DTD Resort or Swan and Dolphin Wedding

[SarahFarra]

Just wondering if anyone has experience with any of the downtown Disney resort weddings or Swan and Dolphin weddings? I know S&D use an outside wedding planning service (Just Weddings?) and I think all the other DTD Resorts have their own planners onsite, correct? I wonder if we can set up appointments to view locations/speak with planners on our next trip.

I'm just trying to find a less expensive option for a ceremony-only wedding but still want it to be nice. What experiences have you had?

I also considered the Memories Collection but didn't like the lack of options and such few people it allows as guests. We aren't planning on many people but at least our parents (divorced families)

Any info you have on these other options would be great including the prices of your packages! Thanks so much in advance!!

[ShanaMouse]

Hi There!
I dont have much info on all of the resorts downtown, but I do have some info for the Lake Buena Vista Palace resort in regards to weddings, which is located across from the DTD Marketplace. We were looking into this at first so I have a few packages that they sent me.
FYI, these are 2012 prices.
For the ceremony, they have a couple of locations, including a lakefront location, and included in the price is the location, white chairs, a rehearsal and a wedding coordinator. This is $1500 and then you can add on from there. I do believe that you have to use their preferred vendors, so that may quickly get pretty expensive.

DF and I decided to go with a Swan and Dolphin Wedding. We were also looking into something a little more budget friendly and the memories or escape package was out for us since we had more than 20 people.
Just Marry coordinates all of the events you have there. Essentially, you can create your own package directly with them or you can just get the basics (location and chairs) and do everything else yourself to possibly keep costs down.
With all of their packages, the price includes the rental location, a coordinator, water station for guests, unlimited guests, indoor rain back up, and the use of a suite to get ready.
They do have a couple of pre-made packages:
1. $2595 - ceremony, officiant, bouquet and boutonniere, one hour photography.
2. $3295 - ceremony, officiant, bouquet and boutonniere, wedding arch, one hour photography, musician
3. $3895 - ceremony, officiant, bouquet and boutonniere, wedding arch, one hour photography, musician, hair and makeup, one hour videography

you can then also add on things directly with them, such as more flowers, cake, champagne, etc. You do not have to use them, however. I am using outside vendors for mostly everything. The only thing we have through Just Marry is the location and a musician. For just the location with the coordinator, etc, the prices start at around $1400, I believe, depending on which location you actually choose. I am going through other vendors for photo, video, cake, etc. You can also have a reception directly through them, but it prompts a $5k minimum.
Afterwards we are planning on going to a nice restaurant at a Disney resort.

Hope this helps!
Happy Planning!

[SarahFarra]

Originally Posted by ShanaMouse

Hi There!
I dont have much info on all of the resorts downtown, but I do have some info for the Lake Buena Vista Palace resort in regards to weddings, which is located across from the DTD Marketplace. We were looking into this at first so I have a few packages that they sent me.
FYI, these are 2012 prices.
For the ceremony, they have a couple of locations, including a lakefront location, and included in the price is the location, white chairs, a rehearsal and a wedding coordinator. This is $1500 and then you can add on from there. I do believe that you have to use their preferred vendors, so that may quickly get pretty expensive.

DF and I decided to go with a Swan and Dolphin Wedding. We were also looking into something a little more budget friendly and the memories or escape package was out for us since we had more than 20 people.
Just Marry coordinates all of the events you have there. Essentially, you can create your own package directly with them or you can just get the basics (location and chairs) and do everything else yourself to possibly keep costs down.
With all of their packages, the price includes the rental location, a coordinator, water station for guests, unlimited guests, indoor rain back up, and the use of a suite to get ready.
They do have a couple of pre-made packages:
1. $2595 - ceremony, officiant, bouquet and boutonniere, one hour photography.
2. $3295 - ceremony, officiant, bouquet and boutonniere, wedding arch, one hour photography, musician
3. $3895 - ceremony, officiant, bouquet and boutonniere, wedding arch, one hour photography, musician, hair and makeup, one hour videography

you can then also add on things directly with them, such as more flowers, cake, champagne, etc. You do not have to use them, however. I am using outside vendors for mostly everything. The only thing we have through Just Marry is the location and a musician. For just the location with the coordinator, etc, the prices start at around $1400, I believe, depending on which location you actually choose. I am going through other vendors for photo, video, cake, etc. You can also have a reception directly through them, but it prompts a $5k minimum.
Afterwards we are planning on going to a nice restaurant at a Disney resort.

Hope this helps!
Happy Planning!

This is very helpful, thank you! How did you go about starting the planning process? Did you call or email Disney Weddings and then decide to go a different direction and contact the other resorts individually? It's a little overwhelming when you have so many choices so I need to prioritize and focus on everything step by step!

[sarahb01]

Hi there!

I too am a S&D bride. I sent an email to Just Marry, asking for their packages. I wanted a Disney wedding, but I didn't like somethings about them, so that is why we went with the Swalphin. We just met with Diana from Just Marry last week, to check out the venue and get some questions answered. We signed out contract about a month ago. We are getting married there on Sept, 1 next year. Feel free to check out my PJ in my signature!

There is also a S&D thread here, and those ladies will be there to answer any questions you might have!

[tinkerbell 766]

Hello sweetie and welcome
I highly recommend looking closely at S/D weddings!!!!
My DH and I renewed our vows at the S/D in May 2011 and it was perfect!!!!
It was my dream day, right there in WDW, just cheaper and with less restrictions and more choices than I would have had with a DFTW event.
Feel free to dip into my PJ/TR (link in my signature below) and to ask any questions.
I would be honoured to help with any queries you may have.
Happy planning sweetie

[SarahFarra]

Originally Posted by tinkerbell 766

Hello sweetie and welcome
I highly recommend looking closely at S/D weddings!!!!
My DH and I renewed our vows at the S/D in May 2011 and it was perfect!!!!
It was my dream day, right there in WDW, just cheaper and with less restrictions and more choices than I would have had with a DFTW event.
Feel free to dip into my PJ/TR (link in my signature below) and to ask any questions.
I would be honoured to help with any queries you may have.
Happy planning sweetie

I'm reading it now! Wow, what a fairytale ending you've had! I'm only to the welcome bags so far which I love! Also love the tags you made for all the different things you included! I may have to steal this idea

[ShanaMouse]

Originally Posted by SarahFarra

This is very helpful, thank you! How did you go about starting the planning process? Did you call or email Disney Weddings and then decide to go a different direction and contact the other resorts individually? It's a little overwhelming when you have so many choices so I need to prioritize and focus on everything step by step!

Well I knew I wanted to get married at Disney and I wanted the whole DFTW wedding, but after buying The Passporters Guide to Disney Weddings (awesome guide if you dont have it yet) and crunching numbers, I soon figured out this just was not in our budget. Even the escape package wouldnt work, as we could make it $$ wise, but we were over the 20 person maximum.
From there we went to decide on a cruise wedding but both times i called DFTW they were very brief and stated that I needed to put down a deposit to get set up with a planner and then discuss further details. I didnt really like this part and then DF's parents said they couldnt make the cruise either so that was out also.
Thats when I started looking at other places around Disney, such as the Lake Buena Vista Palace. The coordinator was very helpful but somehow I just couldnt pull the trigger. We also looked at Rix Lounge at the Contemporary, but it had a different vibe than what I wanted for the wedding. One day I just emailed JUST MARRY and it was the best decision I had made! I love our location and everything we have so far and out planner is awesome!!!

[tinkerbell 766]

Originally Posted by SarahFarra

I'm reading it now! Wow, what a fairytale ending you've had! I'm only to the welcome bags so far which I love! Also love the tags you made for all the different things you included! I may have to steal this idea

Aww thank you sweetie!!
It truly was the best day of our lives and I wouldn't change a thing. I would do it all again in a heartbeat!!!
'Just Marry' was amazing throughout the whole process from booking right through to the actual day. They were very quick to respond to questions by email and were equally happy to let me pick and book my own vendors, or advise and book them for me. Very flexible and 100% professional.
I cannot recommend them highly enough!!
Thank you for the lovely comments about the welcome bags and labels - feel free to steal any ideas you wish - I am honoured to help!!

[minniebride]

I had a Swan wedding and it was just magical-best decision I've ever made (aside from marrying my DH of course!!)

We had almost all of the same options that DFTW offers-Characters at our reception, Epcot DP, plated meal in a ballroom, Disney DJ, formal ceremony with the Boardwalk lake as the backdrop, etc...

If you have Itunes, you should download the two podcast episodes about Swan weddings at Carrie's Disney Weddings podcast-they are both very informative!

[SarahFarra]

Originally Posted by tinkerbell 766

Aww thank you sweetie!!
It truly was the best day of our lives and I wouldn't change a thing. I would do it all again in a heartbeat!!!
'Just Marry' was amazing throughout the whole process from booking right through to the actual day. They were very quick to respond to questions by email and were equally happy to let me pick and book my own vendors, or advise and book them for me. Very flexible and 100% professional.
I cannot recommend them highly enough!!
Thank you for the lovely comments about the welcome bags and labels - feel free to steal any ideas you wish - I am honoured to help!!

This is shaping up to be a great option! We're going to wdw in 46 days and we will definitely be checking out the available spots at S&D! I am all for professional and easy to work with! I'm sure I'll have questions later on in the process-thanks again!

[SarahFarra]

Originally Posted by minniebride

I had a Swan wedding and it was just magical-best decision I've ever made (aside from marrying my DH of course!!)

We had almost all of the same options that DFTW offers-Characters at our reception, Epcot DP, plated meal in a ballroom, Disney DJ, formal ceremony with the Boardwalk lake as the backdrop, etc...

If you have Itunes, you should download the two podcast episodes about Swan weddings at Carrie's Disney Weddings podcast-they are both very informative!

Awesome! I have listened to the Disney Weddings podcasts concerning this as well as bought Carrie's book which I've just cracked open! What great resources!!