Disney Cruise Brides!!! Part Deux!!

[Freckledginger]

Judy, your reveal was incredible!!! I loved how they decorated the gallery with your wedding photos, the buttons, and the Prince Charming/Cinderella drawing is AMAZING!! So cute! You both look fantastic and so happy! Congratulations!

[Aimbo84]

Hi All!

My wedding is booked aboard the Disney Dream, departing July 28th, 2013!

I'm a long-time disney fan, I've done many disney cruises, and our family/friends are pumped about the whole thing.

However - I AM VERY CONCERNED!!! Please, can anyone tell me how their evening went? I see many posts about the ceremony, but is it possible to have any sort of reception at all??!

Our wedding is adults only (ages 21-50ish) and we can't imagine a wedding without a dance/drinks/speeches afterwards. Is it impossible to have one of the lounges/bars for a short private party before/after dinner? I've been on enough cruises to know that usually one of them isn't even in use at that time.

Any suggestions/help on how to go about this?!

Much appreciated

-Amy

[stl_figment]

Congrats!

You do get a short cake and champagne reception following the ceremony as part of the package. We had time for cake cutting, a first dance, and speeches. Our guests didn't care about dancing and we had an at home reception for that so I can't answer your other questions.

In terms of the evening we had dinner, went to the show, and spent the rest of the night picking out pictures but that is because we had a Castaway Cay wedding and were getting off the cruise the next day.

[Freckledginger]

Originally Posted by Aimbo84

Hi All!

My wedding is booked aboard the Disney Dream, departing July 28th, 2013!

I'm a long-time disney fan, I've done many disney cruises, and our family/friends are pumped about the whole thing.

However - I AM VERY CONCERNED!!! Please, can anyone tell me how their evening went? I see many posts about the ceremony, but is it possible to have any sort of reception at all??!

Our wedding is adults only (ages 21-50ish) and we can't imagine a wedding without a dance/drinks/speeches afterwards. Is it impossible to have one of the lounges/bars for a short private party before/after dinner? I've been on enough cruises to know that usually one of them isn't even in use at that time.

Any suggestions/help on how to go about this?!

Much appreciated

-Amy

Hi Amy
Congratulations on your engagement and booking a DCL wedding!

I was in a similar position to you when I started planning in that the majority of my guests are adults, and I really wanted a reception type event for the wedding.

As Aimee already mentioned, your wedding package includes a Cake & Champagne Reception afterwards. This event is private, usually in Outlook Lounge, and is scheduled for about an hour. During this time, you are able to do dance (first and parents), cut your cake, and champagne toasts. Some of the brides that have already been married may be able to give you more specific info on what they did at their receptions.

After that brief reception, your options really depend on how many guests you are planning to have attend your event. Typically, you would just go to the Main Dining Room with the rest of your guests for dinner. That's what I'm having to do due to the size of my wedding party.
Another option along these lines that would be a bit more private (that I've just learned about) is the Private Dining Room in Royal Palace. Apparently you can request this space, but I'm not sure of guests numbers of anything. Maybe one of the other brides can tell you more about it, or try asking Meredith?
If you have a small party (about 14 guests), a great option for you would be to request the Private Room in Palo. It would have a more intimate and formal atmosphere for the wedding.

Lastly, a final option is to hold an event prior to or after the cruise. I'm having a Wishes dessert party at the Grand Floridian the night before embarkation. Even though it's before the wedding (we're calling it a Welcome Party), DF and I are treating it as a mini-reception. Everyone's going to dress up, and we're having desserts, a BOC bar, music, decorations, and maybe even some speeches. If you're interested in doing something like this, feel free to look at my PJ for how I went about this, and contact Meredith to put you in touch with the right people at DFTW.

Hope this helps, and looking forward to hearing about your plans!

[JBeanBunny]

Originally Posted by Aimbo84

Hi All!

My wedding is booked aboard the Disney Dream, departing July 28th, 2013!

I'm a long-time disney fan, I've done many disney cruises, and our family/friends are pumped about the whole thing.

However - I AM VERY CONCERNED!!! Please, can anyone tell me how their evening went? I see many posts about the ceremony, but is it possible to have any sort of reception at all??!

Our wedding is adults only (ages 21-50ish) and we can't imagine a wedding without a dance/drinks/speeches afterwards. Is it impossible to have one of the lounges/bars for a short private party before/after dinner? I've been on enough cruises to know that usually one of them isn't even in use at that time.

Any suggestions/help on how to go about this?!

Much appreciated

-Amy

Congrats on booking your wedding cruise!

My wedding was fantastic! If you want to read my TR posts, go to the link in my signature, they'll be at the end of my PJ. We had an onboard wedding, and our entire event was about an hour long. (4-5PM)They had another event scheduled in D-Lounge 30 minutes after my event ended and needed to reset. We had the ceremony which was quick, maybe 15 minutes. Then the rest of the 45 minutes we did the cake cutting, champagne toast, and first dance. The rest was all socializing with our guests. After the wedding, we took family photos and a group photo, then Michael and I took photographs around the ship with our photographers from approximately 5 until 8 PM. Meanwhile my guests had time to freshen up before heading to the show and then to Dinner. My guests were all seated near each other (just ask the wedding coordinator for a seating chart- you'll get this after your planning guide has been submitted to DCL) so it was like a reception dinner afterwards because I'd let my guests know that they should STAY dressed up. We had a chance every night to get up from dinner and socialize with all of our tables. Honestly, as soon as dinner was over, we went to bed. It was an exhausting day!!

If you have an evening event and late dinner, then there should be time to go to a lounge or bar with your guests before the show and dinner. Then after dinner if you're still standing (I pinched a nerve in my right foot- I didn't regain full feeling in my toes for about 5 days!) you can go to the clubs or bars with your family. Sure, it won't be PRIVATE, but you'll still be together enjoying each other! You can always *ask* but the problem with asking the wedding coordinator, you have to know that their favorite answer is "No" to special requests! But don't get discouraged! If you read my PJ or Ginger's PJ we both found many ways to personalize our weddings! Mine was wonderful and I wouldn't change anything about it!

Good luck in your planning!

[princess toria]

hi, does anyone have any photos that the dcl wedding photographer took or any links to pictures that got taken by them just so i have an idea of what they look like (good?bad) or any ideas
as thinking of booking the disney cruise line photography package,
i know i have heard mixed reviews on them but not seen many photos to see what they look like,
many thanks,

[dclwonderprincess]

I looked thorough the old cruise bride thread and found several. It actually eased my mind bc I have to use DCL photographers as well.

[stl_figment]

I used DCL photographers. Check out my PJ for pictures.

[XxsmortzxX]

I was also wary about the photography! I ended up finding Ashley Jane who was willing to come aboard with me for only the price of her cruise fare. I know there are a lot of photographers who are willing to do this in exchange for expanding their public portfolio.

I did a lot of research about the Disney Cruise Line photographer. I had asked Meredith if I could see some of their wedding pictures. She had explained that they are not really a Disney photography agency but a third party that the cruise line partners with. The website she gave me was Image.com. When I went there though, I could not find one wedding picture on a cruise ship. I have seen wonderful pictures by them though, but my fiance felt more comfortable with a specialty wedding photographer.


On a side note, I recently just started my DCL wedding planning journal. Still getting used to it! :D I am hoping it will help future DCL brides! There's a link to it in my signature!

[Fivepin]

Originally Posted by cruisecrasher

Love it! And the pins.

Thanks-I had to search for the Cinderella ones.

Originally Posted by JBeanBunny

Wow, Judy! It all looks like it turned out great! I would have never though to try something like this!

Thanks Jillian-I didn't think I could pull this off or would have thought of this if weren't for Chris and Ann Marie. Without their help I would have just done it at Palo

Originally Posted by Freckledginger

Judy, your reveal was incredible!!! I loved how they decorated the gallery with your wedding photos, the buttons, and the Prince Charming/Cinderella drawing is AMAZING!! So cute! You both look fantastic and so happy! Congratulations!

Thanks Ginger-they really did go above and beyond!! You are so close now, how exciting. Can't wait to see your photos. Loved following yours and Jillian's PJ. You're going to have an amazing wedding as well.

[Fivepin]

Originally Posted by chris31997

It turned out beautiful. the pins. Might have to steal that one I am so glad that it turned out great and you got some extra You both look so happy and great!!

Thanks Chrissy it truly was a memorable moment. Chris and Ann Marie had to take it all down afterwards It was sad going by the next morning and not seeing the stuff there. It was fun getting the pins. The Cinderella ones aren't around anymore-found it at Le Cellier at Epcot. Thanks to the boards for sharing that information or I would never have gone in there.

[Fivepin]

hi, does anyone have any photos that the dcl wedding photographer took or any links to pictures that got taken by them just so i have an idea of what they look like (good?bad) or any ideas
as thinking of booking the disney cruise line photography package,
i know i have heard mixed reviews on them but not seen many photos to see what they look like,
many thanks,

Princess Toria-
I am using them for my upcoming VR. I can post some pics when I'm back. I purchased the smallest package. I'm also going to see if there's a photographer I know when I get onboard and request them.

[JBeanBunny]

Originally Posted by XxsmortzxX

I was also wary about the photography! I ended up finding Ashley Jane who was willing to come aboard with me for only the price of her cruise fare. I know there are a lot of photographers who are willing to do this in exchange for expanding their public portfolio.

I did a lot of research about the Disney Cruise Line photographer. I had asked Meredith if I could see some of their wedding pictures. She had explained that they are not really a Disney photography agency but a third party that the cruise line partners with. The website she gave me was Image.com. When I went there though, I could not find one wedding picture on a cruise ship. I have seen wonderful pictures by them though, but my fiance felt more comfortable with a specialty wedding photographer.

On a side note, I recently just started my DCL wedding planning journal. Still getting used to it! :D I am hoping it will help future DCL brides! There's a link to it in my signature!

I agree! I couldn't imagine using a photographer who usually shoots formals on a backdrop for a living (or pictures with characters!) as my WEDDING photographer. It's not that they're incapable per se, but I wasn't willing to take the chance based on my mixed reviews from other DCL brides (on the old thread) I had heard that some people found photographers willing to shoot for only the cost of their cruise, and I e-mailed as many local FL photographers as I could. The search seemed endless and I thought I would never find anybody reasonably priced until finally one of them offered to go for only the cost of their cruise! (www.LoraRodgers.com) I got two photographers and we had a total of 11 hours of photography, they edited and gave me 1065 photos on an online gallery as well as a DVD mailed to me. All this for about the same price as Disney's highest photo package! And you only have the DCL photographer for an hour for onboard weddings and an hour and half for CC weddings. Additional time is available for purchase. As I said, I had 11 hours of photography, from getting ready (bride AND groom) to family portraits, to the ceremony and celebration, to photos all around the ship to waking up early the next morning to take some photos on CC too! Also, on such a short cruise (only 3 nights!) I didn't want to spend my entire last evening debating on which photos I wanted printed! Some brides said they took the whole evening to do this! PLUS on the last night of the cruise EVERYBODY is trying to purchase photos, so shutters is a NIGHTMARE!

I don't want to scare anybody else out of DCL photography because some have had great experiences and I would've used them if I couldn't find an alternate photographer. But I would definitely encourage brides to TRY to find a photographer willing to use you to expand their portfolio! Mine were wonderful (check the end of my PJ/TR for the link to my thousand + photos!) and I'm thrilled with their work! Photography was always a HUGE priority of mine, so I wanted as many pictures in as many places as possible!

Congrats on starting your PJ! When is your wedding?

[JBeanBunny]

Oh yeah! I already forgot about the reason I came here! I wanted to ask advice from ALREADY married brides- my VR's and my more recent brides...

I haven't even BEGUN the process of having my name changed and I'm clueless as to where I should begin! I figured that I should first go to the social security office, then to the DMV to get my drivers license and car registration. I only JUST received my official copy of our wedding license (necessary in the state of Florida for name change) and now I'm stuck. Don't know where to start!

Any help or advice you can give me is GREATLY appreciated! I feel so lost!

[stl_figment]

Start with social security. There's a form online for name change. You'll have to bring your current card, the form and the marriage license.

They will give you paperwork to show you filed a name change and mail you a new card. I took the paperwork to the dmv to change my license. But my work wouldn't file the name change until I got the new ss card in the mail a couple weeks later.

For bills and credit cards it depended on the company. Some would just change it over the phone without proof. Some would make me fill out paperwork and mail/fax copies of my new ss card, drivers license and marriage license.

Hope this helps!