Hi everyone
I'm back from a trip of a lifetime and so excited to write my first trip report.
I promise to be as honest as possible being as tactful as possible given that this is a public forum. If you want any more details about a specific vendor please feel free to PM me, and I'll be happy to share.
Because I meant to do a planning journal, but never got around to it...here is my list of people involved:
Wedding Co-ordinator: Karen, On-site Co-ordinator: A different Karen
Steaming & Tux Rental: Carolyn Allens
Hair: Anna, Makeover Majic
Make-up: myself -- I treated myself to lessons & splurged on cosmetics
Photography: Randy Chapman
Videography: A Magic Moment
Dinner: Citrcos Chef's Domain
Special Treat: Wishes from the Grand 1
It was a magical day with lots of pixie dust along the way, so I hope you'll enjoy my TR. When I read trip reports I did so both because I was eager to share in the excitement of everyone's big day, but also because I was looking for information for my own planning.
So to kick things off...and as a testiment to the number of times I watched (and listened to) Stacy's top 7, here are the top 7 tips I have for any bride out there.
7. Rev. Jack Day really knows what he's doing. He has quite a bit of experience with the DFTW. But he does have a certain expectation of what will happen...and I've read from TRs in the past that brides were not always fond of his quirks. I was prepared to let him run the show...and it all worked out delightfully.
6. The 2:30 time slot for intimates is just perfect. By the time the ceremony was over there was just enough time to have pictures taken before heading to a 6pm seating, which was over just in time to board the Grand 1 at 8:30.
5. If you can fit everyone on the Grand 1 it's fantastic. It was a huge hit with everyone, and it enabled me to stay in the dress a little longer.
4. The Chef's Domain at Citricos is awesome for intimates with 14 or less people. When I booked I couldn't find much on the Chef's Domain. It was a highlight of the trip. The food was FANTASTIC and the space was perfect!
3. Anna from makeover Majic was WONDERFUL. She instantly made me feel relaxed, which is exactly what you want on your wedding day. I did not have a trial...I just had a gut feeling about Anna...and I was right. She was great!
2. Ask your co-ordinator loads of questions. Don't worry about being a nusiance. I wish I had asked more questions before I left. I should have asked what was going to happen during the day. The wedding coordinator did let me know what was going to happen....like 5 minutes before the ceremony. This really made me nervous...as you'll read in posts to come. Ask everything and anything that comes into your mind...
1. Randy Chapman is not just amazing...he's something of a phenomenon. If you can book him you should. He was the absolute best. In many cases he acted as pseudo wedding co-ordinator for me...and he made me feel like everything would be perfect. And that's not to mention the amazing photography skills he has, which, go without saying. Book him if you can...you won't be dissappointed.
Are you ready? Here I go....a trip of a lifetime....
I'm back from a trip of a lifetime and so excited to write my first trip report.
I promise to be as honest as possible being as tactful as possible given that this is a public forum. If you want any more details about a specific vendor please feel free to PM me, and I'll be happy to share.
Because I meant to do a planning journal, but never got around to it...here is my list of people involved:
Wedding Co-ordinator: Karen, On-site Co-ordinator: A different Karen
Steaming & Tux Rental: Carolyn Allens
Hair: Anna, Makeover Majic
Make-up: myself -- I treated myself to lessons & splurged on cosmetics
Photography: Randy Chapman
Videography: A Magic Moment
Dinner: Citrcos Chef's Domain
Special Treat: Wishes from the Grand 1
It was a magical day with lots of pixie dust along the way, so I hope you'll enjoy my TR. When I read trip reports I did so both because I was eager to share in the excitement of everyone's big day, but also because I was looking for information for my own planning.
So to kick things off...and as a testiment to the number of times I watched (and listened to) Stacy's top 7, here are the top 7 tips I have for any bride out there.
7. Rev. Jack Day really knows what he's doing. He has quite a bit of experience with the DFTW. But he does have a certain expectation of what will happen...and I've read from TRs in the past that brides were not always fond of his quirks. I was prepared to let him run the show...and it all worked out delightfully.
6. The 2:30 time slot for intimates is just perfect. By the time the ceremony was over there was just enough time to have pictures taken before heading to a 6pm seating, which was over just in time to board the Grand 1 at 8:30.
5. If you can fit everyone on the Grand 1 it's fantastic. It was a huge hit with everyone, and it enabled me to stay in the dress a little longer.
4. The Chef's Domain at Citricos is awesome for intimates with 14 or less people. When I booked I couldn't find much on the Chef's Domain. It was a highlight of the trip. The food was FANTASTIC and the space was perfect!
3. Anna from makeover Majic was WONDERFUL. She instantly made me feel relaxed, which is exactly what you want on your wedding day. I did not have a trial...I just had a gut feeling about Anna...and I was right. She was great!
2. Ask your co-ordinator loads of questions. Don't worry about being a nusiance. I wish I had asked more questions before I left. I should have asked what was going to happen during the day. The wedding coordinator did let me know what was going to happen....like 5 minutes before the ceremony. This really made me nervous...as you'll read in posts to come. Ask everything and anything that comes into your mind...
1. Randy Chapman is not just amazing...he's something of a phenomenon. If you can book him you should. He was the absolute best. In many cases he acted as pseudo wedding co-ordinator for me...and he made me feel like everything would be perfect. And that's not to mention the amazing photography skills he has, which, go without saying. Book him if you can...you won't be dissappointed.
Are you ready? Here I go....a trip of a lifetime....