Tom & Heidi 1/19/09 Italy WD/WP/Narcoossee's/Sago Cay...Sprint to the Finish!!!

[AKLlurver]

Hi Heidi, long time lurker here! I just wanted to tell you I thought every thing about your wedding was beautiful! Your photos are amazing! I've really enjoyed reading.

 

[LISAG410]

I've just spent the past few hours reading about your weddings
Your pictures are amazing and the two of you look so happy.

Thanks for taking the time to put this great report together.

Lisa

 

[mrsksomeday]

I just got done reading about the weddings.

First off I want to thank you and our husband for helping to keep our country safe. I have such respect and admiration for everything you do.

Both weddings were amazing, you are a beautiful couple, thank you so much for sharing your memories with us. I hope you are with Tom soon.

 

[tiggerrifficheidi]

Thank you to everyone who is sticking with me! I'm way overdue to finish this thing! More recent brides are putting me to shame!

Good news is: DH comes home in about 1 1/2 weeks! Bad news is: my physical therapist thinks my stress is contributing to my lower back problems! Who would've known stress in your shoulders (and grinding your teeth at night...how's that for a confession!) would cause pain in your butt...literally!! Backs are a very strange thing! Ladies...take care of your back!

Okay...that's the end of my public service announcement.

Hayley-I also got very excited to see our stuff in the case at Franck's. That place is just so beautiful! I could sit in there for hours and soak it up!

Claire-I think if you build a wide margin of time so you won't be late and stressed, you won't have to remember to smile. Stress = bad facial expressions!

AKLlurver, Lisa and MrsKsomeday-thanks for reading.

 

[tiggerrifficheidi]

So this is what the WP looked like before things started.

Here’s our programs

I remember hearing “Someday My Prince Will Come” as the boys walked in. I got so excited to notice all the details I had planned.

Then, I heard the “Cinderella at the Palace” as the girls walked in.

While this was playing, Michelle had Dad and I line up. I’m not really a big emotional cryer...at least at events. I cry on my own or in a car. But, I started to tear up, because I realized I was having the wedding of my dreams! I said out loud “I think I’m going to cry!” Michelle said “Don’t cry now!” So, I didn’t. It was kinda funny in retrospect. Emotions are not typically obedient, but maybe they are to Wedding Planners

Then everything went by so quickly.

My Dad was funny when it came time to give me away. He told DH to take care of me. It was cute.

 

[tiggerrifficheidi]

More due to picture limitations.

Then, Rev. Jack asked for the rings. This was hilarious. We had Major Domo, but DH insisted on telling his Best Man, because he didn’t want to play a trick on him. I though my MOH knew (she was wit me at the PS!), and it never came up again. So, the guys played along really well.

Everyone started handing rings to Rev. Jack

Then Major Domo comes through the door, and the look on my MOH’s face was priceless!

So, that brings us up to the Kiss!

And a pic of the girls, because I think they looked beautiful!

And the Recessional. It wasn’t till I saw the video that I noticed that they didn’t use the music I requested. I wanted them to play the "Finale" portion of the Cinderella soundtrack. It's the music at the very end of the movie, when they run down the steps and get in the coach. I think they didn’t understand what I was talking about, but I wish they would have asked instead of substituting. But, at the time, I had NO idea, so ignorance is bliss!

You might remember that DH was in the emergency room the day before the wedding. He was still taking anti-nausea medicine, and he really couldn't eat much. He was such a trooper, though, because I really couldn't tell most of the day. In this picture, though, he looks like "Thank GOD I made it through that without throwing up!"

 

[tiggerrifficheidi]

Now you may be thinking “what happened to the unity candle?” Well, Rev. Jack forgot it. So, after we exited, we went to Picture Point for some pics while the rest of the guests exited. I like some of the close-ups we got, but I would have liked some shots with the castle in them.

Then Michelle brought us inside and Rev. Jack walked us through the Unity Candle ceremony.

Then we walked out for the Staged Exit! This was fun, but I collected quite a few petals in my dress!

I love how the Roots caught his expression here! (and mine, for that matter!!)

 

[tiggerrifficheidi]

I think I’ve talked about the group photos before. I wasn’t very happy. No one from DFTW assisted in getting people into order, and the photographers didn’t do anything with placement. And the pictures show. I don't think it's anyone's fault, per se. Just talk to your photographer about what you expect from group photos...and be aware that DFTW will probably not assist. I mistakenly thought they would.

One of my BM’s did bring hillbilly teeth, though, and they made for some funny pictures!

Here's a link to the Pre-Reception video excerpt:
http://gallery.me.com/heidi.anne#100083

 

[tiggerrifficheidi]

Then DH and I got back on the coach and stopped along the way to Narcoossee’s to take pictures. I LOVE the pictures of DH and I, though. There are many, many good ones.

 

[tiggerrifficheidi]

I didn’t realize the coach would take us all the way up to Narcoossee’s! That was really cool! As we rode through the Grand Floridian, guests were waving at us and we heard several kids say “Cinderella!”

Before we walked in, my WP and her assistant bustled my train. While this was going on, the Dapper Dans serenaded us! It was awesome, but it took Michelle forever to bustle the train! My mom told me the seamstress said it was a difficult bustle and demonstrated it to her, so I tried to get her to get my mom. But, she and her assistant continued to struggle with it. So, we got to listen to two songs!




Here's a link to a video of the Dapper Dans
http://gallery.me.com/heidi.anne#100071

 

[tiggerrifficheidi]

I really loved having our reception at Narcoossee’s. I love the location on the water, the view, and the unique look of the restaurant. The one downside for us was that there was no separate location for the pre-reception. So, we didn’t get a first look at the reception site. But here’s some of the details

The seating diagram and escort cards...

Pre-Reception decoration, beverage napkins and cheese display

The overall look of the room and tables

 

[tiggerrifficheidi]

We had Kathryn Flocken as a Silhouette Artist, as well as a 3-piece Ragtime Trio.

So, Major Domo announced us and we went into our first dance. They didn't introduce the bridal party. I don't remember being asked about this, and I guess because of the all-in-one feel of Narcoossee's it didn't make sense. Still, I would have liked to recognize them. So, if you want this, make sure you get it in writing at the PS.

The food was amazing!

Belgian Endive Salad with Champagne Viniagrette

Duo plate of Beef Filet with Blackberry Demi and Mahi Mahi with Limoncello Beurre Blanc with Sweet Potato Mash and veggies

Cinderella's Chocolate Slipper Dessert

And the Jaq and Gus Kids Meal

And we were serenaded more through dinner

More Dapper Dans Video
http://gallery.me.com/heidi.anne#100124

The best man speech was HILARIOUS!

Here’s a video!
http://gallery.me.com/heidi.anne#100049

 

[tiggerrifficheidi]

Then the Father/Daughter dance and Mother/Son dance...

Then the mice arrived! And we cut the cake.

Next Mickey and Minnie took pictures with some of our guests.

 

[tiggerrifficheidi]

Then we took pictures with Minnie and Mickey outside with our bridal party and some more of DH and I. These are my absolute favorite pictures. They came out so well due to the lighting and backdrop around Narcoossee's!

 

[tiggerrifficheidi]

After that, we went out on the dock for a few more pics.

That pretty much wrapped up our reception. We gladly went back and took a nap before the DP.

Here’s a video of the reception
http://gallery.me.com/heidi.anne#100113

 

[tiggerrifficheidi]

The DP was a great way to end the day. But, it went to quickly. The desserts were great, and the fireworks were beautiful! We were glad we had the music piped in. It really added to the experience.

 

[tiggerrifficheidi]

The next morning, we had a Farewell Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare. Sorry! I didn’t get any good pictures of it! But, it was an awesome place to have a Farewell Brunch, if you our your guests (or your events) are centered around the GF. It was fairly empty at our 11:10 seating, so the characters spent a lot of time with us. Plus, the food was very good, in my opinion. Because it's in the GF, it still has a somewhat classy feel, but there's the whimsy of having the characters, and it's casual to boot.

The rest of the day, we tried to go to Epcot with our mothers before we met my SILs at Rainforest Cafe for dinner. But, it was FREEZING! The wind was really kicking up. In the 3 weeks we were at WDW in January, we saw almost 4 seasons worth of weather. So, be prepared for anything. Thankfully, our wedding day was gorgeous!

The next morning we had our MK/Epcot photos. It was REALLY early, and it was FREEZING! Literally. It was 32 degrees that morning! So, aside from the cold, we had a great time. Patricia did my hair and makeup again, which was fun.

Ty picked us up at the GF and drove us to the MK. It is so cool driving into the MK through back channels early in the morning. We loved working with Ty. He took many artistic shots, as well as the standard ones. Amy also met us to assist. She was so sweet and brought a jacket and gloves for me to wear between takes. Unfortunately, they were rehearsing a new castle show, so we had to kind of work around them. But, it was cool to get to see it. The stage manager handed me some hand warmers, so I shoved them in my bodice in an attempt to keep warm!!

A few days before the wedding, Disney video called to say they were working on a new concept of doing a “Bridal Spotlight” or music video during the Epcot photo shoot. So, they wanted to use us as guinea pigs. Of course, we agreed! It was so much fun to work with some of the same folks as our wedding day. They were so professional!

Here’s the link.
http://gallery.me.com/heidi.anne#100056

All in all, it was a great experience. We would have had more fun if we hadn't been freezing, but that can't be helped. Nonetheless, I have great memories of this photo shoot and highly recommend it.

 

[malibustacey]

One Word;


Wow.

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

Wow! You did a major update! I love everything....you look so great, your DH looks great, and your bridal party!!! I love all your pictures so much
Your BP are completely stunning!! I'm so glad you shared everything with us!!

 

[MainStMandy]

Heidi everything was beautiful as usual!!

Can I ask about the Pirate ship at your DP? DId you bring that or did Disney? lol it was very cute!