Question regarding eternal bond and differing plans

So my partner and I have both completed the eternal bond quest up until the point of scheduling our ceremony using the "free" version of the promise bracelets. Unbeknownst to me, my partner purchased the gold version of the plan so that he could surprise me with the draft chocobo, not knowing about the forced downgrade if I remain on the free plan. Now, my question is this: will I need to upgrade to the gold plan in order to get our items, or is it too late since we're already 3/4 through the quest? It's one thing for us to be out the $10, but I would hate to spend an additional $10 in an attempt to remedy his mistake, only to be out that money as well. I have attempted to contact support, both in game and out, and they have been incredibly unhelpful (only redirected me to other avenues without actually answering my question). Appreciate any feedback!

Sorry, but you both need to start the quest at the same level, otherwise it's automatically downgraded as you've found out and by then it is too late to do anything other than start over.

I appreciate that it's not much help to you now, but they do actually warn this on the Eternal Bonding pricing page: http://www.finalfantasyxiv.com/etern...?lng=en&rgn=na

So yes, you basically need to completely start over (abandon quests, throw away the wristlets and buy new ones).

Sorry I don't have better news :(