Help! I'm lost in th DFTW world. Any advice appreciated.

[cmugica]

At the risk of inviting lots of jokes, I'll disclose that I'm a guy that's trying to plan this all alone. I know....this may not end well.

Let me explain: My wife and I have been married for 14 years. For the past 6 years, we've visited WDW regularly. Each time we ride the monorail and pass the wedding pavilion, she turns to me and says "I want to get married at Disney!" To which I often reply, "Let your next husband know; we're already married!"

But I know how much it would mean to her. We're DVC members and we've already booked a trip in December. So, I had a great idea -- plan a surprise vow renewal ceremony while we're there! However, it's been a daunting process. I've reviewed the website and the brochure that was sent to me, but I'm still not sure about anything. And, I have read lots of the threads on this site, but that's only caused me to get more anxious (I have to find an officiant!??!)

So, before I completely give up, I thought I'd tap the collective knowledge of the board. Here are some basic questions I have:

1) Why does the DFTW website list "2010 prices"? Is that a typo or is there some new price list for 2011?
2) I'm looking at an intimate wedding. Me, wife, 2 kids, grandma. Seems to fit perfect into the Memories collection, right? Well, there's likely another couple (with their kids) that will join us on the trip. So, if I invite them, do I get bounced to an Escape package? Do kids count toward the guest number?
3) Speaking of kids, the brochure says "While there is no minimum per-person food & beverage expenditure for Guests under 21, you will be charged for the food & beverage served to such Guests." What does that mean? Kids don't get averaged into the "per-person" figure, but I do get charged for their F&B?
4) If you get married at EPCOT, do you & the wedding party have to hike from the parking lot, through the turnstiles, and around the lake?
5) Is there a list of the a la carte pricing anywhere?
6) If we're staying at our DVC for 8 days, do we still have to purchase a 4 night stay for the couple?
7) Is there a deadline by which I should have booked to save the date?
8) Will Disney require my wife's signature on anything? How can I preserve the surprise?
9) For all the ladies, am I crazy for making this a surprise? In other words, is she going to actually be mad because I didn't let her plan it? (If I go Escape, I plan to invite all her closest friends).

I'm sure I'll have more questions. I'm just so ignorant about the process, I don't even know what to ask.

 

[transfergirl]

That is tremendous that you'd do that for her.
Just go to the source by calling and ask your questions- they're paid to do that!

 

[RealLittleMermaid]

I think I can help you on a few things.
1. Prices are listed that way because they are subject to change without notice. Right now, if you go for the Memories Collection, that is still the $1,991. The Escape packages start at $4,750 to $5,850 depending on the location.
2. I am pretty sure that kids do not count in the Memories Collection but if you have more than 6 people, you probably will have to do the Escape package.
4. I am pretty sure they provide you a boat to take you to Epcot through The Boarwalk and Escort you backstage for the wedding.
5. I have not found an ala carte list of anything lol
7. They say that you can book 8 months before for the Escape package so you are right on time.
8. I'm sure if you explain, they will keep the secret.
9. I personally would be thrilled if my hubby did this for me but you know your wife best so that is up to you lol

 

[princesswendy720]

At the risk of inviting lots of jokes, I'll disclose that I'm a guy that's trying to plan this all alone. I know....this may not end well.

Let me explain: My wife and I have been married for 14 years. For the past 6 years, we've visited WDW regularly. Each time we ride the monorail and pass the wedding pavilion, she turns to me and says "I want to get married at Disney!" To which I often reply, "Let your next husband know; we're already married!"

But I know how much it would mean to her. We're DVC members and we've already booked a trip in December. So, I had a great idea -- plan a surprise vow renewal ceremony while we're there! However, it's been a daunting process. I've reviewed the website and the brochure that was sent to me, but I'm still not sure about anything. And, I have read lots of the threads on this site, but that's only caused me to get more anxious (I have to find an officiant!??!)

So, before I completely give up, I thought I'd tap the collective knowledge of the board. Here are some basic questions I have:

1) Why does the DFTW website list "2010 prices"? Is that a typo or is there some new price list for 2011?

It just looks like they haven't updated the Escape pricing page. From what I know, prices are the same for 2011.

2) I'm looking at an intimate wedding. Me, wife, 2 kids, grandma. Seems to fit perfect into the Memories collection, right? Well, there's likely another couple (with their kids) that will join us on the trip. So, if I invite them, do I get bounced to an Escape package? Do kids count toward the guest number?

Kids 2 and under do not count. If the kids are older, everyone will count and you will be over the maximum for the Memories collection. Also, the Wedding Pavillion is not a location option for Memories - so if your wife has her heart set on it, an Escape wedding might be the better option anyway.

3) Speaking of kids, the brochure says "While there is no minimum per-person food & beverage expenditure for Guests under 21, you will be charged for the food & beverage served to such Guests." What does that mean? Kids don't get averaged into the "per-person" figure, but I do get charged for their F&B?

This only applies to catered events - which are not an option for a Memories wedding. If you add a catered event on to an escape package, you must meet a $7,500 minimum (including the package price). They have separate (cheaper) meal options for children when you do a catered event - so you don't have to pay $75-$125 on a childrens meal.

4) If you get married at EPCOT, do you & the wedding party have to hike from the parking lot, through the turnstiles, and around the lake?

You have to charter transportation for an Epcot wedding (they will take you backstage and escort you to the ceremony location). You'd rent a limo, or a van, towncar, etc. There are several options.

5) Is there a list of the a la carte pricing anywhere?
Not from Disney. What are you looking to get pricing on? Escape and memories are packages, so generally they don't break things down.

6) If we're staying at our DVC for 8 days, do we still have to purchase a 4 night stay for the couple?
No, DVC nights will count toward the minimum.

7) Is there a deadline by which I should have booked to save the date?
You can sign a contract on an escape wedding 8 months before (6 months for Memories). If you wait longer, your preferred date/locations/times could be snatched up by someone else. That being said, Disney can plan on short notice as well as long as there is availability.

8) Will Disney require my wife's signature on anything? How can I preserve the surprise?

I don't think she'll need to sign - only the people responsible for paying will need to.

9) For all the ladies, am I crazy for making this a surprise? In other words, is she going to actually be mad because I didn't let her plan it? (If I go Escape, I plan to invite all her closest friends).

Well...what is she going to wear? Will you be buying her a dress and how will you get it down there? Will you hire someone to do hair/makeup for her? Will she be upset that she didn't get to "plan" any of it? For a lot of us, planning is half the fun!

I'm sure I'll have more questions. I'm just so ignorant about the process, I don't even know what to ask.

Answers are above!

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

You have gotten great info already so I'll just chime in on these two:

8) Will Disney require my wife's signature on anything? How can I preserve the surprise?
I think I did have to sign the contract but I'm sure DFTW would work it out with you to keep it a surprise if you decide to go that route. My DH made the initial call to book our Memories vow renewal and they did ask him if he was going to be surprising me so I bet it's been done!

9) For all the ladies, am I crazy for making this a surprise? In other words, is she going to actually be mad because I didn't let her plan it? (If I go Escape, I plan to invite all her closest friends).
That's a tough one. DH had toyed with the idea of surprising me but then decided against it because he knew I'd enjoy the planning. He asked me if that was the right decision and I said yes! The dress/hair/make-up would've been the biggest issue for me. I'm particular in that department. Could you maybe go the middle road, do the inital booking, get everything locked in and then surprise her with the news? That way she'd still have time to be part of the process.

Good luck!

 

[MissManners]

For all the ladies, am I crazy for making this a surprise? In other words, is she going to actually be mad because I didn't let her plan it? (If I go Escape, I plan to invite all her closest friends).

In my opinion, not at all! Obviously you know your wife best, but I would be floored if my future husband were to do something like this for me. I think it is incredibly romantic. Not all of us ladies are planners, it's nice to have your significant other do something so special for you all on his own!

 

[twiu]

Personally, I think that would be a lovely surprise!!! Are you kidding? How awesome!!! Mostly because you are already married and this would be a vow renewal - I think it would be amazing!!!!

Hair and makeup? Eh... if it's small and laid back, I doubt she'll care... the dress on the other hand. Just make sure you buy her something she would like to wear to the event.

I'm excited for you guys!!!

 

[Deb loves Disney]

I just love your idea...it's extremely romantic!!!

If you are worried about surprising her or not involving her in the process maybe you can re-propose to her and spring it on her that you will be getting married at WDW. That way she can get a dress she loves, shoes, flowers she loves, hair and make-up, etc. I know that I loved doing that myself.

Like somebody else already mentioned, the Wedding Pavilion is for Escape and Wishes Ceremonies, unfortunately the Memories package does not cover it. I was just married at the Wedding Pavilion in December and it was absolutely amazing and it is just stunning inside.

Also, regarding Epcot ceremonies, there are no locations available for memories collections, and only one for the Escape Collection which is Canada. The price for an Escape wedding there includes the transportation for you and your guests using chartered buses which take you backstage.

Oh and about DVC, we stayed at OKW villas on DVC points for our wedding and it did count for our 4 nights.

I hope that helps some and let us know what you decide!!!

 

[DoomBuggy0922]

This is an incredibly romantic idea! You MUST do a planning journal!

Also, I have an idea about the dress: can you tell her you want to take her some place fancy one of the nights--- maybe Victoria and Alberts???--- and tell her to go get a new spiffy dress for it? Would something like that work??

 

[MonorailPilotMulan]

At the risk of inviting lots of jokes, I'll disclose that I'm a guy that's trying to plan this all alone. I know....this may not end well.

Let me explain: My wife and I have been married for 14 years. For the past 6 years, we've visited WDW regularly. Each time we ride the monorail and pass the wedding pavilion, she turns to me and says "I want to get married at Disney!" To which I often reply, "Let your next husband know; we're already married!"

But I know how much it would mean to her. We're DVC members and we've already booked a trip in December. So, I had a great idea -- plan a surprise vow renewal ceremony while we're there! However, it's been a daunting process. I've reviewed the website and the brochure that was sent to me, but I'm still not sure about anything. And, I have read lots of the threads on this site, but that's only caused me to get more anxious (I have to find an officiant!??!)

So, before I completely give up, I thought I'd tap the collective knowledge of the board. Here are some basic questions I have:

1) Why does the DFTW website list "2010 prices"? Is that a typo or is there some new price list for 2011?
2) I'm looking at an intimate wedding. Me, wife, 2 kids, grandma. Seems to fit perfect into the Memories collection, right? Well, there's likely another couple (with their kids) that will join us on the trip. So, if I invite them, do I get bounced to an Escape package? Do kids count toward the guest number?
3) Speaking of kids, the brochure says "While there is no minimum per-person food & beverage expenditure for Guests under 21, you will be charged for the food & beverage served to such Guests." What does that mean? Kids don't get averaged into the "per-person" figure, but I do get charged for their F&B?
4) If you get married at EPCOT, do you & the wedding party have to hike from the parking lot, through the turnstiles, and around the lake?
5) Is there a list of the a la carte pricing anywhere?
6) If we're staying at our DVC for 8 days, do we still have to purchase a 4 night stay for the couple?
7) Is there a deadline by which I should have booked to save the date?
8) Will Disney require my wife's signature on anything? How can I preserve the surprise?
9) For all the ladies, am I crazy for making this a surprise? In other words, is she going to actually be mad because I didn't let her plan it? (If I go Escape, I plan to invite all her closest friends).

I'm sure I'll have more questions. I'm just so ignorant about the process, I don't even know what to ask.

I absolutely commend you for your bravery in planning this for your wife! I may not have all the answers your looking for as I am planning a DCL wedding and am not very familiar with the ins and outs of WDW weddings, but I figure it wouldn't hurt to offer my interpretation to your questions.

1. Thats a very good question and to be honest, I don't know exactly whats going on with that. I will say that the DFTW website is not always updated to its fullest. The DCL segment has yet to mention the Disney Dream and it's venues; its very likely that the Memories segment has not been updated.

2. According to my Wedding Coordinator, kids under 3 years old do not count towards the guest count. Assuming that your kids are older (considering that you two have been together for a while!) I would probably guess that it does need to be limited to the 8 you mentioned before

3. Yeah, I think youve gotten the jist of that

Sorry I cant help you with 4-6, I'm just as clueless as you are. These are perfect questions for DFTW.

7. I don't know if theres a specific deadline, but you really should call DFTW as soon as possible to make sure you get the venue you want. There are LOTS of weddings taking place at WDW on an average day and the sooner you book, the better!

I don't know about #8 either

9. I would LOVE it if my fiancée did this for me someday! I love the planning and all, but the gesture of planning a VR all on your own would just blow me away!! Think about your wife and her personality. How did she react to planning your wedding oh so many years ago? Do you get the idea that she reveled in the planning or did she complain about the process? Just make sure to all her bases are covered such as hair/make-up, mani-pedis, dress, garter, veil, headpieces, shoes, accessories, etc.

Good luck!!

 

[sambycat]

i wanted to concur that this is awesome!

as to the surprise element - it would still be a fabulous surprise if you booked and confirmed the basics, THEN gave her some kind of gift box with the details insaide. and carries book too! (the only problem there is that planning is fun and carrie's book may incite her to want to add alot more stuff that can't be added to a memories package - so think if that will be a concern!) but that way, you can include her in the final details and give her options for any kind of last minute details like dress and make up etc...
great idea!

 

[DisneyBride1207]

so romantic and thoughtful!

I do, however, agree with maybe considering re-proposing shortly before to give her time to pick the dress, etc. Maybe get all the plans in place how you think she would like it and ....

OOO WAIT -- EPIPHONE***take her to WDW for a surprise vacation and have a planning session scheduled for her to make all her wedding selections -- just an idea!

If she has been dreaming of another wedding she may have built up ideas in her head and it might be worth thinking about if she may want to do that first...hair, flowers, etc.! But, this is just my opinion...it's still romantic either way!!!!

Do a trip report!!!! that would be so wonderful to read from the husbands stand point of planning a surprise wedding

 

[tinkerbell 766]

I think this is the sweetest idea and I would love it if my DH did this for me. I have planned our up-coming VR all the way and he will just turn up, bless him!!!
If I were you, I would let her in to the secret early enough so as she can buy her outfit. Unless, of course, you know her well enough to this yourself. I dread to think what my gorgeous DH would pick for me to wear on my big day!!!
Good luck and be sure to keep us all posted of your plans!!!

 

[cmugica]

First of all, thank you for all the tips and encouragement. I was beginning to give up because I felt so lost. Now, I'm feeling much better.

As for the surprise component, I go back & forth. Here's what you should know about my DW (I'm still trying to pick up all the acronyms used on this board).
She stays at home with our two children - DS8, and DD5. We typically plan our trips together, in front of a laptop with maps and brochures all around. Since we're DVC'ers, we usually make one trip a year to WDW for about a week. In the past, when I've surprised her, she's loved it. (e.g., 30th birthday party, trips, gifts).

In my mind, here's what the surprise will come down to.
Pros: It's romantic. I wake her up in the morning, under the ruse that we have an early morning breakfast ADR. She goes outside and there's a limo waiting to take her to a spa appointment to get her hair and make-up done. Inside is a dress (either one of her favorites or one I've picked out for her). After she's made up, she's delivered to me on the beach behind the Poly and we have a small intimate ceremony with my DS8 as the bestman. Maybe I'll even have him walk her down the aisle. We can enjoy the day at the parks and cap it off with a fireworks cruise.

Cons She'll have to get up early (not always a morning person). And she won't have any say in the dress or details.

I'm leaning toward the surprise. I think that any disappointment she feels in not being able to plan will be offset by her being thrilled that she got her DFTW. As far as the dress, I'll just snag one that fits her well and take it to the department store and look for a beautiful dress that would be appropriate for a beach/lakeside wedding. [note to department store saleswomen: I am not hitting on you. This is not a cheesy pick-up line. I really do need to find a dress that would fit this person].

The decision between Memories & Escape package will be attendees. I plan to reach out to her closest girlfriends, her sister, and her parents to invite them. If they can't make it (after all, we've been married for awhile), then we'll stick with the memories.

One last thing to consider- I want to keep this intimate and simple. Not because of cost-although I'd really like to keep the cost reasonable -- but because of my DD5. She's a sweetheart and we're blessed to have her, but she is autistic. So, a big ordeal or an extended ceremony would be something we might have to do without her (which isn't a choice) or that might get cut short if she's having a bad day. It's important to have her with us during this occasion, so I think an intimate setting would work best.

I'm going to call DFTW and see how they can help. If there's a real interest, I'll keep you posted on what's going on.

 

[dragonwingz]

We are having our DFTW in May. Once you book your date you will get a planning guide. This is where the a la carte price listing is. Unfortunately what we have found is that the prices do vary depending on time of year, etc. So the price on the list is just an estimate.

 

[DoomBuggy0922]

From what you've said--- definitely go with the surprise! This sounds SO amazing and romantic.

 

[princess_ariel_85]

9) For all the ladies, am I crazy for making this a surprise? In other words, is she going to actually be mad because I didn't let her plan it? (If I go Escape, I plan to invite all her closest friends).

I don't think you're crazy at all, in fact I think it's wonderfully touching. I'd love it if years down the line DF did this for me - I love suprises. You said this is a vowel renewal so it's not like you'd be robbing her of her moment to pick her 'one' wedding dress because she's already done it. I think this idea is amazing, I really do so I say go for it

This is an incredibly romantic idea! You MUST do a planning journal!

Also, I have an idea about the dress: can you tell her you want to take her some place fancy one of the nights--- maybe Victoria and Alberts???--- and tell her to go get a new spiffy dress for it? Would something like that work??

I agree please please please do a planning journal! Btw that idea for the dress is an excellent idea.

First of all, thank you for all the tips and encouragement. I was beginning to give up because I felt so lost. Now, I'm feeling much better.

As for the surprise component, I go back & forth. Here's what you should know about my DW (I'm still trying to pick up all the acronyms used on this board).
She stays at home with our two children - DS8, and DD5. We typically plan our trips together, in front of a laptop with maps and brochures all around. Since we're DVC'ers, we usually make one trip a year to WDW for about a week. In the past, when I've surprised her, she's loved it. (e.g., 30th birthday party, trips, gifts).

In my mind, here's what the surprise will come down to.
Pros: It's romantic. I wake her up in the morning, under the ruse that we have an early morning breakfast ADR. She goes outside and there's a limo waiting to take her to a spa appointment to get her hair and make-up done. Inside is a dress (either one of her favorites or one I've picked out for her). After she's made up, she's delivered to me on the beach behind the Poly and we have a small intimate ceremony with my DS8 as the bestman. Maybe I'll even have him walk her down the aisle. We can enjoy the day at the parks and cap it off with a fireworks cruise.

Cons
I'm leaning toward the surprise. I think that any disappointment she feels in not being able to plan will be offset by her being thrilled that she got her DFTW.

Thats a great way to look at it, I think thats exactly how I'd feel.

Good luck with what ever you decide to go ahead with

 

[norm&linda]

This is all wonderful! We just did this last weekend so a couple small points to add that may help.

There is a maximum of six allowed at the ceremony to keep it a Memories wedding and I think the luau cove location at the Polynesian Beach is only for memories weddings, but another question for your planner.

We were at the Boardwalk, I got up and walked to the salon at Yacht and Beach for manicure and pedicure at 9 am. (They suggest taking off shoes before walking onto the sand and that is a good idea)

Depending what time of day (we did 1:00pm), suggest you bring a nice pair of sun glasses to wear. I didn't have any and the glare from the sand was very intense.

For the memories wedding you are on your own to make a reservation for a meal or celebration. (After the photo taking we went straight to the Gardenview team room at Grand Floridian).

Disney makes it very easy and everything was perfect.

 

[proudestmunkie]

This is so sweet and romantic. I bet she'll be thrilled with whatever you choose!!!

Good luck!

 

[hmdelf]

I agree with those who say YOU MUST HAVE PJ!!!! You seem to be really in tune with your wife and that is amazing. She actually has a prince charming!!!! keep us posted