Wishes 10/8/11 WP/GF-- Love's First Kiss-- Trip Report Complete

[One_Song]

We all climbed in

And we set off for the pavilion!

 

[BethieTink]

Michelle,

The carriage looks lovely. What a fabulous surprise (and memory) for Carley! And the photos are precious. I am glad that Disney didn't rush you through everything and that you still got all the time to take your portraits.

Looking forward to the ceremony.

 

[LittleKittyMarie]

That is the sweetest surprise, how magical it must have been for Carley! Your protraits are so lovely, and it's fantastic that they didn't try to rush you or put any pressure on you to hurry up. Can't wait to read more!

 

[mjshorses]

First off, I just want to say how breathtakingly beautiful you look! Your dress is absolutely gorgeous! What an amazing day!

Secondly, I teared up watching the reaction of Carley when she sees the carriage! What a precious memory she will have for the rest of her life!

I can't wait to hear more!!

 

[jshora]

Oh my gosh! I am so sorry it has taken me so long to get caught up with everything (okay, so I'm still not caught up with everything, I havent even gotten to my wedding day yet on my TR).

I LOVE your pictures! You look completely amazing!! Everything so far is sooo beautiful! I was thinking of you and wishing you the best on your wedding day! I'm sooo glad to hear and see that it went well (despite the late limo).

So, funny story... We get to the Grand Floridian on Friday morning for our pre-ceremony pictures. Right before we were supposed to head out to go to the WP, I looked around and said, "Where is the GF cafe? I wonder if Michelle is there yet? Would it be weird if I stalked her?". I was told that there wouldn't be enough time and my husband assured me that they probably wouldn't appreciate the disturbance at the GF cafe. I was totally thinking of you!

 

[DoomBuggy0922]

Okay Michelle, not gonna lie--- I totally just shed at tear because of the look on Carley's face. What a lovely memory for you both to have! (But, um, why didn't you ask ME to be your flower girl?!?!)

 

[One_Song]

That picture of your bridal party is awesome! I love it! Regina really did such a great job. You are absolutely stunning in every shot

Thank you, you're so sweet! I think that picture could be in a magazine, it's gorgeous!

Michelle,

The carriage looks lovely. What a fabulous surprise (and memory) for Carley! And the photos are precious. I am glad that Disney didn't rush you through everything and that you still got all the time to take your portraits.

Looking forward to the ceremony.

Thank you-- I can't wait to watch that part of our video! I bet it's even cooler on film.

That is the sweetest surprise, how magical it must have been for Carley! Your protraits are so lovely, and it's fantastic that they didn't try to rush you or put any pressure on you to hurry up. Can't wait to read more!

I know, sometimes I don't give Disney enough credit. They didn't hit all the right notes on our wedding day, but generally they were great. Thanks for reading!

First off, I just want to say how breathtakingly beautiful you look! Your dress is absolutely gorgeous! What an amazing day!

Secondly, I teared up watching the reaction of Carley when she sees the carriage! What a precious memory she will have for the rest of her life!

I can't wait to hear more!!

Thank you, I'm blushing! I love my dress. I hope Carley always remembers the day clearly

Oh my gosh! I am so sorry it has taken me so long to get caught up with everything (okay, so I'm still not caught up with everything, I havent even gotten to my wedding day yet on my TR).

I LOVE your pictures! You look completely amazing!! Everything so far is sooo beautiful! I was thinking of you and wishing you the best on your wedding day! I'm sooo glad to hear and see that it went well (despite the late limo).

So, funny story... We get to the Grand Floridian on Friday morning for our pre-ceremony pictures. Right before we were supposed to head out to go to the WP, I looked around and said, "Where is the GF cafe? I wonder if Michelle is there yet? Would it be weird if I stalked her?". I was told that there wouldn't be enough time and my husband assured me that they probably wouldn't appreciate the disturbance at the GF cafe. I was totally thinking of you!

Oh so cool! I kept an eye out for you when I walked through the lobby, but I guess we didn't quite overlap. Brandon told me I shouldn't approach you if I did see you, but I think both our hubbies were wrong! Haha! (And it's okay, it took me a long time to start my TR... work is always interfering with my hobbies!)

Okay Michelle, not gonna lie--- I totally just shed at tear because of the look on Carley's face. What a lovely memory for you both to have! (But, um, why didn't you ask ME to be your flower girl?!?!)

Thank you! I still get a little emotional when I look at those pictures. I don't think anything is as exciting as an elated child. It definitely made me more excited. And PS, didn't you get my PM about being in the wedding??

 

[One_Song]

The coach set off for the Wedding Pavilion.

It was still raining heavily. I’m sure it seems like riding in the rain would be awful. But actually, it was really romantic. The raindrops clung to the glass of the coach and sparkled in the light from the lamps. A cast member, who usually walks in front of the ponies, rode on the footstep and held an umbrella over the door. He was a really nice man named Bill; he told us all about the ponies and how the coach is cared for. With the sound of the rain in the background, the inside of the coach felt so cozy and intimate. I absolutely loved it.

To anyone who is on the fence about getting the coach, I would recommend it. It’s such a unique, magical experience. I truly felt like a princess riding in that coach.

All of my nerves from the afternoon melted away. I was just happy and excited. I couldn’t wait to get there. I will never forget that feeling: sitting with my two best friends and my sweet baby cousin huddled around me, knowing I’m about to marry my true love.

We arrived at Franck’s—the coach stopped under the overhang so we would stay dry. Meri and an assistant were there to meet us. They walked Erica, Jessica, and Carley over to the bride’s vestibule under umbrellas.

The coach footmen helped me out of the coach, making sure I didn’t step on my dress or veil. Meri then explained that they would keep me as covered as possible on the walk across the bridge, and I should just hold my veil and train up off the ground. I scooped all of my fabrics into my arms. One of the footmen found a rain poncho in the coach’s storage compartment. They helped me put it on and arranged it to cover as much of me as possible.

Meri and her assistant both grabbed a golf umbrella and stood on either side of me. I told them I was ready, then we hurried across the bridge. It was pretty successful; only my shoes were wet. They were, however, very wet.

Inside the bride’s vestibule, my family and bridesmaids were fluffing their hair and reapplying lipstick. One of my bridesmaids took my shoes and dried them with a hair dryer. In a few minutes, they were as good as new. I went to the bathroom, powdered my nose, and applied a little lip gloss.

I was ready.

 

[One_Song]

Inside the Wedding Pavilion, my poor guests had been waiting for quite a while. The plus side is it gave Brandon's aunt time to get some beautiful pictures. Our photographers took great pictures, of course, but these from B's aunt really show you what it looked like in person (no flash).

My cousins standing in as ushers

A little light coming in through the skylight

Our beautiful aisle

The lovely altar

And these two are from our photographers

 

[One_Song]

Meri came in the bride’s vestibule and announced that it was time to line up. Everyone gave me a quick hug and filed out. Before my mom and godmom left, I gave them the handkerchiefs that I had had embroidered. They both said:

“To my mother/godmother on my wedding day, Love Michelle” and the date on the bottom.

I had worried for a few weeks that, since I didn’t have an escort, the few minutes before my entrance would be frightening. However, I was surprisingly calm. I enjoyed listening to the music over the speakers, and I waited with happy anticipation.

 

[One_Song]

I'm going to mix in a few of Brandon's aunt's pictures here-- they don't show as much as our professional photos, but they show just how dreamy and romantic it felt inside the pavilion.

Our parents were all lined up

You can see my mom and godmom are both holding their hankies. My sister is on the side, ready to direct, and Brandon is back there peeping out of the groom's room. Feeling a bit nervous apparently!

Our parents walked in to an instrumental version of "One Hand, One Heart".

Brandon's dad walking in

Brandon's mom and her fiance

My godmom and my cousin (actually her nephew... sometimes when I say "cousin" it's not biologically true. But they are very much my family)

The bridal party got lined up

Mom walking in with my cousin (really, haha)

 

[One_Song]

Then Brandon and the bridal party

All of the boys waiting

Aunt's photo

The girls waiting

 

[One_Song]

The ladies walked in to "The Swan," from Carnival of the Animals, performed by Yo-Yo Ma. All of my ceremony songs were very light and dreamy.

My sister did a perfect job!

My cousin was left to manage the toddlers by himself... poor thing

By this time, Claire had lost her basket and Coby had lost his pillow (thank goodness the rings on it were fake!!) Claire also was not giving up her sassy!

The girls all lined up

Aunt's picture

 

[DoomBuggy0922]

I'm sorry I jus thave to say--- WHAT?!? YOUR SISTER FIGURED OUT HOW TO CUE MUSIC?!?!?!

Just being a little snarky...

Also, I love how you're building suspense!

 

[One_Song]

I'm sorry I jus thave to say--- WHAT?!? YOUR SISTER FIGURED OUT HOW TO CUE MUSIC?!?!?!

Just being a little snarky...

Also, I love how you're building suspense!

Haha, funny how intelligent people can figure perfectly simple things out... thanks Disney for getting out of our way!

 

[One_Song]

The children walked in to an excerpt of "Ave Maria"-- the one from Fantasia.

Coby came in first, sans pillow. His dad walked with him, but he probably could have gone alone. He was great.

Then the girls went in. Claire took a little persuading, but my sister urged her on.

At first Claire was just walking, but then she noticed how Carley was throwing petals.

But since she didn't have a basket, she picked up petals off the floor and threw them in the air!

This is from Carley and Coby's mom's camera

I just love the soft lighting (thanks rainy day!)

The kids took a seat

 

[One_Song]

The girls took a little bit longer than I expected (song wise), but our fantastic sound guy just looped their song with absolutely no pause. It sounded like one continuous song, really.

Meri came to get me from the bride's vestibule. We were waiting for a cue from her assistant that it was ok for me to come across to the pavilion. They make sure that the entrance doors are closed so that no one gets a glimpse of you. Well, one of the photographers opened the door to get those back shots of the flower girls. Meri instinctively shoved me away from the vestibule doors, and kind of hard! She apologized profusely, but I really thought it was pretty funny!

We got the all clear and headed over to the pavilion.

I was so excited. I felt like I had bubbles in my chest, in a good way. My music started playing. It was "Love's First Kiss" from Snow White (it's the version of "One Song" that plays at the conclusion of the movie). I had listened to it hundreds of times since the engagement, dreaming of what this moment would be like. I never could have imagined the joy I was feeling.

The song has a thirty second intro, then the vocals begin. I didn't want to enter until the vocals.

Meri and her assistant looked to me for a cue. I waited until just before the moment, then gave them a nod. They pulled the doors back.

 

[mebbradley]

If you stop posting for the night right here....I may cry.

Honestly, everything has looked amazing beyond belief. Can't wait to see more!

 

[DisneyShamrock]

Everything is so beautiful!! Those kids are just adorable. I can't wait to see more photos.

Side-note: did you have to pay extra for the sound guy? TIA!

 

[TabZ]

My heart is in my mouth, sitting in the kitchen at work having lunch trying not to cry my eyes out!

Can't wait for the rest

If my day is half as magical as yours is turning out then I will be truely lucky xx