Matt and Josey

Matt and Josey were married on Monday!

These two self-declared nerds, star wars lovers and Disney fans literally get to brag that they had the BEST DAY EVER!!!  Their Disney World Wedding was unbelievable.  When they started planning their wedding, Matt and Josey wanted to do something that would be an adventure for their children and so these Minnesotans chose to go to Florida and bring their nearest and dearest with them.  What they created was a once in a lifetime experience, where multiple generations enjoyed the theme parks and each others’ company as well as have the most delectable food and memorable dance party celebrating these two best friends tying the knot.

With all of our destination weddings we do more than just photograph a few hours of a wedding day.  We are fully immersed in the family, attending the rehearsal, and this weekend, even delivering booze to the bachelorette party at 1am.  We just LOVED getting to know this family and group of friends.  The morning of the wedding Josey came to her balcony and I yelled up “Happy Wedding!” from the Boardwalk, and then asked her to hang her gorgeous Sareh Nouri gown over the balcony.  No biggy, she may or may not have left nervous marks on her leg as I shot, but hey, when your bride asks for a not typical wedding gown picture, you do what she asks!

In the room, the amazing LeJeune Artistry team glammed the ladies up.  With music playing and good friends chatting, it was a lovely morning.  Josey had a custom Swedish Crown made by jewelry designer Weronica Ziemann and it was stunning.  When she had the crown on, full hair and makeup, her gorgeous gown and veil, Josey was every bit a Disney Princess.  She was Snow White meets Cinderella.  And the moment she went out onto her balcony, tourists below started taking her picture and she had quite the Disney moment.

Meanwhile, the boys had pool time, lunch, and then started to get gussied up.

Matt and Josey had their first sight and then a first sight with their boys, which was so sweet.  When Josey was shopping for her gown at A&Be, her son Will saw her in this gown and said, “Mama, you look like a princess!” and he was all smiles to see her in the gown again.  The boys didn’t quite know what to do with all that tulle!

Seriously, though, the most gorgeous bride!!!

And her ‘maids looked amazing in their glitzy gowns from Nordstrom Rack.

So this next part is where the magic started to happen.  Josey wanted a gaggle of flowergirls so all the nieces could be a part of the day.  So she set up a getting ready room for the wedding party.  There were magical cake pops and veggie dips and strawberry water.  Tables were set up where each girl was given a tiara and the guys got their boutonnieres which were an homage to the movie Up.  The girls got their hair done by LeJeune and they were able to paint their nails and twirl in front of the mirror.  Princess central.

And then guess who showed up?!?!?!

After that magical time, we headed down to the boardwalk for pictures.  We just couldn’t stop photographing the darling girls!

Then the light became perfect and we had to photograph Josey in her royal element…

…oh, and the guys took some pictures too.

With all those kiddos to keep in check, Matt and Josey were happy to send them inside for a few moments alone.  We enjoyed the breeze and the quiet, and just let those two be adorable together.

A short rest in the hotel and then it was ceremony time!  Matt and Josey got married in a Victorian gazebo along the boardwalk as the sun set.  It was so lovely.  A string quartet played, Matt’s father officiated and managed to fit in a generous amount of Star Wars and Disney references in the message, the family had a unity ceremony, and the couple enjoyed an exuberant first kiss.

After the ceremony it was time for a quick margarita with the sister-in-laws, and then off to the reception!  Matt and Josey were in full party mode by this point, skipping and singing and kissing.  Pure bliss.

So, now we get to the food.  The true magic of the night.  The most gorgeous cake, a Wall-E grooms cake, fried gouda with poached pear, mushroom risotto and macaroni and cheese station, mahi mahi, asparagus with popcorn and truffle salt, carved roast beef…I can’t even…it has ruined food for me forever.  Disney knows how to wow a foodie.  And did I mention this was in the Grand Floridian?  The most gorgeous Victorian themed resort fully decked out for Christmas?  At this point I thought I couldn’t handle anymore.

Sweet speeches and gorging on food was followed by a crazy dance party.  CRAZY.  The parents were in food comas, so the kids had a grand ole time on the dance floor.

Oh…and then MICKEY and MINNIE joined the party!  YUP.

I think the adults were more excited than the kids…

…but not by much.

But wait!  There’s more!

The guests were then escorted out to the water’s edge to enjoy a dessert bar and watch the fireworks.  What a gorgeous evening.

And the best way to cap it all off is to have a luxurious hotel room with no kids…

Matt and Josey, we are flat out ecstatic you chose us to be your photographers!  Thank you, and enjoy your sneak peek!