Joanne and Paul's VR - 4th May 2011

[tinkerbell 766]

Floral - Petals by design Orlando

http://www.petals-bydesign.com/orlando-florist/Wedding-Flowers

I was bowled over by our floral!!! Flowers were very important to me and I had a definate 'vision' of what I wanted. I started communicating initially with another florist, but it soon became apparent that she did not 'get' my dream at all!! I ran to Karen who suggested this florist. As I said earlier, when my floral first arrived on our VR day, Karen was not entirely satisfied (this is the extent to which she understood what I wanted) and sent it all back to have adjustments made.
The flowers really exceeded my expectations (which were high) and even Karen admitted that in the end I got some of the most beautiful floral she has ever seen!!

I do not like this picture of me, but it shows up the colours of my flowers perfectly!!

These two photos of my bouquet and Emily's posy are not good colourwise, but give you some idea of their shapes!!
I was so in love with my bouquet. It was so beautiful and very heavy!! I don't know how many flowers it contained but it was a lot!!!
All the flowers lasted well considering how hot it was that day, and even the men's boutineers made it a good way through the day before wilting.
The pillar arrangements we had for the ceremony, were moved (minus the urns and pillars) to Citricos for our reception meal and they looked lovely on the tables. This move was seamless and the arrangements were ready and waiting for us on the tables when we arrived at the restaurant.

These two arrangements, I gave to my two friends at the end of the days so that they could enjoy them in their rooms. They survived, with frequent watering, for about a week. I was sooo sorry to say goodbye to my bouquet when we checked out of BLT!!!

I was delighted with my floral- it was better than I could have dreamed!!

 

[pixie921]

Oh goody -- more reviews!

Joanne, your cake looked beautiful! I sent off an inquiry to It's Tasty, Too today to see about a cake for our vow renewal after your hearty recommendation.

And your floral ... simply gorgeous! I hope whatever we do turns out as nicely as yours did!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Limo transport - Destination MCO

http://www.destinationmco.com/

I left the arrangements for transport in Karen's capable hands. All I wanted from the transport was that it got our guests and us to where we needed to be, when we needed to be there. This company certainly did that. We only hired one limo which did two journeys from BLT to the Swan and two journeys from the Swan to the GF. It was all very efficiant and the driver, helpful, friendly and smart!!
I initially thought I wanted a white limo, but DH wasn't keen, so we ended up with black. I was happy we chose black in the end.

Next up - photography and reception

 

[KristiLyn]

Love your cake!! It's absolutely perfect!!
And that floral is gorgeous!!!

 

[dolphingirl47]

I absolutely love your floral. It is so pretty.

Corinna

 

[tinkerbell 766]

That cake is absolutely amazing.

Corinna

Oh goody -- more reviews!

Joanne, your cake looked beautiful! I sent off an inquiry to It's Tasty, Too today to see about a cake for our vow renewal after your hearty recommendation.

And your floral ... simply gorgeous! I hope whatever we do turns out as nicely as yours did!

Love your cake!! It's absolutely perfect!!
And that floral is gorgeous!!!

I absolutely love your floral. It is so pretty.

Corinna

Thank you my dear friends - you are all so sweet!!!

 

[Groom Mickey]

still reading along here. How beautiful everything looked. Your floral and cake were stunning. I am glad you made it over to Sea Breeze Point, . There was never,however, a doubt that it would measure up to your venue. ) The Swan was the perfect venue for your VR. We are still unpacking lol so I have not even started my Trip Report. It still almost two weeks later hard to get back into the swing of things. I planning on having my 40th Birthday at Disney (Mad Hatter Tea party anyone ?). Have you gotten pictures back from Randy yet? Even though we had the same photographer I know our pictures are going to be so different (besides the fact there was a Bride and Groom in yours). I can't wait! Oh the waiting, the waiting is so difficult.

 

[disneybarbie]

Hi Joanne, love seeing all the details of your day & your reviews!
The flowers & cakes are beautiful.. pineapple & coconut cake? mmmmmm!


Emma x

 

[brer rabbit 28]

Oh Joanne, your flowers were simply stunning. The colour of the roses you chose match so beautifully. You must have been over the moon with your cake as well. Looks fantastic in the picture and I love how you pulled it into your swan theme so well.

I'm really enjoying reading all your reviews. Honestly, if I hadn't already booked our venue I think I would be swapping to a s&d wedding.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

still reading alond. We are still unpacking lol so I have not even started my Trip Report. Have you gotten pictures back from Randy yet. We are still waiting. Oh the waiting. Your ceremony looks beautiful.

Hi Joanne, love seeing all the details of your day & your reviews!
The flowers & cakes are beautiful.. pineapple & coconut cake? mmmmmm!


Emma x

Oh Joanne, your flowers were simply stunning. The colour of the roses you chose match so beautifully. You must have been over the moon with your cake as well. Looks fantastic in the picture and I love how you pulled it into your swan theme so well.

I'm really enjoying reading all your reviews. Honestly, if I hadn't already booked our venue I think I would be swapping to a s&d wedding.

Dearest James - Randy e-mailed us three TTD photos in response to a 'thank-you' e-mail I sent to him. We have had no more yet. I did tell him to take his time, however, as I didn't want him to rush through the editing. From looking at his facebook page, he has been insanely busy, bless him. I am really anxious to see our photos and have to keep reminding myself to be patient!!!

Emma sweetie - Thank you!!! The coconut and pineapple cake was heaven!! Kind of like an edible pina colada!!!!
It will be your turn soon to be reporting back on your big day. You are so close. You must be all excitement!!

Claire sweetie - Thank you so much!!! I was over the moon with everything at the S/D but I am sure your day at Foltons will be stunning!!! How is the bouquet coming along?

 

[bunny_pop]

Thank you all so much!! I am glad I still have some friends willing to read along!!

Cake - Heather at It'sTastyToo

http://www.tastytoo.com/raine32817/Welcome.html

This photo doesn't really do our cake justice at all, but it gives you some idea!! I am sure Randy will provide us with a better one!!

I loved our cake!! Heather was fantastic to work with and was very patient when I changed my mind numerous times!!! The one thing I wanted from the outset, however was the swan topper. I saw apicture of it on the internet and knew it would be perfect for our cake. Not only was our ceremony at the Swan, but swans are birds which mate for life, so I thought it was very appropriate!!
I sent Heather the picture and she reproduced the topper in fondant perfectly.
The cake was delicious and very moreish!! It kept fresh for many days and we were able to enjoy it for some time after the big day. The top tier was coconut cake with pineapple filling and the bottom tier was carrot cake with cream cheese filling. Both wer absolutely yummy!!
Heather also made a birthday cake for my friend's daughter who had a birthday during our trip. It was chocolate cake with boston cream filling and was eaqually lushious!!
Heather is very talented, good to work with and her prices are very reasonable!!

I have been lurking around but I wanted to say your cake is just amazing! I saw a preview of your cake on Facebook a while ago and was hoping it was a bride on here! Absolutely beautiful! I'm glad you had an awesome experience w/them! Heather did my wedding cake as well!!! YAY for another happy bride!!!

 

[Jilian]

Wow, the swans are beautiful. I thought it was a topper you had purchased, I can't believe she made them by hand! Did you eat your cake right after the ceremony (before going to dinner)? I'm torn on whether or not to do a cake to eat after the ceremony but before dinner.

 

[belle2211]

Thank you all so much!! I am glad I still have some friends willing to read along!!

Cake - Heather at It'sTastyToo

[

I just started listening to DFTW podcasts and was working my way backwards and I heard yours and that you were using ItsTastyToo. I had been looking for a grooms cake, and when I heard you were using them, I contacted them, had a cake tasting, saw their pictures and fell in love! We'll be using them for our grooms cake at the rehearsal and after seeing your picture of your cake, am even more glad that I heard of them from you! So thank you!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

I have been lurking around but I wanted to say your cake is just amazing! I saw a preview of your cake on Facebook a while ago and was hoping it was a bride on here! Absolutely beautiful! I'm glad you had an awesome experience w/them! Heather did my wedding cake as well!!! YAY for another happy bride!!!

Wow, the swans are beautiful. I thought it was a topper you had purchased, I can't believe she made them by hand! Did you eat your cake right after the ceremony (before going to dinner)? I'm torn on whether or not to do a cake to eat after the ceremony but before dinner.

I just started listening to DFTW podcasts and was working my way backwards and I heard yours and that you were using ItsTastyToo. I had been looking for a grooms cake, and when I heard you were using them, I contacted them, had a cake tasting, saw their pictures and fell in love! We'll be using them for our grooms cake at the rehearsal and after seeing your picture of your cake, am even more glad that I heard of them from you! So thank you!

Bunnypop - Thank you so much!! Heather is amazing isn't she?

Jilian sweetie - We had both cake and champagne served at our ceremony location immediately after it. I am glad I did!! I really enjoyed having that half an hour mingling with guests and drinking champagne and eating cake. Our vendors joined in too and it was a great opportuinty to talk to them as well. I guess for a bigger event it may not work as well as it did for us, but for me it was one of my favourite parts of our day!! It was a littlle calm interlude before we were whisked off to the GF for more photos!!
I was worried that having cake at that time may spoil our appetite for dinner, but our dinner wasn't served until a good two hours later, so it wasn't a problem

Andrea - Thank you for your kind words!! I am astonished that people are still listening to that podcast!! I am sure Heather will do a fantastic job on your groom's cake!!

 

[brer rabbit 28]

Thank you for asking about my bouquet. You must be weddingd out by now! I have made the base of the bouquet from green orchids and I'm in the process of wiring the mountain of brooches. Hopefully I'll be done by Tuesday next week. I'll post pics then.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Claire sweetie - I am not weddinged out at all. I am still depressed about all my planning being over and have to live through my friends on here who are still enjoying their planning!!!
Can't wait to see the pictures!!

 

[Sccrmnky2005]

Love your cake!! I'm excited to see Randy's pic of everything, I'm sure everything was just magical for you and your family!!

 

[pinkfairy1684]

Claire sweetie - I am not weddinged out at all. I am still depressed about all my planning being over and have to live through my friends on here who are still enjoying their planning!!!
Can't wait to see the pictures!!

Joanne, I am so worried about the wedding being over...only because I LOVE planning it so much! hahaha

 

[ladyemz]

Hi Joanne.
I have enjoyed reading through your PJ today after listening to you on the Inside Disney Weddings podcast.
I recently got engaged on the Poly beach whilst watching Wishes and we both agree a WDW wedding will be perfect! However, like you, I am looking into Swan and Dolphin weddings to try an keep the costs down. Lots of research for me to do, so glad I found this site!
P.s. Love your logo!!!

 

[Chilly]

So pleased to hear that everything turned out just how you wanted.