A Few of My Favorite Things

Platinum....Weddings....Franck from Father of the Bride....Walt Disney World!

So, imagine my excitement when I got to experience them all at the opening event of the 2011 Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. It was the Disney Fairy Tale Weddings Platinum Soiree at the Wedding Pavilion at Walt Disney World. This is the 20th anniversary (platinum) of Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings and Honeymoons.

Photo courtesy of Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings and Honeymoons

As we came up to the Wedding Pavilion, we were greeted and given our choice of Mickey Ear tophats or bridal veils and cute little buttons to commemorate the event.

We were then directed to the entrance to Franck's Bridal Studio for a candy and champagne cocktail hour. We were given little boxes to fill with all sorts of candy confections.

They also gave us time to tour Franck's to see examples of different themes and cakes they offer for these magnificent events they plan on a daily basis there at the Walt Disney Resort, as well as on the Disney Cruise Line and now, Aulani (a new Disney Vacation Club Resort opening in Hawaii, but more on that in a minute). Can I just say, the cakes, the party favors, the centerpieces were Ah-Mazing!

Now, to back track a bit...my favorite movie is Father of the Bride, and has been for almost 20 years now. I can recite the whole thing (which annoys almost everyone that watches it with me). It is such a special part of my personality, that Matt even included a reference to the movie in our own wedding vows! So, imagine my sheer glee when I saw this guy mingling through the crowd...

yep, Franck, himself. Well, it wasn't Martin Short, but let me tell you, he was almost as real as you can get. He had the accent, the hand gestures, the overall demeanor of Martin Short's character.

Ok, back to the soiree. After a bit, Franck made the announcement that we needed to make our way to the Wedding Pavilion chapel. This was yet another amazing moment for me. If I could have had our wedding here, I would have. But, Matt just wouldn't have that, so we honeymooned at WDW, using their Fairy Tale Honeymoon services, which was the next best thing in my book. Anyway, the chapel was gorgeous. With the beautiful details, the view of Cinderella's Castle through the window behind the alter, everything was breathtaking!

We were seated and treated to some amazing new information brought to us by Korri McFann Spolar, Worldwide Marketing and Business Development Director for Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings and Honeymoons.

She gave us an inside look at the new services that will be offered at the new Disney-owned Hawaiian resort, Aulani, beginning in the fall 2011.

Photos courtesy of Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings and Honeymoons

Can I just say right now....I want our 10 year anniversary vow renewal to be done there! Now, I just have to convince the hubby.

Next, we were introduced to Michael Shettel, Vice President of Alfred Angelo Designs, who shared with us the vision behind the Disney Fairy Tale Weddings Collection by Alfred Angelo. We also got a first look at the new Cinderella Platinum Anniversary Gown. It was exquisite.

Photo courtesy of Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings and Honeymoons

Our next speaker was Carley Roney, founder and editor-in-chief for TheKnot.com spoke about the evolution of social media in the wedding planning world and what a major trend it is now.

Then, David Tutera, celebrity wedding planner and host of "My Fair Wedding" on WE TV. He spoke about the up and coming wedding trends for 2011, one being that bright, bold red is THE in color for weddings right now....go figure, I was a trend setter. My wedding almost 9 years ago had bright bold red as the color!

The biggest surprise of all was at the end, when we actually got to watch a vow renewal...LIVE....right before our eyes. It was an amazing moment that I will never forget.

Once the renewal was over, and we were escorted out, we were told to wait at the entrance. Then, we saw it.....Cinderella's glass coach approaching with white horses and a footman. I got goosebumps. The wedding couple came out and were greeted by fireworks overhead. Then, they rode off happily ever after!

It was an amazing event that I was honored to be a part of.

Disclaimer: I paid to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. In exchange for my registration fee, I received deeply discounted rates on hotel, park tickets, events, meals, and swag. I am not required nor was I asked to write about the events by Disney or any other brands, celebrities, or speakers affiliated with the event. All opinions are my own.