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

[Goofy4Ever]

It was nice to hear from Cindy today. She really put my mind at ease. I explained to her that I didn't want to get Shanda in trouble, but she clearly needs help. Cindy said they were working on doing that!! That was good to hear.

Anyways, some good news was that they still are hoping to offer an outdoor location. They are trying to iron out the details with DCL. We probably will not hear anything until summer or so....Yippee!

I also asked about the new seating chart and she said to use the one that is provided in our packet. I guess the dining rooms on the Dream are a bit more intimate than the Wonder/Magic so your party might not be right next to you. That is a bit of a bummer, but as long as we are all near each other and on the same rotation then I am ok with that!

She said that the Outlook Bar holds up to 30 guests. I also asked her if I could have a Memorial table placed at the front so I can put pictures of our grandparents that we have lost and she said that she sees no problem with it. That makes me happy since I just lost me grandma a few months ago It will be a way for her to be there even though I know she will be there in spirit.

Just thought I would share the information I received today....off to start my PJ. I have finally decided to do one.

 

[PrincessTinker11]

It was nice to hear from Cindy today. She really put my mind at ease. I explained to her that I didn't want to get Shanda in trouble, but she clearly needs help. Cindy said they were working on doing that!! That was good to hear.

Anyways, some good news was that they still are hoping to offer an outdoor location. They are trying to iron out the details with DCL. We probably will not hear anything until summer or so....Yippee!

I also asked about the new seating chart and she said to use the one that is provided in our packet. I guess the dining rooms on the Dream are a bit more intimate than the Wonder/Magic so your party might not be right next to you. That is a bit of a bummer, but as long as we are all near each other and on the same rotation then I am ok with that!

She said that the Outlook Bar holds up to 30 guests. I also asked her if I could have a Memorial table placed at the front so I can put pictures of our grandparents that we have lost and she said that she sees no problem with it. That makes me happy since I just lost me grandma a few months ago It will be a way for her to be there even though I know she will be there in spirit.

Just thought I would share the information I received today....off to start my PJ. I have finally decided to do one.

I am so glad you got a response! I am really getting excited now, DF and I went shopping for clothes for the cruise today including a suit for our Magic Kingdom shoot even though we could not find one for him, overall, we did well! I am glad to hear they are looking for an outdoor location too!

 

[jenbear25]

It was nice to hear from Cindy today. She really put my mind at ease. I explained to her that I didn't want to get Shanda in trouble, but she clearly needs help. Cindy said they were working on doing that!! That was good to hear.

Anyways, some good news was that they still are hoping to offer an outdoor location. They are trying to iron out the details with DCL. We probably will not hear anything until summer or so....Yippee!

I also asked about the new seating chart and she said to use the one that is provided in our packet. I guess the dining rooms on the Dream are a bit more intimate than the Wonder/Magic so your party might not be right next to you. That is a bit of a bummer, but as long as we are all near each other and on the same rotation then I am ok with that!

She said that the Outlook Bar holds up to 30 guests. I also asked her if I could have a Memorial table placed at the front so I can put pictures of our grandparents that we have lost and she said that she sees no problem with it. That makes me happy since I just lost me grandma a few months ago It will be a way for her to be there even though I know she will be there in spirit.

Just thought I would share the information I received today....off to start my PJ. I have finally decided to do one.

DF and I are confirmed for a Castaway Cay wedding in May 2012. 20 staterooms are already reserved. We're super excited! We've received the 2011 Planning Guide with instructions to return by March 2012. However, there is no dining room seating chart info/request form. The only documents received were:

1) 2011 planning guide (I'm assuming we'll get a 2012 guide next year)
2) Floral and enhancements details
3) Credit card pymt form
4) Bahamian marriage license application

Is there a separate seating chart request form/document that I need to ask for? Do I get this form from DFTW or DCL Group Reservations? Any help is appreciated!

 

[stl_figment]

DF and I are confirmed for a Castaway Cay wedding in May 2012. 20 staterooms are already reserved. We're super excited! We've received the 2011 Planning Guide with instructions to return by March 2012. However, there is no dining room seating chart info/request form. The only documents received were:

1) 2011 planning guide (I'm assuming we'll get a 2012 guide next year)
2) Floral and enhancements details
3) Credit card pymt form
4) Bahamian marriage license application

Is there a separate seating chart request form/document that I need to ask for? Do I get this form from DFTW or DCL Group Reservations? Any help is appreciated!

I had to ask for it separately from DFTW. It was an Excel file.

You got the Bahamian marriage license app? I didn't.

Oh and congrats on having everything booked! Its exciting!

 

[PrincessTinker11]

I had to ask for it separately from DFTW. It was an Excel file.

You got the Bahamian marriage license app? I didn't.

Yes, that is very interesting considering you are getting married legally in FL?

 

[stl_figment]

Yes, that is very interesting considering you are getting married legally in FL?

They said we had to fill out a Bahamian marriage license also because of the Castaway Cay wedding (being on Bahamian soil).

We will have to get a FL license to legally get married in FL the day we get on the cruise. Then we need a Bahamian marriage license for the ceremony day on Castaway Cay.

EDIT:

Shanda got back to me!!!

I just have to say, when I receive information from her it is very complete and I have no complaints with her (just wish I could get a response faster).

I did receive a copy of the Bahamian marriage license. I'm just not sure how I feel about being called a "Spinster" by the Commonwealth of the Bahamas

It renews my excitement about everything!

 

[Goofy4Ever]

Jenbear~
Shanda provided me with the seat chart. I thought it came with the planning packet. I would ask her for one!
Lisa

 

[jenbear25]

I thought "spinster" on the Bahamian application was funny too.

Thank you for the info. I'll ask Shanda for the seating chart form.

Jen

 

[MonorailPilotMulan]

DF and I are confirmed for a Castaway Cay wedding in May 2012. 20 staterooms are already reserved. We're super excited! We've received the 2011 Planning Guide with instructions to return by March 2012. However, there is no dining room seating chart info/request form. The only documents received were:

1) 2011 planning guide (I'm assuming we'll get a 2012 guide next year)
2) Floral and enhancements details
3) Credit card pymt form
4) Bahamian marriage license application

Is there a separate seating chart request form/document that I need to ask for? Do I get this form from DFTW or DCL Group Reservations? Any help is appreciated!

Congratulations! My DF and I are also planning on a Castaway Cay wedding next May but when we called, they said to call back in May How did you manage to get in with Shandra?

 

[PixieDust1969]

Congratulations! My DF and I are also planning on a Castaway Cay wedding next May but when we called, they said to call back in May How did you manage to get in with Shandra?

Yeah!!! I love seeing so many Castaway Cay brides!!

 

[stl_figment]

Congratulations! My DF and I are also planning on a Castaway Cay wedding next May but when we called, they said to call back in May How did you manage to get in with Shandra?

Try calling DFTW again. It took until the 2nd or 3rd time before they let me talk to Shanda.

 

[MonorailPilotMulan]

Try calling DFTW again. It took until the 2nd or 3rd time before they let me talk to Shanda.

Thanks for letting me know, I am calling at 9 am sharp tomorrow!!

 

[Linden Lady]

I booked in Jan 2010 for our May 15, 2011 sailing on the Dream. I called DFTW and they let me talk to Shanda on the 1st call. However, she was able to give me very few details at that time. I'm sure some of that had to do with the fact that the ship wasn't even built yet! I was asking her questions that she could only guess at for the time being. So, she told me to wait a few months and call back at the 1 yr mark. She said they aren't even able to start the planning process before that time. So, I called back in May 2010 and she was only able to email a planning guide?!
Hmmm, wonder why she couldn't have just emailed that when I called the 1st time? At least, it would've given me something to look at and start making plans around.
So, to make a long story short, I really didn't make any definite/concrete plans until 6 mos before the VR date. Wonder if that is the difference between a VR ceremony and a wedding ceremony??

 

[jenbear25]

Congratulations! My DF and I are also planning on a Castaway Cay wedding next May but when we called, they said to call back in May How did you manage to get in with Shandra?

DF and I took a different approach to booking our Castaway Cay wedding. We were engaged in Sep 2010 and quickly determined that a spring 2012 DCL wedding is what we wanted. We first called DFTW and was told the same...to call back in May 2011. Also, at that time the 2012 Disney Dream sailing calendar was NOT yet released. (our assumption: no sailing calendar = no weddings booked)

Since we wanted all our staterooms clustered together (20+) on the same deck, we didn't want to wait until May to start the cruise booking process. As soon as the 2012 sailing calendar was released (end of Oct) we immediately started our group booking through DCL. By first week of Nov, we had about 15 staterooms reserved.

With a group reservation number and our stateroom confirmation available, I called DFTW again in Nov and simply asked for a Castaway Cay wedding to be added to our reservation. It was an easy process. Phone rep took all our info including the group reservation and stateroom confirmation. Within a few days, Shanda called me back. She held the Castaway Cay beach wedding date on our sailing but could not officially confirm as the 2012 wedding booking window was not yet open. In Feb 2011 when the booking window opened, she was able to officially confirm the Castaway Cay beach wedding for us (sailing May 17-20, 2012 w/ Castaway Cay beach wedding on May 19).

I think this all came together for us because we started the cruise booking process early & worked quickly AND the 2012 wedding booking window was not yet open. So that's a recap of our cruise & wedding booking experiences. Good luck reserving your date!

Jen

 

[PrincessTinker11]

DF and I took a different approach to booking our Castaway Cay wedding. We were engaged in Sep 2010 and quickly determined that a spring 2012 DCL wedding is what we wanted. We first called DFTW and was told the same...to call back in May 2011. Also, at that time the 2012 Disney Dream sailing calendar was NOT yet released. (our assumption: no sailing calendar = no weddings booked)

Since we wanted all our staterooms clustered together (20+) on the same deck, we didn't want to wait until May to start the cruise booking process. As soon as the 2012 sailing calendar was released (end of Oct) we immediately started our group booking through DCL. By first week of Nov, we had about 15 staterooms reserved.

With a group reservation number and our stateroom confirmation available, I called DFTW again in Nov and simply asked for a Castaway Cay wedding to be added to our reservation. It was an easy process. Phone rep took all our info including the group reservation and stateroom confirmation. Within a few days, Shanda called me back. She held the Castaway Cay beach wedding date on our sailing but could not officially confirm as the 2012 wedding booking window was not yet open. In Feb 2011 when the booking window opened, she was able to officially confirm the Castaway Cay beach wedding for us (sailing May 17-20, 2012 w/ Castaway Cay beach wedding on May 19).

I think this all came together for us because we started the cruise booking process early & worked quickly AND the 2012 wedding booking window was not yet open. So that's a recap of our cruise & wedding booking experiences. Good luck reserving your date!

Jen

I agree, as Jen did I booked my room and then my travel agent was able to get in touch with Shanda and get a hold put on my wedding date as I started planning about 18/19 months out...at the year mark it became "official" but at least I knew at 18 months out that I had my CC wedding on November 1, 2011 so I could immediately send my invites out to give everyone a heads up about planning to attend, etc.

 

[PrincessTinker11]

They said we had to fill out a Bahamian marriage license also because of the Castaway Cay wedding (being on Bahamian soil).

We will have to get a FL license to legally get married in FL the day we get on the cruise. Then we need a Bahamian marriage license for the ceremony day on Castaway Cay.

EDIT:

Shanda got back to me!!!

I just have to say, when I receive information from her it is very complete and I have no complaints with her (just wish I could get a response faster).

I did receive a copy of the Bahamian marriage license. I'm just not sure how I feel about being called a "Spinster" by the Commonwealth of the Bahamas

It renews my excitement about everything!

I cannot believe it says Spinster, that is too funny! lol I am going to wait until it gets closer and request everything again, she sent me my packet at 18 months out and I changed my mind on so many things! lol

Are you adding extra floral on CC? I was thinking about doing the floral torches...

 

[stl_figment]

I cannot believe it says Spinster, that is too funny! lol I am going to wait until it gets closer and request everything again, she sent me my packet at 18 months out and I changed my mind on so many things! lol

Are you adding extra floral on CC? I was thinking about doing the floral torches...

I really like the tiki floral torches. But we're not going to use them. It doesn't list a cost, which automatically makes me afraid I would love to, but can't justify spending anymore either, especially when we aren't there that long. Our total cost for everything disney related (cruise, wedding, portraits, honeymoon, flights, paying someone to watch our pets, etc.) is at just under $10,000. My parents are helping us with the wedding related costs but I'm still stressed about paying for everything.

Are you doing bridesmaid bouquets (if you have any bridesmaids)? I have a hard time justifying the $125 for a bridesmaid bouquet also. Especially since my only bridesmaid/maid of honor is my Italian sister (exchange student) coming over from Australia; she wouldn't be able to take it with her after the cruise.

I'm thinking about making some sort of bouquet with silk flowers but am still looking for ideas.

 

[PrincessTinker11]

I really like the tiki floral torches. But we're not going to use them. It doesn't list a cost, which automatically makes me afraid I would love to, but can't justify spending anymore either, especially when we aren't there that long. Our total cost for everything disney related (cruise, wedding, portraits, honeymoon, flights, paying someone to watch our pets, etc.) is at just under $10,000. My parents are helping us with the wedding related costs but I'm still stressed about paying for everything.

Are you doing bridesmaid bouquets (if you have any bridesmaids)? I have a hard time justifying the $125 for a bridesmaid bouquet also. Especially since my only bridesmaid/maid of honor is my Italian sister (exchange student) coming over from Australia; she wouldn't be able to take it with her after the cruise.

I'm thinking about making some sort of bouquet with silk flowers but am still looking for ideas.

Girl, we think alike! LOL

Another person posted that the torches were like 500, not terrible but yet again it is not something I can take home and enjoy so I am kinda on the fence leaning to a "NO"...

I am doing silk flowers! I am meeting with the florist next month and will be having one made for my sister, two boutonnieres made, one from my DF's friend and my father...and will have corsages made for both mothers out of silk. I am also getting a wedding bouquet made for me with pink roses and possibly some splash of white for my Magic Kingdom shots. I felt that the silk can be given to everyone respectively and they would have something to take from the cruise as well. All of it is costing me 300, will post pics when I recieve them...I live in NJ and she does beauitful work, she did a friends wedding here in NJ a few months ago and they look so real!

I am getting nervous too about the costs but I am sure we will do just fine! I am at 10K as well with the cruise, taking my own photographer (paying her way in exchange for services), MK shoot and doing a week in Disney. However, I traded my timeshare (still have NO confirmation, fingers crossed it goes through) to get into DVC for a week after the cruise. IF not add another 1K to the mix for accommodations...

My parents were kind enough to throw a HUGE party at a local country club, gave us 2K wedding gift and helped with the wedding dress etc. so I am basically on my own for the wedding. It will all work out, even if I have to grab some part time work I will make this happen!

 

[Shannon1984]

I really like the tiki floral torches. But we're not going to use them. It doesn't list a cost, which automatically makes me afraid I would love to, but can't justify spending anymore either, especially when we aren't there that long. Our total cost for everything disney related (cruise, wedding, portraits, honeymoon, flights, paying someone to watch our pets, etc.) is at just under $10,000. My parents are helping us with the wedding related costs but I'm still stressed about paying for everything.

Are you doing bridesmaid bouquets (if you have any bridesmaids)? I have a hard time justifying the $125 for a bridesmaid bouquet also. Especially since my only bridesmaid/maid of honor is my Italian sister (exchange student) coming over from Australia; she wouldn't be able to take it with her after the cruise.

I'm thinking about making some sort of bouquet with silk flowers but am still looking for ideas.

I just went to Pat Catans and got two boutonnieres and a junior bridesmaid bouquet maid for $12! I'm anxious to see what they look like. They copied the photo I had from Disney of my bouquet.

 

[PixieDust1969]

Someone in an earlier post stated that 4 torches and the palms down the aisle were $508.00. I was definitely considering doing the torches until I found out how much they cost! I am going to do the palms and shells down the aisle as I think that makes a big impact.

I was going to do silk flowers for my girls but I think we are just going to do the rose wands for them. I really want all of my flowers to match. I am doing orange roses.