"I brushed my teeth, and I don't have cooties." An August DFTW and Disneymoon TR

[xlsm]

so I just asked if we could do our couple's photos before the ceremony...which had never occurred to any of us before. It worked perfectly! And it also meant we were slightly less sweaty in these photos than we were when we left the ceremony a couple of hours late

This is how we did ours...it also saves a lot of time so guests aren't waiting before the reception (at least at non-Disney weddings! We did all pictures before the ceremony.) My aunt is a photographer and she says it's less stressful on her, too!!

The overspray from the waterfall was so dreamy.

Um, YES it is! Pretty!

Your expression kind of looks like you want to tell N to move those hands higher up, LOL!! I like the black and white shot!

Then she opened up a gate, and we were allowed to actually for real walk around in the quaint garden area that's blocked off for guests!

Whaaaat???? Oh my gosh!

My favorite, my favorite, my FAVORITE!!

 

[afwdwfan]

Hello." I just got back from a week off school for a "study break," and yet, somehow I'm still woefully behind on most of your TRs, and I still don't have another update finished for mine. Hopefully very soon!

It's called life. It happens. A lot.

Finally, this morning we awoke to our first snowfall...which is difficult for me to say...in fact, when we got up this morning all I managed to tell N was that "the rain looks a little thick this morning..." Uggh. It's supposed to rain tonight and off and on the rest of the week, so I'm sure it won't be sticking around, but it's still hard to see it and think of what's to come!! A couple of winters ago we had what we called the "Snowpocalypse," and I never want to go back there again.

And here I am ready for some snow. We didn't even have enough last winter to amount to anything. I've got a snowboard to try to hurt myself with!

Great pictures of a cute baby. They may move around a lot at that age, but you did a good job!

That's where we lost "Matt," and Amanda took over as our driver.

Poor Matt...

Or whatever his name is...

so I just asked if we could do our couple's photos before the ceremony...which had never occurred to any of us before. It worked perfectly! And it also meant we were slightly less sweaty in these photos than we were when we left the ceremony a couple of hours later.

Seems like a great idea. Good planning!

During this 30-45 minutes is also when the sun's heat was emerging in full force...and the sweatiness became a real thing. We stayed relatively "fresh" for photos, but I reached a point of serious slippery-leg-under-the-giant-dress-swimming-in-sweat situation! Too much information?? Never!! I give you all nothing but the 100% truth!

Well, I guess there's something to be said about being an accurate, detailed, TR writer.

Amanda asked us if we minded getting a little damp. I'm a sucker for a good picture, so I'll happily withstand pretty much any environment if you're holding a camera...

Looks like the payoff was worth it!

I always knew the Canada pavilion was pretty beautiful, but I developed more of an appreciation after this photo session.

I can see why. The pictures are fantastic!

Then she opened up a gate, and we were allowed to actually for real walk around in the quaint garden area that's blocked off for guests!

Well look at that! Most other people that get to go there are probably drunk and about to be escorted out by security!!!

 

[pooh'smate]

Love love love the Canada pictures.

 

[Tracy161]

"the rain looks a little thick this morning..."

Uh oh... winter's coming

here are some cute pictures I took last week of a cute baby!

Awww, amazing photographs!

I reached a point of serious slippery-leg-under-the-giant-dress-swimming-in-sweat situation! T

Oh, yeah... been there...

Then she opened up a gate, and we were allowed to actually for real walk around in the quaint garden area that's blocked off for guests!

What?!?!?!

Absolutely beautiful wedding photographs, you look absolutely stunning and so happy

 

[KathyM2]

Your pics are seriously amazing. I wish I had been able to catch up with you on that trip but it was super busy lol. I think you looked amazing in all the pics. I can't help thinking about how hot you must have been, when I remember how hot we were in our shorts and tank tops and just can not imagine how sweltering you must have been in your dress. At least the fact that it was your wedding day would be a huge distraction lol and you look like you both handled it really well!!

 

[AV007]

Finally caught up, and OMG you and your photos are GORGEOUS! Congrats on your wedding too!!!

 

[BLAZEY]

Beautiful pictures! You got to go into the" Victoria Garden" they have there. I'm from Victoria BC and Butchart Garden are a world famous garden and tourist attraction. When the Victora garden in Epcot was built Butchart Garden send seeds, plants and one of their gardeners to create it for the Canadian pavilion. DD8 mention it look like Butchart Gardens and I told her to read the plaque. I love the detail they put into have a little bit of each part of our very vast country.

 

[fallonkendra]

Hi, again! While I'm still working away on an update, here are some cute pictures I took last week of a cute baby! This is my [step-]niece, Isabella. Her mother isn't sharing many pictures of her on Facebook because she wants to limit her online presence until Isabella is old enough to decide for herself whether she wants to be online...which I can totally respect and partially agree with...but there are no rules against sharing her with my Disfriends!

Hurray for nieces named Isabella! She's adorable, you did a great job with the pictures!

Your pictures in the Canada Pavilion turned out amazing! I know you said you weren't thrilled with your makeup, but it looks great in the pictures!

 

[thumper*]

Everyone of your Epcot photo's are great I could never pic a favorite.......just gorgeous. I don't think I've ever seen that many great wedding pics.

 

[DizzyDis]

As always, your pics are stunningly gorgeous! And the ones of you with your hands on your hips, I am trying to decide if it feel more Merida or Rapunzel, but I think you are channeling one of them!! And I love the detail shots too

 

[MeghanEmily]

Those are too precious. I love that big yawn.

Thank you! She was so funny!

Oh my goodness! She is absolutely precious!

She's so adorable! And really good for her mom. She usually sleeps really well and is an overall pleasant baby. We're hoping that lasts a while

She is adorable!!!! Great job.

Thank you! She's pretty precious.

Meghan! Your photos were amazing! I love the interaction between you and N. It was clearly a magical experience!

Thank you!! Amanda gave us lots of opportunity to just interact and laugh with each other, which was nice and made for some nice pictures.

What stunning photos in the Canada pavilion! That really is awesome that you were able to get photos in both MK and Epcot!

Thank you! It was so neat! Now whenever we go back we'll have those memories in both parks, which is pretty cool for me.

I read before that you weren't 100% happy with your makeup, but I just wanted to say that I think it came through beautifully in your photos.

Thanks so much! I have to agree that it did photograph pretty nicely, so I guess she knew what she was doing

 

[MeghanEmily]

This is how we did ours...it also saves a lot of time so guests aren't waiting before the reception (at least at non-Disney weddings! We did all pictures before the ceremony.) My aunt is a photographer and she says it's less stressful on her, too!!

It worked really well! I understand when people want to save that first look for the ceremony, but since we weren't concerned about that anyway with our MK shoot, there was no reason not to.

Your expression kind of looks like you want to tell N to move those hands higher up, LOL!! I like the black and white shot!

Bahaha now I can't not see it like that!

Whaaaat???? Oh my gosh!

Right!? How cool is that!?

It's called life. It happens. A lot.

And I'm grateful life happens. Really. But sometimes it totally gets in the way!

And here I am ready for some snow. We didn't even have enough last winter to amount to anything. I've got a snowboard to try to hurt myself with!

Ugh, you don't want snow!! You can have all ours this winter if you want

Great pictures of a cute baby. They may move around a lot at that age, but you did a good job!

Thanks! They're squirmy, but pretty cute.

Poor Matt...

Or whatever his name is...

Haha oops! We didn't so much "lose" him... now I'm trying to think of good Haunted Mansion tombstones for Poor Matt...

I can see why. The pictures are fantastic!

Thanks! It's such a beautiful spot.

Well look at that! Most other people that get to go there are probably drunk and about to be escorted out by security!!!

Truth!!

Love love love the Canada pictures.

Thank you! They were so fun to take

Uh oh... winter's coming

Nooooo! Not ready!

Awww, amazing photographs!

Thank you!!

Oh, yeah... been there...

Ughh, so gross. But worth it.

What?!?!?!

Right!?? Such a good little VIP experience!

Absolutely beautiful wedding photographs, you look absolutely stunning and so happy

Thanks so much! It was a very happy morning!

 

[MeghanEmily]

Your pics are seriously amazing. I wish I had been able to catch up with you on that trip but it was super busy lol. I think you looked amazing in all the pics. I can't help thinking about how hot you must have been, when I remember how hot we were in our shorts and tank tops and just can not imagine how sweltering you must have been in your dress. At least the fact that it was your wedding day would be a huge distraction lol and you look like you both handled it really well!!

Thank you so much, Kathy! I'm so sorry we missed you on this trip! But you're right, we both had a lot going on! It was pretty toasty for sure, but at least doing it in the morning helped a lot. That, and the adrenaline. And the moment we got back I was changed into shorts and a tank top!

Finally caught up, and OMG you and your photos are GORGEOUS! Congrats on your wedding too!!!

Thank you so much!

Beautiful pictures! You got to go into the" Victoria Garden" they have there. I'm from Victoria BC and Butchart Garden are a world famous garden and tourist attraction. When the Victora garden in Epcot was built Butchart Garden send seeds, plants and one of their gardeners to create it for the Canadian pavilion. DD8 mention it look like Butchart Gardens and I told her to read the plaque. I love the detail they put into have a little bit of each part of our very vast country.

How neat! I'll have to pay closer attention to the plaque next time we're there. I'd love to visit BC someday! I have family near Vancouver, and I'd love to see Victoria, too!

Hurray for nieces named Isabella! She's adorable, you did a great job with the pictures!

Your pictures in the Canada Pavilion turned out amazing! I know you said you weren't thrilled with your makeup, but it looks great in the pictures!

Isabellas are the best! Thanks—the pictures were a challenge to take, but also a lot of fun.

Thank you! I do think the makeup photographed nicely, even if it wasn't my style. I love having these pictures to look back on! I'm sure you'll feel the same way about yours since you're bringing such a wonderful photographer with you.

Everyone of your Epcot photo's are great I could never pic a favorite.......just gorgeous. I don't think I've ever seen that many great wedding pics.

Thank you! I'm so happy to have them to remember everything—it was such a blur at the time.

As always, your pics are stunningly gorgeous! And the ones of you with your hands on your hips, I am trying to decide if it feel more Merida or Rapunzel, but I think you are channeling one of them!! And I love the detail shots too

Thank you so much! And I love those characters, so that's flattering! I love looking at that photo like that!

 

[MeghanEmily]

1, 1, and 1!!

Seeing as my countdown ticker is currently showing 1 month, 1 week, and 1 day until our Marathon Weekend trip—which may not be accurate since we changed our dates—I thought I'd provide another quick update! As I mentioned, we got all of our FP+ selections booked a while ago, and I managed to get pretty much everything I wanted except for a FoP FP for mom and N at a time that worked well for us. (I was hoping for early/mid-afternoon, and we got evening.) I kept my eyes peeled for a FP to pop up, and I haven't caught anything so far. I'm still looking just incase something opens up, but in the meantime we made a new plan. When I asked my mom whether she'd rather FP FoP with N or be able to see Rivers of Light with all of us together, she said she'd prefer ROL. I modified the FPs so we are all going on River Journey together instead. Originally I couldn't find any FPs left for ROL, so I booked a Tusker House lunchtime dining package instead. I didn't want to get to ROL and wait for a long time just to not get a seat, seeing as I'm expecting crazy crowds on New Year's Day. But that had us eating three giant TS meals in one day. Fortunately, I looked online the other day and saw that some FP had opened up for ROL, so I pounced and then cancelled the dining package.

The other thing that's changed on Jan. 1st is our dinner ADR. Originally I had booked Jiko as a Christmas present/treat for my mom/grandmother. None of us had been there before and I knew they'd appreciate the amazing selection of South African wines. But the more I weighed the pros and cons of leaving the park for dinner, the more I was leaning toward another option...especially seeing as my mom wanted to see ROL. Also, reading others' TRs and DRs gave me a hankering to return to one of my favourite signature restaurants...Tiffins!...which is conveniently located in the park we'll already be touring that day! N and I have been there before, so we can be pretty confident that my family will enjoy it, it's in the park—which cuts down on travel time, and also means that we won't have to adhere to any kind of dress code or feel pressured to change out of touring attire—and our reservation is at 7:40pm, which means that if they don't update the park hours, we will be walking out of an empty AK when we're done, which is always cool.

I also went ahead and cancelled our Starlight Safari tour on Jan. 2nd, since I was thinking about getting rid of it anyway, and since now we have a new Christmas present plan. I also cancelled a few unnecessary/duplicate ADRs, and updated my spreadsheet....which means I can post it here for all of you to see...

We're also quite sure that we'd like to buy USO/IoA annual passes on this trip, so we may take a run over there on Dec. 27th if we have those. And we're still debating on the rental car, but I think we've decided that as a compromise, N will pick up a little extra work and do a little more travelling in December, and we'll use a portion of that income to pay for a rental car. Still a little up in the air.

Also, more news possibly to come soon...​

 

[ashw100]

Your plan looks great, love the spreadsheet. Hopefully you can get the rental car, that will make UOL so much easier.

 

[AV007]

Your plans for your upcoming trip look awesome!

 

[the2ndstar2theright]

The Epcot photos are stunning!! So nice that you were able to get pictures in 2 parks!

SO glad to know that I'm not the only one with the color-coded spreadsheet. Although, sometimes I think mine borders on obsessive

 

[missangelalexis]

Plans look great! The trip is approaching so soon!

 

[MeghanEmily]

WEDDING DAY: Let's get this show on the road!
Disney Day 3 - Part 4

Once we were finished with pictures, we were escorted into the entryway of the Le Cellier restaurant, where we met our wedding coordinator, Samantha, our officiant, Reverend Kevin (RevKev), and a couple of other members of Samantha's team who were facilitating various events. I was almost feeling a little surprised that they were all there where they were supposed to be! I'm the kind of person who usually organizes and controls things myself, so I had been experiencing an underlying level of stress not knowing all the details of how everything would come together. I kept waiting for something to fall apart or for someone not to show up, because I felt I wasn't given much information about how everyone would know where to be and when, or when I should expect to see certain people, etc. But Samantha and DFTW had everything under control, and everything went off without a hitch, so my advice to future DFTW couples would be not to worry too much unless your vision is very specific, because they do these kind of events literally all the time. We chatted with them for a few minutes, and they asked if we had any questions. We had already spoken to Samantha on the phone a couple of weeks before—which was very helpful!—and she'd run through the ceremony with us, so I felt pretty comfortable at this point. We took one last selfie, which we would deem our last ever unmarried selfie:

#nofilter #letsgethitched #thecouplewhosweatstogetherstaystogether

And then it was time to begin!

While this was all happening for us this morning, our families and friends had a different experience. They met at the two hotel lobbies where the provided shuttle would pick them up, Pop Century, and Coronado Springs. They were required to use the provided transportation because attending the wedding required them to go through backstage areas at Epcot which they couldn't access by driving themselves there or taking a bus. We made it very clear that if they missed the shuttle, they would miss the ceremony, no exceptions. Everyone was there on time! I expect my grandmother was the one who requested these photos of everyone in their spiffy outfits at CSR:

(my mom and step-father)

(my mom, grandmother, and aunt)

Then they all arrived by motor coach at the Canada Pavilion, and they took a few more photos while waiting for the ceremony to start.

You can tell how humid it is in some of their photos because their camera lenses fogged up...

They were let into the ceremony location where...you guessed it...more photos...

These will give you an idea of the setup for the ceremony, which was really lovely! We opted not to add any additional decor (except our Mickey balloons, which Samantha moved up by the cake table) and the Canada Pavilion didn't need anything. It was perfect as it was, and we saved some cash!

You'll notice above that the cake table (the rectangular one) is empty. That's because our cake was an allergy-friendly cake by Erin McKenna's, and the frosting, which contains coconut oil, melts very quickly at/above room temperature. And it was definitely above room temperature!! Samantha's solution was to have someone set up the cake quietly during the ceremony to keep it cool as long as possible. If it was a distraction to anyone, I never noticed.

They had taken N with them up to the ceremony location, while I was asked to line up for the processional down by the stairs that lead up to the terrace area. This is where I was reunited with my mom and my bridesmaids for the first time.

Nathan and Brad had a chance to chat with RevKev before everything got underway.

We picked Kevin because we liked his way and because we wanted an officiant who went to some form of seminary school and would incorporate our religious backgrounds into the ceremony...but it was a nice perk that he's attractive and photographs so nicely!

Apparently our violinist was doing a great job keeping everyone entertained while we got everything set up! He was excellent!

Nathan's sisters got settled in, and I suspect my grandmother harassed them for this photo...

And with that, we were off!​

 

[MeghanEmily]

Your plan looks great, love the spreadsheet. Hopefully you can get the rental car, that will make UOL so much easier.

Thanks!! Yeah, I'm really hopeful about the rental. There aren't many good deals to be had over the holidays, but I think it will still be worth it. We estimated how much it would cost, and even with two trips to Universal and our drive from the Sanford airport, it would still be much cheaper to do taxis/ubers. But a rental would be much more convenient!

Your plans for your upcoming trip look awesome!

Thanks! We're getting pretty excited about it!

The Epcot photos are stunning!! So nice that you were able to get pictures in 2 parks!

SO glad to know that I'm not the only one with the color-coded spreadsheet. Although, sometimes I think mine borders on obsessive

Thank you! I love that Disfriends are the only people who truly understand the spreadsheet phenomenon!

Plans look great! The trip is approaching so soon!

Thanks! I can't wait. It finally feels like it's getting close!