Amy & Richard's DFTW

[Mumofthebride]

As my user name say's ......I'm not the Bride. Just a very proud Mother


I never got round to doing a trip report following the wedding....I think I was just too depressed after it was all over:cry::cry::cry:

So here is a mini report of the Wedding day.



The Cast

Amy ………………Bride (DD)
Richard………….Groom (DSil)
Me (Kim)………..Mother of the Bride/Wedding Planner
Alan (DH)…………Father of the Bride
Ben (DS1)
Adam (DS2)
Dan (DS3)
Catherine (My Mum)
Lyn (my Sis)
Paul ( DBil)
Mike (Nephew)
Megan (Cousin)
Angela…..Mother of the Groom
Sarah…….Sister of the Groom/Bridesmaid
Kirsty…..Niece of the Groom/ Flower Girl
Luke….Nephew of the Groom
David …..Sarah’s Boyfriend
Louise….Amy’s Best Friend since the age of 2/Maid of Honour
Melissa..Amy’s other Best Friend/Bridesmaid
Keith……Louise’s Fiancé
Carol…..Louise’s Mum
Clive…..Louise’s Dad
Val (DSil)
Stephanie (Niece)
Adrian (nephew)
Pauline…Adrian’s Partner.


Where we stayed
11 of us were booked into OKW …..We had booked a 2 bedroom and a 1 bedroom villa, but Disney upgraded us for free to 2x2 bedrooms a check in……gotta love Disney
8 guests at PO/FQ
3 at SSR
4 at CBR
All of us were on the Free Dining Plan


The Wedding date……22nd September 2008


Part 1…… Getting ready.


After 2 years of planning….It was finally here. ‘THE BIG DAY’. I got up at 5:30 and asked DH to take me to Walgreen’s for tights nails and nail varnish…..Talk about leaving things till the last minute.
Got back….did my nails and decided to go for a long soak n the Jacuzzi before the 3 girls from Beaute Speciale arrived at 7:30. I was in there all of 2 minutes, when a knock came at the door…..it was them, at 6:45. They said because they had so many to do (8 Hair and 2 Makeup) they had decided to come a bit earlier……Good thing they did.

We split into 2 villa’s.... the men, Angela Luke and Bridesmaids in one…..Amy, Me, Mum, and Megan in the other….. We need more room

Lyn (Sis) arrived from SSR to get her hair done at 7:30 Lili and co.. set about doing Lyn’s Mum’s and Sarah hair after that Lyn goes back to SSR to get ready.
Lyn had decided way before the trip that she would take Adam (DS2) and get him ready…. Adam is disabled, so it left us free to concentrate on the day ahead.

Then Christopher and Jessica (Photographers) arrived follow by 3 Videographer’s from Disney. I’m so glad we chose OKW…. boy it’s crowded in here Christopher Jessica and the Videographer’s go next door to the others to take some getting ready shots and footage and then come back to take photos of Amy’s dress veil and shoes.

The Dress

The Veil

The shoes.....which we drove all the way to Milton Keynes for.

Spot the hidden Mickey's

Alan (DH) comes round a cracks open a bottle of this…….very welcome indeed.

After Louise, Mel and Kirsty hair is finished it just me and Amy left to do. Lou & Mel go back round to get ready.

The one thing about Amy…… she has always looked a lot younger than she is. People are shocked when they first meet her and find out she is nearly 26. Over the years (and on this trip) every time we go into a restaurant in Disney... The Waiter’s/Waitress’s bring her the Kids menu and colouring things.LOL

Lili and co…have the hard task of getting her to look old enough to be even getting married.

I love this photo of Amy…… She looks so relaxed considering it’s her wedding day.

They succeed in turning her from this

To this

Lili's happy and Mum Lou and Mel can't get over how girly Amy looks

Just after I have had my hair and makeup done Louise and Melissa come round to tell me that there bridesmaids dresses are too big…..WHAT!!!!

I made the dresses and we had a final fitting just before we left home and they fit then. Lou said they must have lost weight from all the walking and the heat.

So with needle and thread I go next door to ...sew... them into their dresses.mg: It only took a couple of minutes as I’ve done it loads of times on the side of the stage (in my theatrical days)…..Panic over I go back round to help Amy.

Just then a knock comes at the door ……its Disney Floral dept with the flowers.:spin:

I spent had hours on the phone to Rose (apt name) from Disney Floral and sent copious amounts of photos via email trying to get across what I wanted. (Amy left me to sort out all the floral….. she hasn’t got a clue when it comes to flowers)

The verdict…..I blubbed. I had never seen such beautiful flowers.

The Men’s Buttonholes

Mine Angela’s and my Mum’s flowers

The Bridesmaids bouquets

And finally……Amy’s Bouquet

Kim

 

[Mumofthebride]

Men add finishing touches
Alan

Rich & Angela

http://i145.photobucket.com/albu
[IMG]http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/Kimdawson_photos/Slide40.jpg

Rich TA……. Daaaaaaaa.... I'm ready

The Photographers/Videographers set off for The Grand Floridian followed by the men Angela Sarah Kirsty and Luke in the limo.

Lili and co… get Amy ready

This is one of my favourite photos


Mum…..there’s a makeup artist up my dress.

Nearly finished

Ready

We are all set to go



The limo arrives and we set off the Grand Floridian.
Poor Amy and Mel their dresses have corset bodices. They have to practically lie down to get in, because they can’t bend.

Arriving at the GF

Richard who helps the Disney Brides comes over to greet us and help Amy out of the limo.

Lou & Mel …..in the dresses that they might be sleeping in
tonight…..if they can’t get the stitches out.

Rich…..his Family and the Groomsmen outside the GF

Amy…..Another one of my favourites

With my Mum (Nan)

With Megan

The Disney Wedding folk are brilliant at keeping the Grooms party and the Bridal party apart. They are constantly conversing over walkie talkies to each other.


The guys go over to the Wedding Pavilion in the limo and are kept prisoner in a room ……so Rich doesn’t accidentally see Amy

Kim

 

[Mumofthebride]

Guests start to arrive at the Wedding Pavilion

Paul with Adam

Get me to the Church on time

Amy made few stipulations regarding the wedding…..leaving most of it up to me. The one thing she wanted more than anything was what she called the Bugsy Malone car.

Her dress is so big….Alan had to get in the front

Arriving at the Wedding Pavilion

We enter the Brides vestibule

Bridesmaids behaving badly

Coming next ......The Ceremony

Kim

 

[Mumofthebride]

The Processional



Music……May It Be from Lord of the Rings

First to enter Mum & Adam
We decided to let Adam walk down the Aisle rather than take his wheelchair in ….well he sort of ziggy.... zagged making Mum look like she’d had one too many

Next were….. Angela and Me

Next
Music…..When the Foeman Bares his Steel……..From Pirates of Penzance

Rev Jack

Rich

Now the Bridesmaids and Groomsmen

Music………Pachelbel’s canon
Sarah & Daniel

Melissa & Ben

Louise & Michael.

Flowergirl…….Music…….Part of Your World…..the Little Mermaid

Kirsty

Now I’m the type of person that cries at complete stranger’s weddings and I was worried that I would blub my eyes ruining my makeup and making a complete idiot of myself on my Daughters Wedding day.

My sister Lyn had said to me earlier on that week “You won’t cry, I promise you”

Well she was right. The only emotion you feel at a time like this is…….PRIDE……total and unreserved pride.


Though I’m :cry::cry: now just typing this

And last, but not least

Amy......The Bride and one of the proudest moments of my life.

Music ……. Processional…. From The Sound of Music

....DH was terrified he would step on her dress

Taken from Megan’s phone. (sorry about the quality)
[youtube]h4WOXXDJ8Og[/youtube]

The Ceremony



A proud Father handing over his Daughter to the love of her life

Alan joins me

The vows…..The usual ones like we have in the UK

Our Niece Stephanie’s did the reading….. we left it entirely up to her and heard it for the first time at the actual wedding. It was lovel

The Reading

I believe the sun should never set upon an argument
I believe we place our happiness in other people's hands
I believe that junk food tastes so good because it's bad for you
I believe your parents did the best job they knew how to do
I believe that beauty magazines promote low self esteem
I believe I'm loved when I'm completely by myself alone
I believe you can't control or choose your sexuality
I believe that trust is more important than monogamy
I believe your most attractive features are your heart and soul
I believe that family is worth more than money or gold
I believe the struggle for financial freedom is unfair
I believe the only ones who disagree are millionaires
I believe forgiveness is the key to your own happiness
I believe that wedded bliss negates the need to be undressed
I believe that God does not endorse tv evangelists
I believe in love surviving death into eternity
I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned
I believe you can't appreciate real love 'til you've been burned
I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side
I believe you don't know what you've got until you say goodbye

For all those thinking they know this……yes it’s……. Affirmation…. By Savage Garden


Reverend Jack then reads an Apache Wedding Prayer…….Chosen by Amy & Rich

The Apache Wedding Prayer


Now you will feel no rain,
For each of you will be shelter to the other.
Now you will feel no cold,
For each of you will be warmth to the other.
Now there is no more loneliness,
For each of you will be companion to the other.
Now you are two bodies,
But there is one life before you.
Go now to your dwelling place,
To enter into the days of your togetherness.
And may your days be good and long upon the earth.

The blessing of the Bride and Groom

The Recessional
Music…..Handel’s Hornpipe

Kim

 

[Mumofthebride]

The Staged Exit

After leaving the Wedding Pavilion. We all gathered over the bridge to throw rose petals.



Love this one of our Dan and the car with the Just Married sign

and Clive & Paul……..don’t think much of this Ice cream

The new Mr & Mrs leave the Wedding Pavilion to walk over the bridge

After we had waved the happy couple off and they had done a quick lap of the car park ….lol The families and the bridal party were escorted back into the Pavilion for photo’s.

This one is my favourite photo of all.

Next..... The Reception

Kim

 

[Mumofthebride]

So, on to the Pre Reception.

Arriving at the Grand Floridian Convention Centre.
Guests arrive

Boy….was it hard work for Amy getting in and out of that car

No one's gonna rain on my parade


No that's not a bruise on Amy's arm......Someones trying to.....Gatecrash.... the wedding

Welcome to our Reception

We enter the room for Pimms Time


Signing the guest book

The picture on the guest book table was of the exact moment Amy & Rich decided to have a Disney Wedding. DH had captured it on video back in 2006. I thought it was a good idea to show it on the actual Wedding Day.

Close up

The Pre Reception offerings

Pimms

The Wedding Gatecrasher


Earlier on in the day Amy had asked the makeup artists to cover up her tattoo. It was the one day in her life that she regretted having the Skeleton playing a guitar as a tribute to Kurt Cobain on her arm.
Kurt getting the cover up

Kurt makes it to the wedding……the make up covering him had begun to melt mg:

Kim

 

[Mumofthebride]

The Reception Part 2




The Cake Table…..the “Let Them Eat Cake” was taken with us to Disney

The Tables

The Table Settings

To save money I made all the wedding stationary myself.

Adults Menu

Childs Menu

Sorry no one took any photos during the meal, but it was wonderful…you can see what we had in the menus above

Cutting the Cake

The Speeches

Michael

Rich…….Thank you speach

He & Amy gave Angela, Alan and me Tickets for the Keys to the Kingdom Tour.

The Toast

As it was impossible to take wedding presents all the way to Florida. We decided to give them a special surprise on the day. Rich was in on it all along, but Amy hadn’t got a clue about it.
I decide to do a little quiz for Amy to see it she could guess what it was.

Amy’s a right blond …..lol So this was a lot of fun.

Me as the…….. Game Show Host

Clue Number 1

A Plane

Clue Number 2
A Buffalo …….This has Amy totally confused for a while …..Then she says “Are we going to Cattle Country” We all laughed…If anyone’ s from the Gloucestershire area will know Cattle Country is in Berkeley. UK

Clue Number 3
A Horseshoe

Anyone got it yet ? Amy, still hasn’t got a clue

And finally Clue Number 4

She jumps up……I know….I know…. It’s “The Grand Canyon”

Well we all fell about laughing.

She finally twigs it Niagara Falls. A place she’s always wanted to go. I then tell her that we have all clubbed together to send her and Rich to Niagara Falls for 2 days that coming Sunday… Staying in a hotel opposite with a falls view.

To say she was trilled was an understatement.

Amy’s thank you speech

Kim

 

[Mumofthebride]

Star light, star bright,
first star I see tonight.
I wish I may, I wish I might,
have the wish, I wish tonight.
We'll make a wish, and do as dreamers do,
and all our wishes (all our wishes),
will come true.



All along Amy & Rich wanted to watch Wishes on their Wedding Day. Originally it was planned to have a buffet whilst watching. However because of the inclement weather, this was cancelled (The buffet not Wishes) and we had 2 hours to kill before the Evening Reception.

Amy was gutted. Carol (wedding planner) suggested starting the evening reception a little earlier than planned. So with that in place we decided to go to the bar in the Grand Floridian for a drink while the men got changed into their evening attire and the ladies freshened up.

This was all done in Amy & Rich’s room at the GF. Trouble was it was a total pain to get to because they were staying in the Concierge level of the main building. You had to go up in one lift, then down in another. By the time we had all finished the 2 hours had gone by.

Amy was really upset that she wasn’t going to see Wishes. And to top it all it had now stopped raining.

I was really gutted for her so I ran (with no shoes on) through 6 inches of water ……from the Grand Floridian to the Convention Centre to find Carol. I explained to Carol that Amy was upset and she immediately rounded both the photographers and the guys doing the Video to make their way to the Marina to watch Wished. There was nothing Carol could not organise….even at a moments notice. I then had to run back to tell the others that it a GO for fireworks……….Had to do the lift thing again phew…..Amy Was ecstatic when I told her.

We make our way to the Marina.

Rich had changed into evening dress.

So like the words of the song…….All our ‘Wishes’ did come true.

Next…… The Evening Reception

Kim

 

[Mumofthebride]

We had one of the best night nights in our lives……and it was all down to .

DJ..... Scott Messina


I had been in touch with Scott for couple of weeks prior to the wedding. He wanted to know exactly what type of music we wanted playing.
We all choose our favourites and I emailed the play list to him.
The dance floor was not empty for the next 4 hours.

Scott introduces Amy & Rich and they have their first dance to their song

You’ll be in my Heart…..Phil Collins

Amy & Rich wanted to get the party atmosphere going right from the start so the second song was
Don’t stop me Now…….by Queen… This got everyone up dancing.

More Dances

Eeeeekkkkkk Mice

The party was in full swing and people were having a great time…..when all of a sudden these guys turn up. Both Amy & Rich had totally forgot we had booked them So it was a lovely surprise.

 

[Mumofthebride]

People continued having lots of fun with Mickey & Minnie

When my Sister Lyn returned to work. She told her colleagues……That her DH Paul had fallen in love with another woman in Florida…
Then they were shown the photograph

Later Amy & Rich went out for photos.

Love this one.....makes me laugh

Mickey & Minnie sign the guest book

 

[Mumofthebride]

After saying goodbye to Mickey & Minnie. Amy & Rich come back to the party.

Carol gives them a beautiful gift from Disney Wedding's

His & Hers Disney 'FairyTale Wedding's'..... watches. They are both over the moon.

DJ Scott then decides up the Anti a bit with a game……Men v Womenmg:

The game is....

Who can unravel a TOILET PAPER……the quickest

Well……you have never seen such competitiveness in all your life. You would have thought there was going to be $10,000 prize money in it.

The Guy’s start off by using Mike as a toilet roll holder the friction burnt his fingers.

We (the women) are less subtle and decide to just throw it. Mel gets hold of the end a throws…..she’s left with 1 sheet of paper in her hand and the toilet roll is still intact ….and out the door.
We get it back.

Stupid thing.......keeps breaking

OH Drat the guy’s have done it.

Lyn and Mel finally finish

Go on gloat…..why don’t you!!!!!

 

[Mumofthebride]

Time for some party dances.

The Time Warp

Macarena

The Electric Slide…….lead by Scott

Alcohol educed dyslexia ……in YMCA

We even have Agadoo mg:

Saturday Night Fever

Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Let’s get ready to ROCK!!!!!

DJ Scott Carol & Adam

Scott tells Rich to Rock it out….to ‘Highway to Hell’ (AC/DC)……..Which has everyone in hysteric’s

Amy’s reaction

My Mum’s crying with laughter

David

Louise……(not wanting to be upstaged by Rich)

Playing Air Guitar to Metallica’s ‘Nothing Else Matters’

DH (Alan)……I’m too old for this malarkey. I’ll sit down with my JD

Way back in 2004 on a night out at Pleasure Island we witnessed a couple doing a Waltz to ‘Sweet Child of Mine’
Ever since……Amy & Mel do the same when it comes on.

Carol & Adam…… during.... ‘Livin on a Prayer’

Kim

 

[Mumofthebride]

Time to slow it down and play some soppy songs

This is your Song……Elton John.

Lou & Keith

Me & Alan

Amy & Rich

THE LAST DANCE

The music…..This is the Moment…….Anthony Warlow

At the height of the song……The Confetti canons go off and completely shower the whole room in confetti.

The party finally ended at 2 am.......It had been a very long day.

But so so worth it.






Well my friend's that’s it…. the final chapter of Amy & Richard’s Disney Wedding.

It will be a day, no one who was there will ever forget.

Hope you have enjoyed reading my brief notes and looking at the photos.



Special thanks go to

All our Family and Friends for joining us on this special day…. It meant the world to us.

Joe De Matei (Disney Weddings).....who got the whole thing booked.

Carol Mikles (Disney Weddings)……..The most wonderful planner in the world.

Rose Dizon (Disney Floral dept)……For the most wonderful flowers I have ever seen.

DJ Scott.....for the best dance party ever

Ana, Lily and co from Beaute Special.......for making Amy a beautiful Bride

Christopher & Jessica ……from Christopher Patrick Photography….. For the doing the photo’s exactly like we wanted.

Disney Videography….for the beautiful DVD.


And last but not least…. ‘Walt Disney himself’……because if it wasn’t for him, none of this would have happened.

Kim

 

[tinkerbell 766]

What a fabulous,beautiful wedding!!! Your daughter was a gorgeous bride!! No wonder you are so proud!!

 

[princesslauren6]

oh my god that was wonderful!!
your daughter is gorgeous, she looks stunning in her wedding dress, i also absolutley love the flowers, a really good choice made there!

it was so nice to read about the wedding day from a mums point of view, its so nice that you were so involved in the planning of the wedding, i wish my mum was like that!!

it looks like you all had a fantasic day!!

xxx

 

[pezaddict231]

thanks for sharing! It looks like your daughter had an amazing day. She looked beautiful and everything looked amazing. Lol, I love the part about your sister saying her husband fell in love with another woman in FL You gotta watch out for that Minnie Mouse, she's a real flirt!

I absolutely love the confetti cannons, it's great to see pictures of them.

 

[wiserabbit]

As a mother of the bride myself - reading your reactions about that day - made me re-live my daughter's wedding - and shed a tear or two again my Katie was married 1/4/2008 at the Wedding Pavillion ......

Your daughter was a beautiful bride - and the wedding was perfect......

I enjoyed looking at the pics and reading your words - priceless memories - thanks for sharing

 

[jworkkul]

I just have to reply and as a former mother-of-the-bride also, your daughter looked absolutely beautiful. I know she had a wonderful and beautiful wedding. I just wanted to share this poem with you and all the mothers of the bride. I had this in my speech during my daughter's reception.

Just once upon a yesterday I held you in my arms
You grew into a little girl with lovely childhood charms.
Now it seems I only turned around and I see you by your husband's side
Oh, I cannot believe my eyes, today my Daughter is a Bride.
But now, my Love, the time has come.
To send you on your way
So I wish you every happiness
And the blessings of this day.
And I hope the love I’ve given you
Will forever be your guide.
Oh, I cannot believe my eyes for today,
My Daughter is a Bride

 

[mhl1414]

Wow! It looks like you guys had a lot of fun. Think you so much for sharing your daughters day. Everything looked perfect!

 

[Racey]

Your daughter looked very pretty - love the dress

Amy was very nice to have entrusted you with most of the planning. I have to admit that even though I trust my mum fully, I want to do everything and surprise all my guests on the day, but then i'm a little unpredictable at times and therefore no-one can guess what i'd like to have