For our Pre-Reception menu we chose the Heartland Cheese Selection. Seems like it was a big hit!
As we walked through the lobby we could see our guests enjoying the pre-reception out in the Brisa Courtyard. I remember pausing before we stepped out the door and saying, “Do we just go out and join everyone? Like, NBD?” I felt like there should be some kind of announcement or something – HEY, WE’RE HERE AND WE’RE SPECIAL. But there was no one to do that, so we just walked out.
Right about when we reached the steps a friend of mine saw us and started clapping, and slowly everyone turned and realized what was happening and there was a weird slow clap. Followed by lots of hugging, picture taking, and me explaining how I made my veil.
Our table assignment board was also set up.
Just a few minutes after we arrived at the Pre-Reception, we were told we could come in and preview the reception space in the Trillium Room.
(Quick peek at our sales coordinator, Traci!)
I don’t quite remember how it happened, but there was champagne in our hands very quickly! (Thanks Disney!) I remember trying to soak everything in … here laid out in front of me was everything I had worked so hard to put together, and it looked incredible. There was so much to look at and I felt so rushed and scattered. I remember just being very overwhelmed by it all.
My only itty bitty teeny weenie annoyance with my vision was not considering how the red napkins would clash with the bright pink in our decor. The “rad dazzle” napkins had threads of gold running through them and are absolutely stunning in person. In pictures it just looked like I was trying to make red and pink go together. I know they don’t. It doesn’t look bad, but I can’t say I am 100% thrilled with the outcome.
Our DJ, DJ Pat with Sound Prodigy, was also doing our up-lighting. I told him during our planning meeting I was torn between amber lighting and pink lighting. Amber was safe and I wanted something a bit more spectacular, but I also didn’t want the room to be a pink explosion. So when we viewed the reception room, Pat set up half the room with pink lighting and half the room with amber lighting. Well, of course I loved the pink. Mr. BFT must have been in a loving mood that day because he let me have the pink lighting. (
Disney did a FANTASTIC job with creating my vision, right down to matching my fabric flowers out of fondant (I exchanged a few emails with Chef Gracie, who was dedicated to mimicking my flowers perfectly, right down to the hidden Mickeys – thanks Gracie!!!) They even added some shimmer to the layers which I wasn’t expecting. And our clay likenesses, crafted by my friend Marta, fit on the cake perfectly. I like to think Walter is watching over us, approving of our union.
So once we gave everything the thumbs up, we went back out to Pre-Reception to do some more mingling and FINALLY taking those grandmother photos. Took us long enough!
We sat on this bench for several minutes, waiting for the Monorail to come back around! Worth it! And I love that it was the orange one that matches our wedding colors!
I didn’t really pay attention to the Something Old, New, etc., but I didn’t have a garter so my mom suggested I wear hers! I loved it! You can’t tell but my mom and dad’s names are engraved on it, along with the year they were married.
Sorry (or not sorry?) to leave you hanging after that sweet, sweet thigh shot. Next week we will have less thighs and the start of our reception! Stay tuned!
aw i love this post. the pictures are great! and can i say how awesome your cake is?! love that walter is there too! lol
Thank you! We had to fit Walter in somewhere! 🙂
Nice thighs! 😉
I’m not a little girl – but I am shorter so I’m not sure if it counts – and I thought you looked like a gorgeous princess! Those “backwoods shots” are stunning. I’m seriously here holding up re-packing/check-out looking at your stunning images! Sooooo pretty!
I also didn’t get that moment, but a nice lady came up to me after the reception in the GCH lobby near the elevator and told me I was pretty so I took that (especially since I know I was all sweaty and not as cute as 8 hours earlier hahaha)
I’m so glad you got to sneak peek the Trillium too. I loved how everything turned out!
(Yay for the group shot!!) 😀
Well thanks … all that working out before the wedding wasn’t for nothing now! I hope you’re done packing by now? hehe 🙂
Well, I thought you looked like a beautiful princess. <3
P.S. Wow, I look so handsome in my tux! Thanks Roots for capturing my good side. 😀
The most handsome bear at our wedding, for sure!
Gorgeous decorations!
The backwoods photos are swoon-worthy.
Thank you very much!
I couldn’t love everything about your wedding more. You all looked amazing!!
Thank you so much Ari!
Oh Mindy! I loved the seating chart! How original! Were the shows ones you and Mr. BFT like or have some sort of special meaning? It’s so unique. I love it. And, oddly enough, it went great with the decor. The more I see your pictures, the more I fall in love with your fabric flowers. And the cake was done beautifully. *in amazement*
Yes, the TV shows all have some kind of meaning to us and we included signs on each table explaining the meaning. I’ll do a whole post about it eventually! Thanks for the compliment on my flowers!
Ring finger nail painted differently — I love that!
Thanks Mrs. Britty!
I’m so glad you guys took a few minutes to get some extra pictures while the pre-reception was going on — the orange monorail shot is perfect! …I love that you ended on a “thigh shot.” 😉
Sorry you guys didn’t get any special congratulations when walking through the lobby. To be honest, I think the reason we got some was because we were taking pictures in the lobby for so long! I would definitely have congratulated you guys (even if I didn’t know you)!
All your DIY looked so great! YAY for the Walter appearance! And the cheese plates look delicious. 🙂
P.S. LOVE the Disney bride picture! <3
I love this post 🙂 You’re pictures are so pretty. haha i love that champagne magically got into your hand. i would appreciate that! And sorry no one called you a princess!!! You looked gorgeous if that is any constellation and I def would have approached you if I was little lol.
I LOVED your flowers so much and when I saw your cake I thought that was the coolest thing!!!!! Your cake was so perfect 🙂 I loved the napkins at the pre reception, to me that was such a nice touch!!! I didn’t even notice the lamps haha.
The garter is so cute!!! How neat that it is your moms.
You had one of the most spectacular weddings I’ve ever seen. So YOU and fun, and happy! Love it all!
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! I LOVE your groom’s boutonniere! And the flowers on the cake! They’re gorgeous! They look real and don’t look like DIY at all! So pretty!