Pinkcow's DCL Wedding 12/8/09..... 1 Year Later!

[pinkcow]

We get off the ferry and there was a bit of a hike to Atlantis. There was also no shortage of taxi drivers offering to take us the last bit of way! We check into our room, which I believe was in Coral Towers. It was a large, well appointed room. We get changed DH, myself, my two sisters, and my uncle get ready to rock Aquaventure! We asked the lady at the front desk about where to go, and there must have been some mistaken nomenclature because she told us Aquaventure was just outside the lobby doors. Not so much! We eventually found it, but it was an additional hike. The blisters were not feeling so good that day!

We get our wristbands, and immedeatly hit the lazy river. Now, this was no lazy river I've ever been in! First, it was about a mile long, complete with huge rapids, fog, tidal waves, and a tube escalator type thing!

Here's us on the lazy river-

Next up, tube rides! Yahoo!

Ok, so this is where the camera died!! Oh no! The best part!!! Get ready for it.... THE LEAP OF FAITH!!! Yes, this is the body slide that goes straight down through a frick'n shark tank!!

We all decide to go, but my littlest sis chickens out at the top. Which was ok, 'cause we were all kinda shaking! They made us take off any kind of jewlery, rings, necklaces, everything which added to the suspense. DH was first up, and well he appeared to survive! I got down, and my back does not even touch the slide for the first half of the ride!! Of course I screamed, and then in an instant it was over! But it was thrilling! DH and I got up and did it again!

Aquaventure was really not busy at all that day, and we walked onto almost every slide. It was SO much fun! Amazing! I would not hesitate at all to take another vacation to expirience Atlantis over again!

One word of advice, I got pretty beat up at Aquaventure, with banging against the concreate walls and scraping myself. I was very lucky I had a long dress, because I definitley had some battle wounds!

We walked back to the ferry, and again there was no shortage of people soliciting us for this or that.

That evening we had dinner at Parrot Cay, which was very good! It was semi-formal night!

After dinner we talked with some family members about the following day in regards to schedules, who needed to be where, what to expect, etc.


Up Next: The Big Day!

 

[pezaddict231]

great update! I love Atlantis! DF and I stayed there a few years ago when Aquaventure first opened. That rapids section is no joke and it is very rough. We almost killed a guy on it. There was one point where a huge wave formed and DF and I were in a double tub on top and we crashed down onto some poor guy. He was okay and it was really funny at the time but I can see how people could get beat up on that ride.

Can't wait to hear about the wedding day!

 

[Leanne1977]

Just managed to catch up. I'm so pleased that you were happy with your photos and the service that Imran provided, he does seem popular.

Fantastic pics once again. My excitement is building as we are getting closer to your magical day.

 

[pinkcow]

great update! I love Atlantis! DF and I stayed there a few years ago when Aquaventure first opened. That rapids section is no joke and it is very rough. We almost killed a guy on it. There was one point where a huge wave formed and DF and I were in a double tub on top and we crashed down onto some poor guy. He was okay and it was really funny at the time but I can see how people could get beat up on that ride.

Can't wait to hear about the wedding day!

Oh my gosh! I'm glad the guy was ok!! It was so much fun, I can't wait to do it again!

Just managed to catch up. I'm so pleased that you were happy with your photos and the service that Imran provided, he does seem popular.

Fantastic pics once again. My excitement is building as we are getting closer to your magical day.

Imran was great! You are going to have such a great time!

The big day is coming up shortly!

 

[pinkcow]

Wedding Day! Yay!

My alarm went off at 7:20; I got up, got dressed, and headed out the door. I had an 8:00 hair and makeup appointment with Valerie. On the first day of the cruise I sat down with her and we discussed what I wanted. I wanted a very soft wave to my hair and partially pulled back. I also wanted natural looking makeup with a slight pop.

When I arrived at the spa Valerie was ready to go. My hair was first. I brought a pin with sparkly green stones in it from home. I found it at Target, which was really surprising. Valerie pinned it in with the hair flower I had ordered. The hair flower was identical to the guy’s boutonnières. I had asked that the hair flower match my bouquet. From the get-go I knew I did not want a veil of any kind.

I had a menagerie of Smashbox cosmetics. I bought several kits, which seemed to be the most cost-effective route. Valerie used these with a couple of extras they had in the salon. My sister, god bless her, brought me a strawberry daiquiri, and some light breakfast foods! It was perfection! She had gone through all of the trouble of ordering the daiquiri the night before so one could be made at 8am!

Valerie did a fantastic job! I don’t think I’ve ever looked better!

I went back to my room with my sis, I believe it was sometime near 9:15. My other sis joined us, and helped me get into my dress. If you’ve been tuning in, you know I have two dresses. I had both with me, and let it be a “game day decision”. I went with the Casablanca gown, with the plan to put on the Waters at the Palo reception.

The boutonnières were in our room, so my sis ran them down to the lobby. My bouquet was also in the room, and it was beautiful!

Imran was right on time to pick me up at 9:45. We were ready to go, and all of a sudden something was poking me in the leg! Now this wasn’t my nerves, which is usually a pain! There was still an exposed pin where the crinoline was altered. We did an emergency extraction of said pin, and we were ready to go!


Meanwhile, DH had also left the room at about 8:00. He went and found his brother and Dad, and had breakfast. He then came back to the room, got ready and headed down to the main lobby to start meeting guests. Disney had asked that all guests be in the lobby at 9:20. DH asked that everyone be there at 9:00, knowing how late everyone can be. He was very surprised when all were accounted for at 9:00!

Here’s DH and everyone waiting in the lobby-

Here’s my sister telling Imran about the boutonnières (I think!)

The boutonnieres successfully being pinned on-

There was a special tram for our guests to be transported to the wedding location-

 

[pinkcow]

Back to my version of events, Imran took my sisters and I down to be escorted off the ship. Once past security, we jumped aboard the “Just Married” pargo. To this day I’m not sure why Disney calls them pargos. They are golf carts people! I remember the ride being a lot further than I imagined in my head! This is also where I started feeling the heat; it was 84 and kinda humid. I had on this huge multi-layer dress with lots of IMR’s! But in reality, I could not have asked for better weather.

We stop short of the area by the beach. Here I meet my Mom and Dad who will be walking me down the aisle. We took a couple of shots while everyone made their way to their seats.

Imran lined us up, and we were almost ready to go!

Soon enough Imran gave the cue-

 

[pinkcow]

Here’s some pro pics-

 

[PrincessShea]

Wow. The weather looked absolutely perfect. You could not have asked for a more crystal blue sky. Everything (your hairpiece, bouquet, DHs outfit) looks so tropical. I love it.

 

[29apr00]

OMG the day looks perfect!!! We'd have been rained out of CC too....glad i decided to save the $1000 a few months ago. i'm bummed our weather was so crappy.

 

[pezaddict231]

You looked beautiful and what a perfect day! It truly looks like paradise!

 

[Goldeelox9]

Oh it looks so great! Your pictures are wonderful!!!

 

[pinkcow]

Wow. The weather looked absolutely perfect. You could not have asked for a more crystal blue sky. Everything (your hairpiece, bouquet, DHs outfit) looks so tropical. I love it.

OMG the day looks perfect!!! We'd have been rained out of CC too....glad i decided to save the $1000 a few months ago. i'm bummed our weather was so crappy.

You looked beautiful and what a perfect day! It truly looks like paradise!

Oh it looks so great! Your pictures are wonderful!!!

Thank you!!!!!!!!!! It was really the most amazing day ever! I'm so glad we choose Castaway Cay! For us, it was absolutely perfect!


Let's get on with the show, shall we?

 

[pinkcow]

Here are some of the formal photos-

At this point Imran had us on the “Just Married Mobile” (JMM)-

But we had some paparazzi!

Our guests had another special tram to take them back to the ship-

We left on the JMM with Goran our photographer. We had so many “Congratulations!” waves and smiles as we went across the island. Thank you if you are out there! It made our day that much more special!

 

[pinkcow]

Here’s some shots we took with Goran-

 

[Leanne1977]

Oh wow! Everything looks perfect.

I love your hair and makeup. How was Valerie to work with, she looks a little scary.

I love your dress, good choice. Your photos are fabulous!!

What a perfect day you had.

 

[pinkcow]

Oh wow! Everything looks perfect.

I love your hair and makeup. How was Valerie to work with, she looks a little scary.

I love your dress, good choice. Your photos are fabulous!!

What a perfect day you had.

Thank you! It was soo perfect!

Valerie was actually very lovely, I couldn't say a bad thing about her!

 

[PrincessShea]

This picture is great! Can't wait to read more.

 

[pinkcow]

This picture is great! Can't wait to read more.

Thanks! It's coming.... Now!!

 

[pinkcow]

After taking pics, we head up to Palo. I make the decision not to change my dress. I felt I was in the Casablanca, so let the party continue! Imran offers us some water, and goodness did we need it!

A water break later, we make our grand entrance!

We choose not to do a first dance. Instead we go straight to cake cutting! Yum!

Our best man, DH’s bro, gives the most hilarious toast ever! I can’t even come close to doing it justice, so I’m letting it be.

It ended with, "Shannon, you are now half owner of a vintage 1982 Megatron!"

Here’s a couple extra pics-

At this point in time we started the photo scavenger hunt, but I’m going to leave that for another post. After our guests were given instructions, DH and I had some pictures taken throughout the ship.

 

[PrincessShea]

Thanks! It's coming.... Now!!

Again, everything looks so beautiful. Your pictures are great. And I must say, I love the pace of this TR It sure beats the ones that takes months!