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I’m so excited to bring you another Disneyland wedding recap! I feel so fortunate to have been extended an invitation to Beth and Stephen’s Disneyland Hotel wedding, and this was my first time witnessing an Escape package wedding! All Disneyland weddings are amazing, but it was interesting to experience first hand the differences between a Wishes and an Escape wedding. I want to do a full post all about the Escape wedding package (it has been on my to-do list for a while), but first I want to spotlight Beth and Stephen because their wedding was so intimate and gorgeous and perfect.
Their ceremony started at 10am at the Adventure Lawn Gazebo, next to the Frontier Tower at The Disneyland Hotel. I think this might be my favorite Escape package venue; the surroundings are so green and lush and it feels so private. Beth and Stephen also had the distinct honor of being the first wedding to utilize the new sound system at the Adventure Lawn Gazebo! You can now plug in an iPod or sound system to play music for your ceremony, and it’s piped through two speakers placed on the sides of the Gazebo (as seen in the picture above). I can confirm it sounded great!
Beth and Stephen had a lovely traditional ceremony where they had a unity candle, exchanged vows and rings, and of course sealed it with a kiss! We also had a funny moment towards the start of the ceremony when two fighting cats loudly ran across the lawn behind the guests! It was only a momentary interruption because the wonderful Disney Weddings coordinator shooed them away, but it made everyone laugh and the officiant (Stephen’s dad) even made a quick joke about it.
Beth’s bridesmaids looked great in dresses and shoes they owned, to match Beth and Stephen’s pink and purple color theme. Beth also made their bouquets using silk flowers. Aren’t they lovely? There was even a hidden Mickey! Beth also made the ring bearer pillow which included a special friend.
I want to point out Beth’s lovely bouquet, which was provided as part of the Escape package. Beth asked the florist to try to match her homemade bridesmaids bouquets and sent along pictures, and I think Disney Floral did an excellent job! Beth said she was very happy with her bouquet.
After the ceremony ended, Beth and Stephen stayed behind to take a few photos while the guests were escorted over into the Frontier Tower and the Mark Twain Ballroom. This was also my first time seeing a real reception set up in the Mark Train Ballroom (I saw a mock setup at a bridal show a couple years back). This is a nice little room and it’s perfect for a small, intimate reception! The three tables and sweetheart table were set up on one half of the room, and the dance floor took up the other half. A table right by the door served as a Welcome Table where guests could place gifts and we filled out slips of paper with “well wishes for the lovebirds.”
Beth and Stephen made all their own stationery, including programs, menus, escort cards, and even personalized buttons!
Food service started at 11am, after Beth and Stephen returned from taking pictures and made their grand entrance into the ballroom. After a first dance, we were served the standard bread basket, first course salad, and the yummy Meyer Lemon Chicken, the same kind we served at our wedding. It’s so delicious! For dessert we were served creme brûlées and of course we can’t forget the cake, which was a yummy golden vanilla with fresh raspberries.
(Beth changed into a new dress for her reception! This one is from Modcloth.)
I also snagged a picture of the ring bearer’s plate – this is the standard kids meal. Mac n Cheese wheels, corn nuggets (the tater-tot looking items), and chicken dippers. He was also served “worms and dirt” for dessert, which is chocolate pudding topped with crumbled Oreo cookies and gummy worms. So fun!
The reception wrapped up with a few lovely toasts, a money dance (where my pal Malefiduffy Bear snagged a dance with the bride!) and a group photo. It was a really wonderful way to spend an afternoon!
I want to thank Beth and Stephen again for inviting me to witness their special day. Every Disneyland wedding is so different and unique, and I’m extremely honored when I get to join in the celebrations.
