Amy & Jeff: 10/24/11 20th Anniv. Vow Renewal **8/4 - We surrender!**

[pixie921]

I've been bad at keeping this PJ up ... I think with all the drama with the MK photo session issue and a couple of other things that have popped up, I lost a lot of my enthusiasm for it for a while.

My best friend has decided that they're not coming since her kids are likely getting moved to a new elementary school within the district and she doesn't want to disrupt them and take them out for the trip. Also, her brother's first baby is due that same week so her mom (who was going along) obviously doesn't want to miss that. I guess the whole family will go sometime next year. I'm bummed but I understand of course.

I also found out that my dress didn't get properly ordered at the bridal shop, so I have no dress at this point. I have to get on the stick and find something before I run out of time.

We are moving forward, however, and other things are falling into place. We were assigned Tanis as our planner last week and I'm in the process of completing our info packet for them. We also signed with Blossoms Orlando to have them do our floral.

And because our guest count dropped significantly, we are no longer going to do the private room at the Wave. We currently have an ADR for noon for our group at Kona Cafe. I'd prefer something private, but the GF convention center is completely booked and it just doesn't make sense for a group of 16 and the minimums we'd have to hit for the other places.

I still haven't notified our photographer, videographer or Rev. Day about our changing back to a DFTW ... *gah* ... they're going to think I'm crazy. Maybe I am!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Amy sweetie - You are not crazy, you have just had so much bad luck during your planning and had to be flexible with your plans because of this!!! I think you have coped really well!! Far beter than I would have done!!
Now this last issue. No dress!!! I would be a quivering bundle of nerves by now. I hope the shop were suitably ashamed. Did they offer a solution? I guess the bright side is that you get to go dress shopping again!!

 

[DoomBuggy0922]

Gah!!! I am so sorry to hear about the dress and people not coming. No matter what, it will be a magical day!

 

[dolphingirl47]

I somehow managed to miss that you swapped back to a DFTW. You seemed so happy with the Swan/ Dolphin option. I also seem to missed your problems with the photo shoot. What went wrong there? I saw this briefly mentioned before, but I assumed that it was because you had switched to a Swan/ Dolphin ceremony and therefore no longer qualified.

I am so sorry that you are having such a hard time. It stinks if people who you really want to be there cannot make it. In my case, this happened with everybody I wanted there.

It is such a shame that they messed up your dress order. Can they not fix it? Still, if you end up getting a different dress then I really hope that you love the new one more than the first.

Corinna

 

[pixie921]

Amy sweetie - You are not crazy, you have just had so much bad luck during your planning and had to be flexible with your plans because of this!!! I think you have coped really well!! Far beter than I would have done!!
Now this last issue. No dress!!! I would be a quivering bundle of nerves by now. I hope the shop were suitably ashamed. Did they offer a solution? I guess the bright side is that you get to go dress shopping again!!

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Joanne ... there are times I've questioned my sanity through all this, LOL!

I'm not going to order another dress through the shop of course since I don't trust them. I have a few options in mind, but I'm still sorting through them.

Gah!!! I am so sorry to hear about the dress and people not coming. No matter what, it will be a magical day!

Oh, thank you! I needed that hug!

I somehow managed to miss that you swapped back to a DFTW. You seemed so happy with the Swan/ Dolphin option. I also seem to missed your problems with the photo shoot. What went wrong there? I saw this briefly mentioned before, but I assumed that it was because you had switched to a Swan/ Dolphin ceremony and therefore no longer qualified.

I am so sorry that you are having such a hard time. It stinks if people who you really want to be there cannot make it. In my case, this happened with everybody I wanted there.

It is such a shame that they messed up your dress order. Can they not fix it? Still, if you end up getting a different dress then I really hope that you love the new one more than the first.

Corinna

Corinna, we have been all over the place with this thing! Looooong story short: we were contacted by DFTW and told if we came back they could accommodate our MK shoot on Thursday (which they originally denied us). We gave it lots of thought and decided we didn't want to pass up the chance for MK photos, so we moved back to DFTW only doing an Escape this time (and Karen at Just Marry was so sweet about it -- she's such a pro -- I can't say enough good things about her).

A day or so after we sent back our LOA, MK management contacted DFAP and told them all MK shoots for the time we would be there were CANCELLED. It was like this big, pathetic cosmic joke.

It's such a bummer when people we really want to be there can't be...I feel so sad that you're going through this to such a large extent.

 

[dolphingirl47]

Corinna, we have been all over the place with this thing! Looooong story short: we were contacted by DFTW and told if we came back they could accommodate our MK shoot on Thursday (which they originally denied us). We gave it lots of thought and decided we didn't want to pass up the chance for MK photos, so we moved back to DFTW only doing an Escape this time (and Karen at Just Marry was so sweet about it -- she's such a pro -- I can't say enough good things about her).

A day or so after we sent back our LOA, MK management contacted DFAP and told them all MK shoots for the time we would be there were CANCELLED. It was like this big, pathetic cosmic joke.

It's such a bummer when people we really want to be there can't be...I feel so sad that you're going through this to such a large extent.

Oh, that really stinks. I would have been spitting nails. It's just not fair that they lured you back with false promises and then just went back on their word.

I would have to lie if I was to say that I was not upset and disappointed when I realized that it would be just Graham and me at our vow renewal. Actually, I cancelled our DCL vow renewal in a strop as a result. I know that I will always wish that the people that I really wanted there could have been there. However, I know that all of them have a good reason for not being there and for some, it was totally out of their control.

However, as they say, every cloud has a silver lining. I had started to believe that the vow renewal meant a lot more to me than to Graham, but the amount of work he put into looking into alternatives showed me that this is not the case.

Crystal Cathedral has been special to me long before we even went on our first Disney cruise and I have to admit that I get a real buzz out of having our vow renewal there and the chance to take photos around the campus. This will provide me with memories that I will never forget.

I am in so much more control. With the DCL option, so much was set in stone. Now I have so much more freedom. I told Crystal Cathedral precisely what I wanted and they made it happen. Our simple and intimate ceremony is not something that they normally offer, but they were very keen to accommodate us.

I was able to look at the work of some local photographers online and then contacted the one that I liked best. Again she has been bending over backwards to accommodate exactly what I want. We also have been emailing for over two months now and were therefore able to build a relationship. She was also very keen to meet us in person before our big day and again, she is making this easy for us.

I will be able to have just the cake that I want. At the moment, I am leaning towards an ocean/ Little Mermaid theme. That is something I could not have had on DCL.

The whole thing also costs a fraction of what I had budgeted for. So some of the extra money will go to doing a Dolphin Trainer for Day excursion in Cabo during our cruise, going to Mickey's Halloween Party twice, splurging on the costumes and treating myself to a make over at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for one party. I also will get to share my special day with two very special people that could not have attended if we had done this on the ship.

So is it the vow renewal that I had dreamed of at the beginning of the year? Definitely not, but I am excited and happy on how things have turned out.

Corinna

 

[PinkSleepingBeauty]

Hi Amy, just thought I'd check in and say hi. Sorry about your dress! I can't believe even more stress and hassle has come your way!! Hope everything is looking up soon!!!

 

[pixie921]

Corinna, I am so pleased for you that you've found a way to do your VR that works for you! And I really hope you'll share your photos afterwards ... that Crystal Cathedral is so stunning!

Natalie, I'm glad you stopped by!

I'm finding myself in quite a funk this afternoon. Went to the dr's this a.m. for follow-up on some issues, and also to finally get a diagnosis on something that's been ongoing since I had our son (sometimes I really don't like being a girl) and worsened recently, and learned that it's going to be chronic and the best we can do is "manage" it. *sigh*

And we've been trying to reach someone at DFTW for days, both via email and phone. It is so frustrating that you can't get in touch with someone when you need to. Karen at Just Marry was SO amazing when I dealt with her that I got spoiled. I MISS KAREN!!!!

 

[dolphingirl47]

Corinna, I am so pleased for you that you've found a way to do your VR that works for you! And I really hope you'll share your photos afterwards ... that Crystal Cathedral is so stunning!

Natalie, I'm glad you stopped by!

I'm finding myself in quite a funk this afternoon. Went to the dr's this a.m. for follow-up on some issues, and also to finally get a diagnosis on something that's been ongoing since I had our son (sometimes I really don't like being a girl) and worsened recently, and learned that it's going to be chronic and the best we can do is "manage" it. *sigh*

And we've been trying to reach someone at DFTW for days, both via email and phone. It is so frustrating that you can't get in touch with someone when you need to. Karen at Just Marry was SO amazing when I dealt with her that I got spoiled. I MISS KAREN!!!!

Yes, there will definitely be photos.

I am sorry that you did have some not so pleasant news at the doctors. Let's hope they can manage it effectively.

I am also sorry that you are given the runaround by DFTW. I always thought it was just their DCL operation that was problematic, but looks like it is not much better at WDW.

Corinna

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Oh no not more problems with communications with DFTW!!!
I am so sorry about your health issues. Keep looking forward to your VR as I am sure it will be amazing. It is hard to keep the faith when it appears that everything is going wrong.
I am not surprised that you miss Karen - she would have had all your questions answered by now and your fears put to bed!!!
Much love and pixiedust coming your way sweetie!!!!

 

[pixie921]

Yes, there will definitely be photos.

I am sorry that you did have some not so pleasant news at the doctors. Let's hope they can manage it effectively.

I am also sorry that you are given the runaround by DFTW. I always thought it was just their DCL operation that was problematic, but looks like it is not much better at WDW.

Corinna

I'll definitely be looking forward to seeing your photos, Corinna! And I'm fortunate to have a wonderful doctor that I trust implicitly, so that makes things a lot easier!

Oh no not more problems with communications with DFTW!!!
I am so sorry about your health issues. Keep looking forward to your VR as I am sure it will be amazing. It is hard to keep the faith when it appears that everything is going wrong.
I am not surprised that you miss Karen - she would have had all your questions answered by now and your fears put to bed!!!
Much love and pixiedust coming your way sweetie!!!!

Yeah, I'm not sure what's going on with DFTW, but Jeff said to me last night that he's afraid that they're going to "ruin Disney for us". Which would be bad, seeing as we're DVC members and WDW is our favorite place to vacation! I think he's right, and I think that we should've run back to Just Marry and the Swan as soon as Disney pulled the MK shoot out from under us.

So...enough of my complaining! On an upbeat note, we have chosen and ordered our rings! We debated about it for a while, but Jeff seemed to really want to have a little reminder of the day to wear, which I thought was so sweet. And he took me out last night to someplace I've never, ever been before ... Tiffany's!! Of course we weren't shopping in the *gold* jewelry section of the store, LOL, but the sterling silver section, and we found these beautiful matching sterling mesh rings that we fell in love with:

Jeff's is actually flexible, which he just thought was the coolest thing ever! Mine isn't, due to the little diamonds in it, but that's not a big deal at all to me. He was so cute about it, too ... he said, "After 20 years of marriage, I think you deserve to have something in that little blue box that every woman dreams about." So sweet!! I just love him!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Amy sweetie - love love love the rings!!! We just have plain gold bands but seeing these, I wish we had something more elaborate!! Oh well, maybe on our 25th eh? I am determined to do a DCL vacation for that!!!

 

[Disney9.9.10]

Hi Amy! I am sorry to hear about everything that has been going on with DFTW, and I really hope that the magic isn't lost for you!

But your rings are so unique, and really pretty!! I would love to see a picture of it actually on your hand!

 

[dolphingirl47]

I'll definitely be looking forward to seeing your photos, Corinna! And I'm fortunate to have a wonderful doctor that I trust implicitly, so that makes things a lot easier!



Yeah, I'm not sure what's going on with DFTW, but Jeff said to me last night that he's afraid that they're going to "ruin Disney for us". Which would be bad, seeing as we're DVC members and WDW is our favorite place to vacation! I think he's right, and I think that we should've run back to Just Marry and the Swan as soon as Disney pulled the MK shoot out from under us.

So...enough of my complaining! On an upbeat note, we have chosen and ordered our rings! We debated about it for a while, but Jeff seemed to really want to have a little reminder of the day to wear, which I thought was so sweet. And he took me out last night to someplace I've never, ever been before ... Tiffany's!! Of course we weren't shopping in the *gold* jewelry section of the store, LOL, but the sterling silver section, and we found these beautiful matching sterling mesh rings that we fell in love with:

Jeff's is actually flexible, which he just thought was the coolest thing ever! Mine isn't, due to the little diamonds in it, but that's not a big deal at all to me. He was so cute about it, too ... he said, "After 20 years of marriage, I think you deserve to have something in that little blue box that every woman dreams about." So sweet!! I just love him!

I love the rings. They are so unusual. I have to say I was not brave enough to even go inside Tiffany. They have a store at the Dubai Mall where we bought our new wedding bands.

Corinna

 

[KristiLyn]

Love love love the rings!!!

 

[pixie921]

Amy sweetie - love love love the rings!!! We just have plain gold bands but seeing these, I wish we had something more elaborate!! Oh well, maybe on our 25th eh? I am determined to do a DCL vacation for that!!!

Thanks Joanne! I love the idea of a DCL vacation/renewal! Have you done the DCL before? We took the short one several years ago when Travis was younger ... gosh, I think he was 9, so that was like 9 years ago!! ... and we all LOVED it!!

Hi Amy! I am sorry to hear about everything that has been going on with DFTW, and I really hope that the magic isn't lost for you!

But your rings are so unique, and really pretty!! I would love to see a picture of it actually on your hand!

Aww, thanks! We're going over our options because it's really important to us to keep our "special place" feeling special and not have bad feelings surrounding it. And thank you for the compliment on the rings! I'll take photos when they come in. They told us to expect a call in a week or so.

I love the rings. They are so unusual. I have to say I was not brave enough to even go inside Tiffany. They have a store at the Dubai Mall where we bought our new wedding bands.

Corinna

Thanks Corinna! I wouldn't have been brave enough to go in either if my best friend had not encouraged me by promising that the silver prices weren't overly exorbitant. I am still in awe that you got to go ring shopping in DUBAI! That just seems so very exotic to this midwestern girl!

Love love love the rings!!!

Thank you!! I'm so glad to have found something that we both liked and we are very excited to get them!

 

[elleinad16]

I love your rings!!! And congrats for getting the blue box! I love Tiffany's....sigh.

 

[dolphingirl47]

Thanks Corinna! I wouldn't have been brave enough to go in either if my best friend had not encouraged me by promising that the silver prices weren't overly exorbitant. I am still in awe that you got to go ring shopping in DUBAI! That just seems so very exotic to this midwestern girl!

A few years ago this would have felt exotic to me as well. I have worked for a Dubai based airline for over 5 years now. We were due a vacation anyway, I had free air tickets to Dubai and gold is so much cheaper there so it made sense.

Corinna

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Amy sweetie - No I haven't done DCL yet (have done other cruise lines though - Royal Caribbean and Cunard). I am absolutely determined that this is what we will be doing for our 15th!!!

 

[pixie921]

Well, we've come to a decision. DFTW is ruining Disney for us and we are DONE with them.

Them taking the MK shoot away after promising it to us before we signed to come back was the first big thing, and then we've spent over a week trying to reach our planner AND consultant to try to add a luncheon (hello ... Disney? want my money? apparently not!) all the while hoping the space wasn't getting booked by someone else .... I absolutely cannot deal. I just can't. I'm bitter, I'm angry, I'm supremely disappointed. The way we've been dealt with is an absolute disgrace.

I called Karen at the end of the week with my hat in my hand and she graciously welcomed us back to Just Marry and the Swan. Crescent Terrace was still available, I still had our photographer, videographer and minister (and Mickey and Minnie!) set for that space anyway, so there wasn't much to change. Already the difference in service is night and day. Leaving them initially and trying to go back to DFTW was the biggest mistake we could've made, but we've now rectified that.

My new vision is for a sort of "enchanted forest" out there in the trees by the water ... I'm having fun planning it, but have to admit I'm still bitter over losing my MK dream. But Disney doesn't care, so I have to get to the point where I don't, either.