Kristen and Brian's Fairy Tale Wedding

[Kismetdreams]

17 March 2004

We arrived at WDW on Weds, around 2:30 in the afternoon. We had an appointment to meet with Rev. Day at 4:00 and we hadn't eaten yet for the day. We decided to run over and get our annual pass vouchers redeemed, since we would need them later to check into the hotel, so we walked from the Yacht Club over to Epcot and got our passes. Then on the way back to the Yacht Club, we decided to eat at Beaches and Cream. I was either really hungry, or the burger was really good!

After lunch, we walked over to the Wedding Gazebo, where we were meeting with Rev. Day. We were surprised to see Victoria, our EM, there as well. We thought she wouldn't be able to make it. We walked thru the ceremony with the both of them and then covered info she needed about family members names and then we were done.

We drove over to Coronado Springs to check in and when we got there, there was no real line, and the CM who helped us was great! His name was Andy and he let us pick where we wanted our room to be and appearently made a notation in our record that linked my mother's ressies to ours, since I double checked on thier ressie.

After we got all checked in, Brian wanted to go to Wolfgang Puck for dinner, so we went over to DTD and had dinner and hung out for the evening. Knowing how busy we have been the rest of the week, I wish we had gone to a Park instead, since we have had no park time this week, yet, and Puck just wasn't that great this time around!

We got back to our room prolly around midnight and I tried to ssleep, but was really restless. The A/C in the room makes some wierd noise and it kept waking me up ( I am a super light sleeper), but at least the bed is comfy!

We really liked the CS! The doors to the room are on the outside of the building, so it can be louder then say the Boardwalk, but you also don't have to walk 10 miles of hallways to get to your room and you can park semi-close to your room area. I haven't hit the pool yet, but it really looks cool!

 

[Kismetdreams]

18 March 2004

After a pretty restless night, I was up around 7:30...Tried and tried to sleep, but just couldn't manage. Brian slept until 9:00 or so and then we got up and ready. We had to be at the airport by 11:30 to pick up my cousin, who was flying in. The drive to the airport was ok, pretty slow going. I swear, in LA, the traffic actually lets up in midday and in the evening...Not in Florida! I keep saying, don't any of these people work?!

When we finally made it to the airport, her plane had just landed and she was walking thru the airport. The place must be huge, because it took her another 10 minutes to get down to us. Once we got Heather's bags, we drove back towards the world, but I needed to stop at a Character Warehouse, so we swung by and picked up some giant lollypops for the kids for at the reception, as well as a Guest of Honor pin ($1.99, reg $5.00) for my Gram Carmen (They didn't have any other family names but Gram's and mine).

We finally made it back to Disney ($10 in tolls along the way), and since Heather couldn't check in (she is sharing a room with my sister and my other cousin Brooke and the ressie was in my mom's name0, she dropped off her stuff in our room and we made plans to go to DTD to Rainforest Cafe and meet up with our best man and another friend who had flown out. They were in different hotels outside the world.

Now begins the nightmare...Nugz! Our best man...His realy name is Kris, but we all call him Nugz, don't really know why, just kinda happened. anyways...He gets lost...For 3 hours! At this point, my cousin has La Nouba tickets at 6:00 and she has to eat and go, and we are stuck waiting and waiting. Finally, around 4:00, Nugz and Dave show up and we finally get to eat, but at this point, my family is coming in at 6:00 and wants to have supper with us.

The logistics of moving around these big groups of people all the time is pretty tiring, and I really was not letting it stress me, but Brian was really frustrated by it and says he will never come down here with so many people again. I suggest you tell people where you will be and pretty much don't hold up for them, or else, you will throw off your schedule. Thankfully, we didn't have any pre-made plans, so I didn't stress too much, but waiting for everyone is a part of what kept us from having some park time. I will say by not having my heart set on anything, it really let me enjoy being with my family.

Once we finished snacks with Nugz and Dave, we took the bus back to CS and were walking around the lake to go find a bar to chill out at while we waited for my mom, stepdad and sister to get in. As we were walking in, they were at the counter to check-in. This is when we found out Andy had linked our ressies (ours was AP rate and thiers was wedding, so ordinarily, they never would have linked them) and gave them the two rooms next to ours! It's great to have them right there!

We all went to supper over at the Pepper Market and it was pretty good food, kinda standard for quick sit down food at Disney. Mom and Marlin were exhausted and the rest of us were really hiped up to see each other, so we made plans to get the whole wedding party, plus Dave, together at DTD and do PI. So, we all went back to the rooms and got ready, then took the bus to DTD. There were 9 of us total, Me, Brian, Torie (my sis and MOH), Brooke (cousin), Heather, Nugz, Dave (friend), Dave (Brian's brother), Paul (Brian's brother). We stayed until they kicked us out and then decided (stupidly) to go back to Dave's (brother) room. By the time I got back to my room, it was 5:00, and we had a 8:00 wake-up for tux fittings...OY!

We loved spending so much time with our wedding party, sionce they are mostly relatives, and really had a great time at PI, especially, since my sis and one cousin are 19. They could go into the clubs at PI and we all had fun dancing...I'm still sore!

 

[Kismetdreams]

19 March 2004

Brian's mom called at 7:30 (2 hours sleep!) and woke us up. I forgive her, but, I really had been looking forward to the extra 30 minutes! It had been decided the night before that we would hit the MK, but of course, the logistics and Nugz happened!

Nugz was an hour late for the tux fitting, so it set everyone else back an hour and we decided to have breakfast with my grandparents and my mom and stepdad before we went anywhere. So, long story short, by the time the girls could leave for the park, it was almost noon and I realized I still needed a few things from Wal-Mart. The girls went to the park, and Brian and I got great directions from the Valet (he was great, too!) and found it and were back, with all errands done by 2:30. We sat down and finished up the last of the foldiong, tearing and signing we had to do for the ceremony/reception paperwork and started to get ready for the rehearsal dinner.

Welp, the reahearsal dinner and wedding details will have to wait for after the shindig is over, as it is almost 10:00, and we have to shower, pack up and move out, to go to the Yacht Club to start getting ready. I'll post as soon as I get the chance!

 

[Kismetdreams]

19 March 2004

Our rehearsal dinner was hosted by Brian's mother and father at the Swan. Brian and I got all dressed up, put on our wedding ears and headed over to the Yacht Club to meet up with the families to walk over to the Swan. We had alot of fun walking over and hearing everyone yell congratulations to us!

Brian's mom arranged for a private room in the back of Palio's restaurant for the dinner. There wwas a cocktail hour, with some killer cheese and fresh fruit trays and I loved getting the chance to wander around and talk to everyone. Once everyone had arrived and had a drink, we started supper.

The restaurant made custom menus for us to order from. The salad was Red Oak Leaf salad with Black Olive Vinaigrette. There was a choice of entrees, Mahi Mahi on roasted red and yellow tomatoes with stuffed artichokes, Chicken breast stuffed with prosciutto and pramasean cheese, Ziti with sun-dried tomatoes and brocolini, or Linguine with shrmip, scallops and basil in a spicy red sauce. All of it was delicious! Then for dessert, there was Tiramisu.

We had a great dinner, with Brian's mom telling stories about thier family and everyone enjoying hanging out and talking. There is a violinist who travels around the restaurant and plays songs for people, so he came in and played Bella Notte for us and we got a few photos with him behind us.

After the rehearsal dinner was over, we wandered down to the boardalk to go see one of Brian's friends, ho came for the edding, but we hadn't seen yet. We ended up hanging out for just a few minutes and I told Brian I had to get back to the room and get some sleep, if he wanted a pretty bride the next day.

When we got back to our room, there was a bouquet of balloons and a signed photo of Pooh, Tigger, Piglet and Eeyore in a card signed by Pooh and Tigger! It was so cool! Andy arranged for them to leave it for us!

Up next, the wedding day!

 

[Kismetdreams]

20 March 2004

I woke up around 8, and was kind of nervous, so I decided to log in and start some recaps for you guys, since I had to kill time until we could check-out of CS and head over to the YC. Around 10, e finally started to pak up and move out, leaving all the wedding stuff in my sisters room and taking the luggage over to the YC, hoping that if we couldn't check in, then at least e could leave it with the bellmen.

We arrived over at the YC around 1100 and asked if we could check in. The girl working the desk must have been in training, because there was another woman standing there helping her out. I explained that e were getting married that afternoon and FTW was covering that night, and I had a second reservation for the following night with my AP rate. She looked the first night up and said, "You've been upgraded to a suite!" I was really excited, becuse we were expecting just a standard room with concierge (that's hat my SM told me), then we asked about the next day, would we check out and check back into the newroom and the supervisor started typing and said, "Nope...You will be staying in the same room!" And the room was already set for us to go move our stuff in right away! Disney Magic!

Once we got everything up to our room, we headed back over to CS to pick up the girls and all the wedding stuff. At this point, I was running a few minutes late and was a tiny bit stressed. Once we got everything packed, we headed over to the YC Convention Center. We were getting ready in the GH Salon IV, which I had no idea where it was. Once someone pointed me in the right direction, I walk thru the door and Lisa, from Disney Cosmo, and the woman from Carolyn Allen's were waiting. I had the girls move the stuff around and I sat down to get the hair and make-up done. Lisa was really really good. She asked how I wanted my hair and I told her half-up/half-down, with curls and she went with it. I think both my hair and make-up came out beautiful!

As we were getting ready, Brian ran out to the boardwalk and got M&Ms in light blue and light purple to go on out tables and brought them back to the girls. I have no idea what I would have done without my sister and cousins on my wedding day! They kept me from having to go crazy!

After I was all done with the hair and make-up, Torie, my sister and MOH, tried to get me to eat some fruit cup she had gone to get me, but I was getting nervous about the timing of the vendors, since I had made those arrangemnts. I wasn't nervous about the wedding or anything, just making sure I didn't screw up any timing.

Our photographer, Jeff, got there around 2 or so, a little early, and I felt bad making him and his wife wait on me, but we weren't dressed, yet. Once I was in the dress, from here on out refered to as "The Monstrosity" , we let in the photographer and just about the same time, the videographer, Carl, and Emily from Charming Events, also arrived. Ok...Now I could breathe...Everyone as there and we were all set.

Our floral was incredible! The bouquets were just what I had imagined and everything as exactly as I wanted it! Emily said she got a great deal on the hydrangeas, so she used twice as much as she had originally planned and they were beautiful! I would so recommend Emily to anyone! She did all our set-up at the reception and I can't think of a single thing that wasn't perfect!

So, we had floral, we had all the people, and I was dressed...Time to bring me my groom. At this point, the guys had all come down and had some photos taken together outised the room in the lobby area they have there. They let the groomsmen into the room, but were making Brian wait.

Jeff had me stand facing the door and he stood off to the side and Carl wwas off to the other side and we have both our reactions on video and photo of hen we first sa each other. It was wonderful! He looked so good! And the first words out of Brian's mouth was, "Whoa!"

Once we stopped kissing and hugging, we went out to the lobby area for photos, then walked along the outside from the convention center to the YC. It was so cool! We went and had photos taken in the lobby of the YC, on the stairwell and then went outside and had a few down on the walkays outside the YC. Pretty soon, it was time to get started...

Up next...The ceremony...

 

[Kismetdreams]

20 March 2004, 4 PM

The gazebo looked gorgeous all set up! We only had one floral piece the altar arrangement, and our unity candles, but it didn't need anything! There were florwers in bloom around the base of the gazebo and bushes that had red color surrounding the garden. Everyone was set up in chairs around the aisle and the whole place was lovely.

Victoria, our EM, lined everyone up at the beginning of the path to the gazebo and pretty much told everyone when to start walking. It was very exciting, and I got to see all my girls walk don and see everyone watching them. As I was standing there, my best friend, Andi and her children can waling along the grass from the side, they had gotten caught in traffic. She started talking to me, asking if I was nervous, and I said not at all and she started crying...It was so sweet!

The violinist started playing the Canon and Victoria told me I could start walking...It was cool, I felt kind like a movie star must when they wwalk down the red carpet. There were photographers and videographers and family and friends taking pictures...Lots of flashes! As I alked down, Brian came and met me halfway and walked the rest of the way with me. I am so glad we decided to see each other before the ceremony, I would have been too nervous to be able to remember details had we not. It allowed me to enjoy my time walking don the aisle and appreciate that so many people came to see us.

The ceremony was wonderful, Rev. Day is such a great man! I feel really blessed that he was there to do our ceremony! We had a very Catholic style ceremony and had my sister and one of Brian's brothers do readings for us. During the vows, Brian and I both laughed at the always listen part, it was funny and made everyone laugh. We did a rose presentation to the mothers and grandmothers and everyone started to cry. I loved our wedding! It was so us!

After the ceremony was over, we went thru and had photos taken of the immediate families and then let them go to have fun at the pre-reception and we continued to have photos of the wedding party everywhere, it was fabulous! I cannot wait to see them!

After the photos were over, Victoria shuffled us all over to Ariel's to get ready to go into the reception...

Next up...Let's Party!

 

[Kismetdreams]

20 March 2004, 5:30

Let the party begin!

Victoria lined us all up outside Ariel's gate, and put us in order for announcements, and our DJ, Sean McCabe (The BEST DJ I have ever had!), came out and talked to me and verfied what we were doing and what everyone's names were once more. We had already done it over the phone, but he wanted to make sure everything was perfect.

Once all that was done, he announced us and we walked in pair by pair. Brian's brother Dave carried in my little cousin Brynn (our flower girl), and she became so attached to him she didn't let go for ages! We walked right out to the dance floor area and started dancing our first dance, which is to Amazed by Lonestar. It was so nice. I got to talk to Brian and snuggle him! The volinist played along with Amazed...It was so cool! It really added something to the song to not only have the recorded version, but to have violin with it, too!

Once the dance was over, we went over to the table and sat down and they jumped right into the toasts. Nugz gave the first toast, which as very funny and sweet and then brian's brother Dave gave a second toast and led grace. After grace, my grandmother asked to speak. She and Brian's aunt Alexis got up and spoke about our thank you scrolls we had left on the places, that told of our charitable favor in my Gram's honor. She and Alexis were both crying and she absolutey loved it and I am so happy that we decided to do it!

Once all that was done, it was time to finally eat the food I had been dreaming about for the past 6 months. We had an appetizer/salad plate. In the center was a layered stack of grilled veggies and herbed goat cheese and around the outside was tomato and mozzarella clices. It was incredible! After I finished eating this, I got up and wandered around a bit, greeting everyone and looking at the room.

Emily had done a wonderful job decorating everything! She arranged our placecard/gift table with our unity candles (which we "pretend" lit at the ceremony because of the breeze), some lit votives, petals and mickeyfetti. This was in the entryway of Ariel's and across from it was our "guestbook", which was a drawing of Mickey and Minnie bride and groom with our names and wedding date written on it matted. Everyone signed the mat. We got the drawing in DTD at the Art of Disney store.

Our cake table was over in the far corner and had our cake with blue and lavendar Mickey icon stamps and our cake table was decorated with Mickeyfetti and our bouquets and our photos of our grandparents on thier wedding days. Emily had swagged the front with tulle and twinkle lights and some ivy and it looked great! Our sweetheart table was decorated in the same fashion ann they moved our untiy arrangement in to sit in front of us.

The entrees were served to "Be Our Guest". We served Beef tenderloin with garlic mashed potatoes and a red wine sauce that I would happily have licked off the plates if possible! The vegetarin meal was also fabulous! It was a gnocchi with a cream vodka sauce and an eggplant cheese lasagna. Brian DID lick the plate! I didn't try it, but was told the chicken as equally good.

Pretty much in an amongst all of this, I wouldn't really sit still, so I was up and visiting and enjoying being with everyone. Then, they brought out dessert! I am so glad we did this! The gasps from the slippers were perfect and then when they realized that castle drawing was chocolate, more gasps! It was wonderful!

Once supper was over, I decided that I couldn't stay in the slip under my dress for much longer, as it was rubbing my heels raw, so Torie went to the bathroom with me, and my MIL was already there and they helped me out of the slip...Ah....At this point, I also had no shoes on...Those came off the second we sat down for dinner! I figured at that rate, I'd be nekkid by the time it came to cut the cake!

We had the mother/son, father/daughter dance to "Wonderful World" and my dad and I enjoyed a really great dance together! Our DJ played the Electric Slide and the Cha-Cha Slide for me, as I had requested and taught people how to do the dance. We had asked him to be very interactive and get people dancing and come out and dance with us and such and he did a great job! We had fabulous music and not a single song someone wasn't dancing to. We even have video of Brian's uncle and cousin doing "Summer Nights" from Grease! It's going to be priceless!

After a lot of dancing, Mickey and Minnie time was getting closer and closer and then it came and went and then my mom came a found me and told me that Victoria said there was a "Costume Malfunction"! I'm still laughing over that one, because the first thing that popped into my head was Minnie missing half of her top!

Well, they got it fixed and they que up the DJ and out come M&M! And Minnie is in her PINK! dress! I can't tell you how happy I was about that! They came down and danced ith us and took photos and danced some more. They played "Livin' La Vida Mickey"! Everyone that was funny! After a while, it was time to cut the cake. As I walked around to the back of the cake, I looked down, and there were stamps of Mickey and Minnie and Donald hidden on the back of the cake, it as so cute! I took a piccie with my mom's camera, so once she mails them, I will post with the others.

We cut the cake, under M&M direction...I think they had done this before! Heehee! And after feeding each other nicely and neatly, Minnie reached over and wiped a bit of frosting I had missed...the photo is classic!

After some more dancing and a few last photos, M&M left and we continued to party! They served up slices of the cake and Brian and I asked Victoria for a slice of each layer, to try them...OMG! The best cake ever! The Almond with Amaretto mousse (Top Layer) is my absolute fave, but the other two layers were great too! Yellow with Bavarian creme and strawberriies (Bottom) and Chocolate with white chocolate mousse and raspberries (Middle).

Once we enjoyed our cake, we went to dance some more and when we came back, our FTW gift was laying on the table!

The rest of the party is kind of a blur of dancing and laughing and having so much fun! As the reception was winding down, Victoria came up and told us that the bartender, who had opened the bar 30 minutes early, was going to stay open to the end at no extra charge because he loved me. I had gone down earlier to thank him and tell him how much everyone was enjoying him. Finally, it as last dance time, and Sean (DJ) made an announcement. He said he had never had our final song selected as a last dance at a wedding before, but he loved the idea...We requested, "Stairway to Heaven", since that is what alays closes out the night at all my fave bars. We danced ith everyone and had a great time and he sent us off with "Come Monday" by Jimmy Buffett (Our fave singer) as "traveling music"

During the whole reception, there were people walking along outside of Ariel's and the doors are glass, so they could see inside and hear the music, so little kids were pointing and dancing and it as so cool! I loved having the reception there! I am so glad it was available!

As everyone was leaving, it was decided to carry over the party to Martha's Vineyard, next door. Emily came back to pack up her stuff and she gave me a package...It was ivy for me to transplant when I got home (hich is now planted outside hopefully growing roots), because she remembered me mentioning it 4 months ago in an e-mail that I wanted some ivy in something to transplant and keep forever.

We went next door to the bar and enjoyed hanging out for a little while, but I as pooped and needed to get out of the monstrosity!

 

[Kismetdreams]

When we got up to the room, I noticed a bottle of Fairy Tale Cuvee sitting in a bucket. I was thinking, aw...More Disney magic, FTW bought us another gift...Then I went over to the table and there was a little card laying in front of it. I open the card and see that the champagne wasn't from FTW...

It was from Sam and Paul! I started crying! The only time all night! I can't even say how much it meant to me that they sent it! *HUGS* to Sam for being my sounding board for the last 6 months!

The rest of the evening is censored...

 

[Kismetdreams]

The only things we could think of that were bad:

-When the bellhops moved our stuff from my ready room to our room at the YC, they trew away my bridal ear headband from DL. We had worn them to our rehearsal dinner and were thinking of wearing them for a photo or to at the reception and changed our minds, which is why they were at my room. When we got back to our room after the reception, they were gone and after much run around, it as determined they must have been thrown away and supposedly, they will be replacing them...I have to follow up on that one...

-They served everyone a slice of cake at thier place at the table and when the cake wasn't eaten right away, they came and took it and threw it away. I would have prefered that they cust the cake, serve slices on the plates and laided the plates back on the cake table to let people come and take as they like.

The things that were good...

-Our vendors: Charming Events, Golden Memories Video, New Beginnings Photo. They were all great! Our videographer was there, but no obtrusive and our photographer took wonderful photos, both posed and candid! Emily bent over backward to make sure I was happy and she did a fabulous job!

-Having the characters! Everyone LOVED them! They were the hit of the party!

-Having the dessert and the cake! (We got to take home a lot of cake! YUM!)

-The MK photo session! We had a great time with this! Our photographer, David, as great and he even took us to have photos in front of the Haunted Mansion, instead of the carousel.

-Had the whole thing at Disney! Though it as more expensive, I honestly can't think of a single thing that didn't go wonderfully!

 

[Kismetdreams]

Our doorbell just rang, and it was UPS...

Disney not only replaced (or found) my ears headband, they also sent a wedding beanie (which didn't fit my head, so we never bought one) and a Mickey and Minnie wedding frame, along with a card with a Mickey and Minnie signed photo. So, at this point, there really isn't anything I can think of tht I was unhappy with other then people not getting the chance to enjoy thier cake!

I love Disney Magic! and Pixie Dust!

 

[Kismetdreams]

Thought you all would love to see some photos, hopefully this will work.

There are two albums and I will be adding photos as they come in. For right now, we have the ones from our guest tables and from Brian and his mom's cameras.

Photos

More Photos

 

[Kismetdreams]

albums.proshots.com/disney/

McGee/Hickey BP

Passord: 032204

When we were on our way to the MK, I told our photographer, David, that we didn't really like the photos on the carousel and we wanted to know if we could have photos done at the Haunted Mansion, instead. He left those for last and I think they came out great, too! He said the only issue would have been that it isn't lit up for photography in the night/early morning, so we had to make sure the sun was up.

Hope you guys like them!

 

[tcfdick]

Kismetdreams,

Thank you for sharing your special day. I felt like I was there at your wedding! I also loved your pictures and your dress. You are beautiful and your groom is very handsome. I especially like the pictures in front of the castle. I think that's where everyone should get married (too bad I've been married for 26 years and my husband doesn't want to have another ceremony, boo hoo).

 

[RRBB]

OMG, what a fantastic fairytale. And you actually lived it. Thanks for sharing with us.

 

[deadheadbelle]

Thanks for all the details, [COLOR=CC00CC]Kismetdreams[/COLOR]! I especially love picture #9 in front of the castle. I think the pics in front of the Hauted Mansion were great! What a neat idea. You have the most beautiful smile & you are glowing in the pictures.

Again, Congratulations!!!

 

[llebrekniT]

OMG! What a dream come true wedding! I can't imagine anything better than your wedding. Sooooo jealous of you right now.

How neat was it to be at MK early in the morning while the park was empty and fresh and clean?

I am going to send you a PM.

Congratulations on your marriage and your survival skills! I know it must have been beautiful, but also quite stressful. I'm glad you made it through. Your photos are priceless.

I hope you are saving this report for your memoirs.
<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/11/11_1_110.gif' border=0></a>

 

[hmgolden]

Congratulations kismetdreams! I loved all your photos. You and your new hubby look so happy and in love! Best of luck to you as you begin your new life together!

 

[kadaten]

Congratulations, kismetdreams and Brian!! What a wonderful wedding.....thanks for sharing your fairy tale with us!!

 

[Laura]

Wow! Looks like a wonderful wedding! And thank you so much for sharing your pictures and all. I'm glad everything went so well, too!

 

[zurgswife]

Thanks for sharing...great pics