vow renewal idea - what a headache

[surfergirl602]

SO... my DH's fabulous idea to renew our vows is quickly turning into one big migrane.

This is what we want: someone for a quick ceremony on the beach renewing our vows, and Randy Chapman to take the pictures.

Thats it.

No cake, no reception, no champagne, no violinist. No limo. No guests.
NO $4700.00.

Do I have any other options? The more I read, the more upset I get about it.
that amount of money just isn't feasible. DH was really excited about this, it was his idea, and he wanted it to be very special.

I don't have the heart to tell him that it is looking like it just isn't going to be possible.

Can anyone help me out making this happen?

 

[geek+nerd]

Have you looked into doing something at one of the non-Disney hotels on Disney property, like the Swan & Dolphin? I'm not sure if you'd have any other beach access, but it will most definitely be cheaper than the Disney affair.

Good luck!

 

[Swmhc]

Or at another local beach. I know Randy does weddings a lot of places. If I were you, I would give him a call and ask if he has any recommendations of great locations where he has shot previously. Good luck and let us know !

 

[girli565]

I agree with Swmhc, Randy is a wealth of knowledge about locations outside of WDW. Call him up and ask!

And I will second the Swan/Dolphin weddings. I've stayed at the hotels many times and the locations for ceremonies there are beautiful. And they are VERY cheap if you just want a ceremony and pictures.

 

[Kristen Wynn Photo]

How many guests? I have some great ideas for you.

If it will be just the two of you, or under ten people, just go to the beach in front of the Yacht Club, have a five minute ceremony (no music or anything to attract attention), and let Randy snap away. After, take photos on the Boardwalk.

Or, so it would still be Disney, go down to Disney's Vero Beach resort in Brevard County/Indian River County. It is on the east coast about 1.5 hour outside of Disney. Have your ceremony on the beach down there with an officiant.

If you are open to any beach, go to Anna Maria Island in Florida, they get gorgeous sunsets!

Here's some photos of Vero Beach:

http://kristenwynnphotography.blogspot.com/2010/05/great-expectations-maternity.html

 

[LovesHerTaurus]

We are doing a hot air balloon wedding. There are SO many options to weddings/VR that you could ponder! Our package is HUGE and we tacked on a lot of extras, and it is still under $2000, and one of the coolest things I could possibly imagine!

There are companies who do beach weddings in Orlando as well. When my original plan went belly up (aka you frosted my cookies for the last time!!) I looked into all of them!

Ours is the hot air balloon ride/ceremony, professional photographer in air and on the ground, buffet, pick up to/from hotel, champagne ceremony, officiant, and some other little details - including a cake! Just a thought !

 

[minniebride]

If you want something more traditional that is basically right on Disney property without paying the DFTW high prices, I encourage you to look into a VR ceremony at the Swan/Dolphin. They definitely have a "beach front" ceremony location (I put that in quotations because there are no natural made beaches in WDW, but this location is a Disney beachfront!). This location will work well for intimate ceremonies.

You could likely get this location for 1/4 the price you had quoted in your original post.

Just give a call over to the Swan. You can ask for the Catering director (I think her name is Robin) & she can likely assist you.

The wonderful thing about the Swan/Dolphin is you are right on Disney's Boardwalk! You could have your vow renewal and then walk over to Epcot or Disney Hollywood Studios for a romantic meal afterwards!

We have hired Randy as well and we are getting our photo shoot around the Boardwalk and I am so excited for it! The vibrant colors of the Boardwalk, the Beach Club Resort's beach make for such beautiful pictures! The other option you might consider is to have your ceremony at the S/D and either before or after, walk on over to Epcot or Hollywood Studios with Randy for a photo shoot around one of these parks!

Of course if you are looking for something less traditional, I think the hot air balloon idea is awesome!!!!

 

[surfergirl602]

Thanks everyone for the tips and answers! At least I now have something to work with!

If there are guests, there will be probably just 4. We are trying to get our original best man and maid of honor to go on the trip with us and be there for the ceremony.

We plan on having a regular wdw vacation during the week we are there for the ceremony.

I am TERRIFIED of heights! No hot air balloon for me. You couldn't drag me into that little basket. ha ha

I am going to check out the swan and dolphin now!

My ideal setting would be a quick little ceremony on some sandy area somewhere (man made, lol) and then some pictures. I think the boardwalk would be classy! We don't have a single wedding picture, so this would make up for it. We have 4 kids now, so a family picture all dressed up would be wonderful.

I wanted to wear a dress: http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Strapless-Tea-Length-Dress-BR1000-BR1000_Bridal-Gowns-Shop-By-Silhouette-Short and have my husband wear white as well. Or maybe his dress blues. That looks sharp, but not as amazing as the marine dress uniform. We have 3 girls and 1 baby boy, so I would like to have them all in white as well. That's why I was thinking beach, but the contrast of the colorful boardwalk against us in white would look really nice, too.

 

[surfergirl602]

Does anyone know where I can find the rates and what is included with the swan VR? I can't seem to find anything.

 

[surfergirl602]

Does anyone know where I can find the rates and what is included with the swan VR? I can't seem to find anything.

I think I found it. Starting at $1500.00 according to a few post over at passporters.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

I am having my VR at the Swan in May. Although it is a bit more elaborate than you are planning (us and 13 guests, cake, flowers, limos etc ), it has cost considerably less than a more basic affair would have done with DFTW!!! The S/D usually work with JustMarry for their weddings and VRs and I have to say my planner (Karen) has been an angel - always responding to e-mails very quickly and being extremely patient and helpful with my numerous concerns and questions!!! I highly recommend her. If you contact JM and tell them what you would like for your VR, I am sure they will be able to help!!! If you get to speak to Karen tell her Joanne (4th May 2011) sent you!!!

 

[RadioFanatic]

Thanks everyone for the tips and answers! At least I now have something to work with!

If there are guests, there will be probably just 4. We are trying to get our original best man and maid of honor to go on the trip with us and be there for the ceremony.

We plan on having a regular wdw vacation during the week we are there for the ceremony.

I am TERRIFIED of heights! No hot air balloon for me. You couldn't drag me into that little basket. ha ha

I am going to check out the swan and dolphin now!

My ideal setting would be a quick little ceremony on some sandy area somewhere (man made, lol) and then some pictures. I think the boardwalk would be classy! We don't have a single wedding picture, so this would make up for it. We have 4 kids now, so a family picture all dressed up would be wonderful.

I wanted to wear a dress: http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Strapless-Tea-Length-Dress-BR1000-BR1000_Bridal-Gowns-Shop-By-Silhouette-Short and have my husband wear white as well. Or maybe his dress blues. That looks sharp, but not as amazing as the marine dress uniform. We have 3 girls and 1 baby boy, so I would like to have them all in white as well. That's why I was thinking beach, but the contrast of the colorful boardwalk against us in white would look really nice, too.

So I see your husband is in the Army - have you checked out the military resort Shades of Green? They do weddings there and probably would be less expensive for military. I've seen some gorgeous photos from there! Good luck!

 

[minniebride]

I am having my VR at the Swan in May. Although it is a bit more elaborate than you are planning (us and 13 guests, cake, flowers, limos etc ), it has cost considerably less than a more basic affair would have done with DFTW!!! The S/D usually work with JustMarry for their weddings and VRs and I have to say my planner (Karen) has been an angel - always responding to e-mails very quickly and being extremely patient and helpful with my numerous concerns and questions!!! I highly recommend her. If you contact JM and tell them what you would like for your VR, I am sure they will be able to help!!! If you get to speak to Karen tell her Joanne (4th May 2011) sent you!!!

I have Karen too-isn't she wonderful? I feel so lucky to have her!!

I agree-contact Just Marry and they should be able to help you!
Their website is:
www.justmarry.com

This seems like a wonderful choice for you. I started a thread seeking examples of Boardwalk photo shoots a few days ago and you can click here to see some past brides' beautiful pictures:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2507484

 

[LovesHerTaurus]

The wedding pics I have seen at Swan and Dolphin have looked just beautiful!

I've never been in a hot air balloon either so this should be interesting. Especially getting in the basket. In my wedding dress with cathedral train

There are SO many awesome options out there in Orlando for weddings, I'm glad if you've decided on one!!

Thanks everyone for the tips and answers! At least I now have something to work with!

If there are guests, there will be probably just 4. We are trying to get our original best man and maid of honor to go on the trip with us and be there for the ceremony.

We plan on having a regular wdw vacation during the week we are there for the ceremony.

I am TERRIFIED of heights! No hot air balloon for me. You couldn't drag me into that little basket. ha ha

I am going to check out the swan and dolphin now!

My ideal setting would be a quick little ceremony on some sandy area somewhere (man made, lol) and then some pictures. I think the boardwalk would be classy! We don't have a single wedding picture, so this would make up for it. We have 4 kids now, so a family picture all dressed up would be wonderful.

I wanted to wear a dress: http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Strapless-Tea-Length-Dress-BR1000-BR1000_Bridal-Gowns-Shop-By-Silhouette-Short and have my husband wear white as well. Or maybe his dress blues. That looks sharp, but not as amazing as the marine dress uniform. We have 3 girls and 1 baby boy, so I would like to have them all in white as well. That's why I was thinking beach, but the contrast of the colorful boardwalk against us in white would look really nice, too.

 

[dakcp2001]

Try Paradise Cove! It is in Lake Buena Vista, looks beautiful and they have intimate packages. I think that location at Sunset would be beautiful!

 

[surfergirl602]

Try Paradise Cove! It is in Lake Buena Vista, looks beautiful and they have intimate packages. I think that location at Sunset would be beautiful!

I just requested a quote from them. Very pretty!

 

[JanineBlum]

Take a look at my thread if you want to see some pictures of Shades of Green. I only spent $200 on the gazebo... just a thought. plus it is right next to the mono rail just a short walk to the Poly. They also have a sandy area I bet Bonnie could work with you on that.