Hello all! I just wanted to let you know that I started a PTR for my May Trip. If you wish, follow along here:
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2923121
Now, I'm going to copy Danielle and do three kinds of Glad I Dids/Wish I Didn'ts: Planning, Wedding, and Honeymoon.
Planning
Glad I Did...
*Went for a Site Visit. Now, I went for a Site Visit after I chose my venues so it was really just to see The Attic, but it really helped to solidify my choices. I was able to picture The Attic, which made planning so much easier. And, well, I got to go to Franck's, which was just exciting.
*Had a Planning Session. The planning session was probably my favorite part of the planning process. Meeting with Christy was just
fun; I was able to show Chris The Attic; and we were able to taste all of our amazing food. Chris and I still talk about Charles and how is he "the man." We just felt so grown up and special at our PS. I'm also really glad that we didn't have any parents along for our session--- our wedding was truly about us and what we wanted.
*Found the Disboards. I really would have been lost without you girls. My wedding was one million times better than it could have been without this website. Without you all, I never would have had my Beauty and the Beast centerpiece or my white chocolate nametag favors or my MK cake: the list goes on. Heck, I wouldn't have even had a something borrowed! (<3 Melissa).
Wish I Had...
*Not bought everything that said "Bride" on it. I went a littttle overboard with the Bride stuff. I have a nice totebag I never even used!
*Not stressed so much. This is something
everyone says and I didn't believe them, but everything managed to turn out fine. I was a nervous wreck before the wedding--- as soon as December 6th hit, I had the shakes. I wish I would have just calmed down! So, Future Brides: CHILL! It will be okay. Your wedding day will be lovely!
*Chosen my bridal party more carefully. This is my #1 wedding regret. Now, the bridal party we ended up with was fantastic, but we had a messy road getting there. For one, Becky (my Matron of Honor) wasn't even in the BP originally, and that's just ridiculous: I should have asked her from the start. I also wish I would have found a way to ask Lacy to step down at some point--- or perhaps told her that she could be an "honorary bridesmaid" and have the title but not have to do any of the work. Just
something. Had I done that, I would have saved myself a hell of a lot of wedding drama. Finally, there was another bridesmaid that I just never should have asked, but I think we all know that story.
(On a side note, my Matron of Honor is PREGNANT!!! EEEEKKK I'M SO EXCITED!!!!!!)
Wedding Day
Glad I Did...
*Had a morning ceremony. I was a little on the fence about this because it's not "traditional," but I was so nervous the morning of the wedding that I don't think I could have made it until a 5pm ceremony. I am so, so glad we were married at 10am.
*Had a winter wedding. The weather was just perfect for our wedding day: it was about 70 and slightly breezy. Absolutely perfect!
*Chose The Attic. I am really, truly just in love with The Attic. I wish I could live there. It's also perfect for a small group--- we didn't feel too big or too small there.
*Had a small wedding. There were only 18 people at our wedding, and I really wouldn't have had it any other way. While I was a little sad at the beginning of all this that I wouldn't have a huge, traditional wedding, I really loved my small wedding.
*Didn't do a First Look. One of my favorite memories of the wedding day is Chris's face when he saw me come out of the Model A Ford. He cried!
*Had the Model A Ford. I'll admit it: I wanted the carriage. I wanted the carriage soooo badly. I've been obsessed with My Little Pony since I was two years old, and I wanted those ponies. But, after looking at the pictures, the Model A Ford was
perfect for the Boardwalk. And all of the men in our group loved it! (Plus, we got to meet our BFF Dick Hardman.)
*Did an Epcot photoshoot. Even though this wasn't technically on the wedding day, I still think it counts. I love all of our pictures Regina took, and I can't wait to work with her again in December.
*Extended Randy's time. We originally only had him for 4 hours. I am SO glad we had him for 7! We wouldn't have had any character pictures if we hadn't, and those are my favorites from the wedding day.
*Sprung for characters. We had Mickey, Pluto, and Major Domo, and those were easily the best parts of the wedding for me. Everyone was
so surprised by Major Domo, and Mickey and Pluto were just a blast. I have been spoiled for character interaction for the rest of my life.
*And, finally--- Had a Disney Fairy Tale Wedding. My wedding day was absolutely beautiful. I had never been one of those girls who dreamed about her wedding day, but when I was 19 I sent Chris a picture of sea breeze point and said "This is where I want to get married." I
never thought that would happen. I was able to create memories at Disney (with my best friends, my husband, and my daddy) that will last me the rest of my life. I wouldn't have been as happy about my wedding day if it hadn't been in WDW. Sometimes, I still can't believe I was actually a Disney Bride.
Wish I Had...
I honestly don't have any real wedding "regrets." There are just some pictures I wish I had told Randy to get: I didn't get a shoe picture (and I was wearing designer shoes!), and I didn't get a few others I would have loved--- but I also didn't think to request them. That's really all I can say!
On the Fence...
*Had a Dessert Party. I'm really not sure if I should have had a DP--- everyone was just tired by then because our wedding was so gosh darn early. I think I would have done it, but just had it be for Chris and me.
Is that allowed?!
*Had a guitarist. I was too focused on Chris to hear any of the songs I requested! I really don't know if he was any good or not!
Honeymoon
Glad I Did...
*Went to signature/new restaurants. We tried so many new restaurants on this trip, and we made some new favorites. I am officially a Disney Dining snob now.
*Did the Keys to the Kingdom Tour. This was probably my favorite part of my honeymoon. Our TG was just phenomenal, and I learned so much about Disney. And, well, I got to go in the tunnels!
*Used a gift card to pay for stuff. This wasn't something I mentioned in my TR, but we saved for a year and put all of our money on a gift card. That, in addition to some money from the honeymoon registry and some Christmas presents, paid for almost all of our honeymoon. We had roughly $2500 in gift cards, and that paid for 10 table service meals, countless quick services, a dooney, four art books, and so many other souvenirs. It was so nice not to have to stress about "real" money while on vacation.
*Used TiW instead of the
DDP. I know I've mentioned this before, but I am against the DDP. It's just too much money for what you get. TiW works so well for us, and you even get it off of alcohol too.
*Used the GF for my free night. I had wanted to stay at the GF for 16 years, but I am just too cheap to pay those prices. I am so glad it was free, and so glad that Jockey John upgraded us to a MK view.
*Stayed in WDW for my honeymoon. I had reallllly wanted to take a
Disney cruise, but when my grandparents offered up their DVC points, I just couldn't say no to a nearly free honeymoon. And I am so glad I stayed in WDW: I am really grumpy when I am not in WDW, and I just don't think any other place would have felt right to me.
Wish I Had...
*Spent more time at the Beach Club! We were only there for four nights, and we really didn't know how much we were going to love it there. If I could do it all over again, I would have stayed there for a week and BLT for a few days.
*Arranged transportation for the morning-after brunch. This would have just made my life so much easier. I also had forgotten that transportation was messed up due to the half marathon.
On the Fence...
*Undiscovered Future World Tour. The tour was interesting, but BradJosh was NOT!
*Bay Lake Tower. Chris and I had wanted to stay here sooo badly, and while the room was just so pretty and it's in such a great location to the MK, I hated switching monorails and the service, as we have seen, was less than stellar. But, I do still think it's a great honeymoon resort, so I am undecided.