So, ok, I must confess I was a little nervous. But maybe more excited than nervous actually. When we get downstairs, I see Tanis (actually, she sees me first and calls my name, because as an Escape bride, I did not get a planning session, so I had not met her yet and didnt even know what she looked like!) Randy I think also started calling my name so I would look over at him and he could start taking my (with MOH) pics.
The first thing I have to tell you
oh wait!! I TOTALLY forgot to put this in my last installment! When DF and I had returned from our MK and EPCOT shoots, Tanis called me on my cell. She mostly was calling to check in with me, I told her I actually was going to call her in a little bit, I didnt know how early I could call her. I told her the shoot went really well, except for my flowers were TOTALLY wrong. I told her what the bouquet looked like and what the issue was and also told her the woman who brought the flowers was not very nice or helpful at all and was actually kind of rude,
(I know I didnt say this earlier in my TR). She assured me she would take care of it and everything would be ok and not to worry and the bouquet would get fixed. To be honest with you, I was skeptical since the woman from the floral dept. seemed so insistent that they couldnt change it. But I trusted Tanis and besides I was really pleading with her to make sure they came out right.
Ok, so my niece and I walk over to Tanis. Im all excited to finally meet her and would have liked to have just sat and chatted with her for awhile, but of course couldnt do that! LOL. So, she hands me my bouquet and apologizes for the mix up that morning. Let me tell you, I almost broke down in tears right there! The bouquet was exactly what I wanted! I couldnt believe it! I thanked her over and over again and I was definitely getting all teary. She asked me for a hug.
I ended up finding out that immediately after Tanis talked to me that morning, she called Rosie who was my floral coordinator and told her what happened. So, Rosie did her magic and got it fixed and when I told Tanis (and later on Rosie) about how surprised I was about the attitude of the woman who brought me the original bouquet, they told me they had gotten prior complaints about the person and things were taken care of. Im not exactly sure what that meant. I figure that CM was either written up or let go to be honest with you. I mean, the entire DFTW dept is fantastic and this particular person should not be talking to a bride the morning of her wedding the way she did.
Secondly, having never really had my picture professionally taken before, I felt really weird for like the first minute or so of Randy calling my name
Lori, over here etc. with the lens sometimes like right in my face...it was funny. But I felt like a celebrity! It was actually kind of cool. I think it wasnt until then when I came downstairs with my niece and saw Tanis and Randy and Stan were there that I really started to feel special, like a real bride...
We take a bunch of pictures (which I have to tell you, there are some which I swear I dont remember AT ALL taking! Its really weird!)
Here's a pic of me showing my niece the hidden mickeys in her bouquet:
and then get into the Model A. It was very cool. (Well, actually it was hot as there of course was no AC in the car, but the car itself is amazingly cool-I mean, if you like vintage/antique cars, which I do and have since I was a little girl).
I couldn't stop smelling my flowers!!! LOL
We are escorted by a DFTW assistant walking in front of us all the way to Sea Breeze Point. This is one of the coolest parts of the day so far.
People started waving at us and I could hear parents telling their little kids Look! Theres a bride! and all these little kids were waving too. It was kind of a surreal experience for sure. Again, made me feel like a celebrity or something! LOL.
As our car passes by the BoardWalk Bakery and Im looking out the window, I hear my name being called out
Lori! Lori! I turn and look because I was thinking to myself, who is calling my name? Tanis? All of my family is at SBP
.
and you can totally tell by the look on my face in this picture the exact moment it clicks in my head that the person calling my name is
.Carrie! (Lurkyloo!)
This is kind of hard to explain, but it was almost cathartic when I saw her. All the stress and planning and everything that goes into planning a Disney Wedding, well, I felt because I did it really all by myself with my planner and my mom and family didnt really help or take too much interest, I had felt kind of alone at times
except for when on the DISbride board. And Carrie had really helped me out so much, just seeing her right then, it was like I felt this huge sense of relief. And also a feeling of great support. Its very hard to explain, but basically I was so incredibly happy to see her at that exact second. It was almost like she knew how much it would help to see her right then and there.
Carrie was with Jensey Root of Roots Photography and Jensey snapped a few pics that day of Sea Breeze Point, the car and later, our Dessert Party in Morocco. If you check out Carries Wedding Crasher TR, you can read her version of her stalking our wedding that day. Here's a pic of Carrie that Jensey took while they were "stalking" our wedding!
I just want to say
I am very lucky that Jensey is the sweetie that she is and took these pics!
Lots of love goes out from me and DH to Carrie and Jensey! (My version of a shout-out if you will)
So, Randy is also shooting away the whole time were driving down the BoardWalk. Finally we get to Sea Breeze Point! I knew that all eyes would be on the car as it came up to Sea Breeze Point and me as I got out. And I have to tell you, it felt weird. I dont like being the focus of attention really, I guess its a kind of stage-fright or somethingish. Tanis explains to me and MOH how to walk up the aisle and when to start walking (the aisle at Sea Breeze Point comes up from the side. Brides can walk straight up the middle, but its a much shorter walk and if you want the full effect and suspense etc., most walk up the side.) So, Tanis tells DN just to walk normally and how to hold her bouquet and tells her when to go.
Then its my turn. Tanis fixes my train, asks me if Im ready, tells me to just walk normally and
..Im off! Tee hee.
With the Escape Wedding package, a violinist is included, so the songs I chose for MOH and I to walk up the aisle to were: for MOH: What a Wonderful World and for me: So This is Love.
I felt like I was walking way too fast, but I didnt want to walk too slowly either! LOL. So, heres me walking up the aisle (you can hum So This is Love to yourself now if you like)
The aisle kind of bends, so you dont see everyone looking at you at first, until youre almost to the end of the walkway, I tried to make eye contact with various members of my family, but I think I just was either staring blankly and smiling or looking down (but not too much).
I then looked up as I got to the beginning of the actual aisle right at DF. And I have to tell you from this moment on for the entire rest of the day, it was like all I could see was him. (Sorry, not to be overly mushy and whatnot, but really, it was like nothing else mattered the entire day.) I felt like it was just me and him. It was actually kind of weird now that I think about it, but in a good way of course.
I felt like I was glowing, I dont know if I looked that way on the outside, but I certainly felt like that on the inside
Next up: The Ceremony
So I was so pleased when I found your TR! Looking forward to reading more!
My niece has long hair and wanted it pinned up loosely on the sides and curly with loose, open curls. Shes like a size 0 and is 19 years old. She had never had her makeup done before and I think she was feeling a bit nervous or apprehensive about it, but I told her not to worry, Patricia was great and she is going to LOVE her! (This was at home before we left).
I think the natural look is MUCH nicer - both moms looked fabulous!
I am also excited to see your Jiko reception!
I don't even think it caught up with me at all during the trip, (like the next day or whatever) If I'm remembering correctly, I was only charged one travel fee for Patricia.
