Dessert Party in leiu of Reception Meal

[BouncyTrouncyFlouncy]

Hi All!

What's your opinion on this? If I had an Escape wedding, and we/our guests are from Chicago, would it be okay if we invited our guests to an EPCOT dessert party instead of having a reception meal?

If the wedding is in the morning or afternoon, there would be a big gap in between, so guests would be responsible for their own meals in between.

Do you think guests would be offended? I mean, they're still getting an awesome (if not better) experience than a regular reception. They're just not getting a meal.

I don't think we'd be able to do both, and a dessert party is just really cool. Plus, it gets the guests in the park who may have never experienced that before.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Aschenputtel]

I think a dessert party is much more special than having just a normal meal, especially it's something you can only experience in wdw.
Even if you had the meal together, there would be the time gap, so I wouldn't let that take you away from having a DP.
In the end it should be about the things you want, and if you would love to have one - go for it!!! In my opinion even guests that feel offended would love the DP in the end and it's much more memorable than a meal in a restaurant, right?

 

[lurkyloo]

You can also add appetizers to the DP menu to make it more of a meal if you want.

 

[Disney_Alli]

You can also add appetizers to the DP menu to make it more of a meal if you want.

This is exactly my plan. 5:30 ceremony then we'll do pictures on the boardwalk and guests can grab a quick bite or a drink, relax, whatever. Then meet for the dessert party at the International Gateway (ceremony at SBP so guests will already be in that area)

 

[BouncyTrouncyFlouncy]

So you don't think people will be like, "we traveled all this way and spent all this money and we don't even get a meal?"

That's a good idea of having some appetizers in the dessert party. And it is a nice idea to have the ceremony at SBP and be right in the area for the dessert party, but I haven't really decided on where I want the ceremony. I like pictures on the boardwalk, but I also want some pictures at GF and on the monorail.

 

[Disney_Alli]

So you don't think people will be like, "we traveled all this way and spent all this money and we don't even get a meal?" That's a good idea of having some appetizers in the dessert party. And it is a nice idea to have the ceremony at SBP and be right in the area for the dessert party, but I haven't really decided on where I want the ceremony. I like pictures on the boardwalk, but I also want some pictures at GF and on the monorail.

It's just our families and a few close friends. They're aware of the plan and completely fine with it. We're trying to keep some of the DP details a secret (such as trying for a Soarin' mix in) and we're debating having a drop in of you feel like it breakfast - possibly at Cape May - since our ceremony is so late but I haven't decides yet.

 

[lilofigment1]

We are doing something similar (5:00pm wedding at The Swan and 8pm dessert party at Epcot in lieu of a reception). Most of our guests seem fine with it. There have been a few that said something, but it was more from a surprised standpoint than upset. I hope it works out for you!

 

[jessannscott]

I'm planning on the same thing.

However I'm hoping for a 2:30 ceremony time and as part of our favours we will be giving Disney gift cards and will be doing some "drinking around the world" before our desert party!

That will be our version of an open bar and will give them an opportunity to eat where they would like

 

[Leesa_uk]

Would you have to change out of your wedding dress to do the drinking around the world before the dessert party?

 

[TinkLoverSam]

Would you have to change out of your wedding dress to do the drinking around the world before the dessert party?

Yes, to be in a park in a wedding dress you either have to be in a private area (like your dp location) be on your way there with an escort, or the park has to be closed (like for the bridal portrait sessions in the parks)

 

[Doodlebug25413]

What's this Soarin' mix in????!!! I haven't heard about this. Is this new???

My experience with my gf's wedding, the dessert party was a favorite memory. She did have a brunch reception at Living Seas, but we had the afternoon "off" to go rest back at the hotel before we met for the dessert party.
If she didn't have the reception, I don't think any of us would have cared. The dessert party in my opinion, will make up for it. Plus like LurkyLoo said, you can add appetizers to it.
I've read where some brides have done up a wedding day newsletter or daily events letter to their guests, this might help your guests out knowing ahead of time what to expect, so if you're not going to do a dinner/reception, they
can plan it out. And seriously, if they get offended, oh well. They'll get over it. Tell them to eat another piece of cake. LOL

 

[lurkyloo]

What's this Soarin' mix in????!!! I haven't heard about this. Is this new???

Nope!

A ride mix-in is where you and your guests are escorted directly onto a ride at the beginning or end of its operating day. You can do pretty much any ride in the park where your event is being held, as long as the beginning/ending time works with your schedule. Brides in long/large gowns may not ride, and it's up to Disney's discretion as to whether the gown qualifies. The cost is $15/person who doesn't have park admission.

A ride buyout is where you pay thousands of dollars to keep the ride operating after hours during your event.

 

[Doodlebug25413]

oh bother, thousands of dollars. I need to win the lottery

 

[missbrooke06]

I would be very surprised to not get a meal following a 5:30 ceremony.

I would recommend being very clear and making sure people have time to get a meal in between.

 

[Tarynashley]

It's just our families and a few close friends. They're aware of the plan and completely fine with it. We're trying to keep some of the DP details a secret (such as trying for a Soarin' mix in) and we're debating having a drop in of you feel like it breakfast - possibly at Cape May - since our ceremony is so late but I haven't decides yet.

Were you able to make a Soarin' mix-in work with your Epcot DP? I'm considering different welcome party ideas and think this would be a blast, but not sure how the timing would work, so I'm curious to know if someone else pulled it off and was able to do Soarin and Illuminations together.

 

[elphie101]

Were you able to make a Soarin' mix-in work with your Epcot DP? I'm considering different welcome party ideas and think this would be a blast, but not sure how the timing would work, so I'm curious to know if someone else pulled it off and was able to do Soarin and Illuminations together.

I would say it's one of the more popular ride mix in combinations - from what I've read Illuminations starts at the minute the park closes on most nights (typically 9pm) and then after the show guests are escorted to Soarin, since the park is closed. The only slight hang up I could see would be if the fireworks didn't happen at park close.

 

[Disney_Alli]

Were you able to make a Soarin' mix-in work with your Epcot DP? I'm considering different welcome party ideas and think this would be a blast, but not sure how the timing would work, so I'm curious to know if someone else pulled it off and was able to do Soarin and Illuminations together.

I ended up switching to a Fantasmic! DP and got a ToT mix-in instead. Not really helpful for you though. I've heard of many brides getting one though, never hurts to ask!

 

[Tarynashley]

I would say it's one of the more popular ride mix in combinations - from what I've read Illuminations starts at the minute the park closes on most nights (typically 9pm) and then after the show guests are escorted to Soarin, since the park is closed. The only slight hang up I could see would be if the fireworks didn't happen at park close.

Oh awesome, I'll have to ask about this as a possibility, then. Thanks, Jenn! By the way, I'm new to the boards, but I totally binge-read your whole PJ the other day! I laughed, I cried, I drooled over your dress, ya know .... you and your husband are too cute!!! Plus, we are going to have our reception at ADH next July, and it was super helpful to see all of your pictures!

Taryn

 

[Tarynashley]

I ended up switching to a Fantasmic! DP and got a ToT mix-in instead. Not really helpful for you though. I've heard of many brides getting one though, never hurts to ask!

I know! I read your whole PJ too LOL. I need to step awayyyy from the computer... haha
I was hoping to have a Fantasmic DP but due to planned refurbishments, they aren't booking any parties in 2016. A ToT mix-in sounds super awesome, though - great idea!!

 

[Disney_Alli]

I know! I read your whole PJ too LOL. I need to step awayyyy from the computer... haha
I was hoping to have a Fantasmic DP but due to planned refurbishments, they aren't booking any parties in 2016. A ToT mix-in sounds super awesome, though - great idea!!

I love knowing that people read my PJ! I hope mine helps people as much as reading other brides' has helped me. I love ToT it's my absolute favorite ride and I'm so excited that I get to ride it on my wedding day!!! I'm taking DF on it as his first WDW ride (since it was mine) the morning after we arrive. I can't believe that will be one month from today!!!