Let's see how many of these questions I can answer.
Originally posted by Renee'
1) What type of flowers did you receive. I was wondering how fresh they would be. I know they are prepared on Friday and the ceremony isn't until the following Thursday. I was inquiring with FTW and apparently there has been some problems with the flowers staying fresh.
2) From your report I'm assuming that your meeting with the coordinator on board was prescheduled for 3pm. Obviously if you wanted specific spa treatments you'd already have had time to book them yourself before the 3pm meeting. Do you have an option of scheduling that meeting for earlier?
3) I'm wondering about the music list. In our packet it has spaces for 4 song selections. Is this all that is played or should I include a few others?
4) Were you able to have some photos taken with some of the characters? Anything special or were you simply lined up in the crowd and have to wait your turn?
5) Who was your captain that performed the ceremony?
6) We're going to have the sparkling cider for our kids too. Did you have to purchase an entire bottle of cider as well? How was your cake?
Obviously they wouldn't make an exception and allow your children to join you in Palo for that dinner. Seems to me they could for a wedding/renewal but I guess "rules are rules".
Other than lowering the cost what improvements would you suggest be made to their renewal package. Could Disney improve it at all? Looking back was it what you anticipated?
Thanks for answering my endless questions. I'm starting to realize this is going to finally happen - 9 weeks from now.
#1 I just spoke to management (my DW) who informs me that our flowers actually came from Cozumel. Normally, they would board the ship when we do in Florida, but since my DW had requested an unusual color rose (lavender), they tried to get them in Cozumel. Unfortunately, they were unsuccessful and had to substitute a dark pink rose.
Interestingly, the flowers that we got when we first boarded the ship in Florida (roses from Shirley's shop and a bouquet of flowers from
DCL) lasted longer than the vow renewal flowers that were delivered in Cozumel.
My DW and DD had French bouquets (white and dark pink roses) and myself and my DS had white rose boutonnieres. The flowers were all beautiful, bu they didn't last much past the next day.
DW says to be careful with white flowers since they may yellow with time (we got lucky).
#2 We received a letter from our coordinator when we initially checked in at the dock. It requested that we stop by Sessions between 1 pm and 2:30 pm "so that I may assist you with any priority bookings you may need and we can also arrange a convenient time to meet to discuss the final arrangements for Thursday."
Between getting something to eat, dropping of our carry-on luggage in our stateroom, and a quick stop to schedule our spa appointments, we didn't get down to Sessions until closer to 3 pm. I guess we could have gone to see Geri right at 1 pm and had her arrange the "priority bookings," but I was concerned that the suriel bath books up too fast and we'd miss it. So, we booked them ourselves.
At our Saturday, 3 pm meeting, we discussed all the details of the ceremony and thus didn't need to schedule an additional meeting later.
#3 My DW is sitting next to me. She commented that she doesn't even remember the music. I know the pianist was playing and I specifically recall "Kiss the Girl," but beyond that, it was simply background.
We didn't bother with the formal walking up and down the aisle. So, we didn't have them play the more traditional music. We requsted mostly classical music (again, as background). My DW secretly requested that they play "Kiss the Girl" even though she didn't want Disney music, but knew I liked that song.
I wouldn't fret over the music.
#4 After Geri took the traditional photos during and immediately after the ceremony (family pictures with the Captain, cutting the cake, etc.), Geri led us out into the main area outside Lumiere's. There was a long line of people waiting to get their picture taken in front of the sailor Mickey statue. The photographer took us next ahead of everyone. I felt awkward, but the people seemed fine with it.
Geri also took pictures of us (with our camera) at several other locations around the ship, including out on the deck. While my DW didn't want any "wedding" pictures with the characters (we did on other days), I'm sure it could have been arranged. Just make note on the forms and mention it to Geri when you get onboard.
#5 Captain Henri conducted the ceremonies.
#6 I don't recall whether we paid extra for the bottle of sparkling cider or what happened to the bottle afterwards. I'll have to check our detailed bill from the cruise.
The cake was delicious. Unless you have a large group wih you, you'll end up giving away part of it.
Renee', the only real complaint (or area of improvement) I can think of is the cost of the photographer. To pay $135 just to have the photographer take a couple of pictures - and then have us pay for each photo we select as well - to me is excessive.
Trust me, 9 weeks will go by so fast.