Disney Fantasy Wedding and POR Disneymoon Trip Report 2/24/2017 - 3/9/2017

Bridget B

Earning My Ears
Joined
Sep 17, 2015
Day 1 | Feb. 24, 2017 | Flight from Chicago to Orlando and check-in at All Star Sports

A little back story on this day: my first wedding screw-up (of many, just you wait) is that I put the wrong date down on our marriage-license-by-mail application. Instead of February, I put April for some crazy reason. We never planned on April. We never changed the date. I am baffled as to why I made this error. Anyway, we ended up paying for rush processing and everything was cool...until FedEx lost the package the circuit court sent to us. YAY.

So, after we landed, Miles and I met up with my sister, Tara (also my MOH) and her boyfriend, Ryan. Then, the four of us rented a car and took an hour-long road trip -- including $14.70 in tolls! -- to the tiny town of Tavares to pick up a copy of the license from the court house there. Luckily, the circuit court women were incredibly friendly, and fast. We were in and out within 15 minutes, and we didn't even have to pay them again!

After we picked up the license at the court house, I was finally ready to be excited. We drove to All Star Sports, checked in, had some veggie burgers and beers, and met up with my parents, my brother and his friend-date, Kelly, and my bridesmaid, Jackie, who flew all the way in from Amsterdam with her boyfriend, Rafa.

After a trip to Walgreens for some last-minute necessities (such as wine) we all sunned and swam, before we ordered Papa John's and enjoyed dinner and drinks by the pool while watching Zootopia.

Meanwhile, back in Illinois, our photographer, James, was having some issues of his own. He neglected to apply for his passport until the last possible moment and then, guess what? FedEx also lost his package. Seriously, what are the odds? He missed his flight, and actually went to a FedEx distribution center and dug through crates until he found it.

Lessons Learned
- FedEx is literally the worst
- Triple check all your forms for accuracy
- Fly in at least one day before sailing in case of issues

Day 2 | Feb. 24, 2017 | Embarkation Day

I got up early and walked to the McDonalds on Disney property with my mom, dad, Tara and Ryan to pick up breakfast. FYI, McDs has some surprisingly yummy oatmeal that is actually vegan. Apparently, we were in the booth next to a famous NFL player and his family. They all had matching Nikes. I'd tell you who he was, but none of us were cool enough to know his name. Ha.

The real excitement of the day came shortly after we got back to the resort. My dad, while attempting to take a picture of the pool, dropped his brand new iPhone off the third floor balcony. I have never seen a more destroyed phone. It got so hot, we could barely touch it and were afraid it was going to light on fire. So we put it on ice until it cooled down. And thus, my dad was without a phone or camera for the rest of the trip.

While we were handling that issue, a room attendant mistakenly thought my parents' day bag in their room was a lost item, and sent it to the lost and found building off site. So, while we were all lining up to take the Magical Express to the port, the concierge had to send a runner to go get it. Fun times. But they did get it back, and we were on our way.

While we were all sleeping that night, a huge cloud of fog had rolled into Port Canaveral, delaying debarkation and backing everything up for hours. Our one-hour bus trip turned into two. At one point, we just sat on the off-ramp for a half-hour staring at the ship. Miles got car sick. It was not the best.

BUT we all made it! And we found out James (photographer) had made an early-morning flight and was somewhere behind us in traffic.

Once we finally got off the bus, we breezed through security, and Miles and I made our way up to the concierge desk for check in. There was no line -- compared to the massive regular check-in line for everyone else! However, we immediately realized I'd made my second (and worst) screw-up: I packed our passports in the checked baggage that Disney had picked up from our room that morning. "No worries!" I said, "I have a back up. Here are our birth certificates!" But, screw-up number three reared it's ugly head: I had accidentally packed both my birth certificate and a certified copy of my birth certificate. Not Miles'.

Panic ensued.

While our friends and family came by to console us before boarding the ship, we waited for Disney to dig up our luggage. But because of the fog-caused-traffic, it had yet to arrive. We were supposed to meet with our coordinator, Hannah, for the legal ceremony and notary signing at 3 p.m. That time came and went.

After about an hour, cast member and notary, Debbie, informed us we'd have to sign the license in the terminal. So, we headed over to Miles' favorite spot (the model of the ship in the center of the terminal) and clasped hands. Debbie, bless her, got choked up in the middle of the vows and so I started to tear up, too. And when we were done, everyone in line applauded. So that was actually really nice. :)

Then we waited some more for the luggage. While we were waiting, Hannah actually came off the boat to meet with us. She reviewed our event itinerary (who was getting what flowers, confirmed the music, etc.), and we scheduled a rehearsal for next evening in Outlook. Hannah, by the way, is the THE BEST. I hope every DFTW couple has a coordinator as friendly and helpful as her.

Eventually, as the ship was literally about to leave port (we could see people lining up for the safety drill), Debbie just asked us to swear our passports were in our luggage (we did) and ushered us onto the ship! We were, I kid you not, the second to last family to board. Sadly, we missed the bit where they line up to welcome you and announce your name. Instead, we walked in to a deserted atrium and could hear them announcing the end up the safety drill over the loud speakers. A cast member rushed up to us and told us we'd have to do a make-up drill at 5:30 p.m.

BUT we were onboard! And about to set sail! Hooray! During all our waiting time, I'd gotten the DCL App, and chatted with my maids to come meet me us in our stateroom. A few weeks before sailing, I'd mailed our gift bags for the guests to the port (along with our cake topper and the print we'd made for our guest book), and they were waiting there for us. From there, we took them to Ooh-La-La, where everyone was meeting up for a champagne reception at 6:30 before our second-seating dinner at 8:15.

Well, almost everyone. Miles' mother, grandmother and grandfather never showed... which was odd, since I'd emailed them about it beforehand, it was on the newsletter they received in their stateroom, and I'd posted the date and time on our wedding Facebook page...and they'd both liked and commented on the post. More on that later.

And Miles, who was still not feeling 100% from the bumpy bus ride, got super sea sick (we were really hauling it out of port after leaving so late). He ended up only spending about five minutes at the welcome reception and didn't make it to our first dinner at Animator's Palate. :(

On the upside, everyone who did make it to the reception hit it off, it was really easy to put everyone's drinks on our stateroom, and the whole thing cost a quarter of what I'd initially thought ($100 versus $400).

In other good news, Disney hooked us up in the stateroom. We arrived to find chocolate-covered strawberries, a huge fruit basket, a DFTW tote, pillow and beach towel, as well as two DCL robes and two pairs of slippers!

Lessons Learned
- Email a picture of your birth certificates to yourself before you go, just in case
- Ship anything you are bringing (that isn’t luggage) to your coordinator beforehand. SO HELPFUL.
- Don’t plan anything for the first day, if you’re worried anyone in your party might suffer from sea sickness
 
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Day 3 | Feb. 26, 2017 | First Day at Sea

After waking up at 5:30 for no good reason (probably just excited), I decided to make the most of it. So, I watched the sunrise from Currents and had a lovely Americano from Cove Cafe. Then I enjoyed a somewhat healthy breakfast at Cabanas al fresco:

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Miles slept in while I met with up with some folks to go swimming at Quiet Cove, and caught some sun with my parents at Satellite Falls.

Eventually, he got his sea legs, though. He was feeling great by the time we all had dinner at Enchanted Garden. Our head server, Daniel, presented me and Miles with a duck he made out of a napkin and had even colored in with some crayons. He is adorable. I named him Samuel and he’s sitting on table in my living room right now.

At 5 p.m., we all gathered in Outlook with Hannah for the rehearsal. On that note, I highly recommend a rehearsal, especially if you’re bringing an officiant who has never done a wedding before. Brynn (our officiant, friend and co MOH) was really nervous, so it helped her a lot to run through the details. Also, several of us (myself included) had a hard time finding our way to Outlook, so that was just good information to have beforehand. ;)

Afterwards, around 6:00, several of us were sitting on the deck by Currents about to go see Aladdin, when Miles’ mom walks up and goes, “Are you heading to the rehearsal?” Not sure what happened there, but Miles told me that at Aladdin, she asked him if the welcome reception was happening after the show. You know, the one we had the night before. Oh dear. Poor Nancy.

If you haven’t see it, the Aladdin stage show is amazing. Everyone loved it…except for my parents, who got the time wrong and missed it. :(

Lessons Learned
-
Consider sharing a coffee card with your spouse. You’re more likely to hit the buy five get a sixth free mark.
- If possible/necessary, download the DCL app on your parents’ phones before you leave for the trip.
 
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What a crazy beginning! I would have been freaking out and you seem to have handled it like a BOSS!!! We will be getting married on 10/7/17 on the Fantasy so I'll be noting all your Lessons and Tips!
 
What a crazy beginning! I would have been freaking out and you seem to have handled it like a BOSS!!! We will be getting married on 10/7/17 on the Fantasy so I'll be noting all your Lessons and Tips!

Oh, I only seem calm now in the wake of it all. Haha. I nearly lost it a few times. Please do learn from my (many) mistakes! ;) And congrats!!! Can't wait to read all about it.
 


Wow! What an intro!!!

Was your champagne reception organized by your coordinator and prepaid or did your pay OOP for everyone?

I spoke with the on land coordinator, Stephanie, about paying in advance and having a space to ourselves, but she and I came to the conclusion that it would make the most sense financially to just meet up during the first dinner seating (when it would likely be less crowded) and pay OOP. And we were right! There was no one in Ohh-La-La but us anyway. I just told the bartender and sever everything should go on my card.
 


Day 4 | Feb. 27, 2017 | Second Day at Sea and Wedding Day!

I wisely ordered room service breakfast the night before, so Miles and I woke up to a nice young man delivering us food at 8 a.m. From there, I left him lounging, watching Ratatouille I believe, and headed off to my Fire and Ice manicure appointment. That was lovely and relaxing, and the manicurist did a great job. She also gave me a complimentary eye mask treatment. This became a bit of a problem later, but was very enjoyable in the moment!

Afterwards, Miles and I met up for lunch at Cabanas. Then we sat out on deck by Currents with some folks. This is where the eye mask became a problem. I’m not sure if the manicurist was supposed to wash it off, but I totally forgot I even had it on until my face started itching a little. Then I rubbed under my eyes and all this stuff came off. “Ah,” I remembered, “eye mask.” I didn’t worry about it, though, because I knew I was going to shower again before doing the hair, makeup and dress routine before the wedding ceremony at 5.

I should have worried though, because when I rubbed the mask off, it also took off the 70 SPF I’d applied that morning before leaving the stateroom. Thus, I burned the hell out of the area just below both of my eyes. Luckily, it didn’t hurt or appear red until the day after the wedding, and makeup covered it up pretty well. Whoops!

While we were hanging out on deck, Hannah and her crew delivered the flowers, dress and suit to the agreed-upon staterooms. Sometime around 2, Miles and I parted ways to get ready. He in James’ stateroom, me and my ladies in ours.

I was feeling pretty great about things until I had to squeeze myself into my dress like a lace sausage. I don’t recommend crash dieting before your wedding, but I also don’t recommend gaining 20 pounds.

Anyway.

We did enjoy our champagne and each other’s company while James took some photos. I had my sister deliver a letter to Miles, and read one James brought me from him. His was way better than mine. ;o)

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My parents popped by to say hello around 4 (all the guests met up in Outlook at 4:30), and then suddenly it was 4:50 and Hannah was at the door ready to escort me and the maids up for the ceremony! Then I was pumped. We got a lot of congratulations as we made our way to Deck 14, which was fun. You’re like a rock star on the ship when you’re getting married, as soon as people find out they will continue to recognize you throughout the trip. :)

My pop was waiting for me in the little hallway outside Outlook, and we hid around a corner for a little bit while Hannah grabbed Miles for a few near-first-look shots (I was standing in the elevator, and Miles was in the hall. I haven’t seen those shots yet, but I think they’ll be pretty cute).

Then it was time! My dad told me he was proud of me and gave me a kiss on the cheek, and down the aisle we went. Brian, the pianist, was doing an excellent rendition of “The Ludlows,” as requested, and I was super pleased. Miles looked psyched and not at all nervous. Brynn already looked like she was going to start bawling, so I tried not to look at her face. Haha.

But I had to, because then she launched into her “sermon” before the vows. She wrote it herself and it was so great. Honestly, she could do this full time. I was so impressed. She cried. I cried. Miles’ dad passed her a tissue when she said “Oh no, I can’t see what’s next on my notes through the tears!”

I’ve asked her to email it to me, so I’ll share it on here when that happens.

My favorite part though, was the very end when, after I put Miles’ ring on his finger, and said “I thee wed,” it was his turn. And you know what my dork of a husband said? “I be wed.”

I laughed and asked, “Wait. Did you just say, ‘I be wed?’” And he just grinned and answered, “Yeah!” so enthusiastically, I assumed he was pulling my chain.

Then Brynn pronounced us man and wife, and we walked back down the aisle and out the doors into the hall (where we were waiting for Hannah to re-introduce us into the champagne and cake reception). So, while we’re out there I ask him again about this whole “I thee wed” business, still assuming he was being funny, and it turns out for HIS WHOLE LIFE of 29 years, he thought people were saying “I be wed.” So that’s what he said, in our vows, on video. I laughed so hard I was crying.

Then Hannah introduced us back into the room (now cleared of chairs and with a lovely, vegan cake on the table) to loud applause from our friends and family, and handed us each a glass of champagne.

Miles and I gave a little toast of thanks to everyone for being there, then we did the cake cutting. We mingled a bit while everyone enjoyed their cake (I was told everyone loved it. His mom even managed to smuggle a piece off the boat somehow in Florida to share with his aunt!).

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Then we went to have our first dance, and I realized my fourth big screw up. Even though I COULD HAVE SWORN I downloaded the wedding playlist to my iPhone, I apparently did not. Luckily, the pianist, Brian, was amazing and not only plays but sings, too. He actually knew my father-daughter song already (“Stand By Me” by Ben E. King), so that was even better than a recording. And he and I decided on the spot to fill in Miles’ and my song (“Northern Wind” by City and Colour) with Elton John’s “Your Song.” Miles was very cool with my mess up, and we decided, while dancing our first dance, that we’d simply do our first dance at our home reception to “Northern Wind.” I also may have neglected to bustle my dress pre dance. Oh well! We did get to it right afterwards. ;)

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After the dances, we were whisked away by James to get photos in the “magic hour” sunlight just before sundown. Luckily, we were in no hurry to get back up to the room, because there was a lot of cake and plenty of champagne, and no one booked the room after us so Hannah said we could stay as long as we liked.

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I discovered up on our return that, while we were away, Hannah used my phone to turn on one of my favorite playlists without me even asking. Rock star.

“As long as we liked” turned out to be a little after 7, when several of us went to Meridians for scotch and cigars before dinner, while some others changed into slightly more comfortable clothing for dinner.

On the way there, some tiny French girls in the elevator stared at me with faces reserved for meeting Cinderella, so that was pretty fantastic. And when Miles and I got to our dinner (at the Royal Court), the entire dining room erupted in applause. Fun! The dining team even made some pretty napkin swans for our table.

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We ended the night by coming back to our stateroom to find an amazing explosion of rose petals (in our chosen wedding colors) all over the bed and floor. The stateroom team even took the little arrangements from the cake table and put them on our end tables beside the bed. So sweet. :)

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Lessons Learned
- Triple check that any music you want played at your event is saved on your device (they don't do CDs anymore BTW).
- This seems obvious, but make sure your wedding shoes are tested for several hours of being on your feet. Don’t be a fool like me and assume. I have never been in such foot pain. I did get a butt load of compliments though! ;o)
 
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Loving the pics Bridget...keep them coming!!! You look so beautiful!! I have chosen the Outlook as well and that's awesome they allowed you all to stay after the 1 hour. It's so pretty and I would try and stay as long as possible as well. Your friend is awesome!! I can't wait for you to post her script....I'm sure it was special.

I'm so sorry you forgot to download your music...what a bummer, but good to know the pianist is prepared for such blunders. I've downloaded my music to my Iphone's playlist...check! Do you know how many songs he played prior to you coming down the aisle?

Did you order additional flowers for your cake table or did those come with the package? Did you ask for a certain restaurant rotation? I haven't figured out the purpose of this...

I have sooooo many questions...I hope I don't drive you crazy! LOL

~Kim
 
Loving the pics Bridget...keep them coming!!! You look so beautiful!! I have chosen the Outlook as well and that's awesome they allowed you all to stay after the 1 hour. It's so pretty and I would try and stay as long as possible as well. Your friend is awesome!! I can't wait for you to post her script....I'm sure it was special.

I'm so sorry you forgot to download your music...what a bummer, but good to know the pianist is prepared for such blunders. I've downloaded my music to my Iphone's playlist...check! Do you know how many songs he played prior to you coming down the aisle?

Did you order additional flowers for your cake table or did those come with the package? Did you ask for a certain restaurant rotation? I haven't figured out the purpose of this...

I have sooooo many questions...I hope I don't drive you crazy! LOL

~Kim


Hi Kim. Thanks so much!

Having the extra time in Outlook was great. If you can, I’d ask if you can get the last spot of the day on the schedule.

I had asked for the pianist to play Vivaldi’s “Spring” while people were getting seated, but I feel like I also remember hearing “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” and some other Disney songs while I took my sweet time getting ready out in the hall. Their pianists know tons of songs, including many Disney tunes, so they can fill in time pretty easily. If you have requests, just let your coordinator know, and I am certain they will pass the info along.

As for the flowers on the cake table, I didn’t order them and was totally happily surprised to see them there!

I didn’t request a certain rotation, but I know some people do because they want to be at a certain place for their wedding-night dinner. I wouldn’t have had a problem at any of the dining rooms, but Royal Court was lovely.

Ask as many questions as you like. I’m happy to help!!
 
OMG I'm barely through reading Day 2, and I couldn't get any further without telling you I'm so excited to read your journal!!!! Congratulations!!! Looking forward to reading along!!:cheer2::cheer2::cheer2:
 
Here's the lovely intro to our wedding ceremony from my best friend and co-MOH:

"Welcome everyone! You are all here on this beautiful day to witness Bridget and Miles exchange their vows of marriage, thank you for coming all this way to share this special occasion.

When these two asked me to officiate their wedding my first response was “UMMM WHAT? ARE YOU SURE?”

To which Miles responded, “Are you sure you’re going to be able to keep it together?” Well, I shall try my very best!

Today promises become permanent and friends become family.

Today love is transformed into a forever unbreakable bond that will carry these two fine people through the best and worst of times.

However, this day is not about the words spoken or the rings exchanged, nor is it about grand pronouncements and recessional marches.

Today there are no dead languages to solemnize vows that are very much alive and will remain so for a lifetime.

Today is not about tradition, rituals, or going through the motions. This day – your wedding day– is about love.


Love is the great unifier — our one universal truth.

No matter who we are, where we’ve come from, what we believe, we know this one thing: love is what we’re doing right.

That’s why you are both standing here.

And that’s why the closest people to you are sitting out there.

The love collectively in this room, from friends and family, will help sustain and support the promises you make today.

All of us here will help solidify this bond, but mostly me.

We all have our own love stories. Some are short, others long.

Some are yet unwritten, while others are just getting to the good part.

Over the past few years I witnessed my best friend fall head over heels in love with an awesome, genuine person who loves her in the way she deserves to be loved. A person who matches her intelligence and creativity, a person who is worthy of Bridget's kindness and love. Miles has put Bridget first from day one and I could not have picked a more considerate, loyal, and kind-hearted person to be with my dearest friend… and I don’t think I need to overstate how lucky Miles is to have locked this down.

But seriously, I’ve never seen you two happier, you are a perfect match. Not just because you share interests like; having multiple cats and watching Friends seasons 1-10 on repeat… but because you make each other better people and this world is a much lovelier, merrier, and more interesting place, with the two of you in it, together."
 
Awesome speech!! Meaningful and so full of love!

Mr. J and I have 2 cats... and sometimes when we're lazy on a week night, we'll order the Joey special... 2 pizzas.
 
I'm catching up on reading about your adventures so far.. and Oh my goodness!! I'm so glad everything worked out and really hope your dad has insurance on his phone.. lol.. And you do have some really great stories :-) What a beautiful speech by your best friend.. its so amazing when the people who really know you and love you can see the specialness of that in the other people that love you!

As someone with a cruise wedding coming up in a few months, I really appreciate your "lessons learned" section!! That's the best!

And I be Wed!?!?! THat's the funniest thing ever!!! I <3 Miles already!
 

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