Anyone have problems/solutions for music for DFTW resception?

[Cinderella22]

Hi Everyone! I am new to these boards, but already addicted.

My fiance and I are having a DFTW on April 1st, 2008, with the ceremony at Sea Breeze Point, then cocktail hour/reception dinner at French Island upper/lower.
This is my problem: Our WC informed us that we are not allowed to have ANY amplified sound (only a violin, or flute type) at French Island, or any of the outdoor Epcot locations. This is saddening to both of us because we are not changing our location (we fell in love with it when we were there). Moreover, our second choice location only allows music until 11pm so that would not work either.
The WC suggested that perhaps we do all of the reception stuff, and then following Illuminations we could all go to Pleasure Island for dancing. Although this solution is fun and money-saving, we would not be allowed to wear our wedding clothes, and it would not be private. My biggest thing is the first dances with FH and father. I have my heart set on songs for both of these, and I want the original song to be played. This would also not work with the Pleasure Island idea and a violin would not work for either song. (At Last by Etta James and My Little Girl by Tim Mcgraw)

Has anyone else ran into a similiar problem with French Island or come up with more solutions?

Sorry for being so long and thank you for any advice.

 

[Pignanny]

We are going to be tying knot on August 1st @ 10am the YC Gazebo. According to our wedding coordinator the Gazebo has no electricity and thus it is suggested that unless you are comfortable with the live music that can be provided (played) by Disney, you bring a battery operated boom-box to play your musical selections. When I first heard that my knee-jerk reaction was to think "that's just what we'll do", but after further consideration and research we have changed our minds. To setup a boom-box type system would be very difficult....more difficult than you might imagine when it comes to getting sound spread out properly. Places such as the YC Gazebo and/or Sea Breeze Point are not set up for electronics and are thus musically challenged. Also for a song such as "At Last", by Etta James, this is a song that was written in 1942 for Glenn Miller and his orchestra, so the good news there is that is string based all the way through. If you are going to use a song (outside of a Disney song) to be played by a violin would be hard pressed to find one that will sound better.
Finally, I have not found anyone who has spoken negatively about the violinist that Disney will provide. I have read numerous posts and each one re-itterates the same things....wonderful....awesome....beautiful, etc., etc. etc.
"At Last" is our wedding song too, and we once had the same concerns, but we are using violinist and we are absolutely confident everything will be perfect. How could it be anything else, it's the most magical place on earth?

 

[Cinderella22]

Thank you for your advice!

I did not know the background to "At Last", so that makes me feel better. I do want a violin at both the ceremony and reception without question; however, I was hoping to be able to have a DJ at the reception afterwards rather than having to bring bring everyone across Disney, and also change our clothes. But, I can't have everything, and regardless you are right, it will be magical no matter how it is done!
Thank you, and good luck with your wedding!

 

[M&M126]

Hi Cinderella22- I responded to your question on my planning journal.....


I was told I could have a DJ in the park after hours. Things could have changed or perhaps it varies between locations. I havent talked to my planner about it yet but when I do, I'll let you know what I hear.

 

[dznystar]

I completely understand. I was in the exact same situation. We planned our Custom wedding at the WP with a reception at the French Island. We had everything planned out, we did a site walk through, had our menu tasting backstage at EPCOT, picked out flowers for the pre-reception and reception, even worked out the DJ so he could start after the park closed at 10. My guests were going to watch Illuminations and then have dinner and dancing. Everything was great until a month ago, yes... 2 months before our wedding. I checked the schedule for extra magic hours and found out that EPCOT was open until 1:00am. AHHH. Talk about a headache. My planner did not even know (supposedly) until I called in a panic and told her. Needless to say, she didn't give us the results we wanted, and eventually changed planners. You have to be very careful when planning a park reception. We thought we had everything worked out, but we just had ot replan. So now we've changed our reception to the St.Augustine rooms at GF. I was devasted because I too fell in love with the French Island. I wanted to have have my dances under the stars. We're now having our pre-reception at the GF Marina adn we're having the soundtrack from WIshes piped in for our guests to hear it. Everything had to be changed: napkin fold, decorations, centerpieces, even the DJ package. I hope everything works out for you. Our Fairytale wedding turned into a Nightmare before Christmas wedding. With less than a month to go, I'm hoping that there will be no more surprises.

 

[Cinderella22]

Hi Cinderella22- I responded to your question on my planning journal.....


I was told I could have a DJ in the park after hours. Things could have changed or perhaps it varies between locations. I havent talked to my planner about it yet but when I do, I'll let you know what I hear.

Thank you for the helpful information. Your wedding sounds like it will be incredibly beautiful!

 

[Cinderella22]

I completely understand. I was in the exact same situation. We planned our Custom wedding at the WP with a reception at the French Island. We had everything planned out, we did a site walk through, had our menu tasting backstage at EPCOT, picked out flowers for the pre-reception and reception, even worked out the DJ so he could start after the park closed at 10. My guests were going to watch Illuminations and then have dinner and dancing. Everything was great until a month ago, yes... 2 months before our wedding. I checked the schedule for extra magic hours and found out that EPCOT was open until 1:00am. AHHH. Talk about a headache. My planner did not even know (supposedly) until I called in a panic and told her. Needless to say, she didn't give us the results we wanted, and eventually changed planners. You have to be very careful when planning a park reception. We thought we had everything worked out, but we just had ot replan. So now we've changed our reception to the St.Augustine rooms at GF. I was devasted because I too fell in love with the French Island. I wanted to have have my dances under the stars. We're now having our pre-reception at the GF Marina adn we're having the soundtrack from WIshes piped in for our guests to hear it. Everything had to be changed: napkin fold, decorations, centerpieces, even the DJ package. I hope everything works out for you. Our Fairytale wedding turned into a Nightmare before Christmas wedding. With less than a month to go, I'm hoping that there will be no more surprises.

Thats horrible! Who was your wedding planner? I was told from the beginning that we couldn't, so we are going to go ahead with the location. Also, I have created a last minute back up plan (if the string quartet doesn't work) I will get my brother to in battery operated speakers for his ipod--just for the 3 dances. That may be tacky, but having those dances, with the right song, at our reception location with our wedding clothes on is important to me. I want pictures and video of it to look back on.

It is sad that your situation turned out like it did, but hopefully your new plans will run smoothly and you will have memories of a magical wedding.

 

[dznystar]

Meri was my initial planner. We were told that we could have a DJ but he couldn't start amplified music until after the park was empty. We were okay with that. We would use existing music from the french island for our pre-reception, and after illuminations we were going to have our reception and dances. But finding out 2 months prior to the wedding that it was extra magic hours I was not happy at all. They should have known farther in advance. I didn't mind the guests in the park, my problem is that i also wanted the DJ to have my dances. So it was either get rid of the DJ and stay at the French Island, or find an alternate location and keep the DJ. We chose the latter. 27 days left, and I'm hoping that all goes well. We did have to switch planners after the whole thing. I didn't think that it was being handled the way that it should have. It wasn't a "disney" solution. They tried to give me a quick fix and not listen to anything that I wanted. I have a new planner and she's been GREAT!

 

[Cinderella22]

Meri was my initial planner. We were told that we could have a DJ but he couldn't start amplified music until after the park was empty. We were okay with that. We would use existing music from the french island for our pre-reception, and after illuminations we were going to have our reception and dances. But finding out 2 months prior to the wedding that it was extra magic hours I was not happy at all. They should have known farther in advance. I didn't mind the guests in the park, my problem is that i also wanted the DJ to have my dances. So it was either get rid of the DJ and stay at the French Island, or find an alternate location and keep the DJ. We chose the latter. 27 days left, and I'm hoping that all goes well. We did have to switch planners after the whole thing. I didn't think that it was being handled the way that it should have. It wasn't a "disney" solution. They tried to give me a quick fix and not listen to anything that I wanted. I have a new planner and she's been GREAT!

I just asked you why you chose to switch in a different thread, not realizing it was you. Sorry. Well, looks like I am sitting in the same boat and not sure what to do. Thank you for your advice, and I hope your wedding turns out beautiful. Oh--I was told music could only be played until 11pm at the GF halls. Is that the same for you?

Maggie

 

[dznystar]

We are supposed to have the DJ all night, until 1:30am. I'm going to be really upset if it something changes now.

 

[hcb0883]

How did everything go switching from Meri ? We have her as well and we have had nothing but problem after problem with her.

 

[dznystar]

How did everything go switching from Meri ? We have her as well and we have had nothing but problem after problem with her.

I would definitely recommend a change. We tried talking to Pam Pearce thinking she was her supervisor, but isn't. We actually got on the phone with one of the managers, who was not too terribly pleasant either, and by the end of the phone call had said that she already transferred us to Carol Mikles. Carol has been GREAT! Can't say enough good things about her. She's very quick about responding and knows the whole situation we had with Meri. If you have any doubts at all about Meri, ask for a new planner. Just remember, your wedding planner is essentially working for YOU, not the other way around. Good luck, and keep me posted.