Tag Archives: Disney Fairytale Weddings

DFTW can make dreams into…..cakes!!

Posted in Wedding Planning by

Two years before our wedding,  I sat one night and watched a tv special on Disney Fairytale Weddings.  I was so excited for my own wedding that I was glued to the screen and I loved every detail.

As the show came to a close , I saw the most amazing cake I had ever seen and I knew I needed it.  In that moment,  I grabbed my sketchbook and literally drew the cake I saw.  It had silver Mickey heads stamped all over it and had a white chocolate castle on top.

That was my cake.

Flash forward, two years later,  we are in the midst of planning our dream Disney Fairytale Wedding. It was time to plan the cake…my favorite part.

My planner sat there across from me and asked: ” Any thoughts on a cake?”

I pulled out the sketch I had made four years prior and said this one.  I need this cake.

She responded “Ahh the Mickey Wave cake is very popular. That can be done.”

Of course we made a few adjustments to make it a bit more us, but in the end the cake was exactly as I dreamed of and envisioned.

We added a touch of color to the cake and made the ribbon match out wedding colors and adding a touch of blue to the castle turrets. My favorite Disney touch was the addition of some hidden character stamps…Donal made an appearance as did Tinkerbell herself. I loved this because our flower girls dressed as Tinkerbell.

I remember walking into the Living Seas and I couldn’t stop looking at the cake…….they had made my dream come true.

For more photos and options for cakes for a Disney Fairy Tale Wedding please head over to our private forums Disneymooners

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Magic Kingdom Photo Shoots

Posted in The Finer Details by

This review was written by one of our forum members, Disneymooner Lianne.

Magic Kingdom Bridal Photo Session – 8/14/11

We woke up (ok, so I didn’t really sleep the night before the wedding) at about 4am to meet make-up artist and hair stylist.  Originally we wanted to do photo sessions in two parks, but we were told that we wouldn’t have had enough time since I had a 10am wedding at the Wedding Pavilion.  I got a call from Trent, who was assisting the photographer Ty that morning who said that he was on his way to pick us up from the Grand Floridian.  It was great because Madison got to come with us and she was very excited.  Apparently, she was the first child in a Bridal Photo Session, and it’s something they typically don’t do.  It was very cool to see all the things that you don’t normally pay attention to when the parks are open and we were the only people in the park at that time in the morning and we didn’t see anyone else until we were getting ready to leave.

Madison even had a little photo session for herself.  And Ty was great because he could see when Madison was getting cranky and he always found a way to make her smile!  He really helped everyone feel really comfortable and relaxed.

Then we went down to the side of the Castle… I really loved how the Castle turned different colors and I have different ones in different pictures.

Then we headed around the back of the Castle for pictures on the Carousel

Also the Sword and the Stone, on the stairs on the back of the Castle, then inside the Castle… this was my favorite part…

It was a fantastic experience and I am so glad we did it!!  It really was magical.

Thank you Lianne for sharing that experience, if you would also like to share your photos of your Disney Fairytale Wedding-Magic Kingdom Shoot please contact yourfairytalewedding@disneymooner.com

Vendor Reveal: Jess Cumbie Photography

Posted in Disneyland Weddings, Vendor Reveal by

Continuing our series of “Vendor Reveals”.  Through our Disneymooner forums we’ve found our members have used a number and variety of Vendors for their Disney Wedding and we’ve been asking those Vendors to reveal just a little more about their business……. and themselves!

What is the name of your business/service and what is your offering?
Jess Cumbie Photography/Photography

What is your name, seems obvious I know but maybe it’s different from your business name?
Jess Cumbie

What do you believe makes your business/service unique? Me

How did you get started and how long have you been doing this?
Officially started in January of 2007

When not working a wedding at Walt Disney World (or another venue for that matter) what are you doing?
Tending to one of my many doggies, spending time with my hubby when he’s here (he’s Navy)… I spend a lot of time with my family, I have a large family… Movies, catching up on favorite TV show, friends… the usual stuff… Ironically my clients tend to take me to the best places for weddings and other shoots so sometimes some of the most fun I have is with them!!

What is your favorite part about your job?
The fact that it’s rewarding.

What types of wedding packages do you offer Disney brides?
All my wedding packages start with 4hrs of coverage then the bride can choose from there. I like for my sessions to be as customizable as possible for the client.

What is your favorite wedding trend right now in relation to your business/service?
The First Look

What’s your favorite thing about doing Disney weddings?
It’s Disney… Does there need any more explanation?

Happily Ever After

What was your strangest request when working a Disney Wedding?
Nothing too out of the ordinary… I JUST got off the phone with one of my brides who asked me if I would want to come to their desert party inside the park after the wedding, even though they know I can’t shoot… just to come and enjoy… I told her that it was her call but I’m FOR SURE not going to say no to fireworks and sweets!!!

Magical

What’s your most memorable moment that you have taken away from a Disney wedding?
Each one is so different and so special. I had a couple actually surprise their guests with Mickey and Minnie at their reception… I was MORE thrilled than the kids were to see them… I think I got a little misty eyed like some people do over Justin Bieber… I know I’m a dork, and I’m ok with it 😉

Mickey and Minnie Mouse

JUST FOR FUN
If you were getting married at WDW where would you have your ceremony and reception and why?
oh my… I think if I were to be getting married… I’d do it… ummm…. well….. uhhhhhhhh….. sigh… I have no idea… I don’t know how people choose!!!!

Who is your favorite Disney character and why?
I have to answer this very question for one of my Disney brides and I simply can’t… can I get more direction, like which movie, which era etc etc…. Ariel, Baloo, Maleficent, Genie, Flora, Fauna & Maryweather… Gus…

Which is your favorite Disney attraction and why?
Epcot… cause I’m a foodie! 🙂

FINALLY
Why should a Disneymooner choose your service?
To quote myself, from my Disney Wedding info packet……..
“Why Choose Jess Cumbie?
Why Choose Jess Cumbie as your Disney Wedding photographer? I’m sure it’s a question you’ve asked. As a Disney bride you’re spending quite a bit of time planning your wedding online……you’re relying on others who’ve had Disney weddings before and the Disney wedding planners. It’s hard to plan a complete wedding long distance. Many express that they want to have a non-Disney photographer at their wedding, which is fully understandable. It’s your wedding and the photographer is one of the most important aspects of the wedding. So, why choose me? I grew up Disney, my parents bought my sister and I annual passes, we also had the vacation club growing up. We’d go down on weekends 4-5 times a year. I use the term “Disney brat” same as people call themselves an “Army brat”. I love Disney, being there in the parks or just Downtown Disney and Disney’s Boardwalk. I spent my own honeymoon at Disney, and most all my vacations not because it’s close, easy or convenient but because I love it. I believe that’s what makes me a great Disney Wedding photographer.”

Jess Cumbie Photography
www.jesscumbie.com
facebook.com/jesscumbiephotography
jesscumbie.blogspot.com
904-219-7784

Thanks to Jess Cumbie for answering our questions as part of our Vendor Reveal series, if you would like your work revealed to our readers please contact yourfairytalewedding@disneymooner.com

Disney’s Hollywood Studios Photo Shoot

Posted in Reviews, The Finer Details, Wedding Planning by

The following post was written by Disneymooner Vanessa.

Many couples choose to add a Bridal Portrait Session at the Magic Kingdom to their wedding plans; however, many do not realize that you can also have photos taken at the other parks.  My husband and I decided to add-on a shoot at Disney Hollywood Studios too.  Since we were married inside Epcot that meant that we would have photos from three of the four parks at Walt Disney World.

One of the best things about adding on an additional park is the flexibility you have in backgrounds for your photos.  The photographers are willing to be creative and work with you to get the types of pictures you want at that park.  The majority of couples only choose a Magic Kingdom Portrait Session, so adding on another park gives the photographers a chance to be more creative with their shots.

We were picked up at our resort hotel at 5:30 a.m. and then headed over to take our photos at the Magic Kingdom.  Since it was March this was well before sunrise allowing us to get some photos in the dark with the lights on the castle.  By the time we left the sun was up and we had some additional pictures taken in the daylight.

Our photographer and his assistant had us climb back in their van and then drove us over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  We arrived long before the park was scheduled to open to the public giving us the flexibility to take pictures throughout the park.  We entered in near the Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith making our first stop for photos.   My husband loves this ride, so we were able to get pictures with the large guitar at the park’s entrance behind us.

From that point we walked through most of the park.   We had a lot of great pictures taken with us walking down Sunset Boulevard with shots of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror in the background.  We were also able to have photos taken with a vintage Hollywood feel in front of several of the shops on Hollywood Boulevard.

The photographer took a number of pictures in front of the Sorcerer Mickey Hat.  We also had photos in front of the Great Movie Ride since we were having a Hollywood theme for our at-home reception just a few months later.

At this point the photographer let us pick where we wanted additional pictures in the park.  Since I collect Wizard of Oz memorabilia I asked for a picture near the block dedicated to Judy Garland with imprints from the Ruby Slippers in front of the ride.

We then asked for some pictures in the courtyard for Muppet Vision 3-D.  I remembered looking at photos from fellow Disneymooner’s Julie wedding reception that was held in the courtyard and I knew that it would provide great pictures.  Plus, we grew up during the era of “Muppet Babies” and Miss Peggy was one of my favorite characters.

As we were leaving the Muppet courtyard the photographer took us over to the Streets of America to have some photos taken with the New York backdrop and near some of the buildings.  These photos are so unique because they look like we were actually in these locations without having to travel thousands of miles.

We were also given the option to have photos taken near the Star Tours ride.  Since neither of us are huge Star Wars fans we opted out of having any done in that section of the park.  However, this is a great thing to know for any Star Wars fans who would like to have wedding pictures there.

The current pricing for a Magic Kingdom Portrait Session is $1,500.  Adding on a second park only costs an additional $200.  While the cost is only $200 more, the prints that you receive do change with the two park package.  Instead of receiving a 12 print album, proof disc and 4×6 keepsake prints you receive thirty 5×7 prints in a Disney-themed album.

If you decide that you only want a portrait session in Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios or Disney’s Animal Kingdom without any photos in the Magic Kingdom the cost is only $850.  Disney Fine Art Photography also provides options for resort portrait sessions and Trash the Dress sessions at the water parks.

Disney Fine Art Photography gives couples the chance to have photos taken in some of their favorite areas inside the Disney parks.  So, if you are a Star Wars or Muppets fan or you love riding the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror consider adding Disney Hollywood Studios to your portrait session.

For more stories about theme park photo shoots please join our private forums Disneymooners

Bridal Shower at the Attic

Posted in Featured Venue Fridays, Reviews by

I’d like to say that I chose The Attic for my bridal shower because it “was my vision” but this wouldn’t be true as my shower venue was chosen for me by some very good friends, who decided to spoil me rotten!

For those that don’t know me, I’m from the UK but a large majority of my wedding guests were American and they were keen to throw me a traditional (well sort of) American shower and who was I to stand in their way. However, unlike most bridal showers mine was to be a few days before our actual destination wedding, close to our wedding venues, so that all our wedding guests could attend.

My two close friends wanted to plan and organize and all they wanted from me was the best time to do it, the rest was up to them.  I gave them full access to my Wedding Planner and he was happy to talk and assist them with their plans. This way our wedding surprises weren’t imaging their shower surprises although it killed me that my Wedding Planner knew more than I did about my own wedding week.

Once the date was picked I really didn’t know anything more. Cinderfella (my husband to be) and I wanted to arrange something for the men whilst us ladies were “showering” so he invited them all to what we referred to as a Groom’s Bath – they went and did a manly thing… had ribs at Tony Romas LOL

I did make one stipulation for my shower and that was that alcohol was served, I refuse to drink tea (remember I have little knowledge of American showers) at a party that was being thrown in my honor.

Just before Noon I got the call from those planning this fab shower that it was to be at The Attic at The Boardwalk…..oooo I was very excited, I had always wanted to see what was in that room above Jellyrolls.

To get to The Attic you have to go through the Lobby at The Boardwalk and then walk through the corridors all the way to The Attic. It’s a long way but you know when you get there because this sign greets you.

You can’t miss the sign!

Once we arrived at The Attic I walked in to see that we had our own hosted bar where the bartender was able to mix any cocktail we wanted I decided to hit the Margaritas for the afternoon but lots of the girls were drinking Daiquiris and Pina Coladas.

The fun part about having a shower this close to our wedding and in Disney was that I got really interact with the girls and hang with them all something I knew I wouldn’t really get the chance to do on our wedding day!

The Attic furnishings are what I would call very “cottage like” wicker chairs, flowery garden patterns in pastels on the furnishings with knickknacks all over the place. The Attic easily fits 50 guests in when using the indoor and outdoor spaces, however you can only use the existing seating.

Inside seating

Tables and chairs are also set up outside so guests can choose to eat inside or outside.

The outdoor space is perfect for Group Photos

We had a buffet laid on for lunch and it was really good, items included an array of salads, cheese plate, crudités and dips as well as hot pasta, chicken and salmon. Topped off with a few desserts. It was over 8 years ago and I don’t recall all the desserts we had but I do know we had plenty of food and it was good quality and tasted good.

I decided that American showers are fun… I enjoyed the games… until that day I didn’t really realize that shower gifts were different to wedding gifts so I was totally overwhelmed by everyone’s generosity, I just felt it was too much given that all our guests had paid lots of $$ to travel to our wedding destination.

The men were allowed to join us for the last half hour of my shower so that the Food and Beverage minimum had been met so we were all tasked by my lovely shower planners to drink more alcohol… well it would have been rude not to!

Our 3 hours were finally up, the bar tender made us all take drinks to go…. LOL it felt like Vegas and we headed back to one of our guest’s 2-bed villas at the Boardwalk to finish the party.

I personally would hold another event at The Attic it’s the sort of space that you can use for an Escape Wedding Party or perhaps a more intimate Wedding Rehearsal brunch or dinner?

To get more ideas on using Disney’s Attic for any part of your Disney Fairytale Wedding be sure to check out the Disneymooner Forums.