Wishes in Catsablanca: 7.22.13 Epcot Wedding PJ&TR! Updated 03/09/15

You look so gorgeous! Oh my gosh, I can't stand how beautiful you look. Absolutely stunning. So glamorous. The veil and headpiece are just beautiful and it all suits you so well. I can't wait for more pictures! :bride:

You have sweet, sweet bridesmaids :)
 
Be Our Guest sounds like the perfect spot for a rehearsal dinner! We love it there, and all the food we've had has been excellent.

Your meet and greet looked really nice! What a convenient way to do it!

And beautiful, stunning hair and make-up. I can't wait to see more pics!
 


You look so gorgeous! Oh my gosh, I can't stand how beautiful you look. Absolutely stunning. So glamorous. The veil and headpiece are just beautiful and it all suits you so well. I can't wait for more pictures! :bride:

You have sweet, sweet bridesmaids :)

So adorable! Your make up looked amazing

You looked amazingly beautiful love the hair and veil, just stunning!

Be Our Guest sounds like the perfect spot for a rehearsal dinner! We love it there, and all the food we've had has been excellent.

Your meet and greet looked really nice! What a convenient way to do it!

And beautiful, stunning hair and make-up. I can't wait to see more pics!


Thank you so much ladies for your lovely words compliments! :blush: :blush: The girls from Beaute Speciale did such an amazing job!

Now, get ready for an overload of pre-ceremony photos!
 
The Big Day -- Part Two:
Groom POV:


I feel like I should say I tossed and turned all night, because I knew Nicole wouldn't have slept at all (she didn't), but I slept well and awoke calm, my mind focused on the task before me. I had some last-minute packing to do, in order to send my bags onto the Grand Floridian before the ceremony.

A breakfast of cereal. Putting on the tuxes. A few last minute photos.

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Time moved fairly quickly, and before I knew it, we were standing in the Boardwalk lobby feeling overdressed next to the folks in shorts and t-shirts. My parents met us there, and we got into the limo a few minutes after seven. As the car approached the Boardwalk gates, Ryan exclaimed, "Oh no! I forgot the rings!" Well! I forgot the engagement ring for the proposal, so I wasn't in any place to criticize. (You can read a re-cap of that disaster here.) It actually felt oddly appropriate. In any case, we turned the car around and Ryan rushed back to the room for the rings. Sam, our driver, apologized, because it was his job to remind us to bring the rings and the marriage license. It hadn't really worked, but it was nice to know that DFTW has those fail safes in place.

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It should also be noted that upon exiting the Boardwalk, Sam called someone to inform them that we had left the hotel and were en route to the Epcot. He did the same thing when we entered the backstage area in Epcot. I like to think he was talking to Michelle, an assistant, or some kind of Disney Fairytale Weddings supercomputer whose task it is to coordinate everything. In any case--and this will be a running theme--every cast member involved in the wedding knew what was happening and when. Take Sam as an example. He could have just been a driver to pick us up at point A and drop us off at point B, independent of any coordinating body. If things had gone wrong (which they already had) and messed up the tightly scheduled timeline, we might have run into the other half of the bridal party or set off a domino effect of successively ruinous disasters. Disney Fairytale Weddings clearly took great pains to prevent this from happening.

A guide met us backstage at the France pavilion--once again, very friendly and excited about our wedding. (I'll just go ahead and say every single guide who worked with us on this day, from the ceremony to the reception to the dessert party, was great, so if ever I mention a guide in the future, just picture a friendly, competent cast member.) We were led on-stage to the Morocco pavilion. There was caution tape at the entrance to Morocco and construction workers were milling about. Slightly worrisome, but when we met Michelle, she assured us they'd be finishing up soon.

Our photographers, Cricket and Dean, were already in Morocco. We'd heard great things about Cricket's professional manner, and they're all true. She's a great photographer, no doubt about it, and her friendliness, professionalism and clear communication really set us at ease throughout all our photography shoots. I can't say enough good things about her, and getting her as our primary photographer was one of the best things to happen for the wedding.

We'd never heard of Dean on the Disboards or the Facebook group (he mentioned not getting a lot of wedding assignments) but I have a feeling you will hear more of him in the future. He's flat-out great. A very capable assistant, he worked very well with Cricket by anticipating her needs, occasionally offering suggestions, and was friendly with all our guests. And his photos look great, too. We were very lucky to get him.

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The fez-toting camel really makes this photo for me.

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This photo made it to DFTW's pinterest page, which is awesome!

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While Ryan, my parents and I got some photos in and around Morocco before Cricket and Dean got the word to leave because the ladies were arriving in France. Again, coordination! We waited in the Tangerine Cafe before they moved us to the museum, because it had obscured windows. Rev. Ferguson was already there, and we were chatted some more while waiting for the ceremony to begin. He is a fount of interesting and funny wedding stories. A sound tech came in to place a lavelier mic on my person for the ceremony. (How did he know where we were? Coordination!) Our videographers from Trinity also arrived. They missed us in our room earlier in the morning, so they picked up some shots of me pretending to get ready right there in the museum, next to the wax camel. They wired me with a second mic, too. I can say that there in the museum, I was starting to get nervous.
 
Bride POV:

The girls were left to finish lacing up my dress. And then we waited for the call from Michelle. She told us during the rehearsal she would call and give us a 20 minute warning for when we needed to be up in the lobby to meet the limo.

Well, I was looking at the clock and seeing it was getting awfully close to 7:40am, which was when we were supposed to depart the Boardwalk for photos. I was wondering everything at this point. Did she forget about us? Is something going wrong? Did we miss the call? Should we just go...? Finally when I was about ready to forget the call and head up and wait in the lobby, the phone rang. We had a three minute warning. I thought that was a little weird, but I didn't care. We were all set to go, so as soon as I got the message we left the room and began our long trek up to the lobby.

Our limo driver was ready and waiting for us just outside the main lobby. He asked if everyone was present and then started loading everyone in to the car. It seems like there is a specific order to this, because my dad had to get in first, followed by me, and then everyone else through a second door.

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Finally they were ready for us. We entered world showcase through a CM entrance on the west side of Chefs de France. Cricket, Dean and Michelle were all there waiting for us and the former snapping photos of our entrance.

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We immediately went into portraits around France. It was pretty exhilarating, it was finally happening! The first photos were in front of the Chefs de France windows.

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Next we moved in front of the fountains.

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I forgot to mention, Vanessa gave me a sixpence - for the oft forgotten sixpence line of the "something old..." poem - that she converted into a little charm and I tied to my bouquet.

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Finally it was time to head towards Morocco. Everything was all set up the way I had requested, my flower petals were all scattered about, my chairs were placed and my ribbons were swagged. Just as I had asked, the whole set-up was perfect.

We walked by the ceremony site, and towards the back of the pavilion for more portraits.

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The now mandatory "Bridesmaids" shot

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And then suddenly I heard my music playing. And it was so surreal and magical.

We were lead into the Tangerine Cafe because our guests were about to arrive. As soon as they started coming into view, my cousin Kevin who had been tagging along left our group and joined the guests outside. (Originally he had been supposed to hand out the programs to the arriving guests, but DFTW had already laid them out on the chairs, so he was our usher only in name.) Our friends and family were here, my final seating song was playing: it was about time for the ceremony to begin...
 
This is SO EXCITING!

First things first, both of you look AMAZING!

I love the Lily of the Valley BM bouquets - they are stunning!

You just look glowing and happy and serene in the photos...I have a feeling the ceremony shots will make me bawl!
 
Nicole, you look absolutely gorgeous!! (Bryan, you look very handsome!)

All the girls' hair and makeup came out perfectly. I love it!

Your photos came out beautifully. I've heard fantastic things about Cricket and have been toying with the idea of requesting her for our in park portrait session. Anyway, I can't wait to see more!!
 
I'm LOVING the dual point of view. So often, we only hear from the bride, and while that's great, I am really liking getting to see the groom's perspective too!

You both look GREAT in your pictures! I love the camel with the fez, too, that is a fabulous and fun shot. Oh my goodness though, some those shots of the most gorgeous bride!!! Just so beautiful. TOTALLY capturing that vintage feel you were going for, I think they are so perfect!!! You look BEAUTIFUL...

Can't wait to read more!

Brooke
 
Just STUNNING! You both looked amazing. Classic beauty and the theme worked so well with you. I bet we'll see your pictures a lot more than just Pinterest. I hope you guys had a fun home reception. Can't wait to see more.

Again jaw dropping gorgeous!
 
Wow! Absolutely stunning!! You look so beautiful. I want to see your MK shoot pictures! I requested Amy as my first choice but now I'm thinking of requesting Cricket!! Hmm decisions

Can't wait to see more

Jodi
 
OMG, Kaylars! Thank you for sharing the link!!

Nicole, that photo! I love it!! I'm super duper excited to see your portrait session! Can't wait! And how exciting to have your photos used for their pinterest page! Eeeeee! :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:
 
This is SO EXCITING!

First things first, both of you look AMAZING!

I love the Lily of the Valley BM bouquets - they are stunning!

You just look glowing and happy and serene in the photos...I have a feeling the ceremony shots will make me bawl!
Thank you so much! I am so happy with how the BM bouquets turned out, and there's even a story to go with them that I will get to... haha.

Nicole, you look absolutely gorgeous!! (Bryan, you look very handsome!)

All the girls' hair and makeup came out perfectly. I love it!

Your photos came out beautifully. I've heard fantastic things about Cricket and have been toying with the idea of requesting her for our in park portrait session. Anyway, I can't wait to see more!!
Cricket is really amazing, I love all our photos, and since we got around 1400 I think that's saying a lot. She's also so great to work with, really friendly and professional. I can't recommend her enough. I only hope if Bryan and I ever do a WDW vow renewal :-)rotfl:) she is still working!

I'm LOVING the dual point of view. So often, we only hear from the bride, and while that's great, I am really liking getting to see the groom's perspective too!

You both look GREAT in your pictures! I love the camel with the fez, too, that is a fabulous and fun shot. Oh my goodness though, some those shots of the most gorgeous bride!!! Just so beautiful. TOTALLY capturing that vintage feel you were going for, I think they are so perfect!!! You look BEAUTIFUL...

Can't wait to read more!

Brooke
Thank you so much! I love hearing that the look and feel I was going from came across. And that camel is fantastic! :dance3:

Loving! Loving! Loving! Can't wait to hear more :)
Thank you! :goodvibes

Just STUNNING! You both looked amazing. Classic beauty and the theme worked so well with you. I bet we'll see your pictures a lot more than just Pinterest. I hope you guys had a fun home reception. Can't wait to see more.

Again jaw dropping gorgeous!
Thank you, thank you! :blush:

I knew!!!!! You popped up on my Pinterest feed http://www.pinterest.com/pin/219057969348609438/
Ahh! Yes! I hadn't seen that one yet! That is so funny! Thank you for posting!

Wow! Absolutely stunning!! You look so beautiful. I want to see your MK shoot pictures! I requested Amy as my first choice but now I'm thinking of requesting Cricket!! Hmm decisions

Can't wait to see more

Jodi
Well, I definitely do recommend Cricket. She does amazing work! I gotta pick up the pace on the updates and get those MK photos out quick! :goodvibes
 
I never meant for the updates to be spaced out so far. I had a computer issues that prevented me from getting onto the internet, but now that that's all sorted out, I can get back to it!

* * * * * *

The Big Day -- Part Three: The Ceremony
Groom POV:


Outside, our arrival music was playing and I could hear the voices of our guests. Minutes later, a DFTW assistant came in to line us up for our entrance. One after another, she gave us our cues to enter and walk down the aisle. How do weddings work without an army of people helping you out, because I have a feeling I wouldn't have had a clue otherwise.

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Music Cue: "Carl Goes Up!" from the Up! soundtrack

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The ceremony was easy-going. It's just the size I wanted--a larger crowd would have made me more nervous, because it's not as if it isn't my job to stand in front of people and talk, but a crowd of more than thirty gets me antsy. It was nice, though, to look out at our guests. I hate to say it, but in that moment I'd forgotten who had come, and I was saying to myself, "Oh, Aunt Christella's here! How nice! And there's Karen and Rick!"

Bride:

Was I getting nervous in the Tangerine Cafe waiting for cues? Well, as Michelle came and took Vanessa and Ashley away for them to walk down the aisle... yes, a little. I'm a shy girl. Of all the things that are necessary for a wedding to happen, this was the moment I was most anticipating and most dreading. This is the moment when every single person in the room suddenly looks at you and quiets down to hear you publically declare your love and devotion. No pressure.

Music Cue: "Into the West" (instrumental) from the Return of the King soundtrack

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Music Cue: "Concerning Hobbits" from the Fellowship of the Ring soundtrack

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Well, to be honest, once I reached the altar and I was standing there with Bryan, I forgot about everyone else and spoke just for him. Also another good thing that distracted my nerves, at the rehearsal Rev. Ferguson told us to look at each other and not him while he was speaking. Well, someone had forgotten his instructions... so I was doing my best to alternate between looking at Bryan and looking at Rev. Ferguson and seriously, this took a lot more focus than you'd think.

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Vows: I am truly blessed to have found the truest of love with you, and today, I commit my life to yours. I pledge to love you for all time, and to stay faithful and true to you. I will comfort you in your pain and encourage you with your dreams. As our journey through life begins today, I promise that I will always be by your side and I will love you with all of my heart for all of my life.

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Words: Before Bryan and Nicole exchange rings, they have asked that the people gathered around them participate in the “warming of the rings.” If you are unfamiliar with this ceremony, take the opportunity to wish them health, happiness, and all that is noble and good in life when the rings pass to your care. Hold them for but a moment and warm them with your love, making a silent wish or blessing for the future this couple will share. When returned, these rings will contain in their precious metals that which is all the more precious--your love and pledge of support for their marriage.

Music Cue: "Someday My Prince Will Come" instrumental

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Ryan did a fantastic job with the ring warming. I think Bryan forgot to tell him it was happening, but he picked up what he needed to do on the spot. He passed it to the first row of guests on our left, and collected it from my parents at the end of the right hand side. And he remembered to pass it to the MoHs too, which might have been easily overlooked in the moment.

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Groom:

Okay, I forgot to look only at Nicole during the ceremony, but I did count three alligators during our kiss. I think Nicole actually pushed me away by the end of it; I don't think she enunciates "alligator" as clearly as I do.

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We walked off to "God Only Knows"--great job with the music cues, Disney tech guy!--and into the Tangerine Cafe.

Music Cue: "God Only Knows" (instrumental) as performed by Vitamin String Quartet

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Michelle was there to congratulate us, as were two cast members waiting to set up shop for the day. (All the Morocco cast members whose job we disrupted that day? So accommodating and nice towards us.) We waited for a couple of minutes while the Disney coordinators set up our guests for the rose petal-throwing exit. Nicole fixed my tie and I finally got a chance to tell her how great she looked. Seriously, you've seen the photos--she's gorgeous. I know I'm her husband and biased, but by any yardstick she's a stunner.

With that, I'll send it back to Nicole!
 
Bride POV:

Michelle came back and brought us out for our rose petal exit. It is such a weird feeling to have people pelt flowers petals at you and they were kind of bouncing off my chest and face and head, so no wonder everyone always looks giddy from laughter and happiness. How can you not laugh as all your closest family and friends are aiming to get a petal down your dress?!

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Time to de-lurk! I've followed your PJ for a little while now (during my dedicated non-engaged lurking of the Wedding boards) but now that I'm engaged myself I feel like I can finally comment! I truly adore everything you've done, and you look simply gorgeous in your dress! DF and I are currently planning an Epcot ceremony as well (Italy) so the last few updates in particular have been very helpful!

Can't wait for more!
 

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