Monday, March 17, 2014

So Raise Your Glass!


     When you write a blog, you have to really think about what you are going to post. How much is too much to share? Where do I draw the line between instructional and personal. Why do I write in the first place? Is to just show that I have a little skill with decorating and cooking or is it because I think that maybe, just maybe, if I am lucky...what I write might make a difference for someone. Maybe it is both and maybe that will happen today.
 

     My daughter got married a few days ago. It was a glorious day in Florida at the Disney Vero Beach Resort. The ocean is just behind the greenery in the picture above, it was 5:30 in the evening and the temperatures were in the high 70's. With the exception of becoming a mother, I have never been happier than I was that day. Actually, for several days!


  

     My daughter's bouquet was white hydrangea and white roses. The stems were wrapped in lace from my wedding veil and netting from my mother's wedding veil. A silver starfish was attached to the lace. Just before the ceremony we added a rhinestone brooch that belonged to my husband's mother, so she had a little bit of all of us with her. 

  

     There were 65 guests. When a wedding is that small, everyone there is very special to the couple. The weekend was full of happy tears. Instead of the Bridal March they entered to Bruno Mars, Marry You, After the ceremony,we had hors d'oeuvres and drinks out on the croquet lawn.


The colors were the colors of the water. 
Turquoise, sea foam and cobalt blue. 


 The tables were kept simple, 
 sea glass, candles and live white orchids. 

  

There were several little "pops" of color as you will soon see. 


     Disney did the cake and the cupcakes. We knew they were going to be wonderful but they were even better than we dreamed. 


     They used crushed graham crackers to look like sand. The cupcakes above were key lime with cream cheese frosting and white chocolate seashells.


     Vero Beach is known for turtle rescue. So of course there had to be a turtle cupcake. Chocolate, crushed pecans, caramel frosting and spun sugar "water" with chocolate turtles. The really nice thing is that everything tasted as good as it looked. We also had chocolate covered strawberries after dinner of mahi-mahi or filet. 
 

     My daughter's gown had a removable long skirt, so she could take it off and be in a cocktail length dress for dancing. I thought that was such a great design idea! I could stop writing now, and you would never know the "rest of the story". The traditional destination wedding you have been reading about wasn't all that traditional. We had laughed at how we never set out to be ground-breaking, but we were.


     You see, we had two brides. It was the first time for this Disney resort, although certainly not for Disney's other locations. The entire resort was involved and excited. I spoke with the General Manager a few days later and he said they really wanted to "get it right" and they certainly did. You see dealing with two brides is different. They both have their own ideas. My daughter was all about the beach, but my new daughter was all about rainbows. So, we had little pops of rainbow tucked in unexpected places. You saw the little rainbow treats on each table.



The cake surprised everyone! 


As the guests arrived they all got sunglasses. 
When the girls walked in, everyone had them on.


     The girls also both had on rainbow colored shoes.
 
 

     I feel so lucky to have another daughter and we couldn't love her more. You can see how excited she was coming down the aisle!

  

     The girls got through the ceremony, but their bridesmaids were all crying. You see, they love their friends and they know how happy they are. I had someone tell me that they were honored just to be a part of it. They exited to Sugarland's Stuck Like Glue!


     The bridesmaids and the brides came into the reception to Pink's Raise Your Glass and the party began. There was dancing, a photo booth and a few adult beverages! It was so much fun.



     So, while I know that some of you may find this hard to imagine, I had several people tell me how it was "just a wedding". In other words, it was the same as any traditional wedding. It was two people in love, surrounded by those who loved them. There were people there who had traveled their journey with them, friends from work, friends from home and family, all united in joy that these two incredible young women found each other.

     I don't like to draw attention, but someone told me that maybe this is my purpose. I hear stories of people who turn on their children when they find out they are gay and I just don't get it. My daughter was a little later than some to put the pieces together, so she certainly surprised us. I have to say that it made no difference in our feelings for her. There were things that concerned me about having a public wedding on Disney property. What if someone said something and hurt my child. It didn't happen. People were watching from the balconies, taking pictures and clapping. My daughter had her dream wedding and it was perfect. The world is changing and while I know that some may never agree with me, I truly feel that love is love and the change is for the better.



19 comments:

The Quintessential Magpie said...

There you are! i wondered where you had been.

What a pretty wedding, Sue. I can't get over all the attention to detail that went into this. That cake and those cupcakes were amazing. You know I love things from the sea, so I was particularly interested in how they made the desserts. And the flowers were so perfect they almost didn't look real. Disney certainly outdid themselves on the details.

I know a mother's heart is with her child, and I'm happy for you that you got to be there on this big day in your child's life. One reason I eloped, aside from being in grad school and facing comprehensive exams, was because my father had died five years earlier and wouldn't be there for me except in spirit.

I can't imagine all the work and planning that went into this, and now you can step back for some much deserved rest.

Speaking of rest, I am off to bed. Looooooooong day, and I am exhausted.

xo

Sheila

Barbara F. said...

Congratulations to the happy couple. Two beautiful brides. A beautiful reception. Disney definitely got it right.. You looked lovely too, Sue. xo

Unknown said...

What a gorgeous tribute to love! I'm so happy for your lovely family, and just adore your beautiful account. March on, dear friend, and let's let love live on!

Tonia Goslett said...

This looks like a gorgeous wedding - and I do think the world at large is coming to see that is all it is - just two people in love, committing their lives to each other. Thanks for sharing this :)

Flo @ Butterfly Quilting said...

looks like a beautiful wedding...and beautiful brides! I am sure your attention to the details added a special touch. Happy to hear that you all had such a special day!

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Congratulations to two beautiful young women! Beautiful wedding with so many meaningful details. Wishing them many years of happiness together.

Stopped by yesterday, but was having problems leaving comments, so back tracking today to see which did not go thru.

Low Tide High Style said...

I'm so happy that everything went off without a hitch, it truly was a magical day! No detail was overlooked and both brides look so pretty and happy! Love is love, and I'm so glad your daughter and your new daughter in law live in a time when they can celebrate that love for one another!

xo Kat

Traci said...

Everything is so pretty!!! It's wonderful that you support your daughter & new daughter.

Jacqueline said...

What a lovely day! I have always wondered what a Disney Wedding would be like. It sure was beautiful and that cake was fabulous!
Both brides are so beautiful. I am so glad that it was a wonderful day. Yes, we are just here to love and support them and be the best moms we can be and I am so glad that everything went well and it turned out so beautifully!

The Charm of Home said...

What a beautiful wedding Sue. You look lovely with your daughter. Such a happy day with Disney detail all through out! I love the sea shell cupcakes.
Sherry

bj said...

wow...this must have been like something out of a movie...everything looks wonderful and that cake is AWESOME.
I love the photo of you and your pretty daughter.
love to you, Suz......you are such a good mom. :)
xoxo bj

Rettabug said...

Such a beautiful place for two beautiful young women to profess their love for each other. I'm thrilled that all went well for them & for you, Sue. You look Fantastic!!

Disney did a great job of accommodating each one's preferences...those cuppies are amazing.

This world would be a much better place & we could have more love in it, if everyone wouldn't be so judgmental of others...Live & Let Live. I wish them many happy years together.

Hugs,
Rett

xinex said...

What a wonderful and beautiful wedding. You can never go wrong with Disney. Congrats to the couple!....Christine

J Rodney said...

Oh Sue, I am seriously sitting here with tears. I am so happy for you, your daughter and her bride. What a beautiful wedding, and that cake! I just love everything about it...it looks fantastic and the little surprise just makes it even more fabulous.

Gypsy Heart said...

What a gorgeous event!! So many unique touches and both girls looked beautiful...and very happy. That's what it's all about isn't it? :)

Sorry I haven't been around...so many technical issues the past couple of months. Not fun at all! I've missed a lot but wanted to catch up re: the wedding. So glad it was so much fun too!

xo
Pat

Jenny said...

Reading this gave me the shivers!

Love is love!

And this is beautiful!

A double congratulations to you! I loved participating in this event even though I'm weeks and weeks late...

But I raise my glass (even if it's just ice water) to the newlyweds...

...and send you a giant hug!

What the world needs now...is love sweet love...

Jenny said...

Reading this gave me the shivers!

Love is love!

And this is beautiful!

A double congratulations to you! I loved participating in this event even though I'm weeks and weeks late...

But I raise my glass (even if it's just ice water) to the newlyweds...

...and send you a giant hug!

What the world needs now...is love sweet love...

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