Swan & Dolphin Weddings FAQ

[MrsDuck]

Faith, I went back and read all of your information. Loved your wedding pictures!! Looks like everything turned out beautiful. I did purchase the Passporters Disney Weddings and Honeymoons book and that has also been helpful. I am very much leaning towards the S/D. That is more in my price range. I'm looking at 30 to 35 people on a $6000 budget. I'm hoping that is do-able. I loved your lantern idea on the back of the chairs and plan on attempting to use that in my wedding as well. Please let me know if you are interested in selling some of your lanterns. I will be scouring these pages for information over the next 18 months. I'm loving all these ideas I'm seeing! Thanks so very much for all of your helpful information.

Unfortunately, I threw all my lanterns away after the wedding! I bought them from another bride and by the time we had finished with them they were ripping.

Tell us what you're hoping to do for your wedding.. a ceremony and a reception? Just a ceremony? What time of day? Answering these questions can help us help you determine what type of budget you're looking at. I'd say that for 30-35 people $6k at the S/D can get you fairly far.

 

[jbcs43]

I'm so excited its official my wedding date is set for May 17, 2014 at 5pm at the Swan and Dolphin Resort. I'm so excited but still nervous about letting some one else in control of my wedding . I heard story's about how brides wedding flowers are wilted when they get them and hope that doesn't happen to me . My DF and I are paying for the whole wedding and we are hoping to spend about 12,000 to 14,000 tops for the whole thing. We are have 34-25 people come. Is this budget possible. We are paying for 2 hours of the photography is this worth the price And how are the pictures . Where should we stay once the wedding is over is it cheaper to just go to a different hotel after or to stay there. Can someone please help me ?thanks

 

[MrsDuck]

I'm so excited its official my wedding date is set for May 17, 2014 at 5pm at the Swan and Dolphin Resort. I'm so excited but still nervous about letting some one else in control of my wedding . I heard story's about how brides wedding flowers are wilted when they get them and hope that doesn't happen to me . My DF and I are paying for the whole wedding and we are hoping to spend about 12,000 to 14,000 tops for the whole thing. We are have 34-25 people come. Is this budget possible. We are paying for 2 hours of the photography is this worth the price And how are the pictures . Where should we stay once the wedding is over is it cheaper to just go to a different hotel after or to stay there. Can someone please help me ?thanks

Congrats!

I had wonderful flowers as did the majority of our brides. I wouldn't worry.

We had a regular ceremony and a buffet dinner for 53 people for around that budget. You should be fine!

What kinds of events do you want for the wedding? Ceremony, yes, but what else? Reception? Where? What time of day?

We can help!

 

[LoriGirl]

Unfortunately, I threw all my lanterns away after the wedding! I bought them from another bride and by the time we had finished with them they were ripping.

Tell us what you're hoping to do for your wedding.. a ceremony and a reception? Just a ceremony? What time of day? Answering these questions can help us help you determine what type of budget you're looking at. I'd say that for 30-35 people $6k at the S/D can get you fairly far.

Faith, I would like an evening wedding (5 or 6pm) and weekday is fine with me. I'd like a sit down dinner/reception following. Since I'm originally from New Orleans, I'm considering a Southern Mardi Gras theme. We're older (early 40's) and this is a second wedding for both of us. If you have any suggestions or ideas, I'd love to hear them. Also, I have sent an inquiry to Diane at Just Events Group. I'm awaiting her reply. Did you also look into the Royal Plaza in downtown Disney? It's listed as an option in the book. Thanks!!

 

[jbcs43]

Congrats!

I had wonderful flowers as did the majority of our brides. I wouldn't worry.

We had a regular ceremony and a buffet dinner for 53 people for around that budget. You should be fine!

What kinds of events do you want for the wedding? Ceremony, yes, but what else? Reception? Where? What time of day?

We can help!

That makes me feel better about the flowers thank you .
What do you mean by event for the wedding? I plan on have a "reception" after at the garden grove. I plan on getting married at 5pm
Do you think giving my budget I will be able to do a dessert party I would love to do it I just not sure if I can

 

[jbcs43]

that makes me feel better about the flowers thank you .
What do you mean by event for the wedding? I plan on have a "reception" after at the garden grove. I plan on getting married at 5pm
do you think giving my budget i will be able to do a dessert party i would love to do it i just not sure if i can

p

 

[Disneyaddict1973]

Hello all! It's been a while since I've posted but, figured I would share a thought or two....flowers. My flowers at my swan wedding were EXACTLY as I wanted, gorgeous, fresh...pink!! The hotel grounds/ outdoor ceremony locations are beautiful no issues there, my WP from JM was fabulous...untill 2 weeks before the wedding when she slowly stopped answering my calls/ emails. In retrospect, I should have drove to JM offices when I got to Fl. The day before the wedding.
As I said in my TR we woke up to a tropical storm on our wedding day.
To avoid my misfortune I'd suggest that ANY swan bride INSIST upon a mutually acceptable back up location in the hotel. Put it in your contract! Had I specifically insisted upon a ball room as a back up & had it in writing, my wedding would have been a lot less stressful. I agreed to a "reasonable location indoors" which landing me in a standard room for the ceremony and being asked to walk down the aisle from.the bathroom or closet! Be specific, and ask for exactly what you dream of, you can have a gorgeous wedding at the swan!

 

[jbcs43]

Hello all! It's been a while since I've posted but, figured I would share a thought or two....flowers. My flowers at my swan wedding were EXACTLY as I wanted, gorgeous, fresh...pink!! The hotel grounds/ outdoor ceremony locations are beautiful no issues there, my WP from JM was fabulous...untill 2 weeks before the wedding when she slowly stopped answering my calls/ emails. In retrospect, I should have drove to JM offices when I got to Fl. The day before the wedding.
As I said in my TR we woke up to a tropical storm on our wedding day.
To avoid my misfortune I'd suggest that ANY swan bride INSIST upon a mutually acceptable back up location in the hotel. Put it in your contract! Had I specifically insisted upon a ball room as a back up & had it in writing, my wedding would have been a lot less stressful. I agreed to a "reasonable location indoors" which landing me in a standard room for the ceremony and being asked to walk down the aisle from.the bathroom or closet! Be specific, and ask for exactly what you dream of, you can have a gorgeous wedding at the swan!

The more the merrier .thanks for the advice . I'll have to remember that in case it rains I didn't think about that . Does anyone have any photos that I can look at from there wedding

 

[mom914]

Hello all! It's been a while since I've posted but, figured I would share a thought or two....flowers. My flowers at my swan wedding were EXACTLY as I wanted, gorgeous, fresh...pink!! The hotel grounds/ outdoor ceremony locations are beautiful no issues there, my WP from JM was fabulous...untill 2 weeks before the wedding when she slowly stopped answering my calls/ emails. In retrospect, I should have drove to JM offices when I got to Fl. The day before the wedding.
As I said in my TR we woke up to a tropical storm on our wedding day.
To avoid my misfortune I'd suggest that ANY swan bride INSIST upon a mutually acceptable back up location in the hotel. Put it in your contract! Had I specifically insisted upon a ball room as a back up & had it in writing, my wedding would have been a lot less stressful. I agreed to a "reasonable location indoors" which landing me in a standard room for the ceremony and being asked to walk down the aisle from.the bathroom or closet! Be specific, and ask for exactly what you dream of, you can have a gorgeous wedding at the swan!

Wow Thanks for that advise I would have never thought of that and since I will be getting married there this July it is a thought!

 

[mom914]

So I have been thinking way to much I guess. We are having a brunch in ll Mulino after our ceremony and I am just at a loss on how to bring my own thoughts of some type of decoration into the space. We are only there for a few hours for brunch and it will be a small amount of us (30) and I have never been to the Swan and Dolphin. Ugghh.. What is a girl to do with less then 60 days to go!

 

[LoriGirl]

So I have been thinking way to much I guess. We are having a brunch in ll Mulino after our ceremony and I am just at a loss on how to bring my own thoughts of some type of decoration into the space. We are only there for a few hours for brunch and it will be a small amount of us (30) and I have never been to the Swan and Dolphin. Ugghh.. What is a girl to do with less then 60 days to go!

Hey Sue, can you tell me what the estimate was for 30 ppl at ll Mulino and is there a private room for your guests? I'm looking for ideas for our reception. Thanks!!

 

[mom914]

Hey Sue, can you tell me what the estimate was for 30 ppl at ll Mulino and is there a private room for your guests? I'm looking for ideas for our reception. Thanks!!

It all depends on what you want for a reception actually we are having a brunch with everything from eggs, fresh fruit, to carving stations with Beef Barron roasts including the cake and drinks and it is around $3000. Lindsey at the Swan sent several menus and we went over many ideas, she was wonderful and worked with us on exactly what we wanted.

 

[LoriGirl]

It all depends on what you want for a reception actually we are having a brunch with everything from eggs, fresh fruit, to carving stations with Beef Barron roasts including the cake and drinks and it is around $3000. Lindsey at the Swan sent several menus and we went over many ideas, she was wonderful and worked with us on exactly what we wanted.

Sue, thanks for the information. I contacted JM and they sent me some price worksheets to start working on planning what I would like. Unfortunately, I can't book anything until Jan 2014, as reservations are only accepted 12 months in advance and I'm working on a Jan 2015 wedding. It does give me time to crunch numbers and plan on what I like. Keep the info coming. I love looking at these blogs....great ideas!!

 

[LoriGirl]

Can you give me a contact name/number for the Garden Grove to inquire as to reception information there. Thanks!!

 

[MrsDuck]

That makes me feel better about the flowers thank you .
What do you mean by event for the wedding? I plan on have a "reception" after at the garden grove. I plan on getting married at 5pm
Do you think giving my budget I will be able to do a dessert party I would love to do it I just not sure if I can

A DP may be in the cards if you're willing to skimp in other places. We decided against the DP because it was going to get too pricey to get the desserts we wanted.

Can you give me a contact name/number for the Garden Grove to inquire as to reception information there. Thanks!!

I spoke with Simone at the Garden Grove who was wonderful. Your best bet is to call the Garden Grove directly and leave a detailed message. Here is a number I found: 407-934-1618 but your planner may be able to give you a different contact. I got rid of Simone's info after our wedding - sorry!

 

[LoriGirl]

I spoke with Simone at the Garden Grove who was wonderful. Your best bet is to call the Garden Grove directly and leave a detailed message. Here is a number I found: 407-934-1618 but your planner may be able to give you a different contact. I got rid of Simone's info after our wedding - sorry![/QUOTE]

Faith, can you tell me if you got your wedding cake from S/D and what was your estimate? I seen your original estimate on one of your previous post but noticed my estimate for a standard 3-tiered cake was higher than you had on your sheet and I knew yours was much bigger. Also, who did the wedding pics on your wedding day and what was your budget on that? Thanks!!
Oh, one more thing.... Were your lanterns small or medium in size and are confetti canons allowed after the wedding? I knew you chose sparklers.

 

[MrsDuck]

We did NOT go through the Swan and Dolphin - their prices are crazy. Most of our girls get cakes from It's Tasty Too which always does an amazing job!

My lanterns were medium sized, I'd say. Not sure about the cannons! As far as our photographer, we brought them from home. They're incredible and do travel for other Disney weddings. www.poirierweddingphotography.com If you contact them, tell Stacey & Brandon I sent you and that you're getting married at Disney. They have various packages that can accomodate any budget. We paid $3k for an engagement session with all of the rights, plus a CD of all of the edited images, 10 hours of wedding day photography with an album, CD of all of the edited pictures, picture rights, and 1 large portrait. Worth EVERY PENNY!

 

[LoriGirl]

My lanterns were medium sized, I'd say. Not sure about the cannons! As far as our photographer, we brought them from home. They're incredible and do travel for other Disney weddings. If you contact them, tell Stacey & Brandon I sent you and that you're getting married at Disney. They have various packages that can accomodate any budget. We paid $3k for an engagement session with all of the rights, plus a CD of all of the edited images, 10 hours of wedding day photography with an album, CD of all of the edited pictures, picture rights, and 1 large portrait. Worth EVERY PENNY!

Thanks Faith!! I'm at WDW now. So many ideas!! I'm loving this. Planning is so much fun and I'm knocking stuff out. Still have to wait til Jan. to book the wedding, but I'm getting so much done now. Thank you lots!!

 

[Shannon84]

Hey ladies!! it's been forever since I have been on the boards!! Just wanted to say hi! I had a Swan beach wedding 9-21-12 and am here if anyone has questions or needs help

 

[LoriGirl]

Hey ladies!! it's been forever since I have been on the boards!! Just wanted to say hi! I had a Swan beach wedding 9-21-12 and am here if anyone has questions or needs help

I have lots of questions....
1--did you have a reception and where?
2--amount of guests?
3--how did you word your save the date cards??
4--budget?
5--any specific recommendations for us newbies?

Thanks lots Shannon!!