Download the poster here
Wedding Freebie: "We're All In This Together" Poster
The High School Musical mania is waning, but that insanely catchy music lives on. So, if you're like me and you secretly have Zac Efron on your iPod, you might like this free poster download from Sunny Fiona (I'm seeing save-the-dates, I'm seeing trip t-shirts, I'm seeing bridal party thank you cards...):
Download the poster here
Download the poster here
The New Disney Wedding Gowns from Alfred Angelo
It's true, folks. The days of Kirstie Kelly are over and the more affordable Alfred Angelo line will be coming out soon. These dresses will be priced between $599 and $1,299. So, I bet you we'll be seeing a lot more of them at actual Disney weddings. I loved the Kirstie Kelly collection, but I did think that they were a little pricey for what they were and, although there are dresses I'll be sad to see go, I'm excited to see what this new collection has to offer.
Wedding Spotlight: Erin + Aaron
Location: Contemporary Resort, Epcot Italy, Living Seas
Photography: Root Photography
Year: 2009 (this wedding took place when outside photographers were still allowed to shoot in-park weddings)
Guess what, you guys? This is my 1000th post! I noticed earlier that today was the day that I hit 1000 and I thought about posting a big sum up of the blog or a thank you note for all of you dear readers, but I decided the best way to celebrate would be to do a mega-spotlight on a happy, beautiful park wedding. So, even though this wedding happened quite a while ago, I thought it was a good one that sums up the love, beauty, joy, and everything else that I adore about Disney weddings!
Happy 1000th, everyone! (And seriously, dear readers, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.)
Photography: Root Photography
Year: 2009 (this wedding took place when outside photographers were still allowed to shoot in-park weddings)
Guess what, you guys? This is my 1000th post! I noticed earlier that today was the day that I hit 1000 and I thought about posting a big sum up of the blog or a thank you note for all of you dear readers, but I decided the best way to celebrate would be to do a mega-spotlight on a happy, beautiful park wedding. So, even though this wedding happened quite a while ago, I thought it was a good one that sums up the love, beauty, joy, and everything else that I adore about Disney weddings!
Happy 1000th, everyone! (And seriously, dear readers, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.)
We're Extending the Giveaway!!
Sorry for the lack in posts, folks, but I've hit another work crunch. The big problem with being a freelance writer is that EVERYTHING is always due at the end of the month, whether it's long-term or short-term projects. I will try to get a wedding or engagement spotlight out a little later and I have a good article coming up this week, but I think I might extend this week's giveaway and make it a two-weeker instead of launching another one. I think this week's giveaway is a really good one and I also want to make sure I give the next one my full attention, so I'm sure you guys won't mind...right?
So, if you haven't already entered, you now have until next weekend to enter the giveaway!
A View of the Wishes Fireworks from the Whitehall Patio
Disney bride Karen shared these photos with me and since I'd been curious about what the Wishes fireworks look like from the Whitehall Patio, I thought you guys might be as well. You know, we almost moved our wedding time to coincide with a end-of-the-night dessert party on the patio, but ultimately we decided it wasn't worth it. Looking at these pics, I'm thinking we made a mistake!
Thank you to Karen and Karen's cousin, who took these on Karen + Joseph's wedding day:
Disney Cruise Wedding Invitations from Uniquely Inviting
I love these passport-style Disney wedding invitations...so perfect for a cruise wedding! You can read more about them on Uniquely Inviting's blog here.
More Facts About Postnuptial Depression
I have to say three things before I really get into this article:
- There doesn't seem to be any "hard science" out there about postnuptial depression, so be sure to take this info with a grain of salt. I tried my hardest to find out what the experts thought, but all the postnuptial depression discussions seem to be happening in wedding websites, women's forums, and beauty magazines. Take from that what you will.
- I think that the term "postnuptial depression" sounds like a bunch of women sitting around in their wedding dresses weeks after their wedding, eating bonbons and crying over reality wedding specials on WE. However, it seems to be a blanket term that applies to any level of sadness, disappointment, frustration, or feelings of buyer's remorse post-wedding.
- The only thing that I consistently learned is that if your post-wedding feelings are interfering with your life (causing you to miss work, keeping you from sleeping well, etc.) for an extended period of time after the wedding (a month or more), you should do yourself a favor and find someone to talk to, whether it's a professional therapist, a religious counselor, or someone provided through your insurance or place of emplyoment. Apparently, trying to "ride it out" after that point is unrealistic and could be harmful, since it's possible that there are other underlying issues.
Ok, that being said, this is what I learned about postnuptial depression:
Disney Wedding Invitations from MOYA LARA
These wedding invitations were designed by MOYA LARA, one of the DWB's Featured Vendors. (You can check out MOYA LARA's incredible new website here.) Here's some backstory:
Guests received this unique save the date in a shimmering blue portable pocket with satin ribbon embellishment and a coordinating tag. Inside, two cards are revealed. The first is the save the date card where Swarovski crystals accent the path of whimsical butterflies as they flutter along a fairytale quote selected by the bride. The second card features engagement photos of the couple unveiled as the preliminary RSVP card is removed from under a belt of sheer satin ribbon.
Guests received this unique save the date in a shimmering blue portable pocket with satin ribbon embellishment and a coordinating tag. Inside, two cards are revealed. The first is the save the date card where Swarovski crystals accent the path of whimsical butterflies as they flutter along a fairytale quote selected by the bride. The second card features engagement photos of the couple unveiled as the preliminary RSVP card is removed from under a belt of sheer satin ribbon.
Confession: Our Wedding Wasn't Really About the Marriage
So, I have this whole other post sketched out about what causes "postnuptial depression" and what you're supposed to do to treat/prevent it and I will be sharing that post with you guys soon. However, I'm veering off track a little today because all of your great responses, both here and on Facebook, have me thinking in another direction. So bear with me while I share some of these rambling thoughts.
To start out, I have a confession: For me, our wedding day was not about Kyle and I making an intimate promise to spend our lives together. It just wasn't. It was all about the party.
Is that a bad thing? Maybe...although I think that might be an opinion question. I'm sure many of you are having serious doubts about our marriage even as you read this, but bear with me while I explain.
To start out, I have a confession: For me, our wedding day was not about Kyle and I making an intimate promise to spend our lives together. It just wasn't. It was all about the party.
Is that a bad thing? Maybe...although I think that might be an opinion question. I'm sure many of you are having serious doubts about our marriage even as you read this, but bear with me while I explain.
Did You Have a Hard Time Letting Go of Your Wedding?
This is the first of what will likely be a handful of posts about what happens after you come home from the honeymoon. I think that the whole "life-after-wedding" idea is something that people are focusing more on these days because we're hearing a lot more from people (especially brides) who struggled after their wedding was over. From what I've seen, these are the three most common complaints:
- Sadness because the engagement, wedding, and honeymoon was a lot of fun, but now it seems like all of that fun is over.
- Disappointment because after all the work, planning, and money, it doesn't seem like it was worth it in the end.
- Emptiness because the wedding occupied so much of the bride's time in the months (and perhaps years) leading up the wedding.
This Week's Giveaway
I love this week's giveaway because there's literally something for everyone. Many of the giveaways that we do are really just items that a future bride or groom might use, but today's giveaway would be great for an upcoming wedding, an anniversary, a wedding or anniversary gift, or just a really nice item for the holidays.
In fact, with the winter holidays coming up, I'll be trying to bring you more items that could be used as presents, since everyone seems a little short on holiday cash this year. I know that since we were getting married right after the holidays, our '08 Christmas presents were themed "hey, it's the thought that counts, right?"
This week's giveaway comes to us from the Etsy shop Laserbird, who specializes in beautiful engraved items. The shop originally caught my eye because they carry Disney-themed engraved toasting flutes in a couple of different designs:
We Have a Winner!!
We have a winner for this week's giveaway. The winner this week wins any cake topper in the shop worth up to $80 from Etsy seller HILDOOM and the winner is...
Getting to Know You - A DWB Reader Survey
I'm making a big fat list of things that I can do to the blog to update it and make it more user-friendly. It occurred to me that, in doing this, I keep assuming that all of you are exactly like me. Since that's probably not true, I thought I should make more of an effort to get to know you, since the site is for you guys, not for me.
So, if you don't mind, I've put together a reader survey that will help me as I plan out the next phase for this site. It's all anonymous and all that, so if you don't mind answering a few questions I would greatly appreciate it! Thank you!
So, if you don't mind, I've put together a reader survey that will help me as I plan out the next phase for this site. It's all anonymous and all that, so if you don't mind answering a few questions I would greatly appreciate it! Thank you!
Graphic Bridesmaid Clutches from Starlit Nest
I've decided recently that I'm a total Etsy bag convert. I noticed this because I've been looking for a new bag for Fall (something that fits the iPad but isn't a laptop bag) and also because I've been covertly looking at diaper bags (yes, it's still early, but there are some really cute ones out there!).
Anyway, in a former I'm-an-attorney life I used to be all about the designer labels. However, I think my Kate Spade days just might be behind me now because all of the cute bags that I'm adding to my favorites are handcrafted treasures from Etsy, not designer treasures from Bluefly. I feel like Etsy bags are friendly and fun, but they can still be really lovely and striking at the same time. For example:
Anyway, in a former I'm-an-attorney life I used to be all about the designer labels. However, I think my Kate Spade days just might be behind me now because all of the cute bags that I'm adding to my favorites are handcrafted treasures from Etsy, not designer treasures from Bluefly. I feel like Etsy bags are friendly and fun, but they can still be really lovely and striking at the same time. For example:
Introducing Three New Spotlight Directories!!
Ok, I'm very excited about this, because I've wanted to do this for a while but it was such a pain to put it together that I just kept putting it off and putting it off.
I get a lot of email and messages from readers and often I feel like I'm answering the same questions over and over. The top three questions that I get are:
- Can we have a Disney wedding if we have a budget of X?
- How can I get you to spotlight my wedding?
- I saw a wedding on here once and they used X for the ceremony and X for the reception. Which wedding was that and can you send me the link?
The New Memories Collection at Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings
Many of you have sent in emails and messages asking about the new Memories Collection available from Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings. I admit that I've been holding off in the hopes that someone would have a Memories ceremony and I'd be able to share the photos, but your requests for info keep coming in, so I thought I might as well let you know what I know about the new collection:
What is the Memories Collection?
The Memories Collection is a new addition to the types of celebrations that are available. Memories ceremonies will only be available for a limited time (from now until May 2012) and, in the whole Escape to Couture spectrum, they're now the simplest and most affordable way to do a wedding, vow renewal, or commitment ceremony at Walt Disney World.
What is the Memories Collection?
The Memories Collection is a new addition to the types of celebrations that are available. Memories ceremonies will only be available for a limited time (from now until May 2012) and, in the whole Escape to Couture spectrum, they're now the simplest and most affordable way to do a wedding, vow renewal, or commitment ceremony at Walt Disney World.
This Week's Giveaway
This week's giveaway comes to us from Etsy seller HILDOOM and her amazing collection of handmade cake toppers. Take a look:
We Have a Winner!!
We have a winner for this week's giveaway! The giveaway this week was for a lovely personalized print from Gretchin at i shoot nouns, who makes some of the cutest stuff on Etsy.com. And the winner is...
Wedding Spotlight: Jodi + Maurizio
Location: Living Seas, Epcot
Photography: Mike Briggs Photography
I posted images from this wedding a long, long time ago...back when Kyle and I were still in the planning stages. Some of you may remember the photos, but I thought they were worth another look, because we haven't seen a ton of Living Seas receptions on here ever since they stopped outside photography for in-park events. So, enjoy!
Photography: Mike Briggs Photography
I posted images from this wedding a long, long time ago...back when Kyle and I were still in the planning stages. Some of you may remember the photos, but I thought they were worth another look, because we haven't seen a ton of Living Seas receptions on here ever since they stopped outside photography for in-park events. So, enjoy!
A Note for Photographers Looking to Be on This Blog
Hi all!
This post won't affect many of you, since I believe that most of my readers are couples planning weddings or big Disney fans (or, of course, both!), but I want to put a post up that I'll be able to refer to later, since I do get a bunch of requests from photographers who want me to feature their work.
This post won't affect many of you, since I believe that most of my readers are couples planning weddings or big Disney fans (or, of course, both!), but I want to put a post up that I'll be able to refer to later, since I do get a bunch of requests from photographers who want me to feature their work.
This Week's Giveaway!
Giveaway
This week's giveaway comes to us from Etsy shop i shoot nouns...one of those artsy shops that pretty much sums up the awesomeness that Etsy is. This shop specializes in cute prints and I've completely fallen in love with one that hints at the Autumn season lurking around the corner, so Gretchin at i shoot nouns agreed to donate a personalized copy of this print to this week's lucky winner:
Isn't it lovely? I think it's the colors that I've fallen in love with. That and the whole idea that summer is almost over because I am DONE with all of this hot, dry weather. Yay for multicolored leaves!
This week's giveaway comes to us from Etsy shop i shoot nouns...one of those artsy shops that pretty much sums up the awesomeness that Etsy is. This shop specializes in cute prints and I've completely fallen in love with one that hints at the Autumn season lurking around the corner, so Gretchin at i shoot nouns agreed to donate a personalized copy of this print to this week's lucky winner:
Isn't it lovely? I think it's the colors that I've fallen in love with. That and the whole idea that summer is almost over because I am DONE with all of this hot, dry weather. Yay for multicolored leaves!
We Have a Winner!!!
We have a winner for this week's giveaway!
This week's giveaway was brought to us by Etsy shop La Cintre Boutique, which specializes in creating personalized wedding hangers. The shop donated one personalized hanger to the lucky winner and the lucky winner is:
This week's giveaway was brought to us by Etsy shop La Cintre Boutique, which specializes in creating personalized wedding hangers. The shop donated one personalized hanger to the lucky winner and the lucky winner is:
Vendor Spotlight: Mouseketrips - A Disney Travel Agency
Today's vendor spotlight comes to us from a bride that many of you may be familiar with...
About Me:
My name is Amanda and I’m doing something that I love to do…helping people plan their Walt Disney World Vacations. I love planning my own Disney trips and put a lot of time and effort into the details, and now I can do that for you, too! Even if you have been to Walt Disney World before, planning a vacation to the Happiest Place on Earth can be overwhelming and stressful. I am a former Cast Member (Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios as well as The Disney Store). I’m also a past Disney Bride! As such I can understand (and appreciate) all the planning (and stress!) that is involved in planning your wedding, let alone your Disneymoon. That’s where I come in! I am an Independent Travel Expert for Mouseketrips- A Disney Travel Agency.
About Me:
My name is Amanda and I’m doing something that I love to do…helping people plan their Walt Disney World Vacations. I love planning my own Disney trips and put a lot of time and effort into the details, and now I can do that for you, too! Even if you have been to Walt Disney World before, planning a vacation to the Happiest Place on Earth can be overwhelming and stressful. I am a former Cast Member (Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios as well as The Disney Store). I’m also a past Disney Bride! As such I can understand (and appreciate) all the planning (and stress!) that is involved in planning your wedding, let alone your Disneymoon. That’s where I come in! I am an Independent Travel Expert for Mouseketrips- A Disney Travel Agency.
Weekly Update - 9/3/10
Updates and Stuff
Well, it's another Friday and another update. Life got a little crazy for me this week, with both scary pregnancy stuff and unexpected work stuff swooping in out of nowhere. As a result, I abandoned this week's topic halfway through the week because I couldn't focus enough to write the posts that I had scheduled.
I think I'm going to back off of the themes for a little bit. I like them in theory, but in reality I find that they keep me from doing some giveaways, spotlights, and articles because they don't fit the theme...when in reality I feel like you guys would like the good stuff more than the themed stuff. Most of all, I've noticed that when I lock myself into a theme, it tends to make blogging something of a chore instead of a joy and I definitely don't need to do that to myself. One of the hardest things about freelancing is that I don't always get to write what I want to write, so I enjoy having this free space. I'm not saying we won't go back to themes at some point, but for now I'm just going to post what I feel like posting and see how that goes.
Photo of the Week
Coming Next Week
Well, it's another Friday and another update. Life got a little crazy for me this week, with both scary pregnancy stuff and unexpected work stuff swooping in out of nowhere. As a result, I abandoned this week's topic halfway through the week because I couldn't focus enough to write the posts that I had scheduled.
I think I'm going to back off of the themes for a little bit. I like them in theory, but in reality I find that they keep me from doing some giveaways, spotlights, and articles because they don't fit the theme...when in reality I feel like you guys would like the good stuff more than the themed stuff. Most of all, I've noticed that when I lock myself into a theme, it tends to make blogging something of a chore instead of a joy and I definitely don't need to do that to myself. One of the hardest things about freelancing is that I don't always get to write what I want to write, so I enjoy having this free space. I'm not saying we won't go back to themes at some point, but for now I'm just going to post what I feel like posting and see how that goes.
Photo of the Week
Coming Next Week
- A new giveaway! (Don't forget to enter this week's giveaway. I'm announcing the winner tomorrow.)
- Lots of prettiness and (hopefully) a few good articles.
- More information about the new changes at Disney and some good stuff that I've seen floating around the Interwebs.
YES, You Can Bring an Outside Photographer Into Disneyland
I know I said I wasn't going to post any "real" entries this week because I'm swamped with other work, but I just got a phone call that clears up something I've been working on for weeks.
I stopped posting in-park sessions from outside (non-Disney) photographers because Walt Disney World has a strict "no outside photography" rule and guests who are caught having professional sessions inside of the parks can get in a lot of trouble. The jury was out on Disneyland, though since professional sessions seem to happen there all the time and nobody had ever had any problems. I didn't want to post any more until I found out the official rules, though, to keep people from getting in trouble unnecessarily.
Well, after a month of a little game I like to call "watch me call all of the wrong people who have no idea", I finally found someone that got back to me with an official ruling. The rule is this: you can bring an outside photographer in to do a professional session as long as the photographer only brings a camera. Large equipment, such as screens and additional lighting, aren't allowed because they get in the way of other guests. Also, outside photographers aren't allowed to rope off areas or do anything that interferes with someone else's vacation.
I stopped posting in-park sessions from outside (non-Disney) photographers because Walt Disney World has a strict "no outside photography" rule and guests who are caught having professional sessions inside of the parks can get in a lot of trouble. The jury was out on Disneyland, though since professional sessions seem to happen there all the time and nobody had ever had any problems. I didn't want to post any more until I found out the official rules, though, to keep people from getting in trouble unnecessarily.
Well, after a month of a little game I like to call "watch me call all of the wrong people who have no idea", I finally found someone that got back to me with an official ruling. The rule is this: you can bring an outside photographer in to do a professional session as long as the photographer only brings a camera. Large equipment, such as screens and additional lighting, aren't allowed because they get in the way of other guests. Also, outside photographers aren't allowed to rope off areas or do anything that interferes with someone else's vacation.
Wedding Spotlight: Meag + Adam
Location: Grand Floridian, Port Orleans Riverside, Fort Wilderness Resort
Photography: Shipra Panosian Photography
Photography: Shipra Panosian Photography
Change of Plans
So, I have a set of posts sketched out for the rest of the week, but there's been a slight implosion in my life. Nothing major (baby's fine), but my freelancing work had a bit of an upset when a bunch of articles that I needed to turn in at the end of last month got caught in a system glitch.
It's a long, boring story and I'm sorting it out as we speak, but the cliff notes version is this:
Starting with this one, from Kevin Le Vu Photography:
Thanks, guys, for your patience! If all goes well, we'll get back to "making it personal" next week...
It's a long, boring story and I'm sorting it out as we speak, but the cliff notes version is this:
- Had plans for this week's theme.
- Had crazy computer setback.
- Have no time for writing elaborate helpful blog posts.
- Abandoning theme this week.
- Filling blog with pretty pictures instead.
Starting with this one, from Kevin Le Vu Photography:
Thanks, guys, for your patience! If all goes well, we'll get back to "making it personal" next week...
Episode 4 of the Inside Disney Weddings Podcast
Episode 4 of the Inside Disney Weddings podcast is out and you can listen to it here.
Here's a bit of info about this episode:
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