Improvizing a "non-official" renewal of vows during a cruise - ideas please!

[lorimay]

I am unsure this plan could possibly be identified as a wedding: no officiant, no witnesses. no formal wedding dress....

The OP can most definitely can have what she is saying and it will go off without a hitch.
But Peggy posted of setting up a runner and flowers and lanterns and having servers there with champagne waiting, Disney will not allow that to happen. If they did allow it, we would probably see it happen on every cruise. A Castaway Cay wedding runs $3500 or more.

 

[mylittlebuttercup]

The OP can most definitely can have what she is saying and it will go off without a hitch.
But Peggy posted of setting up a runner and flowers and lanterns and having servers there with champagne waiting, Disney will not allow that to happen. If they did allow it, we would probably see it happen on every cruise. A Castaway Cay wedding runs $3500 or more.

Exactly. They most likely would not notice them standing there and saying something to each other like the OP originally planned. But things like lanterns, runners, etc. would not only impede other guests' enjoyment of the area but also not be fair to the people who pay thousands of dollars for an official wedding or renewal.

OP, I would also make sure your white dress is something very simple (like a sundress) that could not be confused with an actual wedding dress or the cast members might give you problems.

 

[bumbershoot]

This is all what I was saying to the person who wanted to "trash the dress", that they wouldn't let someone off in a wedding dress (or walk around in one) unless they were part of a Disney (paid) ceremony. Someone responded that they had done so and it didn't seem that I was believed.

Although I wanted a renewal from before we got married (I planned his dream wedding not mine) I'm kind of over it now. But if I were doing one and wanted a private one with no guests I'd just use the balcony.

Alas since what I wanted was a different wedding ceremony with people (especially some that weren't there for the original) and pictures and a new dress that was more flattering (I fell in love with the picture of the dress and couldn't not buy it though there were better dresses for me) a balcony renewal isn't what I want.

 

[com_op_2000]

At Shutters you can schedule a photog, to be there to take pictures.
DW and I for our 25th Anniversary recreated some of our wedding shots (we were married on a cruise ship).
We had the pictures with us, contacted Shutters, they put us directly in contact with one of the photogs, we scheduled a date/time for a photo session (made it for the one hour before his shift started on formal night), went to several places around the ship that were closed off at that time, and no extra charge for his time/session though we did tip him.
Let Shutters and the photog know that you are doing this for your anniversary, so do not mention a wedding recreation, and you should not have an issue doing what you are wanting to do.

 

[mevelandry]

No trust me, they will stop you. They have stopped many a people in the parks.
They have such strict rules regarding weddings. Customer service is excellent but they will not take the day away from a paying bride and let an unofficial wedding happen.
I have dealt with Disney Fairy Tale weddings for 2 occasions.
They only allow 2 to 3 weddings per cruise depending on how many sea days and the length of the cruise. One wedding on Castaway Cay per cruise. They make each wedding custom to one bride. They will not allow 2 brides to see each other, they make you feel that you are the only bride that day. You pay for that service and they make sure you get it. I had a vow renewal in 2012 on The Magic and we chose to do it onboard on a sea day. I was the only one that day and then there was one CC wedding on the Friday.
Go to the wedding boards on this forum and ask, they will tell you.
I am not trying to make trouble, I just know how Disney is with their weddings. They will stop you on CC if you try to have a beach wedding you didn't plan and pay for thru Disney.
Their Best service is always given as we know. But if you try to pull of an unofficial wedding with things you suggested they will stop you.
Lurkyloo, who is on this board was married in Disney the same month my daughter had her Disney wedding wanted to meet up with a bride getting married the same day as her had to get all kinds of permission for them to be seen together in their wedding attire.
Disney takes their weddings seriously.

Ok, except that it's not a wedding, there are no officiant and there is no guest and no decorations. Just the two of us talking with each other, in private...


About the champagne thing and cake stuff, it's something you can do in the room.

 

[mevelandry]

Exactly. They most likely would not notice them standing there and saying something to each other like the OP originally planned. But things like lanterns, runners, etc. would not only impede other guests' enjoyment of the area but also not be fair to the people who pay thousands of dollars for an official wedding or renewal.

OP, I would also make sure your white dress is something very simple (like a sundress) that could not be confused with an actual wedding dress or the cast members might give you problems.

My original wedding dress what pretty simple for a wedding dress and my renewal dress should be even more simple. I definitely want it to be "light". But it will definitely be white.

 

[mevelandry]

At Shutters you can schedule a photog, to be there to take pictures.
DW and I for our 25th Anniversary recreated some of our wedding shots (we were married on a cruise ship).
We had the pictures with us, contacted Shutters, they put us directly in contact with one of the photogs, we scheduled a date/time for a photo session (made it for the one hour before his shift started on formal night), went to several places around the ship that were closed off at that time, and no extra charge for his time/session though we did tip him.
Let Shutters and the photog know that you are doing this for your anniversary, so do not mention a wedding recreation, and you should not have an issue doing what you are wanting to do.

Do you remember how much it cost you? Just out of curiosity.

 

[mylittlebuttercup]

My original wedding dress what pretty simple for a wedding dress and my renewal dress should be even more simple. I definitely want it to be "light". But it will definitely be white.

David's Bridal has some for less than $100 that are very casual and don't scream wedding. Nordstrom also has a Little White Dresses section on their webpage, and quite a few of them are under $100 too and less bride-like then DB.

 

[lorimay]

Mev- I wasn't responding to you in that answer. What you are planning is lovely and will not be a problem.
The other poster said Disney wouldn't stop you if you chose to have all the added features she spoke of. She said DCL would allow it and congratulate you.
I was answering her in that they wouldn't allow such a thing to happen on the beach.
Sorry if I confused you. I quoted her response not yours.

Ok, except that it's not a wedding, there are no officiant and there is no guest and no decorations. Just the two of us talking with each other, in private...


About the champagne thing and cake stuff, it's something you can do in the room.

 

[com_op_2000]

Do you remember how much it cost you? Just out of curiosity.

No cost at that time, just a tip that we gave directly to the photog.
Now from what I understand, Shutters charges for the photog's time, I do not know what that amount is.

 

[com_op_2000]

My original wedding dress what pretty simple for a wedding dress and my renewal dress should be even more simple. I definitely want it to be "light". But it will definitely be white.

Why not just do a simple white bikini?

 

[mevelandry]

Why not just do a simple white bikini?

I thought about it but it's not what I want plus. I'm a redhead with fair skin. A dress is okay but for a bathing suit it's not my color. XD Unless you know where to find a bridal bikini? Lol

EDIT: i googled that on pinterest, it looks horrendous... Or like lingerie... No. Way.

 

[Starwind]

Would renting a cabana at Serenity Bay (if you can get one) be an option ?

It would give you privacy (including the ability to change clothes if wanted). You could do your renewal in it, on its deck, on the sand around it, or walk down to the beach proper. And have private time together before and after.

SW

 

[lbgraves]

I am unsure this plan could possibly be identified as a wedding: no officiant, no witnesses. no formal wedding dress....

Exactly, it isn't a wedding anyway. It is a vow renewal and it sounds like a very casual plan. I don't see why it would be viewed any differently than a proposal done elaborately onboard.

 

[mevelandry]

Mev- I wasn't responding to you in that answer. What you are planning is lovely and will not be a problem.
The other poster said Disney wouldn't stop you if you chose to have all the added features she spoke of. She said DCL would allow it and congratulate you.
I was answering her in that they wouldn't allow such a thing to happen on the beach.
Sorry if I confused you. I quoted her response not yours.

O.k. Sorry about the confusion.

 

[mevelandry]

Would renting a cabana at Serenity Bay (if you can get one) be an option ?

It would give you privacy (including the ability to change clothes if wanted). You could do your renewal in it, on its deck, on the sand around it, or walk down to the beach proper. And have private time together before and after.

SW

Wow... I did not think about the cabana at all. If it wasn't that expensive I would! But with the US $ vs CAN $ exchange... it would cost me a little fortune. I am not ruling it out though.

Do you have to pay in advance and how long in advance can you cancel?

 

[TinkRose]

Maybe changing the language to "Anniversary Celebration" instead of "Vow Renewal" would help with any objections from Disney and posters on here. There are tons of white sundresses or even bathing suit coverups that would work for what you want. I really like the idea of writing in the sand and taking pictures of it maybe with your feet showing or even being washed away in the water. In addition to Shutters for pictures you could check in with your cruise group to see if there is a photographer there.

 

[mevelandry]

Maybe changing the language to "Anniversary Celebration" instead of "Vow Renewal" would help with any objections from Disney and posters on here. There are tons of white sundresses or even bathing suit coverups that would work for what you want. I really like the idea of writing in the sand and taking pictures of it maybe with your feet showing or even being washed away in the water. In addition to Shutters for pictures you could check in with your cruise group to see if there is a photographer there.

Cruise group?

To me "vow renewal" and "anniversary" are two very different things...

 

[mevelandry]

A friend of mine was talking to me about "real touch" flowers... that I could use as a bouquet.

 

[mevelandry]

Wow... I did not think about the cabana at all. If it wasn't that expensive I would! But with the US $ vs CAN $ exchange... it would cost me a little fortune. I am not ruling it out though.

Do you have to pay in advance and how long in advance can you cancel?

I just noticed that cabanas on Serenity Bay are not 550$ but 400$. I'm more and more interested.