How to Get Married In Epcot... and Survive a 12-Day Honeymoon @ WDW!

[lurkyloo]

After our staged exit, we milled around with our guests for a few minutes, and then somebody explained to them that we were all going to take pictures together. Since we only had 34 guests, we thought it would be nice to get a picture with each of them, in addition to pictures with family. I had imagined this taking place sort of organically as people stood around chatting, but everyone filed back to the courtyard and sat down in their seats again, looking to me and DH expectantly like we were about to entertain them. So we did…

This was probably the most awkward part of the day. We kind of had to run the show, which made me uncomfortable. I felt like a game show host, calling members of the audience to come on down and get a picture with their favorite newlyweds. Also, I made a faux pas when I started calling people from the back row and got to a fellow I had never seen before, sitting alone. I was like, “Next up… some guy!” He turned out to be my college friend’s date, and I guess he didn’t take kindly to being called “some guy.” I think he thought I was making fun of him, but I just didn’t know who he was. [I’ll skip the picture to protect Some Guy’s identity].

Finally, after shooting every possible combo of family member and friend, we were directed to walk to the Morocco boat dock for our Friendship Boat ride to the BoardWalk. We wanted this to be a surprise for our guests, but I didn’t notice any jaws dropping or gasps of delight. I think because boats are a common method of transportation at Walt Disney World, and because none of our guests really knew what to expect at the wedding anyway, this didn’t seem particularly unusual to them. That’s OK – it was one of my favorite parts of the day.

The Segway tour that DIDN’T ruin my wedding!

Because we had already taken pictures together, DH and I were going to the reception with our guests. That meant we wouldn’t really have any time alone immediately following the ceremony. So the time we had together at the back of the Friendship Boat was a wonderful chance to connect and share our excitement about the ceremony and the reception to come. I tried to take in every detail of the trip over to the BoardWalk.

DH “chromes” my shoes by sticking moleskin on the soles so they’ll be slick enough for our first dance.

When the boat docked, Nathan and Sage leapt off and ran ahead – Sage to video us getting off the boat and Nathan to shoot the reception setup before we got there. Then our WP’s assistant led me and DH and all the guests down the 2 1/2-mile hallway to the Attic (DFTW had been sure to impress upon us just how far the Attic is from the BoardWalk Inn lobby….). Thankfully, all of our guests survived this death march.

We’d alphabetized our guests’ mouse ears, which were laid out on a long table in the hall outside the Attic.

What $900 worth of soda looks like

Centerpieces to be Photoshopped in later…

 

[lurkyloo]

Except for DH’s cousin, who had run ahead to start our iPod, DH and I were first into the room. When I saw our cake, my heart sank: The bakery got the design perfect, but the colors were awful – they were nothing like the picture I’d given my planner. Instead of bright orange and fuchsia, they were salmon and maroon – ick! Admittedly, the picture I’d given my WP was printed on an inkjet, but the color values of that print were correct, just a little washed out. I was kicking myself for not being as specific about the cake colors as I was with my bouquet. I later mentioned my disappointment to Nathan & Jensey, and they appear to have given my cake a little help in Photoshop – whoohoo!

Really, though, I have to give the bakery credit for the dead-on reproduction of the patterns on the cake. (I was told they had to change it a little bit so it wouldn’t be a direct rip-off of someone else’s design.) And we got lots of compliments on it!

Inspiration picture

DH made the cake topper!

I was also relieved to see none of the dreaded clouding (pouffy swirls) of linens on the cake table (although the turquoise and orange sashes were too short and dangled halfway up from the floor. Not a good look…)

Look ma, no clouding!

DH and I went out on the balcony and had a look around.

For the pre-reception (it can’t really be called a cocktail hour ‘cuz we didn’t serve any hooch) we had them serve the fruit platter and pastries included in our brunch buffet. It would have been way too much food to have all at once, and it saved money!

We got to the Attic a little bit earlier than accounted for, so I kept feeling like something should be happening but it wasn’t time yet. I felt this way for the whole reception, so I can definitely say that (without dancing) three hours is plenty of time for a casual reception. Finally it was 11:00 and DH and I started our first dance. We chose Sarah Vaughan’s version of the Antonio Carlos Jobim tune “Wave.” Besides having lyrics that fit us and the way we met, it starts out slow and romantic but has two up-tempo breaks that gave us a chance to surprise our guests with a few swing moves. Our reception playlists were mainly bossa nova music, and I worked two other versions of “Wave” into the mix.

Using an iPod for our music worked really well. I created five playlists, one for each section of the reception - pre-reception, first dance song, brunch, parents’ dances, rest o’ the reception – so that we wouldn’t have to search around for the first dance songs in the middle of the reception. We asked DH’s extremely overqualified cousin (he’s a sound engineer for Disney Feature Animation) to cue up each of our playlists at the appropriate time, and it all ran like clockwork. The pre-reception playlist was upbeat cocktail/space-age pop stuff – Henry Mancini, Esquivel, Arthur Lyman and Les Baxter. The brunch playlist was mellow samba/bossa nova by artists like Joao Gilberto, Eliane Elias, Stan Getz and Elis Regina. The second half of the reception built from bossa nova to cocktail to Latin jazz and ended with “Love Theme” by Barry White’s Love Unlimited Orchestra. (When I heard that one, I knew the party was winding down – but that’s the only way I could tell!)

After our first dance, the BM gave an hilarious toast that was done entirely as a Jungle Cruise skipper spiel. He delivered it with his hand over his mouth to make it sound authentic – it brought down the house!

Here's what he said:

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to DH and Lurkyloo's wedding reception, presented by Dole. I'm (DH's twin), and I'll be your best man for the afternoon. Before we get started with the wedding toast, I want to remind you to store your loose articles under your seat. Once they are safely stowed, pull down on your lap bar. Do me a favor and tug on the yellow tag to make sure the lap bar is secure. During the duration of the speech, please remain seated, and keep your hands and arms inside the vehicle at all times — and please watch your children. Off we go — Driver, all clear.

Good afternoon, and let’s gets started on our magical wedding adventure. I just want to tell you a little about the couple we are here to celebrate. On the driver’s left is our groom, DH. Little known fact, DH is twin. When he is fully grown, he can be up to 25 feet tall and weigh up to 5,000 pounds. To the driver’s right is Lurkyloo. Little known fact, she is not a twin. When she is fully grown, she can be up to 25 feet tall and weight up 5,000 pounds.

DH and Lurkyloo met at his cousin's birthday party. In fact, hold on a minute—I think I see his cousin now. Don't worry folks, you’re perfectly safe as long as he's not blowing bubbles and wiggling ears. Oh no! [bang, bang]

We hope you enjoyed your visit with us today. If you did, my name is (DH's twin), if not, my name is DH. Now before we disembark, gather all your belongings, take small children by the hand, raise your glass, and join me in singing the traditional toast..."



Then the Mo’H and pastor gave toasts, followed by a brunch blessing by the pastor. Then… brunch!

After they announced brunch DH and I went over to the buffet. We sat at a table for two in the far corner of the room, next to the doors that lead to the deck. I just realized we don’t have any pictures of our sweetheart table, but I’m kinda glad cuz it wasn’t much to look at – we had two ugly black banquet-hall chairs and a plain white tablecloth with just my bouquet in a vase. While we were eating, the paparazzi got to take a break and eat their vendor meals, and – I later learned – Jensey started editing and Photoshopping our ceremony photos on their laptop.

 

[lurkyloo]

ACK! I just discovered that when I originally posted this, I skipped an entire installment containing the high-larious mother-son dance (trust me) and the cake-cutting! So I'm gonna shoe horn it in here and take out a few pix to make it fit...

After brunch we had our parents’ dances. I let my dad pick the song we danced to, since he’s as into music as I am and he did have to dance to it after all. He picked one of his all-time favorite songs, an up-tempo jazz song by David Sanborn. It was really cute – he loves to cut out and send me articles, especially about musicians, so I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised that when we started our sentimental father-daughter dance the first thing he said was, “I just read this great article about David Sanborn!” We had tried practicing once, at Christmas, but I was still a bit nervous because he was a champion cha-cha dancer in high school and I only know swing. Fortunately he has a strong lead, so I think we did OK.

I’m so glad we danced before DH and his mom, because they would have been a tough act to follow. Neither really dances (well, DH can swing!), so they put on the Muppets’ “Movin’ Right Along” and improvised. They brought down the house!

After the dances we asked everyone to put on their mouse ears, and we got a shot of all our guests.

I was ready to cut the cake after that, but my WP said we were a little ahead of schedule so we decided to wait. Waiting for cake is hard. When I couldn’t wait any longer, I asked the servers if we could do it, and my WP magically reappeared to get the ball rolling. Somebody told us where to stand and whose hand was supposed to go where – who knew it was such a production? They handed us our pieces on a plate and I was like, “Uh, where’re the forks?” They found us some forks, and we each ate our own pieces – which got a huge reaction. We didn’t mean for it to be a big statement, we’re just creeped out by the feeding/smashing thing. Later, DH’s grandmother came up to us and said very sincerely, “Thank you for not smashing cake into each other’s faces. I think it’s barbaric!” Then we had to wait for them to cut the real pieces and put the ice cream on. I don’t know if it was the addition of ice cream or the flavors we chose (red velvet with cream cheese and chocolate with peanut butter cup mousse), but the cake disappeared fast!

After the cake cutting we still had an entire hour to hang out with our guests. We were ecstatic to discover that Nathan & Jensey had already put together a slideshow of photo highlights, which we must’ve watched three or four times.


Except for the pastor, who had to catch a plane, everyone stayed till the end of the reception (but that’s prolly because the only way they could leave was on our bus… muwaahahahahahaha!). The staff gathered up our guest book, cake knife, gifts, extra cake and cake topper and put them back in our box by the door. I asked about having bell services schlep our stuff to the Beach Club (I’d read about a bride having them move stuff from Atlantic Dance Hall to BoardWalk Inn) but was told they couldn’t leave the resort, so my in-laws graciously offered to take it to the Beach Club after the bus dropped them at their car. I cast a longing eye on the thousands of remaining unopened sodas, but I didn’t want to make anybody carry all that.


I knew my Wedding Twin, MistressofAllEvil, would be arriving at the BoardWalk soon to walk down to Sea Breeze Pointe for her wedding, so I was eager to get down to the lobby. We’d planned to scandalize Disney's Wedding department (which takes great pains to keep brides apart on their wedding day) and rip a hole in the space-time continuum by meeting and getting a picture together in our gowns. DH and I stood in the lobby saying goodbye to our guests (until the dessert party, that is), and they boarded the bus. I spotted MistressofAllEvil’s DF in his pin-striped gangster suit and knew that she must not have arrived yet because they would have moved him to the ceremony site. I think he gave me a hug – I remember being flattered that he even remembered who I was after a brief meeting at the Adventurer’s Club. When his handlers told him it was time to go, I signaled my paparazzi and we went out to the front of the BoardWalk Inn to lie in wait for MistressofAllEvil. I really did feel like I was waiting to meet a movie star – I was so excited! And when she arrived, she looked like a movie star – she was so glamorous!

DH and I wished MistressofAllEvil good luck and then went with Nathan & Jensey to get a few last shots. I couldn’t believe they still wanted to take pictures of the Smoochingtons after all these hours (they told us at the reception that they’d already taken more than 3,000 – and the dessert party was yet to come!). I’m glad they did, though, cuz we got these….

At last, we let them go back home to their doggie and we went down to the BoardWalk boat dock to catch a Friendship to the Beach Club. Sage followed us to shoot some footage, and we really lucked out – there was a boat about to depart when we got there, and when they saw us they held it so we could hop on. The skipper’s jaw kind of dropped, and the passengers burst into applause as we got in the back, so we stuck our heads in the cabin and waved. It was so much fun! We went straight to the Yacht and Beach Club dock and were ushered off the boat first (I wish Sage had been there to film that!). As we walked back over to the Beach Club, we felt like celebrities – everyone was smiling and waving (or at least gawking), and two little girls ran up together and said “Congratulations!” simultaneously. It felt like the end of a movie, but it wasn’t the end….


Next up: The Dessert Party!

 

[Sleeping*Beauty]

How cute!! That breakfast looks really yummy!!!

 

[misstheworld]

lurkyloo - You're the only other woman I've "met" who had a morning wedding!! DH and I didn't have the good fortune to marry in WDW, but we did get married at 9:30 a.m. and had a brunch for our reception. It was the first weekend in December, so while some thought we were crazy, the rest were grateful to have the event over with so they couldn't get on with their day!!

I wanted it early so we could get on with our honeymoon

 

[misstheworld]

Whoops...double post!

 

[lurkyloo]

How cute!! That breakfast looks really yummy!!!

Mmmm.....Mickey waffles.....

lurkyloo - You're the only other woman I've "met" who had a morning wedding!! DH and I didn't have the good fortune to marry in WDW, but we did get married at 9:30 a.m. and had a brunch for our reception. It was the first weekend in December, so while some thought we were crazy, the rest were grateful to have the event over with so they couldn't get on with their day!!I wanted it early so we could get on with our honeymoon

That's so funny! I guess the whole morning/day wedding thing is kind of frowned at in the "real" world because a wedding has to be a lavish dinner event on a Saturday night, or some such nonsense. But there are lots of morning weddings at WDW b/c A) You can only get married at Epcot at 9am and B) the minimum amount of money you have to spend on food is a lot lower.

I totally agree with your line of reasoning!

 

[stagemomx3]

Your reception looks awesome. I love how personalized you made all the little details of your wedding.

 

[jcc0621]

With each installment I am more amazed. Wonder if I can talk DH into a vow renewal in 2 years for our 10th

 

[juliana_sd]

Wowie!!!

I looooove the "shadow" picture. You guys did an awesome job choosing photogs. They had so many original ideas, I love all the pics! My sister hired a guy for her wedding who was an AP photographer (weddings on the side) and hers were very original too - different style than yours, but suuuuper cool. The guy was really fun too which makes a big difference.

Anyway! I am totally stealing your BM's toast idea when my baby brother gets married. He was a JC skipper at DL for years

 

[mommyofthreeboys]

I love the toast!!!! So unique!!!!

 

[KatGarcia]

You had me interested at Disney Wedding, At Morocco, at WDW_PolyPrincess (Crystal is a friend of mine & DH's, we have met several times) but when I read your wedding date I knew I'd read this one through..... DH & I got married on Feb 4th, 2005! AND we were actually in WDW on the day of our anniversary this year!

Your pictures are gorgeous, the story is beautiful and I'm looking fwd to more!

PS if you have some time check out my TR there are several Crystal sighting in it (working in WDW).

 

[rottiemom]

Yay! More pictures & more installments...and everything just keeps on getting better. I have to say that Juliana_sd perfectly summed up what makes your pictures extra special:

Honestly, that was beautiful. Your love for each other comes across in your writing and your pictures... I don't even know you but I am so, so happy for you guys!!!

You can't help but be happy for you guys .

Also, I don't know how the world survived w/o HFT.

Another brilliant observation by juliana_sd (duct tape & shoe laces, actually).

I LOVE the wedding brunch idea, I think that it's great. It looked like the perfect compliment to a gorgeous, sunny Florida day.

I guess the whole morning/day wedding thing is kind of frowned at in the "real" world because a wedding has to be a lavish dinner event on a Saturday night, or some such nonsense.

Don't be silly, it's the booze. They frown on you drinking the hard stuff at a morning wedding . You're right right, you really don't see morning weddings. But at least in NY RC churches have set times for weddings (usually afternoon) so they won't conflict with any mass or funeral schedules. So being a good catholic girl I had to comply to the rules of the church (what else is new?).

I can't believe how spectacular that cake was...it must have cost a fortune! And I absolutely love the personalized mouse ears for every guest. Fantastic touches. And you & your better half wandering around in your wedding finery like it was just another day...again, so wonderful and so genuine.

No trip reports from me, aside from the motorcycle lists. I've never been to Disney in any way, shape or form. I'm on the boards now because I'm planning a trip to Disney in Sept with my husband & our little guy (I can just imagine the screams the first time we show up at the pool). Sure I came here to get ideas & tips but this place is like a labrynth and before you know it you've gone from what to pack to reading wedding trip reports! I've already wandered over to check out Becx & Gav's & now I'm going to have to track down MistressofallEvil's..damn you!

Keep 'em coming!

 

[DisneyMissy318]

Lurkyloo! I read your planning journal awhile back - I LOVED reading about all of the details - finding the right necklace and the facinator troubles! NOW I find a trip report and the journey continues! Thanks so much for taking the time to share this with all of us!

Your pictures are amazing! I know from reading your planning journal all that went into your special day and you did an amazing job.

I LOVE how everything was personalized for you because you did it! The inscriptions in your rings from Muppet songs - delightful! The BM's (yes, that is funny!) toast! How cool! Sorry about your disappointment with the cake - but for us - your photographers did an AWESOME job of saving your vision for posterity!

I'm on my second marriage now - but have been contemplating a third just to have a really cool WDW Wedding! (Not really... well, maybe.... )

 

[FinallyDisney]

That was the best wedding I've ever NOT attended!! Seriously, you guys looked beautiful. I loved your color choices and the professional photos are awesome. Thanks for inviting us in - my best wishes for a lifetime of happiness (you had a great start)!

 

[Cory's Gal]

What a BEAUTIFUL wedding!! Thank you so much for sharing with us, I have tears as I am reading this! The petal toss picture is my favorite, you two are such a beautiful couple! Can't wait to read more!!

 

[VrBchJ]

Thanks for sharing your day. It makes me regret getting married at the Miami Beach Courthouse. But we've last 33 years so I guess that makes up for it.

 

[DisneyJo]

What an amazing wedding, I've never even heard that you can get married in Epcot and it looks gorgeous. Congratulations and I can't wait to read more

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Absolutely beautiful wedding. All you photos are beautiful, I especially loved the rose petal shots.

 

[lurkyloo]

Absolutely beautiful wedding. All you photos are beautiful, I especially loved the rose petal shots.

Yes - those were extremely important to me, and there was all sorts of maneuvering in the background to get 'em, so I'm glad you liked them!

What an amazing wedding, I've never even heard that you can get married in Epcot and it looks gorgeous. Congratulations and I can't wait to read more

Epcot has soooo many beautiful ceremony locations! I would love to see a wedding in front of the pond in China!

Thanks for sharing your day. It makes me regret getting married at the Miami Beach Courthouse. But we've last 33 years so I guess that makes up for it.

Yeah, I guess.... You're living proof that it ain't about the wedding, it's about the marriage!

What a BEAUTIFUL wedding!! Thank you so much for sharing with us, I have tears as I am reading this! The petal toss picture is my favorite, you two are such a beautiful couple! Can't wait to read more!!

That is so sweet of you to say! I'm really glad you're enjoying it.

That was the best wedding I've ever NOT attended!! Seriously, you guys looked beautiful. I loved your color choices and the professional photos are awesome. Thanks for inviting us in - my best wishes for a lifetime of happiness (you had a great start)!

Thank you so much! You're welcome to not attend my wedding any time

I'm on my second marriage now - but have been contemplating a third just to have a really cool WDW Wedding! (Not really... well, maybe.... )

That's why they do vow renewals - you get all the fun of a wedding, PLUS you don't have to get divorced! Seriously... you should check it out!

I'm on the boards now because I'm planning a trip to Disney in Sept with my husband & our little guy (I can just imagine the screams the first time we show up at the pool). Sure I came here to get ideas & tips but this place is like a labrynth and before you know it you've gone from what to pack to reading wedding trip reports! I've already wandered over to check out Becx & Gav's & now I'm going to have to track down MistressofallEvil's..damn you!

When are you going in Sept.? We're going then too! Yeah, watch out for the DIS - I've lost years of my life reading all these addictive trip reports....

You had me interested at Disney Wedding, At Morocco, at WDW_PolyPrincess (Crystal is a friend of mine & DH's, we have met several times) but when I read your wedding date I knew I'd read this one through..... DH & I got married on Feb 4th, 2005! AND we were actually in WDW on the day of our anniversary this year!

Congrats on your recent 3-year anniversary! OMG - you know Crystal! As you're gonna see in the honeymoon part of the report, her trip reports informed our entire trip. I was always like, "Crystal does this!" and "Crystal's favorite thing to eat here is that!" DH was like "And you haven't even MET this person?!"

I love the toast!!!! So unique!!!!

It was brilliant! He had a little help writing it from some more Disney-freaky friends of ours, but his delivery was spot on.

Anyway! I am totally stealing your BM's toast idea when my baby brother gets married. He was a JC skipper at DL for years

Steal away! I won't tell DH's brother...

With each installment I am more amazed. Wonder if I can talk DH into a vow renewal in 2 years for our 10th

I bet you can! Find out what he would like best - food? Characters? Private fireworks viewing? And then show him lots of pictures of these as a sales pitch!

Your reception looks awesome. I love how personalized you made all the little details of your wedding.

Thanks! It was really important to us not to have a cookie-cutter wedding - choosing Disney was a major help there!