While the boys were having fun at Coronado Springs, the girls and I got ready at the Boardwalk. I woke up early even though I didn't fall asleep until the early hours of the morning. We had free continental breakfast included with our room, so I set off to find it. I am pretty sure I went the absolute longest way, but I eventually found the little room where everything was set out. I made myself a plate of some fruit, pastries and a bagel, asked for a bottle of water and headed back to the room to relax a little before the dress steamer arrived. I'm not sure how much relaxing I was actually able to accomplish though -- I was so on edge!
The dress steamer arrived a few minutes early. I used Carolyn Allen's like a lot of other brides do. I didn't realize it is actually a family business. She arrived first and introduced herself and then her husband arrived with all the equipment. They were both really pleasant people. She focused mainly on steaming my dress, but her husband was very talkative! This was the first real human interaction I had had since being stuck in my head for the past 12 hours so I am sure I was not very fun to speak to! They did mention that they did Lacey's dress the night before and had seen the limo outside for her that morning. I had every intention on sneaking away to catch a glimpse of Lacey's ceremony, but I was way to on edge about the day's events to venture out.
They did a really good job on my dress and veil and I have no complaints about the quality of the work. My only complaint would be that they charged me $20 over what they had told me the price would be when I made the appointment. Not a huge deal in the scheme of things, but had I not had extra cash around I would not have been too happy. I had made envelopes for all the items I needed to pay cash for before we left, like all the tips, hair, dress steaming, lunch for the girls, etc. and I made sure we had extra cash in small bills for anything that may have come up.
My girls and my mom arrived shortly after they were done with the dress and then Laine and another woman (whose name I can't remember) arrived to start everyone's hair and make up. They set up downstair and got to work on the girls.
I ordered a lunch platter from Jason's Deli to be delivered around noon and then opened some champagne for mimosas. After a couple glasses of champagne with a shot of OJ I started to relax a little bit and enjoy the experience more. I had the girls fill out their guest book page while they were waiting.
Laine did one or two of the girls hair and then it was my turn. About this time, lunch arrived. The driver couldn't find Disney to save his life -- and I really don't understand how that happens! Eventually after speaking with my MOH several times, he made his way to the Boardwalk.
Laine finished with most of my hair and make up and then finished up with the rest of the girls. Around this time the girls started to change into their dresses and finish getting ready. I headed upstairs to steal away a few undisturbed minutes to write a letter to DH. These pages came with our guest book for each of us to write a letter to one another. I loved the idea! So we each wrote one and then sealed them up. I am creating a box with a bottle of our champagne, some photos of our wedding day and our sealed letters to one another. So in 5-10 years (or if we ever have a hard period) we can open up the box and read the letters to see how much we loved one another on our wedding day.
Randy arrived to start photos shortly after that. He started with shots of all the accessories. I love these types of shots -- especially since the whole day goes by so fast and it is hard to take it all in!
While he was doing this I gave my mom her gift -- the hankie Amanda embroidered for me. She almost started crying, which of course made me want to cry!
About this time Stan arrived to do some video. We had him go take some of the guys first, which I guess they normally don't do. Given the unexpected nature of the guys, we wanted to make sure we caught some on our video, so we asked him to go over to Coronado Springs before coming to see me at the Boardwalk.
Laine did some make up touch ups on me and we posed for some "getting ready" photos before the flowers arrived. I was amazed at how much my bouquet weighed! It must have been almost 30 pounds!
Then it was time to put the veil on. I don't know what it is about a veil that made me feel so much like a bride. Even during the hair trial, it didn't feel like I was actually getting married until we put the veil on!
Laine showed my girls how to remove it easily for the reception.
Then we did a few more "getting ready" shots and I put my earrings on.
`Ohana looked delicious--glad everyone enjoyed themselves. Can't wait to read about wedding day!
Sighhhh. Can't wait to read about the big day!!!
and I 
it! Df and I are getting married at the end of this year and we have the same locations as you
