at the time of our engagement, we lived in Calif. -- DL was the obvious choice for us... REALLY wanted to be married in front of the castle, but that "started" at $11,000 -- almost 8 years ago!!!! So, we settled on the Rose Garden at DL (no longer there -- boo hoo!) -- but it was beautiful... We have pics with Mickey at our wedding as well as the Fairy Godmother and Crystal Coach... That was my favorite part... riding in on the Crystal Coach with the Fairy Godmother --- just like Cinderella... Now, my mom's friend - who used to be our next door neighbor when we were small, plays the part of the FG at DL... and I had requested her when I booked having the FG there... they said, "NO WAY! B/c you aren't supposed to know the "face" characters... it takes away from the Magic..." Well, I was devastated... but argued my case with conversations and letters stating such things as every time I think of the FG, I think of my mom's friend's face... she, to me, IS the quintessential FG... and if they were going to make me have someone else's face to look at, they might as well just give me Mighty Mouse too instead of Mickey! Well, yay! They decided that I know best what is magical for me, and the real FG (my mom's friend) rode in with me that special day to present me to my father -- who in turn presented me to my dh! We also had a butterfly release at the end of our vows (midday ceremony) -- and a great reception with an awesome Mickey -- great pics of my dh dancing w/Mickey -- and dh DOES NOT like to dance!
Funny thing is... even now, when I go to WDW and see the FG, or see pics or video of a live FG, she just doesn't seem like the "real" one b/c it's not my mom's friend! Wierd, how the magic works in reverse there!
Sorry for going on about me! It's your big day coming up -- so here's just another fun thing we did you might like to come up with your own variation... When the bridal party was presented at the reception, I walked in with one shoe off... they had it sitting on a pillow by the D.J. -- someone, I forget who, gave the pillow and shoe to my husband once we arrived in the center of the room -- I sat down on a chair and he knelt down and placed the shoe on my foot -- then we went right into our First Dance.... was going to be "So This is Love" but we switched it -- played "So This is Love" while bridal party was introduced and danced to "A Whole New World" for our First Dance -- that song just had more meaning to us personally...
Also played a version of "I'll be your Candle on the Water" during the candle lighting ceremony -- believe that's from "Bedknobs and Broomsticks"?
You are going to have a truly magical, most special day... I'm so excited for you! Congratulations!
