I actually had two pre-receptions due to the progressive nature of my dinner party. One pre-reception was a Handprint Ceremony. There was a toast at it (champagne and sparkling cider).
Click here in everyones hands you will see flutes that were topped with fresh strawberries. I was fortunate that the cost of the Handprint Ceremony included the fun decorations (spotlights, red carpet, velvet-roped stanchions, and a wet slab of cement). The beverages, of course, came at an additional cost.
For my second pre-reception, I pretty much stuck with Disney's standard linen package for that particular venue (the Gangster Area of the Great Movie Ride). I did enhance it with black chair covers & corded tie-backs. The cocktail tables that were used were topped with black tablecloths since it suited the venues dark theme. To each cocktail table was added a floor-length, red table runner. It was the perfect splash of color. Atop each table sat a glass cylinder that was filled with a red gel and a floating candle.
Click here to see a photo of the venue.
In this venue was a bartender and fully-stocked bar (
click here). Hors d'oeuvres were passed by a wait staff that was attired in black, pin-stripped suits (keeping with the gangster feel of the venue). I have to note that the hors d'oeuvres were delicious. Too scrumptious, as a matter of fact. I pigged out on so many of them that my appetite was spoiled for the rest of the night. (Why does Disneys food have to be so yummy?)
I should mention that for both of my pre-receptions, there was entertainment in the form of Disney Streetmosphere characters. At the Handprint Ceremony was a Hollywood Producer (
click here the Producer can be seen standing behind me and to the right). He was a hoot and a half. When the Handprint Ceremony was over, the Producer led everyone into the next venue. He then disappeared when that venues entertainment began.
At the pre-reception inside the Gangster Area, there was a Gangster & his Gun Moll. There was also a honky-tonk pianist who played music throughout our time there. When it was time to leave this venue, the Hollywood Producer re-appeared and led everyone into the Western Area for dinner. As soon as we had entered the dinner venue, a new set of entertainment took over and the Producer disappeared.
It is safe to say that my dinner party was the exception and not the norm. Had my dinner party been held elsewhere, I probably would have gone with whatever the standard linen package was for the pre-reception area. I would have added a bar and bartender to the pre-reception, and also some sort of hors d'oeuvres. However, based upon the timing of my ceremony and my reception, I might have chosen to nix the hors doeuvres and only keep the beverages.
When I worked with Disney on my vow renewal, they did not pressure me into doing anything that I did not want to do. They simply threw so many ideas at me that my head spun out of control, but that was what I wanted. I wanted to know what all of my options were so that I could make an informed decision that was right for me.
If anyone feels pressured into doing anything that they dont want to do, they should speak to their Event Manager about it as soon as possible. Im sure the Event Manager doesnt even realize that they have pressured the couple unjustly. The Fairy Tale Weddings folks truly want to help their wedding couples plan the event that is right for them. That can only happen if they understand their couples wishes and budgetary concerns.
I hope this helped.
If you don't mind my asking, how much did the event cost?
moment (some more than one) 
