Disney Cruise Brides - Let's Chat about our Weddings/VR's!

[princessheather]

they do the wash dry and style but you can only book it when you get on the ship. so that would be the first thing i would do.

 

[pjstevens]

I had an updo also (unfortunately don't have any good photos of it), but loved it. It was worth it.

 

[princessheather]

So i emailed Shanda and she has an out of office message that says she is on the disney dream till february 10th! this is great!! im sure we will be getting all our answers soon

 

[jenvin]

Hi there,

I'm joining in the fun! DH and I are thinking of a VR in 2012, it will be 15 years by that time. Our first wedding and reception (and the weeks leading up to the wedding) were a disaster due to numerous issues (his family drama, my family drama, friend drama, you name it), and it was completely not what I wanted for my wedding (it was like a bad movie) - I wanted to use the money on a destination wedding and honeymoon, rather than the big shindig that we ended up having and didn't enjoy. Every time I go to a wedding and reception I get depressed (happy for the couple, depressed because it makes me remember mine). I do have beautiful pictures that look like it was a great day, but the memory isn't so good.

So this VR is more like our wedding "do-over", we're going to pick a different wedding date and everything. I'm really looking forward to it!

I spent all day reading this forum, the information has been great, I have a few questions:

1. Do you go through a travel agent to book your cruise, then call DFTW on top of that, and DPS, or can you do everything with one person? Can anyone recommend a TA who has some knowledge of weddings on DCL (you can PM me).

2. I'm still debating on onboard or CC, they both look great from the pics and the posts - can you give me some pros and cons based on your experiences?

3. The park photoshoot sounds fantastic, though I don't know if I'd be able to get up that early (I'd probably have to stay up as a previous poster mentioned) - the MK shoot that I've seen is mostly around the castle, where else do they shoot? How about Epcot, do they have only certain locations that they shoot? Do they provide transportation to the park from your hotel?

4. What dates would you recommend for an outdoor wedding? We've only been to the Bahamas on DCL once, last NYE, and the weather was nice and sunny but it did get dark early, and it was a little cool when the wind blew. I'm looking at one of the Caribbean cruises this time, I'd like at least a 7 day cruise (5 days was just too short), maybe even a B2B or a Bahama/Caribbean combo, something like that (although I don't think we could really afford two cruises at once!)

I'm looking forward to finally having the wedding we should have had! I'm planning on re-using my wedding dress (diet time!) and having it redesigned slightly to make it more suitable for a cruise/beach wedding. It's a long distance for people to travel, so I doubt we'll have more than 8-10 people there (if that). It might be just us and the kids, which would be fine, too!

Jen

 

[chepic]

yeah....good for you. I can offer some info for you.

Hi there,

So this VR is more like our wedding "do-over", we're going to pick a different wedding date and everything. I'm really looking forward to it!

I spent all day reading this forum, the information has been great, I have a few questions:


1. Do you go through a travel agent to book your cruise, then call DFTW on top of that, and DPS, or can you do everything with one person? Can anyone recommend a TA who has some knowledge of weddings on DCL (you can PM me).
We actually booked directly through Disney. I hadn't discovered these boards yet, and I never even thought to go onto the wedding board when I did until the entire thing was over. I later changed my ressie through Dreams Unlimited because they gave us a great on board credit. I have used them again in the past. I do believe that everything has to go through the wedding coordinator and you must facilitate that anyway. I would say go with the TA that gives you the best deal.

2. I'm still debating on onboard or CC, they both look great from the pics and the posts - can you give me some pros and cons based on your experiences?
We did onboard because we ended up with 20 people that came. I have no regrets with it at all. They turned the lounge into a very nice area with rose petals on the floor and big bows all around. And to be very honest with you, the hour went by so fast I don't even really remember it. There is a piano player there and he had plenty of room, we had plenty of room to dance, and the kids were able to run around without fear of injury. We also didn't have to worry about weather by already being inside. We used Disney on board photographers and we really liked the photos that we received. She took us outside to have photos taken. She would have done anything we asked. I would say if you really want a specific shot, just write it down so you don't forget it. I know others weren't that happy with them.

3. The park photoshoot sounds fantastic, though I don't know if I'd be able to get up that early (I'd probably have to stay up as a previous poster mentioned) - the MK shoot that I've seen is mostly around the castle, where else do they shoot? How about Epcot, do they have only certain locations that they shoot? Do they provide transportation to the park from your hotel?
can't comment, although all the ones I have seen are beautiful. Wish I had known about this when we did ours.

4. What dates would you recommend for an outdoor wedding? We've only been to the Bahamas on DCL once, last NYE, and the weather was nice and sunny but it did get dark early, and it was a little cool when the wind blew. I'm looking at one of the Caribbean cruises this time, I'd like at least a 7 day cruise (5 days was just too short), maybe even a B2B or a Bahama/Caribbean combo, something like that (although I don't think we could really afford two cruises at once!)
We went in January (our actual anniverary) and it was wonderful. Being on CC was cooler than the rest of the trip, but we really had great weather overall. If you look at my TR, you can see the pictures I posted and we wore shorts everyday.http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1703905

I'm looking forward to finally having the wedding we should have had! I'm planning on re-using my wedding dress (diet time!) and having it redesigned slightly to make it more suitable for a cruise/beach wedding. It's a long distance for people to travel, so I doubt we'll have more than 8-10 people there (if that). It might be just us and the kids, which would be fine, too!

you will have a great time no matter what!!! Congratulations!!

Jen

 

[babypinkbunny]

So i emailed Shanda and she has an out of office message that says she is on the disney dream till february 10th! this is great!! im sure we will be getting all our answers soon

Thank you for posting this. It is good know that she is out of the office. I guess this explains why on my two week mark to my cruise that I did not get my information on who my onboard planner is, where to meet them on the ship, and the details I need to know.

 

[hrarcham]

It is good know that she is out of the office. I guess this explains why on my two week mark to my cruise that I did not get my information on who my onboard planner is, where to meet them on the ship, and the details I need to know.

Sorry to hear you haven't received your info - We are having our VR on Feb 21st and we received this info weeks ago - Times, locations, finalization... That's how we knew our ceremony was slated for the Outlook Lounge. I hope you receive your info soon...
I emailed Shanda on Friday but did not get that message. I guess I won't be hearing from her anytime soon...

 

[29apr00]

they do the wash dry and style but you can only book it when you get on the ship. so that would be the first thing i would do.

Actually that is another thing your planner should do for you, schedule your hair appt. My planner was Bree (lol I think!) and she did get my hair appt done, also an appt for my daughter too, who was under age to be in the spa. So that did happen.

 

[princessheather]

Actually that is another thing your planner should do for you, schedule your hair appt. My planner was Bree (lol I think!) and she did get my hair appt done, also an appt for my daughter too, who was under age to be in the spa. So that did happen.

ohh your right! sorrty about that. i just doubled check in the wedding package what it says to do. i guess the advice shanda gave me was to atleast go there the day before to speak with the person who is doing your hair and give them an idea of how you would like it done.

 

[Goofy4Ever]

Thank you for posting this. It is good know that she is out of the office. I guess this explains why on my two week mark to my cruise that I did not get my information on who my onboard planner is, where to meet them on the ship, and the details I need to know.

Good luck and enjoy your day!!! Please take a post pics when you get back

 

[pls5286]

We decided to go ahead and cancel. The total lack of attention we have been getting from Shanda is totally unacceptable in our opinion for the price we are paying. For the other location we have found I have already gotten a confirmation, contract, several emails and phone calls, all since Thursday. And all this at under $650 which includes our customizing and beach ceremony.

 

[jenvin]

We decided to go ahead and cancel. The total lack of attention we have been getting from Shanda is totally unacceptable in our opinion for the price we are paying. For the other location we have found I have already gotten a confirmation, contract, several emails and phone calls, all since Thursday. And all this at under $650 which includes our customizing and beach ceremony.

Hmm - that's not a bad idea...and at such a deal, I could use the money I would save and splurge on a concierge level room and Castaway Cay cabana! The only thing is I kinda want to do the MK and Epcot photo shoot...

Sorry you had such a bad experience, I haven't started the process yet, we'll see how it goes.

 

[princessheather]

I was just checking the Disney cruise website for the date that we are sailing and that date is completely booked as of right now. its not even showing up on the website lol. is anyone else having their cruise date not show up? is everyone still pretty much have availability?

 

[Never grow up]

Thanks ladies for the info on the styling. Very much appreciated

 

[princessheather]

We decided to go ahead and cancel. The total lack of attention we have been getting from Shanda is totally unacceptable in our opinion for the price we are paying. For the other location we have found I have already gotten a confirmation, contract, several emails and phone calls, all since Thursday. And all this at under $650 which includes our customizing and beach ceremony.

what did they say to you when they canceled? did you tell them the reason why?

 

[kjg5]

So now that the 10th has come and gone, anyone hear from Shanda yet? I think I already know the answer to that...
Off to send her the same email I've been sending since 1/21- if I don't get a response this time I'm definitely using the managers' email that was kindly posted earlier. Thanks for that!

pls5286, as sorry as I am that you canceled, it sounds like you made the right choice, so I'm happy for you at the same time. The place sounds great, do you have any photos or a link? I'm interested in what Disney had to say as well!

 

[Rogue1230]

I am going on a cruise with my DH, DS my friend her DH and DD. They were married several years ago in a civil ceremony and she thinks she would like to have a "real" ceremony performed on the ship and maybe send the kds to the kids club so we could have dinner at remy or palo to celebrate.

Would this be something I can request? We aren't looking to get a package, no cake, flowers, etc. Just the captain to marry them. Is this something they would do?

Thanks.

BTW this is what I see in my head. The guys are waiting for us and the kids to join them in a lounge or quiet spot for dinner. The captain approaches them and asks if they are ok, checking on them what not. They would explain they are waiting for their wives and children, at which point his daughter would enter the area as the flower girl, my son would escort me into the area, followed by the bride - his wife. 15 minutes later the captain says- I now pronounce you husband and wife- the ship blows the "when you wish upon a star" our children are then escorted to the kids club and we 4 enjoy a celebratory dinner at the restaurant.

Any thoughts? Lemme have it, brutal honesty girls, I would like this to be lovely but not break the bank.

G-

 

[chris31997]

They can get married on the ship. I don't think it would be hard to add it to the cruise you already have booked. The question would be if anyone else has one booked for that day. You do have to go thru Disney Weddings to do it. You can look that up. Someone else might have a better idea of the cost.

 

[kjg5]

Honestly, I think the only option is the VR package- I don't believe you can have just a ceremony. We asked if we could cut some things out of our pkg to save money, and they said it was an all-or-none deal. Maybe you'll have better luck!

 

[Goldeelox9]

KJG5, I would CC Cindy on the email. Enough is enough!

It is an all or nothing package! They will not allow you to remove any parts of it for a discount.