Q: You're Engaged! What are you going to do next?

A: I'm going to Disney World!

 (Personal photo)

We didn't actually go to Disney World after we got engaged. We didn't become engaged there either (I'll post our engagement story in another post). But no one was surprised to find out that we were going to be getting married in Disney World. I'm a Disney World fanatic after all. And Mr. Disney Groom (bless his heart) plays into my obsession/hobby because he knows it makes me happy.

To be honest, we didn't really sit down and discuss our wedding destination options after we became engaged.  We didn't even attempt to research any venues or costs up here in New Jersey. My hubby-to-be knew going into this engagement that a Disney wedding was in the cards. Ever since I found out you could get married in Disney - I knew I had to do it. I'm ashamed that as a lifelong Disney fan I hadn't done research into a Disney wedding until a year into my relationship with Mr. DG (Disney Groom). I like to think that I just couldn't ever imagine myself marrying anyone until we met (aww). Disney wedding research became kind of a closet hobby of mine for a year and half or so, until we got engaged and I came out of the Disney Wedding planning closet.

The When and Where
Since we knew it would be in Disney - now it was time to figure out when and where exactly this shindig would go down. We got engaged in July 2010, and I initially was hoping for a November 2011 wedding. November is a great time in Disney - the Epcot Food and Wine Festival is wrapping up, the Christmas decorations are going up, the crowds are low in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, and the weather is divine (not too hot and hurricane season is over). Unfortunately, reality caught up with us, and we knew we needed more time to save for the wedding we really wanted. Go big or go home! That brought us to 2012.

(Source)

February was another option, that is until Mr. DG's Dad (who is a self-employed accountant) said he could not travel during tax season. January through April were out.  I don't fare well in the heat - so June through September were out. That left May, October, November, or December. Since I had my heart set on November, I figured waiting a few more months into 2012 wouldn't be a big deal, right? Famous last words.


Coming up next: Venue selection and site visit!

Let's get this show on the road!

Before I delve into my wedding plans and random babbling about pretty things, let's start with an introduction, shall we?

You can call me Miss Disney Bride. I will be marrying Mr. Disney Groom next November (yes, 2012 - not 2011) at the Walt Disney World resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. With more than 20 months to go until the big "I do," I'm sure you're wondering why I'm here talking about wedding plans that will surely change over the course of the next year and a half (plus). Aside from being Type A, I also have an incurable need to share my wedding plans with as many wedding lovers as possible. I can't help it - I just love planning this shindig!

And I have more done that most people do at 12 months out. Namely:

• I bought a dress and shoes
• I picked our venues
• I picked a color scheme
• I designed our Save the Dates and a rough draft of our invitations
• I designed and ordered our welcome bags
• I bought our toasting flutes
• I DIY-ed our cake topper
• I DIY-ed a wine box for the ceremony
• I started buying my bridesmaids' gifts
• On that subject, I already asked my bridal party using (you guessed it) DIY-ed cards
• I did a site visit of our venues
• I scoured sample menus and picked our top contendors
• I found our photographers and put a hold on our date
• I took engagement pictures with Mr. Disney Groom with said photographers
• I picked out (and put on layaway) my wedding ring
• I designed and launched a robust wedding website
• I designed and mailed our first wedding newsletter

So basically, I'm way ahead of the game here people. I'm also in a holding pattern until this summer when I can actually confirm our date with Disney. How will I fill the time you ask? By gushing about all of the above (and more) via this blog.

Welcome!