Private 5 year vow renewal at Disney?

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lolastardust's picture
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Private 5 year vow renewal at Disney?

Looking for some opinions/advice. DH and I got married in 2013, and there was a lot about the day that was magical, but some other things I wasn't too happy about (arguing with my mother in the lead-up about a sensitive family issue; growing apart from two of my bridesmaids since then etc). Right up until the last minute, I said, 'we should have just eloped' and part of me still really wants to do that. It's a long time in advance to be planning, but I'd like to have a private vow renewal for just us in Disneyworld for our five year wedding anniversary (in 2018). I'm thinking super chilled, just on our resort grounds so we don't need to go through Disney, pretty dress, sandals or sneakers and wedding mouse ears.

My question is thus:
Is five years too early for a wedding renewal if it's something we really want to do? I've read a lot of stuff online saying we'd just be showing off or that it's too soon, but my viewpoint is that if it's just a romantic treat for us to reaffirm our devotion to each other, where's the harm?

I'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas for this trip, or even if you think it would work/be okay to do? I know Robyn and Sy renewed their vows and it looked amazing so we wanted to do something kinda similar but just for the two of us.

Hahaha also I know two years in advance is too soon to dress hunt but it won't stop me trying. Laughing out loud

crazycatperson's picture
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You know what? Do what makes you happy. Who cares what other people think?

And talk to Robyn because she and Simon did a 5-year vow renewal.

lolastardust's picture
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Oh wow that's extra awesome! I didn't realise they did it at five years. We're ages away yet but it's something I really want to do. It would just feel so extra special saying our vows again in Disney. Laughing out loud

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Yeah we were at just 5 years, we did it cause we wanted to, stuff what others think, it's our marriage Wink we too had dramas in the lead up to the wedding which is one of the reasons we decided to do it. Do what makes you happy muchlove muchlove

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Our Very Merry 24 nighter Nov/Dec 15
Watson's go West May 15
The one with all the birthdays Oct 14 4 Big Birthdays and a Vow Renewal thrown in
The OMG trip June 14 30th Birthday present from the hubs
Girly trip March 14 A last min cheapy week
September 13 our first all DVC stay
TR May 2013 the last min bargain trip offsite
Oct 2012 TR with a cruise!big family trip featuring the beach club, AKL, the dream and a villa offsite
TR on a budget May - June 2011offsite condo
TR Sept - Oct 2010 big family trip in an offsite villa

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Do what makes both of you happy!

lolastardust's picture
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RobynPrincess wrote:
Yeah we were at just 5 years, we did it cause we wanted to, stuff what others think, it's our marriage Wink we too had dramas in the lead up to the wedding which is one of the reasons we decided to do it. Do what makes you happy muchlove muchlove

I love this Robyn. Your photos from the vow renewal really made me want to do it more. I was thinking about my wedding, and while there was a lot I wouldn't change, too much of it became about pleasing other people and for that reason, I want a chance to do over and have it just be for us. We wouldn't have any guests at all, not even our parents, and we'd like it to be totally intimate and romantic. We've got two and a bit years to go but that's better because it means I can plan it just how I want and make it a really good day. Of course our situation may have changed by then, but I like keeping the idea that it is something we will do. muchlove

Thanks everyone!

lolastardust's picture
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Huh, I'm a bit confused about the rules on this. I know I need to go through Disney if I'm having an official vow renewal, and I don't think I can justify the cost unfortunately. I don't want to break any rules or get banned from Disney though! Would there be anything wrong with doing the renewal in our room? I don't want a big official ceremony. Maybe I'd be better just doing something romantic and simple and foregoing the actual renewal. Any suggestions? We wouldn't even need an officiant there - we could just do it privately for us in mouse ears. Would this work do you think? Smile

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My wife and I did it every five years; Vegas, Disney, etc. Mainly because I can't believe she still wants to be married to me, beast that I am.

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I agree with everyone else...do what makes you happy. As for the rules, I don't think there are any rules against stopping at a favorite spot for a few minutes, whether it be at a resort or in a park, and professing your love for each other. If it's just the two of you, nobody else will know what's actually going on.

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Robyn and Simon did theirs in their room. Didn't you, Robyn? On the balcony at which resort?

The Colonel's picture
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We did it in the Rose Garden at MK- the pixies at Gifts of a Lifetime did a whole thing for us. It was cute.

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lolastardust wrote:

We wouldn't have any guests at all, not even our parents, and we'd like it to be totally intimate and romantic.

Then absolutely do whatever makes you happy. I'm personally not a big fan of vow renewals (much in the way that I'm not a fan of "sprinkles" AKA: second baby showers), but mostly because of the guest situation. I think some people use it as a way to get gifts or as a way to try and save something that's broken. I personally would probably never attend one because I don't really believe in them as an event, but if it's something personal for you and your DH then all the power to ya! So many fun romantic things you could do too.
We recently did the horse drawn carriage ride at PORS and thought it would be really romantic if it was after dark. Also, that personal dinner that Robyn and Sy did looked pretty nice.

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They just don't want groups of people grand-standing and holding their own events. If it's just you two (actually private) just do it. Prop up a camera on a mini-tripod. Check out this place (the little fountain outside Italy):
http://www.magicaldayweddings.com/epcot-italy-isola-2

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Go for it! I see a vow renewal as not really being about how much time has passed, but about recommitting to each other going forward.

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The Colonel wrote:
We did it in the Rose Garden at MK- the pixies at Gifts of a Lifetime did a whole thing for us. It was cute.

I looked at Gifts of a Lifetime. Seeing as how they say they don't do vow renewals, did you organize yours separately? Did you just do it yourself or get someone in to do it? Thanks. Smile

ThatMouse wrote:
They just don't want groups of people grand-standing and holding their own events. If it's just you two (actually private) just do it. Prop up a camera on a mini-tripod. Check out this place (the little fountain outside Italy):
http://www.magicaldayweddings.com/epcot-italy-isola-2

This is a great idea, that spot looks ideal for what we want to do. I like the idea of bringing in a mini-tripod, saying our vows to each other, and taking our own photos. Smile

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Agree with everyone else, do what is right for you guys. But of course, take lots of pictures for all of us laugh

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Allie wrote:
Agree with everyone else, do what is right for you guys. But of course, take lots of pictures for all of us laugh

Will do! It's not for like 2 and a half years anyway, but I love the idea. My wedding was fun but there was a lot of drama in the lead-up, and I've grown apart from two of my bridesmaids since then. What I want to do is dress up in a quirky/casual princessey dress and maybe some sparkly sneakers or something, and write our own vows this time, just for each other, and say them in our favourite place in the world. Nobody there but us (haha unless we end up having an additional family member by then, which is possible). x

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lolastardust wrote:
The Colonel wrote:
We did it in the Rose Garden at MK- the pixies at Gifts of a Lifetime did a whole thing for us. It was cute.

I looked at Gifts of a Lifetime. Seeing as how they say they don't do vow renewals, did you organize yours separately? Did you just do it yourself or get someone in to do it? Thanks. Smile

ThatMouse wrote:
They just don't want groups of people grand-standing and holding their own events. If it's just you two (actually private) just do it. Prop up a camera on a mini-tripod. Check out this place (the little fountain outside Italy):
http://www.magicaldayweddings.com/epcot-italy-isola-2

This is a great idea, that spot looks ideal for what we want to do. I like the idea of bringing in a mini-tripod, saying our vows to each other, and taking our own photos. Smile

It was never allowed by Disney but I think they used to look the other way- maybe now they cracked down on it?

I contacted GOL and we came up with a plan. First I gave them our life story. They Disnified our life and wrote Disneyesque vows for us.

They gave me the rendevous point in advance and here is how it went: I took my wife on IASW, right at the end of the ride, a woman sitting behind us hands my wife a scroll and disappears. We get off the ride and read it; its our life story part one- from growing up till when we met. With our parents, family members, our neighborhoods, etc. My wife is freaking out already crying.

Next we're waiting on line for either Snow White or Peter Pan and another woman shows up with another scroll. This one has our life story part two, with our royal marriage, our castle and the birth of our princesses. My wife is crying like a sieve now and my lower lip is trembling a bit as well. We are instructed to proceed to the Rose Garden.

In the Rose Garden we are presented with the final part of our story; the growth of the princesses, royal marriages, grandchildren, etc. Then the Pixies did a very nice vow renewal.

They did the whole thing very nicely. It was cute, funny, touching and with a Disney touch which was fitting in the Magic Kingdom, our happy place.

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The Colonel wrote:
lolastardust wrote:
The Colonel wrote:
We did it in the Rose Garden at MK- the pixies at Gifts of a Lifetime did a whole thing for us. It was cute.

I looked at Gifts of a Lifetime. Seeing as how they say they don't do vow renewals, did you organize yours separately? Did you just do it yourself or get someone in to do it? Thanks. Smile

ThatMouse wrote:
They just don't want groups of people grand-standing and holding their own events. If it's just you two (actually private) just do it. Prop up a camera on a mini-tripod. Check out this place (the little fountain outside Italy):
http://www.magicaldayweddings.com/epcot-italy-isola-2

This is a great idea, that spot looks ideal for what we want to do. I like the idea of bringing in a mini-tripod, saying our vows to each other, and taking our own photos. Smile

It was never allowed by Disney but I think they used to look the other way- maybe now they cracked down on it?

I contacted GOL and we came up with a plan. First I gave them our life story. They Disnified our life and wrote Disneyesque vows for us.

They gave me the rendevous point in advance and here is how it went: I took my wife on IASW, right at the end of the ride, a woman sitting behind us hands my wife a scroll and disappears. We get off the ride and read it; its our life story part one- from growing up till when we met. With our parents, family members, our neighborhoods, etc. My wife is freaking out already crying.

Next we're waiting on line for either Snow White or Peter Pan and another woman shows up with another scroll. This one has our life story part two, with our royal marriage, our castle and the birth of our princesses. My wife is crying like a sieve now and my lower lip is trembling a bit as well. We are instructed to proceed to the Rose Garden.

In the Rose Garden we are presented with the final part of our story; the growth of the princesses, royal marriages, grandchildren, etc. Then the Pixies did a very nice vow renewal.

They did the whole thing very nicely. It was cute, funny, touching and with a Disney touch which was fitting in the Magic Kingdom, our happy place.

Awwww you old romantic you!

__________________

Our Very Merry 24 nighter Nov/Dec 15
Watson's go West May 15
The one with all the birthdays Oct 14 4 Big Birthdays and a Vow Renewal thrown in
The OMG trip June 14 30th Birthday present from the hubs
Girly trip March 14 A last min cheapy week
September 13 our first all DVC stay
TR May 2013 the last min bargain trip offsite
Oct 2012 TR with a cruise!big family trip featuring the beach club, AKL, the dream and a villa offsite
TR on a budget May - June 2011offsite condo
TR Sept - Oct 2010 big family trip in an offsite villa

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SUPER adorable, Colonel!