Could I get some help for reception ideas?

[sajetto]

My DF and I are on a budget and I already added Minnie and Mickey to our intimate reception so things are getting tighter.

I'd love to take everyone to eat, but at the same time I'd also love to do an illuminations dessert party. I'm not hung up about wearing my dress so that's not a problem. Could someone tell me...

1. How much does a dessert party cost for 18 people?
2. Is it cheaper to take everyone to eat somewhere in EPCOT, pay their tickets, and watch the fireworks afterward?
3. What are the estimated costs for a private CG dinner late in the evening during the MK fireworks?
4. Can a bride get away with wearing a white knee length dress (not a wedding dress) in the parks and the guests in dress clothes, but not tuxes? Is there a rule against this?

I'd love some suggestions for going about this in the most cost effective way possible.

 

[tinkerbela]

i can answer number 4 for you right off the bat: brides are not allowed to wear their gowns during park hours. i guess you can go for a simple white dress, that is not bridal of course. i've heard nothing with problems with this.

if i remember correctly, you have to pay for a party of 25 for a dessert party, even if you are having 18. the illuminations party is wonderful. we did that and had a great time. the illuminations dessert menu is varied by the prices based on what kind of desserts are on the menus. so, you would just have to pick a menu that would be budget appropriate for you and go for that. we had our dessert party the night before our wedding. we did this so everyone could meet each other and not have to do all the introductions at the wedding and the reception. i think you should go for that: have the dessert party the night before. it's also a nice memory to have as what you did on your last night as a single woman. then, you all can go your separate ways and do whatever you want.

for the CG private dinner, there are two rooms: one holds 30 and one holds 50. we were considering on doing that but for some reason, changed our minds and went with having our reception at the Atlantic Dance Hall. i don't know how much the rooms cost. would the prices be up on disneyweddings.com? if so, check it out.

i hope i was of some help to you. if you need anything else, please feel free to PM me.

 

[starseed]

Hi!
I tried to PM you but your mailbox is full!

 

[Laurafoster]

If you did an Illuminations party you can wear your dress! Provided that you pay for Disney transport to take you to a back stage entrance i believe. Ive heard of other people doing this by paying for a towncar/limo to get the bride and groom to the dessert party and telling the guests to meet them at the dessert party location. Not sure if this was just a one off though?

A dessert party has a rental fee - Lower UK is $200, a $75 set up fee, a $90 fee for a host and $12.50pp Illuminations viewing fee. You then have a $19.50pp food and beverage minimum.

You also do not have to serve desserts at the dessert party. I Know PenlanSpice is serving fajitas etc at hers so thats a possibility.

 

[sajetto]

Hi!
I tried to PM you but your mailbox is full!

Sorry

I get a lot of stuff from people on the CB, I've cleaned it out now.