Disney Wedding

[princess3]

A while back my family and I went on vacation at Disney. While there my FI and I scheduled an appointment with a wedding cooridinator/manager. We went over what we would have like to have and then she sent in the mail the price quote which was 18,000.00! I about died! So I called her and asked her how could I get this price down and she really didn't give me any ideas. I have talked to Disney brides before who had their wedding for under 10,000.00 and I told her that we could not go over that limit and she basically turned me down.

I just want to say Congratualtions to everyone that can afford to get married there. I hope someday I will be able to renew my vows there. I love to hear the stories about weddings and see the pictures.

By the way, has anyone checked out the website for Japan? They have wedding pavillions over there and you can even have a "princess gown!" The pavillions are awesome! If you can check it out!

 

[Fantasia Sam]

Wow I'm surprised that you were quoted - I certainly never received a quote from my Sales Manager but I was told the minimums for a custom wedding which was $7,500 midweek or $10,000 at the weekend.

I guess it depends on how many guests you wanted because if it was just small intimate wedding you were looking for with less then 13 guests you could certainly do the wedding for less than $5,000.

I'm interested to know what was in the quote for $18,000?

I still haven't had my final quote for our wedding for 40 people and we get married in May - I hope I don't faint

 

[princess3]

When we went to visit, lets say we were treated very nice! It was cool what the manager did for us. Here is a run through and then I will explain the quote and from there...

When we arrived the lady got both of us excited just walking us around that little room and explaining weddings and such there.
We sat down to discuss what we wanted and how many people and since we were just starting to plan we really didn't have an idea of how many people we would invite. We told her that we would do anything to keep it "disney cheap." We wanted a aquarium/under the sea (as she put it) theme. So she took us over to Epcot and showed us the VIP room of the Coral Reef! WONDERFUL! After that trip we basically were done with our meeting and headed back to Magic Kingdom with a little disappointment because she told us that we would be responsible for our guest rooms and we knew right there we couldn't do it. She did the price quote for 50 people!

Price Quote: The information comes well put together and very very nice. I opened it for a price quote of 18,000.00! I couldn't even tell my FI because I knew he would flip! I finally did and Disney was quickly swept under the rug. SO here is what we first talked about and what was quoted:

Wedding Pavillion, dinner at Coral Reef, dessert party at Illuminations or Fantasmic. Of course, beauty services were included, photography, transportation, flowers, food/drink items.
Basically EVERYTHING.

So I called her up and said it won't work how can I do this another way, she suggested the intimate wedding of 13 people and that was it. BUT she said even if I dropped the people it still would not be under 10,000.00. I asked her why and she said well everything you want to do is going to be that much. I told her I would drop the photographer, flowers, and salon stuff and she said " There is really not much else you can do, it still will be 10,000.00. I also told her I didn't have to have the dessert party or Coral Reef. She suggested nothing. My little princess heart was broken

Oh well I am getting married and honeymooning down Disney so life goes on. I will be taking my dress to Disney and getting pictures around the different areas so it will look like I got married down there (Sunset Pointe).

 

[Kismetdreams]

Wow! I hope whoever was like that to you isn't at FTW anymore.

I don't have a estimate from Disnet, but I have my own running total of the wedding costs...

This is estimated at 50 ppl (which I don't think I will have that many) and the food at the beef (most expensive, but again, not everyone will get that) prices.

Grand Total $15,520 (and this is everything from dress to rooms to dog kenneling to plane tickets, etc.)

Disney Total $11,979

Outside vendor total (floral, video, photo) $2,400 (approx)

We aren't having Illuminations, no welcome party, RD is paid for my FMIL, basically pretty basic...But, we are pretty happy with it.

Sorry you couldn't get married at WDW and I agree, it is very expensive, but none the less, they should have been nicer and helped you.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Originally posted by Kismetdreams

Grand Total $15,520 (and this is everything from dress to rooms to dog kenneling to plane tickets, etc.)

Disney Total $11,979

Okay, excuse me while I get up off of the floor.
You bride-to-be(s) are nuts! This is going to sound really strange, but if I had $15,000+ dollars I'm not sure I would spend it on a Disney wedding, first time or a renewal. I'm just strange that way.
However, for those of you that can afford it, BLESSINGS TO ALL OF YOU and best wishes always!

Denise

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Originally posted by princess3


Oh well I am getting married and honeymooning down Disney so life goes on. I will be taking my dress to Disney and getting pictures around the different areas so it will look like I got married down there (Sunset Pointe).

Listen, don't you dare be sad! Obviously there is someplace else you are supposed to get married, so do that and honeymoon in Disney. You do just as you said and take your dress and take some beautiful pictures while you're down there.

Keep that chin up, you're getting married! Take whatever money you were planning on using for your Disney wedding and use it for your Disney honeymoon. Treat yourself and future DH to the Grand Floridian or to the Polynesian. If it were me, I would do the AKL. I think it's a beautiful resort and I love seeing the animals. Have fun planning your wedding and honeymoon and keep us posted. I would keep checking on that price you were quoted. I've heard of many who have done it for under 10 grand, so obviously whomever you spoke to just doesn't know her stuff.

Best to you,

Denise

 

[Fantasia Sam]

princess3 - I cannot believe that this SM was like this - ::sigh:: her loss though as however much you spent on the wedding be it $10,000 or $2,000 let's face it I bet she would have made commission and I think she should have spent more time with you helping you to make your fairytale wedding come true at a lower budget and it really can be done not just on an intimate either. I'm sorry that you were disappointed like that. It really shouldn't be the Disney way sadly though every company has members of staff that let them down and then that does reflect badly on the rest of the company sometimes. I really wish we knew back then as we could have helped you to have your Fairytale wedding at your budget.

Still as Tiggerlover91 said you will still have a wonderful wedding wherever you choose to have it and you're still coming to Disney for your honeymoon which is wonderful and now we get to help you plan your honeymoon

 

[vettechick99]

If you still have your heart set on a Disney wedding, I say call back and speak to another planner!!! I've heard of other girls HERE doing it for less than $18,000!

You mentioned cutting things...people, Illuminations, etc. If you have it on a weekday, your minumin for 13+ people is around $7-8K. You can cut your list, or get an outside vendor or flowers or photography. Get married at the other WDW locations that are less expensive. Coral Reef is $100/person I bet...have a lunch or find a cheaper venue. Have a friend do your makeup or hair! Do your own flowers even (lots of knotties do that)! Maybe after its all said and done you can STILL have your Illuminations Party!

She sounds like a biddy to me, and wouldn't be fun to work with anyway. I would try one more time, give her your budget up front and see if they can plan something. If not, spend that extra money you WOULD have spent for a Disney Wedding and go all out on your Disneymoon (I give two thumbs up for the GF HM Suite!)

 

[Fantasia Sam]

Originally posted by vettechick99
She sounds like a biddy to me, and wouldn't be fun to work with anyway.

Just wanted to say I laughed out loud when I read this - I've not heard this saying before so thanks gor the giggle vettechick99 - I'm sure you're right

 

[Daisy57b]

Princess3 -

We are doing our wedding for substantially less at the Swan - still on Disney property, still in WDW, no minimums. If you are interested to hear about how we are doing it - email me - daisy57b@yahoo.com

You can have a Disney wedding for MUCH less!!!

 

[AndreaRH]

If you have your heart set on a Disney wedding, you should definitely call back. My brother and his wife had their ceremony at the American Adventure Rotunda in Epcot, their reception at the Living Seas VIP room, and an Illuminations dessert party for all under $10,000. It can be done if you have a guest list under 40 or 50.

If you want to view some real wedding budgets, join the Disneymooners and click on the "Budgets" link. To join, http://www.yourfairytale.com/mailist.html

Good luck with your wedidng plans!

 

[louisaho]

do you mind to let me know who is ur sales manager? mine is also like this, he only called us 3 times,he is super slow , it've been a month, and we did not set anything yet!!!

 

[Kismetdreams]

I do have to agree with Erin, that a Swan wedding is a great option for those who may not be able to afford a wedding thrown by Disney, but you still can get anything that you would get at a Disney wedding.

We wanted to change over to the Swan, but it was too late and the money we would have lost in canelling Disney was substantial enough to make it cost the same in the end.

HTH

 

[Fantasia Sam]

louisa - you need to let your SM know that so far you are not best pleased with their service, obviously in a constructive manner They can't know this until you say something and if that doesn't kick them into shape call and ask to speak to the Supervisor of the SM's. You are more than entitled to a better service.

 

[princess3]

If I remember correctly, Sarah was her name. She was nice when I met with her, but I think because she knew her commission off of us was not going to be great that she had "better" things to get to. I talked to her over the phone when I told her that 18,000.00 was WAY to much and again nothing came from it.

She also said she would give me a call after a couple of weeks to get an update and no call.

I am happy to say, that I am getting married in South Carolina and will be happy to honeymoon in Disney. I am happy walking around in my dress getting pictures taken. I am not going to any of the parks in my dress but I will walk around the resort areas. I will even get on a bus to get my pictures taken at the other resorts.

We are staying at All Star Movies and we are happy with our decision.

Good Luck to all the brides and grooms out there!
Princess3

 

[ead79]

I'm sorry to hear that your contact with FTW was not wonderful. I was fortunate that everyone I worked with was fantastic! I agree with the other posters. If you have your heart set on a Disney wedding and can meet the minimums ($7500 for a weekday wedding and $10,000 for a weekend wedding) then I think it's possible to stay near the minimums. You will most likely have to forego extras like dessert parties, lots of floral decorations, etc., depending on the size of your guest list. You can also look into a Swan wedding, as I believe their minimums are much lower, and I have heard that they do a fantastic job.

If you cannot meet the minimums, then just have a fantastic WDW honeymoon and live it up! I did want to caution you about planning to wear your dress on WDW property. Disney is pretty strict about wedding attire and brides not seeing other brides, so just be aware that you might not be allowed to have pictures made at Sunset Point. I just don't want you to get down there and be disappointed.