Ha! I am the one to ask these days! We have been researching it a great deal- so feel free to PM me if you have other questions I don't answer in this post.
1. Yes, you can do the DFTW through the disney weddings website. The least expensive option through them is 4500 (for 2009, likely will be 5000 in 2010), plus at 22% service charge, and 6.5% tax, and if you want any extras (like floral, or to be at the wedding pavillion, or even just the cd copy of your photos!- it's more, and more, and more!). We figured we could meet our needs, with tax/service charge, spending about 7800 in the end. That figure included some extra photography, the cd, rose petals and 2 extra floral options, and a very small 320$ dessert party in epcot. The original dream plan I had was about 15k!! We decided quickly that type of money would be much better spent on
DVC
2. Swan/Dolphin. You can use them, and get a few things that are very extra disney like (I believe characters can come afterwards for photos). What turned me off from this, was some of the horror stories, and also my DH does not like the hotel- HOWEVER, I have also heard others who have been happy with this. I believe thier current pricing is about 2600 to start. Like disney above, I believe this does not include an officiant. But I also think their extras are a bit more reasonably priced- I could be wrong on that though! I'm sure character prices are the same.
3. Another hotel (even in celebration). You can add disney touches, be nearby, but not really close to any parks or anything. Or another orlando location- I know there are several gardens, and other options.
4.
DCL- you can do a cruise wedding. I believe that is a really affordable way to do a disneyw edding, but I don't cruise, so I don't know anything about it!
5. The 'illegal' way- I've heard a few stories where people have done a simple vow renewal in their hotel, on balconies, or boats. I would think DVC resorts like SSR or OKW that are larger this would be easy enough, but techinically it is not allowed, and if caught you could be forced to stop.
6. An 'anniversary' celebration where you could include a vow renewal of sorts, but not formal, could likely be done on any of the fireworks cruises, etc. I have heard of it happening on the grand one.
I will be honest with you that I have been VERY, VERY disappointed in the service through disney weddings. It has been terrible to try to get any responses or answers from them. We've waited weeks to just get a phone call to BOOK our date adn give them money. My husband and I have about had it, and are pretty much thinking we'll go with someone else. And do a family 'disneymoon' afterwards. But we'll see. So far we're looking at the keys (which was our original familymoon destination). In this economy, and deciding to buy DVC, I'm feeling more and more like saving money would be better- and although I was happy to spend it originally, I just do not want to spend thousands of dollars to be ignored by DFTW
I know this is not a typical experience, a lot of people have had amazing DFTW weddings, but I am just giving my experience, which has been really crappy. And I generally am VERY accomodating and understanding about service (and a high tipper!). This has just been really disappointing to us. So we're sorta in limbo about it at the moment.
Hope that helps answer some of your questions!! I wish you the most magical vow renewal of your dreams
