No problem, Magical Day. I hope you DO get your Magical Day--at the pavilion or otherwise!
Originally, my fiance and I were looking at an Escape wedding too...but it came down to location and the date reservation more than guest count. Those were the only two reasons we went Wishes. It sucks to spend more money, but you have to figure out what your priorities are--and if you're willing to pay the price that Disney has set on your dreams. When we were seriously considering Escape, we totally whittled down our guest list to 18. If DF's grandpa died, we'd be at 17. So--we were good to go with that, and unfortunately, it meant that a lot of friends and family wouldn't be able to come.
*I,* however, am super, duper crazy about making sure I'm early to everything so that I get precisely what I want. The fact that you can only book the Escape weddings out by 8 months drove me nuts--because what if my date got taken? It's always a risk you run, even with Wishes--but at least on Wishes, you get to book a year out. Plus, it widens the playing field for your desired locations. So--by upping to Wishes, we got to book 12 months out and get the location we wanted--Japan pavilion in Epcot. Neither of those would have been an option on Escape AND now we can invite everyone we want (within reason--it's still more expensive than what I initially wanted to spend on Escape).
So--take some time and figure out what you want to do. I can tell you that one thing we were going to do if we did Escape (and we're still doing, actually--because not everyone can come to Florida)...invite your most intimate relations to Florida. If you REALLY want the wedding pavilion and you don't want the cost bullcrap of a Wishes event, cut your guest count drastically and do a small reception at home for everyone else. Heck--do another ceremony at home for everyone else, if they really want to see you exchange your vows. (We're not doing a second ceremony--but we are doing a home reception). A ceremony/reception at home can be a small thing in your backyard for practically nothing. That way, you get your wedding in Disney AND all your friends can celebrate with you afterwards.
Who is the wedding for? You and your groom, or your family? Sure the unselfish thing is to include everyone who wants to be included--but it really IS about YOU and your GROOM. If Disney is what you want--be assertive and go for it.
Tiffiny
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