Newly Engaged! What are your tips and ricks for a DCL wedding?

[Bellhop Brittany]

Newly Engaged...ready to plan a Disney Cruise Line Wedding.
Hey All! I am so excited to see this thread. I am newly engaged and really interested in planning a DCL wedding but am a little lost.

My fiancé and I have only been engaged for a month but I am super psyched and want to get a move on. First if you want to know our engagement story, my fiancé really out did himself. We checked into The Wilderness Lodge and received a letter in our check-in package stating that we were randomly selected to be the Flag Family of the Day. As the Flag Family of the Day we had the privilege of raising the flags atop of the Wilderness Lodge. The "Ranger" of the Wilderness Lodge gave out the flags to my fiancé, best friend, and myself. We each raised a different flag. I was told that I would be raising the Disney Vacation Club flag. In fact the flag that I raised said "Brittany, will you marry me?" My fiancé and I met through working for the Disney Vacation Club it was only appropriate that he propose this way. I was so shocked I said "Oh my god" seventeen times in the video footage of the proposal. It was pretty hysterical.

Anyways, I am asking does anyone have any suggestions as to the first steps I should take towards planning a DCL wedding. My fiancé and I are thinking the Disney Dream, 4 nights. We would like to get married aboard the ship and if possible have our guests eat in Palo together that night. Does anyone know, is it completely impossible to have a large group eat in Palo together?

Excited to hear back from everyone!

 

[PixyDusted]

WOW! Congratulations!!! Wilderness Lodge is my favorite hotel. I have to say that's a pretty awesome proposal! And because they really do select families to raise the flag at random, I would have believed it too! Love that THE question was in a Mickey-esque font!

A few first steps to planning a DCL wedding... I'd suggest looking up itineraries to see when you want to sail. Have a few dates because I'd say the next step is asking if the people you absolutely want there are available to travel on those dates. (Of course your parents, siblings and best friends unless you're eloping.) Next you'd have to book the cruise and call Disney Fairy Tale Weddings to secure your date for the actual wedding, assuming it's available. You can get married on Castaway Cay or on the ship. Both are beautiful - Castaway is a little more money, I believe, but if you want to get married on the beach you can't beat it!

Depending on the ship, Palo can definitely seat a group in a private room. I believe on the Dream is a bit more than on the Magic and Wonder. Maybe 16 people versus 12? Definitely ask the specialists - they'll know!

And certainly search the boards here because DCL brides are great at sharing information and insight to their experience!

 

[lurkyloo]

Welcome! We have a long-running thread here devoted to cruise weddings where people share their plans and ask and answer questions: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2916225

Congratulations!

 

[Daisyduck49]

Congrats! What a spectacular proposal! I love the Wilderness Lodge! My husband & I are planning to renew our vows. Fifteen years June 2014 on the Disney Dream but I want to do Cast a way Cay for the ceremony. I am anxious to hear what u find out.

 

[PixyDusted]

I knew Carrie would provide the most helpful info!!