Chilly's Very Own Fairytale - Day 6 Wedding Day COMPLETED

[Chilly]

December 30th 2009

Mike and I got up about 9am after a good nights sleep, which is the reason I hadn't wanted him to sleep somewhere else like the tradition says. We headed down to get some breakfast, I got some cereral but left most of it as I didn't like the milk, so I got an apple to take back to the room. I got everything ready and then my Mum and Step-Dad turned up. Mike then left with my Step-Dad just as Ana turned up to do my hair and make up. Mike was going first to the GF to check us in then over to his parents room, then my Step-Dad would take his car back to his hotel before hoping into a taxi back to the Poly. Ana got on with my hair and her assistant did my Mum, then it was on to make up. Ana kept me totally entertained the whole time so there was no time to be nervous. My Dad turned up half way through so we sent him off to look round the hotel some more. My Step-Dad and Dad came back and Ana left and I started to get dressed, then Randy the photographer came (half and hour early), and he started snapping away.

 

[Chilly]

The limo was picking me up at 2pm so about 5 to we headed over to the reception. I hadn't really practised walking in my 5 inch heels that much but I had no problem walking in them and quite quickly at that, normally I walk very slowly so I must have been ready to get married. Walking through reception I got my first taste of being the centre of attention and I liked it! The limo was there so I got straight in and we set off to the GF were it was dropping me, my Mum and Dad off and then taking my Step-Dad over to the WP. It had already picked up Mike and his parents and taken them to the WP.

At the GF I had a Welcome Party, Stan and his videocamera, Randy and his camera (who had gone ahead of us), my wonderful planner Kathleen, and Stephie (from the DIS).

After a quick chat with Stephie it was off inside the GF for a few photos.

Then it was off to see my beautiful coach.

I arrived at the WP to another Welcome Party, this time Mandy (from the DIS).

After a quick chat it was time to head inside to marry me off.

I went into the Brides room, Mike was in the Grooms room.

Rev Knox came in to meet me, he seemed really nice, he'd just been in with Mike showing him what he had to do, but I later found out he only turned up just before I had and he'd gone through everything so quickly with Mike in the Grooms room, they couldn't do it in the WP or Mike may have seen me coming, that Mike didn't really know what he was supposed to do. So Rev Knox is going through with me what is going to happen, I can see he has my ceremony printed out in his book, but then he starts talking to my Dad about him giving me away, hang on what's happening that is not in my ceremony, yes my Dad is walking me down the aisle but he was NOT giving me away, I had not put that part into the ceremony so why was he putting it in. I realised I couldn't say anything without upsetting my Dad and creating an atmosphere and I didn't want that 5 minutes before I got married so I decided i'd just have to go along with it.

Rev Knox and my Mum left to go and take their places and then it was my turn.

 

[Chilly]

I stood behind the closed double doors and could hear the chimes playing inside the WP, then the double doors were pulled open and I made my grand entrance, to When you Wish Upon a Star. I began to tear up a bit but when I got closer and could see Mike had tears in his eyes that made me stop for some reason and thankfully I didn't cry during the ceremony (I do not cry well and had been worried about that).

Rev Knox began the ceremony, but of course he was reading from my printed ceremony which did not have the part with my Dad giving me away in it, so my Dad ended up standing between Mike and I for ages, he was even stood between us when we said "I Do", this didn't spoil the ceremony but it was very annoying. Finally Rev Knox realised and said that bit and my Dad went to sit down.

The ceremony carried on. We had a blessing of our hands and did the Unity Candle. Overall I thought it was a beautiful ceremony and was very happy been we were pronouced Husband and Wife. We walked back down the aisle to zip-a-dee-doo-dah.

 

[Chilly]

So we exited the WP and Rev Knox had our Mum's sign the license to make it official. This proved a comedy moment as neither had their glasses so couldn't see what they were doing.

We then went back into the WP to take some photos, stopping off at the web casting camera to "talk" to the people back home.

We then headed outside to take more photos.

 

[Chilly]

Then it was back to my beautiful coach. The rest of our guests were being taken to the GF in the limo. As I sat down in the coach I realised my ankle was attached to my dress somehow. Mike had to under the many layers of my dress to find out what was caught. It was my ancklet which had my Grandma's eternity ring and my Great Gradma's engagement rings on. Mike mangaged to free me and pocketed the rings.

It was then onto the pre-reception.

We then left our guests to enjoy some fruit and dip and soft drinks while we went to take yet more photos.

 

[Chilly]

We took some photos in the GF, by the fountain, and on the beach. By the end of it I could hardly walk in my shoes.

Then we headed over to our reception.

 

[Chilly]

So we arrived at the Key West Room and the table looked lovely. Randy was supposed to have gone by now but he snapped a few more photos before leaving us to it.

The meal didn't start well though as a glass of red wine got spilt before we'd even all sat down but while Brad (our wonderful server) cleared that up I went to bustle my dress with the help of Kathleen (wedding planner) and my Mum. Once we were all seated Kathleen left us, I was very sorry to see her go, she had been wonderful from day one.

So my Dad was supposed to make his speech when we cut the cake but all he said was cheers. So he decided to do it now instead which annoyed me as I'd told him he'd missed his chance. He told a story about my 13th birthday which had nothing to do with anything and went on a bit too long. Plus of course he had to mention that DH supports a different football (soccer) team to us.

We started off with some bread and then for our first course we had Chicken & Cheese Quesadilla (in the shape of Mickey heads) which Mike had been a bit unsure about but they tasted wonderful.

Now my Dad doesn't like cheese so his came without which was no problem. Next we had ceasar salad which was plated tableside so both I and Kathleen had thought my Dad could just not have the cheese at this point but it turns out it was in the sauce so the chef whipped up a different salad for my Dad.

The next course was beef and it was the best beef i've ever had, it was also huge and no one could finish it. This came with dauphinoise potatoes which i'd completely forgotten have cheese in them but the chef was one step ahead of us and gave my Dad rice instead.

Next up we had some more wedding cake served with ice cream, but most people couldn't eat much, myself included. Then we finished with the cinderella slipper sorbet which if memory serves they didn't turn the lights out for so it lost some of its wow factor.

By the time we left we had over ran by half and hour so what would have been an hours gaps to let the food go down with a walk around the grounds for our gusts became just 30 minutes until our dessert party.

Mike and I took all our bits and wedding cake back to our room quickly before heading down to Sago Cay for the DP.

 

[Chilly]

So Mike and I arrived at Sago Cay by the Marina pretty much bang on 8pm but our family wasn't there yet. Randy also turned up on time. I had a look at the food and tables and realised the tables were empty, no centrepieces! I asked the server and then our All About Mickey centrepieces appeared, he hadn't realised we wanted them on the tables, but our gel lights were no where to be seen. He said he would try to sort it out.

By now we were wondering where our family was. Mike rang his Mum and asked her where she was, to which she replied at the Marina, Mike explained that she couldn't be as that's where he was and she wasn't there, so Mike goes off in search of them and I'm left on my own on my wedding day, I must have looked like a very lonely bride. Finally they all arrive, they had been at the boat dock, I had taken my Mum to Sago Cay the other day so she'd know where it was and what it looked like, I asked her what had happened and she said someone had directed them there, she said she hadn't thought it looked right as there was no food, I didn't bother to carry on with the conversation.

Just before the fireworks started our centrepieces turned up, the woman just put them down and walked off, no explanation as to why they were so late. We got into place for the fireworks. We didn't have the music piped in and we didn't miss it. Just as they started a little kid tried to come over but luckily the Mum realised what was happening and took the kid away. You pose so much during the photos that you don't really get to see the fireworks which was a shame as I had hoped that it would be a nice private time for Mike and I. It went like this, Randy: "look at me, look at each other, kiss, look at me, look at each other, kiss".

After the fireworks we had a bit of food but everyone was still full so hardly anything got eaten.

At 9pm it was time to pack up our stuff and head back inside the Grand Floridian.

 

[Chilly]

We headed into the GF where my step-dad already was as he was coming down with a cold and took some photos by the Christmas Tree.

Mike and I said goodbye to everyone. Mike's brother was flying home the next day so we wouldn't see him again. My Dad was also flying home the next day but not till much later so we had plans to meet him at the Poly the next morning to spend time with him before he left. We went up to our room and some people standing outside their own room shouted to Mike to carry me over the threshold which he did and we got a cheer. Our room at the GF was wonderful, the only downside was no balcony or fireworks view and I'd hoped we could watch the fireworks from our room at midnight.

Internal and external view (taken next morning).

Mike then had the fun job of taking all the pins out of my hair. In the end I was too tired to get changed and go down to watch the midnight fireworks so we called it a night. It was the best day of my life and i'd do it again tomorrow if I could.

 

[Natasha&Matt]

Wow how many parts!! woop woop i'm excited!! lmao at your Garter x

ETA! BTW you look LUSH!

 

[wilma-bride]

Lovely Claire - where's the picture of someone with their foot up your back lacing you in though

Looking forward to the rest - I'm guessing there are quite a few pictures still to come

 

[tinkerbells mum]

i love the pictures, especially the one of you in the mirror, can't wait to read all the other parts xx

 

[strawberry blonde]

You looked stunning Claire, but how on earth did you walk in those shoes

Please can we have some more

 

[tinkerbells mum]

that coach is amazing xx

 

[mandymouse]

Fabulous photos Claire, I can't wait to read some more

 

[joolz1910]

You look stunning - great photos!

 

[natalielongstaff]

Wow !! stunning pics mate and yes the shoes are lush...even though i know what you prefer to wear under the dress

 

[Jets fan]

Claire you looked absolutely fabulous (excuse the pun). Your dress and bouquet were lovely. Am sooooo looking forward to the next installments.

Tina

 

[jockey]

Your dress is amazing you looked beautiful. Your pics of the WP bring back so many wonderful memories for me, I would love to do it all again oh and still marry the same guy of course

 

[wicket2005]

Fantastic day