Disappointed with VR package

[Papillon]

I spoke with Gloria today about the VR Intimate package. I am planning on a VR trip Dec 2005, (My 20th!). Gloria said that they absolutely don't have any indoor venues, except for the $$Wedding Pavilion$$. I really wanted a very personal small ceremony with my DH (that's damn husband) in front of either the GF Christmas tree or the WL tree. She also said that the only choice I have is for the package they offer with limos, photog, flowers, lots of stuff I don't need. She specifically said I could not trade some of the package stuff for something else, like a dinner at Tony's. I'm really frustrated and disappointed. Can anybody offer any help or suggestions? She also never heard of the re-hitching ceremony at the Garden Grill. Did I just catch her on a bad day? The stuff I want isn't such a big deal, I don't understand why they are so rigid. Waah!

 

[grover]

FTW doesn't do the rehitching ceremony...that is a resturant thing-thats probably why she didn't know about it.
Check with www.justmarry.com and see if they can help you They do vr's at the swan/dolphin and you only pay for what you want!
Grover in Winnipeg

 

[bubbaloo311]

I am sorry you are disappointed with the Intimate Package for your 20th anniversary VR (Congratulations!) and Disney's unwillingness to allow you to customize it - but that's what keeps the Intimate Package cost effective. That although many intimate brides do make their weddings extremely personal and plan lots of elements to go along with the FTW part of the day - the Intimate Package includes a limited set of options for a small number of people. While it is still very special - in some ways it is a "Wedding in a Box. " It's appealing because for a reasonable cost it includes a basic wedding and cake reception, photos, bouquets, limo as well as the honeymoon.

If you don't like Disney's pre-set choices but are not looking to go for a custom VR (and even custom weddings do not have the choice of getting married in the resort lobbies) perhaps you could do something special by renting a suite in one of the resorts. I've heard of other girls doing something like that. You could do something private in the suite and have private dining cater it. If you need an officiant - perhaps a family member could do the ceremony - or I'm sure you could find someone in the Orlando area. I'm pretty sure that Rev Jack and Rev Tim wouldn't do it - since they are so "in" with FTW - but since you're already married it's not a legal issue. I'm sure Disney Floral or a local florist could do your flowers. It would just go more through special events.

I do know that you can't do anything in public areas of the resorts - but in the privacy of a room you've paid for - then I think you could create something special.

Hope this helps!

 

[Miniefan]

I may be wrong and if I am then someone on here will be sure to correct me, but it looks as if the Sunrise Terrace is somewhat private and indoors, from what I saw. If cost is your concern then you should ask them about an add-on, it is not nearly as expensive, and as for the limo service, about two years ago when we were in the process of booking our VR, I was told that the limo could be used for whenever and wherever we wanted to be taken, like for instance, out to dinner, or to the courthouse if you were to need a marriage license, and as for the photography, it really isn't very many pics, the flowers, only a bouquet and bout, in whatever style and color you choose, the cake is two tiers and very simple as well, I believe that you can find something that suits you if you want to do it at Disney, or at the Swan and Dolphin would probably be cheaper, but to me it seems to lack that whole Disney feel about it, so that is why I will be saving some money and booking a room in WDW and doing the VR add-on. Just remember, WDW VR's and FTW's can be as formal or informal as you want it to be.
HTH
Kim

The re-hitching ceremony is something little they do at the Garden Grille restaurant in the Land attraction at Epcot, and even the people at WDW dining don't know anything about it, so if you want some more info on the re-hitching ceremony you can call the Garden Grille direct here is the # 407-560-6071

 

[grover]

I just wanted to clarify that the Swan/Dolphin is not lacking in Disney Magic when it comes to weddings. If anything they go over and above for their brides (I haven't seen anyone complaining about them like they do FTW) and you can still do everything you would with a FTW...I don't see what the difference is execpt for the wedding chapel..but if you are planning a wedding at the poly, the gazebo ect-well then the Swan is right up there. I just didn't want people to be left with the impression that if you have a Swan wedding it is less than-in fact you usually have WAY more as you dollar will buy you a lot more! And for sure the magic is there º0º
Grover in Winnipeg

 

[Miniefan]

Everyone is entitle to their own opinion, in mine for what I compare between the two, I liked the options with WDW FTW's better. But, that is probably because I do want the characters at the ceremony and especially want the castle in my backdrop, this probably is due to the fact that I have always wanted to have a wdw ftw and wdw is my favorite place on earth. I appologize if I made it seem like the Vr at Swan and Dolphin were somehow substandard to Disney. I just meant that if you wanted the whole Disney theme thing going on then you should choose wdw ftw's dept. Grover, congrats on your upcoming ceremony there, I am sure it will be lovely, I did recieve the info you gave me but after knowing how much I love Disney to have it there without the characters and the other Disney touches I wouldn't have been happy doing it there. Sorry if I offended you in any way. Have fun and enjoy your trip!
Kim

 

[grover]

No offense taken- I just didn't want people to think a swan wedding is not as "good" as a FTW..
By the way..You can have any of the disney characters at a Swan Wedding...like I said earlier-it is just a different location!
You can also have the whole disney theme--The Swan is right in the HEART of WDW!!! If anything you have more leeway with the Swan as they won't charge you a arm and leg to accomplish the things you want.
You didn't see anything about characters in the info I sent you because we are not having them- it wasn't because they are not available!
Grover in Winnipeg...who is having a Disney Wedding!!!

 

[Miniefan]

Well grover it looks as if I may have put my big fat foot in my mouth this time, we may be over at the Swan and Dolphin after all. In fact, after reading your post I contacted Just Marry and spoke with Michelle Butler who is sending the info on their packages to my email as we speak. I just might be able to pull this off after all without breaking the bank. Here is a question though- Do you have to stay at the Hotel, or can you just be married there, and if so do they have somewhere you can get ready at the hotel??? Thanks for pointing this out to me I sincerely appreciate it.

Learning new things daily around here,
Kim

 

[Papillon]

Thanks for all of the replies. I'm still a bit frustrated, but it might be because I'm older and I own my own business, so I know exactly what is reasonable and what isn't. FTW is very take-it-or-leave-it. I'm going to leave it. I'm planning on being at WDW to celebrate our anniversary anyway, and I know I can get most, if not any, WDW restaurant to make a cake for me to share with my family. I did check out Just Marry, and it does look like a really great thing. I guess I don't want it that bad. You know, if I can't get exactly what I want, I don't want to mess with it. We'll have a great time without the hoo-haw of a VR ceremony. I'm still wearing the ears from the minute I get on the plane till the minute I get home!!

 

[grover]

Kim-You don't have to stay at the Swan/Dolphin-in fact we have decided to stay at Pop Century and check out disney's newest resort!
The Swan does have getting ready hospitality rooms..you just let justmarry or your swan contact (for your reception if you are having one) know that you will be needing one-no extra charge for that either. Most people get one for the brides party and another for the grooms party.
Let me know if you have any other questions
Papillion-I am just like you-I know what I want and don't need/want to mess around-plus if my customer service isn't 100% I glady take my business elsewhere! For example I had been referred to someone in Orlando who does hair/make-up for disney weddings-good prices and she comes to the resort.I saw pics of her work-gorgeous. However she took forever to return emails/phone calls (like weeks) that I told her that I was cancelling due to her lack of customer service-she said it was to bad I had that perception...PERCEPTION!!! My gawd-I don't see how 2 weeks to get a response to call/email is acceptable to anyone-but I suppose some people don't care how they are treated only the end product-but not me!
I hope your anniversary turns out very special and ya'll have a wonderful time
Grover in Winnipeg