Girls and Guys,
I want to preface the below post by reminding all of us that this is a public forum. DFTW and others do read this forum. The basic rule to follow is that if you wouldn't say it to someone's face don't say it. =) The other Mods and I are not going to delete posts or fix things of that nature. I think we all know this rule but just wanted to recap!
If you have questions, make sure to read the TOS and the Rules of Engagement. The Rules of Engagement post is located at the top of this forum.
Also, should things start getting out of hand we will be handing out infractions. These changes are not coming from the Director level of DFTW, but higher up in management. Your SM and WP have to abide by these changes, this is not their idea of fun trust me! If you have any questions you can feel free to PM me or to ask your SM or WP.
Ok, so here we go, my comments are in blue.
I received the following from DFTW today (6/12/08). The effective dates are for contracts that are drawn up beginning on: Monday, 6/16/08. If you already have a contract in your hot little hands this will not apply to you. It is only contracts being drawn up on 6/16/08 and beyond. This is copied and pasted straight from the email that I received.
*********************************************************
The changes effect:
Payment Policy
Signing of Contract $2000.00 deposit due ($1000.00 will be credited against the estimated budget and $1000.00 will be credited against any outstanding balance due after the wedding
(90) days prior full minimum expenditure is due
(30) days prior full balance of estimated budget is due
I think for me we had a 1500.00 deposit that was due up front, and it was applied after the event was complete. Basically, this money is outside of the full payment and was there for any overages that we incurred. So in other words, the total outlay was my full total plus the 1500. I got the 1500 back a few weeks after my event was complete.
Cancellation/Postponement Policy
If anyone has any questions about this, you may want to talk to your SM or WP. My understanding that this new policy keeps people from postponing multiple times. Life events such as hospitalization, deployment for military service, death in the family, etc are exceptions.
Floral - No outside Vendors for outdoor locations
You must order your flowers, linen and décor through one of Disney Entities for the Ceremony and/or Reception if it is held in a Theme Park, or outdoors in any public viewing area.
Ok guys, I will tell you that when I first received my floral quote I nearly died three deaths.
I also took a deep breath and called Laura Kidd and she helped me work through to something that I loved that I could afford. I did price outside vendors and for the variety for floral I had would have cost me way more! The positive for everyone is that Disney buys in bulk. They are not just buying for your wedding but for all events including conventions. There is just a variety for you to choose from. I can not say enough good things about Laura Kidd, I think that she hung the moon!
I have to be honest, I was pretty cheap with floral. I made it really affordable by reusing the floral 3 times. Yep, count 'em baby three times! For the rehearsal dinner, reception and our desert party. You will be able to save money doing this.
Personal floral is not effected by this change.
Theme Park Locations for Ceremony is now $1600.00
Magic Kingdom is not $1600.00 You will have to get pricing from your SM and WP if you are interested in this venue.
Entertainment - No Amplified Music for Outdoor Reception locations at Epcot
On the amplified music. Here is the logic. You could book a DJ in advance and then for some reason or another the park decides 2 months ahead of time to stay open later or whatever. At that point you will not be able to use the DJ at the your reception location b/c it can not interfer with guests experiences. Your wedding planner either lets you keep your location with no DJ, or you have to change your location so you can use the DJ. This has happened a couple of times this year already. This change really protects you.
I hope that this helps and gives you some advance warning.
Thanks!
Jonette
I want to preface the below post by reminding all of us that this is a public forum. DFTW and others do read this forum. The basic rule to follow is that if you wouldn't say it to someone's face don't say it. =) The other Mods and I are not going to delete posts or fix things of that nature. I think we all know this rule but just wanted to recap!
If you have questions, make sure to read the TOS and the Rules of Engagement. The Rules of Engagement post is located at the top of this forum.Also, should things start getting out of hand we will be handing out infractions. These changes are not coming from the Director level of DFTW, but higher up in management. Your SM and WP have to abide by these changes, this is not their idea of fun trust me! If you have any questions you can feel free to PM me or to ask your SM or WP.
Ok, so here we go, my comments are in blue.
I received the following from DFTW today (6/12/08). The effective dates are for contracts that are drawn up beginning on: Monday, 6/16/08. If you already have a contract in your hot little hands this will not apply to you. It is only contracts being drawn up on 6/16/08 and beyond. This is copied and pasted straight from the email that I received.
*********************************************************
The changes effect:
Payment Policy
Signing of Contract $2000.00 deposit due ($1000.00 will be credited against the estimated budget and $1000.00 will be credited against any outstanding balance due after the wedding
(90) days prior full minimum expenditure is due
(30) days prior full balance of estimated budget is due
I think for me we had a 1500.00 deposit that was due up front, and it was applied after the event was complete. Basically, this money is outside of the full payment and was there for any overages that we incurred. So in other words, the total outlay was my full total plus the 1500. I got the 1500 back a few weeks after my event was complete.
Cancellation/Postponement Policy
If anyone has any questions about this, you may want to talk to your SM or WP. My understanding that this new policy keeps people from postponing multiple times. Life events such as hospitalization, deployment for military service, death in the family, etc are exceptions.
Floral - No outside Vendors for outdoor locations
You must order your flowers, linen and décor through one of Disney Entities for the Ceremony and/or Reception if it is held in a Theme Park, or outdoors in any public viewing area.
Ok guys, I will tell you that when I first received my floral quote I nearly died three deaths.
I also took a deep breath and called Laura Kidd and she helped me work through to something that I loved that I could afford. I did price outside vendors and for the variety for floral I had would have cost me way more! The positive for everyone is that Disney buys in bulk. They are not just buying for your wedding but for all events including conventions. There is just a variety for you to choose from. I can not say enough good things about Laura Kidd, I think that she hung the moon!I have to be honest, I was pretty cheap with floral. I made it really affordable by reusing the floral 3 times. Yep, count 'em baby three times! For the rehearsal dinner, reception and our desert party. You will be able to save money doing this.
Personal floral is not effected by this change.
Theme Park Locations for Ceremony is now $1600.00
Magic Kingdom is not $1600.00 You will have to get pricing from your SM and WP if you are interested in this venue.
Entertainment - No Amplified Music for Outdoor Reception locations at Epcot
On the amplified music. Here is the logic. You could book a DJ in advance and then for some reason or another the park decides 2 months ahead of time to stay open later or whatever. At that point you will not be able to use the DJ at the your reception location b/c it can not interfer with guests experiences. Your wedding planner either lets you keep your location with no DJ, or you have to change your location so you can use the DJ. This has happened a couple of times this year already. This change really protects you.
I hope that this helps and gives you some advance warning.
Thanks!
Jonette
Also, I was wondering, is it still okay to have an outside photographer for an escape wedding? I am hoping to have an escape at SBP in June 2010 and would really like to book Randy Chapman. I know that since that is quite a while away the rules could change by then, but I am new to this and still trying to figure it all out! 
I'm also wondering since you seem to be ahead of the game with all this info, if there are any other changes that havent been mentioned? thanks again Carrie<3
