jasonandlisa
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Mar 18, 2007
- Messages
- 390
Just thought I'd share my Disney planning session experience, in case other brides are curious and, like me, don’t really know what to expect beforehand.
The basics:
Getting married 9/2/07 at the United Kingdom Pavilion (9am ceremony.) Having a reception at the Living Seas from 9:30am - 1:30pm.
We expect to have around 90-100 guests.
My parents, DF, and I flew down to Disney for a planning session earlier this month. While we were there, I had my trial hair-and-makeup (About Face, with Naomi), we met with our planner (Maxine), and met our officiant (Rev. Tim Herring.) That all happened on Friday, 3/2.
Our planning session was scheduled for 1pm to 5pm. (They also have 4-hour morning sessions, if you prefer. M-F.) Maxine started by telling us that the point of the session was to have fun and enjoy ourselves. That we wouldn't be making any decisions (so we shouldn't feel at all pressured.) Then she gave us an overview of how she would be managing things organizationally. Before we got started on the details, she asked whether there was one particular thing I cared about more than anything else. And also whether there was any one concern that had me particularly worried. Then she started going through the wedding chronologically.
First, if we bring any elements of the wedding (guest book, toasting flutes, place-cards, programs, etc.) with us, she said we'll be able to drop them off with her right when we get to Disney and then not think about them again. They'll take care of getting everything to the right place at the right time. Next we covered guest transportation and the room block, general order of events, and the wedding party (I only have a flower girl, so that was simple). If I remember correctly, decor and flowers were next on the discussion list.
"Rose" (yes, that's her real name) from Disney's floral department joined us after we were underway to discuss my bouquet, centerpieces, other flowers, and the decor. (The fact that I was assigned a "floral designer" in addition to my wedding planner was a surprise at the time.) I had put together a little collage of pictures from magazines, disney's wishbook, and theknot.com of what I had in mind in advance of the planning meeting (which Rose asked to keep.) Together, we worked through the details, and I definitely felt as if she "got" my "vision." Rose had books with pictures of flowers, napkin and linen choices, and pictures of typical arrangements. She also showed me some sample placecards and said that Disney floral could provide them. I'll likely look to get cheaper ones on my own, but the chocolate Disney ones were very cool... (Also, they can handle ring pillows, flower girl baskets, and welcome gift baskets, if you don't want to do them yourself. See disneyfloral.com)
After Rose left, we moved onto cake tasting and design, and at that point, I asked Maxine whether we'd be able to take a look at the ceremony and reception sites. She hadn't planned to do that (so if that's important to you, make sure you ask in advance!) But we got lucky, and the reception site wasn't being used that afternoon. Seeing everything in person really helped me visualize the whole day. AND both sites far exceeded my expectations, based on pictures I'd seen in the Wishbook and found online. If anybody's interested in either of these locations, I can tell you more and we did take a few pictures I can pass along... The other thing that was really cool was getting to see the "backstage" Epcot area and seeing exactly how guests would arrive at the various locations. (And where I would make my grand entrance!)
While we were at the Living Seas, we went through my menu choices. I used one of their standard menus as a starting point (Tinkerbell's Brunch) but requested several modifications. Every single one was accepted without argument/discussion. Also, Maxine helped me work through a pre-reception menu, which was a little tricky for me. I'm planning a no-seafood, breakfast-foods-only reception (a little unusual, but it makes sense for us), so having traditional hors d'oeuvres would have been a little weird. (I also had a collage of "food pictures", just like my decor pictures, that gave her an idea of some of the things I had in mind.) She said that if we wanted to come back, she could put together a tasting for us. We're not local, so we won't be doing that, but that's another thing you might want to ask for in advance, if it's important to you.
I've skipped over a little bit of the planning session (between flowers and the site visits), so let me backtrack. For the cake tasting, she gave us a selection of the most popular cakes and fillings. The one I thought I wanted (raspberry mouse) was included (and it’s the one I ended up wanting). If you have something in mind, you should probably make a special request ahead of time to make sure it’s included. I think they use a pretty standard group of selections. For the design, she had lots of cake pictures on her computer. So after I showed her a picture I found on theknot.com, she showed me some similar options they’ve done in the past. The final design was an original combination of several cakes she showed me.
Maxine then went through all the photography and videography options. She explained that one of the reasons Disney photography packages are more expensive is that they actually provide two people to take the pictures throughout the entire event. One focuses on more of the traditional, posed shots. The other takes a photo-journalistic approach. She also had sample albums in the various styles they offer. I'm sure they'll be pricey, but they looked pretty spectacular to me. One thing that never came up during the entire planning session was actual prices. I'm sure they could have given me them if I'd asked. It was just interesting to me that prices were never mentioned by either Maxine or Rose. (Which I think could be a good thing if you wanted to bring people, like future in-laws, who aren't paying for the wedding. So nobody would feel uncomfortable.)
Lastly, we discussed entertainment. We're not having dancing at our wedding but still wanted lively, fun piano music. She suggested a particular performer who will provide more than just "background music." (Someone who provides the music for some improv show at Disney.) We're also having a caricature artist and an appearance by Donald at the end. The ceremony and pre-reception will have a string quartet.
Overall, our wedding planner Maxine generally just asked questions, took lots of notes, and explained some of what I consider wedding planning "basics." For example, she explained what having "photo-journalistic" style pictures means. So, for anyone who's been obsessively reading bridal magazines and articles on the internet, some of what she said was a little “obvious”. BUT, I'm sure it was helpful to my parents and my DF (who aren’t as absorbed by all things weddings as I am). When she did make new suggestions, she didn't push too hard once I said I wasn't interested. (For example, she suggested the 'English Butler', since we're getting married in the U.K. pavilion, but I don't want that much "theater" at the ceremony.)
The bottom-line is that it really was a wonderful day. I had nothing to be nervous about. I was a bit anxious beforehand that maybe DFTW would turn out to be a bit like a “wedding factory” and they’d just try to fit me into one of their cookie-cutter wedding designs. But that was definitely NOT the case. Now I’m just so looking forward to a wedding that will undoubtedly be filled with "Disney magic" that 5 months, 2 weeks seems like such a long time to wait!
The basics:
Getting married 9/2/07 at the United Kingdom Pavilion (9am ceremony.) Having a reception at the Living Seas from 9:30am - 1:30pm.
We expect to have around 90-100 guests.
My parents, DF, and I flew down to Disney for a planning session earlier this month. While we were there, I had my trial hair-and-makeup (About Face, with Naomi), we met with our planner (Maxine), and met our officiant (Rev. Tim Herring.) That all happened on Friday, 3/2.
Our planning session was scheduled for 1pm to 5pm. (They also have 4-hour morning sessions, if you prefer. M-F.) Maxine started by telling us that the point of the session was to have fun and enjoy ourselves. That we wouldn't be making any decisions (so we shouldn't feel at all pressured.) Then she gave us an overview of how she would be managing things organizationally. Before we got started on the details, she asked whether there was one particular thing I cared about more than anything else. And also whether there was any one concern that had me particularly worried. Then she started going through the wedding chronologically.
First, if we bring any elements of the wedding (guest book, toasting flutes, place-cards, programs, etc.) with us, she said we'll be able to drop them off with her right when we get to Disney and then not think about them again. They'll take care of getting everything to the right place at the right time. Next we covered guest transportation and the room block, general order of events, and the wedding party (I only have a flower girl, so that was simple). If I remember correctly, decor and flowers were next on the discussion list.
"Rose" (yes, that's her real name) from Disney's floral department joined us after we were underway to discuss my bouquet, centerpieces, other flowers, and the decor. (The fact that I was assigned a "floral designer" in addition to my wedding planner was a surprise at the time.) I had put together a little collage of pictures from magazines, disney's wishbook, and theknot.com of what I had in mind in advance of the planning meeting (which Rose asked to keep.) Together, we worked through the details, and I definitely felt as if she "got" my "vision." Rose had books with pictures of flowers, napkin and linen choices, and pictures of typical arrangements. She also showed me some sample placecards and said that Disney floral could provide them. I'll likely look to get cheaper ones on my own, but the chocolate Disney ones were very cool... (Also, they can handle ring pillows, flower girl baskets, and welcome gift baskets, if you don't want to do them yourself. See disneyfloral.com)
After Rose left, we moved onto cake tasting and design, and at that point, I asked Maxine whether we'd be able to take a look at the ceremony and reception sites. She hadn't planned to do that (so if that's important to you, make sure you ask in advance!) But we got lucky, and the reception site wasn't being used that afternoon. Seeing everything in person really helped me visualize the whole day. AND both sites far exceeded my expectations, based on pictures I'd seen in the Wishbook and found online. If anybody's interested in either of these locations, I can tell you more and we did take a few pictures I can pass along... The other thing that was really cool was getting to see the "backstage" Epcot area and seeing exactly how guests would arrive at the various locations. (And where I would make my grand entrance!)
While we were at the Living Seas, we went through my menu choices. I used one of their standard menus as a starting point (Tinkerbell's Brunch) but requested several modifications. Every single one was accepted without argument/discussion. Also, Maxine helped me work through a pre-reception menu, which was a little tricky for me. I'm planning a no-seafood, breakfast-foods-only reception (a little unusual, but it makes sense for us), so having traditional hors d'oeuvres would have been a little weird. (I also had a collage of "food pictures", just like my decor pictures, that gave her an idea of some of the things I had in mind.) She said that if we wanted to come back, she could put together a tasting for us. We're not local, so we won't be doing that, but that's another thing you might want to ask for in advance, if it's important to you.
I've skipped over a little bit of the planning session (between flowers and the site visits), so let me backtrack. For the cake tasting, she gave us a selection of the most popular cakes and fillings. The one I thought I wanted (raspberry mouse) was included (and it’s the one I ended up wanting). If you have something in mind, you should probably make a special request ahead of time to make sure it’s included. I think they use a pretty standard group of selections. For the design, she had lots of cake pictures on her computer. So after I showed her a picture I found on theknot.com, she showed me some similar options they’ve done in the past. The final design was an original combination of several cakes she showed me.
Maxine then went through all the photography and videography options. She explained that one of the reasons Disney photography packages are more expensive is that they actually provide two people to take the pictures throughout the entire event. One focuses on more of the traditional, posed shots. The other takes a photo-journalistic approach. She also had sample albums in the various styles they offer. I'm sure they'll be pricey, but they looked pretty spectacular to me. One thing that never came up during the entire planning session was actual prices. I'm sure they could have given me them if I'd asked. It was just interesting to me that prices were never mentioned by either Maxine or Rose. (Which I think could be a good thing if you wanted to bring people, like future in-laws, who aren't paying for the wedding. So nobody would feel uncomfortable.)
Lastly, we discussed entertainment. We're not having dancing at our wedding but still wanted lively, fun piano music. She suggested a particular performer who will provide more than just "background music." (Someone who provides the music for some improv show at Disney.) We're also having a caricature artist and an appearance by Donald at the end. The ceremony and pre-reception will have a string quartet.
Overall, our wedding planner Maxine generally just asked questions, took lots of notes, and explained some of what I consider wedding planning "basics." For example, she explained what having "photo-journalistic" style pictures means. So, for anyone who's been obsessively reading bridal magazines and articles on the internet, some of what she said was a little “obvious”. BUT, I'm sure it was helpful to my parents and my DF (who aren’t as absorbed by all things weddings as I am). When she did make new suggestions, she didn't push too hard once I said I wasn't interested. (For example, she suggested the 'English Butler', since we're getting married in the U.K. pavilion, but I don't want that much "theater" at the ceremony.)
The bottom-line is that it really was a wonderful day. I had nothing to be nervous about. I was a bit anxious beforehand that maybe DFTW would turn out to be a bit like a “wedding factory” and they’d just try to fit me into one of their cookie-cutter wedding designs. But that was definitely NOT the case. Now I’m just so looking forward to a wedding that will undoubtedly be filled with "Disney magic" that 5 months, 2 weeks seems like such a long time to wait!
