Updated: Pixie' Big Fat Disney Wedding Planning Report ! 2-24-14 Its Official!

Login to post comments
53 posts / 0 new
dewingedpixie's picture
Offline
Joined: 07/21/2011
Posts: 522
Updated: Pixie' Big Fat Disney Wedding Planning Report ! 2-24-14 Its Official!

My Fiance and I met in June 2010. Our first date he went for a 4 mile run with me called the Twilight 4 miler. All of my friends had ditched because it was a 108 degree heat index. Needless to say thanks to running 8 miles that morning and not getting enough food in I bonked. We went to dinner at Red Robin and spent half the night up talking. I knew by the end of that date he was the one.

After 18 months of dating in February 2012 we went to buy our engagement stone just days before my birthday. It was a beautiful 1.96 carat sapphire from the Umba Valley in Tanzania Parti or Alexandrite Color change. The stone was a round brilliant cut like a 2 carat diamond. I was 100% excited.
FI waited 2 months to send the stone to Krikawa who would set it because the setting like the stone was pricey. We got bad news the feather inclusion when magnified 1000 times was a fracture, and the setting that we had chosen was too high tension just setting it could break the stone. We had Krikawa send us information on the stones they had in stock, and they had one beauty that I fell for. They shipped us the stone for inspection and FI was absolutely giddy because it was even bigger than the first. I felt she was a huge iceberg of a stone but it made him so happy I said ok go with it. The new stone also came from Umba it too is a color change but not full alexandrite. It shifts between purples and sometimes does burgundy or olive green depending on the light.

The stone took longer than we expected to be set due to the design changes that FI requested for me. I wanted the wings to be longer than the standard wings on this ring so they'd look more realistic and that lead to issues. They broke the wings on the first casting. In the end the final product came and my FI was elated.

During this time we set a date for our wedding, and kept hush about it. I bought a beautiful Joy Houston dress for $900 that originally was $3600! I started looking at venues and found frustrations abound.
In July my Fiance gave me a formal proposal though we felt engaged already this was important to him. He took me to a beautiful park in western NY called Swallow Hollow first thing in the morning on the 15th. He chose this spot because he went here a lot for hikes as a child and had good family memories. He also knew that since my grandmother's death Dragonflies had become spiritually significant to me. Me, my daughter, and my Fiance went out on this hike. We took photos looked at little bugs which I love; saw turtle eggs, and frogs. FI decided to deviate off the path into a clearing surrounded by beautiful fir trees. He told me to sit down on a log and close my eyes. He placed in my hands a beautiful Beatle Box and within it was my engagement ring. He said his beautiful words about how this was the church god intended not a building but here where the miracles are created. He asked my daughter if he could marry me and then asked me. I cried so beautiful.

Over the next few months I spent a lot of time continuing my venue search to become frustrated beyond belief with costs and family politics. My FI who initially said no Disney finally said enough we're going to Disney. We looked at a larger wedding but due to family and my wants for a house we nixed that and have decided to do an Escape package. We are hoping for 10-13-2012 but we will have to wait and see. We plan to do a formal dinner, so please make suggestions of where we should consider eating, and then an Illuminations Dessert party. I'm hoping to get married at the Sea Breeze Point Gazebo.
I will be doing a Nightmare Before Christmas Theme for my wedding. Our colors will be purple and orange. I'm hoping to do jack-o-lanterns as aisle and alter decorations. These will be carved by my family and friends at a welcome party. We will also do MNSSHP and Epcot food and wine with some of our friends while we are down there. We may do a backstage animal kingdom tour by ourselves too.

As developments continue I will post information here. I am considering staying at the Poly this time since we've never been there and it looks beautiful. I also can't wait to try the new Be Our Guest restaurant. I'm hoping to do a girls night out at DTD with my girlfriends and eat at Reglan Road.

__________________

Pi}{ie

Member of the ANRF Running Team. As a warrior of arthritis I encourage you to help us end this disease: http://www.active.com/donate/Racing4ACure/Run4Arthritis

PreviewAttachmentSize
ering.jpg
ering.jpg50.05 KB
disney11.jpg
disney11.jpg53.31 KB
dewingedpixie's picture
Offline
Joined: 07/21/2011
Posts: 522

I bought my cake topper on ebay! $10 looks like it will be the perfect size for a 2 tier cake!

PreviewAttachmentSize
kgrhqvi0fb1m47orcbqpw1lqzg60_57.jpg
kgrhqvi0fb1m47orcbqpw1lqzg60_57.jpg121.89 KB
__________________

Pi}{ie

Member of the ANRF Running Team. As a warrior of arthritis I encourage you to help us end this disease: http://www.active.com/donate/Racing4ACure/Run4Arthritis

Mase's picture
Offline
Joined: 03/02/2011
Posts: 5438

That is a beautiful ring! Cant wait to see the cake in all of its glory... bet its gonna be sweet

__________________

- 2013 Trip Report!
- My Int3ractiv3 Trip R3port '12 - CLICK HERE!
[url='http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/forum/pick-mases-dinner-disney']- My Interactive Trip Report '11[/url]

Offline
Joined: 08/01/2012
Posts: 2037

Congratulations Pixie on your upcoming wedding. Your engagement ring is gorgeous. I like unique rings like yours. Have a wonderful time planning your wedding at Disney!!!

Offline
Joined: 12/28/2011
Posts: 1039

I also can't wait to see your cake!!!

Oh, and the ring. . . Is beautiful!

__________________

If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.
J. R. R. Tolkien

Kristen K.'s picture
Offline
Joined: 09/01/2011
Posts: 23803

Fantatsic!! I can't wait to hear more muchlove

The Cookie Crumbler's picture
Offline
Joined: 06/10/2012
Posts: 750

Lovely ring, and the cake topper looks so fun! Hope you're enjoying all of the planning. muchlove

__________________

Fellow Americans, I hear your tambourines inside my head and that's no lie!

Becca1005

congrats Absolutely gorgeous ring and such a lovely story! Best of luck with your planning! Smile

dewingedpixie's picture
Offline
Joined: 07/21/2011
Posts: 522

Here is the venue we are hoping to use for our ceremony. This is the sea breeze point gazebo. I love that its covered yet over the water. I also really really love that epcot can be seen in one direction in the back ground.

PreviewAttachmentSize
gazebo1.jpg
gazebo1.jpg44.59 KB
gazebo2.jpg
gazebo2.jpg141.85 KB
gazebo4.jpg
gazebo4.jpg1.72 MB
__________________

Pi}{ie

Member of the ANRF Running Team. As a warrior of arthritis I encourage you to help us end this disease: http://www.active.com/donate/Racing4ACure/Run4Arthritis

Magic Mirror's picture
Offline
Joined: 09/18/2012
Posts: 2994

clapping clapping clapping

This sounds dynamic! What a beautiful gazebo to hold your special day in ..

Your fiance sure sounds like an incredible and thoughtful man - muchlove

and your ring??!!?? WOW GIRL! That is so gorgeously detailed....
what a knock out piece which obviously holds such important heartfelt
emotions for you ...

Dazzling!

awesome

dewingedpixie's picture
Offline
Joined: 07/21/2011
Posts: 522

Magic he is an incredibly thoughtful man. He pushed me around disney last time we went in a wheel chair for 6 days! He never complained once! Note that breaking your leg does let you cut all the lines but I still would have like to have been able to walk instead.

__________________

Pi}{ie

Member of the ANRF Running Team. As a warrior of arthritis I encourage you to help us end this disease: http://www.active.com/donate/Racing4ACure/Run4Arthritis

Allie's picture
Offline
Joined: 06/26/2012
Posts: 5477

Gorgeous ring and potential venue! Congratulations!

Kristen K.'s picture
Offline
Joined: 09/01/2011
Posts: 23803

dewingedpixie wrote:
Note that breaking your leg does let you cut all the lines

I mean no disrespect, but please don't say that, it's not how being in a chair or having a guest assistance pass really works. There have been plenty of times that I have had to wait longer or have had a more difficult time at Disney because I was in a chair, it's not a front of the line pass.

dewingedpixie's picture
Offline
Joined: 07/21/2011
Posts: 522

Kristen K. wrote:
dewingedpixie wrote:
Note that breaking your leg does let you cut all the lines

I mean no disrespect, but please don't say that, it's not how being in a chair or having a guest assistance pass really works. There have been plenty of times that I have had to wait longer or have had a more difficult time at Disney because I was in a chair, it's not a front of the line pass.

No its not a front line pass, I will agree. I have to say being in a chair was extremely frustrating for me. We tended to avoid anything we couldnt get on quickly though or with really long lines. The guest assistance was a really nice thing though FI was really worried that the whole leg situation was really going to mess up the trip. We relied mostly on fast pass when we were there. We were greatful for the situations where the ride corals were so slim we werent able to get the wheel chair through. Those things are bulky. FI did not want me on the crutches all day, and my drs wanted me off the leg.

The situation has given me a lot of added respect for Disney I am happy they have that program particularly for people who are disabled on that level permanently or for sick children. They have really thought out the proccess of making it fair for everyone and ensuring everyone has a wonderful time. Disney is wonderful with all sorts of disabilities. Its one of the reason we chose Disney for our wedding. I love the ease of eating there with food allergies. So it wasnt meant to be disrespectful.

__________________

Pi}{ie

Member of the ANRF Running Team. As a warrior of arthritis I encourage you to help us end this disease: http://www.active.com/donate/Racing4ACure/Run4Arthritis

Kristen K.'s picture
Offline
Joined: 09/01/2011
Posts: 23803

dewingedpixie wrote:
So it wasnt meant to be disrespectful.

I'm so glad that the program was able to help you! Disney really does do a lot. No disrespect felt here, just caution in using that phrase. biggrin

Your ring is so cool btw! I'm really enjoying hearing all about your plans!

dewingedpixie's picture
Offline
Joined: 07/21/2011
Posts: 522

Fiance and I have decided our resort for our trip. We believe we will receive a discount since we are booking our wedding through them, but I couldn't swallow the difference of the cost of the Poly and AKL. Plus I've stayed at the AKL FI has not. He has always wanted to stay here! What better way to join our families than stay at the resort my daughter and I have stayed the most at! I also really wanted to go Delux rather than moderate this time because its our wedding/honey moon so the added splurge was worth the memories we will get in return. We have chosen to stay at the AKL. We will book immediatly after we book the wedding Smile. I'm pretty excited about it. If we do get a good discount we may try for a suite, but I'm doubting the discount will be enough for us to consider it. My fingers remain crossed though.

__________________

Pi}{ie

Member of the ANRF Running Team. As a warrior of arthritis I encourage you to help us end this disease: http://www.active.com/donate/Racing4ACure/Run4Arthritis

dewingedpixie's picture
Offline
Joined: 07/21/2011
Posts: 522

After much discussion my Fiance and I have decided to push our wedding back to February 2014 and do a Wishes Package to allow for more guests. We will change our theme to Beauty and the Beast since we are bookish and both really love that movie. The date we are hoping for is the 2014 Disney Princess Half which I would run in the morning. It is also my father's 60th birthday so I will ask him before we commit to the date. We are still going to disney in October though to do our tastings, and set up our BEO.

__________________

Pi}{ie

Member of the ANRF Running Team. As a warrior of arthritis I encourage you to help us end this disease: http://www.active.com/donate/Racing4ACure/Run4Arthritis

dewingedpixie's picture
Offline
Joined: 07/21/2011
Posts: 522

You read it right! Its official. The signed contract goes back Friday! We chose to move the date back and do a full Wishes wedding instead of an Escape Package! Our new date is 2-24-14 and I will be running DPH the day before with one of my bridesmaids.

We chose the following host hotels for our guests:
1. Pop Century
2. Caribbean Beach Resort
3. Boardwalk Inn

Our Ceremony will be at the Sea Breeze Point Gazebo.

Our Reception in Italy Isola West.

I'm currently working on getting save the dates, our wedding website, and setting up newsletters.

I'm super excited!

__________________

Pi}{ie

Member of the ANRF Running Team. As a warrior of arthritis I encourage you to help us end this disease: http://www.active.com/donate/Racing4ACure/Run4Arthritis

Kristen K.'s picture
Offline
Joined: 09/01/2011
Posts: 23803

yay yay yay

Whoo hoo for signed contracts!

nsaunier's picture
Offline
Joined: 06/18/2012
Posts: 296

clapping How exciting!! yay

__________________

~~~Nicole~~~



JoAnn C's picture
Offline
Joined: 05/20/2011
Posts: 6757

yeah yeah

__________________

Kat's picture
Kat
Offline
Joined: 05/05/2012
Posts: 395

yay yay So exciting that it's so official now with the contracts! yay yay Now begins the fun planning parts (save the dates, invites, etc.): your big day will be here before you know it!

__________________

Fall 2015: Master's Degree Graduation Trip, Details TBD! Can't wait to be back in the World!
Nov. 2014: Baby's First 1/2 Day at the Magic Kingdom; our date day at Hollywood studios
Jan. 2014: Our princess was born!
May 2013: Our POR & DCL honeymoon (& my husband's first Disney trip of hopefully many!)
May 2013: Our Disney-themed wedding

dewingedpixie's picture
Offline
Joined: 07/21/2011
Posts: 522

Kat wrote:
yay yay So exciting that it's so official now with the contracts! yay yay Now begins the fun planning parts (save the dates, invites, etc.): your big day will be here before you know it!

I'm actually contracting the STDs as we speak. They will be magnets and super cute! I'll post a pick of the proof when we finalize it. I've been working our wedding website too. This weekend I'm hoping to get started on our 1st wedding newsletter that will go with the STDs as well.

__________________

Pi}{ie

Member of the ANRF Running Team. As a warrior of arthritis I encourage you to help us end this disease: http://www.active.com/donate/Racing4ACure/Run4Arthritis

crazycatperson's picture
Offline
Joined: 09/19/2011
Posts: 3718

Maybe it's just me, but I can't read "contracting the STDs" without thinking....

Kristen K.'s picture
Offline
Joined: 09/01/2011
Posts: 23803

rolling It wasn't just you.

dewingedpixie's picture
Offline
Joined: 07/21/2011
Posts: 522

I know every time I say STD for save the date I snicker.

__________________

Pi}{ie

Member of the ANRF Running Team. As a warrior of arthritis I encourage you to help us end this disease: http://www.active.com/donate/Racing4ACure/Run4Arthritis

Offline
Joined: 08/01/2012
Posts: 2037

crazycatperson wrote:
Maybe it's just me, but I can't read "contracting the STDs" without thinking....

rolling I agree. My friend is the Infection Prevention Manager at our hospital so.....that was were my mind was. laugh

MrHub's picture
Offline
Joined: 10/29/2009
Posts: 9504

Kristen K. wrote:
rolling It wasn't just you.

Diddo! WOW! eek rolling

JoAnn C's picture
Offline
Joined: 05/20/2011
Posts: 6757

rolling

Glad I wasn't the only one

__________________

dewingedpixie's picture
Offline
Joined: 07/21/2011
Posts: 522

Hey if I'm going to transmit an STD to people atleast I'm giving them the best kind a Disney Wedding STD!

__________________

Pi}{ie

Member of the ANRF Running Team. As a warrior of arthritis I encourage you to help us end this disease: http://www.active.com/donate/Racing4ACure/Run4Arthritis

Offline
Joined: 11/15/2012
Posts: 912

Being English and working in a hospital I was surprised she was sending out magnets! Thanks for clearing that up!

__________________