Wedding Day Continued:
We had plenty of time so we sat down on the balcony to have a drink and something to eat. We were lucky to have a view of the Gazebo so I could see what was going on. I saw people turn up and cut the grass earlier that morning – they were now out there sweeping up any loose bits on the grass and walkway. Soon after a man turned up to set up the seats and the floral we had to decorate the gazebo. After we sat there for a while we went back inside the room and started to get Charlotte ready. She was so excited and really loved wearing her dress and shoes etc. As a small gift I had gotten her some Mickey earrings to wear.
OK so now it was time to get into the dress – for some reason I wasn’t able to step into it, and I knew I had stepped into it at the final fitting – I just couldn’t get it right so they had to bring it over my head LOL it wasn’t a big deal and I had plenty of spray on my hair so I wasn’t too concerned.
I then called our Wedding Planner and let him know that we were ready whenever they was – he said he’d call to let me know when it was safe to come down to the lobby. I was glad i didn’t have to wait long…..
I guess it was about 2pm When I got the call from Karen to say that the coast was clear and that the boys were firmly hidden away in the crews cup lounge. It was then that I asked if there were any Wedding Guests waiting in the lobby, Karen said that Gary’s Mum and Nan and Grandad were still around from taking photos with Gary. She asked me If I would prefer them to head over to the Gazebo? Now originally I had thought I wouldn’t mind if people saw me before the wedding, but now I had decided I would prefer that no one saw me before the actual ceremony. Karen was really great and said she would ask them to wait by the Gazebo – im sure she was laughing when she hung up the phone though!!
We got all my bits and pieces together – all the bridal necessities – spare pair of stockings, bit of chalk, Lip Gloss etc and popped it all into my mums bag. So I left the room as a singleton knowing that later I would return as a Mrs with my new Hubby! That didn’t make me nervous at all!
Fortunately our room was right near the elevators but the corridor seemed to go on for ages! When I got out of the lift there were loads of people milling around. They were all looking and many of them said congratulations! I think I was a little nervous at that point and don’t think I managed to thank everyone that said congratulations. As I walked round the corner I saw Rev Jack who came over and gave me a big hug. Im really glad I chose Reverend Jack as he was ever so sweet and he had such a wicked sense of humour!
I walked out and saw my Dad standing there waiting for me, he came over and gave me a big hug and said I looked beautiful. I think he was really emotional that day as me and my Dad had always been really close. When I was younger I had a disabled sister who took up a lot my parents time, mostly my mums time therefore I spent a lot of time with my dad when I was younger. When my sister passed away several years ago my parents and I became even closer so I knew they would be finding it really emotional today.
As I was standing there talking to my Dad out from behind the Christmas Tree appeared Gary’s Mum. It turns out that when Karen asked her to leave she had come back in and sat behind the tree. I didn’t really think much about it at the time as I was busy talking to Karen about other things but when I thought about it later I was really annoyed with her for doing this. She had obviously done it on purpose and I thought it was quite devious of her.
Whilst Gary’s mum was trying to take pictures I was picking up my bouquet and the corsage for my mum and the bouquet for Charlotte. The flowers were really gorgeous, exactly what I wanted!
Randy was all set to start taking our photographs in the lobby. I had originally done a “must take” list of photographs but I had eventually decided against using this as I didn’t want to be stressing about what ones he had or hadn’t taken yet and therefore if I didn’t give him a list I had one less thing to think about – how crazy is that thought process!?
We started of with taking some photographs on the staircase, we took some of me on my own, some with me and my mum and me and my dad then we took some of all 3 of us.
We then walked down by the Yacht Club Galley restaurant as there are some nice full length windows and it was quiet so more piccies were taken there. Then it was time for us to go outside, Randy took us out along the boardwalk area and out towards the marina.
Randy had lots of fun taking what seemed to be an endless amount of photos and we were really pleased with how they all came out. A few more pictures here and then we went back through the lobby to get some shots out front.
We headed back inside the lobby and took a last few pictures before Karen said it was time to go round to the door by the Gazebo. It was a long walk down to where I needed to wait until it was my turn to walk up the aisle. My parents had gone off to another door on the other side of the gazebo and Charlotte came with me. I just loved the way that Karen kept talking into her radio and giving instructions, I was imagining to myself things like “the Bride is in position let’s move it! move it!! move it!!
Now the place I had to wait was hardly a classy brides room or anything, it was an oh so glamorous fire escape! Karen had put a couple of chairs there for me and Charlotte and we were joined by my cousin Andrew who was sort of a junior groomsmen/pageboy. He was walking down the aisle with Charlotte. Actually both Charlotte and Andrew were more nervous at this point than I was! Poor Andrew was terrified that he would fall over and embarrass himself. No matter what I said he was still worrying so in the end I told him if he did fall over I would sent it to you’ve been framed or some sort of funniest home videos and he could keep any money he got from it! That cheered him up slightly!!
Karen came and got Charlotte and Andrew just as the music started for the parents to be seated. We had a flutist for the ceremony and for the parents she played Bella Notte. It was really beautiful! I kept peeking out of the fire escape to see what was happening, I saw my parents walk up and light one of the candles on the side of our unity candle and then Gary’s parents walk up and light the other candle and then Gary’s parents were seated and then my mum sat down and my dad walked back down the aisle. Next out came Reverend Jack, followed by Gary and the 2 groomsmen, the music for this was some day my prince will come. Then the music changed to Part of Your World and Charlotte and Andrew walked up the aisle. Ive got to admit I was a little nervous now that Andrew was going to fall over on purpose now to get some money! But he didn’t and they made it up to the gazebo no problems.
It was really windy that day and my veil kept blowing everywhere! Karen straightened my dress. Then Karen looked at us and said OK you’re on ::GULP:: I don’t know who was more nervous my Dad or I LOL actually I think my Dad was. So I reminded him that we had to walk slowly, famous last words, and “A dream is a wish your heart makes” struck up so we took our walk. When I look at the video now there are quite a few people watching me from the boardwalk area but I honestly did not notice them on the day! I can remember walking past our guests and then before I knew it My Dad had walked me to the Gazebo and to my lovely Husband to be. Rev Jack then started the ceremony – My Dad gave me away, willingly and Gary and I held hands. The ceremony was civil and very much focused on love and friendship. Now when we had our planning session back in May Karen had asked us if our Best Man had a sense of humor, we both said yes we thought he did and she asked if we would like to play a little joke on him so we jumped at the chance!! Shortly before the ceremony Karen had asked Mark if she could borrow the rings so that Reverend Jack could bless them before the ceremony! So Mark handed over the rings. Only Karen didn’t give them back. So at the end of the vows when Reverend Jack said can I have the rings, we all looked expectantly at Mark. He then immediately began to panic turning out his pockets etc. Then the music starts playing and through a side door out pops Major Domo – for those of you who don’t know he is the character out of Cinderella who carried the glass slipper around on the pillow. Well inside the glass slipper are the rings. Major Domo comes up and bows and hands the rings over to Reverend Jack, who then turns round to Mark and says “You can relax now”. Everyone laughed – even Mark!!
It was then time to light our Unity Candle, I say light it was so windy I was really worried that the flame would blow out. Stan (our video man) had assured me before hand if it didn’t light he would lay down some magic on the video!! We were then proclaimed husband and wife had some kisses and then were presented to our friends and family.
We walked back down the aisle to our recessional “A Whole New World” followed by our parents, Major Domo, Charlotte and Reverend Jack. We then all went back and did our staged exit of rose petal throwing.
Paul and I had some shots taken with the Bridal party and family near the Gazebo, before all our guests were taken off to the Yacht Club lobby. Our pre reception and main reception were taking place at the Boardwalk so we had a coach for transportation, it worked out great really as it picked everyone up at their chosen hotel before the wedding as well.
Then it was just Gary, myself and Randy left. He took some truly wonderful photos and it’s just gonna be so hard to choose for the album – the three of us had some giggles. Karens assistant Missy came to check on us a couple of times before heading off to the Boardwalk.
Next Up….The Wedding Reception!!
your wedding was wonderful and the pictures are so lovely
