It was quick ride over to the Wedding Pavilion. I was late
there was no other way to describe it. It must have been about 6:20 or so. My 45 minutes of pictures had turned into about 15 minutes, but we had done it (no thanks to my limo driver and many thanks to Randy and Stan). I was greeted again by Richard (who he fondly called himself the train conductor because he was holding my train each time) and Karen.
The sky was the darkest shade of blue i had ever seen. It looked like it would open up at any moment. Check out this picture
My mom and had each helped me and we walked together over that beautiful bridge to the Wedding Pavilion.
All my guests were inside, and the doors were closed so one would be able to peak. The nerves in my stomach were very strong at this point! They just kept fluttering and fluttering away! It was unbelievable! Right behind those doors would be my husband to me, waiting for me, waiting to start our life together. As we crossed the bridge, the girls started a wonderful rendition of Going to the Chapel and we were quickly ushered into the Brides Vestibule. It was a beautiful little room, but I knew we wouldnt be there long. With in a few seconds, Stan arrived, asking if I had any words for mark. Oh shoot! We had asked Stan to do this for the beginning of our wedding video and I meant to practice something sweet, something romantic, but with all the commotion, I had totally forgotten. So I said something from my heart. Something like, I love you and I cant wait to marry you. I have wanted to marry you since the moment I first met you. You are my best friend. I love you and I blew a kiss into the camera. It was the best I could do under pressure. I teared up a little bit after I said those words, so on the video, my voice is very shaky and I have to wipe my eyes because a tear started to fall. I quickly pulled it together, only to be met my Reverand Day. He did his beautiful rose toss and hand kiss routine, to which a few more tears fell.
Karen was in a second after that to get things started. My nerves were unbearable. Well, I shouldnt say they were unbearable. I was so excited to see Mark, and was so happy and emotional, but defiantly flutters in my belly.
Here are a few pics of the "inside" action
Then I heard it. I heard the second star to the right which was the beginning music in the ceremony. That was the music I had chosen for my grandparents to walk down to (my grammie used her walker and my grampie to help her get down the aisle) and Marks parents, who were accompanied by Marks brother Michael.
We all got sooo giddy, knowing the ceremony had started. Karen got the girls lined up and brought them outside to the main part of the WP. I stayed behind with my parents. I gave them each a huge hug and thanked them for this beautiful day. I felt strong and excited and could not wait to get down that aisle. I laughed when I heard the boys music starting. Mark had chosen Yo-Ho, Yo-Ho, A Pirates Life for Me for Reverend Day, himself, and his boys to walk down too. This was my little boy, my little Markie fulfilling his own childhood dreams! I imagined him now, walking down that aisle, shoulders back, smiling at each family and friend as he passed. He always walked with such poise and dignity. I could not wait to see him on the video!
Karen quickly came back and took my parents to get them ready. It was their turn soon! I was left with Richard, in the Brides vestibule, where we had the most wonderful pre-wedding talk of my life. As I heard my girls music start Once upon a Dream from Sleeping Beauty, Richard started to tell me about his wedding day, and how he felt so excited to see his bride.
As I imagined each of my girls coming down, he told me how he and his wife had spent so many wonderful years, raising children and traveling, experiencing life together. I soon heard House at Pooh Corner (my parents favorite song) and Richard and I began our walk from the Brides Vestibule to the main part of the WP.
As we walked, slowly taking our time, Richard went on to tell me how he lost his wife a few years ago to cancer, and that is why he had decided to move down to Florida, to Disney, to live out the rest of his days until they could be together again. Unlike before at the Crystal Palace, this story did not make me cry. This story simply inspired me. It inspired my heart and soul, and filled it with so much joy and excitement as I was at the very moment of my own journey, of my fairytale. I hugged Richard goodbye, and half expected to never see him again, as if he was an angel that came down simply for me, to give me the strength to walk down that aisle. (I did see him shortly after the wedding, of course!). The main doors of the chapel were closed. Karen and her assistant each held a side of the door. Karen looked at me with a huge smile and said, Are you ready? and in my most confident, honest voice, I said, I am. And the best thing about it? I truly was. I was ready for this journey. I was ready for this walk down the aisle. I was ready to begin my married life with my soulmate. I was feeling like I always hoped I would. It was uncharacteristic of me to have been that calm right before the doors opened, but I was. I thank god for feeling like that on my wedding day. I heard the chiming of the hour, and I heard the beginning meledy to When you wish upon a star. It played for a moment, and then Karen said, Smile..here we go! and with a SWOOSH the doors flung open!