Dessert party not booked through DFTW

[tinkerbell 766]

Okay, so I am still batting about my options for my small VR in May 2011.
I thought I had it sorted but the $7500.00 minimum for Escape's with a private dining event is really stretching my budget and I have to be realistic. Everything is still in the planning stages, but I have started to consider a Swan wedding followed by a restaurant meal. I really, really want a dessert party though and I understand that you can still have a DP by booking it through someone other than DFTW. I know that if I did this, I would not be allowed to wear my gown into the park, disappointing but hey!! it just means two new dresses
So my questions are these:-
If a DP is booked seperately and no wedding attire is worn, are you still required to book backstage transport or can you just make your own way to the DP venue?
Are the menus the same as the ones from DFTW?
Who would you contact to book such an event?
Thanks once again

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

You could probably wear your dress if you booked it @ Sago Cay or the Marina. Plus, the cost is way lower, if that is a concern (I think if it is just a DP, it is $500 @ SC and $1000 @ the Marina). The locations are beautiful at the GF, and coming from someone who did both an Epcot (Morocco) DP and a Sago Cay one, I actually preferred Sago Cay.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Thanks Karen
Who do I book this through, if not DFTW?

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

Thanks Karen
Who do I book this through, if not DFTW?

Maybe Disney Catered Events?

http://www.disneycateredevents.com/

 

[brer rabbit 28]

Just had a look at this website, seems the best option for booking a dessert party without the DFTW

 

[Chilly]

Be careful not to mention anything about your VR as I think they'd just tell you to ring DFTW if they knew it was wedding related.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Are there any venue/set up fees with sago Cay?
Can you have a dinner at either SC or the Marina followed immediately by a DP and if so what would the F&B minimums be for such an event?
Thanks once again!!