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[KristinBelle]

It's 3,000 just to use the Wedding Pavilion? That's insane.

As far as the rest goes some of those numbers are crazy, I can't imagine spending that much money for 1 day!

Good luck with your trimming down, I think making lists is a good idea.

 

[Sarah <3 Disney]

I think one of the things we need to change is the cake Any ideas??

How many tiers do you have planned right now? Three? You could always cut it down to two (and have a smaller diameter for each of the tiers... like a 6 inch and an 8 inch) and then serve the rest as a sheet cake. Or just make it one tier (assuming you didn't want to do the whole save a layer thing) for you to cut during the reception. Then enjoy the rest of that tier during the honeymoon (oh, and sheet cake for the guests, of course )! Both ways save money! And you should be able to keep your design.

Edit #1: For pricing on sheet cakes, a 1/4 sheet (feeds 25 guests) is $55 while a 1/2 sheet (feeds 50) is $80. So perhaps ask about a two tier with a 1/4 sheet cake, and see how much that brings the price down. Or partner a one tier with a 1/2 sheet cake.

Edit #2: Oh, and remember, if you find yourself unable to cut enough, just remember that the MK photo shoots can happen anytime after the wedding. So you could always go back for your one year anniversary and do the photo shoot then.

 

[mchames]

How many tiers do you have planned right now? Three? You could always cut it down to two (and have a smaller diameter for each of the tiers... like a 6 inch and an 8 inch) and then serve the rest as a sheet cake. Or just make it one tier (assuming you didn't want to do the whole save a layer thing) for you to cut during the reception. Then enjoy the rest of that tier during the honeymoon (oh, and sheet cake for the guests, of course )! Both ways save money! And you should be able to keep your design.

Edit: For pricing on sheet cakes, a 1/4 sheet (feeds 25 guests) is $55 while a 1/2 sheet (feeds 50) is $80. So perhaps ask about a two tier with a 1/4 sheet cake, and see how much that brings the price down. Or partner a one tier with a 1/2 sheet cake.

As someone who decorates cakes, it's not the size of her cake that is an issue. It's the design. That zebra design is very time consuming to do and therefore very costly. Each "zebra stripe" needs to be hand-painted on to the white fondant (or cut out of black fondant and laid on top, which would not give as smooth a finish). Either method takes precision to do right and is labor intensive. This is a custom design and not something Disney mass produces, therefore she's being charged a custom price.

To cut the cost of the cake, you really need to find a less labor intensive design.

Good luck.

 

[Sarah <3 Disney]

Doesn't hurt to ask! I just mention it because it is a commonly used approach in Disney to make the price of a cake cheaper (especially with all of those Mad Hatter cakes everyone loves!).

And what is the topper made out of, do you know? Perhaps you could change the topper too (buy your own) to bring down the cost. And too bad the Vinylmation things are only 3 inches tall! They have a really neat one made after the Lion King play that would totally fit your theme. Althouh... if you used two... hmm...

I hope you don't have to change your cake altogether! That one is so cool!

 

[tinker&belle]

I found this picture online:
http://www.tickledpinkweddings.co.uk/safari_wedding_cake.htm

They took a traditional cake and were very subtle in hiding safari animals. You could do a super simple buttercream, fresh seasonal flowers and hidden animals and maybe a hidden mickey.


Not nearly as elaborate but if you did a small cake like this one and some sheet cakes that would be some major trimming.

 

[Sarah <3 Disney]

That is a fun one! I wish they had close ups of the animals though.

 

[figmentfan814]

For our wedding we stayed really close to the $10K minimum at the time which with tax and fees we walked away paying Disney around $13K. There were a lot of extras I wanted, but I had to narrow down what I wanted to must-haves. For instance, I wanted the landau coach in the World Showcase, but just went with a limo. I wanted to have characters, but opted for the DP instead (although for you I would definitely keep safari Mickey and Minnie ) Also, we went with no alcohol which I know some people wouldn't want to do (we had a brunch, so not a big deal to most of our guests).

I think you need to make a list of must-haves and then go from there. There are also some other options to cut ways with floral. For instance at our reception I wanted color added to our tables, so I asked my floral manager and she suggested using a runner over the white clothes which was a lot cheaper than colored linens. In fact, she suggested using the chair bow ribbons which cost even less. Another thing that was a must-have for me and a big splurge were chair covers in the AAR. Good luck in your decisions; I know how hard it can be when breaking it down!

 

[Jazzylolo]

For the cake you could keep the animal print idea but switch it! Basically have a simple cake but use zebra print ribbon around each layer.

Here are a couple really bad photos but they kind of show what I'm saying. I actually think this cake is really ugly but if you had a pretty white or even pink cake with zebra print ribbon I think it would look very nice

Another thing you could do is only have one layer zebra print. Maybe have the middle layer zebra. I don't know how much that would cut the cost but it's an idea. Here is a little cake with one of the two layers zebra.

Or...I don't know how much Disney charges for cupcakes but you could have cupcakes in zebra wrappers and have one small cake for you guys to cut.

Ok just a bunch of ideas that I don't even know will save you any money, but I do agree that the reason the cake is so expensive is probably the work to put the zebra print on the entire cake. Hopefully there is a way to stick with the same theme and idea but save some money!

 

[MainStMandy]

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[Sarah <3 Disney]

Oh! What if you just have a solid white fondant cake, but find a thick, zebra striped ribbon to place along the bottoms of the tiers? You could even layer it with an wider pink ribbon underneath it. Like this:

Just hafta find the proper ribbon and let Disney make the topper.

 

[bjgrazi]

Can you cut the amount of time at AK? For 40 people do you really need a cocktail hour then a reception? If you're going to cut the cocktail hour food, it will most likely cause the drink bill to go up. If you cut out that hour it's an hour less of drinking and food that needs to be supplied. That small of a wedding really doesn't need that much time. Everyone will have already been together for rehearsal dinner and a dessert party. 4 hours would be more enough to greet everyone, have first dance, dinner and cake cutting.

It's just a thought, in the end it what you and Eric thinks is best.

 

[Sarah <3 Disney]

Dude Jazzy, I was drawing my picture while you were typing your post! Great minds think alike.

 

[MainStMandy]

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[Jazzylolo]

Dude Jazzy, I was drawing my picture while you were typing your post! Great minds think alike.

I know I saw yours and thought you drew exactly what I was thinking and trying to find online!! I think it is pretty

 

[Sarah <3 Disney]

I know I saw yours and thought you drew exactly what I was thinking and trying to find online!! I think it is pretty

I think so too! It still is fun, but should be cost effective.

 

[MainStMandy]

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[Jazzylolo]

Ohhh I like those!! I wonder if I could find a animal ribbon and do something like the first one.

And I love those cupcake wrappers!! That cake is very intense...I didn't think about it when I picked it out.

I love the cupcake wrappers too...they are so pretty I do think using ribbon instead of covering the entire cake in zebra print will cut the intensity but keep the same theme going. I think finding ribbon would be fairly easy!

 

[Sarah <3 Disney]

I love the cupcake wrappers too, but I am pretty sure Disney doesn't do cupcakes. I remember someone asking Carrie once and she said nope! Could try asking though!

And finding ribbon would be easy. I have seen zebra ribbon at Hobby Lobby before (almost picked it up for scrapbooking!). And Michaels always has a nice selection too.

 

[Jazzylolo]

I am debating on the alcohol. I was thinking of maybe just going with beer and wine and leaving out the other options. I hate to cut it, but I don't think people will be drinking that much.

Make sure there is enough wine then because I plan on drinking believe me. For once I don't have to watch everyone around me drinking while I can't join in

 

[MainStMandy]

I love the cupcake wrappers too...they are so pretty I do think using ribbon instead of covering the entire cake in zebra print will cut the intensity but keep the same theme going. I think finding ribbon would be fairly easy!

I do like it...I liked that our original one wasn't terribly traditional. But for that price I like what you guys picked out

I love the cupcake wrappers too, but I am pretty sure Disney doesn't do cupcakes. I remember someone asking Carrie once and she said nope! Could try asking though!

And finding ribbon would be easy. I have seen zebra ribbon at Hobby Lobby before (almost picked it up for scrapbooking!). And Michaels always has a nice selection too.

I wonder if I would have to get it or if I just say I want zebra ribbon would Disney floral get it??

BTW Sarah, you rock for drawing me that picture.