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Old 17 Feb 17, 04:17 PM  
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SleepingSophie
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Arrow The Magic of Memories & a Wedding September/October 2016 - DAY 3 - OUR MAGICAL WEDDING DAY

Are you all sitting comfortably... this one may take some time.

Day 3 – OUR MAGICAL WEDDING DAY

This day has taken me SO long to write up and it is VERY photo heavy. If anyone ever has any questions about the background of planning this day or anything then please do ask.

6am. That is what time my alarm was set for. 5am. That is what time I actually woke up! A mixture of emotion, tiredness from the events of yesterday, excitement of what was yet to come, and of course the normal pre-wedding nerves. I got up and made myself a cup of tea, swiftly followed by Mummy H, Sarah and Amy. We had a little happy dance to ourselves and went downstairs for a pre-everything cig. This would be my last one of the day as there was no way I wanted smoke near my dress as I would have to wear it back home for our home reception. Quickly checked the boys weren’t there as we didn’t want to see them, snuck down and back up pretty quickly.

I had laid out on the table little gifts for each of the girls. A personalised dressing gown/robe, each had their name on the front and title on the back, they had a luck bracelet and their Pandora charms. They all loved them. My mum had a gown as well but I had yet to get her official gift.

They then sat me down in return. My wonderful bridesmaids gave me a bouquet charm. A small charm to wrap around my bouquet. It contained a photo of my darling Grandad and Nanny on their wedding day! This absolutely overwhelmed me. My Grandad is unfortunately no longer with us and my Nan was sadly diagnosed with cancer shortly before our trip therefor was unable to fly. So having them ‘walk me down the aisle’ meant the world to me. Just once id composed myself my Mum then presented me with an Irish Claddagh ring. My Nan is Irish and her sisters (my great aunts) bought the ring over with them in the summer when they visited to give to me today.



7am and it was all go! We had the dress steamer arrive. I hired Carolyn Allens as they were the most recommended and did not have a travel fee. She arrived bang on time, took all the dresses off into Sarahs room and got down to work. To be honest she was so quiet we nearly forgot she was there. I had already made envelopes with the money and tip in for each vendor. One of them was for the officiant which the boys needed, so we sent Sarah with the envelope, the rings and her phone which had the ceremony music on. She came back to say they were all still in bed! Typical!

Also at 7am 3 girls from Beaute Special arrived. Again I chose this company based on their good communication and a high recommendation from my wedding planner. Whilst all 3 were nice and polite enough I didn’t really ‘click’ with them. But they set up their stations, 2 doing hair and 1 doing make up to start. They started on the 3 bridesmaids, then me and my mum. I had opted for the extra airbrush effect make up to ensure it stayed all day. Fizzy was opened and Chrissy had music playing in the background from her iPhone portable speaker.


Around 10am our videographer arrived. The lovely David and Kristina from Trinity Wedding Cinema. They came highly recommended from nearly every forum and board I was a member of. Both were lovely and very calming. Kristina introduced herself and then said she was off to the boys room and David stayed with us. He was really good at not making us feel uncomfortable or awkward. We definitely didn’t change how we acted or what we spoke about just because he was there. He had a laugh at some of the music we had playing, asked us some generic English questions (including the whole Brexit situation) and chatted away with us. At some point here the lady from Carolyn Allens called me in to Sarah’s room to check on the dresses, all were perfect. No issues and no wrinkles! I paid her and off she went.

At around 10:30am our wonderful photographers from Disney Fine Art Photography arrived. We had decided to stick with Disney as we already had 2 hours of coverage included in our package and I really wanted the same photographers throughout the day. I added an additional hour on to include the getting ready photos. We had Stephanie and Amanda. Both were so warm and friendly! Amanda went off to do some photos of my dress, jewellery and accessories while Stephanie started photos of us. It was at some point here that Beaute Special also was due to leave. I handed them the envelope, said I big thank you and one of them said she would see me tomorrow!

10:45am I know now the boys would have been leaving to get the limo to the Wedding Pavilion.



But it was time for me to get into my dress and have the formal ‘getting ready’ shots.


11:15am our phone rang to say the limo was outside and waiting for us. We said goodbye to Amanda, Stephanie, David and Kristina and made the walk down to the front of our building to the limo. I have to say it was very odd walking down to the lift in my wedding dress. The bridesmaids were trying SO hard to keep my dress off of the floor. We got in the limo and were on our way!


The drive seemed really quick, I assume excitement and nervousness took over! On getting out of the limo I turned round to see a fellow Disney Bride who I had met through a Facebook group standing with her husband and gave her a quick wave and blew her a kiss! I knew she had reservations at the Grand Floridian that morning but was so pleased she made the walk over to the Wedding Pavilion to see me! So, HEY STACEY! If you’re reading.


We crossed the bridge into the Wedding Pavilion grounds and could see my brother walking towards us! I had initially wanted us to have a ‘first look’ but I think I actually forgot to tell anyone this… He said Dave and the boys were safely tucked away in the Grooms Room with Mummy B and were quite happy playing Heads Up on their phones! Us girls made our way into the Brides Room, which by the way is beautiful, and lingered. Our officiant Rev, Kevin Knox popped in to introduce himself. Despite the fact we’d never actually spoken or met in person I felt like I’d known him forever. He was so warm and friendly. He gave me our marriage licence to double check, Sarah signed this as my witness, Dan B had already done so as Dave’s witness. He gave us a brief over view of the proceedings and said he’d see me inside. He then offered everyone a mint, I took one, and then bitterly regretted it, and it was SO strong! Natalia, our Wedding Co-Ordinator arrived, checked we were all ok and happy, made sure I had a sip of water. She assured me the boys were all fine and ready. She then left with my mum to meet Dave’s mum who would be pre-seated inside the Pavilion.


Next thing we know I can hear Dave and the boys entrance music, he chose his song “You’ve got a friend in me” – Toy Story.

I was smiling from ear to ear! Then Natalia signalled for Sarah, Amy and Chrissy to follow her and Tom and I were left alone. Then the girls music started “Beauty and The Beast” (This is all their favourite film!).


Natalia then signalled for Tom and I to stand in position behind the doors. Tom told me how proud he was of me. As a side note, I have 3 big brothers; Tom is actually the youngest of the 3 but has been there throughout everything for me my entire life. To know I made him proud was the best! Then my music started. I had chosen “Once Upon a Dream” – Sleeping Beauty. It was the original music from the film including the trumpet intro. The doors were swung open by 2 lovely ladies standing next to us and I could finally see everything and everyone. I tried so so hard not to look at Dave through fear of crying! Our wedding was being lived streamed back home and I knew my girl friends back home would never let me live it down!



We had a short but sweet ceremony;

Dave’s mum did a reading called “The Art of Marriage” which was lovely.


We had a small giggle during the rings as Dave couldn’t get mine on my finger (he was initially trying my middle finger…!)

Before we knew it Rev Kev announced us for the first time as Mr and Mrs Barden!


We began walking back up the aisle to “You’re Still The One” – Shania Twain. Followed by Dan & Sarah, Then Amy & Dixon, Then Chrissy & Justin, Then both mums and Tom. (Yes the couples were slightly mix and matched here for some reason! Oops!)

We had a staged exit outside of the Wedding Pavilion.

Then back inside for the formal…


and un-formal photos!





Gradually our wedding party was whisked off in the limo over to the Grand Floridian for our cake and champagne reception whilst Dave and I stayed for longer to have our photos done. I’ll try not to over load here and will choose a selection.









We met everyone back at the GF. Our reception was held on the Commanders Terrace, just to the top of the wonderful staircase from the lobby. It faced over the GF pool towards the lagoon. On our way up we had several people shouting congratulations to us across the lobby and a little girl who just stood right next to me beaming! I smiled at her and called her a princess and her mother thanked me! It was a very sweet little moment.

We did the formality of cake cutting/eating,




and then called Dan for the “speech”… I use this term loosely, Dan is not a good public speaker and I think what we got was “Cheers to Dave & Soph”… oh well!


We then had our first dance, Sarah had the music on her phone and Justin had bought his Bluetooth speaker, I was a little apprehensive about how this would work but it was actually fine! The song was “Grow Old With You” – from the Adam Sandler film The Wedding Singer… you know… the one he sings on the plane… anyway!


Once that was done the violinist started to play just any random Disney song, he was incredible! My lot were throwing loads of suggestions out and he did all of them so well! I took a sneaky chance to have a peek at my phone which Sarah had been holding all day, but the 200 and something Facebook notifications swiftly made me give up on that idea! Texted a quick message to my darling Nanny who was at home and got an instant reply which made me instantly cry! I had arranged for one of my close friends and work colleague to deliver her a bouquet of flowers with a note to let her know how loved and missed she was. Then posted a quick FB status as well.
Dixon sent this photo to my girl friends back home for me.




Our photographers then came over to ask if we would like any more photos in particular. So I requested some inside the GF on that wonderful staircase. These ended up being some of my favourites! Then just as I was posing alone, who should shout ‘hiya’ to me than that very same little girl who’d seen me an hour before! She just kept laughing and smiling at me the whole time. Her mother kept apologising and I had to assure her it was 100% fine! (Hey, who doesn’t like feeling like a princess right?)




At this point we said a brief goodbye to David & Kristina who said they would see us tonight, and to Stephanie who we would see tomorrow, and finally to Amanda who we would also see later tonight.

Our limo was outside ready for us, it took all the boys again first and then all the girls back to our rooms in Saratoga Springs for a much needed spruce up and blast of good old Floridian AIR CON!
In the time we spent back in the room I honestly couldn’t tell you what we did. I know Dave and I opened some cards we had been giving before we left and the cards our wedding party had given us and Chrissy helped me fix my hair as i wanted to take my veil out. Before we knew it I was gathering everyone back up again ready for our meal.


Now rewind around 12 months. One miserable winter night Dave, my mum and I were discussing what to do after the ceremony, or where to go for a meal. Dave came up with the idea of just going to The Turf Club restaurant at Saratoga. We had loved it the last 2 times we’d been there, it had a lovely secluded patio overlooking the water way to Downtown Disney (Springs) and a great menu. And it saved on any extra travel costs. So I fired an email off to the restaurant and they were so excited to have us there. They said they’d never had a wedding party request like that! I guess because they are so far away from the wedding venues available they never get picked! But I did!

Fast forward back to today. Actually to yesterday. So, you’re all with me right? Yesterday we stopped by and spoke to the lovely lady on the golf cart and asked if they could pick us all up? Well… as we were waiting for the call to say the golf carts were downstairs, our in-room phone rang. It was front desk. Informing me our LIMO was outside waiting! That amazing golf-cart lady had gotten us a limo to take all of us to the restaurant (If you don’t know Saratoga Springs – it can be a long trek between the buildings and the front desk) To say we were buzzing would be an understatement!

Us girls went first, we then found 2 FREE COMPLIMENTARY BOTTLES OF CHAMPAGNE IN THE LIMO! Having checked with the driver they were for us (they were!) We took them for our table at the restaurant. On seeing our table I was so chuffed! As promised, they had put us in a semi-private end of the patio, 3 tables pushed together with white table cloths over, little plastic diamonds sprinkled all over the table and some Disney balloons! The boys turned up a few moments later (not impressed we stole all the champagne…)!



Our amazing server, Stacey, came to greet us and take drink orders. Dave and I were paying for the meal for everyone. They were allowed any starters and any mains and any drinks but NO desserts. Stacey went off with our orders and we had an appearance from Joe. Joe according to his name tag was the Hospitality Manager. Well, he was incredible. He checked we had been happy with the limo (errr yes) and champagne (double yes) and then told us the limo was ours for the night! To go wherever we needed, and picked up again whenever we wanted! Super exciting! Stacey re-appeared with our drinks. An assortment all round of cocktails and alcoholic beverages. Lots of chit chat took place. Stacey took our orders for Starters and Mains. Now, if you really think as the bride I had any intention of remembering what anyone ate you are clearly mis-led. All I know is I had 4 Glo-Tinis. During our main meal we then had another visit from Joe, checking all was ok, alongside the HEAD CHEF! He congratulated us, asked if we were all happy with the meal etc. and wished us well. It was a lovely touch.



Tom & Chrissy went off to take a few photos by the lake together, Dave and I followed.



Dixon was taking a photo of us on the path when I suddenly felt the bustle on my dress go! The loop had snapped! Oh dear. Ok no this isn’t the end of the world, but it did result on one of the funniest photos of the day…


No they were not looking up my skirts! Minds out the gutter people!
They were trying to find the little broken loop to try and fix. In the end me and the girls went to the toilets inside to try and get me to step out of my dress to find it. This didn’t work. Never mind. We did get the whole food court/gift shop turning around, I swear everyone just stopped what they were doing, and then just started clapping and cheering! (I suspect for a moment they were checking I wasn’t some rare form of character meet and greet! )

Back outside I spoke to Joe and requested the final bill. When Stacey bought this over she had a little whispered conversation with him. He then came over and gave me the bill, as a gesture of congratulations and a thank you for choosing the Turf Club they had deducted $100 from our bill!

COULD THIS HOTEL HAVE BEEN ANY MORE AMAZING?!?!?!

The total for 12 of us, all with starters and mains, and 2/3 alcoholic drinks each = $635. Plus tip. We left a VERY healthy tip for Stacey. She had been wonderful.

With this we then walked through the food hall, gift shop and lobby out to the front to wait for our mini bus. (Our limo was already there)

This is one of my favourite photos of me and my mum ever!

The mini bus had been intended to take us all to EPCOT for our Illuminations Dessert Party. Instead, Dave and I decided to have the limo to ourselves!


So, we followed behind the mini bus in our limo, watching the world go by, entering EPCOT, entering BACKSTAGE of EPCOT. We drove underneath TEST TRACK. And pulled up in what is very bluntly, a car park. At this point I had realised due to inclement weather our dessert party had been re-located inside. In actual fact, this turned out to be so much better. We had a private room which to this day I cannot tell you where it actually was located, our dessert tables were set up perfectly and the all-important bar was there!





Along with David & Kristina and Amanda. We caught up with them both about the day; Amanda had a surprise for me and had already printed some sneak peek photos from earlier! They were SO good! I was so excited to see what else we got, but even with just those 5 photos of the whole day I’d have been happy!


Our dessert party escort came to find me, told me he would give a 10 minute warning when we were about to leave the building to walk to our firework viewing location. Me and Sarah took this opportunity for a wee stop. Now whilst we were gone, some kind of story had been told involving Sarah and Dan… and something to do with a Whale and a Seal…? No idea. But the group were in hysterics of laughter when we got back! Even David & Kristina were laughing! Took a few more photos...



Our escort gave the 10 minute warning, we all grabbed a drink to take with us and set off. We were led to some big brown gates; we could hear lots of talking and the EPCOT music playing. Our escort opened these gates and we were literally standing slap bang in the middle of the UK section of the World Showcase! Wow.


We were led past the UK shops, the Rose & Crown was HEAVING, and then the crowds literally parted in front of us, everyone stopped and cheered for us and clapped. The boys got lots of High Five’s and I got lots of “You Look Incredible” shouted at me. It was like something from a film. We felt like proper celebs!


Our viewing location was the UK Upper Terrace. Located just to the right hand side of the Fish & Chip shop as you’re looking at the Showcase Lagoon.

It was perfect.
Actually, I’m just gonna let these photos do the talking.





Yep. It got emotional. Everyone was emotional. Everyone was crying. Me and Tom had a particularly loving moment.

Me and Dave had a little dance/sway to our favourite Epcot music.



We said our goodbyes for the final time to David & Kristina, they had been wonderful and we can’t wait to see our final video! Then to Amanda, I honestly cannot praise her high enough. She totally knew what we wanted and she posed us so well. She was so calming and didn’t once get annoyed that we kept giggling. Gave her the biggest hug ever, in fact I think we all did. And off she went.
We made our way back to the hotel in the mini bus all together (we had told the limo not to wait for us) we had a big sing song all the way home. It dropped us all off back at our building. The time was around 11pm.

We then did the only thing you wanted to do at the end of the wedding day…

NO! NOT THAT!

We took over the hot tub! All quick changed into our swimming gear, I stepped out of my dress and left it exactly where it was.
About an hour’s worth of swimming and hot tub time before I took myself off to the land of nod. After clearing the thousand of little diamonds and rose petals from our bed!


So there we go. The BEST DAY EVER.

Number of flip flops purchased/obtained = 0
Number of illnesses/injuries = 0
Number of tetchy moments = 0

TOMORROW – A VERY early start & Hollywood Studios

(Photo credit to Disney Fine Art Photography. And a mixture of iPhones.)
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Old 17 Feb 17, 04:49 PM  
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Ciano
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Ah so enjoyed reading all that. Your photos with the fireworks gave me goosebumps! We saved for 2 years for a big wedding how I wish we had of done what u did!
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Old 17 Feb 17, 05:58 PM  
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You can never have too many wedding photo's

What an amazing day you, your Illumination photo's are stunning and I really love the GF staircase ones too.

Many congratulations and thanks for sharing your special day.
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Old 17 Feb 17, 06:52 PM  
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fletchie148
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What a wonderful day
Memories to cherish forever
Great photos
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Old 17 Feb 17, 07:00 PM  
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mousefan
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Such lovely photos of your amazing wedding day.
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Old 17 Feb 17, 07:43 PM  
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Congratulations!

They did an awesome job with hair and make-up, you all look beautiful. It's lovely that so many of your friends were able to travel with you, and so nice that all the couples get on so well.

The photograph of you from behind on the staircase at the GF is my favourite!

Your day just seems perfect, it seems so laid back. So lovely that the Turf Club were so accommodating.
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Old 17 Feb 17, 07:54 PM  
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Rob & Jan
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What a fabulous day and such wonderful memories, thank you for sharing.
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Old 17 Feb 17, 08:29 PM  
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princess allie
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Absolutely beautiful. Congratulations x
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Old 17 Feb 17, 08:30 PM  
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scottishvixen
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What an amazing day from start to finish. You looked incredible and I love the colour of the bridesmaids dresses and the bouquets.

What incredible service from The Turf Club also
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Old 17 Feb 17, 08:51 PM  
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Beccleberry
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Wow what a gorgeous day! Can definitely never have too many wedding photos, I love looking at mine and the memories it brings back! X
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