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

[lilsqueakrr]

GORGEOUS ceremony photos! <3

 

[mebbradley]

Sooo pretty! I love the vows.

 

[One_Song]

Michelle-I have been reading your journal for a few months now, but have never posted as I am not a bride, but I wanted to post tonight for a few reasons. Your wedding, from what I have seen so far, was absolutely beautiful and romantic. What a nice job you did with all of the little details (and the big!) and you created a day that you will treasure forever. I also wanted to post tonight because everyday I visit the boards, and the first thing I do is check and see if you have given us an update (I promise I'm not stalking you ) I have been married 13 years to a wonderful man who I can't believe I was blessed enough to find, much like you. Your writing about your special day has brought me back to those very same moments from our wedding, and I have even brought out our wedding album to show our daughter. Thank you for sharing with us! It has been a good time of reflection for me and I am thankful for that So, enough of my sappy talk! Ever since you mentioned having the wishing well at your wedding, I have waited, and even re-read, to see if you decided to have it. I know it was expensive, but now that I see your actual wedding, I am imagining how beautiful that would be. Just wondering! Anyways, thanks again, and it is very obvious how much you love one another.

Have a wonderful first Christmas as husband and wife I'll be anxiously waiting for more!

Traci, I am so glad you decided to comment. Believe me, there was a bride whose TR I used to check constantly. It was just so much fun to read. I am thrilled that you have enjoyed mine. I am so glad it brought back happy memories for you. Thirteen years together, that is just wonderful. I am very much looking forward to all of our years together. Thank you for reading. And as for the wishing well.... you haven't waited in vain

I really have to stop reading your updates at work!

I'm so moved by your story telling and your amazing day, and I might have to steal your ring vows, that is exactly what I want to say to my DF on our wedding day, I hope you don't mind!

Of course I don't mind! Share and share alike! Thank you!

GORGEOUS ceremony photos! <3

Thank you so much!

Sooo pretty! I love the vows.

Thank you! I spent a lot of time making sure they were just right. We ended up mixing lots of suggested ones together!

 

[One_Song]

Then Reverend Day gave some closing thoughts

“Michelle and Brandon, you have pledged your lives and souls to one another in our presence; therefore, by the authority vested in me by the State of Florida, I pronounce you husband and wife.

And may I offer this vow to you: ‘Entreat me not to leave you, or from walking beside you; for where you go, I shall go. Where you lodge, I shall lodge. Your friends shall be my friends. Your family shall be my family, and your God shall be my God.’

Brandon, you may now kiss your beautiful wife.”

 

[One_Song]

Reverend Day presented us as Brandon and Michelle Huffman

Our recessional song began. It was “A Wish Triumphant,” which is the finale of Wishes. It is the song that was playing when Brandon proposed to me. I love it; it has such a dramatic, magical feel to it. It really wrapped up how I felt in that moment. When you wish upon a star, your dreams come true.

Our bridal party followed

They both look so miserable! Which is especially funny, because these two pop up in the story of the reception...

Right as the song was ending, through a crescendo of trumpets, Reverend Day shouted “God bless you all and have a wonderful life!” I get chills when I see it on video.

After “A Wish Triumphant” ended, the exit song from Wishes played. This was Brandon’s idea. The song begins with a voiceover of Jiminy Cricket, who says:

“Thanks folks for making this little gathering of ours so extra magical, and from our family and friends to yours, may all your wishes come true. So long!”

Brandon thought it sounded like Jiminy Cricket was talking about the wedding, and he loved it. The timing worked out perfectly—the voiceover started just as our guests were standing up.

And the ceremony was over.

 

[DoomBuggy0922]

Oh Michelle, this was an amazing post. (Well, few posts.) I am in love with your first married kiss photo. (I hope you don't mind: I've showed my MOH some of your wedding pics and we've gushed over how lovely you are. I hope I don't sound like a creeper...)

And I love that your recessional is the ending to Wishes! I am more than slightly obsessed with Wishes.

 

[One_Song]

Brandon and I dashed into the bride’s vestibule (to share a few passionate smooches ) while our guests huddled under the shelter.

I forgot to mention before, we had a little refreshment table set outside the pavilion. We had coolers of cucumber water and pink lemonade. People really enjoyed them while they were waiting for a limo ride to the GF.

It will still nasty and wet outside

Meri came in the bride’s vestibule. She explained that, due to the weather, the staged exit wouldn’t work well. As an alternative, she suggested we get the guests over to the pre-reception, then have a “staged entrance” instead. It sounded great to us—we were not interesting in running through the rain while our guests got soaked! I’m glad we decided not to buy any toss petals or anything. They would have been wasted.

The limos started shuttling guests to the GF, and we headed back into the pavilion for photos.

 

[OregonMickeyLover]

Okay Michelle, now I really can't wait for the reception photos to begin!!! I am so excited to see the wishing well as well as the entire room. I know how important the music was to you, and the struggle you had getting Disney to let your sister do it, and so to have it workout so perfectly is such a blessing. Maybe Disney learned something in the process too I chuckled when you mentioned how miserable the two members of your bridal party looked, because I had noticed that your bridesmaid with the beautiful blonde hairstyle never seemed to be smiling in any of the pictures. Obviously we don't know them like you do, and she could be the life of the party, and now I am anxious for that story as well!

Wonderful post!!!

 

[One_Song]

Our families gathered back into the pavilion

Hugging my new brother

Brandon greeting both of his grandmothers

And Aaron behind him... what a mischievous smile!

The bridesmaids sat to have a drink while we took family pictures

My family was up first. Every extended family member present:

Then just my immediate family

That was it for my family. I stressed to Regina that I did not want to stand around for dozens of family pictures. I wanted them over quickly.

Brandon's family, however, was not so quick. They kept suggesting more photos, and Regina (I guess thinking we wanted them) did not refuse.

Brandon's maternal extended family members (his mom and dad don't get along, and won't take pictures together)

Then other combinations

Then paternal extended

Immediate

We also took a lot of pictures with just Brandon's grandmothers (one, the other, or both). I'm not going to bother posting them.

Ali got some gorgeous shots of the bridesmaids while they were waiting

 

[One_Song]

Then the bridal party was up

The little kids had been carted off, but when Carley's mom tried to take her, Carley said, "No mom! I'm part of the bridal party!" I just love her to pieces, she's so incredibly smart.

[Non-wedding side note: I was babysitting Carley once when she was about four. I put on Aristocats, which she had never seen. When Thomas O'Malley came onscreen, she listened for about a minute, then said "That's Baloo." I was floored. It took me years to figure that out!!]

Back to the wedding!

Regina told the bridal party to cheer. It was a little lackluster the first time...

The boys were slacking!

Take two!

Then just a quick one with my girls

And of course...

 

[One_Song]

Then we said goodbye to our families, who were heading to the pre-reception. The photographers were getting set up for pictures of just Brandon and me.

The sound tech, Will, stopped by to say how much he liked our music. He was so nice and helpful (he also still liked us after a miked Brandon went to the bathroom while Will was running a sound check… thank God it didn’t play in the pavilion!) Will asked if we had an extra copy of our CD that he could have. I told him I had several at home and please keep the copy he used in the ceremony.

Reverend Day stopped in also. After seeing that the photographers were still setting up, he asked if he could talk to us for a minute. First, he asked if we were happy with the ceremony. I told him that it was absolutely perfect, even better than I had hoped it would be. I’m sure from my expression he knew that I was being genuine. Then he paused a moment. What he said next I will remember for the rest of my life.

“I have done a lot of weddings and a lot of ceremonies in my life. When I look at the two of you, there is real love in your eyes. Keep it there.”

It took everything in me not to burst into tears. It almost felt like our ceremony became more meaningful, if that was possible. I consider his words a command. I am sure that no marriage is perfect, and I know relationships aren’t always easy. I plan to use his words as guidance for those tricky moments. Reverend Day really was a blessing for us.

 

[One_Song]

Then we were ready for pictures. My feet were hurting pretty badly at this point, but it felt so soothing and fulfilling to have some semi-alone time with Brandon.

 

[One_Song]

My absolute favorite of all the wedding pictures

 

[Dream426]

I just found your report. I loved reading you PTR and I am now enjoying your TR. Loved reading the part when you and your friends hung out at the bar. Reminds me of the night before my wedding where all of us went to the bar until like 2 in the morning, so not planned, but so much fun. It is great when you have such wonderful close friends like that to make your event/day that much more special. I love your pictures. What a beautiful ceremony. Your dress is gorgeous. Can't wait to read more.

 

[DoomBuggy0922]

Oh Michelle, the pictures just get better and better. Thank you for sharing these.

 

[lilsqueakrr]

Hun, you're pictures and story are absolutely heartwarming! I can't wait to see more!

You look like you belonged in that WP with your gown and such! ;D <3

Can't wait to see more of it all!

 

[belle2211]

Hi! I was just catching up on your PJ from Sunday, but I can't see any pics! It says that you're popular and the images exceed bandwidth with too many views

 

[Designer Rose]

Hi! I was just catching up on your PJ from Sunday, but I can't see any pics! It says that you're popular and the images exceed bandwidth with too many views

Same here!

 

[One_Song]

Hi! I was just catching up on your PJ from Sunday, but I can't see any pics! It says that you're popular and the images exceed bandwidth with too many views

Same here!

I'm sorry, I just got the email from photobucket that I am over my bandwidth limit so my pictures are down. Photobucket, you get a huge

I have alerted my tech team (DH) to the issue and he is positive he can fix it. Hopefully pictures will be view-able by tomorrow! I will get back to regular posting then!

 

[TabZ]

I have a tech team like that (DF) hehe I'm sure your DH will fix it xx