Wow where do I start with Maria and Alex’s epic Disney wedding! For starters it was the first time we’ve ever ridden the safari at night and the first time we have ever road it on a wedding!
Maria and Alex met on the Isle of Man (where Maria is from) while working at the same airline. Alex is a pilot and Maria is a flight attendant. He welcomed Maria’s daughter Eden with open arms and soon they would add Elara and Athena to the family! They now reside in England and got engaged while on a romantic picnic in St James park in London. They thought a Disney wedding would be a unique way to get married. And while they love Animal Kingdom, having their reception there was a perfect fit! They picked a wedding during the Christmas season because it is both of their favorite time of the year.
Maria and Alex got ready at Caribe Cove in separate rooms and then traveled over to Disney’s Grand Floridian Hotel to have a first look and photos of just the two of them around the hotel. Then we all headed over to Disney’s Wedding Pavilion where organist Bill played as guests took their seats. At the strike of 5, while the tower chimed, Maria walked down the aisle to her prince charming. After a beautiful ceremony, by the always wonderful Kevin Knox, the guests headed over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and straight to Kilimanjaro Safari to ride as a group. Its was important to Alex and Maria the wedding was fun and special memories were made and this was the perfect way to do that. The best part of riding at night was the lions were awake! One of them even ran and sprang at the other one and it was very exciting for everyone in the truck.
After the ride everyone headed over to Tamu Tamu for a stunning reception filled with red roses. This is one of my favorite venues for a wedding reception because the atmosphere is like nothing you see anywhere else. You almost don’t even need to decorate it! The guests were served a delicious buffet and then a surprise dessert was Nitro Caramel Corn made to order. It was the perfect end to a perfect wedding for two amazing people!
Getting ready: Caribe Cove
Pre Ceremony photos: Disney Grand Floridian Hotel
Ceremony: Disney’s Wedding Pavilion
Reception: Tamu Tamu at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Wedding Coordinator: Diane Bowen with Disney Fairy Tale Weddings
Photography and Cinematography: Cricket’s Photo and Cinema
Hair and Makeup: Beaute Speciale
Floral: Disney Floral
DJ: DJ Charles Miles
Officiant: Kevin Knox with A Beautiful Ceremony
Catering: Disney
Gown: Couture and Tiaras
Bridesmaids: Monsoon
And of course we had to take a selfie while on the safari with Maria, Alex and their girls!
And then a selfie with the nitro caramel corn!
