Disney Cruise Brides!!! Part Deux!!

[Fivepin]

Love reading everyone's stories and planning. It has really gotten me inspired.

My November 18, 2012 cruise did not start out as a vow renewal cruise. It was a cruise I booked july 2011 with another family who had never cruised with DCL before. Other families found out and want to join in with us since "I'm the DCL expert". My mom and brother also added on. Before I knew it I had my family and closest friends cruising with us. I have hinted to my DH before about a DCL vow renewal at 10 yr and 15 yr and nothing. I thought let me just call and see if the date was even available for my sailing. Sure enough it was. So, I went about it kind of backwards, I already had the guests and then booked the vow renewal. Only thing that bums me now, just found out my BFF who was my maid of honor at my wedding will not be able to go now. They won't let her off work.

She's the only one who knows. So, my guests do not know and neither does my husband. Plan on letting the guests know embarkation day with invite and embarkation gift bag. They are already bring clothes for Palo. Just gotta find out what time.

As far as my husband is concerned, I am torn as when to tell him. Our 17th wedding anniversary is Sept 23rd. We were one of the firsts to get married at the wedding pavilion. Do, I tell him then and how? Would just love to see his expression if I didn't tell him until day of.

Any ideas? I already have the boys' outfits including DH's. Bought his shirt while I was on the Hawaii cruise.

Here's a photo of us on our wedding. In Cinderella's carriage-in the day where you had to plan around the parade when she would be using it.

 

[PatsMinnie]

Love reading everyone's stories and planning. It has really gotten me inspired.

My November 18, 2012 cruise did not start out as a vow renewal cruise. It was a cruise I booked july 2011 with another family who had never cruised with DCL before. Other families found out and want to join in with us since "I'm the DCL expert". My mom and brother also added on. Before I knew it I had my family and closest friends cruising with us. I have hinted to my DH before about a DCL vow renewal at 10 yr and 15 yr and nothing. I thought let me just call and see if the date was even available for my sailing. Sure enough it was. So, I went about it kind of backwards, I already had the guests and then booked the vow renewal. Only thing that bums me now, just found out my BFF who was my maid of honor at my wedding will not be able to go now. They won't let her off work.

She's the only one who knows. So, my guests do not know and neither does my husband. Plan on letting the guests know embarkation day with invite and embarkation gift bag. They are already bring clothes for Palo. Just gotta find out what time.

As far as my husband is concerned, I am torn as when to tell him. Our 17th wedding anniversary is Sept 23rd. We were one of the firsts to get married at the wedding pavilion. Do, I tell him then and how? Would just love to see his expression if I didn't tell him until day of.

Any ideas? I already have the boys' outfits including DH's. Bought his shirt while I was on the Hawaii cruise.

Here's a photo of us on our wedding. In Cinderella's carriage-in the day where you had to plan around the parade when she would be using it.

Im totally new to this board, and still years away from being able to do a DCL VR, but one can still dream! I think it's great most everything is coming together for you on your VR!! An idea for revealing this to your DH is maybe on your actual anniversary YOU propose to him! I hope whatever you decide to do you keep us posted!

 

[Freckledginger]

Hi Ladies!
So great to see all the activity on here! I'm way behind, so I'll try to touch base on as many topics as I can. Sorry if this post is somewhat confusing!

Jillian, thanks so much for all the info regarding how to fill out the Planning Guide! You're the best!!! I wrote down all your tips, and will be definitely putting them to use in the next few weeks when I'm filling in mine I also was hoping to do something special for dinner the night of the wedding. I haven't figured out what yet, but I think some detail to distinguish the wedding party from the rest of the guests is nice. I love your idea of orchids! That would be really pretty! If you couldn't bring on the freeze-dried variety, you could always look into paper flowers. There are some amazing paper "florists" on etsy!

Valerie, thanks so much for the compliments on our invitations! We are very happy with them.

Seashell Cake: I was considering this (looks pretty in the photos!), but after I found out from DFTW that no alterations can be made to the cake (I'm planning on bringing my own cake topper) and that Will wasn't too impressed with it, I decided to give it a miss. I think the lack of options for cake designs is pretty disappointing, but I guess that's inherent with having a wedding on a cruise away from bakeries.

Re welcome bags, we are definitely doing them, but I'm much further behind than some of the other brides (e.g. Jillian ). So far, I only have the bag I'm super excited about them though.

We got them through a sale weddingchicks.com was offering (20 bags for $100) . I know it's not the cheapest thing in the world, but they have some really cute designs (including a "love, laughter, & happily ever after" bag) and include personalization. It's a bit difficult to see in that photo, but we were able to choose the colors of the font as well as add our names, the place that we're getting married, and our wedding date. I'm still working out what to put in them, so stay tuned there

Evi, I'm bringing along my own officiant. DF and I have been together forever (7 years), and I really wanted someone who was familiar with us and our relationship to marry us. My uncle is a baptist minister and excited to come along, so we're doing that to personalize the ceremony a bit more. He's a bit more conservative than DF and I though, so in the next month, I'm going to have to broach the subject of us writing our own vows and changing his traditional ceremony around a bit. Ooh, and I like your wedding favor for the females! Cute idea! Have you had any luck finding an external photographer?

Judy, love your photos from your wedding! How amazing to be one of the first couples married at the wedding pavilion! A VR on DCL will be fantastic As for whether to tell your DH, you could either go either way. It would be such a fabulous surprise, but it might be easier to plan/share your planning excitement if you tell him. You could also split the difference, as PatsMinnie suggested, and surprise him on your anniversary. I'm sure he'll be excited either way

Hope everyone is having a good night!!

 

[Freckledginger]

DCL Weddings were featured on this week's Disney Wedding Podcast!!! Carrie (Lurkyloo) and past DCL Bride (as well as vacation planner extraordinaire) Lisa do a fantastic job discussing the specifics of a DCL wedding and offer some good ideas. Definitely worth checking out!!

http://disneyweddingpodcast.com/2012/07/25/cruise-collection-overview/

 

[Evi]

Hi Ginger,

I'm still not sure about photography yet. I am waiting to hear from another photographer. I'll definitely keep you guys posted if I'm able to secure someone. If not I will use Disney photography and hope for the best. Definitely not my first choice, but whats a girl to do? I love your oot bags they are really pretty I think you chose well =).

 

[Freckledginger]

Hi Ginger,

I'm still not sure about photography yet. I am waiting to hear from another photographer. I'll definitely keep you guys posted if I'm able to secure someone. If not I will use Disney photography and hope for the best. Definitely not my first choice, but whats a girl to do? I love your oot bags they are really pretty I think you chose well =).

Hi Evi,
I definitely understand that the external photographer thing can be challenging. Hopefully your next contact works out, but if not, I'm sure Disney Photography will do a great job. From what I've read from other brides, it seems like preparation can make a big difference. So go nuts on Pinterest, find shots you like, and make a list of the shots you want for the photographer--maybe even print out some samples. Also, I'm sure all of us on here will send tons of good photographer vibes your way

Thank you very much for the compliment about our bags. They're simple, but I like that about them. Now to just fill them up with goodies, hehe.

 

[Evi]

Hi Evi,
I definitely understand that the external photographer thing can be challenging. Hopefully your next contact works out, but if not, I'm sure Disney Photography will do a great job. From what I've read from other brides, it seems like preparation can make a big difference. So go nuts on Pinterest, find shots you like, and make a list of the shots you want for the photographer--maybe even print out some samples. Also, I'm sure all of us on here will send tons of good photographer vibes your way

Thank you very much for the compliment about our bags. They're simple, but I like that about them. Now to just fill them up with goodies, hehe.

I don't know if they are still on sale but I got purell minis from officemax for 10 cents each last week and today I picked up 24 packs of crayola crayons and coloring pencils for $1 at staples. I'm making kids there own bags and planned on giving them coloring books.

 

[dclwonderprincess]

I don't know if they are still on sale but I got purell minis from officemax for 10 cents each last week and today I picked up 24 packs of crayola crayons and coloring pencils for $1 at staples. I'm making kids there own bags and planned on giving them coloring books.

You should check $ Tree & Michael's for kids stuff. I've gotten coloring books, puzzles, swim goggles, and several other things all for a $1 each.

 

[Evi]

I'll be shopping around for a bit. I'm trying to get light weight items. I'm very conscious of the fact that I will have to transport everything to Orlando and then to Port lol.

 

[dclwonderprincess]

I'll be shopping around for a bit. I'm trying to get light weight items. I'm very conscious of the fact that I will have to transport everything to Orlando and then to Port lol.

Don't forget you can mail a box ahead of time.

 

[Evi]

I think I'll definitely have to look into pre shipping a box.

 

[dclwonderprincess]

I think I'll definitely have to look into pre shipping a box.

I'm shipping a box and do is BFF bc I'm going to surprise guests with fe in addition to welcome gift.

 

[Evi]

Hello Ladies,

I need your advice on something. I'm trying to keep my guest count at 26 because I truly want to be married inside the Outlook Lounge. Here is my problem, my cruise isn't until 12/13 but the cruise is almost completely booked. When I called today I was told there are only 4 rooms in cat 4a and then they are all Concierge. everyone except for 2 couples who are invited have a confirmed reservation. I keep trying to explain that prices are only going to go up. But I haven't gotten an answer for either of them not even my bff. Every time I mention it she says, yeah I need to talk to my husband blah blah blah...don't worry you know were coming price is no object. I know my wedding is a year and 5 months out. I'm worried that by the time they decide there won't be any cabins left and if they aren't going to come I'd rather invite someone who is going to come. I've notified everyone with so much notice because I wanted people to be able to request time for work if needed and didn't want the price of the cruise to be an issue. How have you dealt with this?

 

[JBeanBunny]

Hello Ladies,

I need your advice on something. I'm trying to keep my guest count at 26 because I truly want to be married inside the Outlook Lounge. Here is my problem, my cruise isn't until 12/13 but the cruise is almost completely booked. When I called today I was told there are only 4 rooms in cat 4a and then they are all 5's Concierge. everyone except for 2 couples who are invited have a confirmed reservation. I keep trying to explain that prices are only going to go up. But I haven't gotten an answer for either of them not even my bff. Every time I mention it she says, yeah I need to talk to my husband blah blah blah...don't worry you know were coming price is no object. I know my wedding is a year and 5 months out. I'm worried that by the time they decide there won't be any cabins left and if they aren't going to come I'd rather invite someone who is going to come. I've notified everyone with so much notice because I wanted people to be able to request time for work if needed and didn't want the price of the cruise to be an issue. How have you dealt with this?

I think it's DEFINITELY urgent that they book NOW unless they want to pay those ridiculous prices for concierge! If they don't act soon, they'll miss out altogether, no matter IF "money is no object" That's another reason I was very very persistent about booking an off-season cruise- there's still dozens of rooms on my ship and it sails in 48 days! November & December cruises are always busy because of the holidays, March-April are always busy because of Spring Break, and June-August are always busy because of Summer Break... I would get on them every day until they book it! Best of luck, I can't imagine NOT having my BFF with me on my big day! I'm already half heartbroken that our Best Man got stationed in Korea so he can't make it. Michael's NEW BM is somebody we've only known for a year

 

[Evi]

I think it's DEFINITELY urgent that they book NOW unless they want to pay those ridiculous prices for concierge! If they don't act soon, they'll miss out altogether, no matter IF "money is no object" That's another reason I was very very persistent about booking an off-season cruise- there's still dozens of rooms on my ship and it sails in 48 days! November & December cruises are always busy because of the holidays, March-April are always busy because of Spring Break, and June-August are always busy because of Summer Break... I would get on them every day until they book it! Best of luck, I can't imagine NOT having my BFF with me on my big day! I'm already half heartbroken that our Best Man got stationed in Korea so he can't make it. Michael's NEW BM is somebody we've only known for a year

I'll call her in the morning. I hate feeling like she's not going to come. I also feel like I know if I invited another couple they would have already booked so I guess that parts bugging me a little.
I can't foot the bill to reserve there rooms we've already done this for his parents, another relative and we're paying for photographers room. Its just not in my budget to put a deposit on those two rooms.
Fingers crossed they get on the ball soon.

Thats super sweet about your df friend filling in. I'm sure he knows the situation so its actually really cool that he's willing to take on the role. I'm not doing moh or best man. To much drama already lol.
Congratulations on making the move to open an Etsy shop all I can say is Yay!!

 

[Freckledginger]

Hello Ladies,

I need your advice on something. I'm trying to keep my guest count at 26 because I truly want to be married inside the Outlook Lounge. Here is my problem, my cruise isn't until 12/13 but the cruise is almost completely booked. When I called today I was told there are only 4 rooms in cat 4a and then they are all 5's Concierge. everyone except for 2 couples who are invited have a confirmed reservation. I keep trying to explain that prices are only going to go up. But I haven't gotten an answer for either of them not even my bff. Every time I mention it she says, yeah I need to talk to my husband blah blah blah...don't worry you know were coming price is no object. I know my wedding is a year and 5 months out. I'm worried that by the time they decide there won't be any cabins left and if they aren't going to come I'd rather invite someone who is going to come. I've notified everyone with so much notice because I wanted people to be able to request time for work if needed and didn't want the price of the cruise to be an issue. How have you dealt with this?

Hi Evi,
I can completely relate to this situation. I had something similar with my best friend. Prior to DF and I getting engaged, I had thrown around prospective wedding ideas if and when he proposed with my best friend. She loved the idea of DCL, and kept saying how much everyone would love it and she'd definitely be there. Cut to when I am actually planning a wedding on DCL, I ask her to be in the bridal party, and she drops on me that I should have planned something locally because it's unfair of me to expect people to use their vacation time to come to my wedding. And also, she wouldn't be coming. I was very hurt initially, but I realized it wasn't worth permanently injuring the relationship over. That's the nature of weddings...some people, in my experience often those who you don't expect, will go over and above to be part of your special day, and some do not. I think the important thing is to move on from the negative, and focus on the positive.

Anyways, sorry for that long digression. I would like to echo Jillian's point about calling your friend, explaining the fact that so few rooms are available, and that it's very important to you that she be there and you're truly worried she'll miss out. As for whether to invite someone else in her place, I think I'd be hesitant to do that unless you're asking her to formally RSVP right now. If there are a few people who you really would like to invite, but haven't, I consider going ahead. There's usually a significant portion of people that can make it, so a lot of brides invite over their number of intended guests. We're also having quite a few people cancel deposits, which is a bummer.

Good luck, and thanks for sharing with us! Hope we helped! =)

 

[Thecrow51]

I also found freeze dried rose petals that my flower girls could throw onto the aisle ( 5 cups of petals = $7.50 @ http://www.save-on-crafts.com/preserved.html ) BUT I don't know if the cruiseline will allow them since they're flowers- all of those picky customs rules, you know? But I know that there are some gift services on land that deliver floral to guest staterooms, so I don't know! I'm afraid to ask Meredith, because I'm afraid the answer will be "No". What do you ladies think???

Alrighty, let me know if you have any more questions!

I actually asked Shanda about freeze dried flowers before she left and the answer was no just silk/fake flowers are allowed. Sucks I know, i wanted to make my MOH bouquets out of dried flowers... Now im just going to make paper flower bouquets myself.

 

[lexis]

We used the fake petals you can get at Walmart and you could tell a difference when you held them but you could not tell a difference in the pictures.

 

[castmeaway]

If you are looking for Disney beach towels (not the thick ones you can buy onboard) for you guest gift bags, they have them in the outlet store for $6.99 and $7.99 with an additional 30% off. Another 10% off if you use your Disney VISA.

 

[JBeanBunny]

Hi, all!

I got an e-mail yesterday with my table arrangements- it looks like I got my Table #82!! I've got the one 10-top, three 6-tops, and five 4-tops. I made a spreadsheet to keep myself organized and once I had a seating plan that suited me, my groom, and my mother, I e-mailed it to Meredith! I still don't know when or WHERE my event will take place because my party is so large... It's making me anxious! I get married in 44 days! I want to knoooow!