Well, there is no other way to say that we were up early...and I mean early...I went for my usual early morning run at about 4:45am. There wasn't a soul around, just some of the deck crew. Neither one of us could sleep - and with that we were both worried that we would look tired in the wedding photos.
We had ordered room service for breakfast knowing that there was no way we could get the kids to eat and get back to the room in time. It was like ordering for a football team. There were 2 servers bringing the food. I love Disney.
Anyway...It was my task to shower/bathe and otherwise prepare the children for the wedding...This was no small task. The older children do a pretty good job in the shower, so thats where they ended up...The little one got a bath and thought that it was playtime...Does he not know that mommy and daddy are on a tight schedule? Ok kid knock it off there is a wedding happening here...Oh, so you don't know where my DW is? Well, she is at an early (0715) hair appointment in the spa. No, I didn't know they opended that early either...But yes, I was alone with the kids and she was preparing her hair.
Now where did I pack the Xanax (no I don't take it, just kidding). The kids were a definate challenge. Of course the usual rules apply...Stay off of the floor, don't get dirty and no you can't have fruit juice. Ya right, like they even have a clue about what I am talking about.
My ever forward thinking friends decided that I would probably need help...How right they were. The kids were dressed and ready to go, but daddy hadn't even taken a shower, shaved or anything. Someone get these kids out of here (and don't let them get dirty). The guests were instructed to meet in the lobby by guest services at 9:15. If anyone was late, oh well, too bad, so sad... Lucy took the kids and I was able to get dressed. My DW returned from the spa, looking great as usual. And no it wasn't bad luck to see her before the wedding, hell we are already married...
She put her dress on and I was stunned. She was an angel...I wanted to keep her to myself, but today I had to share with our guests and the other cruisers that would see her...
I went to deck 4 and met the rest of the guests and said, "so everyone surprised?" I think they were thrilled with the whole idea. And my mom was more worried about the cost...I had to laugh...If she only knew about the Cristal!!!
Rodrigo, our wedding coordinator led us to the gangway and pushed us all through. We loaded up onto the golf carts (what a way to travel to the beach). The 3 carts headed off to the wedding location...
Now, can you say PANIC MODE!!!!! There were some dark clouds hanging around and I could hear on the radio that they were predicting rain in 30 minutes...
My DW is going to die! Please dear God don't let it rain, not today...It can for the rest of the cruise, but not today. I think someone up there loved me that day, the clouds soon passed and the day was great.
We arrived at the location and believe me, we couldn't have picked a more WONDERful location...It was beautiful. We had some unexpected guests watching from their beach chairs and that was fun. They offered me a morning cocktail, I politely declined...
Rodrigo returned to the ship to get my bride...She arrived in a golf cart adorned with tropical flowers. Again, here was my angel...I think everyone was stunned...
The ceremony was simple, sweet and very well done...I can honestly tell you that I don't remember alot of it...I was too busy looking at my DW...the kids led the way by walking in first...The older kids basically sprinted down the isle...My youngest loved being the center of attention and walked all the way down to daddy. He was so cute...
The minister from the Bahamas was very nice and did a great job...Had a little trouble with the ethnic names, but was great anyway...After some photos of our merry group of teary eyed, surprised guests, they headed back to Palo for our reception.
We stayed behind for more photos...
We happend to bump into several friends along our photo journey...Including Mozart as we were headed down the "runway" for another location...And yes that was the photo you all saw earlier...It was too funny to see him and his wife on their bikes, practically waiting for us...
There were others we saw along the way...
It was like being in a parade...It was great fun and a blur at the same time...Everyone clapping and wishing us well...Truly a Fairytale Wedding.
Next stop...The reception....
- Let the party begin
