Disney weddings-any negative experiences?

[aristocatz]

You always read about the great reviews, but what about the negative experiences? Has anyone on here had any major mess-ups with any aspect of their Disney wedding? Rude planners or major errors that impacted or almost impacted your wedding day?

How was it resolved?

Please no names of specific planners or vendors-I don't want anyone to get bashed. Related to any Disney wedding, not just DFTW.

I'm just curious about the experience & how it was resolved.

Thanks!

 

[Erzengel]

Some of the issues which wasn't necessarily Disney Weddings fault, like there was construction at the Magic Kingdom so our photographer has to edit out the crane. They couldn't get a full castle shot during our Portrait Session. Our photographer was creative.

We wanted to have a charity group involved during when we entered our reception but our venue did not allow outside entertainment.

Trying to have our own gobo light for the reception wasn't less expensive. Trying to bring in our own projector to show a video montage during the pre-reception wasn't really allowed. We had to use the venue's equipment.

Our outside photographers and cinematographers needed media guides and we had two of each even though they were never apart from each other so 4 total. I have to say, when I relayed all the issues we were having to my Planner we didn't have to pay for the extra 2.

Overall these were more annoyances and a lot of it was out of their control but a few times it felt like there was a lot of no's and the word extra used.

 

[Kiki La Reu]

It wasn't my wedding but I attended a Wishes wedding, and there was NO champagne during the 'champagne toast' (I guess someone forgot to fill and pass out champagne yikes)....it was very awkward. People were scrambling holding up water glasses and others just awkwardly clapped. Other than that the wedding was amazing, and that could've happened anywhere.

 

[sambycat]

Overall, our wedding experience was excellent, the people were great, the day of went well. There will always be "issues" at any event, I don't have any drama to share just for the sake of rehashing the drama - there are a few stories floating around here in the threads of that nature already!

 

[purplegirl1818]

We haven't had our wedding yet (3 weeks from today!) but the only complaint I have so far is about our wedding planner. I'm a low maintenance bride and didn't need to be in touch with her too often. However last week we needed to submit a final BEO, and I was waiting for changes on her end. When I got the BEO, she had added a few changes and didn't tell me about them or take the time to explain them - it was just as if she hadn't bothered to look at it before and finally just did at the last second.

As long as she pulls through on the wedding day I'll be a happy camper.

 

[alyaki]

It wasn't my wedding but I attended a Wishes wedding, and there was NO champagne during the 'champagne toast' (I guess someone forgot to fill and pass out champagne yikes)....it was very awkward. People were scrambling holding up water glasses and others just awkwardly clapped. Other than that the wedding was amazing, and that could've happened anywhere.

One quick note around this (just something you may want to clarify) - I know some couples decide to drop the champagne for the toast to save some money, since they figure people can toast with whatever drink they're currently drinking. So, since I'm not sure, did she choose to have the champagne? Again, just thought it'd be good to clarify, since if they paid for it, it would suck not to get it.

 

[NoOrdinaryPrincess]

I've noticed memories brides complaining about getting slighted more than anyone else.

 

[mb187143]

I've noticed memories brides complaining about getting slighted more than anyone else.

I notice it too... However, I think while some of those complaints were legitimate (such as not getting the in room celebration), I think in some cases there were expectations that weren't realistic. The Escape and Memories packages are far more restrictive... Designed so that they are easy for DFTW to put on. The scaled down pricing reflects that. Not to say that they are in any way less important or anything like that - I just think that people who plan memories wedding especially see and hear things that escape and wishes brides can choose and feel like it wasn't offered, or feel like they got slighted. Reality is, you need to understand the package you're selecting and what comes with it and what doesn't.

Every wedding will have it's glitches. Overall, our day was perfect. I wouldn't have changed anything. We had some hiccups on the part of mens warehouse but that was definitely not Disney's fault. We thought the service from the team of people who worked with us from beginning to end was wonderful and very worth the price we paid in the end for our wedding.

 

[Kiki La Reu]

One quick note around this (just something you may want to clarify) - I know some couples decide to drop the champagne for the toast to save some money, since they figure people can toast with whatever drink they're currently drinking. So, since I'm not sure, did she choose to have the champagne? Again, just thought it'd be good to clarify, since if they paid for it, it would suck not to get it.

Maybe, but the best man was called up for the 'champagne toast' which made me believe that champagne was supposed to be provided. He was looking around for champagne and somebody scrambled and gave him a glass of something to toast with...just slightly awkward, but stuff like that happens all the time.

As a guest I didn't think much of it but if I was the bride or groom I would've been annoyed and it would've been something that I would mention after the fact...I think it's good to know what has happened to other brides, not to stir up drama but so that if another couple has a slight mishap they aren't devastated coming on here seeing everyone else's 'flawless' wedding day...

 

[Lorelei528]

I notice it too... However, I think while some of those complaints were legitimate (such as not getting the in room celebration), I think in some cases there were expectations that weren't realistic. The Escape and Memories packages are far more restrictive... Designed so that they are easy for DFTW to put on. The scaled down pricing reflects that. Not to say that they are in any way less important or anything like that - I just think that people who plan memories wedding especially see and hear things that escape and wishes brides can choose and feel like it wasn't offered, or feel like they got slighted. Reality is, you need to understand the package you're selecting and what comes with it and what doesn't.

Every wedding will have it's glitches. Overall, our day was perfect. I wouldn't have changed anything. We had some hiccups on the part of mens warehouse but that was definitely not Disney's fault. We thought the service from the team of people who worked with us from beginning to end was wonderful and very worth the price we paid in the end for our wedding.

True, that the Escape package is a package..but you can add on and modify quite a bit. You can upgrade ANY of the floral including your bouquet as well as your cake..You can add on characters and photo shoots and have a meal as your reception.
My coordinator had told me numerous times, she loved working on our Escape wedding as it was more like an Wishes wedding...We had our wedding at Sea Breeze Point, Mickey and Minnie were there, we had our dinner in the Wine Room at Jiko and then our dessert party in Morocco. Guests were transported to each location which was all previously arranged and the day ran seamlessly....

The Memories collection though does NOT allow for any modifications (ie.floral)

 

[mb187143]

True, that the Escape package is a package..but you can add on and modify quite a bit. You can upgrade ANY of the floral including your bouquet as well as your cake..You can add on characters and photo shoots and have a meal as your reception. My coordinator had told me numerous times, she loved working on our Escape wedding as it was more like an Wishes wedding...We had our wedding at Sea Breeze Point, Mickey and Minnie were there, we had our dinner in the Wine Room at Jiko and then our dessert party in Morocco. Guests were transported to each location which was all previously arranged and the day ran seamlessly.... The Memories collection though does NOT allow for any modifications (ie.floral)

I don't think I said that upgrades or add-ons aren't possible with an escape wedding. If that's how it came off I apologize. However, escape weddings are more restrictive than wishes weddings - and are priced in that way. Yes you can change floral and cakes, but the locations are limited, and wishes brides get priority in picking venues in the form of a 4 month booking window in advance of Escape weddings. That's all I meant. I have seen many brides who are planning what would be a larger size escape wedding who get frustrated at the additional cost of the reception, characters, etc if they want to add on to the basic package- many seem to find swan and dolphin packages more flexible and inclusive for groups of that size. That's not universally true, it just seems to be a theme that I have noticed here over the last few years.

Memories weddings are even more restrictive than escape weddings, and are priced as such.

My only point was that because there are different options and different pricing structures (eg for the new 2015 pricing for wishes weddings), some may read things here and think they're getting less or feel they're not as important and that's not necessarily the case.

 

[alyaki]

Maybe, but the best man was called up for the 'champagne toast' which made me believe that champagne was supposed to be provided. He was looking around for champagne and somebody scrambled and gave him a glass of something to toast with...just slightly awkward, but stuff like that happens all the time.

As a guest I didn't think much of it but if I was the bride or groom I would've been annoyed and it would've been something that I would mention after the fact...I think it's good to know what has happened to other brides, not to stir up drama but so that if another couple has a slight mishap they aren't devastated coming on here seeing everyone else's 'flawless' wedding day...

Lol, then it was either one side (Disney) forgetting the champagne, or the announcer. Every wedding has it's hiccups. That was the background information I was wondering about, thanks!

 

[MinnieMOH]

I wouldn't call it a bad experience, but I've found that Disney seems to have a certain formula they want you to use at your wedding, and sometimes that is frustrating. We've had to push back a little to get things that are, in my opinion, pretty standard for weddings- such as a staged exit after the ceremony, introduction of the bridal party (rather than just the bride and groom) at the reception, a sit down meal instead of a buffet. Our planner tells us it's fine and then the next time we speak is "suggesting" the same thing again. Don't say the words "taco bar" one.more.time. Just don't. I feel like we're trapped in negotiations rather than planning.

 

[CinderellasBFF]

I wouldn't call it a bad experience, but I've found that Disney seems to have a certain formula they want you to use at your wedding, and sometimes that is frustrating. We've had to push back a little to get things that are, in my opinion, pretty standard for weddings- such as a staged exit after the ceremony, introduction of the bridal party (rather than just the bride and groom) at the reception, a sit down meal instead of a buffet. Our planner tells us it's fine and then the next time we speak is "suggesting" the same thing again. Don't say the words "taco bar" one.more.time. Just don't. I feel like we're trapped in negotiations rather than planning.

I can only imagine how frustrating that would be! Granted we haven't had our planning session yet, but our experience has been entirely different. We were straight forward with our wedding consultant that we did not want a cookie cutter wedding when we were looking for venues and ultimately settled on Pixar Place.

 

[disneemama]

The worse mess up for my dd happened when the ceremony ended we were suppose to have a beach pre-reception not far from the WP. Well as luck would have it the Fl. clouds came and a brief shower sent our guest indoors to a room next to reception hall in the GF. Really very disappointed because the beach looked so beautiful and we were led into a dimly light room where most people did not get to see the bride arrive in the Cinderella Coach. That was due to the fact that they didn't announce her arrival and also coach was not permitted to go near that entrance. Sooo sad because the rain was not so bad as to even leave the beach set up even slightly wet. I know we should have insisted but they really don't give you a choice. Sorry long vent but still bugged about it.

 

[andeesings]

The worse mess up for my dd happened when the ceremony ended we were suppose to have a beach pre-reception not far from the WP. Well as luck would have it the Fl. clouds came and a brief shower sent our guest indoors to a room next to reception hall in the GF. Really very disappointed because the beach looked so beautiful and we were led into a dimly light room where most people did not get to see the bride arrive in the Cinderella Coach. That was due to the fact that they didn't announce her arrival and also coach was not permitted to go near that entrance. Sooo sad because the rain was not so bad as to even leave the beach set up even slightly wet. I know we should have insisted but they really don't give you a choice. Sorry long vent but still bugged about it.

Well, but there's not much you can do about the weather, is there? And Florida weather can turn so QUICKLY!! Imagine if there had been a massive downpour all over your guests? Nightmare! I'm sure Disney takes a "Better safe than sorry," approach.

 

[mb187143]

I wouldn't call it a bad experience, but I've found that Disney seems to have a certain formula they want you to use at your wedding, and sometimes that is frustrating. We've had to push back a little to get things that are, in my opinion, pretty standard for weddings- such as a staged exit after the ceremony, introduction of the bridal party (rather than just the bride and groom) at the reception, a sit down meal instead of a buffet. Our planner tells us it's fine and then the next time we speak is "suggesting" the same thing again. Don't say the words "taco bar" one.more.time. Just don't. I feel like we're trapped in negotiations rather than planning.

What kind of wedding are you having? We had a wishes wedding, and the staged exit, intro for the parents/bridal party/bride and groom, and a plated meal were all easily done. The staged exit and the intros were standard - never discussed not doing them, from day 1 they were in our BEO. The meal was entirely up to us, and we didn't feel pushed in either direction. We preferred a plated meal but we could have done either.

There is definitely a "formula", in that they have timings and things like that down to a science. The BEO is a template that shows that this is formulaic. It's the only way they can do so many events really on top of each other. But I never felt like our wedding was some rote package they've done 100s of times before. Our planner was great, she really dove in and really seemed to enjoy the process with us. Always had suggestions and ideas and was very supportive.

I think in many cases the planner makes a huge difference in the experience you ultimately have.

 

[disneemama]

@Andeesings

Didn't rain the rest of the day. I'd have taken the chance as rain wasn't in the forecast at all. I do know Florida weather very well, use to the quick showers.
Not trying to be negative but op was asking about any negative experiences.
I do think it was easier for the planner since she only had to move guest 20 feet to the reception room. Obviously it's water over the dam now, lol

 

[clapton]

My daughter's wedding planner was not very easy to deal with, everything was a battle with her. At one point we even discussed changing planners ( we probably should have) but didn't. On the other hand our floral designer was fabulous. In the end everything turned out beautifully. Just be sure you stay on top of things.