Disney Cruise Brides!!! Part Deux!!

[Freckledginger]

Emailed some questions to Meredith this past week, and thought I would pass along the responses in case they are useful to anyone else. Hope everyone is doing well

-My travel agent, a previous DCL bride, said that you can use your Palo credit for brunch in lieu of dinner. However, when I looked on the Planning Guide, it said the credit could only be used for dinner. We're planning on dining at Remy's instead of Palos, and I just wanted to double check with you that the credit could not be applied toward brunch at Palo's (rather than just forfeiting the credit)
I am sorry that you are not able to use your Palo credit for brunch. The Wedding package entitlement is for Palo dinner only. That is fine if you do not wish to dine at Palo for dinner but unfortunately the entitlement cannot be substituted.

-I'm planning on selecting the oceanfront elegance option for my bridal bouquet. I was told we could substitute a white calla lily in lieu of the white rose, but would we be able to get a white calla lily with a sprig of hydrangea (to match my bouquet a bit better)?
I will be happy to make that request for the boutonniere (to add the sprig of hydrangea to the white calla lily). Please indicate this request on your Planning Guide. When I receive your completed planning guide we will be speaking to go over your selections. By the time we speak I should have heard back from Disney Cruise Line if making this alteration to the boutonniere will be possible.

-We have placed an order for a custom clay cake topper to use on the wedding cake. Unfortunately, it will not be completed in time to enclose a photo of it with the Planning Guide. Would it be possible to enclose a photo of a similar topper? It will meet the required dimensions.
Yes, providing a photo of a similar cake topper (same dimensions) will be just fine.

-We're currently trying to select songs for the ceremony. I know this is a bit of a long shot, but would you be able to give me a rough estimate of the length of the aisle?
I don't have the specific length of the aisle but one song is more than enough time for quite a few people to walk down the aisle. So I would suggest maybe selecting a prelude song and then maybe a Bridal Party entrance song. Parents/Grandparents could also walk in the prelude or the beginning of the Bridal Party song.

 

[dclwonderprincess]

I found the Disney wedding podcast to be really use and gave lots of good info too

 

[Evi]

Emailed some questions to Meredith this past week, and thought I would pass along the responses in case they are useful to anyone else. Hope everyone is doing well

-My travel agent, a previous DCL bride, said that you can use your Palo credit for brunch in lieu of dinner. However, when I looked on the Planning Guide, it said the credit could only be used for dinner. We're planning on dining at Remy's instead of Palos, and I just wanted to double check with you that the credit could not be applied toward brunch at Palo's (rather than just forfeiting the credit)
I am sorry that you are not able to use your Palo credit for brunch. The Wedding package entitlement is for Palo dinner only. That is fine if you do not wish to dine at Palo for dinner but unfortunately the entitlement cannot be substituted.

-I'm planning on selecting the oceanfront elegance option for my bridal bouquet. I was told we could substitute a white calla lily in lieu of the white rose, but would we be able to get a white calla lily with a sprig of hydrangea (to match my bouquet a bit better)?
I will be happy to make that request for the boutonniere (to add the sprig of hydrangea to the white calla lily). Please indicate this request on your Planning Guide. When I receive your completed planning guide we will be speaking to go over your selections. By the time we speak I should have heard back from Disney Cruise Line if making this alteration to the boutonniere will be possible.

-We have placed an order for a custom clay cake topper to use on the wedding cake. Unfortunately, it will not be completed in time to enclose a photo of it with the Planning Guide. Would it be possible to enclose a photo of a similar topper? It will meet the required dimensions.
Yes, providing a photo of a similar cake topper (same dimensions) will be just fine.

-We're currently trying to select songs for the ceremony. I know this is a bit of a long shot, but would you be able to give me a rough estimate of the length of the aisle?
I don't have the specific length of the aisle but one song is more than enough time for quite a few people to walk down the aisle. So I would suggest maybe selecting a prelude song and then maybe a Bridal Party entrance song. Parents/Grandparents could also walk in the prelude or the beginning of the Bridal Party song.

Hi Ginger,

Thank you for sharing this update. I've also gotten different responses from Meredeth for stuff I had previously spoken with Shanda about. At this point I'm getting used to it. Not sure if thats a good thing though. What we decided to do was have an early dinner on first night of cruise at Palo's with just the parents and then wedding night with everyone at Royal Palace then on last night Df ad I will go to Remy's alone. I figure this would give us a little time alone since we do plan to spend lunch with everyone and we are doing a few pre cruise group park days with our guests who come down early.

 

[Freckledginger]

Hi Ginger,

Thank you for sharing this update. I've also gotten different responses from Meredeth for stuff I had previously spoken with Shanda about. At this point I'm getting used to it. Not sure if thats a good thing though. What we decided to do was have an early dinner on first night of cruise at Palo's with just the parents and then wedding night with everyone at Royal Palace then on last night Df ad I will go to Remy's alone. I figure this would give us a little time alone since we do plan to spend lunch with everyone and we are doing a few pre cruise group park days with our guests who come down early.

I suppose part of it might just be DFTW's changing their DCL wedding policies, but it feels a bit confusing at times. Sigh...

I really like your dining plan, Evi! That seems like a good way to get to visit both restaurants. Might mention this to DF =)

 

[Evi]

I thought I'd give you all a quick update, as some of you know I've been trying to plan a dessert party and though my window is far out I wasn't getting much info from private dining. I just spoke with Meredith and she said that she can coordinate having someone contact me to plan a desert party closer to the 9 months time frame and that it would be treated the same as an escape bride for planning purposes. I asked about coordinating a room block but unfortunately they have no way to do that right now. Now if only we could get annual passes instead of a cake topper (a girl can wish right lol). Just thought I'd share incase anyone else was trying to coordinate a dessert party and having same difficulty I was. I do think the more disney world related wedding events we can plan with the assistance of our coordinators will make life easier.

 

[lurkyloo]

I thought I'd give you all a quick update, as some of you know I've been trying to plan a dessert party and though my window is far out I wasn't getting much info from private dining. I just spoke with Meredith and she said that she can coordinate having someone contact me to plan a desert party closer to the 9 months time frame and that it would be treated the same as an escape bride for planning purposes. I asked about coordinating a room block but unfortunately they have no way to do that right now. Now if only we could get annual passes instead of a cake topper (a girl can wish right lol). Just thought I'd share incase anyone else was trying to coordinate a dessert party and having same difficulty I was. I do think the more disney world related wedding events we can plan with the assistance of our coordinators will make life easier.

On the plus side, you don't have to meet a $7,500-$8,000 minimum expenditure for your wedding the way Escape couples do when they add a catered event like a dessert party.

 

[Evi]

On the plus side, you don't have to meet a $7,500-$8,000 minimum expenditure for your wedding the way Escape couples do when they add a catered event like a dessert party.

Not necessarily I'll be closer to the $7,500 once I add the dessert party. Once you include the additional onboard extras up charge per guest, dinner at palo per guest + alcohol, + add ons to ceremony, floral, cake, drinks, trying to add an onboard cocktail party, alcohol for guests at dinner on wedding night. I'm also trying to plan a pre cruise meet and greet dinner & possible breakfast at disney resort. I will definitely meet the minimums of an escape bride and more then likely go over them. I will not meet the wishes minimum ok 12k at least not with disney, perhaps once I include my photographer, their cruise and cost of transporting guests to and from port. I'll then be around the cost maybe a little over the wishes minimum. But since the photography and transport won't be with disney it won't count towards those minimums. Not sure if park wedding shoot would have counted towards minimums.

What I'm trying to do is make it easier to navigate and host my wedding at Disney. I plan to incorporate events both on board and off at the world and think that since they are all directly related to the celebration of our wedding, we should be able to go to one source to coordinate them. In the same way that a park bride would. Once you include the cost a cruise brides guests pay to stay onsite and for the cruise I am quite sure they equal or go over what comes with a room block. Honestly I don't think I or any other cruise bride who has added more to their weddings is in any way getting over or at any advantage price wise. Hence I don't think its above and beyond for a cruise bride to say I wish for annual passes. I think the perks of being married at Disney should be based on your expenditure not the location of your wedding.

 

[Freckledginger]

I thought I'd give you all a quick update, as some of you know I've been trying to plan a dessert party and though my window is far out I wasn't getting much info from private dining. I just spoke with Meredith and she said that she can coordinate having someone contact me to plan a desert party closer to the 9 months time frame and that it would be treated the same as an escape bride for planning purposes. I asked about coordinating a room block but unfortunately they have no way to do that right now. Now if only we could get annual passes instead of a cake topper (a girl can wish right lol). Just thought I'd share incase anyone else was trying to coordinate a dessert party and having same difficulty I was. I do think the more disney world related wedding events we can plan with the assistance of our coordinators will make life easier.

Hi Evi,

Glad to hear DFTW is being more helpful, and are going to connect you to the right people =) Regarding the room block, DFTW also told me that they were unable to do a room block for escape brides. That's ok though because you can organize one yourself! Contact Disney Group Reservations http://disneygroupgetaways.com/dgg/disneyworld. The only criteria is you need to book 10 rooms or more. I booked a block at the Coronado Springs for the night of the DP (also night before the cruise), and was quoted a rate $60 less than online and better than what I had seen from DFTW brides. The rate is also good for up to 3 days before and 3 days after the DP--for those who wish to vacation longer. You can also get discounted park tickets through Group Reservations, although unfortunately, the discount is not substantial. Also, the specialists I spoke to there were all really nice and got back to me relatively quickly with emails. Good experience overall =)

 

[Evi]

Hi Evi,

Glad to hear DFTW is being more helpful, and are going to connect you to the right people =) Regarding the room block, DFTW also told me that they were unable to do a room block for escape brides. That's ok though because you can organize one yourself! Contact Disney Group Reservations http://disneygroupgetaways.com/dgg/disneyworld. The only criteria is you need to book 10 rooms or more. I booked a block at the Coronado Springs for the night of the DP (also night before the cruise), and was quoted a rate $60 less than online and better than what I had seen from DFTW brides. The rate is also good for up to 3 days before and 3 days after the DP--for those who wish to vacation longer. You can also get discounted park tickets through Group Reservations, although unfortunately, the discount is not substantial. Also, the specialists I spoke to there were all really nice and got back to me relatively quickly with emails. Good experience overall =)

Hi Ginger,

Thank you, that is so good to know. I have guests who plan to come a week before and some for a bit after. Definitely worth being able to try to coordinate something for them. Thank you again I will give them a call. I know the discounts aren't huge but I feel like being able to offer them something is better then nothing. At the end I think I have a few guests who will just go with a package reservation. My bigger concern isn't so much the discount but being able to make reservations at the same resort during the time of year we are going. I find in December the resorts just book up.

 

[JBeanBunny]

Hi Ginger,

Thank you, that is so good to know. I have guests who plan to come a week before and some for a bit after. Definitely worth being able to try to coordinate something for them. Thank you again I will give them a call. I know the discounts aren't huge but I feel like being able to offer them something is better then nothing. At the end I think I have a few guests who will just go with a package reservation. My bigger concern isn't so much the discount but being able to make reservations at the same resort during the time of year we are going. I find in December the resorts just book up.

That's a really good idea to speak with Group Reservations if you're down there in December! Christmastime (and this includes MOST of December) is the crazy-busiest time of year down here (definitely MY biggest headache ) so having a room block is the way to go! My mom booked a handful of rooms for my guests the night before using her DVC points, but we're getting married in September when it's slow slow slow, so finding the room availability was pretty easy. Good luck in this venture- I hope they're as helpful to you as they were for Ginger!

 

[Evi]

That's a really good idea to speak with Group Reservations if you're down there in December! Christmastime (and this includes MOST of December) is the crazy-busiest time of year down here (definitely MY biggest headache ) so having a room block is the way to go! My mom booked a handful of rooms for my guests the night before using her DVC points, but we're getting married in September when it's slow slow slow, so finding the room availability was pretty easy. Good luck in this venture- I hope they're as helpful to you as they were for Ginger!

Jillian ur feeaking me out

 

[Freckledginger]

Hi Ginger,

Thank you, that is so good to know. I have guests who plan to come a week before and some for a bit after. Definitely worth being able to try to coordinate something for them. Thank you again I will give them a call. I know the discounts aren't huge but I feel like being able to offer them something is better then nothing. At the end I think I have a few guests who will just go with a package reservation. My bigger concern isn't so much the discount but being able to make reservations at the same resort during the time of year we are going. I find in December the resorts just book up.

My pleasure

I can completely understand wanting to assure your guests room availability at the same resort. It just seems like it'll be more of a group atmosphere if everyone is together. Hopefully Group Reservations are helpful, and you don't have any trouble getting the size block you want. Even though you have guests who may do independent reservations, you may want to consider ordering enough rooms for your entire group of wedding guests. Disney has no problem with you reducing the room block (as long as it's done by a nominated date and you still maintain the 10 room minimum), and it'll ensure that your guests can definitely get a room. Take some of the stress of resorting booking up off of you. Good luck!

 

[Freckledginger]

For those of you that don't follow my PJ, I thought I'd share one of the preview photos from our engagement shoot this past weekend. The shoot took place on my family's cattle ranch in AL, and had a vintage farm theme with travel details.

Very excited to see the rest!


Anyone else do engagement photos?

 

[Evi]

Ginger that picture is beautiful. I wish I had done engagement pictures. We've been officially engaged for a few years now and I never thought to do them.

 

[Freckledginger]

Ginger that picture is beautiful. I wish I had done engagement pictures. We've been officially engaged for a few years now and I never thought to do them.

Thanks so much, Evi =)

It's never too late to do engagement photos Maybe you could do a session with Randy?

We're getting married in 2 months, and just now doing them. The main reason we wanted engagement photos was practice for the wedding (e.g. getting comfortable with how our photographer works, being super affectionate in front of a camera), and I think it definitely helped. Plus we'll get pretty photos that we can cherish, and potentially use in a guestbook, hehe =)

 

[Fivepin]

Ginger-
the photo is absolutely beautiful. We never did anything like that 17 years ago. We went to Glamour Shots because we had a free session there and got a free tux rental voucher if we did it. I don't think they're even around anymore.

I can't wait to see more of your photos.

 

[GrimGrinningVal]

Love the sneak peek engagement photo Ginger! Can't wait to see the rest!

 

[XxsmortzxX]

Ginger, I am still very in love with those photos! They are so wonderful!!! Your photographer did an amazing job.

I recently got my answers from Meredith via email. I know a few were asking about the civil ceremony limitations, so I made it a point to ask. I figured I would just copy and paste the answers so... Here we go.

How many witnesses are allowed aboard for the Civil Ceremony on the first day? Would it be possible to have both sets of parents there?
We prefer that you limit the amount of witnesses to two (2) witnesses as the Civil Ceremony is designed to be simply the legal aspect and we like the focus to be on your symbolic Ceremony which will take place later. But I can certainly understand you wanting both sets of parents there so that will be fine. But please be sure you limit to just the parents!

How does writing our own vows work, or can we choose ceremony readings?
I have attached the Ceremony script for you! If you would prefer that the officiant say that you will be reciting your own Vows then that is fine. You are also welcome to have a friend/family member do a reading if you would like. Basically we just cannot change what the DCL Officiant will say but you are welcome to recite your own Vows to each other if you would like.

Also, is there a way to create a sort of Guest Book idea at the Cake and Champagne gathering?
If you would like to have a Guest Book I would recommend having one special Guest be in “charge” of the Guest book. They will bring the Guest Book to the Ceremony and can then set up the Guest Book on a table and be sure all Guests sign it during the Cake and Champagne Celebration.



Now, I had a question that I did not think of before emailing her, so I figured I would dish it out here.
If you have an onboard wedding, I assumed it would be in Outlook(For Fantasy or Dream) but have recently heard that you could have it in a small outside area. Do you have to request this or are their guest amount limitations?

Thanks and I hope those answers helped someone.

 

[Freckledginger]

Thanks so much for your compliments on the engagement photos, Ladies!! We're very happy with the few we've seen, and look forward to seeing the rest in the near future (Jess took 2,112 photos , so I'm guessing it'll take her a bit to go through them all).

Judy, I remember Glamour shots! I always wanted to do them when I was younger, but never got the opportunity. They did your hair and makeup right?

Courtney, thank you for posting your responses from Meredith! I was wondering about the guestbook also, so I'll have to coordinate someone to bring it for me.

I think the outside area you're talking about is called Meridian Patio (off the Meridian Lounge--between Palo and Remys, Deck 12 aft). The guest limitation for this area is 20 people--including the couple. A previous DIS bride used this location, and the photos from it were incredible!! (http://disneyweddingsblog.com/disney-cruise-line/real-wedding-spotlight-travis-emily/). I guess a big reason why more brides don't choose this location is the smaller guest count (outlook holds 30 including the couple). From my understanding, you do have to request this area specifically, so if you're interested maybe shoot Meredith an email about it.

 

[castmeaway]

For our son's upcoming CC wedding, we bought postcards at each port of call on a previous cruise that they will ask guests to write their well wishes to them on, and will put them in a CC photo album in place of a guest book. Then the album can be filled with pictures that the guests take during the cruise.