How to plan a surprise 20 anniversay/ renewal

[DisneyDude61]

i am celebrating my 20th anniversary in oct and was thinking of renewing my vows but not sure how to plan it.
I would have about 20-25 people and would like to do it at epcot for illuminations. Cake and drinks And maybe a character for the best man!
It would be a surprise
How far in advance do I contact Disney and who do I contact?
What kind of things are out there?
Any info would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[sambycat]

seems like you are kind of asking something that could combine a couple of things for you:

weddings/vow renewals - will always go through disney fairy tale weddings. there are a few options - sounds like you are in the "wishes" category due to your guest count, which is going to involve a minimum expenditure of at least 10K, probably more and may be a bit difficult to do as a "surprise". there are smaller package options, but even the very smalest (which wouldn't invlove fireworks or whatnot) is in the 1900 range... so that may indeed be what you are looking for, but....

i'm wondering if you aren't wanting something more along the lines of a surprise dessert party (minus a wedding dress and minus a ceremony)? if that is the case, there are ways to book them certainly - i'm sure someone will post more specific links, but essentially that would be like a disney events or grand gathering deal.

are you wanting a renewal ceremony and that type of event or more of a general celebration of your anniversary?

 

[sambycat]

oh, characters can make appearances, for a fee of course, but cannot be a part of any ceremony. if you are thinking a renewal proper, best to contact DFTW right away!

you will find a lot of resources here, and passporter has a book about vow renewals/weddings that you can download that is uberhelpful!

good luck planning!

 

[DisneyDude61]

Thanks for the reply
I would like to have a cake/ bar in epcot maybe by Italy and then watch illuminations
I do not want a dress, but would like to have a vow renewal
As for it being a surprise, I was hoping to have everyone there already and then bring my husband.
I guess it is more in line with a dessert thing?
Is there a website from Disney or do I just call Disney weddings?
Was hoping to pay around 5k
Also, I assume Disney would help me book the rooms?

 

[Tinker Bell Fan]

Congrats on your upcoming anniversary!!

From what I've read I don't think you could do a vow renewal during a dessert party. I could be wrong, but it's not something I've read.

Check out this website: http://disneyweddings.disney.go.com/weddings

Contact Disney Fairy Tale Weddings for more details.

My DH & I are renewing our vows next month for our 20th! We're planning an Escape (but we've been calling it our "re-wedding"). We're basically going with what Disney has offered and are having it at the Wedding Pavilion we've only upgraded the photo package but the base cost was $5750.

Good luck with your plans!

 

[sambycat]

some resources -

since you are talking about a budget that is in the range of DFTW - here are some things you might check out:
disney fairy tale weddings:
http://disneyweddings.disney.go.com/weddings/florida/collections/overview

the passporter guide:
http://www.passporterstore.com/store/weddings-print.aspx

here are some threads i'm seeing that you might check out!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2673273

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2464623&highlight=plan+a+desert+party

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2414505&highlight=plan+a+desert+party


anywho - i don't know if those links would work! but you would definitely be within the window of booking something for an escape so best to send an email and make a call to even see if there are dates that fit your time frame available? we had a wishes wedding, i don't know all the intricacies of the escape packages and then dessert parties, but i am sure you can find loads of info here!

good luck!

 

[zumbergc]

Maybe if the escape package is over your budget. You could do the "ceremony" part over at the swan and dolphin. I believe you can have characters even at the swan weddings, someone here could comment more on this. Maybe do something in the evening.. do your character there... then head over to epcot for your illuminations party. Just making a suggestion..


I'm not sure your allowed to have a character in a public location like at a dessert party outside. We were told this recently I think we were asking about fantasmic dessert party, so I'm not sure if you can have a character at the dessert party outside in epcot. I've never seen pictures of characters at an epcot outside dessert party. Maybe someone else knows for sure.

 

[lurkyloo]

Thanks for the reply
I would like to have a cake/ bar in epcot maybe by Italy and then watch illuminations
I do not want a dress, but would like to have a vow renewal
As for it being a surprise, I was hoping to have everyone there already and then bring my husband.
I guess it is more in line with a dessert thing?
Is there a website from Disney or do I just call Disney weddings?
Was hoping to pay around 5k
Also, I assume Disney would help me book the rooms?

You're not going to be able to do a vow renewal and reception in Italy through Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings for $5,000 because the two cheapest packages do not offer Italy as a location. You would have to do a full ceremony + reception Wishes Collection event, which starts at $10,000. Ceremonies in Italy only take place before the World Showcase opens, at 9am. You could have a reception in Italy in the evening, but you would not be able to have characters.

However if you just want to have a blow-out party in Italy during IllumiNations, you can contact Disney Catering & Convention Services at 407-828-3200.

 

[hmdelf]

we re doing VR in 2013. We were thinking the same thing. Thanks for all of the advice/details
Heather