Our 10yr Vow Renewal TR ~ DCL Dream

[Linden Lady]

We are finally home and I've gathered all of my thoughts.....and pictures! Hope you enjoy this trip report.
When I was planning this, only a handful of weddings had taken place on the Dream! So, it was very hard to get an idea of how this VR was going to go - especially since there is no outdoor venue on this new ship. So, reading other TR's from the Classic ships did me little good, as a lot of the details for MY ceremony would be different. And Shanda, from DFTW was so swamped, I felt like I had nowhere to turn for answers. And it was starting to stress me out!
So, I'll try to chronicle this TR in a way that'll give you an idea of the natural flow of things and the progression of events on this particular new ship. That way YOU will know what to expect on your special day!
If I leave anything out or if you have questions, just ask!

 

[Linden Lady]

We arrive at the DCL terminal about 9:30 am, after spending 17 hrs in the car.
Yay! It’s time for our very first Disney cruise!
Most DISers said it was pointless to arrive too early but I figured, might as well see if we can get a low boarding number since we’re here anyway! DH dropped me off with the luggage and he parked the car with the boys. I checked the luggage and made my way through security to the front desk to register our family. I was able to score a 5, and I was pretty happy with that. However, the CM told me I’d have to come back up when my family gets here so they could get their photos taken for their KTTW cards. Ugh. Ok.

So, I met up with DH and sons and we made our way BACK through the line. A different CM took their photos and then told us to wait at the desk for a moment. He returned with a card from DCL and a new boarding pass of ONE!!! Wow! Among the very first to board. Amazing! The card was from my onboard coordinator, Sarah. I was to meet her at Guest Services at 2:30 pm.

Time passed so quickly and soon our number was called! We made our way through the mickey ears to have our very first cruise pictures taken! Then, my FAVORITE part, they announced our arrival onto the ship for all to hear! “Please welcome, The Peters Family, to the Disney Dream!”

Time for some lunch at Cabana’s with NO crowds or waiting for a table! Then, some great shots of the ship with very little people onboard. We also noticed that we were docked right next to our honeymoon cruise ship, the Carnival Sensation! 10 yrs ago, we were on that very ship, for a 7 day cruise, celebrating our marriage. Now, that’s got to be a good sign. What a coincidence!

Notice the love bugs crawling on the window in that photo. Ugh, they were the WORST thing about this cruise. Unfortunately, we cruised during their brief mating season and those lil things were everywhere! It felt like a horror movie! The sail away party was miserable b/c of them crawling everywhere. The poor crew stayed up most of the night, after we set sail, just power washing them off of everything!

But, I digress. We met Sarah at 2:30 and she escorted us to a private conference room where we ironed out all of the ceremony details. She wanted me to go back to the room and set out my dress so they could steam it. She would also pick up my mickey topiary and pomander and take them to Outlook. That way, they’d already have them and could decorate the room with everything I’d brought to use.

Then, we wandered around the ship for a few hours.
We found Palo, where we’d be having our romantic wedding dinner after the ceremony and photography. We also, eventually, found the Outlook Lounge. It’s in a very secluded area of the ship and only 1 set of elevators (midship) will take you there! They keep it tucked away for that intimate, private feel. It was very nice but I still had my heart set on an outdoor venue. Maybe they will eventually figure something out for the Dream.....

 

[Linden Lady]

We dock at Nassau and we disembark for a few hours just to see what it’s like. I was originally kind of upset that the VR wasn’t going to be taking place on a day at sea or something. I didn’t want to miss anything important b/c of this ceremony. BUT, the DISers were right, I wasn’t missing anything! After a few hours of locals trying to persuade me to buy everything under the sun, I was ready to get back on the ship. I understand it’s better if you take a cab and get further away from the docks or do an excursion??? But, we didn’t have time for any of that.

Back on board, we ate lunch and DH took the boys swimming. I met Amanda, my hairdresser, at Senses Salon for my 3:00 appt. She spent an hour twisting my hair into curls and pinning them around my tiara. After, I met DH and boys back at the room and we began to get everyone dressed.

DH and boys left for Outlook and I continued to get ready. Sarah came to our stateroom at 5:15 pm to help zip me up and escort me to Outlook. I waited outside the double doors, around a corner where I would not be seen. My boys walked in first, carrying the ring pillows I’d made.

They stood at the front, next to their father and Captain Tom. Then, it was my turn. Our “piano man” from Hungary played “you’ll be in my heart” from Tarzan as I walked down the aisle. We requested all Disney songs for our ceremony since this was just a vow renewal. DH and I agreed that we didn’t want to hear any typical wedding music.

We added “the blessing of the hands” to our vows b/c I felt the DCL script was much too dry and impersonal. So, that added about 5 min to the ceremony length.

Time to kiss the bride!!

Captain Tom was nice enough, I suppose. But we caught him looking at his watch quite a bit and we felt like he’d rather not be bothered with our ceremony. After, we took 2 photos with him and he was off like a shot.

Time to cut the cake

We danced to “Kiss the Girl” from the Little Mermaid.

Time to walk around the ship and get more photos!

 

[Linden Lady]

The BEST part about walking around with a ship photographer: you never have to wait in line!
If there are characters in the Lobby Atrium, you just step right in, get your shots, and move on to the next photo opportunity!

After about an hour of pictures, we went back to the room where Sarah had room service waiting for the boys! We were worried about how to get them fed and off to the Oceaneer’s Club in time for our Palo ressie. They got changed, ate personal pizzas, and we dropped them off about 20 min later.

Our Palo dinner was amazing! We dined on rack of lamb, spinach couscous, and an assortment of desserts. In fact, our waiter brought out 1 of each on the menu!
Then, they delivered the top tier of our wedding cake to the table, along with a plate that said, "Happy Anniversary" written in chocolate sauce.

After dinner, we had fun posing different places throughout the ship. Guest response to our attire was CRAZY at times!
Constant questions and/or congratulatory statements could be heard throughout the entire ship!
We literally felt like celebrities on the red carpet!

Several complete strangers even asked if they could take a picture of us.
Kind of hard to believe that WE are memories in someone's vacation scrapbook!
But the crowning moment occured when a little girl exclaimed,
"Wow, mommy! Look at that princess! Which one is she??"
as she rushed over with her princess book and pen expecting to get my autograph!
My heart just melted!

Back at the room, a million things awaited us!
The waiter at Palo had delivered our wedding cake and anniversary plate to our stateroom.
A silver plate of chocolate covered strawberries and bottle of FairyTale Cuvee sparkling wine was chilling.
Our room host placed one of the ring bearer pillows inside a heart made from fresh flower petals AND made 2 swan towel animals.
Sarah delivered all of the fresh flowers, left over from the ceremony, and decorated the bed and cabin with them.
We also had a gift from "Disney Fairy Tale Weddings". It was a blue/tan bag with an embroidered DCL logo and mesh bottom.
Inside we found 2 huge bath sheets for Castaway Cay!

Sarah also left Magical Moment certificates and 2 DCL plush Plutos for the boys.

 

[PrincessTinker11]

We dock at Nassau and we disembark for a few hours just to see what it’s like. I was originally kind of upset that the VR wasn’t going to be taking place on a day at sea or something. I didn’t want to miss anything important b/c of this ceremony. BUT, the DISers were right, I wasn’t missing anything! After a few hours of locals trying to persuade me to buy everything under the sun, I was ready to get back on the ship. I understand it’s better if you take a cab and get further away from the docks or do an excursion??? But, we didn’t have time for any of that.

Back on board, we ate lunch and DH took the boys swimming. I met Amanda, my hairdresser, at Senses Salon for my 3:00 appt. She spent an hour twisting my hair into curls and pinning them around my tiara. After, I met DH and boys back at the room and we began to get everyone dressed.

DH and boys left for Outlook and I continued to get ready. Sarah came to our stateroom at 5:15 pm to help zip me up and escort me to Outlook. I waited outside the double doors, around a corner where I would not be seen. My boys walked in first, carrying the ring pillows I’d made.

They stood at the front, next to their father and Captain Tom. Then, it was my turn. Our “piano man” from Hungary played “you’ll be in my heart” from Tarzan as I walked down the aisle. We requested all Disney songs for our ceremony since this was just a vow renewal. DH and I agreed that we didn’t want to hear any typical wedding music.

We added “the blessing of the hands” to our vows b/c I felt the DCL script was much too dry and impersonal. So, that added about 5 min to the ceremony length.

Time to kiss the bride!!

Captain Tom was nice enough, I suppose. But we caught him looking at his watch quite a bit and we felt like he’d rather not be bothered with our ceremony. After, we took 2 photos with him and he was off like a shot.

Time to cut the cake

We danced to “Kiss the Girl” from the Little Mermaid.

Time to walk around the ship and get more photos!

I love your TR!! The pics came out wonderful...did you pick up the Mickey glove once you was on the ship? It adds to the whole picture

 

[Tinker Bell Fan]

Congratulations on your 10 year anniversary! I love your dress!!!

 

[pjstevens]

Loving your TR so far! Have to say your truly looked like a princess! Stunning!

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

Congratulations! I love your dress - so pretty! My favorite pic is the one of you two dancing where you can see your reflection as well - stunning.

 

[WDBRDWLK]

Awesome trip report! Love the pictures. I agree with the little girl, you do look like a princess! Congratulations on your 10th anniversary!

 

[Linden Lady]

I love your TR!! The pics came out wonderful...did you pick up the Mickey glove once you was on the ship? It adds to the whole picture

We origionally brought the mickey hands from home to use at the sail away party b/c I wanted a few pics of us waving goodbye to the shore. (we purchased them at MK a few trips ago)
It was actually DH's idea to use them in the VR pics. The photographer was loving it! I wouldn't be surprised if they start suggesting that. We have tons of diff poses with the mickey hands. They really pop against a black tux!

 

[Linden Lady]

Thanks so much everyone!
We had a magical day. In the end, it was definitely worth all of the money we spent.

 

[LotsaMickey]

I am beyond excited to have come across your TR!
We are also doing a VR next year on the Dream,,,and I have so many questions,and,same as you,finding it hard to get answers from Shanda =(

Your day looked beautiful!!!
I am also sad to see/hear,that it is an indoor ceremony,I also,had high hopes of an outdoor venue! Hope they can arrange something before ours,,The room is beautiful,,just really like the idea of being outside on the ocean while we do it!

If you don't mind my asking,,,you said you added the blessing of the hands,,,was this something they offered,or something you brought along?

We were wanting to do our own vows,and also see if they could do something to incorporate ours kids as well,,,any suggestions?

Also,,do you know,can they add color to the cake? I have seen other TR where the flowers are colored on the cake,,but see no option for that in the packet =(

Thanks for any and all info you have!! Looking at your TR makes me even more excited for our big day!!!

 

[doccoc2002]

I love your dress. I am thinking about doing a VR next year for our 10th Anniversary, Congratulations by the way!!!!!!

Thanks for all the great pics & I can't wait to start planning ours. I hope they offer something outside by then.
Your boys are adorable.

 

[Linden Lady]

I am beyond excited to have come across your TR!
We are also doing a VR next year on the Dream,,,and I have so many questions,and,same as you,finding it hard to get answers from Shanda =(

Your day looked beautiful!!!
I am also sad to see/hear,that it is an indoor ceremony,I also,had high hopes of an outdoor venue! Hope they can arrange something before ours,,The room is beautiful,,just really like the idea of being outside on the ocean while we do it!

If you don't mind my asking,,,you said you added the blessing of the hands,,,was this something they offered,or something you brought along?

We were wanting to do our own vows,and also see if they could do something to incorporate ours kids as well,,,any suggestions?

Also,,do you know,can they add color to the cake? I have seen other TR where the flowers are colored on the cake,,but see no option for that in the packet =(

Thanks for any and all info you have!! Looking at your TR makes me even more excited for our big day!!!

I'm so glad you found me then!!

The Blessing of the hands was something I found on the internet when I was looking for ideas specifically for vow renewals. Right after I read the standard DCL vows, I knew we wanted/needed something more!! I will post those vows in a minute.

We decided to have both boys be ring bearers in order to incorporate them into the ceremony. I couldn't think of anything else to do with/for them.

I was told that you CAN'T add color! But, like you, I know I've seen cakes with accent color! It's so frustrating how things seem to get done for some and it's hit or miss for other couples. I asked Shanda several times and was told, each time, no color b/c they like to keep it simple and don't want to mess with personalizing the cakes too much. They want you to like it just the way the stock photo is and they figure since they give you 3 diff choices, you should just pick one and be happy about it.
But, I'm nothing if not persistant, so I tried asking the wedding coordinator once we got on board. She also politely said NO. BUT, I did manage to convince them to cluster the dots on the cake more closely to form lil "hidden mickey's"
So, I dunno, I sure hope you have better cake luck than me.

Hope this helps! If you need anything else, just ask!

 

[Linden Lady]

We would like to take a moment to bless the hands of Aaron and Amanda,
For it is through the hands that we demonstrate our love and commitment to one another.

Aaron and Amanda, please face each other and join both hands so that we may bless them.

Aaron and Amanda, These are the hands of your best friend, strong and full of love for you.

They are being held by yours as you two renew the promise to love each other for the rest of your lives.

These are the hands that will continue to work alongside yours as together you two build a future and share your innermost secrets and dreams.

These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch will comfort you like no other.

These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief threatens to overwhelm you.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, tears of sorrow and tears of joy.

These are the hands that will tenderly hold the Grandchildren.

These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.

These are the hands that will be there to give you strength when you need it the most.

And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

Prayer:

God, bless these hands that you see before you this day. May they always be held by one another. Keep them tender and gentle as they nurture each other in their wondrous love. Help these hands to continue building a relationship founded in your grace. May Aaron and Amanda see their four hands as healer, protector, shelter and guide. We ask this in your name, Amen.


When you married 10 years ago, you had no idea what life had in store for you. Your togetherness as husband and wife, at times, may have been under difficult circumstances. Your circumstances may have required great faith, but your faith has found you steadfast and its now brings you to this point in your life where you joyfully reaffirm your love for one another.

I now invite you to look into each others’ eyes.

Renewal of marriage vows

Aaron, this woman, whom you hold by the hand, is your wife. She has given you one of the most sacred things under heaven: a woman’s life and a woman’s love. She will continue to look to you for support, loyalty, and understanding.
Do you renew your vow here, as you have promised Amanda,
That you will be true and loyal,
Patient in sickness,
Comforting in sorrow,
And forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her,
So long as you both shall live?

I DO

Amanda , this man whom you hold by the hand is your husband. It is upon your life, your love and your devotion that he will lean upon for strength and inspiration. He will continue to look to you for encouragement, cheerfulness, and confidence. Do you renew your vow here, as you have promised Aaron,
That you will be loyal in adversity,
Ministering to him in affliction,
Comforting in sorrow,
And forsaking all others,
Keeping yourself only into him as long as you both shall live?

I DO

 

[stl_figment]

Love the vows. So sweet!

 

[LotsaMickey]

Thanks so much,,that is very beautiful!


I also talked to Shanda and she said there are no changes as far as color goes,but if we wanted to add color,we could do so by adding,at an additional $150 fee mind you,flowers to the cake....I am already shelling out an arm and a leg for the cruise and the ceremony,,,not really wanting to add another 150 LOL

I might try and bring along my own frosting and bags,as I do cakes,,maybe I will just add color myself LOL
At least if I bring my own stuff,and maybe tell the coordinator when I get on,then maybe they will just do it themselves! Worth a shot I suppose!
Thanks again for the info!!

 

[Blessed_wth_Triplets]

just found your TR and must say you are the MOST beautiful bride I have ever seen!! I just LOVE your pink dress and must know where you got it??!! I have been dreaming of doing a VR at WDW...we shall see!

 

[Linden Lady]

just found your TR and must say you are the MOST beautiful bride I have ever seen!! I just LOVE your pink dress and must know where you got it??!! I have been dreaming of doing a VR at WDW...we shall see!

Awww, thank you so much!
I got it from a department store, Von Maur, on clearance after Prom last year. I was so lucky to get my dream princess dress for around 100 bucks! Pink is my fave color.

 

[love2travel]

We are going on the Fantasy next June and will be celebrating our 20th anniversary and are thinking about a vow renewal onboard. It just seems so expensive to us, was it worth it? you had to pay extra for the photographer, right? We love DCL so much and think it would be a great experience, just worried about the expense on top of the cruise price. Your pictures are just beautiful!