December 22, 2023 • 27 mins
Kris and Vanessa had the chance to attend the vow renewal of their friends, Shane and Sharli, which was held at Port Orleans-Riverside with a reception at Animal Kingdom. Hear all about their amazing trip and tips on how to plan your own event with Disney Fairy Tale Weddings (DFTW).
- Sharli's Instagram Account where photos will be posted soon
- Fairy Tale Weddings Guide from Carrie Hayward
- DisLove Episode 70 Interview with Carrie Hayward and Kris and Vanessa's DFTW experience.
- Kris and Vanessa's wedding report on the DisBoards
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Vanessa Ferguson (00:04):
Welcome to the Dislo Podcast with Vanessa and
Kris.
I'm Vanessa Ferguson.
Kris Johns (00:08):
I'm Kris Johns.
Vanessa Ferguson (00:09):
We would like to welcome you to show number
140 and for any listenersjoining us for the first time.
Our show features things welove at Disney and in each
episode we have a guest whocreates Disney magic for our
listeners at home or on theirDisney vacations.
From vacation planners toproduct producers, our guests
can bring Disney magic into yourlife.
Sometimes we have specialguests which we will be having
(00:30):
later today.
As a reminder to our listeners,we appreciate if you take time
to leave us a review on ApplePodcast or any other platform
where you listen.
That helps the show grow andhelps new listeners find us.
On today's show, we are going tobe joined by our friends Shane
and Sharli.
You've probably heard themmentioned off and on if you're a
longtime listener.
(00:51):
They are a Dallas couple,they're both annual pass holders
, they're DVC members, they gotmarried at Disney and we're
going to be talking about theiramazing vow renewal that they
just had a few weeks ago.
I always have to add in I loveto add in tags about people's
pets and they have a really cutedog named Luther.
We'd like to welcome Shane andSharli to the show.
Sharli (01:13):
Hi, thank you guys so much for having us.
Vanessa Ferguson (01:17):
Now, anyone who's listened to the show knows
that we always like to startout with a icebreaker to find
out what are some things thatour guests enjoy about the
Disney parks.
So right now we've been askingpeople what is your favorite
special event at any Disney park?
Shane (01:35):
Well, my favorite event is the Christmas party.
We're usually there during thistime of year, so we love to go
to that.
We also have done the Halloweenparty, which is another
favorite.
So that's for me.
What is your?
Sharli (01:52):
I mean, the parties are the best because we normally do
not roof drop, so we go sleep in.
And then this year we had theopportunity to do jollywood
nights and this is their year,so we were able to go to that.
Shane (02:09):
We think that one might be a new favorite.
Vanessa Ferguson (02:11):
Yes, yeah, we are bummed that we missed out on
that.
For sure Next year.
Right Now we have you both onthe show because we had a chance
to attend your vow renewal acouple weeks ago, which was at
Disney.
And, before we talk about thedetails, what led you to have a
vow renewal at Disney?
Shane (02:32):
Well, like you mentioned, we got married there 10 years
ago.
There's a little bit of a storybehind that.
I'd always actually dreamedabout having a Disney wedding.
I never told anybody, but whenShane mentioned it I was like,
don't say we can't do it becauseyou can't take it back now.
(02:53):
So we got married there 10years ago.
We had so much fun, our guestshad a great time, everybody has
really great memories about thewedding, and so we just decided
we wanted to do it all overagain.
Sharli (03:09):
And, being that we're newly well DVC members, we had
the opportunity to provide hotelrooms for our family and
friends and that was helpful forthem to come and help us
celebrate our 10-year vowrenewal.
I suggested getting married atDisney World because I grew up
(03:30):
outside of Disneyland inCalifornia, so I saw the
Disneyland fireworks growing upas a kid and I just loved
sharing that magical experiencewith with all my family and
friends.
And now my wife, Sharli, 10years, happily married.
Vanessa Ferguson (03:46):
And I have to add, when you were talking about
your guests still talking aboutit I know that's something that
we talk about all the time.
Now that we've had a vowrenewal in our wedding, we still
have people talking about thatjust went to the wedding or went
to both, and it's just amazingwhat an impact those experiences
leave on your guests.
Shane (04:04):
It truly is One of our guests for the wedding.
She had told me I had mentionedwanting to do a vow renewal,
like the week after we got backfrom our honeymoon, and she said
you won't have to ask me twice,I will definitely be there.
And she was.
And she said that as far as hertop weddings go, we actually
(04:29):
hold her first and second placeVal Renewal.
First place wedding was secondplace and then only followed by
her own wedding, which I thinkis really funny.
Vanessa Ferguson (04:40):
Now we've alluded about your Val Renewal,
but could you tell us a littlebit about your Val Renewal
itself?
Shane (04:47):
Sure, we had the ceremony at the Oak Manor Lawn at Porter
Lane's Riverside.
We did the pre-reception at theRombie train station and the
reception was the Festival ofthe Lion King Theater in Animal
Kingdom.
And then we also did a ridemix-in for our guests on Flight
(05:07):
of Passage.
So quite, it's a lot of walking, I will say that, but I don't
think anybody minded all thewalking, Maybe before we had a
welcome event and that was atHollywood Studios and everybody
got to see Fantastic.
Vanessa Ferguson (05:26):
Now we had a chance to be guests as well.
So I know we'll kind of tellsome of our experiences and what
it was like, and I will addwhere your friend said, I will
say that your Val Renewalsurpassed our wedding of our
renewal for sure.
Kris Johns (05:40):
Oh, definitely.
Vanessa Ferguson (05:41):
Hopefully none of our guests are listening.
Shane (05:43):
I wonder, since you're also a Disney bride.
Vanessa Ferguson (05:46):
Well, hopefully none of our guests are
listening and I hope they don'tlook at the pictures that I
post.
Yeah, they're not Now.
We always like to find out.
You've had this experience.
But looking back, or foranybody who might be interested
in doing it themselves, whatwould you say are your tips,
your regrets and your must do's?
So three parts your tips, yourregrets and your must do's.
Shane (06:09):
So I'm gonna say that my talk tip, the main thing that I
would tell any bride who islooking to get married at Disney
or have a Val Renewal be reallypatient with your coordinators,
your planner, the assistant andthe floral planner.
They are working on severalevents at the same time.
(06:31):
They may not respond to youright this second.
It may even be the next day ortwo days later.
Just, I am a very patientperson.
I try to be when it comes toanyone who works in a service
type job, and that is what theyare doing, and they're helping a
(06:54):
lot of other brides.
Your event may be six monthsdown the line, but they're
dealing with people whose eventsare that day or that week or
that month.
So try and remember that andtry and have a little patience
with them.
They don't get back to youquite as soon as you had hoped.
And then I would also say save,save, save your money.
(07:18):
We ended up having a largerbudget than we anticipated due
to the number of guests.
We were not anticipating havingas many guests as we had.
We only anticipated havingabout as many as we had at our
wedding, which was like 18, Ithink it was 20.
20.
And so this time we doubledthat.
(07:39):
We had almost 50 guests.
So just make sure you're saving, saving, saving.
And a tip on the saving is, ifyou have a Disney Visa credit
card, put it on that and you'llget your 1% rewards.
Sharli (07:55):
And that's how we paid for our trip actually and for me
, our original wedding was on aSunday and our Val Renewal was
on a Friday and I had a littlebit of a sticker shock on how
much a DJ cost on a Sundayversus a Friday or a Saturday.
So that would be my only thing.
(08:15):
Not that I would change the daythat we got married.
We did actually the Val Renewalon our actual wedding day.
I wouldn't change that, butjust know that the DJ is going
to be more expensive on a Friday, saturday In December.
In December because of theholiday parties no-transcript.
Shane (08:36):
And then other tips.
I would say you know, make sureyou have transportation for
your guest.
That's a big, big thing.
I would say that's a must.
That goes under the musties.
I don't really have any regrets, I'm not going to lie, even
like even doubling, tripling ourbudget.
(08:56):
We have zero regrets onanything that we spent money on.
So I would say a must is tohave transportation for your
guest.
I know it and I know it's extra, but I would do a park shoot If
you, if you can swing it, dothe park shoot.
We did a magic kingdom andHollywood Studios for our
(09:18):
wedding and then this time wedecided to complete our
collection of parks and we didEpcot and Animal Kingdom,
especially since that's where wehad our events.
And everyone talks about howgreat it is to be in the park
when there's no one there.
But and that is great, that's athat's a wonderful thing.
(09:38):
But my favorite thing wasactually being in the park
before anyone was there, with myspouse.
We had so much fun.
We're just laughing.
You can tell we're having funin a lot of the photos, or at
least I hope we haven't quitegotten all those back yet.
Vanessa Ferguson (09:53):
Now Kris hasn't heard, but we have done
all three parks.
Well, we've done HollywoodStudios, magic Kingdom and Epcot
, but we haven't done AnimalKingdom, and I will say, your
Animal Kingdom, the few picturesI've saw so far.
Kris, better get ready.
At some point we're going tohave to have some photos there
too.
Shane (10:11):
I'm telling you and shout out to Maddie Maddie was our
photographer and she was someonewho the Disney Fine Art
Photography selected for usbecause our the photographer we
had selected wasn't availablefor both days and none of our
(10:34):
other none of the other threethat we selected were available
at all.
So they selected her for us andshe was just fantastic to work
with.
Her name is Maddie M-A-D-I.
Kris Johns (10:48):
Now just to shift a little bit, let's just talk
about what are some of thetouches, that Disney Magic that
you put on a special day.
Shane (10:57):
We had, of course, the ride, mix and flight of passage
Several characters.
We had Donald, goofy, mickeyand Minnie, which I will do
every single time, especiallywhen there's kids there.
The kids just love seeing thecharacters in person.
And then we did a photobackdrop with a neon sign and I
(11:21):
was really surprised that theylet us have that inside the
Festival of the Lion King,because I had heard kind of
differing information on that.
But they actually made the signfor us and we got to bring it
home.
So maybe not a touch of magicfor everybody else, but a touch
of magic for me personally.
I get to keep that sign.
Sharli (11:43):
And really that sign.
Everybody took a photo from thesign as they came into the
reception area.
We did have a photo guest book,but I kind of regret I didn't
make an announcement becausesome of the people did not take
a picture, but now we'll have apicture with everybody because
of that photo backdrop.
Shane (12:05):
And Disney magic.
Sharli (12:07):
I mean really the Luther .
We had a little Luther, our dogLuther.
We had Starley had a littlereplica made of him and we put
it on the cake.
I had to run it over to theGrand Floridian and drop it off
and the bakery was able to putit on the cake.
And that's just a nice littlehidden touch because we had it
(12:29):
on the back of the cake so noteverybody got to see it, but we
knew he was there, we had achance for our vow renewal.
Vanessa Ferguson (12:36):
We put because at that point we had had four
animals, so we had paw printswith their names.
And it's funny how Disney justmakes those little touches.
Two of them were cats and twowere dogs and Disney made the
paw prints to look like a dogpaw print versus a cat paw print
.
So those are just the littlethings that they really pay
attention to that detail.
Shane (12:57):
Yes, they do.
That is adorable, by the way.
You need to see a picture ofthat.
Vanessa Ferguson (13:01):
Yeah, I'll dig one out for you, okay.
Kris Johns (13:05):
Now you mentioned all these awesome things that
you did.
What was your favorite moment?
Sharli (13:10):
For me, easily was the first look, Because I never saw
Starley's dress.
So being able to see her, theyhad us come out and I
immediately started cryingbecause she was so beautiful.
And it's just that nice specialmoment where just the two of us
(13:33):
and other people gawking on thebalcony, yeah, yeah, we had a
little bit of an audience.
It was nice, yeah, that wasfunny.
Shane (13:43):
I think my favorite moment was, I don't you know,
it's.
It's hard, it's actually hardfor me to say, because
everything was so.
It went by so fast.
I wish I had seen people'sfaces when they realized they
(14:09):
were getting to go on flight ofpassage.
I think that was a really bigthing we had.
One of our friends wasdescribing their like the
reactions, as everyone was kindof walking into that area and
realizing what was what wasgoing on.
So I kind of wish I had seenthat.
(14:30):
Maybe that's a regret, buthonestly, my favorite part isn't
even on the day of the FowlerNouveau.
My favorite part was reallytaking the photos in the park
with Shane like, and we werejust, you know, doing our thing
and having a good time.
(14:51):
We were walking around and just, I think that's my favorite
part.
It was a, it was a certainfeeling that I got that day that
I that I didn't have in the inthe hustle and bustle of the day
of the Fowler Nouveau.
Sharli (15:07):
Yeah, also having Reverend Kevin Knox as our
officiant.
He was just the best.
We had him our original weddingand we were able to get him for
our Fowler Nouveau, so havinghim there and doing our ceremony
for us was very, very nice.
Sharli's beautiful dress.
I love it.
Vanessa Ferguson (15:29):
Now we've talked so much about the details
about your big day.
Is there anywhere that peoplecan see more about your Vowler
Nouveau?
Shane (15:40):
So since it was so such a short time ago, we haven't
quite gotten all the photos backyet.
Eventually I will be postingthose on my Instagram page,
which is CharlieGirl3377.
That'sC-H-A-R-L-I-E-G-I-R-L-3377 and
(16:02):
it's all over case.
It's a public.
It's public my Instagram.
So once I get more photos back,I'll almost likely be posting
quite a few on there.
Other than that, I really don'thave any public places for
(16:23):
anyone to see.
Vanessa, you're more thanwelcome to post any photos that
you'd like Once I like.
I said, once I get those back.
But as far as resources forDisney weddings, the disc boards
are a really great place.
They have planning journalsthere for weddings and then they
(16:46):
also have Disney has theirwedding website, which is Disney
Fairytale Weddings.
Oh my goodness, you would thinkI would know this by now.
Vanessa Ferguson (17:02):
And then I'll also link to Carrie Hayward her
book, and we've had her as aguest on the show before, so
I'll link back to her show inthe show notes as well as her
website.
And then I'll make sure foryour Instagram.
I'll post it in our show notesand then, like you mentioned, as
you share new photos and all ofthose different images come in,
(17:25):
we'll make sure to tag you indifferent posts so that way
people can see all about yourbig day.
And I have to add, with thedisc boards way back, I mean, we
got married in 2008.
So I was doing planning in 2007.
And I had a really big planningjournal on there and for our
one anniversary I had Kris haveit printed because I wanted to
be able to keep it, becausethere's so many great memories
(17:47):
and it's neat to be able tofollow people's journeys on
there.
That's awesome, that's reallyawesome.
Shane (17:53):
Yeah, I have a planning journal on there for a wedding
from 2013.
And Carrie's book that youmentioned that was a huge help
to me.
I actually purchased it in 2012.
Yeah, it was 2012.
And I purchased the paper backand so this time around I
(18:17):
actually got to utilize thedigital version and that was so
great because it has the chartin the back where you can put in
the numbers and it'llautomatically update all the
pricing and you can get a reallygood indication of pricing for
(18:40):
that stuff.
I did find the floral a littlebit difficult, but that's
because I wanted something thatwas completely different than
what was in all the paperworkthat you get from Disney.
I know that probably doesn'tmake sense, but if you're
planning a wedding, you'lldefinitely see, You'll
(19:02):
definitely understand, becausethey have a set bouquet and they
have a price for that.
But that's not what I actuallydid my own bouquet.
So floral was a little bit ofan enigma to me for a while, but
her book is amazing.
Vanessa Ferguson (19:24):
Well, and we'll make sure, like I said,
I'll put a link to it in theshow notes and I will say I
think it's so great to be ableto hear your story because we
were privileged enough to beguests and we had such an
amazing time.
Kris Johns (19:37):
It was the best party I've ever attended.
Vanessa Ferguson (19:39):
Yes, first, and he's not just saying that it
is and we've been.
Everybody that we've seen sincewe've been home has asked us
and we've said the same thing.
But I also have to say thatit's nice because we've shared
our story about our wedding andour vow renewal.
But to hear from another coupleso our listeners can hear how
great these are, and really Ithink the show that has been on
(20:01):
Disney Plus kind of skewspeople's view.
You don't get to see what thosereal experiences are for the
average couple.
So I think it's great to hearfrom you.
Shane (20:11):
I agree that every time when I would tell people, oh, we
got married at Disney, or likewe're having a vow renewal at
Disney, they're like, oh my gosh, you must be like super rich.
And I'm like it's not like,it's not like the TV show.
And they have, they havebudgets for every.
(20:32):
I agree, or I should say theyhave.
They have options for everybudget is what I'm trying to say
.
And you can have a ceremony anda cake cutting right on up to
(20:55):
you.
Know, nick Cannon and MariahCarey level things.
Like it's insane.
And while we did spend morethan we thought we were going to
, it's like I said, I have zeroregret in any of it.
It was worth every single pennyJust to see the the everyone
(21:19):
having such a good time.
That was I kept saying thatthrough the whole weekend.
It was so.
It meant so much to me that Icould share, that I could share
the time with with you guys,like you guys are Disney people,
you know.
But but our friends who haven'tbeen to Disney or haven't been
(21:40):
to Disney in a really long time,it was so great to see them.
Their expectations were justnot there and we blew their mind
with everything.
And that was just.
It was worth it.
The best party ever.
(22:03):
The best party ever.
Kris Johns (22:07):
Well, I mean I don't go to a lot of parties so of
the other parties I've been toyears was the best but it makes
me happy to hear you say that,like I get joy from giving joy
to other people.
Sharli (22:21):
And I would like to mention our DJ, dj Steve yeah.
Shane (22:26):
DJ Steve was great.
Sharli (22:27):
Everybody.
He had everybody dancing andwe're not really dancers, but we
were all dancing.
Shane (22:32):
Yeah, I will also say this about Disney.
Every single person from thewedding, from the vow renewal,
whether they work for Disneyspecifically or whether they are
an outside vendor, they areamazing.
We did our invitations and allof our paper goods through
(22:54):
themes come true, which ShellyLamar is the owner of that.
She is spectacular.
Her vision and creativity areunsurpassed in paper goods.
As far as I'm concerned.
She did such a great job withall of that the table signs and
the escort cards and everythingand the invitations the
(23:20):
invitations.
She did all of that.
I actually took my dress, hadflowers on it and I drew them
out on a piece of paper and Isent it over to her and she took
that and ran with it.
She just had them everywhereand it was just a.
It was a great thing to see allof that come to life.
(23:43):
That was the one thing I tearedup.
That was walking into thereception space and seeing all
of that stuff just come to lifeand that was really great.
I've made friends with myplanner and planning assistant
(24:03):
from our wedding at our vowrenewal because we bonded with
them so much that I just webecame friends.
So I can't speak highly enoughof Disney.
If you are, like I said, justtry to be patient and be kind to
them, be kind to all the castmembers.
(24:24):
They put up with a lot and youknow you might get a friend out
of it.
Vanessa Ferguson (24:34):
That's true For sure.
Well, thank you so much forjoining us today on this episode
.
We appreciate hearing yourstory and we're excited to share
more photos and differentthings.
So thank you so much, Shane andSharlie.
Shane (24:48):
Oh, you're welcome.
Thank you for having us.
Kris Johns (24:52):
Thanks again to Shane and Sharli for joining us
today.
Vanessa Ferguson (24:55):
And now we are on to our two-minute trivia and
our wisdom from Walt Quote, andKris, you are up with trivia.
Kris Johns (25:01):
Well, our friends Shane and Sharli.
They're from Texas, true, andwe have a lot of trivia
questions and so there's only somany things we can ask, so this
is a Texas-inspired triviaquestion.
Vanessa Ferguson (25:15):
About Disney.
Kris Johns (25:16):
About Disney and I.
You'd be surprised.
No, there's not much.
Texas trivia About Disney.
Yes, this ride, located inTomorrowland, was given its
current name in 1994 andfeatures futuristic vehicles
(25:36):
flying around a central platform.
What is the name of this ride?
Vanessa Ferguson (25:43):
Okay, I know the name, but I'm curious are
you going to tell us how itconnects to Texas?
I will Astro Orbiter.
Kris Johns (25:49):
Correct and how this has a connection to Texas is
that supposedly the AstroOrbiter was inspired by the
Houston Astros.
Vanessa Ferguson (26:02):
Oh wow, that's interesting.
Kris Johns (26:04):
No, granted, our friends are not from Houston,
but there is no Dallas-relatedDisney trivia that I could find,
so this is the best you'regoing to get for Texas.
Vanessa Ferguson (26:12):
Well, you surprised me.
I actually thought you wouldhave done wedding trivia.
Kris Johns (26:15):
And the other Texas trivia.
If we type in Disney, Texas is,will Disney build a park in
Texas?
And the answer is no.
Vanessa Ferguson (26:25):
Well, very interesting, all right.
So I thought it would be greatto end with a quote that kind of
talks about fairy tales and allthat sort of thing.
So this is a quote from WaltDisney.
Here is the world ofimagination, hopes and dreams
and this timeless land ofenchantment, the age of chivalry
.
Magic and make-believe arereborn and fairy tales come true
(26:47):
.
So hopefully some of you get achance to maybe be a guest at a
Disney fairy tale wedding eventor maybe even plan your next
event.
We'll put some links in theshow notes with some resources
to help you plan your fairy taleday.
And thank you so much forjoining us on this episode of
the Dizzle Podcast with Vanessaand Kris.
(27:07):
I'm Vanessa.
Kris Johns (27:10):
And I'm Kris.
This podcast is not affiliatedwith the Walt Disney Company or
its holdings, and it is intendedfor entertainment purposes only
.
Welcome to the Dislo Podcast with Vanessa and
Kris.
I'm Vanessa Ferguson.
Kris Johns (00:08):
I'm Kris Johns.
Vanessa Ferguson (00:09):
We would like to welcome you to show number
140 and for any listenersjoining us for the first time.
Our show features things welove at Disney and in each
episode we have a guest whocreates Disney magic for our
listeners at home or on theirDisney vacations.
From vacation planners toproduct producers, our guests
can bring Disney magic into yourlife.
Sometimes we have specialguests which we will be having
(00:30):
later today.
As a reminder to our listeners,we appreciate if you take time
to leave us a review on ApplePodcast or any other platform
where you listen.
That helps the show grow andhelps new listeners find us.
On today's show, we are going tobe joined by our friends Shane
and Sharli.
You've probably heard themmentioned off and on if you're a
longtime listener.
(00:51):
They are a Dallas couple,they're both annual pass holders
, they're DVC members, they gotmarried at Disney and we're
going to be talking about theiramazing vow renewal that they
just had a few weeks ago.
I always have to add in I loveto add in tags about people's
pets and they have a really cutedog named Luther.
We'd like to welcome Shane andSharli to the show.
Sharli (01:13):
Hi, thank you guys so much for having us.
Vanessa Ferguson (01:17):
Now, anyone who's listened to the show knows
that we always like to startout with a icebreaker to find
out what are some things thatour guests enjoy about the
Disney parks.
So right now we've been askingpeople what is your favorite
special event at any Disney park?
Shane (01:35):
Well, my favorite event is the Christmas party.
We're usually there during thistime of year, so we love to go
to that.
We also have done the Halloweenparty, which is another
favorite.
So that's for me.
What is your?
Sharli (01:52):
I mean, the parties are the best because we normally do
not roof drop, so we go sleep in.
And then this year we had theopportunity to do jollywood
nights and this is their year,so we were able to go to that.
Shane (02:09):
We think that one might be a new favorite.
Vanessa Ferguson (02:11):
Yes, yeah, we are bummed that we missed out on
that.
For sure Next year.
Right Now we have you both onthe show because we had a chance
to attend your vow renewal acouple weeks ago, which was at
Disney.
And, before we talk about thedetails, what led you to have a
vow renewal at Disney?
Shane (02:32):
Well, like you mentioned, we got married there 10 years
ago.
There's a little bit of a storybehind that.
I'd always actually dreamedabout having a Disney wedding.
I never told anybody, but whenShane mentioned it I was like,
don't say we can't do it becauseyou can't take it back now.
(02:53):
So we got married there 10years ago.
We had so much fun, our guestshad a great time, everybody has
really great memories about thewedding, and so we just decided
we wanted to do it all overagain.
Sharli (03:09):
And, being that we're newly well DVC members, we had
the opportunity to provide hotelrooms for our family and
friends and that was helpful forthem to come and help us
celebrate our 10-year vowrenewal.
I suggested getting married atDisney World because I grew up
(03:30):
outside of Disneyland inCalifornia, so I saw the
Disneyland fireworks growing upas a kid and I just loved
sharing that magical experiencewith with all my family and
friends.
And now my wife, Sharli, 10years, happily married.
Vanessa Ferguson (03:46):
And I have to add, when you were talking about
your guests still talking aboutit I know that's something that
we talk about all the time.
Now that we've had a vowrenewal in our wedding, we still
have people talking about thatjust went to the wedding or went
to both, and it's just amazingwhat an impact those experiences
leave on your guests.
Shane (04:04):
It truly is One of our guests for the wedding.
She had told me I had mentionedwanting to do a vow renewal,
like the week after we got backfrom our honeymoon, and she said
you won't have to ask me twice,I will definitely be there.
And she was.
And she said that as far as hertop weddings go, we actually
(04:29):
hold her first and second placeVal Renewal.
First place wedding was secondplace and then only followed by
her own wedding, which I thinkis really funny.
Vanessa Ferguson (04:40):
Now we've alluded about your Val Renewal,
but could you tell us a littlebit about your Val Renewal
itself?
Shane (04:47):
Sure, we had the ceremony at the Oak Manor Lawn at Porter
Lane's Riverside.
We did the pre-reception at theRombie train station and the
reception was the Festival ofthe Lion King Theater in Animal
Kingdom.
And then we also did a ridemix-in for our guests on Flight
(05:07):
of Passage.
So quite, it's a lot of walking, I will say that, but I don't
think anybody minded all thewalking, Maybe before we had a
welcome event and that was atHollywood Studios and everybody
got to see Fantastic.
Vanessa Ferguson (05:26):
Now we had a chance to be guests as well.
So I know we'll kind of tellsome of our experiences and what
it was like, and I will addwhere your friend said, I will
say that your Val Renewalsurpassed our wedding of our
renewal for sure.
Kris Johns (05:40):
Oh, definitely.
Vanessa Ferguson (05:41):
Hopefully none of our guests are listening.
Shane (05:43):
I wonder, since you're also a Disney bride.
Vanessa Ferguson (05:46):
Well, hopefully none of our guests are
listening and I hope they don'tlook at the pictures that I
post.
Yeah, they're not Now.
We always like to find out.
You've had this experience.
But looking back, or foranybody who might be interested
in doing it themselves, whatwould you say are your tips,
your regrets and your must do's?
So three parts your tips, yourregrets and your must do's.
Shane (06:09):
So I'm gonna say that my talk tip, the main thing that I
would tell any bride who islooking to get married at Disney
or have a Val Renewal be reallypatient with your coordinators,
your planner, the assistant andthe floral planner.
They are working on severalevents at the same time.
(06:31):
They may not respond to youright this second.
It may even be the next day ortwo days later.
Just, I am a very patientperson.
I try to be when it comes toanyone who works in a service
type job, and that is what theyare doing, and they're helping a
(06:54):
lot of other brides.
Your event may be six monthsdown the line, but they're
dealing with people whose eventsare that day or that week or
that month.
So try and remember that andtry and have a little patience
with them.
They don't get back to youquite as soon as you had hoped.
And then I would also say save,save, save your money.
(07:18):
We ended up having a largerbudget than we anticipated due
to the number of guests.
We were not anticipating havingas many guests as we had.
We only anticipated havingabout as many as we had at our
wedding, which was like 18, Ithink it was 20.
20.
And so this time we doubledthat.
(07:39):
We had almost 50 guests.
So just make sure you're saving, saving, saving.
And a tip on the saving is, ifyou have a Disney Visa credit
card, put it on that and you'llget your 1% rewards.
Sharli (07:55):
And that's how we paid for our trip actually and for me
, our original wedding was on aSunday and our Val Renewal was
on a Friday and I had a littlebit of a sticker shock on how
much a DJ cost on a Sundayversus a Friday or a Saturday.
So that would be my only thing.
(08:15):
Not that I would change the daythat we got married.
We did actually the Val Renewalon our actual wedding day.
I wouldn't change that, butjust know that the DJ is going
to be more expensive on a Friday, saturday In December.
In December because of theholiday parties no-transcript.
Shane (08:36):
And then other tips.
I would say you know, make sureyou have transportation for
your guest.
That's a big, big thing.
I would say that's a must.
That goes under the musties.
I don't really have any regrets, I'm not going to lie, even
like even doubling, tripling ourbudget.
(08:56):
We have zero regrets onanything that we spent money on.
So I would say a must is tohave transportation for your
guest.
I know it and I know it's extra, but I would do a park shoot If
you, if you can swing it, dothe park shoot.
We did a magic kingdom andHollywood Studios for our
(09:18):
wedding and then this time wedecided to complete our
collection of parks and we didEpcot and Animal Kingdom,
especially since that's where wehad our events.
And everyone talks about howgreat it is to be in the park
when there's no one there.
But and that is great, that's athat's a wonderful thing.
(09:38):
But my favorite thing wasactually being in the park
before anyone was there, with myspouse.
We had so much fun.
We're just laughing.
You can tell we're having funin a lot of the photos, or at
least I hope we haven't quitegotten all those back yet.
Vanessa Ferguson (09:53):
Now Kris hasn't heard, but we have done
all three parks.
Well, we've done HollywoodStudios, magic Kingdom and Epcot
, but we haven't done AnimalKingdom, and I will say, your
Animal Kingdom, the few picturesI've saw so far.
Kris, better get ready.
At some point we're going tohave to have some photos there
too.
Shane (10:11):
I'm telling you and shout out to Maddie Maddie was our
photographer and she was someonewho the Disney Fine Art
Photography selected for usbecause our the photographer we
had selected wasn't availablefor both days and none of our
(10:34):
other none of the other threethat we selected were available
at all.
So they selected her for us andshe was just fantastic to work
with.
Her name is Maddie M-A-D-I.
Kris Johns (10:48):
Now just to shift a little bit, let's just talk
about what are some of thetouches, that Disney Magic that
you put on a special day.
Shane (10:57):
We had, of course, the ride, mix and flight of passage
Several characters.
We had Donald, goofy, mickeyand Minnie, which I will do
every single time, especiallywhen there's kids there.
The kids just love seeing thecharacters in person.
And then we did a photobackdrop with a neon sign and I
(11:21):
was really surprised that theylet us have that inside the
Festival of the Lion King,because I had heard kind of
differing information on that.
But they actually made the signfor us and we got to bring it
home.
So maybe not a touch of magicfor everybody else, but a touch
of magic for me personally.
I get to keep that sign.
Sharli (11:43):
And really that sign.
Everybody took a photo from thesign as they came into the
reception area.
We did have a photo guest book,but I kind of regret I didn't
make an announcement becausesome of the people did not take
a picture, but now we'll have apicture with everybody because
of that photo backdrop.
Shane (12:05):
And Disney magic.
Sharli (12:07):
I mean really the Luther .
We had a little Luther, our dogLuther.
We had Starley had a littlereplica made of him and we put
it on the cake.
I had to run it over to theGrand Floridian and drop it off
and the bakery was able to putit on the cake.
And that's just a nice littlehidden touch because we had it
(12:29):
on the back of the cake so noteverybody got to see it, but we
knew he was there, we had achance for our vow renewal.
Vanessa Ferguson (12:36):
We put because at that point we had had four
animals, so we had paw printswith their names.
And it's funny how Disney justmakes those little touches.
Two of them were cats and twowere dogs and Disney made the
paw prints to look like a dogpaw print versus a cat paw print
.
So those are just the littlethings that they really pay
attention to that detail.
Shane (12:57):
Yes, they do.
That is adorable, by the way.
You need to see a picture ofthat.
Vanessa Ferguson (13:01):
Yeah, I'll dig one out for you, okay.
Kris Johns (13:05):
Now you mentioned all these awesome things that
you did.
What was your favorite moment?
Sharli (13:10):
For me, easily was the first look, Because I never saw
Starley's dress.
So being able to see her, theyhad us come out and I
immediately started cryingbecause she was so beautiful.
And it's just that nice specialmoment where just the two of us
(13:33):
and other people gawking on thebalcony, yeah, yeah, we had a
little bit of an audience.
It was nice, yeah, that wasfunny.
Shane (13:43):
I think my favorite moment was, I don't you know,
it's.
It's hard, it's actually hardfor me to say, because
everything was so.
It went by so fast.
I wish I had seen people'sfaces when they realized they
(14:09):
were getting to go on flight ofpassage.
I think that was a really bigthing we had.
One of our friends wasdescribing their like the
reactions, as everyone was kindof walking into that area and
realizing what was what wasgoing on.
So I kind of wish I had seenthat.
(14:30):
Maybe that's a regret, buthonestly, my favorite part isn't
even on the day of the FowlerNouveau.
My favorite part was reallytaking the photos in the park
with Shane like, and we werejust, you know, doing our thing
and having a good time.
(14:51):
We were walking around and just, I think that's my favorite
part.
It was a, it was a certainfeeling that I got that day that
I that I didn't have in the inthe hustle and bustle of the day
of the Fowler Nouveau.
Sharli (15:07):
Yeah, also having Reverend Kevin Knox as our
officiant.
He was just the best.
We had him our original weddingand we were able to get him for
our Fowler Nouveau, so havinghim there and doing our ceremony
for us was very, very nice.
Sharli's beautiful dress.
I love it.
Vanessa Ferguson (15:29):
Now we've talked so much about the details
about your big day.
Is there anywhere that peoplecan see more about your Vowler
Nouveau?
Shane (15:40):
So since it was so such a short time ago, we haven't
quite gotten all the photos backyet.
Eventually I will be postingthose on my Instagram page,
which is CharlieGirl3377.
That'sC-H-A-R-L-I-E-G-I-R-L-3377 and
(16:02):
it's all over case.
It's a public.
It's public my Instagram.
So once I get more photos back,I'll almost likely be posting
quite a few on there.
Other than that, I really don'thave any public places for
(16:23):
anyone to see.
Vanessa, you're more thanwelcome to post any photos that
you'd like Once I like.
I said, once I get those back.
But as far as resources forDisney weddings, the disc boards
are a really great place.
They have planning journalsthere for weddings and then they
(16:46):
also have Disney has theirwedding website, which is Disney
Fairytale Weddings.
Oh my goodness, you would thinkI would know this by now.
Vanessa Ferguson (17:02):
And then I'll also link to Carrie Hayward her
book, and we've had her as aguest on the show before, so
I'll link back to her show inthe show notes as well as her
website.
And then I'll make sure foryour Instagram.
I'll post it in our show notesand then, like you mentioned, as
you share new photos and all ofthose different images come in,
(17:25):
we'll make sure to tag you indifferent posts so that way
people can see all about yourbig day.
And I have to add, with thedisc boards way back, I mean, we
got married in 2008.
So I was doing planning in 2007.
And I had a really big planningjournal on there and for our
one anniversary I had Kris haveit printed because I wanted to
be able to keep it, becausethere's so many great memories
(17:47):
and it's neat to be able tofollow people's journeys on
there.
That's awesome, that's reallyawesome.
Shane (17:53):
Yeah, I have a planning journal on there for a wedding
from 2013.
And Carrie's book that youmentioned that was a huge help
to me.
I actually purchased it in 2012.
Yeah, it was 2012.
And I purchased the paper backand so this time around I
(18:17):
actually got to utilize thedigital version and that was so
great because it has the chartin the back where you can put in
the numbers and it'llautomatically update all the
pricing and you can get a reallygood indication of pricing for
(18:40):
that stuff.
I did find the floral a littlebit difficult, but that's
because I wanted something thatwas completely different than
what was in all the paperworkthat you get from Disney.
I know that probably doesn'tmake sense, but if you're
planning a wedding, you'lldefinitely see, You'll
(19:02):
definitely understand, becausethey have a set bouquet and they
have a price for that.
But that's not what I actuallydid my own bouquet.
So floral was a little bit ofan enigma to me for a while, but
her book is amazing.
Vanessa Ferguson (19:24):
Well, and we'll make sure, like I said,
I'll put a link to it in theshow notes and I will say I
think it's so great to be ableto hear your story because we
were privileged enough to beguests and we had such an
amazing time.
Kris Johns (19:37):
It was the best party I've ever attended.
Vanessa Ferguson (19:39):
Yes, first, and he's not just saying that it
is and we've been.
Everybody that we've seen sincewe've been home has asked us
and we've said the same thing.
But I also have to say thatit's nice because we've shared
our story about our wedding andour vow renewal.
But to hear from another coupleso our listeners can hear how
great these are, and really Ithink the show that has been on
(20:01):
Disney Plus kind of skewspeople's view.
You don't get to see what thosereal experiences are for the
average couple.
So I think it's great to hearfrom you.
Shane (20:11):
I agree that every time when I would tell people, oh, we
got married at Disney, or likewe're having a vow renewal at
Disney, they're like, oh my gosh, you must be like super rich.
And I'm like it's not like,it's not like the TV show.
And they have, they havebudgets for every.
(20:32):
I agree, or I should say theyhave.
They have options for everybudget is what I'm trying to say
.
And you can have a ceremony anda cake cutting right on up to
(20:55):
you.
Know, nick Cannon and MariahCarey level things.
Like it's insane.
And while we did spend morethan we thought we were going to
, it's like I said, I have zeroregret in any of it.
It was worth every single pennyJust to see the the everyone
(21:19):
having such a good time.
That was I kept saying thatthrough the whole weekend.
It was so.
It meant so much to me that Icould share, that I could share
the time with with you guys,like you guys are Disney people,
you know.
But but our friends who haven'tbeen to Disney or haven't been
(21:40):
to Disney in a really long time,it was so great to see them.
Their expectations were justnot there and we blew their mind
with everything.
And that was just.
It was worth it.
The best party ever.
(22:03):
The best party ever.
Kris Johns (22:07):
Well, I mean I don't go to a lot of parties so of
the other parties I've been toyears was the best but it makes
me happy to hear you say that,like I get joy from giving joy
to other people.
Sharli (22:21):
And I would like to mention our DJ, dj Steve yeah.
Shane (22:26):
DJ Steve was great.
Sharli (22:27):
Everybody.
He had everybody dancing andwe're not really dancers, but we
were all dancing.
Shane (22:32):
Yeah, I will also say this about Disney.
Every single person from thewedding, from the vow renewal,
whether they work for Disneyspecifically or whether they are
an outside vendor, they areamazing.
We did our invitations and allof our paper goods through
(22:54):
themes come true, which ShellyLamar is the owner of that.
She is spectacular.
Her vision and creativity areunsurpassed in paper goods.
As far as I'm concerned.
She did such a great job withall of that the table signs and
the escort cards and everythingand the invitations the
(23:20):
invitations.
She did all of that.
I actually took my dress, hadflowers on it and I drew them
out on a piece of paper and Isent it over to her and she took
that and ran with it.
She just had them everywhereand it was just a.
It was a great thing to see allof that come to life.
(23:43):
That was the one thing I tearedup.
That was walking into thereception space and seeing all
of that stuff just come to lifeand that was really great.
I've made friends with myplanner and planning assistant
(24:03):
from our wedding at our vowrenewal because we bonded with
them so much that I just webecame friends.
So I can't speak highly enoughof Disney.
If you are, like I said, justtry to be patient and be kind to
them, be kind to all the castmembers.
(24:24):
They put up with a lot and youknow you might get a friend out
of it.
Vanessa Ferguson (24:34):
That's true For sure.
Well, thank you so much forjoining us today on this episode
.
We appreciate hearing yourstory and we're excited to share
more photos and differentthings.
So thank you so much, Shane andSharlie.
Shane (24:48):
Oh, you're welcome.
Thank you for having us.
Kris Johns (24:52):
Thanks again to Shane and Sharli for joining us
today.
Vanessa Ferguson (24:55):
And now we are on to our two-minute trivia and
our wisdom from Walt Quote, andKris, you are up with trivia.
Kris Johns (25:01):
Well, our friends Shane and Sharli.
They're from Texas, true, andwe have a lot of trivia
questions and so there's only somany things we can ask, so this
is a Texas-inspired triviaquestion.
Vanessa Ferguson (25:15):
About Disney.
Kris Johns (25:16):
About Disney and I.
You'd be surprised.
No, there's not much.
Texas trivia About Disney.
Yes, this ride, located inTomorrowland, was given its
current name in 1994 andfeatures futuristic vehicles
(25:36):
flying around a central platform.
What is the name of this ride?
Vanessa Ferguson (25:43):
Okay, I know the name, but I'm curious are
you going to tell us how itconnects to Texas?
I will Astro Orbiter.
Kris Johns (25:49):
Correct and how this has a connection to Texas is
that supposedly the AstroOrbiter was inspired by the
Houston Astros.
Vanessa Ferguson (26:02):
Oh wow, that's interesting.
Kris Johns (26:04):
No, granted, our friends are not from Houston,
but there is no Dallas-relatedDisney trivia that I could find,
so this is the best you'regoing to get for Texas.
Vanessa Ferguson (26:12):
Well, you surprised me.
I actually thought you wouldhave done wedding trivia.
Kris Johns (26:15):
And the other Texas trivia.
If we type in Disney, Texas is,will Disney build a park in
Texas?
And the answer is no.
Vanessa Ferguson (26:25):
Well, very interesting, all right.
So I thought it would be greatto end with a quote that kind of
talks about fairy tales and allthat sort of thing.
So this is a quote from WaltDisney.
Here is the world ofimagination, hopes and dreams
and this timeless land ofenchantment, the age of chivalry
.
Magic and make-believe arereborn and fairy tales come true
(26:47):
.
So hopefully some of you get achance to maybe be a guest at a
Disney fairy tale wedding eventor maybe even plan your next
event.
We'll put some links in theshow notes with some resources
to help you plan your fairy taleday.
And thank you so much forjoining us on this episode of
the Dizzle Podcast with Vanessaand Kris.
(27:07):
I'm Vanessa.
Kris Johns (27:10):
And I'm Kris.
This podcast is not affiliatedwith the Walt Disney Company or
its holdings, and it is intendedfor entertainment purposes only
.
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