Nate and I just passed our 8th(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) dating anniversary. Since it falls on Leap Day and we can only celebrate it every four years, it’s gotta be special. That being said, I knew I had to find the perfect gift. :)

I’m a strong believer in The 5 Love Languages! You can read more about them here, and take a test if you’re curious what yours is; either quality time, gifts, acts of service, physical touch, or words of affirmation. My love language by a landslide is gifts. I love finding the perfect gifts for the people I love, and it’s not uncommon that as Nate is blowing out the candles on his birthday cake, I’m already deciding what I’m giving the next year. :) Yes, I have a problem.

That being said, it was while we were photographing Tara and Matt’s wedding last August that I was struck with my favorite gift idea… EVER. Tara had painted this darling picture of the Up house to put on their cake table. I immediately decided whenever we did get a house, Nate’s gettin’ an Up-inspired painting of it- even if I had to do it myself!

Lucky for me, we have the most talented friends on the planet, and Patrick (of Carriatrick fame), graciously volunteered to take on the challenge. Even though we didn’t get the house soon enough to make it a Christmas gift, it made a perfect 8 year “dateaversary” gift on Leap Day. We’ve only been able to celebrate our dateaversary twice now, so it made it even more special! :)

I’m eternally grateful for Patrick and his amazing work… He even put in some hidden Mickey balloons and MY HUCKLEBERRY! It’s perfect and my favorite piece I’ve ever owned. Nate flipped when I gave it to him; My favorite moment was that after 30 seconds of grinning and gazing at the print, he realized, “Wait… That’s OUR HOUSE!”

So Patrick, WE LOVE YOU! I’ll never, ever be able to thank you enough. Can’t wait for you to come see it hanging up in person!!!

You should also check out :

• Patrick’s amazing puppet company, Swazzle!
• His gorgeous wife’s Disney Wedding Podcast!
• Carrie’s other Disney site, Disney Travel Babble
• The bagillion of past Carrie and Patrick blog posts <3

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Continued from Tara and Matt’s Wedding Part I!

There’s a great big beautiful tomorrow, shining at the end of every daaaaaay…. There’s a great big beautiful tomorrow, and tomorrow is just a dream awaaaaay!

As soon as we reached the main building at the Boardwalk the rain started up again, so we kept most of our portraits inside. (Thankfully, they’d done a first look, so we had plenty of photos already!)

Squiiiiiiiiiiiinch!

Love that “snow rain!” Tara and Matt were amazing and let us step outside for a few photos- We kept them under an overhang, so no wedding gowns were harmed in the making of this image!

Favorite of Nate’s!

Favorite of mine. :)

I think The Attic at Disney’s Boardwalk was our most-used reception venue for our Disney couples in 2011.

I love The Attic for couples married at Sea Breeze Point- It’s really cool that you have a great view of your wedding location during your reception!

Cake cutting threats. ;)

Tara and Matt, thank you for being so wonderful to play with! :)

Past weddings at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn :

• Tara and Matt’s Wedding Part I
• Jenni and Dan’s Wedding
• Shelley and Brad’s Wedding

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Tara and Matt’s wedding was scheduled for a toasty August afternoon, so when the morning started out a bit overcast, we were thankful for the break in the heat! We didn’t meet Tara and Matt until their wedding day, but they were just as sweet as they came across in their emails. :)

We started the day at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort, where Tara and Matt were getting ready.

When we arrived, Patricia LeJeune was just finishing up turning already pretty Tara to bride Tara. :)

One of my favorite first looks to date. Read more about our thoughts on this special moment here!

Matt’s tie was amazing- He said after looking in every men’s suit store around, Marshall’s ended up being the place to find that perfect finishing touch.

Have you spotted Tara’s “hidden Mickey” yet?

I honestly have no idea what’s going on here, but I’m in love, regardless! ;)

About two minutes before their outdoor Sea Breeze Point ceremony at Disney’s Boardwalk, this happened.

Sure enough, the ceremony started and rain disappeared. :)

Favorite. :)

Tara and Matt had my favorite recessional music to date – “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” from The Carousel of Progress. Disney wedding or not, it was the perfect feel-good “just married” tune! :)

Check back tomorrow as their wedding continues with some “snow rain!”

More Sea Breeze Point Weddings :

• Shelley and Brad’s Wedding
• Louise and Spencer’s Wedding

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Continued from Victoria and Brian’s Wedding Part I.

Not only does Brian have Disney prince-worthy good looks, but he literally danced his way down the aisle. *Swooooon!*

I’m extra emotional when a mother of the bride gives her little girl away, because my Mom gave me away over the phone when we eloped. :)

I love the rustic feel of the Grand Californian‘s ceremony location!

Victoria and Brian had a “ring warming” ceremony, which is yet another perk of having an intimate wedding- Their officiant passed around their wedding rings and each guest held them and “warmed” them with their happy thoughts for the couple.

Brian’s best man had Victoria’s phone in his pocket so her grandma could hear the ceremony. :)

Victoria and Brian, we couldn’t have asked for a better first Disneyland couple! I’m so happy we’ve gained two more friends (and a gaming buddy for Nate!) Please, please keep in touch!

• Victoria and Brian’s Disneyland Engagement Session
• Victoria and Brian’s Wedding Part I

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Don’t forget to check out Victoria and Brian’s Disneyland engagement session first. ;)

After Victoria and Brian’s wedding day, I was able to check off one more thing from my bucket list- Photographing a Disneyland wedding!!! Because we’ve done so many Walt Disney World weddings, I’ve always been curious about how the other side does things. I kept having to remember it’s a much smaller operation over there. Disneyland doesn’t have their own florist or photographers (thank goodness, or we couldn’t shoot in the park, I’m sure!) So everything we’re used to with WDW weddings sort of went out the window. There was a snag in the day regarding timing of Victoria’s flower delivery, and I was a little disappointed with how Disney handled it, but Victoria handled the stress like a champ and you never would have known something went askew. That is why we love our brides. :)

Victoria and Brian met when they were both in the bridal party of a friend’s wedding- I’m pretty sure it doesn’t get much cuter than that!

I was more than a little jealous of the view from Victoria’s room at the Grand Californian. :)

I can’t wait to be an aunt!!! :)

Tara Fontana of Fairytale Hair and Make-up was just as magical as I thought she’d be!

My favorite spot in the Grand Californian. :)

Victoria, I adore you!

Gooooooorgeous! :)

We happened to be in the perfect place at the perfect time and caught some amazing light in the lobby!

Most epic texting photo EVER!

Nate’s favorite. :)

Come back tomorrow for part two!

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