family vacation with a vow renewal on the side

[hannahsmum]

Hi there everyone, I am new to this site....it comes highly reccommended.
I need some help.
Here is our situation
DH and I want to have a family vacation geared around our kids (they will be ages 4 and 6 at the time). And throw in a VR on the side.
When we first started discussing it, we initailly thought a 'Beaches' vacation where they have the sesame street characters and the kids clubs, we could have a great family vacation and the kids could be part of our very simple, very informal, very inexpensive VR - our DD keeps talking about being a 'flower girl" - lol
Anyway, after talking about it for a bit, we thought what better place to have a kids/family vacation that disney. And way more economical than a week in jamaica.
I have been pricing a week in disney for Sept/Oct 2011 and for a family of 4, including airfare, I am getting about $2500.
So I now just need some help with figuring out the cost of a VR ceremony. Just a simple, quick one and photos....nothing else - as we can go to a restaurant after to have meal.
Can anyone help - I find all the info VERY overwhelming and just don't even know where to start.
Please and thank you.

 

[leonix8238]

Hi there everyone, I am new to this site....it comes highly reccommended.
I need some help.
Here is our situation
DH and I want to have a family vacation geared around our kids (they will be ages 4 and 6 at the time). And throw in a VR on the side.
When we first started discussing it, we initailly thought a 'Beaches' vacation where they have the sesame street characters and the kids clubs, we could have a great family vacation and the kids could be part of our very simple, very informal, very inexpensive VR - our DD keeps talking about being a 'flower girl" - lol
Anyway, after talking about it for a bit, we thought what better place to have a kids/family vacation that disney. And way more economical than a week in jamaica.
I have been pricing a week in disney for Sept/Oct 2011 and for a family of 4, including airfare, I am getting about $2500.
So I now just need some help with figuring out the cost of a VR ceremony. Just a simple, quick one and photos....nothing else - as we can go to a restaurant after to have meal.
Can anyone help - I find all the info VERY overwhelming and just don't even know where to start.
Please and thank you.

Welcome and congratulations!

For a really simple vow renewal there are two real options: Disney Fairy Tale Weddings Memories Collection or a Swan and Dolphin wedding at the Swan/Dolphin hotel.

The Memories Collection experience is approximately one hour in length, and is $1,991. The elements included are:

• Ceremony Location
• A fresh floral bridal bouquet
• A Violinist for the Ceremony
• A three (3) consecutive hour limousine charter for transportation for the couple on the Wedding day or an in-room Romantic Celebration at your Disney Resort
• The services of a professional Disney Photographer for up to one (1) hour to capture the Ceremony and portraits including three (3) 5"x7" prints
• An on-site Wedding Coordinator for your ceremony
• A personalized wedding website

A Swan and Dolphin wedding is very customizable and you can use outside vendors which tends to keep costs low whilst giving you the same quality. You can find more information on the website or by visiting the Swan and Dolphin weddings thread on the boards:

http://www.swandolphin.com/weddings/packages.html

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1055624

There is also another bride asking something very similar in another thread you may find it useful to take a peek at that one too:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2667819

Hope this helps and congratulations once again!

 

[hannahsmum]

Thanks so much - that is a lot of info and some great places to start.
The memories package is a lot more than we need/want (the VR would be more than a whole week in disney for a fam. of 4 - lol)
so I will check out the other sites.
Hope others that have done something similar can chime in - like I said earlier ... a lot of info, my head is spinning!

 

[leonix8238]

Thanks so much - that is a lot of info and some great places to start.
The memories package is a lot more than we need/want (the VR would be more than a whole week in disney for a fam. of 4 - lol)
so I will check out the other sites.
Hope others that have done something similar can chime in - like I said earlier ... a lot of info, my head is spinning!

Sorry, I don't think I helped there did I?

I'm not very knowledgeable about Swan weddings I've just picked up bits and bobs here.

It may be an idea for you to ignore all the information and drop an email over to the Swan explain how simple you want things and for what sort of price and go from there? May be easier than trying to absorb so much information that may or may not be what you want.

You can email using the form at this page: http://www.swandolphin.com/weddings/contact.html

HTH!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Hi and welcome!!!
We are having our VR at the Swan in May. So far I am thrilled with the service I have received from them and their wedding planners - JustMarry!!
If I am honest, I feel that even for the very bare bones package at the Swan, you may be looking at more money than you want to shell out. The problem is that DFTW and the Swan/Dolphin are businesses and they know that people want to have their weddings in WDW, and charge accordingly!! Unfortuately, it is strictly forbidden to take yourself off to a location within WDW, all dressed up, with an officiant in tow and carrying flowers etc and have a DIY service. A shame really, but I guess we would all be doing this if it were permitted
I highly recommend dropping JustMarry an e-mail and seeing what is the absolute minimum you could have your VR at the S/D for. I am not entirely sure of the very current prices, but I would be very surprised (albeit pleasently!!) if they were prpared to lay on anything for you for under $1,500!!!
As a previous poster stated, the very cheapest DFTW package is 'Memories' and is even more expensive!!
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news and if I can help in any way, don't hesitate to ask!!
Good luck and keep us updated on your plans!!

 

[hannahsmum]

I fired off an email to justmarry so hopefully they will email back and let me know what, if anything, they can do for me...fingers crossed.
Surely I can't be the only one in the world that wants something that simple. I came accross the package offered for those in the military....that's more along the lines of what I am looking for - but alas, we do not qualify.
I will keep trying.
Thanks again ladies.

 

[KristiLyn]

Just Marry is wonderful. We have Karen as our planner and she responds to emails very quickly. Good luck

 

[leonix8238]

I did a little searching on the boards for you and there are a couple of other places you could contact for quotes:

Buena Vista Palace Hotel - They do weddings are in the Downtown Disney area so whilst they're not DISNEY they're in it so you can easily head off into the parks after.

For more information contact: Angela Bachelor on 407.827.3403 or ABACHELOR@LUXURYRESORTS.COM

http://www.buenavistapalace.com/meetings_and_events/weddings.cfm

Fultons in DTD also offers weddings, I believe brer rabbit 28 is having her wedding there. From what I've read it seems to be costing a fraction of what other Disney weddings costs and the only stipulation is that you have to eat there afterwards.

May be worth dropping brer rabbit 28 a private message or posting on her trip report:http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2509001

I hope this helps and you manage to get the VR of your dreams!

 

[sambycat]

What is it exactly that you ate wanting to do? It may help readers to know? The memories pCkGe always seemed a little bare bones so I'm wondering what you are hoping for and where your budget might lie. Perhaps then someone can give a little more specific feedback. Good luck!!

 

[Chilly]

Surely I can't be the only one in the world that wants something that simple.

I doubt you are but something really simple probably doesn't offer much profit to a company and so they don't offer them.

 

[sambycat]

If what you ate seeking really is pictures and a special time, why not hire an outside photographer, get nice (although I would say not overly "bridey")outfits, maybe flowers gor the girls' hair, a corsage for you, bout for dad then get some great family pics at a resort and have a fun meal domewhere after and spend time talking ad a family? Maybe have each person select something to read or share or draw at the meal that represents what your family means to them. Then you would have a special day and not be doing anything too extravagant or unapproved of!!?

Good luck!

 

[arthuruscg]

I agree the packages are expensive fore a vow renewal. If they could cut out the limo, violinist, and from what i can tell, the drunk guy with the disposable camera. Wait a second, with disposable cameras you can't be out of focus......
My dad is far better with a Nikon D70 then the clowns WDW hires from the pictures that have been posted here.

The wife and I just want a morning vow renewal before we go into the park. So, all we would need is a clergy member, simple flowers for her (lyllies with ribbon) and mybe a coursage for me. A 30min max cermony, a small cake, and reception at a Disney restaurant (not included). $2k is more then what I want to spend.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Wow, that is very harsh!!!
Please be careful that you do not offend the many beautiful brides on here who have used DPS for either bridal shoots or wedding photos!!! A good proportion of them are very happy with their photos and there have been a lot of really gorgeous shots!!
I agree that the prices are high, but it really depends on what you want. Our VR will be more of a little wedding, as we didn't really have our dream day the first time round. We are happy with what we are getting and the price we are paying for our VR.

 

[arthuruscg]

Since you can't pick your photographer, I think you have to set the "Disney Standard" by the worst photographer. If you get a great photographer, then you got lucky.

We have had our big wedding, and where hoping for a simple renewal.
The prices are just fine for a wedding or a second wedding vowel renewal. The wife almost went all out on a big vowel renewal but decided a new bathroom was more important. And is telling her self that for our 25 or 30 anniversery we will do it.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

I guess a new bathroom is more practical!!! It will be nice to plan a bigger vow renewal for your 25th or 30th anniversary!!
Disney can now guarantee requested photographers for weddings etc, so that makes things a bit less stressful for couples!!
That said, I myself have hired Randy Chapman for our VR and TTD session.
Good luck with the bathroom!!

 

[hannahsmum]

Justmarry hasn't got back to me yet...should I send another email?
I have been trying to get thru all the reading that has been recommended (thanks everyone)

 

[sambycat]

I guess a new bathroom is more practical!!! It will be nice to plan a bigger vow renewal for your 25th or 30th anniversary!!
Disney can now guarantee requested photographers for weddings etc, so that makes things a bit less stressful for couples!!
That said, I myself have hired Randy Chapman for our VR and TTD session.
Good luck with the bathroom!!

you are so darn tactful!!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Try e-mailing Karen directly. I'm pretty sure that she handles all the S/D stuff for JustMarry. She is great at answering e-mails!!!

karen@justmarry.com

Good luck!!!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

you are so darn tactful!!

Lisa sweetie - I do try not to offend, but it is not always easy!!!

 

[arthuruscg]

I guess a new bathroom is more practical!!! It will be nice to plan a bigger vow renewal for your 25th or 30th anniversary!!
Disney can now guarantee requested photographers for weddings etc, so that makes things a bit less stressful for couples!!
That said, I myself have hired Randy Chapman for our VR and TTD session.
Good luck with the bathroom!!

Thanks, we are moving everything around so the door doesn't smack the person standing at the sink in the backside.

I didn't realize Dis would now guarantee photographers. Shhhh don't tell the wife.

I thought the idea of not guaranteeing photographers was silly. It was kind of like booking a hotel and not knowing if you are staying at Poly or camping at Fortwilderness until you got there.