Joanne and Paul's VR - 4th May 2011

[dolphingirl47]

Corinna sweetie - I must admit that a dirty dress was one of my concerns, especially as we had a lot of the photos taken before the actual ceremony. In actual fact, although it got a little grubby on the bottom, it was not too bad and certainly not dirty enough to see in the ceremony photos.
The funny thing is, after the TTD, my dress ended up cleaner than it was at the end of the VR day. I had been in the lake, lying on the concrete and sand and sitting on the grass at Sunset Point. The last thing we did with Randy at that session was shots in the pool and that seemed to clean up my dress nicely. Now (after cleaning) it is as good as new!!

That is a relieve. Being able to take photos on the campus of Crystal Cathedral was an important part of making the decision to have our vow renewal there, but I am worried about the dress.

I love the photo with your reflection in the shop window.

Corinna

 

[KristiLyn]

It just gets better and better! I love those pics!!! And Randy's sneaky little pic is GORGEOUS!!!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

you look like your having a ball

Your pictures are fantastic! It is clear you have too many wonderful ones to choose from! I can't wait to have photos taken at the Boardwalk!

Darn it, Joanne! I was completely convinced that I wasn't going to drag my wretched bones all the way over to the Boardwalk for photos, but your beautiful BW pictures have me reconsidering!! They're so lovely, and actually my favorite is the one Randy took of you and Paul with your reflection in the shop window. It's so pretty and "artsy"!

It's been a long time since we walked from the Swan over to the BW ... can you tell me how far it is? I'm wondering how much my hair will fall and how bad my feet will hurt if we do that, LOL.

I am loving these pics! More please!

That is a relieve. Being able to take photos on the campus of Crystal Cathedral was an important part of making the decision to have our vow renewal there, but I am worried about the dress.

I love the photo with your reflection in the shop window.

Corinna

It just gets better and better! I love those pics!!! And Randy's sneaky little pic is GORGEOUS!!!

Claire sweetie - we had a ball all day. We didn't stop laughing and smiling!!

Sweet Catherine - Randy actually sent us 6 CDs full of photos from the VR and the TTD. I intend to compile a blurb book of my favourite images, but heaven alone knows how I will choose which ones to include. I daren't even think about which ones to enlarge and have around the cottage!!! That will be an impossible task!!

Amy sweetie - I, too, wasn't convinced at first that the Boardwalk was a place at which I wanted to shoot. I think my main concern was that many brides shoot there, and some shots can get a bit 'samey', eg the photbooth shot, the surrey bike shot etc. However, as I said I love the Boardwalk and it really is a beautiful backdrop for photos, so we included it!! I made sure Randy was aware that I wasn't interested in the standard Boardwalk shots. I mean no offence to girls who have had these shots - they are beautiful for young, energetic couples, but didn't seem to 'fit' old codgers like us!!! I wanted to try something different, and, due to Randy's good eye for pretty shots, I think it paid off. We were very fortunate that all the locations we chose for the photos were so different and, thus, produced entirely different looking pictures.
The walk from the Swan to the Boardwalk is very short indeed. Perhaps only five or so minutes when walking at normal pace. We, of course, were slower because we kept stopping to take photos. As I said, we didn't go right down to the SBP end of the Boardwalk so as not to intrude on the preparations for the 3.00pm wedding, so that saved us a bit of walking. I don't remember my feet hurting at all and my hair held up really well!!! I was glad of the parasol though!! It wasn't just a prop and was actually used to shade us from the sun whilst walking!!

Sweet Andrea - Thank you!! More to come asap

Corinna sweetie - glad I could put your mind at rest a bit. Yes your dress will get a bit grubby probably, but it will be well worth it for the beautiful shots you will get!!! Believe me nobody notices a bit of dirt on the hem!! I love the reflection shot too!!

Kristi sweetie - Aww thank you. Randy really is a sneeky little monkey, but always gets the shots he is after!! The man is a genius!!!

 

[Jilian]

Oh I love that shot of the reflection of the two of you. It is so, so beautiful! I am thrilled to see the ceremony pictures! My husband keeps laughing at me because every time you post new pictures I get all happy and say "Joanne posted more pictures!" and I make him look. He says that your pictures are great too

 

[One_Song]

I had to pop over here after seeing your flowers on the main board... what stunning photos you have!! I can't wait to see what comes next!

 

[pinkmiss3]

I love your photos! It looks like you are having so much fun!

 

[ericamcl]

beautiful pics, Joanne

some of the best shots are the ones you aren't aware are being taken

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Oh I love that shot of the reflection of the two of you. It is so, so beautiful! I am thrilled to see the ceremony pictures! My husband keeps laughing at me because every time you post new pictures I get all happy and say "Joanne posted more pictures!" and I make him look. He says that your pictures are great too

I had to pop over here after seeing your flowers on the main board... what stunning photos you have!! I can't wait to see what comes next!

I love your photos! It looks like you are having so much fun!

beautiful pics, Joanne

some of the best shots are the ones you aren't aware are being taken

Jilian sweetie - Thank you for your lovely comments and say thanks to your husband too!! Ceremony pictures soon i promise!!

Michelle sweetie - Thank you so much!!! I am thrilled with our photos!!

Sweet Melissa - We really enjoyed every moment shooting on the Boardwalk (and everywhere else for that matter!!)

Sweet Erica - I agree that the best shots are the most candid!!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

I just wanted to let all my dear disfriends know it will be a couple of days before I can continue this TR. We are off tomorrow at 5.00amto Aberystwyth in Wales for Henry's graduation ceremony. He will be presented with his Bachelor of Arts in Drama. We are so proud of him!! It will be a very long but happy and exciting day!!
I will leave you with a picture of my Alfie and Ella waiting for the limo in the BLT lobby. They both look so smart!!

 

[quandrea]

Joanne, your pictures are beautiful. You can see how much you love your husband in them. You too just fall into one another's eyes. It's no wonder people are so compelled by your story. Did you enjoy the VR more than your own wedding? I'm having a ball planning my VR--it's seems almost more special because we have children to share it all with now. You looked like you were having the time of your lives. Congratulations

 

[ValerieDFTWBride]

All of your pictures look great and I just have to say that your dress looked absolutely amazing on you! I am really enjoying reading your trip report!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Joanne, your pictures are beautiful. You can see how much you love your husband in them. You too just fall into one another's eyes. It's no wonder people are so compelled by your story. Did you enjoy the VR more than your own wedding? I'm having a ball planning my VR--it's seems almost more special because we have children to share it all with now. You looked like you were having the time of your lives. Congratulations

All of your pictures look great and I just have to say that your dress looked absolutely amazing on you! I am really enjoying reading your trip report!

Andrea sweetie - I love this post!! I am so happy that our feelings for each other are evident in the photos!! That, after all, is what the whole day was truly about!! Thank you for noticing it!!
It's a hard question but, yes, I think we enjoyed our VR most. Our wedding was wonderful, but money was limited and we didn't have everything we had really dreamed of. As you say, having the children share it too makes everything all the more special. Our three are now old enough to realize the significance of the proceedings too. All this, and being blessed enough to have our day at our favourite place in the whole world, and share it with a very intimate group of special people, made it the best day of our lives!!

Sweet Val - Thank you!! I adored my dress!! I am honoured you are continuing to read my ramblings and have to say that I am enjoying your TR as well!!

 

[disneemama]

Your pictures are stunning Joanne, all your hard work really paid off. The fountain pictures are incredible. I was not crazy about DPS at all and I agree with you about Randy, from what I have seen of his work, he is truly amazing. Congratulations on your son's graduation, you must be so proud of him.

 

[pixie921]

Joanne, first of all, congratulations on Henry's graduation! Isn't it gratifying to see our children achieve! I wish him all the best for a successful future!!

Secondly .... you are front-page on the Disney Wedding Blog!!! How fun, and how wonderful that non-DIS boarders will get a glimpse into your beautiful day! Congratulations!!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Your pictures are stunning Joanne, all your hard work really paid off. The fountain pictures are incredible. I was not crazy about DPS at all and I agree with you about Randy, from what I have seen of his work, he is truly amazing. Congratulations on your son's graduation, you must be so proud of him.

Joanne, first of all, congratulations on Henry's graduation! Isn't it gratifying to see our children achieve! I wish him all the best for a successful future!!

Secondly .... you are front-page on the Disney Wedding Blog!!! How fun, and how wonderful that non-DIS boarders will get a glimpse into your beautiful day! Congratulations!!

Sweet Mary - How lovely to hear from you!!! I am so sorry to hear that you were not overly happy with DPS. Unfortunately, I don't think you are totally alone there though!! I would still love to see some of your photos if possible.
Thank you for the congratulations - we are immensely proud of him!!

Amy sweetie - Thank you for your kind words and good wishes to Henry. It says something about the wonderful person you are that you take time out to wish my son the best when you are going through such a tough time!!
Thanks for the heads up about the Disney Wedding Blog. I didn't know we were on there until you posted it!!

Here is a photo of proud Mum and clever son!!

Also, I hope you will forgive me if I post yet another picture from our Boardwalk shoot. I love this one and for some reason forgot to post it with the others

 

[tinkerbell 766]

So we headed back to the Swan from the Boardwalk. Karen was waiting for us and organized some cold drinks, which were very welcome as it had been very hot outside. She told us that Rev Tim had called to say that he was running late in traffic, but that we shouldn't worry as he would be here in about 10 minutes. She also informed us that all our guests had arrived at the Swan and were in the lobby with drinks. She asked if I wanted to wait with my guests, but I said I would rather wait where I was so as I could have a quiet moment to cool off.
Paul went off to sit with Alfie

And Randy went off to photograph the ceremony site

Meanwhile my guests were getting ready and doing things like checking their cameras

Whilst I was cooling down, I heard a little voice say 'Joanne?' It was Chrissy (smileycrissy) who had made the effort to come and be with us on our special day. We had met via these boards and built up a special relationship. I was so happy to see her and was very touched she had actually come to be at our ceremony. She is a beautiful and sweet girl and we have become firm friends. I have some lovely photos Randy took of the two of us, but before posting them, I need to get Crissy's permission to do so.

Before long Rev Tim arrived. He came over (apologizing profusely) and had a chat to Paul and I. We loved him immediately!!! He is such a lovely man!!

At this point our guests were taking their seats out on the courtyard and through the doors, I could hear the wonderful sound of Christine's harp music. Her music is one of the things I remember clearly about our day. She really is talented and worth every penny of her fee!!

Karen came over and told us it was time to go!!!

This was the moment we had been waiting for!!!

Paul and Rev Tim entered first to 'Stairway to Heaven'. This was Paul's choice and he found it very funny to have the Rev walk down the aisle to this tune!!

Next it was Emily and Alfie's turn. They entered to the 'Theme from Swan Lake'. Very appropriate for a VR at the Swan!! Originally, I had wanted them to enter to 'The Dance of the Little Swans' and me to enter to 'Theme from Swan Lake', but Paul was adamant that he wanted me to enter to 'Canon in D' as it is his favourite piece of music. It is not one of my favourites and I feel it is used a lot for weddings etc. I had wanted something different but didn't have the heart to deny him!!!

Soon it was the turn of Henry and I!! As I said, we entered to 'Canon in D'. It is a very short aisle at the West Courtyard, but I remember that I was deliriously happy as I made that short walk with my son. At the other end of that aisle was my husband, the love of my life and my soul-mate. I was so ready to re-affirm my love for him.

Let the ceremony begin

 

[pinkfairy1684]

oh, sweetheart, you are gorgeous! what a beautiful day you had!!!

 

[KristiLyn]

Oh my, seeing your pics makes me absolutely sure that I chose the right location for our ceremony. It looks totally beautiful.

 

[Mindyjoy]

Swan is a beautiful location! Can't wait to see the rest, don't leave us hanging!!!!!!

 

[Disney9.9.10]

What a gorgeous day! I love how intimate and pretty the swan looks! You are going to be an inspiration for future brides because everything looks so beautiful!