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

[One_Song]

wow awesome lounge area!!!!
I didnt even know we could do that!!!! if ya dont mind me askin...what they charge for that?

Thank you! I got the idea from a magazine and asked my planner about it. The best thing about Disney is they can do just about anything you dream up. We purchased a "furniture package", which included 3 sofas, 2 chairs, 3 tables, and 7 pillows, for $2,400.

I am loving your trip report...except you make me cry almost every entry!! You are doing such a terrific job sharing the emotion of the day, I feel like I'm right there with you!! So far, every element (even the rain!!) has been beautiful and perfect and feels very YOU. You both looked so beautiful and so happy...and I don't think I've ever seen the coach with the lights on when it wasn't really dark out...it was a perfect and romantic effect!!!

Can't wait to hear more about the reception...the room looks gorgeous, though with the uplighting and the tulle with the sparkly lights...Love the centerpieces and the cakes...WOW!!!

Thank you for taking all of us with you!!!

Brooke

Thank you so much! The wedding was really very us (mostly me, I admit-- I was lucky to have a groom that let me have my pink princess-y wedding). We were extremely happy on the wedding day, just smiling from ear to ear. I love writing this TR because it's just so fun to remember our day. Thank you for reading!

Absolutely breathtaking!

Thank you!!

EEEEEEEK (that's me squealing ) It is everything I imagined times 1000! And the wishing well I know you weren't sure if it was worth the money, but it absolutely set the tone and made your reception that much more fairytale like. The flowers, oh..and the cake...gorgeous! What happens to all of the flower arrangements after the wedding? I think I would be crying if I had to leave them there. When they pulled back the doors to show you the room, you must have just been so ecstatic and proud. Great job coordinating and seeing your vision through! Maybe more tonight????

Oh thank you! I am very glad we decided to get the wishing well. People were just blown away by it. Many guests asked us to take pictures with them by the well. It was just one of those magical things that no one expected. I can't swear to the truth in this, but my planner told me that leftover things from the wedding (like flowers and food) get donated to local charities and things. I hope that's true. I did keep my bouquet for several days; I actually cried on the day I left it (we were leaving for a cruise). Not very grown up, but I loved it so much!!

Ummmmm I want to LIVE in your reception. Seriously! It's SO pretty!!!!! You did such a fabulous job. Did you take the wishing well home with you? If you did, I won't tell.

I would have gladly lived in the reception! It was so amazing to see all my planning in real life. Haha, it's pretty funny to imagine me rolling the well down the hallway... I may not have stolen it, but you can bet your boots that I sang into it

Oh, Michelle! You had the perfect fairytale. You are so gorgeous and everything looked perfect. I teared up a couple times reading through wedding day and I can't wait to read the rest. Congrats and best wishes!

Thank you! It really was a fairytale. Every once in awhile, I look back wistfully and am a little blue that it's over, but it's worth having these wonderful memories. Thank you for reading!

Um that last picture makes me want to cry.

What was your song?

Our song was "Hold On" by Michael Buble. We heard it for the first time about a year before the wedding. We never really had an "our song" while we were dating-- a couple that we liked, but nothing especially significant. When we heard "Hold On", we both got very emotional. It really expresses how we feel about each other. The last line of the chorus is, "We are stronger here together than we could ever be alone, so hold on to me, don't you ever let me go." I get a little sappy just typing it

I love reading about your wedding so much! I have a little less than 5 months until mine and through all the stress, your report is keeping me going. Such a gorgeous and magical day (and you tell it so well!). I absolutely love your lounge area too! What a great idea! Were people really taking advantage of it?

I keep checking for more!

Thank you, that's so sweet! Oh, our guests LOVED the lounge. It was such a nice place to sit and chat and have a drink. It just felt more laid back than the dinner tables. I wish I had taken time to really enjoy it, but Brandon and I were always doing something. I know our guests used it constantly, though.

 

[One_Song]

Next, it was time for dinner. Two servers led Brandon and I through the stations and made our plate for us. Our buffet consisted of:

-Caesar salad station with romaine lettuce, Caesar dressing, parmesan & croutons
-Seasonal sliced fruit display
-Pasta action station with bowtie pasta, olive oil, garlic, diced sundried tomatoes, baby spinach & parmesan
-Carving station: three peppercorn rubbed beef tenderloin with caramelized red onions, horseradish cream & herb mayo
-Selection of assorted rolls and warm pretzel bread with Himalayan sea salt dusted butter
-Baked mahi mahi with olive, caper, panchetta & tomato relish
-Martini action station: yukon gold mashed potatoes with aged cheddar, sour cream, chive & bacon; "Grown up" macaroni and cheese with four cheese blend (with Mickey macaroni)
-Grilled baby carrots, baby zucchini & asparagus

They led us to our sweetheart table and got us some drinks. Our guests started making their plates as well.

After the long day, I was so glad to be eating. And oh my goodness, our dinner was DELICIOUS. I cannot possibly say enough good things about our chef and his team. They did an amazing job. We loved every single bite. The tenderloin was absolutely delicious (I always worry a bit about steak at weddings). Brandon loved the mahi mahi and he isn't even a seafood person. All of the ingredients were incredibly fresh. No wilty vegetables or bland fruits. If it was a restaurant, I would be thrilled to go back! My favorite thing was probably the mac & cheese station. Mac & cheese is always yummy, but the four cheese mix really made it exceptional!

Once we finished eating, we made the rounds to greet all of our guests individually. We gave lots of hugs and kisses, and everyone told us how much they had enjoyed the ceremony. We really, honestly were delighted to see everyone.

 

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While our guests were eating and Brandon and I were mingling, the children made a very important discovery.

The chairs in the lounge were SPINNING chairs!

(apparently it takes about 5 minutes for a toddler to catch on to this)

Claire found it first

Then Coby joined in

But Carley was the best at spinning the chair!

They spun themselves silly

Look at that elated face!!

 

[DoomBuggy0922]

That's about how I would look after discovering a spinning chair...

And your menu sounds delish! I'm hungry.

 

[iixheartxyouxox]

Just read your whole TR after seeing your post on the fb group and I have to say, what an amazing wedding so far! I love all the little details and your theme is really unique. I totally get the romantic feel from the lighting and the colors..can't wait to read more!

 

[luvs2cruise]

I have been reading your PJ but had not posted until now. I have to say, your wedding was simply amazing! So romantic and beautiful. You are a gifted writer and the emotion truly comes through. Congratulations!!! Wishing you a lifetime of happiness!!!

 

[lilsqueakrr]

Too cute! Love the chair shots!

And David and I don't have a song either. It's killing us to pick one. I'm in LOVE with one. But it sounds too much like a soundtrack for him. Wah. lol

 

[BethieTink]

Michelle,

I am running out of words to describe how amazingly fabulous your day was.

Love, love the lounge area. Great idea! The well was eye catching. Your food sounds amazing. And the photos are lovely.

Thank you for sharing all this with us.

 

[One_Song]

Next it was time for toasts. This is another time that I am so glad we decided to have videography. Originally, I was just going to have the ceremony package, then at the last minute I upgraded. I remember that the toasts were all great, but I can't remember specifics of what each person said. I can't wait to hear them again on the video.

The best man, Aaron, went first

Our toasting flutes are a Waterford set that my godmother gave me when I graduated from high school. I tried whenever I could to incorporate significant items into the wedding. It makes it more special, I think.

My MOH Erica was next.

Then it was my MOH Jessica's turn

She looks so cute with her tiny drink!

Both of my girls' toasts were very touching. I have such wonderful friends, I love them like sisters.

I love this next picture

 

[BethieTink]

Michelle,

The toasts look great.

I have a question for you. What linens did you use? They are beautiful.

Have a great weekend!

 

[One_Song]

Then it was Brandon's dad's turn

(I decided to have the toasts after dinner intentionally. We had 5 toasts total, and I thought it would be a lot for our guests to sit through with a hungry stomach. Since everyone was fed and had a drink or two, I don't think anyone minded the many toasts.)

I can remember here that DFIL was talking about how Brandon is his adventurous son. He was trying to name all the places Brandon has lived. Brandon has been all over-- he's lived in Columbus OH, DC, LA, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and he spent a semester in Oman. However, DFIL got a little stage fright, I think, and blanked after he said Ohio. There was a little pause and my MOH shouted "He's been to one place!" It was pretty funny.

(My poor curls were giving out a little)

DFIL continued on with his toast, when all of a sudden a phone alarm started going off. I was really annoyed until I realized it was MY phone. I have a nightly alarm to remind me to take my no-babies-now-thank-you pill. Well, I had forgotten to disable it, so there it was going BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP. It was in a clutch that my MOH was keeping for me. She was struggling to figure out how to disable it. I just waited, thinking it would be worse if I stood up during DFIL's toast.

I hung my head in shame

Thankfully, DFIL was not bothered and continued on like a champ! MOH got it turned off soon after.

 

[One_Song]

Then Brandon gave a groom's toast.

I remember Brandon started with "This is the first time that I will be speaking on behalf of Michelle and I as a married couple. Coincidentally, it is also the last." (Yes, I do talk quite a lot)

Everyone got a good laugh out of it (me included).

Then he called me out for my phone alarm!

He did a great job. I am especially excited to hear his speech again.

Then we gave hugs to our other toasters

I love that picture

 

[One_Song]

That's about how I would look after discovering a spinning chair...

And your menu sounds delish! I'm hungry.

Oh it was delicious! I always think of our Disney trips as a time for great food, and the wedding was no different! I wish I could have it again!

Just read your whole TR after seeing your post on the fb group and I have to say, what an amazing wedding so far! I love all the little details and your theme is really unique. I totally get the romantic feel from the lighting and the colors..can't wait to read more!

Thank you!! I really wanted that romantic, whimsical feel, and I'm so happy with how it turned out. It was absolutely a magical day!

I have been reading your PJ but had not posted until now. I have to say, your wedding was simply amazing! So romantic and beautiful. You are a gifted writer and the emotion truly comes through. Congratulations!!! Wishing you a lifetime of happiness!!!

Thank you so much! You are very kind. I love writing about the wedding, and it makes me so happy that others can sense our love for each other. Thank you.

Too cute! Love the chair shots!

And David and I don't have a song either. It's killing us to pick one. I'm in LOVE with one. But it sounds too much like a soundtrack for him. Wah. lol

I know what you mean. There were a few songs I loved that Brandon just didn't care for. When it clicks with both of you, you'll know. And it will feel more special because of that.

Michelle,

The toasts look great.

I have a question for you. What linens did you use? They are beautiful.

Have a great weekend!

Thank you! Our linens are listed in our BEO as cotton candy lamour linens with a pink organza overlay. We looked at a couple of different combinations at our PS, but this one looked the prettiest to me without being too girly.

 

[lilsqueakrr]

Gorgeous pictures. Gorgeous stories. Can't wait for the rest. <3

 

[One_Song]

After toasts, our photographers pulled us aside for some pictures by the well

I love my dress, but it did have a tendency to ride up. I wish someone had told me to pull it down, I don't like the pictures where my feet are so visible.

 

[One_Song]

 

[One_Song]

Then it was time for some dancing!

Some family friends taught Carley how to do the sprinkler

She had a great time!

 

[One_Song]

My sister told me that dancing at the reception was the most fun Claire had on their entire trip

Us girls trying to get Claire to dance with us

Everyone just having a fun time

 

[One_Song]

I'm finding it a bit harder to tell the story now, since this part of the reception was just a lot of dancing and mingling.

I do want to say that our DJ was not great. Two weeks before the wedding, he sent us a little email survey about what types of music we liked. We sent it back, with our favorites marked as classic rock, top 40, 50's oldies, and a bit of country. We added a comment that we didn't want a big, hyped-up reception style. More of a laid back dance party that flowed naturally. (We went to DH's cousin's wedding last spring, and their DJ was on the mic every 3 minutes. It was awful.) He replied that we had two options: he could play background music or he could "rock the dance party". Brandon dealt with him from then on. He was ok at the reception, but he tried to mix music we liked with music he thinks is good for weddings. The result was a weird blend of songs. Our guests thought it was good, but Brandon and I weren't really thrilled. At the end of the reception, the DJ asked me to give him a positive review on disboards, which I did not think was very professional.

Ok, more dancing. A slow dance set

 

[One_Song]

Brandon and I with Claire

I forgot earlier to tell the story behind that crystal in my hair. When I was little, I used to spend the afternoons with an elderly woman who was an old friend of my mother. My mom was starting her private practice and spent very long hours at work. My godmom kept me when she could, but she worked full time. Anyway, this woman was the closest thing I had to a grandmother (mine died before I was born). She picked me up from school, took me to dance class, helped with my homework, read me stories, etc. She was extremely close to me. Sadly, I lost her to cancer when I was 11. She died two days before Christmas. She left me a Christmas card with $40 in it. I've kept that card in my desk for over ten years; I couldn't bear to think of parting with the last thing she gave me. When I started to plan my wedding, I knew I wanted her to be with me somehow. After much thought, I used some of the money she left me to buy that hair crystal. It wasn't always visible, it just sparkled here and there. I felt like she was watching me. I know she would have loved Brandon.

Claire was tiring out, so my sister and BIL said goodbye for the night.