My wedding day recap - 9-16-11...so magical

[maddiesdaddy]

Pre ceremony pictures were a blast. A true balst. We went all over the Grand Floridian. All over...the Grand is truly our home away from home.

One of the first places we took a picture was the 2 story elevator, that we lovingly call, 'Maddie's elevator. We call it that because, during our first trip, it was the only elevator she would ride to and from the monorail platform. So, we asked Regina if we could take some shots in there. She laughed when it was all over and said, she had never done that before but was so glad that she did because it was something new for her...and she loves trying out new places.

This is us imitating the marble floor:

And this is us in the elevator:

Love it. This is the 2nd floor of the Grand

A True Beauty

Down the stairs that are by Citricos

I love this creative shot by the side doors:

 

[maddiesdaddy]

Then we headed outside for some amazing outdoor shots.

The picture that's currently on my phone:

It was almost time for our surprise for the kids...but I wanted to mention the sweetest person you would ever meet, Richard. He came along with us and made sure that Sarah's dress train was always perfect and not dragging. He literally followed us all over and was so kind and sweet and amazing.

I have shots of him somewhere and simply cannot find them. That makes me sad as I know you all know he is..but he is so sweet and amazing. He often told Sarah she was a classic beauty (I agree) and how amazing he thought our kids were. I hope he's still there when we come back for our VR.

 

[luvs2cruise]

Love, Love, Love your pictures!!! I cannot even express how stunning and beautiful all of you look!!! By the way, Maddie is gorgeous!!! Her eyes just sparkle and that beautiful smile and those dimples!!!!

 

[maddiesdaddy]

Love, Love, Love your pictures!!! I cannot even express how stunning and beautiful all of you look!!! By the way, Maddie is gorgeous!!! Her eyes just sparkle and that beautiful smile and those dimples!!!!

Thank you thank you thank you so much. That means so much to me. And to us. We are so blessed to have each other that it makes all the beauty shine through.

Ha..thank you so much for the kind words about Maddie...she is definitely a very beautiful child..but so much so on the inside..just as sweet and kind and funny as that smile.

Those dimples melt my heart so often!!

I really appreciate you reading. This has been a magical journey back to the day. I am having a blast doing it.

 

[TabZ]

You have a way of expressing the love you have for your family in a way I've never experienced before, and it's honestly moving me.

I can't wait to read more about your truely magical day x

 

[maddiesdaddy]

You have a way of expressing the love you have for your family in a way I've never experienced before, and it's honestly moving me.

I can't wait to read more about your truely magical day x

Thank you so much. That really means so much to me. I do love them with everything I have and I really appreciate you telling me that. I hope I can always make it known to them and to the world how amazing they are for me.

I appreciate you reading along...I hope to post some more today. Thanks again for a very sweet message.

 

[maddiesdaddy]

I mentioned at the outset that we had decided to see each other before the wedding and do our pictures before the ceremony. There were many reasons for that and why it worked for us. During these shots, Sarah would often look at me and tell me how glad she was that we did all that before because we were having so much fun doing it. She said, and I agreed, that it would have been hard to not be with each other the whole entire day. We had fun and I was with Sarah and the kids..it couldn't have been any better.

Pamela gave us the word that it was time to go. All the other guests had made their way to the wedding pavilion except for Sarah, Logan, Maddie and me. We had a BIG surprise for the kiddos. We had reserved Cinderella's carriage to transport us to the Wedding Pavilion.

We worked hard to keep this a secret. Pamela and Regina knew that it was a secret and we hadn't even told our guests. It was in every way possible a surprise. So, we had a plan to surprise the kids with it. We would have them pretend like they were shooting more pictures outside when the carriage pulled up. We got it all worked out and we went out to one of the back doors of the Grand Floridian.

Then I looked left and saw it..coming

It ws more beautiful than the pictures even conveyed.

The kids were shocked...shocked I tell you...

Again, the carriage was BEAUTIFUL. Truly beautiful. Amazing..beyond words. Such a perfect way to continue a Fairy Tale wedding. Logan asked where Cinderella was and everyone..both photographers, me, etc, told Logan that his mom...Sarah, was Cinderella.

And while, technically, she was wearing the Ariel dress, Sarah was indeed my Cinderella that day.

 

[maddiesdaddy]

So, we all piled in. That face from Maddie...well, that tells it all

It was AMAZING!!!! What a fun ride. Security had stopped traffic running in front of the Grand and people had their cameras out and were waving and smiling. It truly was a beautiful sight to see all these people so happy just seeing the carriage.

Princess Wave:

The ride seemed to last for so long, but also be over in a heart beat. We arrived at the Wedding Pavilion...

The kids walked in together...

We followed:

Then waved goodbye and got in our places! The excitement was overwhelming:

 

[maddiesdaddy]

Sarah rushed off to the Bride's vestibule. My brother and officiant, Michael was there and told me I would get mic'd up for the video. So, I went into the Groom's room to get mic'd up. The sound guy...Will...told me that I needed to leave my cell phone there in the room.

Sure..no problem..whatever the sound guy says, right? Well..the only problem with that was that Sarah and I decided at the last minute to write our own vows. And we stored them on our iphones!!!!!!!!!!! Typical us, but it was the perfect way to save them, share them and deliver the vows. So, we had the genius idea to put them in airplane mode so they wouldn't cause interference. After that, a few sips of water, and it was time to go.

Michael walked down the aisle first then I followed shortly after.

It was amazing to look out and see all of our friends and family. It was very sweet to know they came all this way for us.

I stood there and waited for the kiddos!

All those two talked about since we asked them to be our flower girl and ring bearer was walking down the aisle. In fact, they used to practice in aisles at the mall and the grocery store. Logan would carry his imaginary pillow and Maddie would throw imaginary petals. This was THEIR moment. So I couldn't wait for the music to start...a Rio song that is a family favorite...and to get the kids down the aisle. The song started..but no kiddos?

 

[maddiesdaddy]

I heard the song continue to play and saw the doors open and close a couple of times. Then, the sound guy give a thumbs up! And out they came. What a crack up!!! They were together at first..side by side as advertised..but then it all went awry, in a sweet way. Maddie was LOVING her moment in the spotlight and had a smile as big as the state of Florida. Maddie veered off to my right (looking back) and cut Logan off. She had no idea where she was walking!!

Then she made room for Logan. Then this picture really strikes a chord with us. We have less shots of the kids walking down the aisle than we really wanted. Yet, I heard Regina's shutter going like crazy. So, maybe they weren't good...but this is the best picture of the 2 kids coming down the asile...only one of our guests takes up the left side of the picture. We already talked to Disney photography and it's too intricate to get her out of the picture. But, these are our kiddos!

They finally made it up to the front. Logan got stopped on the way up front by his grandma and grandpa and and I had to coax him up to the spot where he would stand next to Sarah.

Maddie was smiling as she stood next to me.

I couldn't wait to see my beautiful bride and have her become my wife. The anticipation was so great.

 

[maddiesdaddy]

Then, I heard the 'Chiming of the Hour' and the doors opened and there was Sarah and her Uncle Ed at the back of the church.

I love this picture for so many reasons..1) it shows our amazing planner, Pamela (On the other side was the helper...Ariel..appropriate, right?!); and 2) it is a vantage point that I never had

I also love the timing of this shot..with the GF wedding rings!

Our perfectly sized crowed of 35 all stood and she walked down an aisle of people gawking at her beauty. So beautiful. So elegant. So perfect.

She came to the bottom of the WP's altar and Ed shook my hand and we held hands and walked up the steps and stood, looking out at the castle. It was all beginning.

 

[maddiesdaddy]

My brother was the perfect choice for our officiant. He is humorous, sweet, and when we got all these pictures of us at the altar, for us...for our wedding, we were glad it wasn't a stranger. We were glad it was family.

Michael said some really nice words about being able to 'marry your brother'. He got a big laugh out of that. But his words were sweet and nice and very appropriate for the moment.

His wife and my sister in law, Dana, came up and did her 'Ceremony Reading' which was a poem that we picked out that was very sweet and talked about not being alone...it worked and was a nice sentiment.

Then it was time for vows. Michael informed the crowd that we had written our own vows and had written and stored them on our iphones. Everyone laughed. And laughed hard. I heard a few comments about that being totally appropriate for us.

 

[maddiesdaddy]

Sarah started and hers were beautiful. Truly touching and sweet and very emotional.

It was hard for her to get through them without crying and when she cried, so did Logan.

He's honestly the sweetest boy I have ever known and he is very in tune with how his mom is feeling and when he saw her cry, he really broke down.

It was sweet and sad and touching all at the same time.

Then I read mine. *I really liked them going into the day, but when compared to Sarah's, they weren't that good.

But, Sarah liked them and really, that's all that matters!

 

[maddiesdaddy]

Then, it was time for the ring ceremony with another surprise...Major Domo!!!!

I just noticed this for the first time in the millions of times looking through these pitcures....I love love love Pamela peeking out from back there.

He was awesome!

He announced that he had the rings and to be quite honest, I was so busy watching everyone's reaction to Major Domo that I don't remember everything he said.

Logan doesn't look like a fan!!

Major Domo was a big hit, though, and we performed the ring ceremony.

First, I slid Sarah's beautiful ring on her finger

Then, she put my ring on

Next Up..Sand Ceremony and Solo!!

 

[ccgirl]

I don't usually read these but for some reason this one caught my eye. I have to say I was moved to tears. You sound so in love The pictures are absolutely gorgeous. Hope you have strong locks for the doors for when Maddie becomes a teenager. SHe is absolutely gorgeous as is your new wife! That pictures of Maddie gently touching your face was just heart warming and one of the most touching pictures I have ever seen. You can tell both you and Sarah are adoring parents. Logan crying when she did is just precious. Can't wait for more!

 

[Chilly]

i'm tearing up reading this. So lovely to read the Groom's side. What a beautiful family you have. Fab photos. Can't wait to read and see more.

 

[maddiesdaddy]

I don't usually read these but for some reason this one caught my eye. I have to say I was moved to tears. You sound so in love The pictures are absolutely gorgeous. Hope you have strong locks for the doors for when Maddie becomes a teenager. SHe is absolutely gorgeous as is your new wife! That pictures of Maddie gently touching your face was just heart warming and one of the most touching pictures I have ever seen. You can tell both you and Sarah are adoring parents. Logan crying when she did is just precious. Can't wait for more!

Hi. Thank you so much for reading and for leaving a comment as sweet as this. It truly means a lot. I honestly sat on the plane on the way home and penned this out and have it just sitting in a document.

I have been reading another amazing PJ in the other sub forum on planning..by a woman named Michelle, who goes by One Song.

She truly writes so well and watching the pictures bring her story home made me decide to put this all down. It really helps me remember the day and I keep smiling every time I post.

Thanks...yes, people do remind me the tough years ahead when boys become interested in Maddie...or *gasp*, she becomes interested in them. That picture of her touching my face as I was telling her how proud of the girl she was and that I hope one day she found love as wonderful as our family did is one of my favorites.

And Logan is as sweet as can be..he is as truly precious as these pictures portray.

And Sarah is as beautiful of a woman on the inside as she is in these pitcures. A true partner and friend and an amazing person for me, for her son and for Maddie. It couldn't be a better match and I am truly blessed.

Thank you again for your sweet words. I hope you continue to enjoy.

 

[maddiesdaddy]

i'm tearing up reading this. So lovely to read the Groom's side. What a beautiful family you have. Fab photos. Can't wait to read and see more.

Thank you so much. I hope you continue to ejnjoy reading. I really enjoy writing it from this side. And thanks...the pictures are great...but we had great photographers.

Thank you again.

 

[maddiesdaddy]

Then, off to the Sand Ceremony. Sarah's flowers were pink and orange so each of the four of us had a different shade of pink or orange for the ceremony.

Trish, Sarah's best friend, sang the solo, 'A Brand New World' and it was beautiful!!!!! She has an amazing voice and we were honored she sould sing for us.

We had discussed that we would each pour just a little bit of our sand containers into the main one in the middle..but only a little bit. The kids, of course, poured all of their sand into the container, leaving almost no room for Sarah's and my sand! It was cute.

We improvised with the sand and then came back to listen to Trish finish her song. It was a true joy to hear her sing.

Props to Major Domo for the dress assistance!

Michael then made a nice little impromptu speech about the sand and how now, that it was all together in one container, it would be impossible to separate back into the original colors. A perfect wrap up to the sand ceremony.

We were almost done...and even though the cermony was almost over, we had plenty of fun at the reception planned!!

 

[maddiesdaddy]

A beautiful prayer followed by my brother, who has an amazing way with words and then the kiss and introduction as a new couple. It was amazing.

Then, it was time to head back down the aisle..

Kids first:

I LOVE this next picture......Since the tears, Logan didn't smile the rest of the time and to see him walking back down the aisle with his new sister...the contrast in their faces still makes me laugh so much. Maybe he was sad it was over? !!!

Then us following...and I love Major Domo being in the background of our pictures for these sequences:

I wanted COCKTAIL hour....

But we had a few more pictures first....did I say a few?