Amy & Nick 2-14-2009

I don't like being the center of attention, so I didn't want a huge wedding anyways. And big weddings are so expensive!! I don't regret going the route we did.

Amy and Nick had a 'surprise' wedding in Derry, NH on February 14th. This date was chosen because Nick was home on leave from the United States Marine Corps. Since the most important thing to them was that they could share the day with their families, they decided to elope and visit a local Justice of the Peace.

The First Kiss

Mr. & Mrs.

Amy and Nick chose to have a small private dinner reception at The Common Man in Windham, NH.

Amy says that they are planning to have a bride and groom portrait session soon, so I can't wait to see those pictures!

Ideas - Jim and Pam's Wedding

Is "Forever" on your 'Do Not Play' List?

In case you're thinking of a wedding like Mr and Mrs. Halpert try, Niagara Weddings and More:

GREAT FOR ELOPEMENTS! $290

PRICE INCLUDES ADMISSION FOR TWO,

WEDDING BY LICENSED MINISTER, PERSONALIZED CEREMONY BOOKLET

AND COMMEMORATIVE MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE, PLUS 5-10 DIGITAL PHOTOS

SENT BY EMAIL TO SHARE WITH FRIENDS

New Spain - Honeymoon

Found this resort from a friend who will be traveling there very soon on her own REAL honeymoon!

The All inclusive Reef Playacar located on the Yucatan Peninsular.

There's something about this photo that makes me want to be there right now

Upgrade with:

relax by the pool

the boy loves to jetski

Must see place:

Chichen Itza Kukulan Pyramid is one of the new Seven Wonders of the World and looks awfully familiar...

Mexico Pavilion

New Spain - Cake

The hardest thing about planning a wedding without actually planning one is trying to find something that is exactly what you envision. The cake for my New Spain wedding is a combination of these two designs:

Found this cake on bride.ca created by Sara's Simply Delicious. The original design which can be found on either page includes a fifth tier which is mostly white with a border of the pattern - I'm not a fan because it seems random and out of place, almost like they ran out of time.

However I love the look of this cake and the only thing I'd like to add is some gerber daisies like the cake below.
Found this on CakeCentral.com by Callyssa, who made it for her brother's wedding.

New Spain - Tables and Gifts

I want something simple for my table centerpieces. I was thinking of an iron candle holder like this one:

Three Tier Candle Holder from Something for the wicked.co.uk

with pillar candles:

These are actually flameless wax candles from Select2together.com

I can't forget my search for gold theme:

Lake Champlain Chocolates Bulk Chocolate Coins in milk chocolate with copper foil.

170 pieces cost $65.00 and since I want to have them on all the tables, I'd have to buy a few bags.

Favors:

I originally wanted to give everyone a live red cactus and have some extra sprinkled through the reception area.

flicker photo

However I started to think that it might be difficult for people to travel home (on planes) with a cactus plant... Then I saw these:

Cactus candles at the Christmas Tree Shop for $1.00 each. They come in two different shades and two different styles. I like how they're a little different and small (easy to travel home with,) however like everything at this store when you see it you have to buy it or it probably won't be there on your next trip.

New Spain - Food

Buffet space at Rix Lounge

I'm just not a sit down, multiple-course-dinner kind of girl; I'd rather have some amazing food buffet style. I know a lot of people don't like buffets because the quality of food can be questionable and really boring, but I think it can be done perfectly if you can get exactly what you want.

Since this is my 'fantasy' wedding I'd like to go all out and have a burrito station:

Chipotle's fajita burrito

and a quesadilla station:

Photo from Royal Pizza although qdoba is my favorite but they don't have pictures on their site

Because really if you're going to be paying to feed people you should make sure you like the food!

Not On My Registry #1: A Kiss Forever

Nao by Lladro "A Kiss Forever" Porcelain Figurine

Bed Bath & Beyond Gift Registry

That special day yields a kiss to be cherished forever. Elegant figurine of a bride and groom sharing that first kiss as husband and wife is a beautiful way to commemorate a wedding day. This distinctive handcrafted porcelain figurine made in Spain by Lladro artisans will be enjoyed for generations to come. Measures 9" H. Wipe clean.

Now let me say that there is nothing wrong with this. In fact I thought it was very pretty when I first saw it... until I saw the price they're asking for it. I'm sorry but no one and I mean NO ONE needs a one hundred and fifty dollar, nine-inch statue. Honestly it's just going to collect dust and end up shoved in a cabinet.

Bottom Line:

$148.99 is way too much for something that has no purpose except to collect dust. If you're going to Bed Bath & Beyond for my gift pick up something I'll actually use.

Gifts I would (possibly) include from Bed Bath & Beyond

Reasonable:

Belgian waffle marker (Waring Pro Professional Waffle Maker $79.99)

Higher End:

Margarita Maker (Margaritaville Key West Frozen Concoction Maker $329.99)

Reason # 9,001 why I love Disney...

For as long as I can remember I have LOVED Disney and pretty much everything that goes along with it to the point where I would defend it like it was my little brother getting picked on by big kids.

I was wandering on the Internet and stumbled onto this tribute to Disney animation that a fellow fan made. Enjoy:

The song is "So Close," by Jon McLaughlin from Disney's Enchanted. Great for slow dancing.

New Spain - Bridal Bling

I tried to find something that fit my theme and my tastes, so the bridal jewelry for New Spain is pretty simple.


Target Teardrop Earrings in Carnelian $29.99

• According to a gemstone site carnelian stones reminds us to live "in the moment. "

mark. Modern Metal Necklace in Burnished Brass $16.00 (also comes in Burnished Silver)

• This design reminds me of southwestern patterns and the burnished color fits perfectly with my 'look.'

New Spain -After Party Look

Disney rules do not allow for brides to wear their dresses in the park without permission (ie you're there before or after hours or hidden from general public.) This also goes for adults in costumes (unless it's a special ticket event) to keep kids safe from crazy people. So I'd have to change before we head to Epcot for the night and I'm sure my guests would want to as well.

Can't wear my dress in the park but there's no rule about a white sundress!

Sundress: American Living at JC Penny on sale for $49.99 (reg $90.00)

Flip flops: Old Navy in Sunny Tangerine $3.50 (or $2.50 each when you buy 2 or more)

New Spain -Bride

The Dress:

Kleinfield: JIM HJELM Style No: 31818487

I really wanted to find a dress that I thought would fit in with my idea of this wedding as well as something I would wear. Now I'm not sure that this dress would look remotely flattering on me but I think it's perfect. The ruffles totally sold me even though I would normally run from something that had ruffles in the description- these just look fun and flirty. Something about the skirt just reminds me of the dresses worn by tango dancers. And the back on this dress is just WOW -I know there would be no hope for a bra (another reason I'd probably have to skip it) but I really like it!

This dress is:

1. sexy
2. sophisticated
3. romantic
4. flirty fun

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Bouquet

My bouquet is going to be made up of one type of flower, red-orange gerber daisies (my favorite) and be slightly larger than my bridesmaids' bouquets.

This flower is:

1. sexy
2. sophisticated
3. romantic
4. flirty fun

wow they're just like my dress, what a coincidence!

Schreurs calls this color Aragon

New Spain -Groom

Let me just say that finding men's wear that is not black or white (eh) is impossible. With so many people choosing light brown, khaki, chocolate brown or navy, you'd think the tux rental places would get on board with the trends. Apparently if you want these looks you need to have your party buy suits. This is one of the only brown tuxes I could find.

Groom and Groomsmen:

From Men's Wearhouse Build a Tux

Suit: Pronto Uomo Chocolate Two-Button Super 100's Notch-Lapal Tuxedo #1888

Vest: Bella Luna Palm Beach Coral Vest #8853BLCOR

Shirt: Microfiber Ivory Point Collar Shirt #5748

I've been looking everywhere for some alternative to the regular flower boutonniere and can't seem to find anything that's just right. If I have to go the flower route I want something simple, so this is what I'd choose:

Tracked down this photo on Bridal Buds; a great site where brides and grooms to be, along with past brides, discuss all things involving wedding planning.

New Spain -Bridesmaids

The Dress

Since persimmon is the main color that I'm using in my New Spain theme, that's the color I chose for the bridesmaids dresses. I tried to find a dress that had a soft sophistication as well as a fun and sexy feeling.

David's Bridal Style: F12495 in Persimmon

What I love about this dress:

1. beading under the bust keeps it from being too plain
2. chiffon gives it a soft but sexy look
3. it comes with the matching wrap
4. it comes in persimmon (not too many choices for this color)

The Bouquets

When it comes to bouquets, I'm into the less is more method. The bridesmaids bouquets will be all light orange gerber daisies.

Schreurs calls this color Amaretto

What I love about this flower:

1. gerber daisies are my favorite flower
2. simply elegant flowers -dress them up or down
3. i think this color will be the perfect contrast to the bridesmaids dresses

Reason # 9,000 why I love Disney...

and Mickey Mouse...

Once upon a time when I was just a ween bairn my parents bought into the Disney Vacation Club and this allowed us to travel from cold Massachusetts to lovely Florida twice a year.

On one particular trip we travelled to Disney's Vero Beach Resort and during the stay I tried my hard at drawing Mickey Mouse in one of the many classes they have to entertain kids while their parents go off and do... something. I think that this only furthered my love for Mickey because I went on to draw him for the next 10 years or so.

Which may or may not have something to do with the reason why I HAD to buy this at Target...

and these:

(Sorry about the pictures not sure where the cables for the camera are so I had to use my blackberry)

Although I haven't decided where they're going yet! These are all dinner plates made by Zak!Designs and sold at Target. They're kind of plastic-y and I had no intention of eating off them so they're going on my wall and the bf is going to like it.

More on DVC later...

T&T: "don't you just love a bargain"

Let me start by saying the Christmas Tree Shop is dangerous... you go in looking for one item or simply to browse and 2 hours later your shopping cart (when did you get that?) is full! I LOVE this store. If you haven't been before check their locations (Maine to Pennsylvania) to see if there's one in your neighborhood.

TIP: Make sure to sign up for their email flyer so you know when a new 'season' is starting and get the first pick of the new stock.

Here are some items that stuck out as unique centerpiece items for summer weddings:

Tealight Lanterns 2.99

Tealight Lifeguard Stands 1.99

They also had inexpensive (1.99 per good size bag) shells, starfish and sand.

I've seen brides use oversized diamonds like these for weddings or engagement parties. These were 4.99 and they also had smaller napkin ring-size ones at 2.99

(Disclaimer: I apologize for the pictures, they were taken stealthily with my blackberry while hoping the other customers didn't think I looked too sketchy...)

Tip: If you see something you like, you better buy it now because it may not be there the next time you go. The only downside to this store is that the merchandise is seasonal. If you're starting your planning a year in advance or at last minute, this is the place to go.

New Spain -After Party

Disney Weddings has this great thing called a Dessert Party where you can have a catered designated spot to watch Illuminations. My problem is that in having a mexican-ish theme, I'd want my dessert party to be at the Mexico Pavilion and it does not have a cul-de-sac type area that is easy to block off to non-wedding party spectators. I'm pretty sure my guests would think it's weird to suddenly have dessert in Italy or the UK after all my careful theming.

So my plan for the after party is to have everyone get into comfortable disney approved (can't go into the parks in my wedding dress) attire and head over to the Mexico Pavilion take a ride with Donald, get drinks, then grab a good spot for the show!

New! La Cava del Tequila celebrates the heritage and tradition of tequila making in Mexico. Guests 21 years of age or older can enjoy over 70 varieties of authentic tequila, from the simplest to the rarest, and the resident "tequila ambassador" will educate Guests on the history of this uniquely Mexican libation. Sip on exotic blended margaritas made with fresh tropical fruit while you sample tapas-style dishes like freshly made guacamole, warm corn chips and salsas.

Did someone say tequila?

New Spain -Reception

My Reception:

Las Ventanas @ Disney's Coronado Springs Resort is where I'd like to have my reception. I think the rooms are beautiful and fit perfectly with my vision of a New Spain wedding. The palette in these rooms are my favorite because the colors are understated and I feel like you can add more to it, instead of trying to take some of the theming away to fit my needs.

I'm not thrilled with the mustard color linens and it sounds like there would be a charge to remove them. I'm thinking if the tables are in decent shape I'd like to do without any table cloth so that the dark wood color isn't lost.

I don't want flower centerpieces just candles. I still need to find something that looks exactly how I want it to and when(if) I do I'll post it.

Location Details:

There are no venue fees for these locations. No Disney Characters may appear at the event. All decorations and entertainment must be set up through Disney Event Group.

Las Ventanas

Breakfast/Lunch (100% seating) Capacity = 75, F&B 1,000++

Dinner (100% seating) Capacity = 75, F&B 2,500++

Reception (60% seating) Capacity = 100, F&B 4,000++

Special to this location: Dinner and Receptions that continue past 9pm must include an additional F&B minimum of 2,000++ Existing Sound System and Audio Visual may be customized to group.

Rix Lounge

I love the candle holder on the left of this picture and the marble table! Since this is a lounge, there is a lot of informal seating which would be great if the cocktail hour needs to move inside.

Breakfast/Lunch (100% seating) Capacity = 150, F&B 2,500++

Special to this location: Existing seating only. Existing Sound System and Audio Visual may be customized to group.

Outdoor Locations:

Laguna Patio

Reception (75% seating) Capacity = 30 F&B 750++

Laguna Terrace Upper

Reception (75% seating) Capacity = 60 F&B 1,500++

Laguna Terrace Lower

Reception (75% seating) Capacity = 80 F&B 2,000++

Special to these locations: Existing seating only. No audio or visual equipment. Backup location required.