Going to Disney to get married but can't afford to be married in WDW

[Ciciwoowoo]

What a title, eh?

Yes, my fiance and I are planning on getting married November 1, 2011. We have our trip to WDW booked that week and just randomly picked the date. (11/1/11)

His family all live in the Orlando area, and mine is actually coming with us. 2nd marriage for both of us.

So...the question I have for the lovely brides (and grooms) here...

Has anyone done research on areas outside of WDW for a ceremony? I have looked up some chapels in the area but was wondering if there were other unique (and cheap) venues around town that I should check on?

I really appreciate your help, opinions, etc...

If I could fit everyone into our room, I'd just have the preacher meet us there and then it WOULD be a WDW wedding!


Oh, and I am kicking around the idea of going to the Hoop Dee Doo for our reception... Thoughts?

I anticipate around 20 people, including ourselves in that number.

 

[BecBennett]

Look into the resorts on Disney property that aren't ownedby Disney, like the swan and dolphin, the Hilton etc. Some of them offer wedding services.

 

[Chilly]

try this company, i've heard excellent things about them:

http://www.destinationoccasion.com/

 

[daisygirl902]

Can't offer advice on the actual wedding, but I went to HDDR for our wedding dinner, it was awesome!! We had 2 huge tables at the front, with 27 of us in total...we wore our wedding attire (so got picked on quite a bit during the show). You can read about it in my TR - it was a fantastic time!!

 

[KristiLyn]

Definately check out the swan and dolphin. We were exactly the same way. Wanted to get married in Disney but didn't want to spend the money. Its a great alternative! If you check out the swan and dolphin thread, I posted all of the prices broken down for everyone. My posting is towards the end with the updated prices.

We were also thinking about hoop de doo! At first we were thinking somewhere formal, but I think that would make for a wonderful memory!

Good luck!!

 

[lurkyloo]

Check out this thread for some other great off-site suggestions:

http://www.www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=39345163

 

[brer rabbit 28]

We are getting married on Fultons boat at dowtown disney. We booked with Destinations Occasions and Carrie the planner is wonderful. I had loads of questions and she was really quick to respond and very helpful.

It's also a disney wedding without the price as we are still in the disney area. Infact with the money we have saved we are having a Wishes Cruise and 2 nights in the Boadrwalk hotel.

 

[minniebride]

Swan & Dolphin future bride here!!! We are getting married next December!! We are using the company Justmarry.com & Karen Gingerich is our planner. I cannot say enough wonderful things about her!!!

One common misconception about Swan/Dolphin weddings is they are NOT just for small, casual weddings. Although our guest list is not huge (around 50-60 guests), we are having a "Wishes" style wedding for alot less money than we would have spent if we went through Disney. We are having an outdoor ceremony in a location that has a view of the Boardwalk Resort, we are having a harpist, outdoor cocktail hour, and indoor plated lunch reception in a really pretty reception room at the Swan, with a DJ and all!!

 

[Ciciwoowoo]

Look into the resorts on Disney property that aren't ownedby Disney, like the swan and dolphin, the Hilton etc. Some of them offer wedding services.

We are staying at the Boardwalk, so the Swan and Dolphin would be really close. Thanks!

try this company, i've heard excellent things about them:

http://www.destinationoccasion.com/

Love it! They look great... I'm going to email for a quote!

Can't offer advice on the actual wedding, but I went to HDDR for our wedding dinner, it was awesome!! We had 2 huge tables at the front, with 27 of us in total...we wore our wedding attire (so got picked on quite a bit during the show). You can read about it in my TR - it was a fantastic time!!

How fun!!! Thanks so much!

 

[Ciciwoowoo]

Definately check out the swan and dolphin. We were exactly the same way. Wanted to get married in Disney but didn't want to spend the money. Its a great alternative! If you check out the swan and dolphin thread, I posted all of the prices broken down for everyone. My posting is towards the end with the updated prices.

We were also thinking about hoop de doo! At first we were thinking somewhere formal, but I think that would make for a wonderful memory!

Good luck!!

KristiLyn, thank you! Good luck to you as well. I'm going to go read your planning journal now to get some tips as well!

Check out this thread for some other great off-site suggestions:

http://www.www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=39345163

Lurkyloo, I just loved reading about your wedding. I really think YOU should become a Wedding Planner!

We are getting married on Fultons boat at dowtown disney. We booked with Destinations Occasions and Carrie the planner is wonderful. I had loads of questions and she was really quick to respond and very helpful.

It's also a disney wedding without the price as we are still in the disney area. Infact with the money we have saved we are having a Wishes Cruise and 2 nights in the Boadrwalk hotel.

Fultons would be a great place to get married! Good luck with your wedding, and thank you for the recommendation!

 

[Ciciwoowoo]

Swan & Dolphin future bride here!!! We are getting married next December!! We are using the company Justmarry.com & Karen Gingerich is our planner. I cannot say enough wonderful things about her!!!

One common misconception about Swan/Dolphin weddings is they are NOT just for small, casual weddings. Although our guest list is not huge (around 50-60 guests), we are having a "Wishes" style wedding for alot less money than we would have spent if we went through Disney. We are having an outdoor ceremony in a location that has a view of the Boardwalk Resort, we are having a harpist, outdoor cocktail hour, and indoor plated lunch reception in a really pretty reception room at the Swan, with a DJ and all!!

Ohhh...I like that website too! Thank you so much!

Good luck to you!

 

[FutureMrs.B]

I don't have any advice as to your question but I wanted to congratulate you on a wonderful day for a wedding. I'm getting married on that same day! Yey us!!

 

[Miniefan]

Are you dead set on having a wedding in the WDW property area? If not then why not look into Clearwater beach, it is gorgeous!! It is really affordable too and not to far from Orlando. Just a thought for you. Congratulations!

Kim

If you are interested look up specificly Honeymoon Island State Park- Beautiful!! Its in Dunedin which is close to Tampa/ St. Petersburg, also Caladesi state park.

 

[PrincessTinker11]

Wow, we have the same wedding date! We were the same way, wanted to keep our wedding under 10K so we went with the Disney Cruise line option...we will be on a 4 night Disney Dream and getting married on there island, Castaway Cay...

Good luck with your planning!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Sorry to be boring but another Swan and Dolphin (VR) bride here!!!
I echo everything the girls have said. It would really be worth your while checking out the packages offered by JustMarry at the S/D!!! I am having everything I want (including a harpist, cake of my choosing, photographer of my choosing, photos at BLT, Boardwalk, Swan and GF and dinner reception at Citricos) for a fraction of the price I would have paid through DFTW. I, too, cannot praise Karen (my planner) highly enough. Feel free to have a look at my PJ too - the link is in my siggie!!!
Good luck whatever you decide!!

 

[Jilian]

another vote for s/d! They've been really great to work with so far.