We just returned from our magical Shades of Green Wedding and EPCOT Dessert party! Everything was perfect, even when it wasn't!
Venue- Shades of Green - We were super lucky to be able use the facility based on my husband's position within the department of defense. The grounds were immaculate and the banquet personnel did a fantastic job of securing the gazebo and setting up our guest chairs and sand ceremony table. We were given ample time to decorate and clean up. We booked a JR Suite and it was perfect! It was just steps from the gazebo. If you have the ability to utilize this facility, do not hesitate.
Hair/Makeup- Beautiful You Makeup -Sarah Wahl- I cannot tell you have unbelievably impressed we were with these ladies. They were very professional and never made us feel rushed. They redid my mother's hair three times because she is very particular and they were so calm and easy going and never once made us feel anything but 100% comfortable. They arrived early which was no problem, other than I was a little nervous about it being so long before my wedding. There was no reason for my concern, my makeup stayed ALL DAY LONG. We used the airbrush, but I am a sweater and was afraid it would all run off before the ceremony. And my hair was gorgeous!! Everyone commented on how beautiful and natural looking it was. Even my mother, who refuses to allow anyone to touch her hair, loved her hair in the end.
Dress Steaming - Carolyn Allen - They did a great job, my dress had not been steamed since it was purchased and shipped, so it was extremely wrinkled. They called to see if they could come early to work on the dress. When they were finished, it looked even more beautiful than when I tried it on in the shop.
Charter Bus - Colobus - All of our guests were staying at POP so we rented a charter bus to use for the evening. The price was very reasonable for a six hour charter. It allowed us as many trips as we wanted to and from POP to Shades and to Boardwalk (where we had dinner) and back.
Photography and Video -Randy Chapman and STVS - I haven't seen any footage, but they were both great to work with! They very unobtrusive. I didn't even know they were there half the time. They worked amazingly well together, you can tell they work together a lot and have a great chemistry. They even went with is to the Boardwalk and took photos and video there. I can't wait to see the outcome!
Dinner - Big River Grille - We had about 30 people in our party and had dinner there in the back room. Anthony, the manager, was great to work with, we had a set three course menu and did a consumption bar. I felt like it was very reasonable for the choices, some of our guests commented that it was the best meal they had eaten in Disney.
Dessert Party - Disney Special Events- This was the only disappointing aspect of our wedding weekend. It was held the night following the wedding on Sunday. It was through no fault of Disney, but because of the weather, all of my plans had to be changed at the the last minute. My even coordinator called me about an hour prior to the start to let me know because of weather the dessert portion was being moved inside. We were scheduled for UK Lochside and were moved to a VIP lounge in Norway. The room was nice, but it was not the feel I had in mind. I also felt we were rushed to get outside for the fireworks, so we were unable to have the relaxed pace I had wanted. We ended up at the what they called Mexico, but was directly behind the gift shop when you first enter the World Showcase. Let me just say, the view was AMAZING. My only problem was that our original spot had seating, which was important due to some medical issues surrounding my mother-in-law. The new area had not seating and it was very difficult for her and a couple others, especially since we were so rushed to get from the food to the viewing. If that was the worst thing that happened I consider us very lucky.
If you have any questions I would be happy to answer them!
I can't believe I forgot, but we also had a harpist.
Music - Christine McPhill - Orlando Harpist- She was OUTSTANDING!!! So wonderful to work with and such a wide variety of offerings. She added such a unique aspect to our ceremony. I had her play Disney Love songs prior to the ceremony and traditional songs during the processionals and zippity doo dah for our exit. She also sent me the sweetest note following our ceremony, you can tell she really loves what she does!
Venue- Shades of Green - We were super lucky to be able use the facility based on my husband's position within the department of defense. The grounds were immaculate and the banquet personnel did a fantastic job of securing the gazebo and setting up our guest chairs and sand ceremony table. We were given ample time to decorate and clean up. We booked a JR Suite and it was perfect! It was just steps from the gazebo. If you have the ability to utilize this facility, do not hesitate.
Hair/Makeup- Beautiful You Makeup -Sarah Wahl- I cannot tell you have unbelievably impressed we were with these ladies. They were very professional and never made us feel rushed. They redid my mother's hair three times because she is very particular and they were so calm and easy going and never once made us feel anything but 100% comfortable. They arrived early which was no problem, other than I was a little nervous about it being so long before my wedding. There was no reason for my concern, my makeup stayed ALL DAY LONG. We used the airbrush, but I am a sweater and was afraid it would all run off before the ceremony. And my hair was gorgeous!! Everyone commented on how beautiful and natural looking it was. Even my mother, who refuses to allow anyone to touch her hair, loved her hair in the end.
Dress Steaming - Carolyn Allen - They did a great job, my dress had not been steamed since it was purchased and shipped, so it was extremely wrinkled. They called to see if they could come early to work on the dress. When they were finished, it looked even more beautiful than when I tried it on in the shop.
Charter Bus - Colobus - All of our guests were staying at POP so we rented a charter bus to use for the evening. The price was very reasonable for a six hour charter. It allowed us as many trips as we wanted to and from POP to Shades and to Boardwalk (where we had dinner) and back.
Photography and Video -Randy Chapman and STVS - I haven't seen any footage, but they were both great to work with! They very unobtrusive. I didn't even know they were there half the time. They worked amazingly well together, you can tell they work together a lot and have a great chemistry. They even went with is to the Boardwalk and took photos and video there. I can't wait to see the outcome!
Dinner - Big River Grille - We had about 30 people in our party and had dinner there in the back room. Anthony, the manager, was great to work with, we had a set three course menu and did a consumption bar. I felt like it was very reasonable for the choices, some of our guests commented that it was the best meal they had eaten in Disney.
Dessert Party - Disney Special Events- This was the only disappointing aspect of our wedding weekend. It was held the night following the wedding on Sunday. It was through no fault of Disney, but because of the weather, all of my plans had to be changed at the the last minute. My even coordinator called me about an hour prior to the start to let me know because of weather the dessert portion was being moved inside. We were scheduled for UK Lochside and were moved to a VIP lounge in Norway. The room was nice, but it was not the feel I had in mind. I also felt we were rushed to get outside for the fireworks, so we were unable to have the relaxed pace I had wanted. We ended up at the what they called Mexico, but was directly behind the gift shop when you first enter the World Showcase. Let me just say, the view was AMAZING. My only problem was that our original spot had seating, which was important due to some medical issues surrounding my mother-in-law. The new area had not seating and it was very difficult for her and a couple others, especially since we were so rushed to get from the food to the viewing. If that was the worst thing that happened I consider us very lucky.
If you have any questions I would be happy to answer them!
I can't believe I forgot, but we also had a harpist.
Music - Christine McPhill - Orlando Harpist- She was OUTSTANDING!!! So wonderful to work with and such a wide variety of offerings. She added such a unique aspect to our ceremony. I had her play Disney Love songs prior to the ceremony and traditional songs during the processionals and zippity doo dah for our exit. She also sent me the sweetest note following our ceremony, you can tell she really loves what she does!
I have a few questions if you don't mind. How much was your menu per person? What did you have on your menu? What were the minimums? Also, I've been to Big River Grille a few times but I can't seem to picture where they would put a group of 30 and I don't remember seeing a private room anywhere. Was it a private room or an area they set aside just for your group? 
