Advice Needed, please. :)

[britdaw]

Ok, so originally my husband and I were going to do a vow renewal to celebrate our 10th anniversary at the parks while we are there. We're still going to celebrate our anniversary, but the more I think about it, the more I'm wondering if spending the money on a vow renewal is silly.

My sister has decided not to go with us, so it's only going to be my husband and I and our two girls. The vow renewal at Shades of Green is $895, which is way cheaper than anywhere else in the parks, but I'm thinking that we would be stuck with a whole lot of cake and champagne that our kids can't help us drink. LOL It's true that we'd get some great pics we could frame to remember the event (I don't have any great frameable pics from our original wedding 'cause the "photographer" was a family friend who, quite frankly sucked), and I did want to celebrate doing something really special; I'm just not sure anymore if I want to spend the money when no one's going to be there to celebrate with us, you know?

My cousin was just there last month, and she gave me the idea of leaving the kids with Kids Night Out, dressing up and having a nice dinner in a nice restaurant, and then finding a Photopass photographer in MK (or anywhere else with a great Disney backdrop) and explaining that we want some great anniversary pics and doing it that way to save the money for use on souveniers/ADR's/etc.

What do you guys think? I need some advice! What would you do?

 

[Nemo14]

I agree with your cousin!:animwink:

 

[britdaw]

I agree with your cousin!:animwink:

The more I think about it, the more I'm leaning that way. I'm thinking we could do dinner at some really nice place like Victoria and Albert's or something and then get our picture taken in front of the castle and have it framed or something instead of spending all that money on a ceremony no one's gonna be there to attend.

 

[CaptainShortty]

I agree with your cousin too. I feel like if you're not going to share the event of your renewal with family and friends it's not worth the money. From what you're saying I think a great dinner at somewhere like Victoria & Alberts or California Grill would be really memorable.

As far as pictures, have you looked into doing a private portrait session with one of the Disney photographers? Check out this link... http://www.disneyeventphotography.com/portraits/

They'll do private portrait sessions with you in either the hotels or somewhere else on property (depending on how much you want to spend). They're the same photographers that do the Disney weddings so you know they'll come out good. Just something to consider to make the night extra special.

 

[Steve-B]

I agree with your cousin too. I feel like if you're not going to share the event of your renewal with family and friends it's not worth the money. From what you're saying I think a great dinner at somewhere like Victoria & Alberts or California Grill would be really memorable.

As far as pictures, have you looked into doing a private portrait session with one of the Disney photographers? Check out this link... http://www.disneyeventphotography.com/portraits/

They'll do private portrait sessions with you in either the hotels or somewhere else on property (depending on how much you want to spend). They're the same photographers that do the Disney weddings so you know they'll come out good. Just something to consider to make the night extra special.

Add my vote to your cousin's idea - as a matter of fact, I may try to do the private portrait session for our upcoming 30th anniversary (2015). At least I have plenty of time to plan and save up for it.

 

[Frau Farbissina]

The more I think about it, the more I'm leaning that way. I'm thinking we could do dinner at some really nice place like Victoria and Albert's or something and then get our picture taken in front of the castle and have it framed or something instead of spending all that money on a ceremony no one's gonna be there to attend.

I love this idea. My husband and I always have a date night at WDW. We usually go out to eat someplace not as kid friendly and then head over to the parks for a few hours.

If Victoria and Albert's doesn't work for you, I've heard great things about the Bull and the Bear at the Waldorf. It's close by and probably costs less. Also, I really want to go there myself so if you could go and then come back and tell me about it, that would be great. :ROFLOL:

Here's a review from Disney Food Blog: http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2011/06/22/review-new-menu-at-bull-and-bear-steakhouse/

Swoon.

 

[ScoutN]

If you don't do it then ten years from now will you look back in regret and wish you would have just done it regardless of if any others were there or not?

 

[britdaw]

I agree with your cousin too. I feel like if you're not going to share the event of your renewal with family and friends it's not worth the money. From what you're saying I think a great dinner at somewhere like Victoria & Alberts or California Grill would be really memorable.

As far as pictures, have you looked into doing a private portrait session with one of the Disney photographers? Check out this link... http://www.disneyeventphotography.com/portraits/

They'll do private portrait sessions with you in either the hotels or somewhere else on property (depending on how much you want to spend). They're the same photographers that do the Disney weddings so you know they'll come out good. Just something to consider to make the night extra special.

Oooh, nice idea! I hadn't looked into doing that. Thanks for the link!

It's definitely something I have time to think about. We may do it anyway, but it is a lot of money we could be spending on stuff for our kids or our neice and nephew... We'll see.

 

[disneylemons]

I vote on the cousin's idea!

 

[wilkeliza]

I think do the nice dinner and get pictures taken through Photopass or use the money you save to hire a photographer to come along. I'm sure there are some great young photographers in Orlando that could give you high quality photos if you are worried about photopass quality.

Just an idea but if it is just you and your husband at this point and no family why no choose your favorite spot in the Magic Kingdom and just do the vowel renewal yourself? I think it would be romantic to be dressed up and whispers your vowels to each other or even heck just say them to each other in your favorite spot. That way you are somewhere you both love and still recommitting yourself to each other but not having to worry about how much you spent for no one to show up.

 

[britdaw]

Just an idea but if it is just you and your husband at this point and no family why no choose your favorite spot in the Magic Kingdom and just do the vowel renewal yourself? I think it would be romantic to be dressed up and whispers your vowels to each other or even heck just say them to each other in your favorite spot. That way you are somewhere you both love and still recommitting yourself to each other but not having to worry about how much you spent for no one to show up.

That would be really nice. That's a sweet idea; thank you for the advice! I may use that...