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Our
wedding day ended with a private Illuminations Dessert Party on the UK Lower
Terrace in Epcot. This is, perhaps, the part of our wedding celebration
that our guests raved about the most.
We met outside the International Gateway Entrance to Epcot shortly after 8pm. Our guests had four hours after the reception to rest, relax, visit the parks, or unwind - whatever they chose - before we met again to end the day in true celebration.
A
dessert buffet was laid out in a dazzling display in the center of the terrace.
Fresh fruits and berries, short cake, whipped cream, assorted toppings,
cookies, and other delectables were arranged on a central table, lit at
the center with a small fire. Our friends and family dove in with great
gusto!
Iced
tea, lemonade, water, and Orange Muscat Wine, as well as hot beverages,
were provided to all of our guests, and a bar was set up for other drinks.
The
crowning achievement, at least in our eyes, was the cake on the table by
the drinks. Instead of having a groom's cake at the wedding reception, we
had it here at our dessert party. This is where Michelle's chocolate obsession
was truly indulged! The cake was designed to look like a storybook, and
truly looked the part! Rolled chocolate tootsie roll provided the cover,
which was decorated to say "Our Fairy Tale" on the cover. The
spine of the book said "The Mangios" on it.
About
a half hour after the dessert party began, Epcot's Illuminations show began.
This is another must-see Disney show, and if you have never seen it, you
are truly missing one of the best fireworks, laser, and pyrotechnics shows
out there.
The
premise behind Illuminations is the story of the earth and its nations,
showing how the world came to be and slowly divided... but that, dispite
our diversity, we may all come together and be united again. Parts of this
is displayed in a great glowing earth globe that sits on the center of the
lagoon, upon which images are displayed. Throughout it all, fireworks are
being launched, lasers are flashing from country to country and across the
lagoon, and pyrotechnic dsplays are going on in the center of the lake.
Music is played to all of it, and it is truly inspiring and moving.
When
Illuminations was over, we had another cake cutting of our sinfully chocolate
storybook. We ate cake as we all raved about the show, before it was time
to leave and head our separate ways for the night.
Most of our guests had never seen Illuminations before, and certainly not the Illuminations show that was created for the Millenium Celebration at Walt Disney World. They were amazed and moved by the display, and many of them still talk about it today. It was the perfect ending to a perfect day... and left everyone with a warm glow, and a belly full of delectable desserts.