Vow renewal advice

[tlynk]

DH and I got married a year after our daughter was born (oops), but we never had a wedding. We got married in a cheesy chapel in Reno, NV with no one present and in jeans. My DH recently told me he wants to marry me all over again, but with a beautiful wedding (vow renewal). We would love to renew our vows at WDW or on the DCL. We booked the Disney Magic for our 20th year anniversary. Does anyone have any advice on what steps to take or how to save money?? I would want at least 8-15 people present.

Is it silly to want to do such a thing? I'm wondering if it would be cheaper to go to WDW with the guests in attendance and then go on the cruise as a couple only after the fact? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! I would especially love advice from veterans who actually did a vow renewal. Thank you so much!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

I am a WDW veteran and DVC owner but I haven't had my VR yet - it is in May. Of course, I don't think you are silly wanting a beautiful VR but then I guess I am a little biased!!
With your small amount of guests, you could have a beautiful and elegant Escape VR through DFTW.
My VR is at the Swan. We are having 13 guests and it worked out better for us to have it at the Swan. It was much cheaper and gave us more flexibility over things such as cake, florist etc.
Check out my PJ (link in siggie) to see all my ramblings and ideas
I say go for it. Good luck whatever you decide!!!

 

[Tinker Bell Fan]

I'm another biased one too - my DH & I are renewing our vows at WDW for our 20th anniversary (April 13, 2011). We're planning an Escape VR at the Wedding Pavilion. I call it the "rewedding" even though we had the big wedding (dress, church, and 150 people) when we got married. This one is going to be fun and definitely not formal (however I'm still debating on what I'm going to wear).

We're planning on having 20 guests (which include DH & me). I'm making our own reservations for a dinner after the ceremony & cake.

This VR will include everyone that did not attend our original wedding (which is mostly DH's side of the family and a few of our close friends).

So I say "GO FOR IT!"

Contact DFTW to get the ball rolling!

 

[LWatson]

DH & I are renewing next year, but it will be here at home. We wanted to do a DFTW VR or a Shades of Green one, but nobody would go. So, we are doing it here. A local farm has offered us up their farm for free during DH's R&R, and they are going to do catering at a Discount. We will only be married 8years, but we are doing it because my Mom used my day to have hers and we had a last min wedding and a lot of people we wanted to come couldnt make it (so we are inviting them to this one). I say go for it. You know that the ones on the cruiseline werent too expensive (we looked at going on an alaskan or bahama cruise and adding it to the package).

GOOD LUCK!!!!!

 

[tlynk]

Thank you for the encouragement and the ideas!! I feel like I'm getting married for the first time! Good luck to you all! I'll keep you posted of all the things I learn as well.

 

[Desnik]

I am a WDW veteran, a DVc owner and DH and I had our vow renewal at WDW in Nov '09!!! We never had a wedding either so we had the wedding we always wanted. The link to my TR and pictures is in my signature. It is not silly to want such a thing! I say do it! It will be wonderful! Feel free to ask me any specific questions.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

We got married in the county courthouse so our vow renewal WAS our wedding..

It was amazing and Disney treated it just like it was my actual wedding day!

 

[tlynk]

We got married in the county courthouse so our vow renewal WAS our wedding..

It was amazing and Disney treated it just like it was my actual wedding day!

Your video made me cry! You looked stunning! WOW- a very late congrats to the both of you! You have encouraged me to go forward with my plans. My vow renewal will be my wedding as well. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Moxie Doll]

You definitely should go ahead with your plans! We are planning a VR for December 2011 even though we had a small wedding when we got married. People and circumstances change over the years and if you would still choose to marry him now knowing his worst habits and bad moods, then that is truly something to celebrate!

 

[tlynk]

i am a WDW veteran and DVC owner but I haven't had my VR yet - it is in May. Of course, I don't think you are silly wanting a beautiful VR but then I guess I am a little biased!!
With your small amount of guests, you could have a beautiful and elegant Escape VR through DFTW.
My VR is at the Swan. We are having 13 guests and it worked out better for us to have it at the Swan. It was much cheaper and gave us more flexibility over things such as cake, florist etc.
Check out my PJ (link in siggie) to see all my ramblings and ideas
I say go for it. Good luck whatever you decide!!!

I called the WDW Swan and Dolphin and the lady told me that it would cost $1500 to use their facilities which includes the cost of setting up/tearing down plus water? She then told me a company called "Just Married" will contact me to plan the rest of the details. Is Just Married the company you are working with? I'm wondering how much more it will cost me to use them?

Disney has an affordable package which includes everything I would like (except the cake and dinner), but the package will only allow for 6 people. There will be a total of 7-10 people, so I'm bummed I cannot book Disney's most reasonable package.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Hi
Yes I am using 'JustMarry' fpr my VR. It won't cost you any more, and (nearly) all S&D brides and VR brides have them as planners. I think the basic price includes the venue (mine is the West Courtyard), set up with chairs etc, nearby water station, rain back up location (should it be required) and use of a hospitality suite to get ready in on the day if you would like it. It also includes the services of a planner to co-ordinate and book your event, and liase with, and organize vendors. You can book as many (or as few) extras as you want - including floral, cake, musician, transport etc. Of course, these all cost extra on top of the basic package. JM also have all inclusive packages, but I chose to book all my elements seperately. That way I could get exactly what I wanted
I e-mailed 'JustMarry' and they were very quick to answer. My planner is called Karen Gingerich and she is an angel!!! She has put up with me changing my mind so many times about things, and always answers my questions and concerns promptly. She offers very good advice about vendors etc - very important when organizing an event in Florida from the UK!!
Karen has helped me choose officiant, florist, limousine company etc. I reserched and booked a cake, musician and photographer myself (with help and advice from the wonderful Disbrides on these boards), but although I booked these myself, Karen is still very willing to liase with them. She has seen me safely through booking and planning, and will be with me on the big day itself, co-ordinating and overseeing. I cannot recommend her highly enough!!!
Give JM a call (or e-mail them) and if you speak to Karen, tell her Joanne (4th May 2011) sent you!!!
If you have any other questions, feel free to ask!!
Good luck and keep me posted on what you decide.

 

[tlynk]

Hi
Yes I am using 'JustMarry' fpr my VR. It won't cost you any more, and (nearly) all S&D brides and VR brides have them as planners. I think the basic price includes the venue (mine is the West Courtyard), set up with chairs etc, nearby water station, rain back up location (should it be required) and use of a hospitality suite to get ready in on the day if you would like it. It also includes the services of a planner to co-ordinate and book your event, and liase with, and organize vendors. You can book as many (or as few) extras as you want - including floral, cake, musician, transport etc. Of course, these all cost extra on top of the basic package. JM also have all inclusive packages, but I chose to book all my elements seperately. That way I could get exactly what I wanted
I e-mailed 'JustMarry' and they were very quick to answer. My planner is called Karen Gingerich and she is an angel!!! She has put up with me changing my mind so many times about things, and always answers my questions and concerns promptly. She offers very good advice about vendors etc - very important when organizing an event in Florida from the UK!!
Karen has helped me choose officiant, florist, limousine company etc. I reserched and booked a cake, musician and photographer myself (with help and advice from the wonderful Disbrides on these boards), but although I booked these myself, Karen is still very willing to liase with them. She has seen me safely through booking and planning, and will be with me on the big day itself, co-ordinating and overseeing. I cannot recommend her highly enough!!!
Give JM a call (or e-mail them) and if you speak to Karen, tell her Joanne (4th May 2011) sent you!!!
If you have any other questions, feel free to ask!!
Good luck and keep me posted on what you decide.

Great advice! Thank you.

 

[tlynk]

Well I think we decided we are going to do the Escape package at Disneyland in CA (it isn't listed on the Disney website). It is $5000 and includes everything we need. Then we can have all the friends and family we want to attend up to 26 people (including officiant, DH and I). By the time we pay airfare for a family of 5 and take everyone to dinner it will probably come out the same. Plus more people will show up since we all live here on the West Coast.

What I love about this package is that it includes a two-tier cake and a 3 course sit-down lunch or dinner and we get the reception hall for 3 hours. We can add on to the package if needed as well. I'm very excited and I hope we can pull this off.

If we change our minds and have it at WDW- the Swan/Dolphin will be our best bet.

 

[mothermouse]

I have no advice but think its a great idea we are thinking of renewing are vows at wdw with just me, dh and dd she'll be 5 then

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Well I think we decided we are going to do the Escape package at Disneyland in CA (it isn't listed on the Disney website). It is $5000 and includes everything we need. Then we can have all the friends and family we want to attend up to 26 people (including officiant, DH and I). By the time we pay airfare for a family of 5 and take everyone to dinner it will probably come out the same. Plus more people will show up since we all live here on the West Coast.

What I love about this package is that it includes a two-tier cake and a 3 course sit-down lunch or dinner and we get the reception hall for 3 hours. We can add on to the package if needed as well. I'm very excited and I hope we can pull this off.

If we change our minds and have it at WDW- the Swan/Dolphin will be our best bet.

Wow this is a great price!!! You say it includes a three course lunch too. That's amazing!! This will obviously work out much better for you!! Good luck with it all, and keep us posted!!