A little persusion either way please!

[mhara]

Okay, so Monday is 12 months until the date we've planned for an Escape at SBP and I'm still not 100% decided between SBP and an S&D wedding. We have the villa booked and there'll be 8 of us at the wedding altogether.

What I'd like you ladies to do is give me your pros and cons for both options and help me make up my mind! (yes, I know it should be OUR minds, DF is just too flexible!).

What's your thoughts? TIA!

 

[sambycat]

fun! what's the villa? is the choice then also outside v. inside? also, i understand that the S&D you do get more for the same $$. so what do you do you "get" with either program?

 

[mhara]

fun! what's the villa? is the choice then also outside v. inside? also, i understand that the S&D you do get more for the same $$. so what do you do you "get" with either program?

We're staying at OKW, so as you can tell my leanings are Disney. It's difficult to justify the price differnce though. For $3250 I could have a package very similar to Escape at S&D, plus the notary is paid for in that and my hair.

 

[sarahb01]

We were planning on doing SBP at first. But, have decided to go with S&D because we get so much more for our money. That being said, my guest list is going to be larger (50-75) so it was better for us to go to S&D. I wanted to be able to afford to have Mickey come and to be able to serve food as well as have a dessert party later that evening.

I will be getting a lot more going with the S&D than I would have been able to afford going through DFTW.

 

[leonix8238]

I'd go with what you REALLY want. If you are equally happy with both locations then I'd say it's the extras that are the sway.

Do you want to have a dessert party whilst wearing your dress of a MK shoot?

Is the annual pass important to you?

If you do want any of those things then I'd say have an escape. That said if you aren't too fussed on these options perhaps the money saved on the wedding day can go towards a fab honeymoon?

In all honesty though, don't have a S&D just to save the $, do it because you want to and because that's where you can see you and your DF saying " I do."

 

[tinkerbell 766]

The girls will already know that my vote would be strongly in the S/D camp. Our VR at the S/D was perfect for us and, IMHO, so pretty!!! That said as leonix (above) says, you must decide whether such things as an Epcot DP in your dress, Cinderella's carriage or a MK photoshoot are priorities for you, as these are really the only things which you would not be allowed to book as a S/D bride. A S/D wedding will genuinely be significantly less expensive and will offer you more flexibility and choice, but it really depends what you want. I must say, that if reliable, regular communication with your planner is important to you, then Karen (S/D planner) is better than excellent!!! Remember, a S/D wedding is still right there in WDW and has no less magic!!! I have never once regretted my decision to have a S/D VR, in fact it was one of the best decisions I have ever made!!
Good luck with your decision, but I guess it is one nobody can make for you !!!

 

[Jilian]

To me the only downsides of having a S/D wedding are that you cannot get the MK shoot and you cannot use the wedding pavillion. Other than that, there are lots of benefits. You can customize it all yourself and pick and choose which vendors to use or just go with the preferred vendors to make it easy. Karen, me wedding planner always gets back to me really quickly, it is rare that she doesn't get back to me the same day. Not so much in the DFTW world. You can still work out a room block through Disney leisure groups and you can also get 10% off passes. You can still have characters and you are eligible for room rates at the S/D too.

I think what is all boils down to is preference, which wedding location do you like best? Where do you see yourself saying "I do"? Decide that, and then go from there.

 

[mhara]

Thanks everyone, you've all raised some good points and given us lots to think about.

I love the location of SBP, but that's about the only reason we'd go with DFTW I think. If we have a dessert party, it would prob be the Tomorrowland Terrace, as there's only 8 of us (if we're lucky enough to get the booking!).

I don't fancy the carriage and if we want characters, we can do those at S&D. Plus the APs aren't a huge use to us, as we're coming from Europe, so we'd never be able to visit more than once a year max anyway.

So, it looks like it comes down to the location. I've always pictured the ceremony at SBP. I'll take another look at some S&D pics and see if I can get as excited about them!

Thanks again all, you've helped me quantify things a bit, I'll let you know how we get on.

 

[Disney-Chick]

Thanks everyone, you've all raised some good points and given us lots to think about.

I love the location of SBP, but that's about the only reason we'd go with DFTW I think. If we have a dessert party, it would prob be the Tomorrowland Terrace, as there's only 8 of us (if we're lucky enough to get the booking!).

I don't fancy the carriage and if we want characters, we can do those at S&D. Plus the APs aren't a huge use to us, as we're coming from Europe, so we'd never be able to visit more than once a year max anyway.

So, it looks like it comes down to the location. I've always pictured the ceremony at SBP. I'll take another look at some S&D pics and see if I can get as excited about them!

Thanks again all, you've helped me quantify things a bit, I'll let you know how we get on.

I was married at SBP this past January and wouldn't change it for the world. What a beautiful spot! I was lucky to have the weather cooperatte with us and there was only a small breeze (which is good for me as im always hot anyways, not so much for my mother who is always cold). I had no issues with my planner (Tanis Armstrong) who always replied to me within days (no more than 2 days). We didn't have any characters at our wedding but AP will be good for us. Yes Disney is expensive but it was well worth it for us. I have watched our video 4 times already! Just print off some pictures and see which one gets you the most excited. But as someone mentioned above do not choose soley on saving money (even though that is important). Do what will make you happy & that after the wedding your not going to say "I wish I would have done this instead of that". Good luck with your descision I am sure it will all work out.

 

[MrsDuck]

SBP is gorgeous!

I am in camp S/D! I considered an Escape and a Wishes wedding but ultimately went with S/D because I get SO much more bang for my buck! There are no restrictions and so so so much more flexibility. Plus, Karen, the S/D wedding planner, is amazing to work with.

It's a tough decision. Good luck!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Hi sweetie
If you are having a small wedding, check out the West Courtyard at the Swan. We had our VR there and when just up with just a little floral was so pretty!!! It also felt extremely intimate as the whole courtyard is closed off to the public and even those walking past the in the corridor can do nothing more than peer through the windows.
Here are some photos of our gorgeous location