Hunter Valley Wedding Recap ~ Part 7 ~ Ceremony & location Photos

   

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the last 14 months or so our wedding planning has been going in a circle that plays out like this .......

This is completely our own fault!

We felt it was important that our families were given every opportunity to be involved and we have been trying to accommodate as many people as possible, but enough is finally enough! We found ourselves in a place so far removed from not only where we started but where we wanted to be that we had to draw a line in the sand and say enough.

We took everyones requests & ideas onboard and now FH and I have made some new decisions and changed our thinking and plan. Instead of having a big destination Disney wedding and then a family reception back home.

We have changed things around and will now have a mini destination wedding reception at home in the hunter valley, followed by an intimate Disney Cruise Line Wedding & portrait session at WDW.

13th to 15th November 2009 Weekend Wedding Hunter Valley

18 November to 27 November 2009 Honeymoon

28 November to 5 December 2009 Disney Fairy Tail Wedding Cruise

5 December to 22 December 2009 Disneymoon

DIY Project - Bridal Party Loot !

This is one of my favourite prjects hands down!! along with collecting items for our OOT bags I have been collecting gifts & extra little bits & pieces for months & months for our bridal party welcome / gift packs.

 I have a great stock pile of things that I was planning on filling the bags with when we were having our big WDW wedding. Unfortunately many of the things I have been collecting don’t really work now that we are not going as a group, but some will still be ok. 

I haven’t got much for the boys bags yet, especially as they really won’t appreciate all the Disney stuff now, but I can always stock up on snacks & alcohol for the boys.

So far I have ordered the monogrammed pink tote bags for the girls and blue back packs for the boys

Bridesmaid goodies so far ...

Flower Girl goodies so far......

Maid of Honour goodies so far .....

I still have plenty to collect for the bags and for 6 or 7 people I know who have madly scrolled to the bottom of this post, in the hope of seeing your special gifts that FH & I have organised........ Too Bad So Sad … you all have to wait for the rehearsal dinner to see what they are !!!!

Our Master Destination & Honeymoon Wedding Packing List

 
Packing and transporting all our wedding and honeymoon luggage to the Hunter, then onto the USA and back home again will definitely be a challenge.

While most of the bulky wedding items will be left for extended family to bring home, we will need to take our personal items (wedding dress, FH's suit and a few other wedding nick knacks) with us, but Disney supply everything else.

While it’s important not to be bogged down with loads of things I don’t need or use, take too little, and you end up buying what you didn't bring.

 

I have been searching for the best destination wedding packing list and have ended up merging a few together to create a master planning checklist!

 

First stop – Hunter Valley wedding ceremony & reception

Hunter – Tub 1

{Critical - our accomodation}

·         Wedding planning folder with guest list and wedding details
·         Thank you notes for vendors & tip envelopes & vendor gifts
·         Extra thank you cards
·         Fix it kit: Sharpies, tape, scissors (X2), glue, extras of all materials used to make favors, double sided tape, cardstock, ribbon, tacks for flowers.

Hunter – Tub 2

{our accommodation}

·         Printer, extra cartridges & paper
·          Attendant gifts
·         Parent gifts

Hunter – Tub 3
{to be dropped at ceremony venue}
· IPod & charger for ceremony (with burnt cd’s of music for backup)
·         Ceremony accessories
·         Water Bottles

Hunter – Tub 4, 5 & 6

{to be dropped at reception venue}

·         Menus
·         Signage
·         Guest book & pens
· Lace cards & escort cards
·         Cake Topper {back-up}
·         Table décor (candles, flowers, table runner, etc.)
·          Bathroom baskets
·         Slipper Basket
·         Pashmina Basket
·         Bird Cage

 Hunter – Tub 7 & 8

{to be dropped at reception venue}

·         Personalised Chocolate Bars
·         Glass Jars for Candy Bar
·         Candy for candy bar
·         Noodle Boxes for Candy Bar

 Hunter – Tub 8 & 9

{to be dropped at Crown with Brides Parents}

·         Welcome Bags & contents
 
Hunter – Tub 10
{to be dropped at Crown with Brides Parents}
·        Bridesmaid checklist Bags

Hunter - Bride Suitcase 1
·         Special outfits for rehearsal dinner, goodbye brunch, and any scheduled activities
·         Wedding night sleepwear

·         Wedding makeup

·         Wedding-day underwear

·         Wedding shoes

·         Comfortable shoes for dancing

·         Tiara/headpiece

·         Purse

·         Wrap

·         Groom accessories

·         Something old, new, borrow, blue

·         Groom’s gift (wrapped)

Hunter - Bride Suitcase 2

·         Casual clothes for the week
·         Make up & toiletries

Hunter - Groom Suitcase 1
·         All Grooms wedding & other event clothes
·         Grooms shoes
·         Grooms accessories
·         Ring holder

Hunter - Groom Suitcase 2
·         Casual clothes for the week
·         Toiletries

Then onto the US and WDW!! For our Disney Wedding celebrations & Honeymoon CARRY ON (Divide up between the two of us)

 

NB: All FEE Gifts have been given to each family group to bring.  

Travel folder contains:
·         Passports and driver's licenses
·         Plane tickets
·         Itinerary / Maps
·         Copies of all contracts
·         Vendor contact info
·         Lists of guests and travel info, arrival times, hotels where they will be
·         Copies of wedding insurance policy
·         Hotel / Cruise reservation confirmations
·         Photocopies of medical and or trip insurance coverage
·         Contact details for doctor, house sitters, credit card companies etc
·         Wedding vows
·         Extra wedding invite
·         Copies of WDW wedding coordinator emails
·         Credit / debit cards, (only taking ones that we plan to use)
·         Envelope of $1 bills for tipping (we are bringing about $75 worth)
·         Wedding day jewellery, including wedding rings
·         Wedding dress
·         Veil
·         Groom's suit
·         Mobile phone & charger
·         Camera & extra batteries/memory stick
·         Video Camera
·         Sunglasses
·         Spare outfit for both
·         Small toiletries bag (immediately needed supplies – medications, toothbrush etc)

USA & Honeymoon – Checked bag 1
·         Bride Clothes
·         Make up

USA & Honeymoon – Checked bag 2

·         Groom’s Clothes
·         Toiletries

USA & Honeymoon – Checked bag 3

·         Bride & Groom accessories

 USA & Honeymoon – Checked bag 4

·         Welcome Bags & contents
·         Our FEE gifts

 

Checklist update - 9 months

With all the excitement of Valentine’s Day I almost forgot..... today is our 9 month planning check in and I think I have added more to the list than crossed off !

I have started to add in WDW items (although until we sign contracts with Disney this is all hypothetical). We still need to add a few things for the US trip, and have been assigned our WDW wedding coordinator Brianna, so I am not too worried about anything slipping through the cracks!

I have also added a traveling / packing checklist, with the plan of how we’ll pack everything for the wedding in the Hunter Valley, our Disney wedding cruise & disneymoon!

 

So with exactly 273 days here is where we are at !!

12 Months - 23/35 completed!
§ Set Wedding Date
§ Set preliminary budget
§ Visit ceremony sites
§ Research and visit reception locations
§ Meet with different officiates
§ Decide whether you want to have a band or DJ
§ Think about a color scheme or wedding theme
§ Meet with and book a Day of Coordinator (DOC)
§ Have your engagement ring appraised and Insured
§ Begin to think about bridal party
§ Groom – begin to think about bridal party
§ Start shopping for Wedding Dress ideas
§ Sent out engagement announcements
§ Engagement Party
§ Create Wedding website
§ Attend Bridal Shows/Showcases
§ Make a list of vendors to contact
§ Prepare preliminary guest list
§ Set final budget
§ Select a ceremony location
§ Select a reception location
§ Select an officiate
§ Select a photographer
§ Select a videographer
§ Organise accommodation for guests
§ Organise accommodation for us
§ Finalise color scheme or wedding theme
§ Think about centerpieces & bouquets
§ Meet with different bands or DJ’s and select one
§ Select and ask bridal party members
§ Groom – select and ask groomsmen and best man
§ Make up & send Save the Date’s (along with guest information)
§ Think about where we want gift register
§ Begin your honeymoon research


9 Months - 2/22 completed
§ Select a florist (bring pictures and floral ideas to appointment)
§ Think about number & type of cars
§ Give maid of honor the guest list for your bridal shower
§ Send bridesmaid newsletter – DIY Project
§ Create gift registry
§ Add gift registry details to wedding website
§ Book your honeymoon started
§ Finalise guest list
§ Disney ceremony Save the Dates
§ Select and order/make invitations – DIY Project
§ Purchase stamps for invitations (have them weighed)
§ Purchase envelope seals – DIY Project
§ Order mother of the bride/groom dresses
§ Give all vendor information to DOC (address, contracts, phone numbers, etc.)
§ Purchase tiara/headpiece/hairpins
§ Order veil
§ Engagement shoot (booked for April)
§ Purchase wedding insurance
§ Purchase table cameras
§ Order your wedding gown
§ Order bridesmaids gowns
§ Order flower girl dresses
§ Schedule Laser Hair Removal appointment


6 Months - 1/17 completed
§ Select & book cars
§ Order Cookies
§ Schedule hair trials
§ Schedule makeup trials
§ Arrange guest transportation
§ Buy your shower outfit
§ Check passports
§ Update your registry and check for any discontinued items
§ Shop for and order wedding rings
§ Purchase wedding day jewelry
§ Purchase cake serving set
§ Purchase toasting flutes
§ Purchase ring pillow
§ Begin taking dancing lessons
§ Start facials
§ Select and order wedding cake
§ Plan ceremony (writing vows, music selections, readings, etc.)


4 Months - 0/20 completed
§ Order / make bridal shower thank you cards – DIY Project
§ Purchase / make ceremony decorations (pew bows, personalized aisle runner, etc.) – DIY Project
§ Shop for, order or make favors
§ Order / make tags & custom labels for favors – DIY Project
§ Start wedding gown fittings
§ Decide what kind of bustle you want (one point, two point, French, etc.)
§ Purchase all undergarments for your gown including a slip, stocking, garters, etc.
§ Purchase throw away garter
§ Purchase wedding day shoes
§ Purchase comfortable shoes for reception (slippers, sneakers, flip flops, etc.)
§ Purchase bridal party shoes and have them dyed if needed
§ Purchase a guest book or frame for sign in picture
§ Purchase cake topper
§ Schedule ceremony rehearsal
§ Book rehearsal dinner location
§ Order / make rehearsal dinner invitations – DIY Project
§ Decide where you want to take photos after the ceremony
§ Plan back up locations for ceremony and photo sessions in case of rain
§ Purchase flower girl basket
§ Order monogrammed napkins and matches


3 Months - 0/24 completed
§ Attend bridal shower
§ Send out bridal shower thank you cards
§ Buy any ribbon or packaging you will need to wrap wedding favors
§ Purchase bridal party gifts
§ Purchase bridal party jewellery
§ Purchase flower girl jewellery
§ Purchase flower girl tiara
§ Purchase flower girl gifts
§ Purchase ring bearer gifts
§ Purchase parent gifts
§ Meet with officiate and go over ceremony in detail
§ Purchase or make ceremony programs
§ Send out invitations (don’t forget to have them hand cancelled)
§ Groom - order tuxes and have all groomsmen measured
§ Groom – buy groomsmen and best man gifts
§ Meet with reception location and finalise menu
§ Order grooms cake
§ Send out rehearsal dinner invitations
§ Purchase items for slipper basket (slippers, baskets, ribbon, bags, tags)
§ Schedule hair color appointment for week before wedding
§ Meet with florist and finalize floral details - how many centerpieces, bouquets, boutonnieres, place card table arrangement. Also design and types of flowers and view/approve sample centerpiece
§ Order table linens and check on tiffany chairs & colours
§ Organise Popcorn Bar (glass jars, popcorn, bags, scoops & signage)
§ Purchase items for place cards (votives, votive holders, vellum and vellum tape for votive place cards)


2 Months - 0/39 completed
§ Arrange for Photo session in WDW
§ Arrange for photo session in NYC
§ Arrange & purchase Honeymoon add ons / check Honeymoon register
§ Check on WDW reception location & order cake
§ Check on guest list for WDW and send out information packs to those attending
§ Shop for honeymoon clothes
§ Shop for items that will go in out of town gift bags
§ Wrap and finish all favors
§ Make petal cones & ceremony packs
§ Select first dance song, bridal party entrance songs, mother/father dance songs, cake cutting songs, etc. and give to Band or DJ
§ Create must play and do not play list and give to Band or DJ
§ Organise vendor information packs (contact numbers, instructions, photo’s)
§ Write up vendor questionnaire (meals, allergy requests)
§ Finalise seating arrangements
§ Prepare must take photo list (& samples) give to photographer
§ Make final vendor appointments & distribute information packs
§ Host bridesmaid’s lunch
§ Make or order menus for table – DIY Project
§ Make or order table number – DIY Project
§ Purchase stands (easels) for table numbers
§ Break in wedding day shoes
§ Make sure you have something, old, new, borrowed and blue
§ Give MOH list of people for Bachelorette party
§ Get together pictures you want displayed at reception (baby pictures, engagement pictures, family wedding photos, etc.)
§ Buy frames for pictures
§ Purchase or make card box / money bag for gifts
§ Purchase baskets for programs
§ Purchase petal cone basket
§ Purchase all items for bathroom baskets
§ Shop for honeymoon necessities such as sunscreen, bug spray, beach towels, etc.
§ Have second dress fitting
§ Have teeth whitened
§ Buy a wedding gift for h2b
§ Organise welcome party at Crown
§ Organise Sunday brunch & how/when supplies will be delivered & stored
§ Think about contingency plan for brunch in case of bad weather
§ Groom – have a discussion with your best man about his responsibilities
§ Groom – buy a wedding gift for your b2b
§ Groom – start weekly tanning sessions
§ Groom – give list of guys you wanted invited to your Bachelor party to your best man


1 Month - 0/18 completed
§ Finalise wedding day hair ( also MOB, MOH and bridesmaids)
§ Finalise wedding day make up ( also MOB, MOH and bridesmaids)
§ Organise DOC to have midnight snack delivered to our room
§ Prepare out of town welcome bags – DIY Project
§ Make place cards for reception – DIY Project
§ Write up DOC information pack, run sheet & instructions
§ Meet with DOC to go over Wedding day timeline
§ Call guest's who have not RSVP'd
§ Attend Bachelorette party
§ Obtain marriage license
§ Prepare bathroom baskets
§ Have final dress fitting
§ Arrange boarding for scratchie
§ Honeymoon - organise DOC & travel agent to make call to check for honeymoon" reservations
§ Make sure your engagement ring and wedding band are on your home insurance policy
§ Call WDW Florist & have welcome pack sent to Hotel rooms
§ Groom – attend Bachelor Party
§ Organise packing for Wedding & Honeymoon - See Travel Checklist


2 Weeks - 0/15 completed
§ Have final hair color appointment for wedding
§ Meet with and give final payment to all vendors (go over all details and day of timeline with them for the wedding day)
§ Double confirm honeymoon reservations and travel arrangements
§ Arrange for transportation to the airport
§ Prepare day of emergency kit
§ Prepare any speeches or toasts for rehearsal dinner
§ Designate someone to overnight your bouquet for floral preservation
§ Give bridal party wedding day packs
§ Wrap bridal party gifts
§ Write thank you card to all bridesmaids and maid of honor
§ Designate DOC to pack up all items from reception after the wedding to take home
§ Pick up wedding gown from bridal salon
§ Make sure you have all bags and items for honeymoon ready (passport, airline tickets, travelers checks, etc.)
§ Groom – email groomsmen and best man with wedding day timeline and all info needed for wedding day
§ Groom – arrange breakfast for groomsmen and best man for wedding day


Week Before - 0/6 completed
§ Give reception location final count/seating chart of people attending
§ Make sure programs, menus, place cards, etc. are all completed
§ Have rings cleaned for wedding day
§ Have a massage to relax
§ Groom – get your hair cut and a manicure
§ Groom – go with groomsmen & best man to pick up suits.


A Few Days Before - 0/14 completed
§ Prepare and drop off box to the reception with accessories such as guest book, table cameras, toasting glasses, cake topper, menus, favors, etc
§ Prepare and drop off OOT boxes to Hotels
§ Place tips for each vendor in envelopes
§ Make sure wedding gown and veil are pressed and have no wrinkles
§ Arrange DOC to coordinate breakfast for wedding day when we are getting ready
§ Go for waxing appointment
§ If you did not go for weekly tanning go for airbrush tanning
§ Bring all items to ceremony location (unity candle, programs, cry packs, etc.)
§ Attend ceremony rehearsal
§ Attend rehearsal dinner
§ Bring camera to rehearsal dinner
§ Check on supplies for Sunday Brunch & ask DOC to get anything that is missing
§ Groom – speak with offending family member re loading of photo’s onto public forums
§ Groom – give tip envelopes to best man to be handed out


Day Before - 0/4 completed
§ Go get manicure and pedicure with bridesmaids
§ Lay out all wedding items (jewellery, shoes, stockings, dress, veil, tiara/headpiece/hairpins, handbag with powder and lipstick, etc.)
§ Groom – give rings to best man
§ Attend Welcome Party

 
Day Of - 0/2 completed§ Put petals in petal cones for ceremony
§ RELAX, HAVE A GRREAT DAY


Day After - 0/5 completed
§ Attend weekend brunch
§ Bouquet is sent for floral preservation
§ Put top of wedding cake in freezer
§ Special thanks to Bridal party & parents
§ Take table cameras to be printed
§ Groom – make sure all tuxes get back to tuxedo shop


2 Weeks After - 0/4 completed§ Have gown preserved
§ Begin name change process
§ Have favourite wedding photo framed
§ Send honeymoon pictures & song selections to videographer
§ Send vendor reviews & thank you's

Not a bad effort so far, we still have a long way to go, and time is defiantly going to play a big factor in the DIY plan. As several of the projects so far have taken a lot more time to complete an I imagined.