Beginning of Planning Stages!

[DisneyMom]

My DS has popped the question and he and his DF are looking at mid-December (DF will be a college senior and we're shooting for her Christmas break) for a small (Escape?) Disney wedding!! We're not 100% sure of the date yet as we are waiting for confirmation from other DS on his leave dates from deployment in Iraq but knowing the Army, we're thinking we might have to confirm the dates and hope for the best on his being able to make it.

Looking at Sunset Pointe, late afternoon - will only be 5 of us including the happy couple.

Need all the helps and tips that I've come to depend on from my fellow DIS'ers over the many years I've been a member! This is the first of my 3 to take this big step and Mom is a little overwhelmed to say the least!!

Where do you find an officiant? Is it true AP's are included for the couple? Does that mean they need a room-only reservation and I'm totally confused on the addition of the Dining Plan to that reservation!! Are there certain resorts that fill the minimum stay or can any suffice (looking at PO Riverside as it's always been a favorite of ours). Will be 10 nites there for couple, 5 nites for DD and myself and possibly another room for son (but if he makes it, he might do better at Shades of Green?)

I want to host a dinner for the wedding party after the ceremony and DS is thinking Cinderella's Royal Table and hopefully window seat to watch fireworks. Couple will have AP's and rest of party length of stay tickets so entry to park day of wedding not a problem but schedule of fireworks not yet posted for next December - any idea when it comes out? And will that interfere with any MVMCP dates? (Thinking 12/15 for wedding, but flexible at this point).

Bottom line - need HELP!! Any guidance, tips, pointers, must do's, DON'T do's, all appreciated!!!

Thanks so much!!

 

[orangetiggs]

welcome and congrats,

I'm a wishes wedding bride so i'm not sure on the escape route but i from what i understand you cant add the dining plan with the annual passes, i could be wrong this is what i have just read on these boards, someone may be able to help better

 

[hiwaygal]

Congratulations to your DS!!!

I'll try to answer some of your questions!

Where do you find an officiant?

Disney will send you a list of local officiants who have performed ceremonies at Disney. A couple of names on that list are:

Rev. Jack Day (his website wouldn't load, but you can google his name)

Rev. Tim Herring (http://www.orlandoweddinglocations.com/)

Rev. Kevin Knox (http://www.abeautifulceremony.net/) - we used Rev. Kevin and I highly recommend him!!

Ron Rosenzweig (http://www.wedinorlando.com/)

Is it true AP's are included for the couple? Does that mean they need a room-only reservation and I'm totally confused on the addition of the Dining Plan to that reservation!! Are there certain resorts that fill the minimum stay or can any suffice (looking at PO Riverside as it's always been a favorite of ours). Will be 10 nites there for couple, 5 nites for DD and myself and possibly another room for son (but if he makes it, he might do better at Shades of Green?)

Yes, AP's are now included for Escape brides, and yes, that means they really only need a room reservation at any Disney owned and operated resort (so POR is fine, even a value would work!).

I can't really advise on the Dining Plan since it's value is really a personal choice. In some ways, I think it's worth it and some ways I don't.

I want to host a dinner for the wedding party after the ceremony and DS is thinking Cinderella's Royal Table and hopefully window seat to watch fireworks. Couple will have AP's and rest of party length of stay tickets so entry to park day of wedding not a problem but schedule of fireworks not yet posted for next December - any idea when it comes out? And will that interfere with any MVMCP dates? (Thinking 12/15 for wedding, but flexible at this point).

CRT is a great idea for an after wedding dinner! DFTW helped me with the reservation of my dinner and that helped make sure all the CM's knew it was a special celebration!

The park schedules usually come out about six months prior and that usually has all the fireworks show schedules too.

Bottom line - need HELP!! Any guidance, tips, pointers, must do's, DON'T do's, all appreciated!!!

Thanks so much!!

Take a look here: http://www.disneyweddings.go.com/site/gate/index.jsp

and here: http://www.mouseweddings.com/

and read through some of the posts here...ask any questions you have and I'm sure you will get some great ideas and help!!

 

[lov2b@disney]

Welcome!! And Congratulations to you all!!!

I too am a wishes bride, there are lots of escape brides on her with tons of great information though.

Sunset point would be beautiful for the ceremony. Check out www.mouseweddings.com they have lots of dining information. As far as timing wishes- ugh! For a recent trip in January I tried to time our MK day to see wishes and it seemed like every time I looked at the Disney calender on line it changed, there once, gone! It ended up being a pirate and princess party night-no wishes- but great fireworks from the party- so I'm sure there would be fireworks just ??? which ones!!!

Once you contact disney they will send you officiant info, I believe they have added AP's for escape brides.
As far as the Dining plan (love it) right now you cannot get it with an AP- I think they are trying it out for ??april/may to add it-- so maybe they are getting lots of requests and will permanently add it! That would be great!

Hope all this isnt rambling, but a little bit of help

obtw- I'm from Charlotte too!(we actually live in cornelius-close enough!)

 

[DisneyMom]

Thanks for all the links and help! I've lived in Charlotte almost all my life - DD just graduated last May from Chapel Hill (Go HEELS!!), middle son in Army, oldest son one getting married. We actually both work at the same company over off West Tyvola!

Your wedding is in June? In the Italy Courtyard? How wonderful! I actually suggested that location to DS! But his bride wants a barefoot beach wedding. I'm actually (don't laugh) the best man if middle son can't get leave. DS says I've been both mother and father since he was 3 and he wants me to stand up with him. I was touched but not sure if I'm up to wearing a tuxedo!! LOL.

Thanks everyone! We have a lot of research and planning to do and I'll be checking back here a LOT!!

 

[lpizzuro123]

Welcome and have fun planning. Just wanted to mention that the bride cannot wear her dress into the MK for dinner so the bridal party will have to change after the ceremony if you are going to MK to eat. If she wants to stay in her dress you will have to pick a place to eat inside one of the resorts. You can always go to GF Cafe, 1900 Park Fair and eat with the Princesses or Narcoossee's and catch wishes from inside Narcoosee's or on the GF dock.

Linda

 

[DisneyMom]

I had figured the couple would have to change before dinner at the castle - I wouldn't want her to walk through a crowded park in her dress! And would want her to relax and be comfortable too! We thought about a couple of Epcot restaurants but think the castle is their first choice!

Can anyone tell me about the extra photo sessions that you can have in the actual park? I'm not finding a lot of information about it, but a friend of a friend of a friend said that for $800 (or $1000 depending on which friend), you could get pix taken in the park while it was closed - on the carrousel or in front of the castle - how cool is that? Is this true? Anyone know where I can get details?

Is there a place where DS can rent tuxedo there? What about fitting? Think it would be better to get here, get fitted and take with?

DD and I are looking for Army green dresses to match middle son's dress uniform (CROSSING fingers big time that his leave request will come through but will probably be September before he can say for sure and then always subject to change.

Well, back to work before boss sees me NOT working on his contract!!

Thanks again!!

 

[hiwaygal]

Can anyone tell me about the extra photo sessions that you can have in the actual park? I'm not finding a lot of information about it, but a friend of a friend of a friend said that for $800 (or $1000 depending on which friend), you could get pix taken in the park while it was closed - on the carrousel or in front of the castle - how cool is that? Is this true? Anyone know where I can get details?

The Magic Kingdom photo shoot is between $1000 and $1200 depending on the size of the prints you want. I believe the only times you can do it are at 5:30 am and 6:30 am Monday through Friday. You can certainly book that when you schedule your wedding.

You can contact Disney Photographic Services at 1-407-827-1349 and they can tell you about other options. They can also give you an email address for someone to work with!

 

[lurkyloo]

Hi!

Fireworks schedules are posted 6 months ahead of time... and they can change, but it'll give you an idea at least.

The MK Shoot is held at either 5 am or 6am - you pick! The standard locations are in front of the castle and on the carrousel.

AP holders can now book the dining plan for their room-only reservations.

When your DS and FDL get the ball rolling with Disney, they will be given a list of (recommended, not mandatory) officiants and vendors for things like tuxes and hair and makeup. We used Carolyn Allens for tuxes and dress steaming. DH had his measurements done locally and emailed them to Carolyn Allen. Then the tuxes were fitted a few days before the wedding and brought back the day of the wedding with alterations/exchanges.

Did I miss anything?

 

[DisneyMom]

Well, they've picked a day - December 15, 2008 - and a location - the gazebo at the Yacht Club. They'll drive down on the 13th and stay until the 20th. DD and I will drive down on the 14th and stay until the 19th. HOPING to talk Grandparents into flying down on the 15th, departing on the 16th (they're kind of home bodies and not into traveling!!) HOPING middle DS can get leave from Iraq and be best man!!

DS talked to WDW yesterday and is so excited, but we have MORE questions.

Is there a choice of cake topper? Does a cake knife come with the cake? What about keepsake champagne glasses - can I provide them?

Limo service - is there one limo that makes 2 trips (one for bride and one for groom), or are there two cars? How much in advance do they pick everyone up?

I'm sure assigned coordinator will be able to help DS but he's handling most (all?) of the arrangements (FDL still in college and working FULL time so has her hands full!), and he's not as good on the little details so Mom trying to help out without being a buttinski!!

(Still VERY confused about the dining plans!!)

Still not sure about the Catholic/officiant question. Planning on approaching parish priest this weekend to see what options available. (Married by civil officiant with a blessing in hometown afterward maybe?)

One question - since Bride & Groom get annual passes with wedding package, they will need room only ressie - is it worth getting AAA membership for discount? That may actually be a budget board question but thought I'd throw it out there. (Might help on other 2 ressies that will be needed too!)

Thanks again everyone!!

 

[hiwaygal]

WOO-HOO!!! On starting the planning!!

Is there a choice of cake topper? Does a cake knife come with the cake? What about keepsake champagne glasses - can I provide them?

The standard topper is a Mickey and Minnie. You can ask for the white chocolate castle topper but it costs extra (I think $75). Everything you need for the cake cutting will be provided, but you don't "keep" any of the utensils so if you want a keepsake knife you should provide that as well. I'm sure if you want to provide special keepsake glasses you can (and there are some beautiful Disney ones out there!!)

Limo service - is there one limo that makes 2 trips (one for bride and one for groom), or are there two cars? How much in advance do they pick everyone up?

The limo service that comes with the package is 4 hours. It's one limo for that time period. It can make as many trips/stops as you need during that time. I would guess that they start picking people up about 30 minutes before the ceremony, but that might depend on the number of guests/trips/which resorts everyone is at.

I'm not sure about the Catholic ceremony question. My understanding is that the Orlando diocese doesn't recognize Disney weddings, but your diocese may...you would have to talk to your local priest/diocese and figure out what your options are. Many of the officiants CAN do a Catholic ceremony (without the communion) if that is needed. I'm sure Disney can offer some ideas as well.

One question - since Bride & Groom get annual passes with wedding package, they will need room only ressie - is it worth getting AAA membership for discount? That may actually be a budget board question but thought I'd throw it out there. (Might help on other 2 ressies that will be needed too!)

I'm not sure what the discount is for the AP's but I think it's either better or the same as AAA. The AAA discount can certainly help with the other reservations needed!

Hope that helps some!