The Cast:
Me (Im not telling my age): Chief decision maker, planner and organiser extraordinaire
Darren (39): Mr. Grumpy, Marathon Man and Map Reader
Mollie (10): Jekyll & Hyde pre-teen and big girls blouse
Kirsty (4): Scaredy Cat and Drama Queen
Well the big day has finally arrived! The sun is shinning and were up and ready for breakfast before you know it. We head up to the food court and face the usual pandemonium although this morning were a bit later so its not quite so busy. Darren and I tuck in so no nerves here then, then again theres little that puts us off our food!
We head back to the room as I have a lady coming to do my hair and make-up for me. When she arrived Darren took the girls up to the games room so I could have my hair and face done in peace. My hair was longish and I had decided to have it put up so the hairdresser showed me some styles to choose from. My hair is very thick and very curly and usually quite difficult but this lady had it put up and styled in no time and by the time she had done my make up I barely recognised myself, very impressive. Darren and the girls also approved. Darren got himself and the girls ready whilst the lady finished off, I didnt buy them actual bridesmaids dresses instead I bought them a very pretty special occasion dress from Debenhams (which Kirsty could wear again to parties), they both looked beautiful, it was especially nice to see Mollie in a dress as it has been a rare occurrence since she decided at the age of 5 she would only wear trousers or shorts!!! shes always been a determined little whotsit! He then took the girls up to reception to wait for the car so I could get into my dress, which none of them have seen at this point, in peace! were having a limo there and back.
The hairdresser had commented on how calm I appeared and that she had never come across anyone quite so relaxed and I have to say that I was, I was totally relaxed and not in the least bit nervous. I think it had to do with the fact that I was having exactly the sort of wedding I had always wanted, there had been none of the usual fuss beforehand, who do we invite, who will we upset, who will sit where etc., etc., that was the great thing about having a party we could invite everyone and they could sit where they liked and with whom they liked, they could dance, they could drink and hopefully they would be merry but today was all about and just for us, it was going to be private, intimate and special so there was nothing to be nervous about.
Darren came back to get me once the car had arrived and this was when the bad news of the day happened, another one of those unfortunate incidences - it had started pouring with rain and we had no umbrella and they hadnt any at reception that they could let us borrow!!! arrrrggg! I had to hike my dress up and run for cover. Luckily, staying at the All Star Movies the buildings have covered walkways so we kept running from building to building till we got as near as we could to the reception area. By this time it was absolutely chucking it down and I knew no matter how fast I could run, which in heels that I could hardly walk in would not have been that fast! I would still be drenched by the time I made it but a little bit of magic happened, this very nice man came out of the building we were sheltering under and said in his wonderful American accent can I be of assistance, mam and proceeded to walk me under the shelter of his very huge umbrella to the reception area. Thank you nice man.
The car was amazing, it was huge and well stocked with all sorts of drinks, although no-one was to touch any till after as I was having no accidents! and a tv and the girls were very impressed, they loved it. Unfortunately I was too worried about the damn rain to actually enjoy anything about the car or the ride there! I just sat there thinking how the blasted weather was going to be the thing that would ruin my perfect day. I was praying, quite literally, the whole way there for the rain to please, please, please stop, the sun didnt have to shine, I wouldnt ask for everything, just please make the rain stop! My prayers were answered less than 5 minutes from the venue the rain eased up and by the time we pulled up at the mansion house it had stopped altogether.
The staff at Cyprus Grove were there to meet us. They gave me my bouquet and Darren his button hole. The flowers were lovely and just the perfect colour I had wanted. We were introduced to our photographer, the video guy and our minister. It was a lady minister called Doris and she was lovely. We then had some pictures taken of us arriving and getting out of the car, then we went into the house were Doris went through some quick details with us. Darren and the minister then went down to the gazebo. The girls and I were told when the music starts that was the cue for us to walk down to the gazebo. Walking towards the gazebo with my babies, one on either side, and Darren waiting expectantly, looking so smart and handsome in his summer suit, was a very special moment.
The ceremony then took place and it was really lovely, intimate and very personal. The rain had well and truly vanished and the sun was now beginning to make an appearance, almost as if we had approval from above! When it was finished the minister gave the girls some bubbles to blow, that was a nice little touch which they both loved. We then had some pictures taken with the girls and Doris and then she took the girls up to the house for a nice cool drink while we walked around the grounds having the pictures and video done. The sun was now well and truly shinning and the gardens looked wonderful. When we had finished with having the pictures taken we went back to the house were we had a glass of champagne and a toast with the girls, then we signed the wedding certificate, you dont need witnesses or anyone else to sign your certificate but the minister asked Mollie to sign it with us which was very nice and made her feel very special.
We then said our goodbyes and got back in the car. On the way back the driver took us for a ride around DTD so we could enjoy the car and finish off our bottle of champagne. Now that I had nothing to worry about I finally got to relax and enjoy the car, it really was fab.
We got back to our room and as we had just over an hour before we needed to make our way to this evenings celebrations Darren took the girls for a swim. I just sat in the room and relaxed for a little while, well didnt want to mess up the hair and make up, you know how it is.
We then got a cab to the Grand Floridian, now this is definitely my kind of hotel, I will make it my ambition to stay there at least once in this lifetime! We dropped the girls at the Mouseketeers club and made our way up to the V&A restaurant. Please dont ask me what we ate as I couldnt begin to tell you (thank goodness for those souvenir menus) but suffice it to say we had an absolutely fabulous meal accompanied with the wine pairing, we stuffed our faces silly and were just a little bit tipsy by the end. The only thing was I now couldnt breathe, my waistline had expanded dramatically and my dress was now killing me! We left the restaurant and after a good look around this magnificent hotel we went for a walk on the beach, we found this totally empty little spot, with some tables and chairs, where we sat and watched the EWP as it just happened to be passing as we sat down. I wish the girls had seen this they would have loved it. Sitting in that quiet little spot with no sound but the water lapping and nothing to look at but the stars, just the two of us, was truly romantic.
Just as we picked the girls up from the club the fireworks at the MK started up so we all stood and watched them before heading off to our cab home. What a wonderful finish that made to a truly magical day.
Annmarie
Me (Im not telling my age): Chief decision maker, planner and organiser extraordinaire
Darren (39): Mr. Grumpy, Marathon Man and Map Reader
Mollie (10): Jekyll & Hyde pre-teen and big girls blouse
Kirsty (4): Scaredy Cat and Drama Queen
Well the big day has finally arrived! The sun is shinning and were up and ready for breakfast before you know it. We head up to the food court and face the usual pandemonium although this morning were a bit later so its not quite so busy. Darren and I tuck in so no nerves here then, then again theres little that puts us off our food!
We head back to the room as I have a lady coming to do my hair and make-up for me. When she arrived Darren took the girls up to the games room so I could have my hair and face done in peace. My hair was longish and I had decided to have it put up so the hairdresser showed me some styles to choose from. My hair is very thick and very curly and usually quite difficult but this lady had it put up and styled in no time and by the time she had done my make up I barely recognised myself, very impressive. Darren and the girls also approved. Darren got himself and the girls ready whilst the lady finished off, I didnt buy them actual bridesmaids dresses instead I bought them a very pretty special occasion dress from Debenhams (which Kirsty could wear again to parties), they both looked beautiful, it was especially nice to see Mollie in a dress as it has been a rare occurrence since she decided at the age of 5 she would only wear trousers or shorts!!! shes always been a determined little whotsit! He then took the girls up to reception to wait for the car so I could get into my dress, which none of them have seen at this point, in peace! were having a limo there and back.
The hairdresser had commented on how calm I appeared and that she had never come across anyone quite so relaxed and I have to say that I was, I was totally relaxed and not in the least bit nervous. I think it had to do with the fact that I was having exactly the sort of wedding I had always wanted, there had been none of the usual fuss beforehand, who do we invite, who will we upset, who will sit where etc., etc., that was the great thing about having a party we could invite everyone and they could sit where they liked and with whom they liked, they could dance, they could drink and hopefully they would be merry but today was all about and just for us, it was going to be private, intimate and special so there was nothing to be nervous about.
Darren came back to get me once the car had arrived and this was when the bad news of the day happened, another one of those unfortunate incidences - it had started pouring with rain and we had no umbrella and they hadnt any at reception that they could let us borrow!!! arrrrggg! I had to hike my dress up and run for cover. Luckily, staying at the All Star Movies the buildings have covered walkways so we kept running from building to building till we got as near as we could to the reception area. By this time it was absolutely chucking it down and I knew no matter how fast I could run, which in heels that I could hardly walk in would not have been that fast! I would still be drenched by the time I made it but a little bit of magic happened, this very nice man came out of the building we were sheltering under and said in his wonderful American accent can I be of assistance, mam and proceeded to walk me under the shelter of his very huge umbrella to the reception area. Thank you nice man.
The car was amazing, it was huge and well stocked with all sorts of drinks, although no-one was to touch any till after as I was having no accidents! and a tv and the girls were very impressed, they loved it. Unfortunately I was too worried about the damn rain to actually enjoy anything about the car or the ride there! I just sat there thinking how the blasted weather was going to be the thing that would ruin my perfect day. I was praying, quite literally, the whole way there for the rain to please, please, please stop, the sun didnt have to shine, I wouldnt ask for everything, just please make the rain stop! My prayers were answered less than 5 minutes from the venue the rain eased up and by the time we pulled up at the mansion house it had stopped altogether.
The staff at Cyprus Grove were there to meet us. They gave me my bouquet and Darren his button hole. The flowers were lovely and just the perfect colour I had wanted. We were introduced to our photographer, the video guy and our minister. It was a lady minister called Doris and she was lovely. We then had some pictures taken of us arriving and getting out of the car, then we went into the house were Doris went through some quick details with us. Darren and the minister then went down to the gazebo. The girls and I were told when the music starts that was the cue for us to walk down to the gazebo. Walking towards the gazebo with my babies, one on either side, and Darren waiting expectantly, looking so smart and handsome in his summer suit, was a very special moment.
The ceremony then took place and it was really lovely, intimate and very personal. The rain had well and truly vanished and the sun was now beginning to make an appearance, almost as if we had approval from above! When it was finished the minister gave the girls some bubbles to blow, that was a nice little touch which they both loved. We then had some pictures taken with the girls and Doris and then she took the girls up to the house for a nice cool drink while we walked around the grounds having the pictures and video done. The sun was now well and truly shinning and the gardens looked wonderful. When we had finished with having the pictures taken we went back to the house were we had a glass of champagne and a toast with the girls, then we signed the wedding certificate, you dont need witnesses or anyone else to sign your certificate but the minister asked Mollie to sign it with us which was very nice and made her feel very special.
We then said our goodbyes and got back in the car. On the way back the driver took us for a ride around DTD so we could enjoy the car and finish off our bottle of champagne. Now that I had nothing to worry about I finally got to relax and enjoy the car, it really was fab.
We got back to our room and as we had just over an hour before we needed to make our way to this evenings celebrations Darren took the girls for a swim. I just sat in the room and relaxed for a little while, well didnt want to mess up the hair and make up, you know how it is.
We then got a cab to the Grand Floridian, now this is definitely my kind of hotel, I will make it my ambition to stay there at least once in this lifetime! We dropped the girls at the Mouseketeers club and made our way up to the V&A restaurant. Please dont ask me what we ate as I couldnt begin to tell you (thank goodness for those souvenir menus) but suffice it to say we had an absolutely fabulous meal accompanied with the wine pairing, we stuffed our faces silly and were just a little bit tipsy by the end. The only thing was I now couldnt breathe, my waistline had expanded dramatically and my dress was now killing me! We left the restaurant and after a good look around this magnificent hotel we went for a walk on the beach, we found this totally empty little spot, with some tables and chairs, where we sat and watched the EWP as it just happened to be passing as we sat down. I wish the girls had seen this they would have loved it. Sitting in that quiet little spot with no sound but the water lapping and nothing to look at but the stars, just the two of us, was truly romantic.
Just as we picked the girls up from the club the fireworks at the MK started up so we all stood and watched them before heading off to our cab home. What a wonderful finish that made to a truly magical day.
Annmarie
Hope you enjoyed it
Hoping to hear how the rest of your trip went!
