Lorana
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2001
- Messages
- 3,311
DAY 7: FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2001
- Our Disney Fairy Tale Wedding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As the buzzing of the alarm clock pervades my sleep, I know in truth that I had only just fallen asleep. Though every fiber of my body was telling me I was exhausted, the moment I had lain down a short three hours ago my mind had begun churning, refusing to shut down and go to sleep. It played out the special, warm memories of the past few days, and went over in fine detail all that was to come in the day ahead. Try as I might, I could not fall asleep... until at least exhaustion won, and I fell into the oblivion of dreams. Only for such blessed rest to be quickly interrupted by the hated alarm clock.
Except this morning I really did not hate it. Though I was exhausted, having worn myself thin over the past few days, I was also filled with excitement. This was the ultimate Christmas morning for the kid in me - it was the morning of my wedding!
I jumped out of bed, and slipped into the silk bathrobe my mom had bought me for this day. I brushed my teeth, and then made sure all was straightened and ready. The alarm flashed "4:00am" to my weary eyes, but I did not care. Though it would have been nice to call in some room service, and have a nice hot cup of tea. I love tea. There is no other beverage in all the world that can calm and relax me the way a good cup of tea can.
At about 4:20 am, I get a call from my prince charming, who sounds none the happier for being up so early. He wanted to make sure that I was awake, and used the call as a good excuse to make sure HE was awake, too. We share pleasant I love yous, each to begin preparing for our wedding... only five and a half hours away!
Shortly thereafter there is a knock at my door and I open it to find Irene from Disney Cosmetology standing there, looking bright and cheery despite the dreadfully early hour. I feel a twinge of guilt at making someone else get up so early, but Irene is so pleasant about it that I soon feel at ease. She comes into the room, and begins to set up her stuff.
I am a very natural kind of gal, and never wear make-up. So I feel a little weird getting all done up for my wedding, and have no idea really how to advise Irene. I tell her this, and explain I want a "natural look" and she tells me not to worry - she's got me covered. She asks me how I want my hair, and again I grin sheepishly.
"I'm not entirely certain," I tell her. "I haven't been able to decide. I want most of it pulled back and up, but I want some hanging to my shoulders. I want curls. Lots of curls." I then take out my tiara to show her, so she knows how to design my hair around it, and she spends a few moments deciding what to do. I had actually looked at hairstyle after hairstyle, and just could not decide how I wanted it done. So I decided to let fate decide for me, and let Disney Cosmetology work their magic. I trusted they would do a beautiful job - and I was not wrong at all.
Have I mentioned my tiara yet? I am so happy with my tiara. It is my one concession to being a princess, though I can say that a "princess wedding" wasn't really what I was after... at least not originally. My dream had actually always been to have a crown of flowers in my hair, preferably a crown of small baby bridal roses. I love roses. But being that we were getting married in Disney, in the hot humid Florida summer, I was advised against fresh flowers - a floral crown wouldn't survive the day. And the cost of a floral crown scared me as well. LOL. I did, about two weeks before the wedding, find a place that made silk floral crowns that looked so REAL and were hand-made... but they required 4-8 weeks to make it. LOL. But by then I had found my tiara, and I was sold on the idea of it. I can do flowers for my vow renewal, when we use the brand-new Rose Garden at the Disney Institute!
Early in the year, a fellow Disneymooner had referred me to Colleen Collections (http://www.colleencollections.com) - a website of hand-made Irish and Celtic tiaras, crafted in Galway, Ireland. They were beautiful! I fell in love with the Tara Tiara, and knew from the moment I saw it, that it was the one I wanted. And their prices were extremely reasonable - especially considering that the prices included insured shipping overseas from Ireland to the US. It is a small, delicate gold tiara, with ivory pearls and swarovski crystals. I also had matching jewelry (necklace and earrings), and finally had a smaller version of the tiara made for my flowergirl. The workmanship was exquisite. Colleen and her staff were wonderful to work with, and helped me choose the pearls and crystals and beads for my tiara. We shared several emails and I sent them pictures of my gown to ensure a perfect match. The Tiaras arrived in a beautiful keepsake box. My tiara also included a "good luck horseshoe" made of ivory pear ls and swarovski crystals (matching my tiara). It is an Irish tradition of good luck for a bride to wear a small horseshoe over her wrist or to place it in her bouquet. The flower girl's tiara came with a gold Celtic Cross.
I sat down in a chair, and Irene began working on my hair. She commented on how calm and relaxed I was - "I'm amazed," she told me. "Brides are usually a nervous wreck." In truth, I had expected to be a nervous wreck as well... but this morning nothing could faze me. I was calm and cool, because this was my day - my wedding day. Nothing could mar it I was happy, and my happiness left me in a wake of calm.
I have very long hair - reaching to my lower back - and so it took quite some time for Irene to finish doing my hair. Longer than I think even she was expecting! Finally it is done, and she tells me to go to the vanity mirror to take a look. It is gorgeous!! Is that really me in the mirror? My hair is pulled up into delicate curls on the top of my head, with tendrils hanging down to my neck and shoulders. She then secures my tiara and veil onto my head. My veil is ivory bridal sheer, with swarovski crystals hand-sewn throughout. It is elbow-length and very delicate - I wanted my dress to be the focal point, especially as how the back of my gown has beautiful detailing, and so didn't want a veil that would overwhelm the gown. The crystals, however, provided the perfect compliment to my tiara and jewelry, and add the "glitter and sparkle" I love so much.
I sit back down, and she does the makeup. It feels VERY weird on my face, as I am not used to being "coated." It feels to me, at first, that the makeup is very heavy, but when she is done and I look in the mirror, I am surprised at how well she pulled off the natural look. Irene did an amazing job, and I was thrilled with what she had done. I thank her, and slip her a nice tip as she is packing up her stuff. She gives me the "order" page for her appointment with me this morning to add to my memory book, and then mentions that she has another appointment soon. I ask her if she is going to the Boardwalk and she says yes, and I smile. She's going to be doing my bridal party's hair as well! My mom says, "Well, I'll see you there then!" and we thank Irene once more as she leaves.
It is now after 6pm, and the call from Disney Photography should be coming ANY moment now. My mom and I rush to get me in my gown and ready. There is nothing that requires quite so much work as stepping into a wedding gown without wrinkling it. It's not like you can put it on over your head, after all. Finally we get me in, and my mom zippers up the back of it while I put on my necklace and earrings. When I am all done up, she steps back to look at me, and her eyes start tearing up. We share a hug, and I am so excited now that I cannot wait.
John calls, sounding a bit concerned. "The photographer isn't here yet," he tells me. "What should I do?" I am at a loss at first, and don't know what to say. "Maybe he's late?" I offer. "Are you at the lobby? Give him a few more minutes. If he doesn't show up, ask the front guest to call DPS." He sounds uncertain, but agrees to do so. We exchange sweet I Love Yous again before hanging up.
My mom calls Luggage Services to come and pick up my bags and send them to the Wilderness Lodge, and I take a moment to make sure everything is all set. For a moment, I feel very much like a little girl playing dress up. I don't normally dress up (don't usually have a reason to and cannot afford to fine dine all that often), never wear makeup, and don't go heavy on the jewelry, so this new bride thing feels a little weird at first. I'm excited and am thrilled to be dressed up as a bride, but for a little bit I'm not sure how to walk or sit or anything. I feel that anyone who sees me will know I am just "dressing up" and can see the tomboy in jeans and flannel hiding underneath. LOL.
The bellhop arrives, and is surprised to walk in on a bride. He gives me a heartfelt congratulations as he packs up our luggage. At this time, it is now about a quarter-past six, and I am wondering where on earth Disney Photographic Services is. I begin to worry that maybe he is not going to call, and that I should meet him in the lobby. After all, he was suppose to pick up John at 5:30am, and our session in the Magic Kingdom is suppose to begin at 6:30. I wonder where is he?
Just as I'm beginning to panic, the phone rings. My mom answers it and then tells me that it is Mike, our photographer - and that he is at the lobby. He wants to know how we wish to arrange this, and I explain that I will come down to the lobby, we will set up the shoot, and then bring John in from outside.
I take one last look around our room, and step onto the balcony to say farewell to our giraffe and the zebras and other Savannah animals who have made our stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge so memorable. I try to burn a mental picture of the room into my brain, and then we leave and begin the walk down to the lobby.
Did I mention that I do not normally wear heels either? LOL. It takes me a few moments to get used to walking in the heels and to get my "rhythm" going (for the first few steps, I feel very awkward). My nice new nylons - with a little rose and crystals at the heel - are nice and slippery, and so my feet keep wanting to slide out of my shoe. It feels very weird. My mom is carrying my bag and hers - I packed a bag with shorts and t-shirt, my "bride accessories" that my godmother had bought me, such as the good luck sixpence for my shoe, my handkerchief and the garters - and we walk in happy, comfortable silence to the lobby. It seems like such a long walk this morning.
No one is about, and the resort seems strangely quiet. Especially when we get to the lobby, where normally there is a backdrop of some kind of noise - from guests, from the restaurant, from general activity. But now it is very quiet, as if a hush had fallen over the world this day.
Mike comes towards me with a big smile on his face, and we shake hands and pass introductions. He apologizes for the lateness, explaining he needed to make a stop to pick up some equipment. I find out that there had been a miscommunication with DPS. I had arranged with the head of DPS to have John picked up at 5:30am so we could do the brief photo shoot at the AKL prior to going to the Magic Kingdom. I had been assured that everything was all set, and that they would give word to the Photographer. Well, they never did, and hence the reason we were running behind I was so ecstatic to have Mike as our photographer, though. I had heard such great things about him from the Disneymooners, and everyone who had used him said he was the best photographer Disney had.
He set me up in a corner of the lobby, along the wall where the doors were so that John would not see me until he was in the lobby. Mike then set up his camera and set up the shot. I placed the pearl and crystal "horseshoe" as a bracelet over my wrist, and then stood - trying to look natural, but failing miserably - awaiting my husband-to-be. My mom went outside and told John to come in, and then quickly got out of the way. A few moments later the lobby doors opened, and my groom stepped in for the first time. How can I describe the magic of this moment? Even without the beautiful photos we have to remember the day, it holds a special place in my memory that I will cherish always. John never looked so handsome as he did this day, in his dark gray tux, all done up and fine. His eyes quickly sought mine, and held each other in a tender, warm gaze. I saw the smile come onto his face, that look of awe...and as he took those first few steps towards me, I could see as well the pleading look in his eyes that begged me to make his nervousness go away. We stood just looking at each other for a few moments, and then I leaned up and kissed him, hoping to smooth away his anxiety. I then threw my arms around him and we hugged. For a moment, we were the only two people in all the world, and my eyes filled with tears of joy. We held each other for what seemed an eternity This moment was ours and no-one elses's. Though Mike stood nearby taking pictures, we were not aware of his presence. This first look was ours and ours alone, and we shared the magic of it with each other. I was infinitely glad, now, that we had decided to do the In-Park Bridal Portrait the morning of the wedding. Had our first look been during the Ceremony, we would not have been able to hold each other and revel in the moment in quite the same way.
John whispered to me, telling me how beautiful I looked. And then in a little boy voice, told me how his stomach was all in knots. "I'm so nervous," he said. "I think I am going to be ill." I hugged him harder, kissing him again, and tried to tell him it would be all right. I couldn't help a little laugh - whenever I had envisioned this moment, I always imagined that *I* would be the one who was a nervous-wreck, and he would be calm and cool. How the roles were reversed!
Finally, Mike kindly interrupted us, and said that we had to continue on. I went to the front desk to ask about my bouquet - it was suppose to have been delivered by 6am this morning. Sadly, it had not arrived, and we had to leave without it. Mike told me not to worry - he had a silk bouquet that was similar and that would show up beautifully in the photographs. We said goodbye to my mom, who went to get a taxi to the Boardwalk. We climb into the Disney van, and Mike takes off for the Magic Kingdom.
We have a wonderful conversation during the ride into the Magic Kingdom. John mentions to Mike that I had heard of him, and he asks me about it. I wonder at first if I should mention the Disneymooners and then decide it doesn't matter. I tell him all the good things I've heard and how happy I am to have gotten him.
If the pictures of us in our wedding attire inside the Magic Kingdom were not truly magical enough, then the ride itself was a memory worth having. We drove through a cast member entrance to the Magic Kingdom, and then right onto Main Street USA! It was the weirdest feeling, to be in a van driving down that street. It was even weirder to see the MK completely devoid of tourists, with only a few Cast Members present - and all of them doing such mundane things as sweeping, washing down the attractions, and other such "behind the scenes" things you never see in the light of day. A dozen different types of music were being played as they tested the sound systems.
Mike stops near the end of Main Street and we get out. John and I spend a few moments looking around, taking in the look of the Magic Kingdom before the magic is turned on and the crowds arrive. We then walk to the Partners Statue (Walt and Mickey), and the picture taking begins.
We had so much fun that morning. Mike has a wonderful sense of humor, and kept us smiling and laughing the whole time. He was well aware of how nervous John was, and did his best to put him at ease. Likewise, I was trying to keep the mood light and happy, with a good hint of romance and passion to go along, to ease my beloved's tension. We took photos in front of the case, just behind the Partners Statue, and then again on one of the side paths to the Castle. Mike then took us into the waiting room for Cinderella's Royal Table, and we took photos inside with the throne. We then went out back, and he set us up in one of the castle turrets. By now, it was after 7am, and the sun was rising and washing the world in a golden glow. Mike took advantage of the light and took some photos of the two of us along some of the columns, before moving on to our final photo destination: the Carousel.
Have you ever tried to get on the back of a carousel horse in a wedding gown and high heels? Especially when you're only 5'1"? Well, I have no idea how I managed to pull it off, but it's no easy task, let me tell you!! But it was a lot of fun, and the pictures were beautiful!! The entire time we were taking photos, another group of photographers was wandering around, setting up some wedding shots with some Disney Models as well. Mike explained to us that there was a professional seminar going on this weekend, and they had come in to do some shots and see the angles. While Mike was taking our Carousel photos, two of the photographers came over. I did not know who they were, and do not recall their names, but Mike told me that one of the was the #1 Portrait Photographer in the US, and the other was among the top 5 wedding photographers. They had seen a shot with the two of us on the Carousel that they wanted to tell Mike about, and then helped him set it up. The sun had arisen just right so that as we were leaning towards each other - me on the horse, and John standing next to me - it silhouetted our entire bodies. We got several photos of this, and one of my favorites - the two of us leaning towards each other, our noses touching - came from this session. They were beautiful!!
If anyone is interested in seeing our Magic Kingdom bridal portrait photos, you can see them here:
http://www.ourfairytale.com/ceremonyphotos_mkphotos.html
Our First Look photos at the AKL can be found at:
http://www.ourfairytale.com/ceremonyphotos_firstlook.html
By this point it is nearing 7:30am, and the Magic Kingdom is gearing up to open soon (though the official opening hour is 9am). Though they do not say anything, you can tell that the Cast Members are anxious for us to leave, so that they can finish setting up. Just as Mike is finishing our shoot, a CM drives the van right up to the Carousel to pick us up. John and I have a hard time wrapping our brains around this. It just doesn't seem RIGHT to see a van pulling up next to the carousel in Fantasyland.
We get into the van, and head out of the Magic Kingdom. Mike goes first to the Grand Floridian resort to drop John off. Though it is only about ten to eight right now, it is really too late to bring John back to the All Stars. The limo will already have stopped there, and will be on its way now to pick up my Dad at the Caribbean Beach. The guys photos with Randy Chapman begin at 8:30am, so it makes the most sense for John to just go to the Grand Floridian. His stomach is still in knots, and Mike directs him to the café where John can get something to hopefully help settle his stomach.
We give each other a warm, big hug and kiss, and I flash him a winning smile. The next time we see each other, it will be our during our ceremony!
Mike then brings me to the Boardwalk Convention Center, where "my girls" are getting ready for the wedding. I note the time, and realize that they are probably already all set. It is just coming on 8am when I arrive, and the limo will be getting us at 8:30am.
I am not used to the royal treatment, even being a bride, and so I find myself blushing as I come out of the van, all decked out in my wedding gown, to immediately have several of the staff of the Boardwalk come over to assist me and bring me to the dressing room. As we pass the St. James Hall & Patio, where our Pre-Reception is to be held, I peak open the doors to look inside. Sadly, it is not yet set up - the tables are set up, and there are people moving around, but little else is in place.
The dressing room doors are opened for me, and I walk in to see my girls, all dressed up and beautiful, their hair and makeup done. My mom comes over and gives me a hug, and then I share hugs with both of my sisters and Tori. I cannot get over how beautiful everyone looks! They ask me a million questions about the Magic Kingdom photos, and Tori and my sisters spend a lot of time telling me how beautiful I am. My mom asks if I am hungry or thirsty, and I see the breakfast tray, tea, and coffee sitting on the table to one side. Naturally, I am starved - no problems with my stomach here! - and my mom and Julie get me a cup of tea and some coffee cake.
I realize then that my camera is still packed away in my bag and that my mom's camera is nowhere to be seen. I am a little bummed that no photos had been taken while they were getting ready, and I go dig out my camera to take some photos of all of us in the dressing room.
Rather than pay for everyone's gown to be steamed, I had bought a dress steamer and iron for the girls to use. I had given it to my mom, and she had brought it with her. It had been quite a task to find one - I had gone to about 6 different stores before I found one - and I discovered that the girls hadn't been very good at figuring out how to make it work. It was left on the table near my bag, and I discovered to my sorrow as I grabbed my bag to get to my camera that it was still plugged in and on - my finger brushed against it, and my oh my did it burn. Youch! Not a great way to start!
I pulled out my bridal accessories, and place my "good luck sixpence" my godmother had given me into its pouch and then placed that into my shoe. I was going to put the garter on then and there, but everyone told me that the garter was itchy and uncomfortable, and that I should wait till after the ceremony. So I placed it aside on the table.
Cynde then pulled me over to a huge box on another table and opened it. Inside were our flowers. Wow! What can I say?? Jenni at Disney floral did an amazing job. The flowers were stunning. Mine was a tear drop bouquet of Arianna roses (a deep cream), white Freesia, Stephanotis with pearl inserts, and dark green ivy. It was beautiful! I had originally wanted an all rose bouquet, ranging from white to cream, but I had to say that Jenni's work was stunning. It looked so small and delicate, but when I picked it up... wow! Who ever thought that flowers could weigh so much?!
I took out the "good luck horseshoe" of pearls and crystals, and placed it into my bouquet, around one of the rose blooms. My bridesmaids all had bouquets of light green hydrangea with pink roses and swarovski crystal accents. They were stunning... though on closer inspection, I realized that they had been sitting out too long and had not been misted. My maid of honor's bouquet especially was beginning to show exposure, and I was sad to see that. I found out afterwards that they had delivered ALL the flowers to the Animal Kingdom Lodge at 6:30am - just missing me - rather than just my bouquet at 6am like was suppose to be done. I was a little annoyed that my flowers had been sitting out for so long without being placed in a refrigerator, but I tried not to let it get to me. Still, I had heard such wonderful things about Disney Floral, and so I was a little disappointed in this. The rose petals for my flower girl had also been left sitting out, and while they were beautiful - a mix of colors to match all our flowers - the hydrangea in the mix was not happy with the lack of water. My mom's corsage - trip roses with baby's breath - looked beautiful.
Jackie was constantly pacing or sitting wringing her fingers. She kept trying to smile, but I could see just how nervous she was. You would have thought she was the bride by the amount she was shaking! She had a horrible case of stage fright and was so nervous about the whole ceremony to come. It made me smile, though I tried to ease her fears.
Before I knew it, there was a knock at the door and one of the CMs was informing us that the limo was here to take us to the Grand Floridian. We gathered up our bouquets, and all headed out to the limo, a procession of girls in their finest. Jackie was holding my train, and my mom was carrying her bouquet.
I have heard past brides refer to getting into a limo as "stuffing themselves inside," and truly that is how it felt. I looked at the tiny little limo door, and me with my big dress, and wondered just how I was going to climb in. All of the girls get in first, and then I "feed" Jackie my train as I duck in. My mom helds hold up my skirt while I arrange myself on the seat. My, what a production! Finally we are all in, and heading towards the Grand Floridian.
Tori immediately takes the role of bartender, and gets us all water. The limo is very large, and easily and comfortably sits all six of us. The ride is over before we know it, and soon we are unpacking out of the limo like clowns from a circus car.
One of Carole's assistant - I cannot believe I cannot remember her name! - is waiting for us outside the Grand Floridian. She tells us to wait as soon as we get out, and then we suddenly feel as if we're in an episode of Mission Impossible. She is dressed in formal attire, and is wired with a headset. She and Carole are in communication at this point, and she is waiting for Carole to bring the guys out the back entrance of the Grand Floridian. They have this perfectly orchestrated to ensure that John and I do not see each other, and it is relieving to see them at work.
Finally we are brought into the Grand Floridian. The only flaw in their plan is that there is a window facing the walkway Carole is taking the guys down, and I happen to spy Bryan and my Brother as they walk by, before Carole's assistant notices what I am doing and blocks my view.
As we walk in, Randy is already waiting there, camera in hand. I give him a hug and introduce him to my family. He just looks at me and says, "Wow." He spends a few moments shaking his head and I find myself laughing and blushing. He then gets down to business, and immediately begins setting up the shots.
Patrick Lyons, our videographer, is also there, and he and I give each other a hug as well. His camera is all set, and he videos part of the photo session. Carol then walks in and joins us.
He starts with photos of Jackie and I - the Maid of Honor and the Bride. Jackie is so nervous, and it takes him a few moments to loosen her up so she will smile. Tori decides to be his assistant, and stands behind Randy the entire time making faces and gesturing at us to smile and being generally cute and funny.
My mom started crying the moment the photos began, and Randy made her look away from me when he was setting up our shots together so that she could get her composure before the pictures were taken.
At one point in the middle of the photos, my sister Julie all of a sudden bursts out, "So now that you're getting married, when are you going to have kids." I just gape at her and then laugh. "One thing at a time!" I tell her.
We take many, many photos, and I get one with at least each one of my girls. Randy takes some nice photos of Tori and I from behind, holding hands and looking at each other. Her flower girl dress is ivory like mine, with little rum pink roses on the sleeve, and two swaths of rum pink running down the back and out, in compliment to the design on my gown. I was really pleased with these shots, to show off our gowns together.
Though we are only taking photos for about forty minutes, it seems much longer than that when all is said and done. Even still, not all of the guests are in the Wedding Pavilion yet (Carole and her assistants are, yet again, in constant communication), and we have a couple of moments to just talk together. Randy and Patrick say goodbye, and head over to the Pavilion to setup. We spend the time talking about engagements and engagement rings and how we prefer things "the old fashioned way." After all, I had no idea John was going to propose, and he bought me the most beautiful of all rings.
The limo arrives, and then we are piling back into it. Jackie gets in last this time so she can hold the train while I get out. The Grand Floridian and the Wedding Pavilion are right next to one another, and so the ride is over in a few short moments. Jackie gets out and holds my train as I climb out of the limo door. I can see Patrick and Randy behind her, cameras already going.
We start walking across the bridge to the wedding pavilion, and I try really hard not to skip, I am so excited. I have a silly grin on my face. As we are walking, I notice a swan gliding across the water, and point it out the girls. We cross the bridge, and Carol ushers us into the Bride's Vestibule, where everyone takes a moment to make use of the bathroom and get a glass of water. Jackie is literally shaking at this point, and we make light conversation to try and ease her. I am such the kid at Christmas right now, and cannot wait for things to begin.
Carol checks in on us, letting us know it will soon be beginning, and then disappears again. As we are talking, I suddenly become aware of the background music - it had been a collection of instrumental Disney love songs, but now it is a voice singing. And suddenly I realize it is AJ, and the words are so familiar to me. "Hand in hand the beginning is at the start... Legends can be now and forever..." I excitedly tell the girls to shush and to listen. I hadn't realized that the music from the Pavilion would be piped into the Bride's Vestibule! AJ, our friend, was opening our ceremony with the song, Loved By The Sun, from the movie Legend. It is a beautiful song, and perfect for the fairytale that is our wedding.
I am feeling perfectly giddy, but miss most of the song as my sisters ask me where the song is from. And then Carol is opening the door and pulling out my mom. A few moments later, the organ music starts up again. I grin hugely at my sisters. "That's Candle on the Water," I tell them. "Mom's walking up the aisle now to light the candle!" John's mom could not be with us at the wedding. John's parents were divorced and his Dad had just remarried. His mom had not taken it well, and had tearfully told us that she was not strong enough to be at the same place as John's Dad and his new wife. While it grieved John to no end that his mother would not be there, he understood her situation - and respected her for being honest with him. He knew, too, that she was not strong enough. Our unity candle set included mother's candles. It had the traditional center unity candle, hand-carved in ivory, and the two tapers. The mother's candles - a surprise to both our mother's - were half the size of the center unity candle, and made to match. They were used by the mothers to light the tapers, and became a precious keepsake for them. The best part of our unity candles was that they were actually oil candles (except for the tapers) - they were made just like regular wax candles, but then a hole was drilled in the top and a miniature oil flask placed in top. You couldn't really notice it unless you were looking directly down on it, and it meant that the candle would last forever rather than burn down - we could light it year after year. The mother's candles were also this way. Because John's mom could not be with us, we had shown her the mother's candle before we left and had a little lighting ceremony with her, where she lighted the candle. We then put it in a separate box so that we would know it was hers (and not my moms), and then had it already lit and on the altar at the beginning of the ceremony.
I knew that my brother was escorting my mom down to the altar, and I knew that my mom had been nervous about lighting herself on fire with the open flame. I wish I could see it! But I knew that Randy and Patrick would capture the moment for me.
I could then hear the music changing again... Some Day My Prince will come. I knew this meant that John was now walking down the aisle. My mom reentered the room at about the point the music changed again, this time to "A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes." The guys were now going down.
At this point, Carol came in and took all of the girls out, leaving my mom and I alone for a moment. I could hear "If I Never Knew You" begin, and knew that Jackie was beginning her walk. I could imagine the nervous smile on her face, and knew how much she must be trembling. I loved the song, "If I Never Knew You," though it was probably one of the least known Disney love songs. It was from Pocahontas, and expressed my sentiments exactly with regards to John and to us. "If I never knew you, I'd have lived my whole life through, Empty as the sky, Never knowing why, Lost Forever, If I never knew you..."
When Carol poked her head in again, I asked her where my dad was, and she said that he was by the Pavilion entrance. "Don't worry," she said, "He'll join you when you before you enter." She was then gone again, presumably to prepare the rest of the girls.
My mom looked at me and asked me if something was wrong. "I thought I'd have a few moments with Dad," I told her. I didn't know how it was "traditionally" done, but when I had envisioned my wedding day, I had always imagined the minutes before I began my walk down the aisle to spent with my dad, those last few tender moments alone as his "little girl."
My mom offered to get my dad and darted out of the Vestibule. A few moments later, there was a knock, and my Dad was entering. I had been so good at not crying at all up until now, but when my dad walked in - all done up in his tux, with the rose bout pinned to his chest and the "Dad" handkerchief I had given him tucked into his pocked - and his eyes became red and filled with tears, I found myself fighting off my own tears. We gave each other a huge hug and held each other for a moment, and in that embrace I hoped my dad could feel how very much I loved him.
It didn't seem like nearly enough time before the music was changing to "Beauty and the Beast" - signifying Tori's walk down the aisle - and Carol was knocking on the door to bring us out and get us ready. We walked over to the doors of the Pavilion and stood there, my Dad holding my right arm and my Mom my left.
The music to Beauty and the Beast faded away, to be replaced with an expectant silence. And then the chiming of the hour began, and I found myself anxious to open the doors. It was here! It was really here!
And then it was time, and the music faded into the Traditional Wedding March as Carol and her assistant pulled back the doors. I had a brief vision of the beautiful white interior of the pavilion, golden sunlight streaming through the glass window behind the altar, dozens of smiling faces looking towards me, standing at the pews - and then, as I stepped into the room, my vision was blinded by a dozen flashes as cameras went off all around.
I was certainly in a hurry to get down there, to stand by my John's side! I think I must have dragged my parents the first few steps, before I remembered to walk sedately. A beamed a silly "Michelle grin" at everyone, feeling happy as I never had before and yet utterly silly at the same time. Some of the people here had never seen me in a fancy gown, let alone dressed up like a princess bride.
My eyes sought John out first, standing as he was at the altar. I could tell by his stance that he was still nervous and anxious. And as I walked, I remembered dozens of Disneymooners telling me how they had wished they had taken more time to look around during their ceremony, and I tried to spend a moment meeting everyone's gaze as I walked, letting my eyes sweep over our friends and family, taking in the sheer beauty of Disney's Wedding Pavilion. As I approached the altar, I was blown away by the beauty of our unity candle arrangement, dozens of huge rose blooms so delicately arranged. And naturally, as I approached the altar, John and I met gazes and shared an intimate smile meant only for the two of us. We didn't need to say anything. Words had no place here.
We stopped before the altar, and John stepped down to stand next to my Dad. Reverend Jack raised his hands and bestowed a loving smile upon us, and began the opening of our ceremony. How I wish this man were my grandfather! He kept very closely to the ceremony that John and I had written together, and where he added, it made it only all the more beautiful. The love was so obvious in his voice, his joy at being a part of our most special of days. While I had wanted my parents to walk me down the aisle and "give me away," I hadn't wanted to do the traditional giving away of the bride. After all, I was grown woman and had been living on my own for 7 years. I wanted, instead, for the "giving away" to represent the role my parents had played in my life, to be an acknowledgement of my decision. And Rev Jack presented it so beautifully. "Who has guided this young lady throughout her life, loved her, cherished her, taught her to soar on her own wings, and who now comes with her today, to stand beside her as joins together with the one she loves in marriage?" Both my parents said I do, and though their voices carried, I could hear them trembling with emotion. "Children are a parent's joy, and so it is with joy today that you stand beside your daughter as she begins her own family," Rev. Jack continued. At the end of his short speech, I gave my mom a hug and gave my dad a kiss on the cheek. John then gave my mom a hug and shook my dad's hands, and my parents then brought us together and stepped away.
John and I stepped up onto the altar - Together!! - and stood before Rev. Jack. I could see my sister moving behind me to fluff out my train, before returning to her place. Our wedding party was arranged like a V to with us at the point to either side, starting with Bryan on John's side and Tori (then Jackie) on my side. If my Aunt and Uncle had been able to come down with my little cousin, PJ, he would have been our ringbearer, but sadly they could not make it.
Rev. Jack continued the ceremony with opening words of love, and then I gave my bouquet to Jackie and turned to face John. Tori immediately moved to arrange my train for me. She made it her responsibility to take care of my train, and throughout the ceremony I would sense every time I moved the slightest to rearrange my train again. John and I looked up at each other, and our eyes met in a tender yet passionate look of love. I smiled up at him as we took each other's hands. As my hands closed on his, I could feel them trembling and I could see in the depths of his eyes how nervous he was. Up until this moment, I had been radiant and calm, utterly composed in the face of this momentous occasion. I was confident and happy and excited, but nervous had never entered the equation. But as I took his hands and felt them trembling beneath mine, I could suddenly feel the butterflies starting in the pit of my stomach. A little voice in the back of my head said, "If HE is nervous - he who is usually so calm in front of others - shouldn't YOU be nervous - you who are usually such a nervous wreck in front of others?" And suddenly my calm composure began to leave me. I got a panicky feeling, and was suddenly afraid I would forget my vows. I would learn later, after talking to John, that the moment we held hands, his nervousness left him and a calm replaced him. Apparently his nerves jumped from him into me at that moment.
The ceremony continued, with Rev. Jack speaking of love and marriage and the commitment we were making. I took a moment to peak over John's shoulder to catch a good look at the guys, standing at attention in their sharp tuxes behind him. I wanted to capture every moment of this day, burn it into my memory to keep with me always. As my ears strained to record Rev. Jack's every word, every nuance in the way he spoke, my eyes sought to capture the visual memory of this day.
Finally, Rev. Jack came to the part of the Blessing of the Hands, one of my favorite parts and one which John particularly loved as well. I took John's hands into my hands, caressing them softly, as Rev. Jack told me to look at them and to know that these were the hands that would hold me till the end of the days, that would rest upon my stomach to feel our unborn child, that would hold our child in its own. The blessing continued, and then he turned to John and told him to take my hands. John took my hands into my own, and looked at them, squeezing them tightly, as Rev. Jack told him to gaze upon them, and know that these were the hands that would hold him throughout life, comfort him in sorrow, and lift our newborn child to him, that would ease the tensions from his shoulders when life got rough.
When the blessing of the hands was over, we moved to the Vows. We began with the traditional questions, followed by "I Do" - we had waited to say those words so long, there was no way they were not going to be in the ceremony - and then went into our own vows, that we had written ourselves. While we had both known generally what the other was going to say, this was the first time we had heard the vows in actuality.
John took my hands in his again, and looked deep into my eyes. His voice was strong, though it trembled with emotion, as he spoke his vows to me, telling me how, though he had not known it at the time, he had spent all of his life looking for me. How he had spent the last nine years as my boyfriend and the last four as my fiancé, and that he wanted nothing more now than to spend the rest of his life with me as his wife.
I knew, the moment I heard the tremble in his voice, that I would not make it through my own vows without crying. My eyes were already bright with tears, and I was trying so hard to keep my through from constricting. When his vow ended and it was time for mine to begin, I took his hands tightly in mine, and began my own vow. "I always thought true love was just something in a story," I began to say. "But having fallen in love..." And then I broke, and I could not stop the tears or keep my voice strong. I struggled to gain control of my emotions so I could say the words I had so long waited to say, but my joy was overpowering me. I tried to make light of the situation - "See, look, you've made me cry" I said - in the hopes that making a joke would break the tension and allow me to continue. But it did not.
But then Rev. Jack came to my rescue. He smiled at me with his sweet, grandfatherly smile, and told me how wonderful tears of joy were, and how they made the day so much more beautiful. I heard people laugh, and suddenly the tension broke. Though my voice still trembled and cracked, at least I made it through my voices. "I always thought true love was just something in a story," I told John. "But having fallen in love with you, I know now that true love is something we can all find in real life. And so on this day, I want you to know how much I want to be your wife, to tell the world how much I love you. I promise to love you, forever and always, and I promise to be your Happily Ever After."
I was told afterwards by everyone that there wasn't a dry eye in the room.
Rev. Jack then asked for the rings, and Bryan gave them to him. Our rings had been custom designed, antiqued white gold bands with Celtic Dragons entwined in an embrace, mine with an emerald between the heads of the dragons. They were unique, and as much a symbol of us as it was of our union as husband and wife. Rev. Jack took the rings, blessed them, and then handed the ring to John. He placed it on my finger, saying as he did, "With all that we are, with this ring, I thee wed." I could see the happy tears in John's eyes as he did. Rev. Jack then gave me the ring, and I placed it on John's finger, saying as I did, "With all that we are, with this ring, I thee wed."
Our lighting of the unity candles began then, after Rev. Jack spoke briefly of their significance. We walked behind the altar and lit the center candle together, signifying our union. "All I Ask of You" played in the background. I then handed my taper to John, and he blew them both out. I remember what Rev. Jack had said during the Rehearsal - "You then hand your taper to John. John, you must take them and blow them out - she is flammable, so we don't have the bride blowing out the candles." We had all laughed at that, and the memory of it brought a smile to my face. We walked back around to the front of the altar, and we moved into the Rose Presentation. This was a beautiful part of the ceremony, and a surprise to many Most of our friends and family had never heard it before, and they said afterwards that it was their favorite part. John and I stood facing each other, and we each took a large red rose. Rev. Jack then spoke to all of the symbolism of roses, having always represented love in its purest form. He said that we were giving each other our first gift as husband and wife, and then asked us to exchange the roses. And we did, smiling at each other as we gave our rose to the other. Rev Jack then continued, "In some ways it seems like you have not done anything at all. Just a moment ago you were holding one small rose - and now you are holding one small rose. In some ways, a marriage ceremony is like this. In some ways, tomorrow is going to seem no different than yesterday. But in fact today, just now, you both have given and received one of the most valuable and precious gifts of life - one I hope you always remember - the gift of true and abiding love within the devotion of marriage.
"Michelle and John, I would ask that where ever you make your home in the future - whether it be a large and elegant home - or a small and graceful one - that you both pick one very special location for roses; so that on each anniversary of this truly wonderful occasion you both may take a rose to that spot both as a recommitment to your marriage - and a recommitment that THIS will be a marriage based upon love.
"In every marriage there are times where it is difficult to find the right words. It is easiest to hurt who we most love. It is easiest to be most hurt by who we most love. It might be difficult some time to words to say "I am sorry" or "I forgive you"; "I need you" or "I am hurting". If this should happen, if you simply can not find these words, leave a rose at that spot which both of you have selected - for that rose than says what matters most of all and should overpower all other things and all other words.
"That rose says the words: "I still love you." The other should accept this rose for the words which can not be found, and remember the love and hope that you both share today.
"Michelle and John, if there is anything you remember of this marriage ceremony, it is that it was love that brought you here today, it is only love which can make it a glorious union, and it is by love which your marriage shall endure."
And then came our next surprise - this time for our parents. We hadn't told either we were doing this, and had Rev. Jack skip over it during the rehearsal so it would remain a surprise. John and I walked again behind the altar, while Rev. Jack told everyone, "As it was from their parents that they first learned the meaning of love, so today Michelle and John would like to present roses to their parents, as a symbol of their love to them."
Disney Floral had placed the roses behind the Unity Candle arrangement so that the roses would not be seen. As we went to retrieve them, it was then I noticed a problem... there were only 3 roses. Originally, we had only planned on 3 roses, as John had not figured out how to honor his mother in this ceremony, since she would not be here. But at the Rehearsal, he had figured out a way, and we had asked for a fourth rose to be added. But somehow there had been a miscommunication with Disney Floral, and only 3 roses sat on the altar. My mind raced. What were we to do? I whispered to John, "There are only 3 roses." He said, "I know," and then we left it at that.
He picked up the first white rose, and walked towards Patrick and the video camera. He held up the rose and said, "Mom, I know you couldn't be here for this, but I want you to know that this rose is for you and I will give it to you when I see you again. I love you, Mom." He placed the rose before our unity candle on the altar, and wiped the tears from his eyes. I could see Patrick crying behind the camera.
We picked up the other roses, and walked down from the altar to my parents. I gave my mom her rose, and we hugged and I felt the tears hot in my eyes. I handed my dad his rose and hugged him, and then tears truly came and I cried. We walked over then to John's Dad, and I began to wonder what we were going to do. At this point, John was holding both of our red roses and, thinking quick, he handed them to his dad. "Dad, as you know how much we love each other, I want you to keep these roses and hold them for us and help us to keep our love always blooming." John's Dad was now crying, and the two of them embraced, and then I gave his dad a hug.
We were all wiping tears from our eyes when we returned to the altar, so that Rev. Jack could give his final blessing upon us. And finally, the moment we had all waited for - the moment I know John had most anxiously awaited - arrived. "It is my joy, by the power vested in me by the state of Florida, to pronounce you man and wife. John, you may kiss your beautiful bride."
I don't recall who kissed who first, as we both came together in a passionate embrace and kissed upon the altar of the wedding pavilion. The room was filled with the sound of cheering as our friends and family shouted their joy. But to us, for those moments there, there was no one but us, nothing but our kiss, no emotion but our love and joy all rolled together. We kissed long, as the refrain from "From This Moment On" played throughout the chamber, until finally we needed to pull away to allow air back into our lungs The cheering continued as we turned to face everyone and raise our hands in exultation.
The music to "I'm A Believer" began to play throughout the room as we began our triumphant exit from the Wedding Pavilion. It was done, over so very quickly. We were married!!
We walked out of the Pavilion, and Carol ushered us into the Bride's Vestibule for a quiet moment alone while they set everyone up for the exit. That moment was both long and short, and our eyes did not leave each other for one moment. We held each other and exulted in our marriage.
Carol then knocked on the door, and told us it was time. I picked up my train and looped part of it over my arm so it was not trailing, and we walked towards the bridge. Directly across the bridge, we could see all of our friends and family standing, some with rose petals in hand, others already blowing bubbles from our butterfly bubbles. We stopped at Randy's signal, and leaned into each other, smiling. Our last ceremony surprise was about to begin.
A few seconds later, we heard the flapping of a hundred wings and heard the gasps of surprise from our guests as fifty white doves took flight from behind us and lifted into the air. Randy then motioned to us again, and we turned and faced each other, and kissed again, just as the next 50 doves were released. Several of them flew very close to us and almost hit John in the head, and I laughed at his yelp of his surprise.
We turned to watch the doves fly away, before continuing across the bridge. As we approached, our friends and family began to fling rose petals and blow bubbles at us, and we laughed in delight as we walked through them. Tori had a fistful of rosepetals, and she flung them directly at me as I walked by, succeeding in sending them right down the front of my dress. We arrived at the limo and ducked inside of it, waving to everyone as the door was shut and the limo pulled away. John and I kissed again, and then he helped me fish out the rose petals from the front of my gown.
The limo drove around the Grand Floridian and then came back to the Wedding Pavilion, so we could do our post-ceremony photos. As we pulled back in, I noticed that the Disney Cruise Line bus was still waiting there - shouldn't our guests have already left?
As we came out of the limo together, Carol came up to me and explained that Randy was setting up a group photo inside of the pavilion with everyone. We grinned happily of this - we loved the idea!! Carol then said that they were doing the group photo to stall. She said that Creative Elegance was behind and still decorating the Reception Hall. "I just want you to know," she said, "That it's Creative Elegance and not Disney that is behind." Normally I don't let much phase me, but even I was a little annoyed when Carol said this. First off, Creative Elegance was decorating the Reception, not the Pre-Reception, so there shouldn't have been a problem, unless Disney was also behind schedule. After all, the guests wouldn't be seeing the Reception room for another hour and a half! Secondly, we didn't care that there was a reason behind it. We loved the idea of a group shot, and would have been happy with the explanation stopping at that. And thirdly, it just bothered us how she stressed it was Creative Elegance and not Disney that was behind schedule. It seemed, well, an unprofessional thing to say. It reminded me of how some of the Disneymooners had gotten upset when Creative Elegance had told them how expensive Disney was - they felt that a company shouldn't talk about a competitor like that. And likewise here. After all, if Creative Elegance was in truth behind, there was still no reason not to bring people to the Pre-Reception... unless there was more to it. And frankly, we just didn't care. The group shot idea was a great one. Now, don't get me wrong, we weren't really upset. We just thought it an odd thing for Disney to say, and as such, it stuck in our memory.
We walk into the Wedding Pavilion hand-in-hand and are greeted with cheers. Randy is already arranging people in one large group at the foot of the altar. John darts off with Rev. Jack, who is taking Bryan and Jackie to sign the marriage license, to make sure he is paid, and I join the crowd at the altar. Hillary is standing next to me, and we talk for a little bit. Finally everyone is together, and we are just waiting for John. A few moments later he joins us, and Randy starts taking the pictures. After the first couple, John sweeps me into an embrace and we kiss. Randy snaps a shot and then tells everyone to cheer and takes another.
Carol's assistant comes and tells us that it is time for everyone to go to the Boardwalk, and we saw goodbye to all of our guests as they leave the Pavilion to board the bus. Our wedding party remains behind with us, and Randy begins taking the photos. Once John's family is done, they leave to go to the Pre-Reception, and then my family follows suit afterwards. Lots of pictures are taken of us and our families, and for those who were not in the wedding party, others let the guys borrow their tux jackets to "hide" the fact that they are not formally dressed for the photos. Finally everyone is gone but John and I, and the real photos begin. Randy takes us all over, taking photos in front of the altar, behind the altar, by a window. We then go outside and take photos at Picture Point - my favorite spot at the wedding pavilion. The ivy-covered arch looks out over the lagoon, and seen from the right angle, Cinderella's Castle is framed perfectly in the center. Randy takes several photos of us there in different poses, and captures several shots of John and I just talking and being together naturally. We then take photos in front of the Bride's Vestibule and along the bridge, before going out onto the white sand beach for a few photos. Walking across sand in high heels is no easy feat, let me tell you! But it was so hot that to take my shows off would not only mean getting my nylons dirty, but it would also mean burning the soles of my feet. John took my arm and helped me across the sand. I know I had badly wanted photos of us on the beach, and originally I wanted photos of the two of us walking away down the beach. But as we stood there under a perfect blue sky with the Summer Florida Sun beating down upon us, I could think of nothing else besides getting back into AC. This satin wedding gown was HOT, the sand was hot, the air was hot, everything was hot. My! I think this was the hottest day yet we had had during our stay!
Still, we had fun kissing and posing for the beach photos, and then we were walking back up to the Pavilion again. As we were doing so, we noticed a camera crew videotaping us as we walked hand-in-hand. They continued to film us as we came up and took some photos in front of the pavilion gates. Carol then came up and explained that the camera crew as from a television station in Japan doing a special on Disney Weddings. They asked if we gave permission for them to use the footage of us. Naturally we said yes!
Randy finished the last shots, and then bid us goodbye as he headed over to the Boardwalk, to meet us there. The limo pulled up to the front of the Pavilion, and John and I climbed inside. It was so refreshing to sit inside the AC! We sat there basking in the cool air, my head tucked into his shoulder and our hands clasped.
The ride to the Boardwalk was quickly over, and we got out of the car.
Patrick was waiting for us with his video camera, and we waved. As we were
about to walk into the convention center, he asked us to stop. "I have a
great idea," he said. "It's not every day you can get a shot like this."
The Boardwalk Inn and Villas were currently under rehab, and there were
construction vehicles nearby to work on them. Near the entrance to the
Convention Center - but not interfering with our wedding in any way - was a
large work vehicle, with a couple of construction hats sitting on top.
Patrick grabbed the hats and we placed them on our heads, posing for a quick
video shot. Well, I didn't actually place it on my head. I held it up so
it would look like it was resting on my head.
We then walked into the convention center and into the grand lobby of the
building, where Carol was standing, waiting with most of our wedding party.
The lobby of the Boardwalk was beautiful and elegant, and certainly set the
mood for our wedding, as it was the first thing our guests would see. Carol
informed me that the guests had already been ushered into the Marvin Gardens
ballroom, where the reception was to be. I itched to go see the St. James
Hall & Patio, to get an idea of what the Pre-Reception had looked like.
While I had worked with Disney on its decorations, I hadn't actually SEEN
it. I knew it was to be a collection of cocktail tables with white linens,
with votive candles in star crystal holders and silver and gold metallic
mickey confetti spread around it. The table with our guest book and pen,
and our keepsake plate, was decorated the same, but instead of confetti had
rose petals spread throughout. Our gift table was likewise decorated. At
the center of the room was to be a giant buffet table of fresh fruits, dips,
breakfast pastries, teas, coffees, and juices. The patio was available too,
but I do not know if our guests would take advantage of it given the heat of
this day. My family assured me it was beautiful - they had gotten a chance
to go in while we were doing our last photos.
But there was no time to dally off, as it was time to announce us to the
reception. Jon, our DJ, came out to ask us a couple of questions regarding
music, and to make sure he had the correct pronunciation of everyone's
names. While I was answering his questions, my mom and sister were trying
to do my bustle. I could only share a secret smile with John and shake my
head at their attempts. My mom had not gone to my last gown fitting with
me, and Jackie had not gone to any. Thus, they had no idea how to do my
bustle. I tried to explain to them how to do it, and it was really quite
simple - given the design of my gown, it actually only had one button with
which to secure it. But they couldn't figure it out, and I couldn't see
behind me to see what they were doing wrong. Finally, after 15 minutes, it
was figured out, and we were all set to go. Jon returned to the room, and
Patrick and Randy left to set up. Carol lined us up in order, but had John
and I go into one of the salon rooms so that we would not be seen when the
doors were opened.
One by one, we heard the announcements made, beginning with our parents and
ending with Bryan and Jackie, our best man and made of honor. They entered
into the room to the music of the Legend Suite. And finally it was our
turn.
"And now I am proud to announce, for the first time ever, Mr. And Mrs. John
Mangio!" We heard applause and cheering as we swept into the room to the
music of the Unicorn Theme from Legend. If I had not been smiling so
proudly, my hands clasped firmly in John's, I think my jaw would have
dropped when I saw the entrance to our reception room.
Creative Elegance had provided the decorations to our reception, at a
significant savings to what Disney would have charged. We wanted a light
"Midsummer Night's Theme" to our reception - enough to give our reception a
distinctive feel that was very "us" but not so much to overpower it. The
entrance of the room had been designed to look as if you were walking
through a canopy of trees. Ficus trees, palms, ferns, peace lilies, and
other greenery went out from either side of the doors, twinkle lights strung
between them to look like the soft glow of fireflies. Soft tulle was draped
along the bottom, weaving in and out of the trees and plants, looking for
all the world like a thick collection of fog, twinkle lights gleaming from
deep within. At the end of the entrance was a grapevine archway with ivy
and tulle and lights through which you walked to enter the room.
Scattered throughout the room were ficus trees with twinkle lights, adding
atmosphere. The lights were low, adding to the evening affect. The DJ was
directly across the way against the far wall, two great roman columns on
either side of his setup - which was draped all in an ivory so fine it
looked white - with ivy and twinkle lights dangling from the top. Two ficus
trees with twinkle lights sat on either side of the column, and a scattering
of stars (lights) was projected onto the wall behind him. In front of him
was the dance floor, with a beautiful rose projected onto the center of it,
and on the far end, tucked into the wall and half-hidden was the bar, draped
in ivory-white as well, ficus trees to either side. The guest tables stood
between us (at the entrance) and the dance floor and DJ. We had four large
tables, short hunter green linens draped over the floor-length ivory linens.
A grapevine wreath with white flowers and roses sat on the center of the
table, hurricane lamps with burning candles sitting at the center. And
dangling off from the centerpiece on little hooks were tiny Tinkerbells (a
last minute touch that Minda, from Briar Rose Chocolates - now Briar Rose
Celebrations - had done for me). Our beautiful pearlized frames sat at each
place setting, and the butterfly bubbles were placed before each guest to
use during the reception. The chairs around each table had ivory chair
covers with hunter green bows, and dangling off the back of each chair as a
gift to our gifts were beautiful Mickey wreaths, hand-made as well by Minda.
They fit PERFECTLY into the theme of our wedding! Each wreath had a
different combination of white and green flowers and greenery. To the right
of where all the guest tables sat was our cake table, draped in ivory cloth
with rose petals scattered throughout, my bouquet and the bridesmaids
bouquets providing decoration as well. A statuette of Mickey and Minnie
dancing in wedding attire sat to the side, with our Disney Fairy Tale
Weddings cake cutter and server in front. Our cake was three layers, with
frosting "drapes" and roses dangling from each layer, and atop the cake was
a white chocolate replica of Cinderella's Castle. Stars were projected
along the wall behind and around the cake table. And finally, to the left
of the guest tables, was our sweetheart table. It sat on a riser, draped in
ivory linen as well, and the table was covered in floor-length ivory linen.
Our unity candle arrangement now provided the centerpiece for our table, a
stunning collection of roses and greenery. Creative Elegance had draped
ivy, tulle, pearls, and twinkle lights across the front and sides of the
table, providing an elegant touch. Two eight foot roman columns sat to
either side of the rise, topped with dangling ivy and twinkle lights, tulle
draped between them. Ficus trees
- Our Disney Fairy Tale Wedding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As the buzzing of the alarm clock pervades my sleep, I know in truth that I had only just fallen asleep. Though every fiber of my body was telling me I was exhausted, the moment I had lain down a short three hours ago my mind had begun churning, refusing to shut down and go to sleep. It played out the special, warm memories of the past few days, and went over in fine detail all that was to come in the day ahead. Try as I might, I could not fall asleep... until at least exhaustion won, and I fell into the oblivion of dreams. Only for such blessed rest to be quickly interrupted by the hated alarm clock.
Except this morning I really did not hate it. Though I was exhausted, having worn myself thin over the past few days, I was also filled with excitement. This was the ultimate Christmas morning for the kid in me - it was the morning of my wedding!
I jumped out of bed, and slipped into the silk bathrobe my mom had bought me for this day. I brushed my teeth, and then made sure all was straightened and ready. The alarm flashed "4:00am" to my weary eyes, but I did not care. Though it would have been nice to call in some room service, and have a nice hot cup of tea. I love tea. There is no other beverage in all the world that can calm and relax me the way a good cup of tea can.
At about 4:20 am, I get a call from my prince charming, who sounds none the happier for being up so early. He wanted to make sure that I was awake, and used the call as a good excuse to make sure HE was awake, too. We share pleasant I love yous, each to begin preparing for our wedding... only five and a half hours away!
Shortly thereafter there is a knock at my door and I open it to find Irene from Disney Cosmetology standing there, looking bright and cheery despite the dreadfully early hour. I feel a twinge of guilt at making someone else get up so early, but Irene is so pleasant about it that I soon feel at ease. She comes into the room, and begins to set up her stuff.
I am a very natural kind of gal, and never wear make-up. So I feel a little weird getting all done up for my wedding, and have no idea really how to advise Irene. I tell her this, and explain I want a "natural look" and she tells me not to worry - she's got me covered. She asks me how I want my hair, and again I grin sheepishly.
"I'm not entirely certain," I tell her. "I haven't been able to decide. I want most of it pulled back and up, but I want some hanging to my shoulders. I want curls. Lots of curls." I then take out my tiara to show her, so she knows how to design my hair around it, and she spends a few moments deciding what to do. I had actually looked at hairstyle after hairstyle, and just could not decide how I wanted it done. So I decided to let fate decide for me, and let Disney Cosmetology work their magic. I trusted they would do a beautiful job - and I was not wrong at all.
Have I mentioned my tiara yet? I am so happy with my tiara. It is my one concession to being a princess, though I can say that a "princess wedding" wasn't really what I was after... at least not originally. My dream had actually always been to have a crown of flowers in my hair, preferably a crown of small baby bridal roses. I love roses. But being that we were getting married in Disney, in the hot humid Florida summer, I was advised against fresh flowers - a floral crown wouldn't survive the day. And the cost of a floral crown scared me as well. LOL. I did, about two weeks before the wedding, find a place that made silk floral crowns that looked so REAL and were hand-made... but they required 4-8 weeks to make it. LOL. But by then I had found my tiara, and I was sold on the idea of it. I can do flowers for my vow renewal, when we use the brand-new Rose Garden at the Disney Institute!
Early in the year, a fellow Disneymooner had referred me to Colleen Collections (http://www.colleencollections.com) - a website of hand-made Irish and Celtic tiaras, crafted in Galway, Ireland. They were beautiful! I fell in love with the Tara Tiara, and knew from the moment I saw it, that it was the one I wanted. And their prices were extremely reasonable - especially considering that the prices included insured shipping overseas from Ireland to the US. It is a small, delicate gold tiara, with ivory pearls and swarovski crystals. I also had matching jewelry (necklace and earrings), and finally had a smaller version of the tiara made for my flowergirl. The workmanship was exquisite. Colleen and her staff were wonderful to work with, and helped me choose the pearls and crystals and beads for my tiara. We shared several emails and I sent them pictures of my gown to ensure a perfect match. The Tiaras arrived in a beautiful keepsake box. My tiara also included a "good luck horseshoe" made of ivory pear ls and swarovski crystals (matching my tiara). It is an Irish tradition of good luck for a bride to wear a small horseshoe over her wrist or to place it in her bouquet. The flower girl's tiara came with a gold Celtic Cross.I sat down in a chair, and Irene began working on my hair. She commented on how calm and relaxed I was - "I'm amazed," she told me. "Brides are usually a nervous wreck." In truth, I had expected to be a nervous wreck as well... but this morning nothing could faze me. I was calm and cool, because this was my day - my wedding day. Nothing could mar it I was happy, and my happiness left me in a wake of calm.
I have very long hair - reaching to my lower back - and so it took quite some time for Irene to finish doing my hair. Longer than I think even she was expecting! Finally it is done, and she tells me to go to the vanity mirror to take a look. It is gorgeous!! Is that really me in the mirror? My hair is pulled up into delicate curls on the top of my head, with tendrils hanging down to my neck and shoulders. She then secures my tiara and veil onto my head. My veil is ivory bridal sheer, with swarovski crystals hand-sewn throughout. It is elbow-length and very delicate - I wanted my dress to be the focal point, especially as how the back of my gown has beautiful detailing, and so didn't want a veil that would overwhelm the gown. The crystals, however, provided the perfect compliment to my tiara and jewelry, and add the "glitter and sparkle" I love so much.
I sit back down, and she does the makeup. It feels VERY weird on my face, as I am not used to being "coated." It feels to me, at first, that the makeup is very heavy, but when she is done and I look in the mirror, I am surprised at how well she pulled off the natural look. Irene did an amazing job, and I was thrilled with what she had done. I thank her, and slip her a nice tip as she is packing up her stuff. She gives me the "order" page for her appointment with me this morning to add to my memory book, and then mentions that she has another appointment soon. I ask her if she is going to the Boardwalk and she says yes, and I smile. She's going to be doing my bridal party's hair as well! My mom says, "Well, I'll see you there then!" and we thank Irene once more as she leaves.
It is now after 6pm, and the call from Disney Photography should be coming ANY moment now. My mom and I rush to get me in my gown and ready. There is nothing that requires quite so much work as stepping into a wedding gown without wrinkling it. It's not like you can put it on over your head, after all. Finally we get me in, and my mom zippers up the back of it while I put on my necklace and earrings. When I am all done up, she steps back to look at me, and her eyes start tearing up. We share a hug, and I am so excited now that I cannot wait.
John calls, sounding a bit concerned. "The photographer isn't here yet," he tells me. "What should I do?" I am at a loss at first, and don't know what to say. "Maybe he's late?" I offer. "Are you at the lobby? Give him a few more minutes. If he doesn't show up, ask the front guest to call DPS." He sounds uncertain, but agrees to do so. We exchange sweet I Love Yous again before hanging up.
My mom calls Luggage Services to come and pick up my bags and send them to the Wilderness Lodge, and I take a moment to make sure everything is all set. For a moment, I feel very much like a little girl playing dress up. I don't normally dress up (don't usually have a reason to and cannot afford to fine dine all that often), never wear makeup, and don't go heavy on the jewelry, so this new bride thing feels a little weird at first. I'm excited and am thrilled to be dressed up as a bride, but for a little bit I'm not sure how to walk or sit or anything. I feel that anyone who sees me will know I am just "dressing up" and can see the tomboy in jeans and flannel hiding underneath. LOL.
The bellhop arrives, and is surprised to walk in on a bride. He gives me a heartfelt congratulations as he packs up our luggage. At this time, it is now about a quarter-past six, and I am wondering where on earth Disney Photographic Services is. I begin to worry that maybe he is not going to call, and that I should meet him in the lobby. After all, he was suppose to pick up John at 5:30am, and our session in the Magic Kingdom is suppose to begin at 6:30. I wonder where is he?
Just as I'm beginning to panic, the phone rings. My mom answers it and then tells me that it is Mike, our photographer - and that he is at the lobby. He wants to know how we wish to arrange this, and I explain that I will come down to the lobby, we will set up the shoot, and then bring John in from outside.
I take one last look around our room, and step onto the balcony to say farewell to our giraffe and the zebras and other Savannah animals who have made our stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge so memorable. I try to burn a mental picture of the room into my brain, and then we leave and begin the walk down to the lobby.
Did I mention that I do not normally wear heels either? LOL. It takes me a few moments to get used to walking in the heels and to get my "rhythm" going (for the first few steps, I feel very awkward). My nice new nylons - with a little rose and crystals at the heel - are nice and slippery, and so my feet keep wanting to slide out of my shoe. It feels very weird. My mom is carrying my bag and hers - I packed a bag with shorts and t-shirt, my "bride accessories" that my godmother had bought me, such as the good luck sixpence for my shoe, my handkerchief and the garters - and we walk in happy, comfortable silence to the lobby. It seems like such a long walk this morning.
No one is about, and the resort seems strangely quiet. Especially when we get to the lobby, where normally there is a backdrop of some kind of noise - from guests, from the restaurant, from general activity. But now it is very quiet, as if a hush had fallen over the world this day.
Mike comes towards me with a big smile on his face, and we shake hands and pass introductions. He apologizes for the lateness, explaining he needed to make a stop to pick up some equipment. I find out that there had been a miscommunication with DPS. I had arranged with the head of DPS to have John picked up at 5:30am so we could do the brief photo shoot at the AKL prior to going to the Magic Kingdom. I had been assured that everything was all set, and that they would give word to the Photographer. Well, they never did, and hence the reason we were running behind I was so ecstatic to have Mike as our photographer, though. I had heard such great things about him from the Disneymooners, and everyone who had used him said he was the best photographer Disney had.
He set me up in a corner of the lobby, along the wall where the doors were so that John would not see me until he was in the lobby. Mike then set up his camera and set up the shot. I placed the pearl and crystal "horseshoe" as a bracelet over my wrist, and then stood - trying to look natural, but failing miserably - awaiting my husband-to-be. My mom went outside and told John to come in, and then quickly got out of the way. A few moments later the lobby doors opened, and my groom stepped in for the first time. How can I describe the magic of this moment? Even without the beautiful photos we have to remember the day, it holds a special place in my memory that I will cherish always. John never looked so handsome as he did this day, in his dark gray tux, all done up and fine. His eyes quickly sought mine, and held each other in a tender, warm gaze. I saw the smile come onto his face, that look of awe...and as he took those first few steps towards me, I could see as well the pleading look in his eyes that begged me to make his nervousness go away. We stood just looking at each other for a few moments, and then I leaned up and kissed him, hoping to smooth away his anxiety. I then threw my arms around him and we hugged. For a moment, we were the only two people in all the world, and my eyes filled with tears of joy. We held each other for what seemed an eternity This moment was ours and no-one elses's. Though Mike stood nearby taking pictures, we were not aware of his presence. This first look was ours and ours alone, and we shared the magic of it with each other. I was infinitely glad, now, that we had decided to do the In-Park Bridal Portrait the morning of the wedding. Had our first look been during the Ceremony, we would not have been able to hold each other and revel in the moment in quite the same way.
John whispered to me, telling me how beautiful I looked. And then in a little boy voice, told me how his stomach was all in knots. "I'm so nervous," he said. "I think I am going to be ill." I hugged him harder, kissing him again, and tried to tell him it would be all right. I couldn't help a little laugh - whenever I had envisioned this moment, I always imagined that *I* would be the one who was a nervous-wreck, and he would be calm and cool. How the roles were reversed!
Finally, Mike kindly interrupted us, and said that we had to continue on. I went to the front desk to ask about my bouquet - it was suppose to have been delivered by 6am this morning. Sadly, it had not arrived, and we had to leave without it. Mike told me not to worry - he had a silk bouquet that was similar and that would show up beautifully in the photographs. We said goodbye to my mom, who went to get a taxi to the Boardwalk. We climb into the Disney van, and Mike takes off for the Magic Kingdom.
We have a wonderful conversation during the ride into the Magic Kingdom. John mentions to Mike that I had heard of him, and he asks me about it. I wonder at first if I should mention the Disneymooners and then decide it doesn't matter. I tell him all the good things I've heard and how happy I am to have gotten him.
If the pictures of us in our wedding attire inside the Magic Kingdom were not truly magical enough, then the ride itself was a memory worth having. We drove through a cast member entrance to the Magic Kingdom, and then right onto Main Street USA! It was the weirdest feeling, to be in a van driving down that street. It was even weirder to see the MK completely devoid of tourists, with only a few Cast Members present - and all of them doing such mundane things as sweeping, washing down the attractions, and other such "behind the scenes" things you never see in the light of day. A dozen different types of music were being played as they tested the sound systems.
Mike stops near the end of Main Street and we get out. John and I spend a few moments looking around, taking in the look of the Magic Kingdom before the magic is turned on and the crowds arrive. We then walk to the Partners Statue (Walt and Mickey), and the picture taking begins.
We had so much fun that morning. Mike has a wonderful sense of humor, and kept us smiling and laughing the whole time. He was well aware of how nervous John was, and did his best to put him at ease. Likewise, I was trying to keep the mood light and happy, with a good hint of romance and passion to go along, to ease my beloved's tension. We took photos in front of the case, just behind the Partners Statue, and then again on one of the side paths to the Castle. Mike then took us into the waiting room for Cinderella's Royal Table, and we took photos inside with the throne. We then went out back, and he set us up in one of the castle turrets. By now, it was after 7am, and the sun was rising and washing the world in a golden glow. Mike took advantage of the light and took some photos of the two of us along some of the columns, before moving on to our final photo destination: the Carousel.
Have you ever tried to get on the back of a carousel horse in a wedding gown and high heels? Especially when you're only 5'1"? Well, I have no idea how I managed to pull it off, but it's no easy task, let me tell you!! But it was a lot of fun, and the pictures were beautiful!! The entire time we were taking photos, another group of photographers was wandering around, setting up some wedding shots with some Disney Models as well. Mike explained to us that there was a professional seminar going on this weekend, and they had come in to do some shots and see the angles. While Mike was taking our Carousel photos, two of the photographers came over. I did not know who they were, and do not recall their names, but Mike told me that one of the was the #1 Portrait Photographer in the US, and the other was among the top 5 wedding photographers. They had seen a shot with the two of us on the Carousel that they wanted to tell Mike about, and then helped him set it up. The sun had arisen just right so that as we were leaning towards each other - me on the horse, and John standing next to me - it silhouetted our entire bodies. We got several photos of this, and one of my favorites - the two of us leaning towards each other, our noses touching - came from this session. They were beautiful!!
If anyone is interested in seeing our Magic Kingdom bridal portrait photos, you can see them here:
http://www.ourfairytale.com/ceremonyphotos_mkphotos.html
Our First Look photos at the AKL can be found at:
http://www.ourfairytale.com/ceremonyphotos_firstlook.html
By this point it is nearing 7:30am, and the Magic Kingdom is gearing up to open soon (though the official opening hour is 9am). Though they do not say anything, you can tell that the Cast Members are anxious for us to leave, so that they can finish setting up. Just as Mike is finishing our shoot, a CM drives the van right up to the Carousel to pick us up. John and I have a hard time wrapping our brains around this. It just doesn't seem RIGHT to see a van pulling up next to the carousel in Fantasyland.
We get into the van, and head out of the Magic Kingdom. Mike goes first to the Grand Floridian resort to drop John off. Though it is only about ten to eight right now, it is really too late to bring John back to the All Stars. The limo will already have stopped there, and will be on its way now to pick up my Dad at the Caribbean Beach. The guys photos with Randy Chapman begin at 8:30am, so it makes the most sense for John to just go to the Grand Floridian. His stomach is still in knots, and Mike directs him to the café where John can get something to hopefully help settle his stomach.
We give each other a warm, big hug and kiss, and I flash him a winning smile. The next time we see each other, it will be our during our ceremony!
Mike then brings me to the Boardwalk Convention Center, where "my girls" are getting ready for the wedding. I note the time, and realize that they are probably already all set. It is just coming on 8am when I arrive, and the limo will be getting us at 8:30am.
I am not used to the royal treatment, even being a bride, and so I find myself blushing as I come out of the van, all decked out in my wedding gown, to immediately have several of the staff of the Boardwalk come over to assist me and bring me to the dressing room. As we pass the St. James Hall & Patio, where our Pre-Reception is to be held, I peak open the doors to look inside. Sadly, it is not yet set up - the tables are set up, and there are people moving around, but little else is in place.
The dressing room doors are opened for me, and I walk in to see my girls, all dressed up and beautiful, their hair and makeup done. My mom comes over and gives me a hug, and then I share hugs with both of my sisters and Tori. I cannot get over how beautiful everyone looks! They ask me a million questions about the Magic Kingdom photos, and Tori and my sisters spend a lot of time telling me how beautiful I am. My mom asks if I am hungry or thirsty, and I see the breakfast tray, tea, and coffee sitting on the table to one side. Naturally, I am starved - no problems with my stomach here! - and my mom and Julie get me a cup of tea and some coffee cake.
I realize then that my camera is still packed away in my bag and that my mom's camera is nowhere to be seen. I am a little bummed that no photos had been taken while they were getting ready, and I go dig out my camera to take some photos of all of us in the dressing room.
Rather than pay for everyone's gown to be steamed, I had bought a dress steamer and iron for the girls to use. I had given it to my mom, and she had brought it with her. It had been quite a task to find one - I had gone to about 6 different stores before I found one - and I discovered that the girls hadn't been very good at figuring out how to make it work. It was left on the table near my bag, and I discovered to my sorrow as I grabbed my bag to get to my camera that it was still plugged in and on - my finger brushed against it, and my oh my did it burn. Youch! Not a great way to start!
I pulled out my bridal accessories, and place my "good luck sixpence" my godmother had given me into its pouch and then placed that into my shoe. I was going to put the garter on then and there, but everyone told me that the garter was itchy and uncomfortable, and that I should wait till after the ceremony. So I placed it aside on the table.
Cynde then pulled me over to a huge box on another table and opened it. Inside were our flowers. Wow! What can I say?? Jenni at Disney floral did an amazing job. The flowers were stunning. Mine was a tear drop bouquet of Arianna roses (a deep cream), white Freesia, Stephanotis with pearl inserts, and dark green ivy. It was beautiful! I had originally wanted an all rose bouquet, ranging from white to cream, but I had to say that Jenni's work was stunning. It looked so small and delicate, but when I picked it up... wow! Who ever thought that flowers could weigh so much?!
I took out the "good luck horseshoe" of pearls and crystals, and placed it into my bouquet, around one of the rose blooms. My bridesmaids all had bouquets of light green hydrangea with pink roses and swarovski crystal accents. They were stunning... though on closer inspection, I realized that they had been sitting out too long and had not been misted. My maid of honor's bouquet especially was beginning to show exposure, and I was sad to see that. I found out afterwards that they had delivered ALL the flowers to the Animal Kingdom Lodge at 6:30am - just missing me - rather than just my bouquet at 6am like was suppose to be done. I was a little annoyed that my flowers had been sitting out for so long without being placed in a refrigerator, but I tried not to let it get to me. Still, I had heard such wonderful things about Disney Floral, and so I was a little disappointed in this. The rose petals for my flower girl had also been left sitting out, and while they were beautiful - a mix of colors to match all our flowers - the hydrangea in the mix was not happy with the lack of water. My mom's corsage - trip roses with baby's breath - looked beautiful.
Jackie was constantly pacing or sitting wringing her fingers. She kept trying to smile, but I could see just how nervous she was. You would have thought she was the bride by the amount she was shaking! She had a horrible case of stage fright and was so nervous about the whole ceremony to come. It made me smile, though I tried to ease her fears.
Before I knew it, there was a knock at the door and one of the CMs was informing us that the limo was here to take us to the Grand Floridian. We gathered up our bouquets, and all headed out to the limo, a procession of girls in their finest. Jackie was holding my train, and my mom was carrying her bouquet.
I have heard past brides refer to getting into a limo as "stuffing themselves inside," and truly that is how it felt. I looked at the tiny little limo door, and me with my big dress, and wondered just how I was going to climb in. All of the girls get in first, and then I "feed" Jackie my train as I duck in. My mom helds hold up my skirt while I arrange myself on the seat. My, what a production! Finally we are all in, and heading towards the Grand Floridian.
Tori immediately takes the role of bartender, and gets us all water. The limo is very large, and easily and comfortably sits all six of us. The ride is over before we know it, and soon we are unpacking out of the limo like clowns from a circus car.
One of Carole's assistant - I cannot believe I cannot remember her name! - is waiting for us outside the Grand Floridian. She tells us to wait as soon as we get out, and then we suddenly feel as if we're in an episode of Mission Impossible. She is dressed in formal attire, and is wired with a headset. She and Carole are in communication at this point, and she is waiting for Carole to bring the guys out the back entrance of the Grand Floridian. They have this perfectly orchestrated to ensure that John and I do not see each other, and it is relieving to see them at work.
Finally we are brought into the Grand Floridian. The only flaw in their plan is that there is a window facing the walkway Carole is taking the guys down, and I happen to spy Bryan and my Brother as they walk by, before Carole's assistant notices what I am doing and blocks my view.
As we walk in, Randy is already waiting there, camera in hand. I give him a hug and introduce him to my family. He just looks at me and says, "Wow." He spends a few moments shaking his head and I find myself laughing and blushing. He then gets down to business, and immediately begins setting up the shots.
Patrick Lyons, our videographer, is also there, and he and I give each other a hug as well. His camera is all set, and he videos part of the photo session. Carol then walks in and joins us.
He starts with photos of Jackie and I - the Maid of Honor and the Bride. Jackie is so nervous, and it takes him a few moments to loosen her up so she will smile. Tori decides to be his assistant, and stands behind Randy the entire time making faces and gesturing at us to smile and being generally cute and funny.
My mom started crying the moment the photos began, and Randy made her look away from me when he was setting up our shots together so that she could get her composure before the pictures were taken.
At one point in the middle of the photos, my sister Julie all of a sudden bursts out, "So now that you're getting married, when are you going to have kids." I just gape at her and then laugh. "One thing at a time!" I tell her.
We take many, many photos, and I get one with at least each one of my girls. Randy takes some nice photos of Tori and I from behind, holding hands and looking at each other. Her flower girl dress is ivory like mine, with little rum pink roses on the sleeve, and two swaths of rum pink running down the back and out, in compliment to the design on my gown. I was really pleased with these shots, to show off our gowns together.
Though we are only taking photos for about forty minutes, it seems much longer than that when all is said and done. Even still, not all of the guests are in the Wedding Pavilion yet (Carole and her assistants are, yet again, in constant communication), and we have a couple of moments to just talk together. Randy and Patrick say goodbye, and head over to the Pavilion to setup. We spend the time talking about engagements and engagement rings and how we prefer things "the old fashioned way." After all, I had no idea John was going to propose, and he bought me the most beautiful of all rings.
The limo arrives, and then we are piling back into it. Jackie gets in last this time so she can hold the train while I get out. The Grand Floridian and the Wedding Pavilion are right next to one another, and so the ride is over in a few short moments. Jackie gets out and holds my train as I climb out of the limo door. I can see Patrick and Randy behind her, cameras already going.
We start walking across the bridge to the wedding pavilion, and I try really hard not to skip, I am so excited. I have a silly grin on my face. As we are walking, I notice a swan gliding across the water, and point it out the girls. We cross the bridge, and Carol ushers us into the Bride's Vestibule, where everyone takes a moment to make use of the bathroom and get a glass of water. Jackie is literally shaking at this point, and we make light conversation to try and ease her. I am such the kid at Christmas right now, and cannot wait for things to begin.
Carol checks in on us, letting us know it will soon be beginning, and then disappears again. As we are talking, I suddenly become aware of the background music - it had been a collection of instrumental Disney love songs, but now it is a voice singing. And suddenly I realize it is AJ, and the words are so familiar to me. "Hand in hand the beginning is at the start... Legends can be now and forever..." I excitedly tell the girls to shush and to listen. I hadn't realized that the music from the Pavilion would be piped into the Bride's Vestibule! AJ, our friend, was opening our ceremony with the song, Loved By The Sun, from the movie Legend. It is a beautiful song, and perfect for the fairytale that is our wedding.
I am feeling perfectly giddy, but miss most of the song as my sisters ask me where the song is from. And then Carol is opening the door and pulling out my mom. A few moments later, the organ music starts up again. I grin hugely at my sisters. "That's Candle on the Water," I tell them. "Mom's walking up the aisle now to light the candle!" John's mom could not be with us at the wedding. John's parents were divorced and his Dad had just remarried. His mom had not taken it well, and had tearfully told us that she was not strong enough to be at the same place as John's Dad and his new wife. While it grieved John to no end that his mother would not be there, he understood her situation - and respected her for being honest with him. He knew, too, that she was not strong enough. Our unity candle set included mother's candles. It had the traditional center unity candle, hand-carved in ivory, and the two tapers. The mother's candles - a surprise to both our mother's - were half the size of the center unity candle, and made to match. They were used by the mothers to light the tapers, and became a precious keepsake for them. The best part of our unity candles was that they were actually oil candles (except for the tapers) - they were made just like regular wax candles, but then a hole was drilled in the top and a miniature oil flask placed in top. You couldn't really notice it unless you were looking directly down on it, and it meant that the candle would last forever rather than burn down - we could light it year after year. The mother's candles were also this way. Because John's mom could not be with us, we had shown her the mother's candle before we left and had a little lighting ceremony with her, where she lighted the candle. We then put it in a separate box so that we would know it was hers (and not my moms), and then had it already lit and on the altar at the beginning of the ceremony.
I knew that my brother was escorting my mom down to the altar, and I knew that my mom had been nervous about lighting herself on fire with the open flame. I wish I could see it! But I knew that Randy and Patrick would capture the moment for me.
I could then hear the music changing again... Some Day My Prince will come. I knew this meant that John was now walking down the aisle. My mom reentered the room at about the point the music changed again, this time to "A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes." The guys were now going down.
At this point, Carol came in and took all of the girls out, leaving my mom and I alone for a moment. I could hear "If I Never Knew You" begin, and knew that Jackie was beginning her walk. I could imagine the nervous smile on her face, and knew how much she must be trembling. I loved the song, "If I Never Knew You," though it was probably one of the least known Disney love songs. It was from Pocahontas, and expressed my sentiments exactly with regards to John and to us. "If I never knew you, I'd have lived my whole life through, Empty as the sky, Never knowing why, Lost Forever, If I never knew you..."
When Carol poked her head in again, I asked her where my dad was, and she said that he was by the Pavilion entrance. "Don't worry," she said, "He'll join you when you before you enter." She was then gone again, presumably to prepare the rest of the girls.
My mom looked at me and asked me if something was wrong. "I thought I'd have a few moments with Dad," I told her. I didn't know how it was "traditionally" done, but when I had envisioned my wedding day, I had always imagined the minutes before I began my walk down the aisle to spent with my dad, those last few tender moments alone as his "little girl."
My mom offered to get my dad and darted out of the Vestibule. A few moments later, there was a knock, and my Dad was entering. I had been so good at not crying at all up until now, but when my dad walked in - all done up in his tux, with the rose bout pinned to his chest and the "Dad" handkerchief I had given him tucked into his pocked - and his eyes became red and filled with tears, I found myself fighting off my own tears. We gave each other a huge hug and held each other for a moment, and in that embrace I hoped my dad could feel how very much I loved him.
It didn't seem like nearly enough time before the music was changing to "Beauty and the Beast" - signifying Tori's walk down the aisle - and Carol was knocking on the door to bring us out and get us ready. We walked over to the doors of the Pavilion and stood there, my Dad holding my right arm and my Mom my left.
The music to Beauty and the Beast faded away, to be replaced with an expectant silence. And then the chiming of the hour began, and I found myself anxious to open the doors. It was here! It was really here!
And then it was time, and the music faded into the Traditional Wedding March as Carol and her assistant pulled back the doors. I had a brief vision of the beautiful white interior of the pavilion, golden sunlight streaming through the glass window behind the altar, dozens of smiling faces looking towards me, standing at the pews - and then, as I stepped into the room, my vision was blinded by a dozen flashes as cameras went off all around.
I was certainly in a hurry to get down there, to stand by my John's side! I think I must have dragged my parents the first few steps, before I remembered to walk sedately. A beamed a silly "Michelle grin" at everyone, feeling happy as I never had before and yet utterly silly at the same time. Some of the people here had never seen me in a fancy gown, let alone dressed up like a princess bride.
My eyes sought John out first, standing as he was at the altar. I could tell by his stance that he was still nervous and anxious. And as I walked, I remembered dozens of Disneymooners telling me how they had wished they had taken more time to look around during their ceremony, and I tried to spend a moment meeting everyone's gaze as I walked, letting my eyes sweep over our friends and family, taking in the sheer beauty of Disney's Wedding Pavilion. As I approached the altar, I was blown away by the beauty of our unity candle arrangement, dozens of huge rose blooms so delicately arranged. And naturally, as I approached the altar, John and I met gazes and shared an intimate smile meant only for the two of us. We didn't need to say anything. Words had no place here.
We stopped before the altar, and John stepped down to stand next to my Dad. Reverend Jack raised his hands and bestowed a loving smile upon us, and began the opening of our ceremony. How I wish this man were my grandfather! He kept very closely to the ceremony that John and I had written together, and where he added, it made it only all the more beautiful. The love was so obvious in his voice, his joy at being a part of our most special of days. While I had wanted my parents to walk me down the aisle and "give me away," I hadn't wanted to do the traditional giving away of the bride. After all, I was grown woman and had been living on my own for 7 years. I wanted, instead, for the "giving away" to represent the role my parents had played in my life, to be an acknowledgement of my decision. And Rev Jack presented it so beautifully. "Who has guided this young lady throughout her life, loved her, cherished her, taught her to soar on her own wings, and who now comes with her today, to stand beside her as joins together with the one she loves in marriage?" Both my parents said I do, and though their voices carried, I could hear them trembling with emotion. "Children are a parent's joy, and so it is with joy today that you stand beside your daughter as she begins her own family," Rev. Jack continued. At the end of his short speech, I gave my mom a hug and gave my dad a kiss on the cheek. John then gave my mom a hug and shook my dad's hands, and my parents then brought us together and stepped away.
John and I stepped up onto the altar - Together!! - and stood before Rev. Jack. I could see my sister moving behind me to fluff out my train, before returning to her place. Our wedding party was arranged like a V to with us at the point to either side, starting with Bryan on John's side and Tori (then Jackie) on my side. If my Aunt and Uncle had been able to come down with my little cousin, PJ, he would have been our ringbearer, but sadly they could not make it.
Rev. Jack continued the ceremony with opening words of love, and then I gave my bouquet to Jackie and turned to face John. Tori immediately moved to arrange my train for me. She made it her responsibility to take care of my train, and throughout the ceremony I would sense every time I moved the slightest to rearrange my train again. John and I looked up at each other, and our eyes met in a tender yet passionate look of love. I smiled up at him as we took each other's hands. As my hands closed on his, I could feel them trembling and I could see in the depths of his eyes how nervous he was. Up until this moment, I had been radiant and calm, utterly composed in the face of this momentous occasion. I was confident and happy and excited, but nervous had never entered the equation. But as I took his hands and felt them trembling beneath mine, I could suddenly feel the butterflies starting in the pit of my stomach. A little voice in the back of my head said, "If HE is nervous - he who is usually so calm in front of others - shouldn't YOU be nervous - you who are usually such a nervous wreck in front of others?" And suddenly my calm composure began to leave me. I got a panicky feeling, and was suddenly afraid I would forget my vows. I would learn later, after talking to John, that the moment we held hands, his nervousness left him and a calm replaced him. Apparently his nerves jumped from him into me at that moment.
The ceremony continued, with Rev. Jack speaking of love and marriage and the commitment we were making. I took a moment to peak over John's shoulder to catch a good look at the guys, standing at attention in their sharp tuxes behind him. I wanted to capture every moment of this day, burn it into my memory to keep with me always. As my ears strained to record Rev. Jack's every word, every nuance in the way he spoke, my eyes sought to capture the visual memory of this day.
Finally, Rev. Jack came to the part of the Blessing of the Hands, one of my favorite parts and one which John particularly loved as well. I took John's hands into my hands, caressing them softly, as Rev. Jack told me to look at them and to know that these were the hands that would hold me till the end of the days, that would rest upon my stomach to feel our unborn child, that would hold our child in its own. The blessing continued, and then he turned to John and told him to take my hands. John took my hands into my own, and looked at them, squeezing them tightly, as Rev. Jack told him to gaze upon them, and know that these were the hands that would hold him throughout life, comfort him in sorrow, and lift our newborn child to him, that would ease the tensions from his shoulders when life got rough.
When the blessing of the hands was over, we moved to the Vows. We began with the traditional questions, followed by "I Do" - we had waited to say those words so long, there was no way they were not going to be in the ceremony - and then went into our own vows, that we had written ourselves. While we had both known generally what the other was going to say, this was the first time we had heard the vows in actuality.
John took my hands in his again, and looked deep into my eyes. His voice was strong, though it trembled with emotion, as he spoke his vows to me, telling me how, though he had not known it at the time, he had spent all of his life looking for me. How he had spent the last nine years as my boyfriend and the last four as my fiancé, and that he wanted nothing more now than to spend the rest of his life with me as his wife.
I knew, the moment I heard the tremble in his voice, that I would not make it through my own vows without crying. My eyes were already bright with tears, and I was trying so hard to keep my through from constricting. When his vow ended and it was time for mine to begin, I took his hands tightly in mine, and began my own vow. "I always thought true love was just something in a story," I began to say. "But having fallen in love..." And then I broke, and I could not stop the tears or keep my voice strong. I struggled to gain control of my emotions so I could say the words I had so long waited to say, but my joy was overpowering me. I tried to make light of the situation - "See, look, you've made me cry" I said - in the hopes that making a joke would break the tension and allow me to continue. But it did not.
But then Rev. Jack came to my rescue. He smiled at me with his sweet, grandfatherly smile, and told me how wonderful tears of joy were, and how they made the day so much more beautiful. I heard people laugh, and suddenly the tension broke. Though my voice still trembled and cracked, at least I made it through my voices. "I always thought true love was just something in a story," I told John. "But having fallen in love with you, I know now that true love is something we can all find in real life. And so on this day, I want you to know how much I want to be your wife, to tell the world how much I love you. I promise to love you, forever and always, and I promise to be your Happily Ever After."
I was told afterwards by everyone that there wasn't a dry eye in the room.
Rev. Jack then asked for the rings, and Bryan gave them to him. Our rings had been custom designed, antiqued white gold bands with Celtic Dragons entwined in an embrace, mine with an emerald between the heads of the dragons. They were unique, and as much a symbol of us as it was of our union as husband and wife. Rev. Jack took the rings, blessed them, and then handed the ring to John. He placed it on my finger, saying as he did, "With all that we are, with this ring, I thee wed." I could see the happy tears in John's eyes as he did. Rev. Jack then gave me the ring, and I placed it on John's finger, saying as I did, "With all that we are, with this ring, I thee wed."
Our lighting of the unity candles began then, after Rev. Jack spoke briefly of their significance. We walked behind the altar and lit the center candle together, signifying our union. "All I Ask of You" played in the background. I then handed my taper to John, and he blew them both out. I remember what Rev. Jack had said during the Rehearsal - "You then hand your taper to John. John, you must take them and blow them out - she is flammable, so we don't have the bride blowing out the candles." We had all laughed at that, and the memory of it brought a smile to my face. We walked back around to the front of the altar, and we moved into the Rose Presentation. This was a beautiful part of the ceremony, and a surprise to many Most of our friends and family had never heard it before, and they said afterwards that it was their favorite part. John and I stood facing each other, and we each took a large red rose. Rev. Jack then spoke to all of the symbolism of roses, having always represented love in its purest form. He said that we were giving each other our first gift as husband and wife, and then asked us to exchange the roses. And we did, smiling at each other as we gave our rose to the other. Rev Jack then continued, "In some ways it seems like you have not done anything at all. Just a moment ago you were holding one small rose - and now you are holding one small rose. In some ways, a marriage ceremony is like this. In some ways, tomorrow is going to seem no different than yesterday. But in fact today, just now, you both have given and received one of the most valuable and precious gifts of life - one I hope you always remember - the gift of true and abiding love within the devotion of marriage.
"Michelle and John, I would ask that where ever you make your home in the future - whether it be a large and elegant home - or a small and graceful one - that you both pick one very special location for roses; so that on each anniversary of this truly wonderful occasion you both may take a rose to that spot both as a recommitment to your marriage - and a recommitment that THIS will be a marriage based upon love.
"In every marriage there are times where it is difficult to find the right words. It is easiest to hurt who we most love. It is easiest to be most hurt by who we most love. It might be difficult some time to words to say "I am sorry" or "I forgive you"; "I need you" or "I am hurting". If this should happen, if you simply can not find these words, leave a rose at that spot which both of you have selected - for that rose than says what matters most of all and should overpower all other things and all other words.
"That rose says the words: "I still love you." The other should accept this rose for the words which can not be found, and remember the love and hope that you both share today.
"Michelle and John, if there is anything you remember of this marriage ceremony, it is that it was love that brought you here today, it is only love which can make it a glorious union, and it is by love which your marriage shall endure."
And then came our next surprise - this time for our parents. We hadn't told either we were doing this, and had Rev. Jack skip over it during the rehearsal so it would remain a surprise. John and I walked again behind the altar, while Rev. Jack told everyone, "As it was from their parents that they first learned the meaning of love, so today Michelle and John would like to present roses to their parents, as a symbol of their love to them."
Disney Floral had placed the roses behind the Unity Candle arrangement so that the roses would not be seen. As we went to retrieve them, it was then I noticed a problem... there were only 3 roses. Originally, we had only planned on 3 roses, as John had not figured out how to honor his mother in this ceremony, since she would not be here. But at the Rehearsal, he had figured out a way, and we had asked for a fourth rose to be added. But somehow there had been a miscommunication with Disney Floral, and only 3 roses sat on the altar. My mind raced. What were we to do? I whispered to John, "There are only 3 roses." He said, "I know," and then we left it at that.
He picked up the first white rose, and walked towards Patrick and the video camera. He held up the rose and said, "Mom, I know you couldn't be here for this, but I want you to know that this rose is for you and I will give it to you when I see you again. I love you, Mom." He placed the rose before our unity candle on the altar, and wiped the tears from his eyes. I could see Patrick crying behind the camera.
We picked up the other roses, and walked down from the altar to my parents. I gave my mom her rose, and we hugged and I felt the tears hot in my eyes. I handed my dad his rose and hugged him, and then tears truly came and I cried. We walked over then to John's Dad, and I began to wonder what we were going to do. At this point, John was holding both of our red roses and, thinking quick, he handed them to his dad. "Dad, as you know how much we love each other, I want you to keep these roses and hold them for us and help us to keep our love always blooming." John's Dad was now crying, and the two of them embraced, and then I gave his dad a hug.
We were all wiping tears from our eyes when we returned to the altar, so that Rev. Jack could give his final blessing upon us. And finally, the moment we had all waited for - the moment I know John had most anxiously awaited - arrived. "It is my joy, by the power vested in me by the state of Florida, to pronounce you man and wife. John, you may kiss your beautiful bride."
I don't recall who kissed who first, as we both came together in a passionate embrace and kissed upon the altar of the wedding pavilion. The room was filled with the sound of cheering as our friends and family shouted their joy. But to us, for those moments there, there was no one but us, nothing but our kiss, no emotion but our love and joy all rolled together. We kissed long, as the refrain from "From This Moment On" played throughout the chamber, until finally we needed to pull away to allow air back into our lungs The cheering continued as we turned to face everyone and raise our hands in exultation.
The music to "I'm A Believer" began to play throughout the room as we began our triumphant exit from the Wedding Pavilion. It was done, over so very quickly. We were married!!
We walked out of the Pavilion, and Carol ushered us into the Bride's Vestibule for a quiet moment alone while they set everyone up for the exit. That moment was both long and short, and our eyes did not leave each other for one moment. We held each other and exulted in our marriage.
Carol then knocked on the door, and told us it was time. I picked up my train and looped part of it over my arm so it was not trailing, and we walked towards the bridge. Directly across the bridge, we could see all of our friends and family standing, some with rose petals in hand, others already blowing bubbles from our butterfly bubbles. We stopped at Randy's signal, and leaned into each other, smiling. Our last ceremony surprise was about to begin.
A few seconds later, we heard the flapping of a hundred wings and heard the gasps of surprise from our guests as fifty white doves took flight from behind us and lifted into the air. Randy then motioned to us again, and we turned and faced each other, and kissed again, just as the next 50 doves were released. Several of them flew very close to us and almost hit John in the head, and I laughed at his yelp of his surprise.
We turned to watch the doves fly away, before continuing across the bridge. As we approached, our friends and family began to fling rose petals and blow bubbles at us, and we laughed in delight as we walked through them. Tori had a fistful of rosepetals, and she flung them directly at me as I walked by, succeeding in sending them right down the front of my dress. We arrived at the limo and ducked inside of it, waving to everyone as the door was shut and the limo pulled away. John and I kissed again, and then he helped me fish out the rose petals from the front of my gown.
The limo drove around the Grand Floridian and then came back to the Wedding Pavilion, so we could do our post-ceremony photos. As we pulled back in, I noticed that the Disney Cruise Line bus was still waiting there - shouldn't our guests have already left?
As we came out of the limo together, Carol came up to me and explained that Randy was setting up a group photo inside of the pavilion with everyone. We grinned happily of this - we loved the idea!! Carol then said that they were doing the group photo to stall. She said that Creative Elegance was behind and still decorating the Reception Hall. "I just want you to know," she said, "That it's Creative Elegance and not Disney that is behind." Normally I don't let much phase me, but even I was a little annoyed when Carol said this. First off, Creative Elegance was decorating the Reception, not the Pre-Reception, so there shouldn't have been a problem, unless Disney was also behind schedule. After all, the guests wouldn't be seeing the Reception room for another hour and a half! Secondly, we didn't care that there was a reason behind it. We loved the idea of a group shot, and would have been happy with the explanation stopping at that. And thirdly, it just bothered us how she stressed it was Creative Elegance and not Disney that was behind schedule. It seemed, well, an unprofessional thing to say. It reminded me of how some of the Disneymooners had gotten upset when Creative Elegance had told them how expensive Disney was - they felt that a company shouldn't talk about a competitor like that. And likewise here. After all, if Creative Elegance was in truth behind, there was still no reason not to bring people to the Pre-Reception... unless there was more to it. And frankly, we just didn't care. The group shot idea was a great one. Now, don't get me wrong, we weren't really upset. We just thought it an odd thing for Disney to say, and as such, it stuck in our memory.
We walk into the Wedding Pavilion hand-in-hand and are greeted with cheers. Randy is already arranging people in one large group at the foot of the altar. John darts off with Rev. Jack, who is taking Bryan and Jackie to sign the marriage license, to make sure he is paid, and I join the crowd at the altar. Hillary is standing next to me, and we talk for a little bit. Finally everyone is together, and we are just waiting for John. A few moments later he joins us, and Randy starts taking the pictures. After the first couple, John sweeps me into an embrace and we kiss. Randy snaps a shot and then tells everyone to cheer and takes another.
Carol's assistant comes and tells us that it is time for everyone to go to the Boardwalk, and we saw goodbye to all of our guests as they leave the Pavilion to board the bus. Our wedding party remains behind with us, and Randy begins taking the photos. Once John's family is done, they leave to go to the Pre-Reception, and then my family follows suit afterwards. Lots of pictures are taken of us and our families, and for those who were not in the wedding party, others let the guys borrow their tux jackets to "hide" the fact that they are not formally dressed for the photos. Finally everyone is gone but John and I, and the real photos begin. Randy takes us all over, taking photos in front of the altar, behind the altar, by a window. We then go outside and take photos at Picture Point - my favorite spot at the wedding pavilion. The ivy-covered arch looks out over the lagoon, and seen from the right angle, Cinderella's Castle is framed perfectly in the center. Randy takes several photos of us there in different poses, and captures several shots of John and I just talking and being together naturally. We then take photos in front of the Bride's Vestibule and along the bridge, before going out onto the white sand beach for a few photos. Walking across sand in high heels is no easy feat, let me tell you! But it was so hot that to take my shows off would not only mean getting my nylons dirty, but it would also mean burning the soles of my feet. John took my arm and helped me across the sand. I know I had badly wanted photos of us on the beach, and originally I wanted photos of the two of us walking away down the beach. But as we stood there under a perfect blue sky with the Summer Florida Sun beating down upon us, I could think of nothing else besides getting back into AC. This satin wedding gown was HOT, the sand was hot, the air was hot, everything was hot. My! I think this was the hottest day yet we had had during our stay!
Still, we had fun kissing and posing for the beach photos, and then we were walking back up to the Pavilion again. As we were doing so, we noticed a camera crew videotaping us as we walked hand-in-hand. They continued to film us as we came up and took some photos in front of the pavilion gates. Carol then came up and explained that the camera crew as from a television station in Japan doing a special on Disney Weddings. They asked if we gave permission for them to use the footage of us. Naturally we said yes!
Randy finished the last shots, and then bid us goodbye as he headed over to the Boardwalk, to meet us there. The limo pulled up to the front of the Pavilion, and John and I climbed inside. It was so refreshing to sit inside the AC! We sat there basking in the cool air, my head tucked into his shoulder and our hands clasped.
The ride to the Boardwalk was quickly over, and we got out of the car.
Patrick was waiting for us with his video camera, and we waved. As we were
about to walk into the convention center, he asked us to stop. "I have a
great idea," he said. "It's not every day you can get a shot like this."
The Boardwalk Inn and Villas were currently under rehab, and there were
construction vehicles nearby to work on them. Near the entrance to the
Convention Center - but not interfering with our wedding in any way - was a
large work vehicle, with a couple of construction hats sitting on top.
Patrick grabbed the hats and we placed them on our heads, posing for a quick
video shot. Well, I didn't actually place it on my head. I held it up so
it would look like it was resting on my head.
We then walked into the convention center and into the grand lobby of the
building, where Carol was standing, waiting with most of our wedding party.
The lobby of the Boardwalk was beautiful and elegant, and certainly set the
mood for our wedding, as it was the first thing our guests would see. Carol
informed me that the guests had already been ushered into the Marvin Gardens
ballroom, where the reception was to be. I itched to go see the St. James
Hall & Patio, to get an idea of what the Pre-Reception had looked like.
While I had worked with Disney on its decorations, I hadn't actually SEEN
it. I knew it was to be a collection of cocktail tables with white linens,
with votive candles in star crystal holders and silver and gold metallic
mickey confetti spread around it. The table with our guest book and pen,
and our keepsake plate, was decorated the same, but instead of confetti had
rose petals spread throughout. Our gift table was likewise decorated. At
the center of the room was to be a giant buffet table of fresh fruits, dips,
breakfast pastries, teas, coffees, and juices. The patio was available too,
but I do not know if our guests would take advantage of it given the heat of
this day. My family assured me it was beautiful - they had gotten a chance
to go in while we were doing our last photos.
But there was no time to dally off, as it was time to announce us to the
reception. Jon, our DJ, came out to ask us a couple of questions regarding
music, and to make sure he had the correct pronunciation of everyone's
names. While I was answering his questions, my mom and sister were trying
to do my bustle. I could only share a secret smile with John and shake my
head at their attempts. My mom had not gone to my last gown fitting with
me, and Jackie had not gone to any. Thus, they had no idea how to do my
bustle. I tried to explain to them how to do it, and it was really quite
simple - given the design of my gown, it actually only had one button with
which to secure it. But they couldn't figure it out, and I couldn't see
behind me to see what they were doing wrong. Finally, after 15 minutes, it
was figured out, and we were all set to go. Jon returned to the room, and
Patrick and Randy left to set up. Carol lined us up in order, but had John
and I go into one of the salon rooms so that we would not be seen when the
doors were opened.
One by one, we heard the announcements made, beginning with our parents and
ending with Bryan and Jackie, our best man and made of honor. They entered
into the room to the music of the Legend Suite. And finally it was our
turn.
"And now I am proud to announce, for the first time ever, Mr. And Mrs. John
Mangio!" We heard applause and cheering as we swept into the room to the
music of the Unicorn Theme from Legend. If I had not been smiling so
proudly, my hands clasped firmly in John's, I think my jaw would have
dropped when I saw the entrance to our reception room.
Creative Elegance had provided the decorations to our reception, at a
significant savings to what Disney would have charged. We wanted a light
"Midsummer Night's Theme" to our reception - enough to give our reception a
distinctive feel that was very "us" but not so much to overpower it. The
entrance of the room had been designed to look as if you were walking
through a canopy of trees. Ficus trees, palms, ferns, peace lilies, and
other greenery went out from either side of the doors, twinkle lights strung
between them to look like the soft glow of fireflies. Soft tulle was draped
along the bottom, weaving in and out of the trees and plants, looking for
all the world like a thick collection of fog, twinkle lights gleaming from
deep within. At the end of the entrance was a grapevine archway with ivy
and tulle and lights through which you walked to enter the room.
Scattered throughout the room were ficus trees with twinkle lights, adding
atmosphere. The lights were low, adding to the evening affect. The DJ was
directly across the way against the far wall, two great roman columns on
either side of his setup - which was draped all in an ivory so fine it
looked white - with ivy and twinkle lights dangling from the top. Two ficus
trees with twinkle lights sat on either side of the column, and a scattering
of stars (lights) was projected onto the wall behind him. In front of him
was the dance floor, with a beautiful rose projected onto the center of it,
and on the far end, tucked into the wall and half-hidden was the bar, draped
in ivory-white as well, ficus trees to either side. The guest tables stood
between us (at the entrance) and the dance floor and DJ. We had four large
tables, short hunter green linens draped over the floor-length ivory linens.
A grapevine wreath with white flowers and roses sat on the center of the
table, hurricane lamps with burning candles sitting at the center. And
dangling off from the centerpiece on little hooks were tiny Tinkerbells (a
last minute touch that Minda, from Briar Rose Chocolates - now Briar Rose
Celebrations - had done for me). Our beautiful pearlized frames sat at each
place setting, and the butterfly bubbles were placed before each guest to
use during the reception. The chairs around each table had ivory chair
covers with hunter green bows, and dangling off the back of each chair as a
gift to our gifts were beautiful Mickey wreaths, hand-made as well by Minda.
They fit PERFECTLY into the theme of our wedding! Each wreath had a
different combination of white and green flowers and greenery. To the right
of where all the guest tables sat was our cake table, draped in ivory cloth
with rose petals scattered throughout, my bouquet and the bridesmaids
bouquets providing decoration as well. A statuette of Mickey and Minnie
dancing in wedding attire sat to the side, with our Disney Fairy Tale
Weddings cake cutter and server in front. Our cake was three layers, with
frosting "drapes" and roses dangling from each layer, and atop the cake was
a white chocolate replica of Cinderella's Castle. Stars were projected
along the wall behind and around the cake table. And finally, to the left
of the guest tables, was our sweetheart table. It sat on a riser, draped in
ivory linen as well, and the table was covered in floor-length ivory linen.
Our unity candle arrangement now provided the centerpiece for our table, a
stunning collection of roses and greenery. Creative Elegance had draped
ivy, tulle, pearls, and twinkle lights across the front and sides of the
table, providing an elegant touch. Two eight foot roman columns sat to
either side of the rise, topped with dangling ivy and twinkle lights, tulle
draped between them. Ficus trees
