Jess & Ben's Wishes Wedding 11/18/14 Sea Breeze Point/Backstage Prop Shop

[EpicBilynn]

It's here, it's here, it's here! HAPPY WEDDING DAY, BEN AND JESS! Congratulations on your magical day!

 

[edeneye]

Thanks all! Right now I'm at the Boardwalk Inn, in an adjoining room to where Jess is. I stayed at Movies last night while Jess & her bridesmaids were here. Patricia LeJeune is here now, the Roots will arrive shortly & in 3 hours we'll be getting married!

Sorry for the lack of updates, WDW has been HECTIC! We're having the time of our lives, I'll update soon with some photos, just wanted to drop in & say I'm still here!

 

[Sleepybeauty]

CONGRATULATIONS say hi to Nate and Jensey, we hope to spend some time with them next year! I am so very excited for you both and anxiously await your updates!!! Happy wedding day!!!

 

[elphie101]

Yes!!! I love that you updated from your room. If you see this again, tell Nate & Jensey Kevin & I say hello!! I can't wait to see them blog about you guys!

 

[twinkybel81]

Happiest of wedding days to you and Jess!!!!

I'm looking at the clock and it's almost time!!!!!

 

[Gracefulskinny]

Happy Wedding Day!!!!!

 

[DisneyFirefly]

Happy wedding day!

 

[TiffinyKaye]

Oh Happy Wedding Day, Ben! I now you guys are done now, and probably settling into bed...but I am so happy for you. Thank you for letting us be a part of this part of your life.

I wish I didn't have so much going on simultaneously so that I could have been more interactive to the end. But HUGE congrats...I can't WAIT to see pictures, and I really hope you continue to hang out on the Disboards with everyone to share your wonderful insights and infectious personality.

HUGE congratulations to you both!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tiffiny

P.S. I was scrambling to catch up on your PJ and noticed that you got to see Danny Elfman while you were in LA. LUCKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Libby_Darling]

Oh nooooo I missed your wedding day!!! I hope you both had the most wonderful MAGICAL day and congratulations!! I can't wait to hear all about it!! xxxxxxx

 

[elphie101]

Just saw the preview photo on the Roots' Facebook - I LOVE IT!! You guys are pure happiness Hope you're enjoying the honeymoon and can't wait for them to blog so we can see some of your fabulous reception!

 

[EpicBilynn]

The photo on the Roots' FB is making me so anxious to see more! You guys looked amazing and Jess was stunning! Congratulations, newlyweds!

 

[Aschenputtel]

I totally agree with everything said above - you too look so happy! And Jess looks just breathtaking - hope you enjoy your honeymoon and don't forget us when you're back ;-)

 

[TiffinyKaye]

Agreed! I had to steal a look at work today at the Roots' Facebook page to see it. So adorable!!!! I hope your wedding was just fantabulous!

Tiffiny

 

[edeneye]

WELL! I'd say I'll keep this brief but I really want to get to everyone who was lovely enough to comment in the last two weeks when I've been kinda busy. So firstly, it's official. I'm now Mr Benjamin Paul. Wait.. I always was. Okay, but now I have a wife. I've been teasing her since the start of the trip, any time someone asks 'what surname' and she replies with hers I say 'not for lonnnnnng'.

One fun little note, Jess & I were staying at the Boardwalk Inn and on our last night there we got into dressing gowns and headed down to the quiet pool for a relax in the spa. On our way down the hall from our room we got recognised! "Are your names Jess & Ben?" I smiled, I knew what this must mean and I knew that Jess probably had little idea about the epic reach of the Dis. Sure enough, someone from the Dis had spotted us and recognised us from our pictures and was staying just down the hall. And if you're here - you must be - I'm sorry I didn't get your name! We're so bad at meeting people, everyone we come across in the US is so friendly and happy to talk to people and we're so unaccustomed to that we do little more than answer questions and then feel bad afterward!

But anyways, I should get to why we're all here. Yep, after much anticipation and in the company of close friends and in our favourite place in the world we finally did it. We went on the Wild Africa Trek.

And that was fun and all - I'll get to that later - but I guess I should mention the other thing we did about a week later. I'll fill in the gaps as I go through my 5,500 photos from the month away (yep, we're 'home' now) but I can at least tell you how the wedding went from my perspective.

I guess I'll start the night before. Jess was staying at the Boardwalk while I was at All-Star Movies for one more night. My groomsmen and I met up in EPCOT but it was absolutely pouring rain (and me without a poncho) so rather than go on Test Track as our fastpasses dictated - it was closed - we pretty much hid in the Japan pavilion's shop before squelching our way to the Boardwalk. The girls were off out to dinner at Benihana (Jess' favourite) and we had to finally have a dance practice before we all went our separate ways. I'll get a video up on youtube so I can share it soon but basically we all had a formation dance at the end of Jess & my first dance and we got through almost the entire trip without ever practicing it once! We were so busy! We weren't professional by any stretch but we decided that was the fun of it. The girls went off to dinner and, being a Monday night, the boys and I went to a sports bar. No nerves yet.

That night I also visited my good friend and her husband, she was the person attending whom I'd known the longest and I had a job for her, she was going to present the rings. Both she and her husband seemed really happy that I asked her to do that, even if they were slightly nervous about keeping them safe! They offered me advice, told me to try and take it all in because it'll go so fast and also something I'd never heard. They said you'll wish it away and want it over with but try not to, savour and enjoy it because it all happens too fast. I thought 'surely I wont be wishing it away'. Well sure enough when the next morning came and the nerves with it I just wanted the ceremony over with asap (Jess tells me she was the same).

Being a 2:30 ceremony we were afforded a quite leisurely morning. Well, the boys were. The girls had to be ready for hair and makeup by 8 which is reasonable compared to morning weddings but I think everyone would've loved a couple more hours after all the early mornings racing to the parks in the weeks before. I was told to come to the Boardwalk by 11, we had an adjoining room to Jess where we could get ready and be nice and close for photos and a quick visit from Patricia LeJeune to touch up my face and finish off my hair.

Naturally, being a wedding there had to be some sort of late drama. In our case it was the suits. They'd been away for steaming and alterations but our pockets and buttonholes were never unpicked! We didn't notice until it was time to get our pocket squares and boutonnieres in so we could go start our portraits. Fortunately our amazing wedding consultant had an unpicker with her so while it probably put us about 20 minutes behind and severely shortened both sides of the bridal party's pictures - we got there. Nate Root took us down to the Boardwalk for some photos before we were squirrelled away in the ESPN club so that our guests wouldn't see us and so we wouldn't see Jess. The other two boys sat and had sodas at the bar but I was too nervous. I was turning over the vows I'd written that morning in my pocket, hoping I could get through them without tears. I didn't sit, didn't drink, hardly spoke. Just wanted time to hurry up. Wanted the drizzle outside to stop (it did).

We were retrieved after 20mins or so and brought to Sea Breeze Point. I had our camera and a tripod with me which I set up and put on record so we could have something of a wedding video. Probably an unusual sight, a groom setting up the camera to record his own wedding, but we're unusual people doing an unusual thing. I had to guess at the angle and from looking at the video I guessed WRONG. Fortunately though, Nate Root the absolute ninja snuck past after the bridesmaids entered and moved the camera so it would capture everything. He never told me he did it but I know it was him.

The period where I was holding at Sea Breeze was weird. I've never experienced a wedding where the groom actually faces away until the last minute but I guess the location somewhat demands it or I'd spoil the surprise. Even before our own entrance, as soon as we got to Sea Breeze, Teresa Knox our officiant (who was awesome by the way) had me face out toward the water. I heard some people shuffling in, some murmurs and saw a very amused look on my groomsmen's faces. I said to them 'I bet I know what just happened'. The Dapper Dans had arrived. One of the boys asked me who they were and I said they're a barbershop quartet, they sing a lot of Disney tunes and other assorted classics. They replied with 'oh, so they're kinda like the Disney Wiggles'. Teresa and Pamela - our planner - thought this was very funny. I was impressed they knew who the Wiggles were but being Australian we forget how popular they are overseas.

The Dans introduced themselves and sang a song before everything started and then performed the introductions as well. First it was us, we followed Teresa to our positions to the tune of 'Mr Sandman' (all songs chosen by the Dans, we decided to leave it to them and surprise ourselves). Next, the bridesmaids. I was again facing the water, waiting for the tap on the shoulder. I wish I knew the name of the song The Dans sang for them, it's one they usually have in their sets about having a date on Main Street. With only two bridesmaids having to move little more than a handful of feet, the Dans remarked it was 'a very long song for a very short walk'.

Then Teresa took over. She asked everyone to please rise. I could hear the horn of the Model A and I knew that Jess was right there. The Dapper Dans began to sing 'A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes'. I thought how appropriate that was, we have a cushion at home which says exactly that. I was also getting really emotional. Dont cry, don't cry, don't cry. Teresa tapped me on the shoulder and I knew it was time to turn around and see my Bride. I was a little choked up but it didn't show, Jess was nervously laughing and it put me at ease as well. If it was a more solemn entrance it might've been really hard but Jess set the tone early that there would be lots of smiles and laughter.

The ceremony continued as such, either Pamela or Teresa later remarked to Jess how much fun it was, how they'd never been at a wedding with so much laughter. I stumbled through my vows, you can clearly see on the video the tears streaming down my face. There was a lot of laughter though, Jess & I were playful with each other and talking as if there was noone else around which made people laugh. She was looking at me funny when I put on her ring and as soon as I finished the ring vows I said 'what did I do wrong?' Everyone laughed and Teresa said 'that won't be the last time you say that'. Jess showed me that it was on upside-down. That's a microcosm of our ceremony right there. We fixed it, everyone enjoyed themselves and we were very, very us.

I couldn't have been happier with how the ceremony went in that respect. It was very light and fun and everyone had a good time. We had a sand ceremony, during which the Dans sang 'Bella Notte' which was beautiful because we love Lady & the Tramp. Jess and I were softly trying to push each other's sand containers out of the way so we could empty ours first and she teased me for spilling some. We were having lots of fun.

And that was pretty much that! There was little more to do than be announced as husband and wife and head off for our first 'exit' into the Model A which travelled maybe 20 feet down the Boardwalk, did a u-turn and came back. We got back out, did some photos with our guests, had our staged exit with the ribbon wands and got back into the car again which this time took us to the Boardwalk Bakery. We did some photos with our bridal party (which the Roots have already previewed in the blog) and then bid them goodbye as they joined everyone else on the bus to the Prop Shop.

Jess & I spent our portrait session on and around the Boardwalk. We stopped into Seashore Sweets because we'd seen a picture Jensey took that was taken there and we just loved that store as a backdrop. I bought some Goofy's sour worms (there is very likely photos of me using my magicband at the register) and we shared them for the rest of the shoot. Neither of us had eaten much that day so the sugar boost was much appreciated! Finally, we were ushered into the Model A one more time and brought across to the Prop Shop in it. We talked in the car about how well all the locations turned out. We had only completely guessed at the areas we wanted to stay, have our reception and our ceremony but it turned out they were all in such close proximity. It was fun driving out in that car, with the 'Just Married' sign on the side. People were calling out their congratulations to us and we checked the time and marvelled at how it was already almost 5pm.

When we got to the Prop Shop we saw the Dans waiting outside. We were hoping to get a picture with them but because we were backstage there is strictly no photography allowed! We talked to them briefly about how awesome they were and Pamela asked if we wanted to come in and watch their set. We decided it would take away from our entrance later so they set up a little table right near the door where we couldn't really be seen and brought us some appetisers while we listened to the Dans perform something closer to their normal routine for our guests (who had never seen it and were loving it). On their way out we spoke to them again, thanked them for being there and got a couple of quick pictures with them, this time we were allowed as we were now inside. I'm really looking forward to seeing those, they did the 'hat stack' on me which I'm told looked really funny.

Our bridal party were brought out to us and it was time to do the entrances. Again, lots of fun was had. Jess and my song began and we really, really milked it, entering even later than we'd planned to. Good thing though because we didn't get any time to practice our own dance so anything that would shorten it was fine by us. As I said, I'll put up a video one of our guests took of the dance so you can see what happened but we had a great time with it once everyone got involved. There's a picture on the Roots' blog of the end of our dance so you can see what I'm getting at.

And from there it's such a blur! Our buffet was served and Jess & I found that we'd filled up what little room our formal attire afforded us with our appetisers! We'd spent so long dreaming about our buffet and how amazing it was going to be and we were full before we started! I haven't really spoked to anyone specifically about how they liked it but at one point I leaned over and said to Jess 'people are going back for seconds - buffet: success'.

There were some speeches, lots of dancing, some Mickey Waffles and some mingling with guests. All that normal stuff! My own speech is again a bit of a blur, I never prepare speeches (I prefer to just wing it, rather than rehearse and sound/feel dishonest) but on a dare from Jess I did start off by doing a bit from the Simpsons. For any fans; I did Kodos' 'forward, not backward, upward, not forward' speech.

After dinner I was talking to one of our guests and I heard 'Mickey' by Toni Basil start (you know it). I knew what that meant, even though none of our guests did. Mickey and Minnie arrived! It also meant that it was already 7pm which I could not believe! Everyone had a great time dancing with the Mouses and then we did the cake cutting. Once that was finished, we had the DJ play 'happy birthday' because of course it was their birthday! Everyone sang to them and their minder said they were very happy with that, apparently they've never had that before. After a quick shuffle to 'Party Rock Anthem' (a favourite of Jess', again we have a video of this) we had some more party crashers. The 'Mickey Mouse Club' theme started and in came Donald and Goofy! Jess and I joined in with Donald in calling his name during the 'Mickey Mouuuuuuuuuuse' part - because we just love that Duck - and everyone had fun dancing with those two until around 8.

Time for another surprise for our guests, we were headed back on the bus again. They drove us over to Tower of Terror via the backstage route to Rock 'n' Rollercoaster and those who were brave enough to cross into the Twilight Zone did just that.

After that we were allowed to take some photos around the ToT, much to the Roots' delight (Nate mentioned feeling like a kid in a candy shop when the guide told him he could take photos around the hotel area - just not of the ride itself). We didn't expect we'd be so lucky as to have the time and help we got in that period as we hurried around the queue areas with the Roots, getting a quick portrait session in mid-reception.

After this, we rejoined our guests on the minibus and headed back to the Prop Shop for the final bit of dancing and cake. It all went by SO QUICKLY. You always hear that, it's such a cliche and it's so true. Absolute blur. Everyone got back on the bus one more time, including us, and we headed back to our resorts. I kinda wish I could've rode it the whole way with everyone because apparently they were singing and carrying on all the way back to All-Star Movies but Jess & I got off at the Boardwalk. We lay down for a little while, then got changed and had a walk back down to Sea Breeze Point, at this point it was almost midnight and there was noone else around. We just soaked it all in for a quiet moment before heading back to our room. It all went by so very very fast.

What a great PJ, found this yesterday and spent lots of time reading...finally caught up...can't wait for the rest......congrats...

And what great timing! I'm glad you got to join in before the date, I wish I'd been around more to update though!

I wonder what it is about you internationals and your love of Ranch dressing. My British relatives love it as well.

haha Americans just do Ranch right! We brought home about 6 bottles of it! Over here it's more of a thinner consistency, very much a dressing and not at all a sauce. We never use it as a dressing though, it's practically a dip to us! We love it!

Happy Wedding Day!! Wishing you and Jess the most magical day!

Thanks! We really did have such a magical day. Having a big group with you and such an undertaking can be a little stressful but DFTW does an amazing job of making sure that the wedding day runs like clockwork and we really got to enjoy it.

Yay it's your wedding day!! Congrats! Hope it is completely magical and amazing

It sure was! Jess has been joking that she wishes she was a guest at our wedding so she could have enjoyed it more from their perspective!

HAPPY WEDDING DAY!!! I wish all the best for you and Jess and hope you have the most magical of days!!

Thanks! As you're no doubt aware, there's so much that goes into a trip like this and while so much didn't go to plan throughout the trip that one day was as close to perfect as we could've hoped.

It's finally here your WEDDING DAY!!!!! Congratulations I hope you guys have the best day I have loved following your pj and cant wait to hear all about your big day!

It's been so nice having you along for the ride! Now that I've seen it all first-hand, I'm so excited for you as yours continues to approach. It really was the best day, there isn't one thing I'd change (well, maybe the weather - it was REALLY COLD!).

It's here, it's here, it's here! HAPPY WEDDING DAY, BEN AND JESS! Congratulations on your magical day!

Thanks! It came around so quickly it was so surreal to experience. All that planning over so many many months. All the emails and phone calls and google image searches and podcasts and blogs and forums all came down to that one day and it was so strange to have it finally arrive when it always seemed so far off in the future.

CONGRATULATIONS say hi to Nate and Jensey, we hope to spend some time with them next year! I am so very excited for you both and anxiously await your updates!!! Happy wedding day!!!

They're so amazing! I hope you do get to spend time with them, everyone just adores them. When Teresa arrived for our rehearsal she asked who our photographers were and Pamela excitedly jumped in with 'the Roots!' and Teresa just said 'oohhhhhh I love theeemmmmmmmm'. They're honestly the best photographers I've ever seen and just awesome to work with. All day I barely even noticed they were there and what we've seen already came out exactly how we'd hoped.

Yes!!! I love that you updated from your room. If you see this again, tell Nate & Jensey Kevin & I say hello!! I can't wait to see them blog about you guys!

Oh I wish I had seen it! I definitely would have and they surely would've remembered you guys, I could tell from the blog and the facebook, twitter and instagram posts how much they enjoyed your wedding! It's so exciting being part of their blog now, I've read every single post on there and now getting to be in one ourselves is just awesome. Jensey wrote such lovely things too, it's so personal and warm. They are so, so good.

Happiest of wedding days to you and Jess!!!!

I'm looking at the clock and it's almost time!!!!!

haha You were counting down along with us! When we got home the other day I noticed my timer that I've posted a couple of times had ticked down to all zeroes, it was funny to see it that way because for about a year it was always ticking ticking down from such a high number. Now I don't know what I'm gonna do with it! We need to plan another Disney trip so I can put those numbers in there!

Happy Wedding Day!!!!!

Thanks! It was so exciting once all the dust had settled to come back on here and see all the well wishes from the day, it's really special having people following along like this.

Happy wedding day!

Thanks! I've had friends and family who've said they are so glad their's is all done with and they don't have to go through it all again but we really had such an amazing time I'd do it again any day!

Oh Happy Wedding Day, Ben! I now you guys are done now, and probably settling into bed...but I am so happy for you. Thank you for letting us be a part of this part of your life.

I wish I didn't have so much going on simultaneously so that I could have been more interactive to the end. But HUGE congrats...I can't WAIT to see pictures, and I really hope you continue to hang out on the Disboards with everyone to share your wonderful insights and infectious personality.

HUGE congratulations to you both!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tiffiny

P.S. I was scrambling to catch up on your PJ and noticed that you got to see Danny Elfman while you were in LA. LUCKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you so much for your kind words! It's been great having you follow along and I wish I'd been able to hang around more toward the end too but it was so busy at Disney and I know you've got a LOT of stuff keeping you busy right now! Oh & Danny Elfman was so good, we were really lucky we got to be in the right place at the right time for that. It was our first time going to an event like that in LA too so we got to see the Staples Center and Nokia Theatre and that whole district and I'd love to go back next time.

Oh nooooo I missed your wedding day!!! I hope you both had the most wonderful MAGICAL day and congratulations!! I can't wait to hear all about it!! xxxxxxx

haha That's okay! The timezones are that confusing you might've still caught it anyway, I can never figure it out! We were up pretty late anyways walking around the Boardwalk, possibly giving ourselves pneumonia in the really unseasonably cold weather the entire country was experiencing at the time. I'll get back and update on the rest of the trip as I get time but it was all really the time of our lives and it is now SO HARD adjusting back into real life again.

Just saw the preview photo on the Roots' Facebook - I LOVE IT!! You guys are pure happiness Hope you're enjoying the honeymoon and can't wait for them to blog so we can see some of your fabulous reception!

YES! We were so excited! And also so confused. We'd just got off the Disney Cruise when they posted that. Neither I nor my phone knew what day it was, the tags didn't work properly either so funnily enough the way I found out was when I got a notification saying that'd you'd commented on a photo I was tagged in - so thank you for bringing it to my attention! My phone said it had been posted 4 days ago which seemed awfully fast even by their standards but fortunately we had about 8 hours to sit at Orlando airport and make sense of it all.

The photo on the Roots' FB is making me so anxious to see more! You guys looked amazing and Jess was stunning! Congratulations, newlyweds!

Thanks so much! We were about to embark on our trip home and we were already entering the post-Disney depression so it was awesome timing to have them post that and give us something so good to get us through a very very long day of travel.

I totally agree with everything said above - you too look so happy! And Jess looks just breathtaking - hope you enjoy your honeymoon and don't forget us when you're back ;-)

Thanks! I definitely won't forget you all, I've really enjoyed doing this and it's only because of people like you following along so enthusiastically. That photo was a very 'us' moment, that was just after we were announced as husband and wife. Jess raised her hand up in the air like that, like I've seen her do so many times, and I followed along as I do. I'm so glad the Roots caught it and it was nice to see that so soon after.

Agreed! I had to steal a look at work today at the Roots' Facebook page to see it. So adorable!!!! I hope your wedding was just fantabulous!

Thanks! I don't know when we'll be on there next but I'm so looking forward to seeing more. Jensey posted a message on my wall a couple of days ago that just said 'OMG TIMTAMS <3' so I knew they must've been thinking of us and sure enough the next morning some photos went up.

Oh & I'm pretty sure I remember you asking earlier on about what warmer clothes they have at Disney this time of year. I love long sleeves and was looking for more the whole trip and I had you in mind when I was scouting all the stores in the (Walt Disney) World. Mouse Gear in EPCOT had such an awesome winter range, easily the best on-site. I stopped there first and when I saw how many things they had I thought I'd have a look around all the other places on site first because they probably all have great stuff but we ended up coming back there on one of the last days because I couldn't find anything I liked anywhere else. Definitely go to Mouse Gear early on, I thought World of Disney might've been better but I was way off - that's the place to be. I hope that helps! You've probably already found the answer anyways but I wanted to make sure you knew I remembered!

 

[Aschenputtel]

You're back! It's really a new thing to read the groom's perspective - and I'm very thankful for that (and yes, I almost cried reading this).
And although you think it all went by in a blur - you really know a lot of your wedding day!
Thanks for this little prequel of your TR - I'm really looking forward to it!

 

[Disneyducks12]

Welcome Back!!! your wedding photos look so amazing I really love the TOT that is one of my favorite rides and the black and white photo just looks so awesome with that backdrop! Your food seems like it was amazing its always a good sign when guest go back for seconds also your bridal party looked amazing the outfits looked really good I love the converse such a unique touch! Can't wait for more and too see more pictures and can't wait to see the youtube video!

and I can't wait for my wedding now watching yours makes me really excited!

Congratulations again!
Melissa

 

[Amanda132]

Oh my gosh, your wedding looks like it was amazing! I was definitely starting to tear up reading your account of the day. The ToT ride mix-in looks awesome also.

Congratulations!

 

[lthiesfeld07]

Love your pictures so far!! How fun to ride ToT in your wedding attire!

 

[elphie101]

Ben, your recap was phenomenal!! I love seeing your ToT picture after seeing the gorgeous preview The Roots did on their blog. Such an amazingly perfct day

Hope you both are enjoying the first few weeks of married life!

 

[DisneyFirefly]

I absolutely love the photos of you guys on TOT and in the lobby. You (and a few others around here) are making me really wish we could afford the Roots for our wedding.