10 Year anniversary...vow renewal-LONG!

[TraceySLP]

HI Everyone,
I am so thrilled that on August 17th, we will be taking our first trip as a family to Disney for one whole week. On August 18th it will be our ten year anniversary, and I just cant wait to share this with my husband and three young children.

We have had quite a ten years of marriage...our middle daughter was diagnosed with a rare heart defect and has had several major heart surgeries, has a g tube....and soon after her first, I was diagnosed with Lupus. We have taken care of eachother with love, and patience and struggled to keep our daughter safe and healthy. Last year she had another major heart surgery and while we were in Boston, at the children's hospital, she happened to see a commercial for Disney and the princesses. HEr eyes grew wider than saucers and she said "Oh Mommy, I want to go there!" in a soft sad voice....

As a mother, my heart broke....so for the last year, we saved as much as we could, put money aside from my husbands' bonus etc. and we paid for it in full up front. Fast forward to June..I get a devestating diagnosis that I have another autoimmune disease...one that is attacking my liver. Uncurable...the only hope is a med that slows it down and a liver transplant.

I am devestated, we all are...(my husband and parents, who are coming with). My parents thought we should cancel, but I am now more determinded than EVER to bring my children and share in a magical, one of a kind trip. For us, with medical bills piling up I just never know if we will ever be able to take them again.

So...to get to my point...Our anniversary, like I said is on August 18th, our tenth. Little did we know when we said our vows 10 years ago that we would be affected so greatly by these serious medical conditions that could tear our family apart. Tonight while sitting here researching things online that could possibly help me physically be able to enjoy this trip, I had an idea.

Would it be possible to surprise my husband with a wedding vow renewal? I already made reservations in France on Friday night at CHez le France. 8 oclock so we will be there for Illumination. I want to make it so special for my husband...he has devoted himself so completely to taking care of our family, especially me.

Is this possible? Does anyone have any tips?? I am torn between having it just him/me or with our children and my parents (although his parents WONT be there, and i honestly think it would be so insensitive to do with MY parents and NOT his). so anyway...IM thinking JUST mark and I? or wait until my parents leave and then have it after that (we stay an extra three days).

anyway, Im sorry for the LONG LONG story, but I guess I want to express how incredibly important this trip is for us...Is it a crazy idea?? ts not far from now and it might be totally IMPOSSIBLE!

Thank you for listening!
Tracey

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Sweet Tracey
What an amazing story!! I am so sorry that you have had (and continue to have) so a many challenges in your life!! It is wonderful that your marriage has stayed strong throughout, and I think it is a mavellous idea to celebrate that fact with a VR!! Congratulations on your upcoming 10th anniversary!!
Whilst I am sure that it is entirely possible to arrange a small VR at such short notice, it is not going to be cheap!!
DFTW do not distinguish between VRs and weddings, and, thus, the packages and prices are the same for a VR as they would be for a wedding. The smallest package offered by DFTW is the 'Memories' package, which costs $1,991.00. Here is the link to the information about this package

http://disneyweddings.disney.go.com/weddings/florida/escape/memoriespackage/detail

Unfortunately, if you want your VR on Disney property, you have no choice but to go through DFTW. A 'DIY' VR would be extremely frowned upon, and you could find yourself thrown off Disney property if you are discovered doing this. Of, course, there is nothing stopping your husband and you standing on a pretty piece of beach and repeating your vows to one another, but if you want an officiant, flowers etc, you would be on very dangerous ground!!
It may well be worth checking with JustMarry who co-ordinate all the weddings/VRs at the Swan and Dolphin (two hotels on WDW property, next door to the Boardwalk and near Epcot). They may well be able to do something cheaper for you. My DH and I had our VR at the Swan in May and it was perfect!!!! Feel free to check out my PJ/TR (link in my signature) and if I can be of any further help, don't hesitate to ask!!
Good luck whatever you decide.

 

[Jilian]

What a touching story. I'm so happy that you're getting to take the trip to Disney I hope you have a wonderful time. I'm sorry to hear about the medical issues for you and your daughter, my middle child also has a congenital heart defect and had open heart surgery as a newborn - these heart babies sure are special kids.

We're doing a vow renewal @ the Swan resort in Disney, and like Joanne says it is basically classified as a wedding. I'd say that if you want something simple and inexpensive maybe just book a nice dinner for you and your H and set up childcare for the children and maybe just stand out by the beach and reaffirm your vows to one another by the moonlight. The grand floridian has some nice restaurants like Narcoossees, Citricos, and if you want really fancy: Victoria & Albert's. You could stroll outside before or after dinner to the beach or the water fountain and reaffirm your vows to each other then. You could even schedule a photo shoot in any of the parks except magic kingdom if you wanted some portraits to remember it by.

Good luck with your planning and I'll say a prayer for you and your precious little girl that you both remain in good health.