Vow Renewal Questions

[debralisa]

Hi All:

DH and I are celebrating our 13th wedding anniversary in Oct and decided to renew our vows on the Nov. 1 Disney Magic 7day Eastern cruise we are booked on. We have already scheduled it and are getting excited. We actually have several other friends (currently 3 and their families) also booked on the same cruise and are hoping to make this a big celebration.

1. I have 4 kiddos (at the time of the cruise: DS-2 weeks shy of 6y; DD-4 1/2 y; DD 3 y; DS 1 month shy of 2y). Since they will already have formal attire, the boys should be set, but what should I do for the girls? Should they wear something that they would also wear for a formal night? Should we try to wear similar outfits (the girls and I)? What is typically worn for a vow renewal?

2. In a vow renewal, do you usually just have the 'bride' and 'groom' or can you have flower girls, etc.? The paperwork they sent us doesn't really state anything. I guess they leave it up to you...but I wuoldn't want to be going overboard...but I know the kids would LOVE to participate.

3. Flowers are so expensive for the ceremony (extra flowers that is)..if they girls were to be flower girls, what suggestions might you have for flower (or flower petal) options? Should I just have a flower basket sent to us and use those flowers? I thought about getting some flowers at home and taking the petals with a ziplock bag on the ship...but is that allowed?

Thanks for helping with some silly planning questions...they sure are appreciated from someone that NEEDS to plan ahead

Debbie

 

[dzneprincess]

sorry, no answers for you, but a question! LOL we will be celebrating our 10th anniversary, and had not even considered renewing vows onboard as an option. I didn't know this was an available service. Can you tell me where to find out more about it?

 

[ducklite]

We'll also be sailing on our 10th We're still tossing around a renewal, but thinking something more casual on CC with a Bahamian officiant might be more our style.

As far as what to put the girls in, the dresses they'll be wearing for formal night will be perfect. As far as flower girls, probably not...I do'nt think you'll really be walking down the aisle, so not sure what they would do--do you have a musician supplied? Not sure how they work that. I might be really wrong, but I think a renewal is usually a little less formal, unless you're Celine Dion of course...

As far as the flowers, I'd give Shirley a call at www.theperfectgift.cc and see aht she can take care of for you. I'm sure her prices will be much more affordable than DCL's.

Have a great time, and let us know how it goes!

Anne

 

[debralisa]

I found out about the VR's from DCL. They gave me the phone number/website: http://disney.go.com/vacations/disneyweddings/vows/cruise.html

and that is how we started the ball rolling.

It isn't cheap, but as you will see on their list, it does include

- On-Site Coordinator to assist with ceremony and reception
- Concierge Service onboard to assist in booking shore excursions and spa/salon appointments (The actual excursions and treatments are not included in package.)
- Vow Renewal Ceremony performed onboard
- Solo Musician (pianist) for your Vow Renewal Ceremony
- Choice of fresh flower bouquet for Bride and boutonniere for Groom
- Cake and Champagne Reception including an elegant two-tier wedding cake with keepsake cake topper and one bottle of champagne for the toast
- Confirmed dinner for two at "Palo" on ceremony night
- Special Wedding Gift
- Disney Cruise Line Wedding Certificate
- Complimentary Photo (One 8x10 taken during cruise. Ceremony photo packages are additional.)
- Champagne and strawberries delivered to your stateroom

You can do this as a package with your stateroom when you book OR as an add on if you have already booked your vacation.

Debbie

 

[nghtangl01]

My fiance and I are getting married on Castaway Cay on the November 8 Magic Cruise.

I do know that vow renewals are not done on Castaway Cay. They may let you pay for a wedding at sea and then you would be able to have your vow renewal on the CC. The vow renewals are performed in one of the clubs and if I remember correctly the captain of the ship performs the ceremony.

 

[Tibbles98]

Hey there Debbie. I am also renewing our vows on our cruise in December. (12/27/03 to 1/3/04)
I have it already paid for in full (thank god).
Who did you speak to when you called? I am coordinating with Cathy Ingle. She is really nice.
I hope you have fun as much as I hope to have.
I have been married 16 years and when we did it the first time, we had a JP marry us,(didn't have the money to go all out) so this time I am!!! ( I already have my wedding gown veil and shoes!! )

Lisa

 

[Ginny]

Debbie -

Congratulations on your wonderful plans - they sound great. And, how exciting to have family/friends to celebrate with you.

I think your daughters would look beautiful in their formal dresses on both Formal Night and for your Vow Renewal. If you wanted a different look for each occasions, perhaps the girls could dress up as their favorite princess for formal night. Little girls have fun with being a Princess and, in my experience, the servers go out of their way to pay them extra attention.

From my humble perspective, this is YOUR vow renewal so I would do whatever makes you and DH happy and comfortable. Everyone loves a wedding or a vow renewal - such a sense of joy!! Make it as formal or as informal as you would like. And, with the added excitement of your four children, there will be extra special memories that you will smile and laugh about in years to come.

I don't know why you can't "walk down the aisle" if you would like. Even if the girls don't want the grand walk, you could easily make little bouquets of silk flowers for them and boutonnières for the boys. They sell lots of little silk flowers at Michael's or many craft store. And, believe me, I am "craft-impaired" so if I think its doable, it can't be too hard!! LOL!!

Of course, there is always Shirley: The miracle worker, and her staff at the Perfect Gift. We have used "The Perfect Gift" for our last two cruises and ordered baskets for friends who cruised last summer: Simply lovely to deal with and the finished product is very special.

I hope whatever you decide that your ceremony is truly memorable and that you enjoy every minute. Have a wonderful cruise!!

 

[mobetsy]

I'll respond not from a DCL perspective, but from the angle of how these are often done in churches; I'm a pastor!

For attire, I generally see dressy but not "wedding formal." I think your children would be perfectly dressed in whatever you'll have for formal night. And if you all wanted to wear tropical shirts and dresses, that would be fine too! This is your renewal; you get to choose.

Often it is done with husband and wife and any children standing with them. I've included in the past some "vows" for the kids, too, so that they feel a part of things. This acknowledges that it's not a wedding but a renewal, and adds a little emphasis on family beyond husband and wife. Sometimes people will have the man and woman who were best man/maid of honor stand with them too, but I've never seen a whole wedding party recreated (or new people taking that role). Doesn't mean it couldn't be done; it's just less typical.

I'd think about wrist corsages for the girls and a flower for the lapel for the boys; probably the same for you and dh, too. Simple, pretty, not too expensive, and not messy.

Now, want to take me with you to do the service?

 

[SINK]

Just as a note, Vow Renewal are performed on Thursday (sea day) in the afternoon. Therefore, the stateroom flowers might not last that long.

 

[firstcruiser]

Hi Debbie -

We're renewing our vows on the 8/16 Magic. Our paperwork had a place to write in Maid of Honor, flower girls, etc. We are sailing with two other couples so we'll have a Maid of Honor and Best Man. I put down my two daughters as flower girls. I purchased silk flowers, etc. from Beverly's (like Michael's). My sister-in-law is going to arrange them for me. It was only about $15 for the supplies to make three bouquets compared to the cost of the live flowers from Disney. Plus, you can't bring flowers back so it seemed like a waste to me. I've already purchased two matching fancy dresses for my girls. This is all a surprise for my hubby for our 15 year anniversary. I hope your ceremony is beautiful. Let us all know when you get back.

 

[debralisa]

I sure do appreciate all the ideas/suggestions!

I LOVE the silk flower idea for the girls!

Thank you for the: 'going all out' support...we also didn't have much $$ when we got married and had my divorced parents complicating things with who 'wouldn't do this if the other did that' junk. We also wanted to do this OUR way this time and make the kids feel involved.

Debbie

 

[trampslady]

Okay, I love this idea. My hubby has always said we need to renew our vows in Vegas. This might even be better. We will actually be celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary onboard the Magic on May 15.

The only hitch is, it's just the two of us. Would they allow us to have some sort of informal renewal ceremony just for us two?

 

[nghtangl01]

Yes you can have just the two of you for a vow renewal. They also will allow just the bride and groom for a wedding. (that is all we are having when we getting married on board this November)

 

[rosemary123]

Hi there, We are having a vow renewal on the Disney Wonder in December to celebrate 30 years of marriage. I am having a dress made that is ivory, simple but a little bridal, with a little embroidery on it. I hope to wear a tiara, but no veil. My daughter who is 27, and my son's girfriend 26 will be my attendants/bridesmaid. I have bought them a long ivory/cream/gold dress from Monsoon boutique. I hope to have a slide show with photographs of the 'Way we were' with pictures of my husband and I as babies growing up etc. We are having dinner in the normal dining allocation and will be decorating the table with favours etc. Hope this helps but will let you know anything else if you wish. Congratulations and good luck!

 

[srschilke]

Just bumped a thread called ? about booking a vow renewal. We did this in May and highly recommend. Many details in the other thread. Happy renewals!

 

[noseybuddy]

Tibbles

What day and time are you doing your Vow Renewal service? I will be on that cruise.

 

[Tibbles98]

Hi there, noseybuddy! I just talked with Cathy this past Tuesday. Our vow renewal date is on Thursday, January 1st. What a coincidence- on New Years Day!!! I don't know the time yet, Cathy told me that I would be getting info about it closer to the date, about 2-3 weeks prior to our sailing date. She also told me as of right now, I am the only one booked for our sailing date, but that can change.

Lisa