A few ?s about an escape package

[sissy_ib]

I've been reading this board for about a week and I bought the passporter e-book. Just a few more ?s

If I have an outdoor ceremony will the cake cutting, toast and first dance all be outside at the same location? Will my cake already be set up before the ceremony, or will it be brought out after the I dos?

If I request info will I get a booklet of any kind with more info then what is online? Like with pictures of the escape cake choices, pricing for upgrades such as floral, favors, etc.

Does this sound like a reasonable timetable for my events;

Day 1 arrive-I figure everyone can just meet in the lounge of our hotel for a few drinks

Day 2-last minute details, DP

Day 3-ceremony at 12 or 2, early dinner somewhere

I feel like there should be more for me to worry about lol. Basically, I just need to show up with a dress and a groom? We're DVC members so we will just try to stay in the villas closest to where the ceremony is being held and book a reservation for dinner at the same resort. What an I missing? We just got engaged and for various reasons we wont be getting married until this time 2013, so I have plenty of time to plan.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

With the Escape package, the cake cutting is usually in same place as the ceremony - except if you use the WP, when it is at the Commander's terrace at the GF, but I see you asked about an outdoor ceremony, so maybe that's not a consideration. Some brides have had the cake at their reception if they have booked a private event afterwards through DFTW. The cake is usually already set up before the ceremony and not brought out at a later time.

When you request info, you will receive a planning packet

The timeline seems perfect - there shouldn't be much for you to worry about - unless you want there to be - ie if you are arranging other events for your guests, wecome bags etc.

 

[sissy_ib]

With the Escape package, the cake cutting is usually in same place as the ceremony - except if you use the WP, when it is at the Commander's terrace at the GF, but I see you asked about an outdoor ceremony, so maybe that's not a consideration. Some brides have had the cake at their reception if they have booked a private event afterwards through DFTW. The cake is usually already set up before the ceremony and not brought out at a later time.

When you request info, you will receive a planning packet

The timeline seems perfect - there shouldn't be much for you to worry about - unless you want there to be - ie if you are arranging other events for your guests, wecome bags etc.

Thanks, I was thinking it may be easier to just book a dinner for the group, since there will only be about 10 people, maybe 15 and I don't want a full reception. I'm not doing any kind of welcome bags, just some favors and small gifts to hand out at dinner or the DP. I requestied some info, so hopefully it will be more than what is on the Disney wedding site.

 

[Tiggeriffic79]

If your wanting to see the escape planning pack before calling there are a couple of other Disney wedding forums that have the whole thing as a sticky (search Disney mooners, or Disney brides) the options are also on the magic kingdoms site.

That where I found my info at the early stages when trying to decide.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Thanks, I was thinking it may be easier to just book a dinner for the group, since there will only be about 10 people, maybe 15 and I don't want a full reception. I'm not doing any kind of welcome bags, just some favors and small gifts to hand out at dinner or the DP. I requestied some info, so hopefully it will be more than what is on the Disney wedding site.

Just to remind you if you do a DP even if you don't have a fully catered reception but just a group dinner, you will still have a minimum spend of $7500.00 as the DP is considered a private catered event

 

[TinkLoverSam]

The ease is the reason I loved my escape wedding! I had a friend who had a destination wedding about 3 weeks after mine and she was so stressed finding venues and dealing with problems at her location. I would happily call out how many days to my wedding and she would ask how I was happy and not stressed, my answer "Disney"

 

[TinkLoverSam]

The only time your cake cutting may be at a different location is if it's really hot outside I got married at the Yacht Club Gazebo in August so they moved our cake cutting into a room at the beach club convention center so we didn't melt. I almost would have preferred to stay outside as I didn't care about the room and even though I was in a hot pouffy dress I loved that our location matched my colors so I was happy outside but we didn't get a vote it was still lovely and I did like the A/C

 

[sissy_ib]

If your wanting to see the escape planning pack before calling there are a couple of other Disney wedding forums that have the whole thing as a sticky (search Disney mooners, or Disney brides) the options are also on the magic kingdoms site.

That where I found my info at the early stages when trying to decide.

I'll look around, thanks!

Just to remind you if you do a DP even if you don't have a fully catered reception but just a group dinner, you will still have a minimum spend of $7500.00 as the DP is considered a private catered event

I thought I could book a DP on my own with out DFTW? If not, will a regular dinner at any restaurant count towards my minimum?

The ease is the reason I loved my escape wedding! I had a friend who had a destination wedding about 3 weeks after mine and she was so stressed finding venues and dealing with problems at her location. I would happily call out how many days to my wedding and she would ask how I was happy and not stressed, my answer "Disney"

This is so good to hear. I really want something I can just walk into. And I know DF will be nervous. He would be happy getting married at the court house...But he said this only happens once, so I can "have fun with it" lol. I know he is going to think it is an insane amount of money, just because he had no idea how much weddings cost. So I need things to go as smoothly as possible, so he sees it is worth it. If we do go with an Escape wedding we will honeymoon at WDW as well. So I'm saving $$$ and my DVC points!!!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

I think that sf the DP is on the same day as the wedding, you will have a hard time not going through DFTW as they are bound to put 'two and two together' and refer you back to DFTW
If you plan your DP on a different day, you should be fine.
A independantly booked group meal will not trigger the dreaded minimum - only a privately catered event

 

[Firefly09]

sorry, but no, a dinner booked at a restaurant does not count towards the minimum. It has to be a privately catered event.

 

[JessnRich225]

We decided on an Escape wedding back in April 2010. Not sure if this is the same for everyone, but we did not receive our planning kit (cake choices, flowers, etc) until after our contract was signed and returned in early October. Good Luck!

 

[Shannrda]

I found this on the DFTW website....
I'm planning an Escape Wedding. Is there a "minimum stay" requirement? How many guests can I invite?
Disney's Escape Wedding packages require a minimum of a four* night stay (for the couple) at an owned and operated Walt Disney World Resort. For additional guests, up to 18 maximum additional elements are at an additional cost (note: some ceremony locations have a maximum occupancy of 10 guests.) You can also choose one of the following locations for your ceremony: Disney's Wedding Pavilion, Sea Breeze Point at Disney's BoardWalk Resort, the Wedding Gazebo at Disney's Yacht Club Resort, Sunset Pointe at Disney's Polynesian Resort, or Sunrise Terrace at Disney's Wilderness Lodge.
*(From January 2, 2012 – September 29 2012 the minimum stay will be two (2) nights at a owned and operated Walt Disney World Resort.)

Can anyone tell me how much we would be looking at paying for this minimum stay? Exactly which resorts does this include?

 

[lurkyloo]

You can stay at any Disney-owned and -operated resort. What you pay depends on which resort you pick and what season it is—Value resorts can go as low as $70/night in low season and with the special offers that often float around.

Check out www.mousesavers.com for info on discounts.

 

[kkfl2m]

Just a spin-off question... do DVC rentals apply to that 4night minimum stay?

 

[lurkyloo]

Yep!