start with the day of the planning session or else we’ll never get there haha! The previous week was incredible though, including Christmas Day!! We stayed at the Clarion Inn as it was a budget trip, and we thought the hotel was great!! So so cheap, and just great service and a great location. We missed being in the Disney bubble though!!
Here are some random snapshots of the 1st week just to give you a feel!
Meeting Richard! Best day ever!!!
The beautiful GF DVC building we’ll be staying at!!
Osborne lights funs!!
Amazing Wishes cruise on Christmas Eve!!
Christmas Day in MK!!!!
Christmas morning brunch at Chef Mickey’s!
Amazing steak at YS on Christmas Day
Okay I only got to the 25th and got slightly carried away with photos as I couldn’t choose between them! So let’s just carry on, back to the 28th!!
We woke up at about 7.30 which was pretty good time for us. I lay in bed for half an hour all excited, reading planning session recaps on Disneymooners on my phone hahah! I eventually got up at 8am, did my hair all nice and then put it up in a bun for pool time! We had a quick breakfast of Cinnabon cereal and almond milk (DREAM combination) and left the room about 9.30am for a quick dip in the pool. The pool was really nice and relaxing, it was already so hot at 9am!! And we both said we’d spend more time in there over the coming days! We were only really in there for half an hour though as we needed to get back and get ready so as not to be late for our PS. Back at the room I pretty much had to restraighten my hair as the combination of putting it in a bun, and the heat, had made it all kinky haha. Oh well! I then selected my most ‘bridal’ of holiday outfits haha, a white cami and jeans
I’d been living in short shorts and Disney tops the rest of the week so it felt good to put on something a bit smarter! I obviously wore my silver Mickey necklace too though - couldn’t be at Disney without wearing something Disney!! I’d been wearing my Minnie ears pretty much non-stop up until this day so it felt weird without them haha!
In my bag I packed my notebook, a spare wedding STD, a pen, and my iPad, and Ben bought a rucksack with our usual park bits in (water etc.) MagicBands on, and we were ready to go!! We got the hotel shuttle to Epcot at 11.15.
Standing outside waiting for the shuttle!
Once we got to Epcot, we then got the monorail to the TTC, and then the monorail to the GF. It was a pretty long journey but we got there in plenty of time so I was happy
I popped to the loo in the GF and Ben was waiting for me outside. When I came out we both noticed a large sign by the check in bit and we saw this!!!
We were so so excited and waited for it to come round twice more so we could get photos and pretty much just stare at it haha! So so cool, we felt like celebrities!! I just love all the little touches Disney do
As we were there so early (12.15) we decided to go to the GF pool bar for a cocktail before our PS! We’d actually tried to get drinks there the day before (we spent sooooooo much time at the GF this trip it was crazy!!) but we didn’t have our passports! The lady at the bar felt soooo bad and then said she loved us because I told her not to worry, it wasn’t her fault! She was like, “Thank you so much! No-ones ever said that before!!” bless. So we went back with our passports and she was there, and she said she was so happy to be able to serve us haha!
It was so so relaxing and chilled out, sipping our cocktails and staring out over the water. I was getting so excited!! I’m not sure if it’s good etiquette to have a cocktail before your planning session but hey, we were on holiday!!
We finished our drinks and walked down to Francks about 12.50. Annnnnd in those famous doors we went!!!
There was a lovely friendly receptionist who asked us if we were just looking around, and I was so excited to say we had an appointment with Lisa! She told us to have a look around and she’d go and get Lisa, and she got us 2 diet cokes.
So many pretties!!
We barely had a chance to look at the beautiful decor in Francks before Lisa appeared! She is so so lovely!! Really down to earth and quite business like, but also really interested in us and our relationship and our plans
I think she’s a brilliant match for us!
I didn’t make a note of the room but I believe it was the Merriweather room, it was really lovely with a big glass table and plenty of chairs. We started off with a quick friendly chat about our stay so far and what we’d been up to, and I made sure to thank her and say how pleased we were that we were able to do our PS so far out. It was something I’d been so worried about as we had to book our flights and accommodation way before we even knew if we’d be able to do a PS over Christmas. They do say 6 months so I really appreciated them us accommodating us. Lisa said we were coming from so far that they would have done everything they could, and as we were there for 2 weeks it wasn’t an issue. Phew! After that, it was down to business!!
First of all we went through timelines. She handed us printed sheets which has the exact dates we need to pay for everything, and the last dates we can make changes to food, guest count etc. I found this so helpful and will definitely be referring to it a lot this year! I got a new Erin Condren 2016 Life Planner so I’ll probably copy the dates onto there as well so I’m organised! As we’re still over 9 months out though, we’ve got lots of time
The BEO is normally sent 4-6 weeks after the PS but again, as we’re so far out, it could be longer which I fully expected. If we haven’t heard by like 2 months I’ll probably start getting angsty! She also said prices wouldn’t be finalised til 6 months which again is fine.
The first thing we discussed was the day before the wedding. We said we would ideally like the rehearsal at the WP. We’re hoping to get a group reservation for ‘Ohana at around 5pm that evening, so Lisa has pencilled in a 3/3.30 rehearsal to give us time to get to ‘Ohana. She started talking about the rehearsal and Rev Tim and we said we weren’t having him for the rehearsal which she seemed surprised about. She suggested we did because it’s something she can’t really do. However, we told her we had met him, and he said he wouldn’t give couples the option not to have him at the rehearsal if it was essential he be there! So we were confused! It’s only $100 but all these little things are going to add up...we’re going to see how the budget is looking closer to the time. Once she realised we’d already met him, and that we have such a small bridal party, she seemed to relent a bit. So we’ll see nearer the time! Our back-up for the rehearsal will be possibly the Grand Floridian Cafe, but she said fingers crossed we should be okay getting ‘Ohana as it’s normally brides who are planning last minute who can’t get in. I’ll be ready to call the second the clock strikes 11, 6 months before!!!
So just to recap!
Rehearsal: Hopefully Wedding Pavilion at 3.30pm, 18/10/16
Rehearsal dinner: ‘Ohana 5pm
Then it was onto the big day, the Wedding Day!! We talked about every single detail of the timeline and it was so good to really get stuck in and discuss all the different aspects!! She kind of started off by working backwards from the time of the wedding which was cool! Just to keep things simple for me though haha, I’ll start from the morning
So! First thing will be Carolynn Allen’s arriving about 8.00 to steam my dress. I need to check with Beaute Speciale what time they’ll get there to do my hair and makeup, my Mum’s hair and make-up, and my maid of honours hair and make-up. Lisa said I need to be completely done hair and make-up wise by 11.30am. So I’m thinking like 8.30am? Let’s go with that for the time being!
8.00am - Carolynn Allen arrive to steam my dress
8.30am - Beaute Speciale arrive
11.30am - My hair and make-up finished!
We’ll then have a good 45 minutes of chilling time where I can compose myself, until Trinity and Ashley Jane arrive at 12.15. Now this has been a stressful thing to decide on as I’d like Ashley there longer but we’ve already paid for 10 hours and it’s an extra £330 to add on another hour, and we’d also get a credit for an album or print or something but this isn’t something we really needed. As Wishes isn’t on til 10pm, I’d like her to be there 12.15 - 10.15 so she can shoot Wishes too. As we get nearer the date and I feel like this isn’t enough time for her to do getting ready photos, I may just pay for the extra hour. 11 hours just feels like so much, and £330 is a lot!! Anyway lets stick with these timings for now. So photog and videog will arrive at 12.15, I’ll get into my dress, Ashley will take details shots.
12.15 - Photography and videography arrive
12.45 - Floral delivered to room (I’m not sure if this is right, I may ask for it to be earlier actually so Ashley can get her photos with my bouquet etc)
1.00 - First look with Dad (just added this in but Ashley said we’ll have time so fingers crossed! I’d like everyone to leave the room except me/Dad/photog and videog)
1.15 - Leave room to walk to GF lobby (I just added this in as Lisa said my photos will be from 1.30, so wanted to add in time to walk down there!)
1.30 - Photos in GF lobby with family and bridal party (Mum, Dad, Maid of Honour, brother, his girlfriend, and 2 nieces)
So that’s how my morning will roll! And Benji’s will go like this...
12.30 - Ben and family/best man etc meet in GF lobby for photos (Best man, Dad and wife, Mum and husband, and little brother)
12.45 - Boutonnieres delivered
1.00 - Photos with family etc in GF lobby
1.30 - Leave for WP before I get there haha!
Lisa then asked how our families would be getting to the Grand Floridian for photos and we said we’ve suggested they get taxis, and Ben’s Mum and her family will drive as they’re staying in a villa. She then suggested something we thought was a great idea. We can arrange towncars for $30ish each to go and pick them up from their resorts and drop them at the GF! Bargain, and a lovely gesture we think. So, we’ll have one towncar at Saratoga Springs which will pick up Ben’s Dad, his wife and little brother, and my Dad. (My Mum will probably be staying the night with me at the GF.) We’ll also send one to Coronado Springs to pick up my brother, his girlfriend, and my two little nieces. Ben’s Mum and her family will probably drive and park their car at the WP overnight, with a taxi back. These will arrive about 12 - 12.15 to pick them all up.
Next we discussed the ceremony itself! We will make programs for everyone, which we’ll give to Lisa at the rehearsal along with our other bits and bobs, and she’ll put them in a basket at the WP for us. Parents will have theirs waiting for them on their chairs.
The ceremony will be at 2.30pm. We haven’t really nailed down music yet but we have some ideas! We were lucky enough to meet with Bill the organist a couple of days before our PS and he was just the coolest guy ever! When we met him he said he’d been thinking about our choices as he drove to the WP which we thought was so sweet! We wanted to hear the organ as we weren’t sure how it would sound. It was beautiful though! And he raised such a good point!! Ben had the idea of him and his best man walking in to ‘Ooh de lally’ from Robin Hood, but Bill pointed out it kinda gets lost when the words aren’t heard! So although it sounded lovely on the organ, we’ve decided to use a CD or iPod recording of it, whichever Lisa tells us. We’d also like “There’s a great big beautiful tomorrow” for our recessional as it’s one of my favourite attractions at WDW and we think it’s extremely fitting for a recessional!! Again, this works much better with the lyrics so we’ll also play this on a cd. We need to decide on the other songs which I think will be a fun task
We’ll either be doing a sand ceremony or a wine box, which is something Rev Tim suggested to us when we met him and is an idea we both like. Need to look into this and decide! We’ll also be having a couple of friends do a reading, so we need to decide on these and ask them if they will!
We then moved onto transport. I’d always wanted a ‘59 Cadillac on my wedding day, and I thought I’d seen that Coles do a ‘59 Cadillac Coupe Deville in cream. Perfect! However Lisa was scrolling through a slideshow with the different cars and it wasn’t on there
She then said whichever classic car we did get, it wouldn’t really be a shuttle. It would literally take Benj and Jason (Best Man), and then come back for me and my Dad. So my Mum and the rest of our families would have to walk from the GF to the WP. Not the worst thing, but not ideal either if it’s warm or raining. She then suggested a limousine and I was a bit meh. Nothing against limos, they just don’t really go with my vision for the wedding! However!! She said they hold 8, and it will shuttle everyone back and forth until everyone is at the WP! AND! It can then take our guests from the WP to the Whitehall Room, which we just thought was the best thing ever! No-one will be expecting this, they’ll probably just think it’s for me and Benj, and how cool to be able to say right everyone in, and we’ll meet you there! Lisa then told us the price….$107 an hour for a minimum of 3 hours, and a classic car could be anything from $600-1200!! Woahhhh! So we were totally on board with this idea. We both feel really happy about this decision - giving our guests the best experience is our priority and you don’t get many weddings in the UK where everyone piles into a limo to get to the reception!
So after the ceremony, we’ll have group photos with all our guests in the wedding pavilion. We’ll then do the staged petal toss goodbye, and then most of our guests will go in the limo to the Whitehall Room, and immediate family will stay for more photos. After these photos they’ll also go in the limo to the WHR, and me and Benj will do photos on our own
We’ll then aim to arrive at the reception area about 15 minutes before the end of cocktail hour. Lisa said we’ll get a plate of food (which is essential!!!) and we’ll be able to see the reception space before anyone else. However, I’m not really sure how this will work as surely our guests will have to walk through the room before they go onto the patio for cocktail hour? Not sure about that!
We then had a long chat about the bar. Me and Benj had discussed this at length, and we’d pretty much decided on the packaged bar. Again, we want to give our guests the best experience, and offering them a free bar will go down a storm haha! We’re all pretty big drinkers, both in our families and our friends! Lisa explained it all really well for us. We’d decided to enquire on prices for 2 or 3 hours, and ask if we could maybe have a cash bar in the middle for an hour or two, where guests could buy their own drinks and we could keep costs down. Lisa said this might get confusing and we’d have to let them know when it was a free bar, and when it was cash etc. Fair enough. But then she said why don’t we do the 4 hour, but make it last 5 hours by closing it for 30 minutes during the speeches, and then 30 minutes during dinner. Which slightly confused me because I thought that would be just as confusing, but Ben and Lisa seemed to be on the same page and it was just me confused haha so I just kind of followed along! I was just really pleased Disney would let us split the 5 hours up into 4 as I didn’t think they would! So we’ve gone for the 4 hour call beer and wine, the cheapest beer and wine package. We aren’t at all wine people haha so the cheaper the better! The beer was all brands we’d heard of and like anyway so we were really impressed! It’s so cheap, it’s like £30 a person for 4 hours once tax etc is added. Considering one glass of wine is like $9 if they were buying it cash, I really think it’s a good deal. We’re prepared to cut back on the food if we go over, to make the package bar happen.
We then discussed the cocktail! We were excited to discover the package bar includes the cocktail, and that it will be available for the full 4 hours
Awesome! We thought it was just cocktail hour! So that made me feel even happier because if anyone did fancy a vodka or rum based drink, they could get the cocktail! I asked if people could go up and buy say a rum and coke if they wanted to and pay cash, but Lisa said they’d only bring beer and wine. Which makes sense. And Ben said he doubted anyone would pay for liquor if there was a free bar - we wouldn’t haha! We need to decide which cocktail we’re going to go for, but we’re leaning towards getting a blue one and calling it something to do with our cat! She’s a Birman and she has these gorgeous blue eyes, so it’ll be a cute nod to her as obviously she can’t be there. I need to think of a name and make a little card for it
We then moved onto music and entertainment! Phew, we’d covered so much already! We chatted at length about a DJ. Initially Lisa said she would really recommend a DJ. We’ve talk about this quite a lot, and we were both leaning towards the iPod set up. I knew the price difference was considerable, and with the other entertainment we want it just doesn’t seem feasible, or even that necessary! So, other entertainment! If budget allows we’d like the Dapper Dans and a caricature artist. Unfortunately both have recently gone up a LOT in price so we’ll have to see nearer the time if we can have both! So once she knew we were hoping to have both of those, she seemed to kind of relent a bit and say an iPod would be fine. The thing is we’re trying to stick to the minimum as much as possible and if it came down to it, the DD’s and a caricaturist would both beat a DJ. An iPod set up is like $300 or something, we can make our own music and playlists which is really good because a DJ might not play our kind of music! I mean I know they would, but if we make the playlists we can have full creative control! Ben is massively into music, it’s his job haha, so I know he’s really keen to have great music. Plus it’s a small group and it’s a fairly early reception (we’ll be leaving at 8.30 for the DP) so it’s not like UK receptions where we’re all dancing and drinking til midnight. That’s exactly why we’re having our UK reception! That will be a big party!! Lisa then started saying that DJ’s can be good as they get people up and dancing, which is true, but then she said like they’ll do games to get the crowd going, like boys vs girls singing Frozen and Mulan…..errrr no thank you! Haha I had to laugh but that’s pretty much exactly what we don’t want! Don’t get me wrong I love cheesy music, and there will be a lot on any playlists I get a say in hahah, but cheesy sing-offs? Eek! So I think that pretty much made our minds up! I’m going to carry on doing research on iPod set-ups and what other brides have to say about them, but at the moment I think we’re really leaning that way. We’ve got a fun group and I know people will be up dancing once the drinks are flowing, regardless of a DJ encouraging them! Ooh I do need to clarify if we get a dance floor, or if we’ll just dance on the carpet haha!
Lisa then asked if we had anyone in mind to do announcements, organise the music and generally keep the party going, and we said our friend Ian
He’ll be the MC and he’s super organised and has been to Disney loads of times, so we’ll just fill him in on everything before we go
So, the rough run down of the wedding day, post-ceremony!
3.30 - 4.30 - Cocktail hour
4.30 - Reception starts, Dapper Dan’s 1st set
4.45 - Dinner
5.30 - Caricature artist arrives for 3 hours
5.30 - DD’s second set
5.45 - Speeches until 6.15
6.30 - 8.30 - Dancing, cake
8.30 - Group walk down to Sago Cay
9.00 - Dessert party with drinks and food
10.00 - Wishes (not confirmed but likely time)
10.30 - Fin!
Depending on how tired we are, we may invite any guests who fancy it to Mizner’s Lounge with us for a couple of drinks
But if we’re too tired we’ll just go to bed haha!
I’ll leave it there for now! Hope everyones enjoying! Next up...menu tasting!!