On the 15th of each month we feature a new and magnificent wedding! This is more than just a weekly "best site" contest with a link to the couple's wed-site. We will take you through the entire wedding process...from the planning, to the actual event, and everything in between...including details which made each big day special.

This wedding marks our one-year anniversary here at "Fifteen Minutes of Fame". And Michelle and John are the first couple to be featured simultaneously as the "Dress of the Month" and "Fifteen Minutes of Fame" wedding!

If the years take away every memory that I have...
The newlyweds say they met because John saved Michelle's life. Well, not really - it was a game they were both playing and so none of it was actually real - but it does make a great story to tell. They were both involved in the New England Role-playing Organization (NERO) at the time, at a live action role-playing game (LARP) event. There was a large battle that weekend, and Michelle (as her character) had gone to rescue a small group of people, only to find herself out-numbered when everyone else ran away. She was gravely wounded and likely would have died, had not John (as his character) ran in, grabbed her, and to safety. That is how they met, and couple enjoys telling people that they met because he saved her life. Certainly it makes a grand first encounter in the story that is their fairytale.

Michelle and John are both kids at heart, and likely always will be. They say they prefer to look at the world through "rose-colored glasses," to see the good and happiness around them, to not let life and its troubles get them permanently down. After all, Michelle says, "Happiness is as much an attitude as it is something you find in life."

I would still know the way that would lead me back to your side...
Michelle tells the story of their engagement: "We are both kids at heart, and so it should come as no surprise that John proposed to me at the happiest place on Earth - Walt Disney World. We had been together for four years when we took our first major vacation together. Though we had briefly discussed marriage before, John had convinced me that there was no way he was asking any time soon.

We arrived and immediately went to the Magic Kingdom, where we spent the remainder of the afternoon drinking in the sites and letting the little kid in our hearts out. We ended the evening with dinner inside Cinderella's Castle and watched the fireworks from there. As we were leaving the park for the night, John asked a couple to take our picture beside the Partners Statue in front of Cinderella's Castle. When I turned to look at him for the picture, John had dropped to one knee, ring in hand, and asked me to marry him.

I don't remember exactly what he said. I was too in shock to take those words into memory, though I do recall them being the sweetest, most wonderful words he ever said. And the next thing I knew I was shouting 'Yes yes yes yes yes yes!' as I threw my arms around John and kissed him. We were both laughing, crying and kissing. John then looked over and said 'Please tell me you got the picture!' But the poor woman looked at him, practically in tears, and said that she couldn't get the camera to work. We showed her how to use it, and then did a reenactment picture. And while we didn't get the picture John wanted, we will always have the memory...and have more to add to the story! It was the most wonderful start to our vacation in Disney, and made that place all the more special to us."

The North star may die...but the light that I see in your eyes...
Michelle and John's wedding was held at the Wedding Pavilion at Walt Disney World. The Pavilion is located on the Seven Seas Lagoon directly across from the Magic Kingdom. Cinderella's Castle was perfectly framed in the center of the stained glass window behind the altar, and provided the perfect backdrop to their fairy tale wedding.

The reception followed the ceremony at the Disney Boardwalk. Their theme was "A Midsummer Night's Dream" - complete with a forested entrance with twinkle lights strewn throughout. Trees with twinkle lights and Roman columns with lights and trailing ivy were scattered throughout the room. A rose was projected on the dance floor, and the bride and groom shared an intimate sweetheart table on a raised dais amidst more columns, lights, trees and draped tulle at the forefront of the dinner tables. They even had Disney characters make an appearance during their wedding reception - starting with Mushu, the dragon from Mulan. They were the first couple to ever have Mushu at their Disney wedding reception, and that is certainly a distinction that make them feel special and unique! Mickey and Minnie, and later Pluto, also made special guest star appearances. At the end of the evening, the newlyweds held a private dessert party at the United Kingdom Lower Terrace in EPCOT during the Illuminations Fireworks, creating a spectacular, memorable ending to their wedding day.

"I knew this was the gown for me the moment I saw it on the mannequin at the store. It was the last one they had in stock. It seemed destiny agreed, as the gown was exactly my size! I had wanted a gown that spoke to my own personality as well as my emotions -- and the delicate rum pink roses, where the swashes of rum pink gathered on the off-shoulder sleeves, were just that perfect, telling touch.

The A-line gown was a soft ivory satin, with a floral pattern of lace and beads to accentuate the top and train. Ribbons of rum pink, gathered by roses of the same color, flowed down the train like a gentle cascade, creating an image of gentle beauty perfect for our fairytale wedding in Walt Disney World.

The maid of honor wore a light, airy sleeveless A-line gown of celadon green. The bodice was made of satin, while the gown itself was of georgette with a matching georgette wrap. The bridesmaids wore hunter green sleeveless A-line gowns, made of satin, with drape necklines and matching satin wraps. The flower girl wore an ivory satin gown with an apron back skirt with rum pink trim, bow and flowers at the shoulders, echoing the bride's gown. The groom wore a dark gray cutaway suit, and the groom's party wore dark gray stroller suits."

Will burn there always...lit by the love we have shared before time...
Not only was Michelle and John's wedding uniquely theirs - themed to reflect the two of them - but it was held in a place very special to the couple. A place that speaks of happiness and magic in ordinary lives. But it was more than just a single day, as they were able to share an entire week with their closest friends and family in Walt Disney World.

Asked if there was anything they would do differently, Michelle replied, "We would plan more time for our honeymoon! We loved having everyone in Disney with us, but we realized afterwards that we only planned five days alone together after everyone left. We'd definitely add more just us time in there!"

And when asked what they would do the same, Michelle answered, "All of it! It truly was a wonderful, never-to-be-forgotten wedding. We would definitely do the Illuminations Dessert Party all over again, as it was one of the wedding celebration events that everyone was impressed by the most. They still rave about it. The characters were a big hit with everyone, too."

For more information about Michelle and John's wedding, visit their their site.
And check out the June 2002 "Fifteen Minutes of Fame" with Rachel and Ryuji.

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