True Love Conquers All - Disney Fairytale Wedding & Disneymoon Sept 2011

I wake up every morning wondering if it was a dream. It was my dream come true – I got married at the Wedding Pavilion in Walt Disney World. I married my best friend who shares my love for Walt Disney and his legacy. I am just the luckiest girl in the world!

How It All Began

My name is Shelley and like many little girls, I always dreamed of being a princess. Here’s a picture of 15 year old me donning the Bride ears back in 1996. I love this picture for so many reasons but I mainly miss the 2 floor Centorium. I like Mouse Gear but I miss my Centorium :(

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When I was in my mid 20’s I became jaded towards love. One night in September 2006, I went out with some of my girlfriends for a girls’ night out. I remember telling them that I just wanted to meet a nice guy who liked Disney. Yep, those were my criteria: nice guy, likes Disney. We proceeded to our favorite bar and it was still a bit early so the bar wasn’t very full. While I was ordering drinks, a guy came up and started talking to us. The funny thing was, he was all by himself! It’s not every day that a guy has the guts to walk up to a group of girls and just start talking. At first I ignored him thinking he was just another jerk. But then he spotted my Kingdom Hearts cigarette case and matching lighter. (Kingdom Hearts is a video game series, sorry – it is the best video game series to grace God’s green earth. If you love Disney and video games, you must play this series.) I remember the face he made at me, like he couldn’t believe we were meeting. He also loved the Kingdom Hearts series and his name was Jason. I remember so much of that night because it changed my life forever. We talked about everything Disney and he told me that his favorite Disney movie was The Sword in the Stone. I found that very interesting because that is not a well-known animated classic. I told him I had a cat and that I had named her after a character in Aristocats. After a few guesses, he said “Oh I know, so you named her Duchess?” (RIP Duchess, we lost her this past June :cry: ). I couldn’t believe I had met my nice guy who liked Disney. I don’t think we ever really dated; we were always in a serious relationship from that point forward.

In 2009 we went on our very first Disney World trip together with my Mom (see the trip report here). At this time, my career was not going well and neither of us had been to Disney World since 2003. This trip changed our lives forever and both of us have made major career strides since then. I have also lost a ton of weight since then :D Let’s take a stroll down memory lane…

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We went back a little over a year later in September 2010 (see the trip report here). On my 29-and-12-month birthday, Jason proposed to me while we were flying over London on Peter Pan’s Flight during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, September 21, 2010. I loved his proposal, it was absolutely perfect!

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Fashionista007

Active Member
Original Poster
EPCOT Bridal Portrait Session!

We drove over to EPCOT and began our photo shoot in Italy. I definitely think the EPCOT photo shoot was better because there was no one around and the photographer was able to relax and get more artistic shots. I am SO glad we did both the Magic Kingdom & EPCOT!__There was a promotional marketing photo shoot going on for Disney Weddings with another couple so that was cool to see. We also saw a couple doing an engagement shoot.

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I think this one belongs in a Men's Wearhouse Ad! So handsome ::swoon::

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Italy is such a nice shooting area because it's so romantic. I love the lines of the architecture here!

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This is definitely near the top of my favorites! I love the angle, like I said the photographer really had more time at EPCOT to do artistic stuff with his shots.

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Then we moved on to Japan which was my idea. Being part Japanese, I have always been drawn to the Japan pavilion so I really wanted some photos. Unfortunately, Yakitori House and the seating area outside were under construction so we had to modify the plan a bit. They didn't make us walk around World Showcase, they drove us around in the van! It was so neat :) Italy was pretty busy with people but after we left that pavilion, the others were just about empty. It was such an experience being in my wedding dress with my Prince in all of these different countries!

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Since the outside shots weren't going to happen, the photographer had a great idea and took us inside of Teppan Edo. These pictures were really fun to pose for and turned out amazing!!

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I'll have to ask my Grandmother what these characters mean. I took Japanese for 2 years in high school but I never got to the Kanji alphabet. I hope they don't mean something bad like "Marriage sucks"!

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Fashionista007

Active Member
Original Poster
Jason calls this one "Help! I"m in a box!"

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And this one is "I'm totally fine with being in this box".

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I've seen this shot before and it turned out beautifully for us too :) So romantic...

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I can't tell you how many shots I have of this photo spot over the years. None of them are as beautiful as this!!

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We moved along to Morocco and got more stunning shots. This was the photographer's pick, Jason and I were pretty skeptical because Morocco is one of the pavilions we really don't spend that much time in but I think now we have reason to spend more time there!

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And this next one is the photo I'm now using as my avatar across all social media, I love it!!

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Another potential Men's Wearhouse Ad :)

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After Morocco, we moved over to France. The photographer took some really beautiful stop motion shots in front of the fountain. This one is my favorite from that series!

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Fashionista007

Active Member
Original Poster
The rest of the shots were all my picks. I wanted to go into the France pavilion in the back where the Patisserie is. I love it back there! On hot, crowded days I like to kick it back there with a croissant and soda!

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We left France and headed over to the UK. Of course, since we had our Illuminations Dessert Party in the UK, I really wanted to take photos there. If I *had* to choose a favorite from the Bridal Portrait Sessions, this one is it! After we move to Orlando, this is definitely going on a canvas in our house!

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At this point, Future World was open so guests were coming in through International Gateway. People were just standing around watching our photo shoot, it was so cool! I wanted to go back into the courtyard to recreate a photo of me and my sister, Trish from 1988. This idea made the photographer's assistant, Alicia, tear up. She said it was amazing that I had been dreaming about this for such a long time and now it was actually happening. She was so sweet!!

This is one of our favorite all time family photos. It's one of those photos that resurfaces every few years and we talk about all of our memories. This was from our very first trip to Walt Disney World in 1988. I had to make poor Trish go and dig it out and it took her an hour to find it! Thanks, sis!! I'm the one on the right...

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I hadn't seen this photo in a long time so I guesstimated which bench it was, I should have sat one to the right! Ah well, close enough!

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Our last photo spot was in front of the Rose & Crown. There were a lot of people milling about watching us, and applauding. It was the perfect final photo!

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So that wraps up our magical theme park bridal portrait sessions! Joe asked where we would like to be dropped off and I said the lobby again. He said he could take us straight to our room but I wanted to walk around the resort in my wedding dress!! He dropped us off and Jason and I began our short walk to our room. When we passed by people gasped and one lady told me how beautiful my dress was and that she loved the sparkles :) Then we got to walk by a completely full bus stop and everyone applauded. The cast member said "Now there's something you don't see every day!" I guess cast members at the Grand Floridian are quite accustomed to seeing brides and grooms but at Saratoga Springs it's probably not as frequent.

I loved every minute of our bridal portrait sessions and I highly recommend them to all Disney Brides and Grooms! You can only wear your wedding attire if you had a Disney Wedding by the way. At least that's what I was told. I really want to go back in a few years and do Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. Maybe for an anniversary or...Vow Renewal! I also suggest buying the archival disc with all the photos. We got all 300 photos from the ceremony, reception, and bridal portrait sessions for $350. If you add professional photography to an Illuminations Dessert Party you can get those photos added to the archival disc as well. It's a pretty sweet value if you ask me! Otherwise, I would have to choose just 20 from each set!

Wow I can't believe how much more there is to write! There's still meeting my online friends and the 40th Anniversary!!
 

PartOfYourWorld

Well-Known Member
I know I already commented on disneymanners.com but I just had to comment here too because I looooooove all of these pictures!!!!!!!!! And I can't wait to read the rest of your report!!! :)

And I've seen what they've done with couples in Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom and I think the Hollywood Studios one would be really great!!!! :D
 

DiPSU224

Member
Woo Hoo!! I had anxiously been awaiting your portrait sessions. I'm going to surprise myself when I say this, but I'm partial to the World Showcase photos! Don't get me wrong, the photos in front of the castle are totally swoon-worthy, but the WS ones are so romantic.

What a lucky girl! Marrying the man of your dreams in the place you love...such a fairytale. (I do realize that was corny, but I can't help it...just so romantic! :p)

Keep it coming!
 

plaz10

Well-Known Member
Ok after wiping the tears away and going through the pics about 3 times...I have my favorite.

The one at MK when you both are looking down at your flowers and you can see both of your rings. SWOON. Love this. You both look so comfortable and happy. And just so...attractive! :lol: I couldn't think of a better way to put it. It's really a perfect picture.

And I've read that you can only get bridal portraits done in MK if you've had a DFTW but if you didnt get married in Disney - you can still do EPCOT, DHS and AK. And resorts. I was/am looking into EPCOT bridal portraits because thats where my fiance proposed to me - but we're definitely not getting married in Disney...too big of a family!

Congrats again on the amazing wedding and gorgeous photos!
 

Ariel484

Well-Known Member
OMG...AMAZING photos, Shelley! :sohappy:

I love your hair for the portrait session. The curls look fabulous, as does your bouquet! I would never have know it was silk.

There are too many great pictures for me to pick a favorite! I love the ones by the mosaic in the castle as well as the ones in Italy and on the carousel (love how the colors on the carousel pop against your white dress and Jason's black tux). LOVE that you guys also returned to Peter Pan's Flight and got some pictures in Japan too. Even though you didn't make a shot list it seems like you had all of your bases covered.

LOVE LOVE LOVE!! :sohappy:
 

HollyBelle

Well-Known Member

Obviously, it's hard to pick a favorite, but I adore this one! I just love the black & white. I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed every moment of your portrait session - it really shows through in the pictures, which is what makes them so fabulous.

I agree with Diana, the World Showcase pictures really are just so romantic and swoonworthy!
 

enchanted_belle

Active Member
I totally agree with your choice for a canvas!!!! ahhh. Me at work right now: :cry:

Gee Shelley, thanks for making us all cry! haha! :p

They turned out perfect (and so what if I already saw them on facebook, I had to look and love them and cry all over again!), and just getting to walk around the parks in your dress is such a wonderful memory!
 

BrittanyRose428

Well-Known Member
You look beautiful! All of the Epcot ones are my favorite, I can't pick just one. That must have been amazing in World Showcase with your dress on before the park opened
 

Fashionista007

Active Member
Original Poster
I know I already commented on disneymanners.com but I just had to comment here too because I looooooove all of these pictures!!!!!!!!! And I can't wait to read the rest of your report!!! :)

And I've seen what they've done with couples in Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom and I think the Hollywood Studios one would be really great!!!! :D

Aww thanks Jess :) And yeah I think we have to go back and do all 4 theme parks portrait sessions. I'm hooked now! It's so great being there while the park is closed and all quiet. Chills!

Woo Hoo!! I had anxiously been awaiting your portrait sessions. I'm going to surprise myself when I say this, but I'm partial to the World Showcase photos! Don't get me wrong, the photos in front of the castle are totally swoon-worthy, but the WS ones are so romantic.

What a lucky girl! Marrying the man of your dreams in the place you love...such a fairytale. (I do realize that was corny, but I can't help it...just so romantic! :p)

Keep it coming!

Yeah it surprised us too that the EPCOT photos are our favorite. But I did have to get that photo of us in front of the castle :) Too bad we couldn't do main street. It would have been cute with all the pumpkins but there were too many workers and vehicles everywhere.

I am a lucky girl indeed :) What Jason and I have is very special :eek:

Oh just bawling. You are stunning, the pictures are beautiful. SO happy for you guys =)

Aww thank you!! I can't wait to move so we can get them framed!! There's really no point in doing it now and having to lug all that stuff down to Orlando :(

Ok after wiping the tears away and going through the pics about 3 times...I have my favorite.

The one at MK when you both are looking down at your flowers and you can see both of your rings. SWOON. Love this. You both look so comfortable and happy. And just so...attractive! :lol: I couldn't think of a better way to put it. It's really a perfect picture.

And I've read that you can only get bridal portraits done in MK if you've had a DFTW but if you didnt get married in Disney - you can still do EPCOT, DHS and AK. And resorts. I was/am looking into EPCOT bridal portraits because thats where my fiance proposed to me - but we're definitely not getting married in Disney...too big of a family!

Congrats again on the amazing wedding and gorgeous photos!

Yay I love hearing everyone's favorite bridal portrait :) I love that one too! My Mom commented about that one as well. She said the same thing about the rings!

Yeah seriously Disney should let anyone do a portrait session anywhere in wedding attire whether your had a DFTW or not. They should also let you have any photographer you want.
 

Aurora79

Member
You are such a beautiful bride! What a lovely wedding. The pictures had me tearing up and I usually don't cry at stuff like that. I wish you both the best and look forward to reading more. Also, I checked out your blog..it's pretty sweet. :)
 

Fashionista007

Active Member
Original Poster
OMG...AMAZING photos, Shelley! :sohappy:

I love your hair for the portrait session. The curls look fabulous, as does your bouquet! I would never have know it was silk.

There are too many great pictures for me to pick a favorite! I love the ones by the mosaic in the castle as well as the ones in Italy and on the carousel (love how the colors on the carousel pop against your white dress and Jason's black tux). LOVE that you guys also returned to Peter Pan's Flight and got some pictures in Japan too. Even though you didn't make a shot list it seems like you had all of your bases covered.

LOVE LOVE LOVE!! :sohappy:

Thank you we are SO happy with all the photos! I actually let my at home stylist decide how I should do my hair for the portraits. I think I posted a pic of that in my planning journal. She was so sweet!
 

PolynesianPrincess

Well-Known Member
LOVE the pics!! Awww you look so beautiful and your groom doesn't look too bad himself! :)

I think the France pavilion is my favorite so I'd definitely choose to do portraits there. It's just so pretty there.
 

Fashionista007

Active Member
Original Poster
Boo I got interrupted while responding to these today :( Anyway, picking up where I left off!

Obviously, it's hard to pick a favorite, but I adore this one! I just love the black & white. I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed every moment of your portrait session - it really shows through in the pictures, which is what makes them so fabulous.

I agree with Diana, the World Showcase pictures really are just so romantic and swoonworthy!

Aww thanks Holly! I tend to like the ones where we're kissing :D I agree, EPCOT bridal portraits are where it's at! I'm so glad we sold the car and did both ;)

I totally agree with your choice for a canvas!!!! ahhh. Me at work right now: :cry:

Gee Shelley, thanks for making us all cry! haha! :p

They turned out perfect (and so what if I already saw them on facebook, I had to look and love them and cry all over again!), and just getting to walk around the parks in your dress is such a wonderful memory!

Even better than canvas...today I looked online for really large digital frames and they exist!! I'm all about technology so I think it would be SO cool to have a big 32" digital frame hanging on the wall with pictures rotating constantly. I love living in the future :sohappy:
 

Fashionista007

Active Member
Original Poster
You look beautiful! All of the Epcot ones are my favorite, I can't pick just one. That must have been amazing in World Showcase with your dress on before the park opened

OMG yes it was really amazing being in both the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT before they opened. It's like being welcomed into a special club, you get to go backstage and be escorted around :sohappy: We loved every minute!

Yes! Yes, yes, yes! I'd be all over this if I could have Jason Angelini in tow!

Yeah I don't know why they currently don't let you have outside photography for bridal portraits. They could at least have a list of a few "cleared" photographers for you to choose from. Not everybody wants to go with Disney photography!

You are such a beautiful bride! What a lovely wedding. The pictures had me tearing up and I usually don't cry at stuff like that. I wish you both the best and look forward to reading more. Also, I checked out your blog..it's pretty sweet. :)

Thank you so much and thank you for reading my blog :) I've been really busy with work lately so I haven't had the time to write anything new for the past few days. Hopefully this weekend I'll get out my article on the Brazilian Tour Groups. It is December now so they will be descending upon us :rolleyes:

LOVE the pics!! Awww you look so beautiful and your groom doesn't look too bad himself! :)

I think the France pavilion is my favorite so I'd definitely choose to do portraits there. It's just so pretty there.

Hehe thank you, I think I have the most handsome prince in the world :) His big green eyes are swoonworthy!

I loved all of the countries we took photos in and now that I think of it, it would be great to go back in a few years and get some countries we missed like Canada! A photo in front of that waterfall would be beautiful!
 

diddy_mouse

Well-Known Member
Absolutely stunning. All of them!

I think one of my favorites is where you and Jason are looking at the fountain in France. *sigh* Sooooooo romantic! And I gotta say your shots in Japan turned out quite nicely. :D

And I'm so jealous that you got to walk around EPCOT in your wedding dress. When (not if) I have my vow renewal I might have to convince my husband to shoot some pictures around World Showcase. :lookaroun:D
 

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