Celebration Hotel

[WDWbride2007]

Has anyone either planned a wedding at Celebration or been in contact with them concerning the possibility?

We want to have an intimate wedding, but we would like to host a dinner afterwards. When I added up the costs, they were considerable with the photographer we want to book. Unfortunately, my school decided to turn our closet into a kitchenette, so we need to buy a huge wardrobe system to store all of our clothes and shoes. Oh, the joys of living in the Big Apple.... In addition, my parents told us we were on our own for the costs of the wedding, and his parents can't help either.

Anyways, I am looking into less expensive venues where we could still have a nice ceremony and reception. My only requirement is that the site be beautiful on its own...in other words, a garden, a lake, the beach. Celebration Hotel seems like a good value, but I have yet to hear back from them. They also do tastings which would be really nice. I would like to stay close to Disney, so we can have an Illuminations party for the rehearsal dinner. I just don't want to have my wedding back home in South FL where everyone will assume they are invited. Heck, they already assume they are going to our wedding at Disney. Family is so crazy...but I just have to keep reminding myself that at the end of the day we have to pay back DF's student loans and they are NOT going help out. This is all very frustrating. I have thought of putting off the wedding, but after so many years, you just want to enjoy the day. Thanks!

 

[UnderTheMistletoe]

Hey Barbie-

Have you looked into the Swan/Dolphin weddings? If it's getting larger than you expected, that could be a good option. People here have only had nice things to say about them.

Is there anything in DTD? Fulton's? Wolfgang Pucks? Bongos (I know you're of Cuban blood)?

One of the restaurants on property? Citricos? Victoria and Alberts? California Grill (GREAT private rooms)? Concourse Steakhouse? Yachtsmans Steakhouse? I know there's a stellar steakhouse at the Swan or Dolphin... it's like 4 or 5 stars by Zagat. Ariel's?

Start running through the website and look at the restaurants.You might surprise yourself! I would highly rec. Cali Grill. We had an awesome rehearsal there and everyone raved about the food. The view from Napa can't be beat either!!
xoxo

 

[WDWbride2007]

Hey Jill,

Well, DF doesn't like the ceremony sites at the Swan/Dolphin, so that's out. We were going to have an intimate wedding and then plan a dinner for later that night. We would still do that if we could just pay the site fee for the WP without the extras of the intimate package. Basically, we want another cake, a vintage car, and an outside photographer. So, it might be a bit steep to pay $3350 for the ceremony site and then pay for everything else on the side. From what I have read, we could have the ceremony and a full reception for that price at the Celebration Hotel. I would love the Cali Grill, but I think it will be too expensive. We are trying to keep expenses down because we want to vacation at Disney a few days and then have a week long honeymoon in Tuscany, Italy. It's tough because we always wanted a Disney wedding, but we don't want to be in debt. If we could just pay for the WP, then we would have a reception at Fultons. It is really nice, and the lady there is a sweetheart. I have also thought of having the ceremony off-site and a dinner reception at a restaurant on property. Basically, I am in info gathering mode.

Does anyone have recommendations for an off-site ceremony location that offers a nice view or a garden? Thanks!

 

[TNdisneymom]

Hi WDWbride,

Have you looked into Leu Gardens in Orlando ~ my situation is different
because it is a Vow renewal (2/27/06) but I think a wedding there would be beautiful. The cost varies depending on the # of guest ( for me less than 25 guest, it is only $175). There is a sweet girl on the board who shared her info and images (KerriL). PM me if you want more info and I will look for her thread so you can see her images of the garden. It may be an option~ Best Wishes!

P.S. Go to Italy if at all possible - we went in the spring 2004 ~Trip of a lifetime!