Atmosphere of Venue

[Scrap_Vamp]

I am wondering if any previous brides could help me out here.

I'm having trouble getting an idea of what the atmosphere of each of the venues is like and was hoping you could describe them to me? I'm certain that we don't want the Wedding Pavillion as this is too traditional for us (seems to go with the Cinderella wedding, which mine won't be!).

To give you an idea, my DF and I are both fairly laid back people. My dress will be simple, and the men will be wearing linen shirts and chino-type trousers rather than suits. I love the orange calla lily bouquet currently on the site and would theme my colour scheme around this. It will be an intimate wedding with about eight other adults, a three year ols and a two year old.

Which venue do you think would best suit the relaxed atmosphere that I am hoping to achieve? Thanks in advance

 

[hiwaygal]

well...to be honest, I really think any of them would, although I do understand why the WP feels so much more formal and traditional.

It sounds like what you are planning is very similar to what we had. I wore a simple white cotton dress and DH wore a beautiful linen shirt and chino style pants. Our wedding was in September and we knew it would be hot and humid, so we wanted something as comfortable as possible.

DH and I are both quite laid-back and definitely not into formality.

We originally wanted Sunset Pointe but for many reasons ended up at Sea Breeze Point. It was perfect for us! The large "gazebo" structure allows you to at least be in the shade a bit. It overlooks the lake and the feel is sort of a relaxed elegance. Not too fancy and not too casual.

Here is a LINK to some of my wedding photos.

Sunset Pointe may or may not be available depending on the date you are planning. But there is a maximum of 10 guests allowed there. Even the kids are counted so you might not be able to have it there anyway.

The Yacht Club Gazebo is very similar (IMO) to Sea Breeze Point. There isn't room for your guests in/under the gazebo itself and to me that makes it a bit more "restrictive" (but still quite beautiful!).

Sunrise Terrace at Wilderness Lodge has a more "rustic" feel. Still very elegant though! I believe there are "tight quarters" there as well.

It's hard to make a decision...and I'm sure others will chime in with their opinions! Rest assured that whichever location you choose...it will be magical 'cause really...they all are!

 

[Scrap_Vamp]

Thanks for your response Denise - it is interesting to hear that in some of the locations the guests can't be quite as close as in others. Your wedding sounds wonderful - will go and check out your photos now!

We definitely have six adults and two kids - two adults aren't certain because we don't know what will be going on with my DF's parents at that time...one of them always seems to be out of work

 

[JandJ]

We were married at the WL Sunrise Terrace. I definitely wanted an outdoor location but we wanted something more private. It was perfect for us - gorgeous location, views of the lake, privacy, and we love the WL Resort. I don't know if it was really "rustic" as we are not rustic people, but I can see where you could say that. We live in FL and have lived here most of our lives, so a "beach" feel was really not for us. I didn't plan on a traditional wedding gown with a train, but when I tried on my gown I knew it was "the one" so the casual dress was out the window DH wore a suit though, not a tux, and our one attendant wore a short dress. It really was a perfect wedding Here are a couple of pictures from the Disney low-res CD (so they're a little blurry - sorry!) also go to this website:
http://www.tazfoto.com/webhtml/wdw_locations.htm
There are fabulous pictures of all the locations. Happy Planning!

You can only fit 8 - 10 guests on the Sunrise Terrace:

They do the cake cutting inside so it really feels more separate from the ceremony location:

 

[hiwaygal]

Jen!

I'm so glad you posted about Sunrise Terrace...that's the one I know the least about. I didn't think "rustic" was the right word either...but I couldn't think of one that really fit! I just kept thinking of those wonderful mountain lodges and how majestic the trees and scenery is. It was hard putting that in one word!

 

[JandJ]

Yeah, I think "rustic" has some bad connotations, but I knew what you meant and I can totally see people thinking of that word, I mean, it is a "Lodge" after all

All of the locations are gorgeous! You really can't go wrong with any of them. I was fortunate to live in Orlando when we were planning so we visited all of the locations. SBP was our second choice, it's just beautiful! I love the walkway the bride comes in at - really special! It was just too public for us. I personally don't like hearts as decoration, and the YC Gazebo has hearts around the top, so that combined with the lack of privacy made me not choose it. We're not into the beach theme, so Sunset Pointe was out, but it's absolutely beautiful if you like a beach feel.

WL worked out really perfect for us - not only did I fall in love with the location, but everyone stayed there including my daddy who uses a walker so it was super convenient for him on the wedding day.

 

[Scrap_Vamp]

Wow, Jen - that looks gorgeous

Thanks for posting the link to the website too.

We had a look round WL on our trip last year, when we ate at Whispering Canyons. If we have any good fortune within the next year we would like to take a budget one week trip to look at the locations etc but that would be a very big if lol!

Oh, and you mention guests staying there - some of our family are looking to stay at the Fort Wilderness Villas so that would be convenient too

 

[Scrap_Vamp]

Wow - I think I am sold on Sunrise Terrace!! It looks absolutely wonderful and that view is incredible.

Am going to my mum's in an hour so will have to show her those photos - my DF loves the location too.

 

[JandJ]

Just an FYI so you don't have any surprises. There are two things about Sunrise Terrace that some brides do not like, but for me I "hid" one and the other didn't bother me:

1. Sometimes there is a WL-themed garbage can on the Terrace. It's not hideous, but I didn't want it there. It was there most of the times I visited the site before the wedding, but not every time, and it's not in any of the pictures on Taz's website. When I asked our coordinator about it she said if it's out there they won't move it. So, just in case, I got a cheap tablecloth in burgundy (our wedding colors were burgundy and ivory) and a silk bouquet of flowers in a glass vase. On our wedding day I had my friend go and cover it - it ended up looking like any other table with the flowers on it and no one had any idea it was a garbage can!

2. There is a drainage grate in the middle of the Terrace - you can see it one on the pictures on Taz's website. I wanted an aisle runner to cover it, but they don't use aisle runners on the Terrace because there is no place to secure it to. It's in only ONE of my wedding pictures and I used Photoshop to get rid of it so you'd never know!

On our wedding day I didn't notice any of that stuff anyway - I was on Cloud 9 and nothing was bringing me down!

If you have any questions about Sunrise Terrace please feel free to PM me.
If you want to know about other locations I know there are brides on here that will be happy to answer your questions.

Happy Planning!

 

[JonetteA]

Seebreeze pointe, or the Yacht Club gazebo. If you are doing a custom then I would say Epcot can go fancy or dressed down.

 

[Gina Loves Disney]

I personally think Sunset Pointe would be the best choice for you. As of right now you're over with the guest count though. But if the two adults your unsure of can't come then you can have it there.

 

[Allisonjane]

I had my heart set on Sunset Pointe as i love the palm trees and beach setting, but my wedding is in september and this location is only available october to april. After hours of searching the internet for photos and asking lots of question on here i decided i didnt want a gazebo wedding and that scenery and views where important to me, so we have booked sunrise terrace and now i couldnt be happier. My daughter will be 11 months old and im so gald that we will have some shade and she can even be taken inside if its too hot for her, Sunset Pointe is very open so really wouldnt have been suitable for her. Also my photographer has suggested going to Grand Floridian for beach photos after the ceremony so im getting the best of both worlds.