a million and 1 escape wedding questions!!

[sac25]

Hi all,

i'm a newby to the forum although ive spent hours over the past few weeks reading post after post to get as much info as possible!!

i recently got engaged and we have decided on a disney escape wedding in july/august 2014 yay!! (we're both teacher so can only have the summer hol!)

As my title suggests i have soooo many questions and as i cant book anything yet and ask a planner i was hoping all you guys might be able to help me out!

Firstly we are hoping to be married at WP, There will only be a max of 18 of us and we're a little worried that it'll look odd in such a big room when theres so few people. However we like that it is private.
1) Is there any other venues for an escape wedding that are so secluded?

we only really want a casual reception (just a nice meal somewhere) at around 4;30- 5pm where i can stay in my dress?
2) is there anywhere you would suggest that is either at the GF or nearby?
3) I like the look of the tea rooms with a selection of sandwiches but is this possible for large parties? I cant even see it on the booking website anymore, is it still open?

We then REALLY REALLY want a dessert party. Ive read that such small parties have to have their party in Morocco which is fine by us but we're just wondering how our guests get there as the bus seems like a rather expensive option for so few people! I would be in my dress so understand we'd have to go back stage to enter. but for my other guests,
4) if they have park tickets can they just walk to morocco or would they need to be escorted?
5) would just my grandparents be able to come with me (at a cost) due to being less mobile?

I also have a few questions about photography, i would want to use the photography included and my mum is insisting we have the 2nd photographer too (she's paying). But we would also be interested in having a photographer at the dessert party for the hour.
6) is it possible to also have a disney photographer for just an hour later in the day?
7) also as we'd be coming from the UK so would like to buy the image CD straight away, any ideas how much this would cost? I thought i read somewhere it was cheaper for those outside the US, or is this wishful thinking?

Finally as we're coming from the UK we would be looking to book our flights about 12-14 months before but we cant book the wedding until 8 months before. We are rather flexible with dates within about a 10 day period.
8) will we be ok to book our flights before securing our date?


I think thats it for now, and im really sorry if im asking questions that have been asked a thousand times. Im just trying to get all my information in one place!

Any advise would be great!! Thank you all in advance!

 

[sambycat]

This will answer many many questions! I recommend buying both the update able snook and the hardcover versions! http://www.passporter.com/weddings.asp

Many of these questions are oft discussed so in sure you'll probably find answers and people will chime in!!

Welcome and congrats!!! Go wedding pavilion- it was fine size wise for us, we had ~25 guests. Did not seem crazy empty or weird. We had brunch to follow at the Whitehall room and patio at the GF, so beautiful and a great location (monorail!) your possibilities are endless!

 

[geek+nerd]

I agree with going with the Wedding Pavilion. We did an Escape wedding there. I shared your concern, but it is such a beautiful space and the Disney imagineers work their magic so that it does not seem overwhelming with a small group. Plus, it is air conditioned. Trust me, with a summer wedding (we were married in June) you will be grateful for the air conditioning!

 

[sac25]

Thanks for this! I've ordered the book!! I often struggle to read long texts on the computer so I've downloaded and bought the paper back so I can go through and highlight!! So excited!!

 

[sambycat]

1) Is there any other venues for an escape wedding that are so secluded?
there are many venues, the book will help. short of a “special location” or ballroom, the WP may be the most enclosed area that just comes that way

we only really want a casual reception (just a nice meal somewhere) at around 4;30- 5pm where i can stay in my dress?
2) is there anywhere you would suggest that is either at the GF or nearby?
3) I like the look of the tea rooms with a selection of sandwiches but is this possible for large parties? I cant even see it on the booking website anymore, is it still open? i don’t know what “a tea room” is per se, but at the GF there are several restaurants and again, ballrooms. anything can be had for a price really. the menu/cost/availability depends on time of day and type of wedding. the planning journals here may help you see what others paid or ordered. try searching menus or such on google (the disboards search engine is nutty)

We then REALLY REALLY want a dessert party. Ive read that such small parties have to have their party in Morocco which is fine by us but we're just wondering how our guests get there as the bus seems like a rather expensive option for so few people! you will probably find the buses etc fit well into the plan overall once you are planning in depth. many threads about this.
4) if they have park tickets can they just walk to morocco or would they need to be escorted? i think so
5) would just my grandparents be able to come with me (at a cost) due to being less mobile? probably

I also have a few questions about photography, i would want to use the photography included and my mum is insisting we have the 2nd photographer too (she's paying). But we would also be interested in having a photographer at the dessert party for the hour.
6) is it possible to also have a disney photographer for just an hour later in the day? just a random hour? i doubt it. they’ve tightened up what you need to have DPS around to do lately for the DP? yes
7) also as we'd be coming from the UK so would like to buy the image CD straight away, any ideas how much this would cost? I thought i read somewhere it was cheaper for those outside the US, or is this wishful thinking? yes there is some difference for UK brides here, someone can answer and of course it will be in your book!

Finally as we're coming from the UK we would be looking to book our flights about 12-14 months before but we cant book the wedding until 8 months before. We are rather flexible with dates within about a 10 day period.
8) will we be ok to book our flights before securing our date? unless it is some wacky special time, it should be fine. you will be able to at least make contact with DFTW at about the time you are planning your wedding travel

my answers in red

 

[jessa07]

No more Escape DPs in Morocco because they are converting the space to a restaurant. We were booked there, and moved to UK Lochside. Not sure where they will be sticking Escape weddings though, my planner made it sound like we were a special exception. As for transportation, we are walking in with a guide. I refused to pay for a five hour charter for a one hour event!

As for photography, we added DP photography for $300.

 

[TabZ]

I've heard Escape brides can only have standing room only dessert party locations at Epcot now so bear that in mind for your less mobile guests. 18 people is perfect for the Grand 1 Yacht for wishes just as an alterative?

With regard to the CD, it's not cheaper for those outside the US. You can get a discount on the disc if you trade all your prints albums etc and use these to offset the cost of disc - I think you still have to pay around $350 for it.

Disney won't let you use an outside photographer along side the included Disney photography anymore, instead if I were you I'd trade it for DP photography which they are more than happy to do, then have your outside vendor do you ceremony etc.

WP is the perfect venue - I was a guest at a 29 person wedding and trust me the last thing on your mind is the amount of people in the audience!

I too am a UK bride, we have chosen our date in 2014, and are willing to be flexibile on time - as an uber planner not being able to book until 8 months out is killing me!!

We have a UK bride community on facebook if you'd like to join PM me and i'll see what I can do xxx

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I got married in 2001 at the Wedding Pavilion and had only 20 guests. Our reception was at the Disney Institute? If I remember correctly. It has wonderful views. Being that we had a small group, I didn't want to be put in a large ballroom. We had everyone sit at one very large table and had a buffet. I will admit we went overboard on the buffet....king crab legs, steamers, two different types of soup, salad, prime rib, chicken...it went on and on but my husband wanted what he wanted. Along with the wedding cake at the reception, we had a desert party during the fireworks at Epcot. After the reception,the bus which picked up all my guests at their hotel, took us to Epcot. It was a lot of fun and very cool. We entered by being at the end of the parade.
As far as just having a meal at a restuarant....that's another reason we went the buffet route. A lot of restrictions....with time, places, menus, etc. Turned out to be a big hassle.
Photographer....we used a Disney photographer BUT in order to be more cost effective and utilize him for the wedding, reception, desert party AND we had pictures taken in the park in front of castle and on carousel, etc....we "broke it up." We didn't keep him there the entire time of the reception, took some "main" photos after the ceremony. If you're having a small wedding like myself...let's face it....there's only so many pictures. They were more than happy to accomodate. I'd would go with just Disney personally. They are in the know and will make the best of your photos. You may need only one.
As far as booking and flights, etc. I just remember with my experience.....many of my first choice dates were already booked at Disney. I think you need to get in touch with Disney Weddings and talk to a consultant especially about dates. They go fast, especially weekends. I was booking my wedding almost two years out and I couldn't get the weekend I wanted in October...all taken.

 

[PrincessSoshi]

DFTW told me that they usually put escape brides at the canada overlook location for Epcot fireworks DPs. This was fine with me because that location is so close to the side entrance of Epcot that I figured that my group could walk from the boardwalk area, with an escort, so I don't have to rent transportation. That location has a venue rental of $335, a Food & Beverage min of $460, and they allow 20-50 people. They also charge a $12.95 viewing fee per person, but they will wave a persons fee (i have heard) if they have a park ticket for that day or an annual pass. Below is a link to pictures of canada overlook from travel babble. Love that site.

http://disneytravelbabble.com/disney-weddings/wdw-venue-photos/canada-overlook/

 

[Chilly]

Firstly we are hoping to be married at WP, There will only be a max of 18 of us and we're a little worried that it'll look odd in such a big room when theres so few people. However we like that it is private.
1) Is there any other venues for an escape wedding that are so secluded?

We only had 6 guests and it was fine

we only really want a casual reception (just a nice meal somewhere) at around 4;30- 5pm where i can stay in my dress?

You can stay in your dress as long as you are not in a theme park

2) is there anywhere you would suggest that is either at the GF or nearby?

The GF has about 5 restaurants so plenty of options

3) I like the look of the tea rooms with a selection of sandwiches but is this possible for large parties? I cant even see it on the booking website anymore, is it still open?

The Gardenview Tea Room is only open 2pm till 5pm

I also have a few questions about photography, i would want to use the photography included and my mum is insisting we have the 2nd photographer too (she's paying). But we would also be interested in having a photographer at the dessert party for the hour.
6) is it possible to also have a disney photographer for just an hour later in the day?

You'd be better using an outside vendor that supplys 2 photographers for your ceremony and then using the included photographer for your DP

7) also as we'd be coming from the UK so would like to buy the image CD straight away, any ideas how much this would cost? I thought i read somewhere it was cheaper for those outside the US, or is this wishful thinking?

When we had our Escape Wedding in 2009 the regular disc was included in the package and I've printed from this no problem

Finally as we're coming from the UK we would be looking to book our flights about 12-14 months before but we cant book the wedding until 8 months before. We are rather flexible with dates within about a 10 day period.
8) will we be ok to book our flights before securing our date?

Yes we booked our flights, cruise, hotel and photographer all before confirming the date with Disney