Disney weddings tonight-$70,000!!!!!!

Originally posted by piglet too


As for the other bride, she did seem nice, I just felt $70,000 is a lot of money and felt some of it was un-needed.

The only thing that is "needed" is a marriage license and someone to marry you. Anything else, like a reception, is just extra.
 
Originally posted by RUDisney
If one doesn't want to be criticized, they shouldn't participate in an on-air wedding.

This sounds like Jeri from Survivor whining about how she was displayed in the editing and what she's been through since.

If you open up your life to public scrutiny, you are bound to have some people that think you are right on the mark, but others will not agree.

If you air your personal moments on TV, you need to have some thick skin.

Just curious, since you have posted photos of your children, would it bother you if someone critized them. You have as you stated opened your life up to public scutiny by posting them on an Internet forum.

My point being, is that it's easier to dish out sometimes than it is to take it when the shoe is on the other foot. Respect for the most important day in a young girl's life is not the same as reality TV even if they did agree to be a on special showcasing weddings. Just my opinion.
 
Normally I would agree that if you are on a TV show you should expect criticism and have a 'thick skin'.

BUT the difference here, IMHO is that a couple of posters have stated that the people you are picking on are regular Disers. This is a community and I just think it's wrong to pick on a fellow Diser. Can we show some compassion for our fellow Dis members? :confused:

IMHO
 
Originally posted by beattyfamily
Normally I would agree that if you are on a TV show you should expect criticism and have a 'thick skin'.

BUT the difference here, IMHO is that a couple of posters have stated that the people you are picking on are regular Disers. This is a community and I just think it's wrong to pick on a fellow Diser. Can we show some compassion for our fellow Dis members? :confused:

IMHO
well said!! :)
 

I think I've waited long enough to add my opinion of the Food Network special. As one of the couples that were featured on the show, I think I can offer the most informed perspective.

I first want to thank my fellow Disney brides, especially Kristen, Dossie and Elisabeth - for offering more educated input from other Brides who have planned beautiful Fairy Tale Weddings that did not cost $70K. And even if the other couple did spend an enormous amount (considering the amount of people she had) that was their perogative and her parents, if they indeed paid for it.

My husband and I are from NYC, the capital of big weddings. My cousin got married a few months before me - a big blown out wedding for 280 - beautiful but not magical - and actually said to me (who makes a lot less money) "I can't imagine how someone can plan a wedding for less than $80K." I wanted to slap her - as there was no way we could afford that. But she loved her wedding - and it was beautiful - so who am I to judge.

To have a wedding in a normal nice place in NYC (mainly the outer boroughs or NJ) is around $150 per person and better. I am not even speaking of places in Manhattan. Had we gotten married at home - we'd have had around 200 people. We knew we could never afford to have the level of wedding we wanted at home - since we'd spend around $30K on food alone.

When Michael proposed to me over dinner in Cinderella's castle, and later in the week when we saw the Wedding Pavilion, our dreams were answered. We decided we would much rather have a magical wedding for half the amount of people, the closest people to us - then a big NYC wedding - most of the people being friends of our parents. And since we were paying for the wedding entirely by ourselves, it was our decision.

So we went ahead with the Disney Wedding, and it was truly the best decision we ever made. I plan events as part of my job, and I knew exactly what I wanted. And Disney helped me stretch my $$$ as best as I could. For what we had, Disney was more expensive than home - but we had 85 people versus 200 - so we could better afford the wedding of our dreams.

We chose to have a lavish themed cocktail hour (for Disney) since at home the huge cocktail hours are the highlight of the event. Carving stations, raw fish bars, martini bars and more are found at many weddings. It's expected - and I admit I like it. I knew we couldn't afford all that at Disney - so I came up with a solution. I wanted Disney to theme it - since I love Asian food - and I figured by sticking to one theme, less would look like more. And it worked.

And we chose less expensive menu options - like soup for the appetizer - but I had them make Canadian Cheddar Cheese soup since it is my husband's absolute favorite thing in Disney World.

In the other couples defense, every single wedding I've ever been to (and I've been to about 50) - other than my own - has given me the choice of entree the day of. It is the norm here. The other couple was not being extravagant - at least not to them. They were doing what they were accustomed to.

We opted for the duo plate to save money.

Only about 6 weeks before the wedding, we were approached to be on the show. They loved our theming (which was Cinderella by the way - with an orange color scheme) and how we'd incorporated it into the menu. The show was devised as a result of the positive feedback the Food Network had received on the Disney Unwrapped special that featured a bit about wedding cakes.

Mike and I considered it - and accepted for the following reasons. We figured it would be an insurance policy that everything would be perfect. (We'd had a less than ideal menu tasting - and figured if it was going to be filmed - they'd take extra care). We also said the cameras could not be present at our ceremony - since we wanted to maintain the sanctity of that. The footage that was shown was taken by our videographer - STVS weddings.

Disney - for the sake of showing more of what they could do in terms of food - surprised us with a few upgrades (Sushi Bar - which we had cut due to budget reasons, Lumiere - again cut due to budget) and asked us if they could do others (Upgraded to Ice Sculpture sorbet server - cut due to budget, Upgraded our cake to the Big Castle cake - which was to large for our group - but we had originally chosen a cake very similar to the other couple. Since Mike loved the huge castle, we agreed - and the mini cakes - which Disney really wanted to show).

So yes there was lots of cake - but we hadn't planned on it. And it was all sent home with our guests in cake boxes provided by us.

All in all, Michael and I were disappointed in the special. From our perspective, the show fell far short of our expectations, not just for how we were portrayed, but how FTW came off in general.

It's not that we think we looked bad per say - or that our wedding didn't come across beautiful on screen. It's just that after speaking with reps at FTW and with the film crew - and knowing how much they shot - we are a bit upset that the boiled us down to the words "Orange you glad you were invited ..."

(Our wedding was Cinderella themed with an orange color scheme. But the other couple was the token Cinderella bride).

We interviewed with the film crew for 1 1/2 hours. We explained why Disney was important to us, how Michael proposed, and how we worked with Disney to create a beautiful and memorable day that had elements of the NYC style wedding we were accustomed to with all the magic and style that only Disney could do.

So when we know what we said, and all the quoted was "Mikey likes chocolate chips" - let's just say it was definately a let down.

I also think that the show was not successful of attracting more couples - or even of showing all of Disney's options - in that I think many couples will be scared away by the prices they quoted.

My entire family was floored that they did not show the Illuminations dessert party which was held the night before our wedding - which was a true highlight of the weekend - something only Disney could do - and much more affordable than the Mad Hatter Tea Party. I admit that the tea party is cool - but way out of the price range of normal people (for the amount of people they had I would say it cost a minimum of $15 - 20K). Though if $ wasn't a concern, I think it's awesome. The hats were a bit much - but whatever.

A dessert party has as much impact and is quite reasonable considering how special it is.

I also agree that they were incredibly remiss in not showing a more traditional intimate wedding - and explaining that that is available for only a few thousand $. And intimate weddings are just as beautiful and meaningful.

Michael and I discussed it and we both said we'd do it again if given the chance. Disney really did a phenomenal job on our wedding - and while most of the upgrades we got due to the show were indeed surprises the day of - they did help push our wedding over the top. The amazement I felt when I saw our cake, the shock and overwhelming surprise and happiness I felt when Lumiere walked into the room, and my guests raves over the Sushi Bar were all wonderful parts of our day. I just wish they had shown more of those meaningful moments.

I will say that I understand why Jerri Manthey stormed off the Survivor set. It's all for entertainment - but editing can make anyone fit a set mold. Michael and I will now forever be the chubby happy orange couple.

But despite that - Michael and I truly had the beautiful wedding we dreamed of. And with out without a TV show - or 15 minutes of fame - the best thing we got on our wedding day - was each other - to have and to hold till death do us part. And there is nothing more magical than that.
 
If you'd like to criticize my kids, have at it. My skin is thick.

Taking the stance of the previous posters, then if a DISer is an American Idol contestant, no one should post anything contrary to wanting them to win, even if others are better performers? I don't agree with this.

Again, you put yourself into the public arena and you open yourself up to scrutiny. Period. Like it or not. Right or wrong. It just is.

Am I criticizing any of the couples on the FTW show? Heck no. They got what they wanted. I had what I wanted. Am I so egocentric that I think that everyone thought my wedding was the quintiscential wedding? Nope. I know there had to be some people who didn't like some of the things that we did. For one, I know that my one aunt and uncle were a little miffed that I asked the maitre d to serve them ginger ale instead of champagne. They didn't like being singled out. They don't drink and served ginger ale to all of their guests at their wedding. I thought they'd appreciate my gesture, so they'd be able to hold their glasses up and sip at the toast. They got over it quickly, but I know that not everyone agreed with our idea of "perfect."

The only difference? My critics were limited to family and friends and not the public at large.
 
Ann (bubbaloo311) ~

Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. It truly does sound like editiing and Disney did not do your day justice. I hope you will always cherish your special memories of your engagement and wedding.
 
Ann-
I am glad your wedding was beautiful and sorry we didn't see more of you and Michael in last night's show. From what I saw, it was a very classy affair (loved the orange theme, and the pre-reception). Thank you also for clarifying that it doesn't have to be over-the-top expensive. DH and I were married in a very small ceremony in my parents' living room. It was very nice, but I've always regretted not doing what I truly wanted. To that end, we are doing a vow renewal at Disney for our 10th anniversary and were very excited about it, UNTIL I watched last night's show. I agree that last night's show really had the potential to scare away potential customers. I am one of them. :D Thanks to your reply, I am now looking forward to our 10th again.
 
bubbaloo311, thank you so much for sharing!

I cannot wait to see this show. I didn't know anything about it until this thread so I will be watching the repeat on June 26!!!

Sounds like you had one amazing wedding that my DDs (and I) could only dream about! Well, maybe someday my DDs can get married there, ;) then I can live vicariously through them!!

Thanks again for sharing your story!::yes::
 
When is your 10th?
I too have dreamed of vow renewels at Disney, but I am pretty nervous at the cost. You can go to disneyweddings.com to get some more info if you really want to start planning!
 
Hey, I think, if you can afford it, BRING IT ON. I went to a wedding recently where every table had two "assistants" to get absolutely anything and everything you needed. It was at the Waldorf. $100K, easy, but a drop in the bucket to this couple, and an absolutely smashing success.
 
Well, Ann, as I said in a different thread about the show, I really liked you two. I wasn't as fond of the $70K bride, but whatever.


The reason I liked you and "Mikey" *giggle* was because you seemed like you were making your choices based on two things:

Disney and each other.


The fact that the cake layers were custom made for the things you guys each love (chocolate chips, Reese's) and the chedder cheese soup was chosen because it's your husband's favorite food in Disney World...well, I just enjoyed that. That's how I'd want my fairytale wedding to be, full of those extra special things that aren't necessarily BIG things to anyone else, and may not be considered the "bells and whistles", but they're special things.

I was at a wedding shower over the weekend where each course of the meal was chosen because of my friend's favorite foods. The day was about her, and I enjoyed that it was so..."her".

As far as the price tags go, as another Northeasterner (although I'm from Connecticut), I can again confirm the fact that weddings aren't going to be cheap anyway you do it, so you might as well have your "dream" wedding with the people closest to you. It doesn't always mean it has to be an all out affair. As others have said, especially in the NYC area, things get pricey very quickly, and we know atleast two of the brides (Ann and the 70K bride) were from around here.


With that being said, I wouldn't waste MY money on the carriage, though a lot of people do. I, however, do plan to lay down a small fortune for the use of Cinderella Castle...so to each her own.

Ann, thanks for sharing your special day with us!!
 
bubbaloo311~ You had a beautiful wedding! I LOVED the orange theme, I thought it was unique and elegant. You and your husband looked very happy!:love: :love:

Weddings are special, whether simple or lavish. If you can dream it and can afford it, then go all out!::yes::
 
Originally posted by theSurlyMermaid
my own wedding was lovely and I wouldn't have changed a thing (except maybe the date...four days after 9/11 was a little stressful).

We share a wedding date! Unless my math is off (LOL) Sept 15th! ;)
 
Originally posted by RUDisney
If one doesn't want to be criticized, they shouldn't participate in an on-air wedding.

This sounds like Jeri from Survivor whining about how she was displayed in the editing and what she's been through since.

If you open up your life to public scrutiny, you are bound to have some people that think you are right on the mark, but others will not agree.

If you air your personal moments on TV, you need to have some thick skin.

This thread makes me sad

I am sad right now that I am a moderator on the weddings board because I now feel that if I share my wedding photos on the DIS weddings board or on my trip report or heck on any public internet forum or if I share my budgets and tips from my own wedding in order to help other brides in their wedding planning that I am opening my life up to public scrutiny? Because you know what I don't have thick skin but I am so on cloud9 right now that I want to share I'll get my tissues ready shall I ?

I am sad that I see posters on this thread that just cannot be happy for others that have got married in a magical place and all they wanted to do was share that with others because they were given the opportunity to.

I am sad that a bride has had to come on here and justify her actions of her wedding day.

I am sad to know that some of you may have children one day who will wish for a magical wedding wherever it may be but now you know that anyone you "showcase" those pictures or memories too, because you have done so publicly, will now be open to criticism which can hurt whether it's constructive or not.

I am sad that some people are slating the weddings based on what brides wore or how they looked or what they spent when it was supposed to be about Food.

That said I am happy that I know Elisabeth, CarolA, Nancy, Kristen, Dossie and more importantly Ann & Michael.
 
Originally posted by Fantasia Sam
I am sad that a bride has had to come on here and justify her actions of her wedding day.

::yes:: I agree
 
Ann, I thought you were a much better "Cinderella" bride than the other. Your dress and look were pure princess. The other wasn't. Maybe it was the editing, but the other girl just seemed to be like, "I want this, I want that." You and your husband put a lot of energy into theming and reasons behind your choices, other than, "I want to be a princess." (again, maybe editing). There's nothing wrong with being known as the "orange" couple. I have forced numerous friends and family members to watch your show and everyone liked your wedding the best. Nice job!

I do agree that this show may have scared off some potential customers. My cousin's daughter lives a couple of hours from WDW and was considering this a possibility. I told her to watch the show. She called me the next day and said there was no way she could afford that. The really needed to show simpler weddings too.

Good luck and congratulations!!:wave:
 
Ann - VERY WELL SAID! I haven't seen the show yet, but I will and I can't wait! (your wedding pics on the other board were absolutely gorgeous)

I did also have a FTW way back in 1999. I did not spend near $70k. It was actually only about $10-12k (with taxes, etc.) for our custom wedding with 32 guests AND an IllumiNations dessert party. We got married on a Tuesday and had a lunch reception to save money. Everyone in our family thought we were rich for have such a fabulous wedding in Disney World. It probably would have cost the same to have 100 people to a wedding back home. We even had a hard time actually coming up with enough food and drink to fill our required $75 per guest requirement! We did have individual cakes also - we loved them and they ate up some of that $75 minimum. We also had a dessert with dinner - not to be over the top - but because we HAD to come up with $75 for each guest. To those of you that think you can't afford it, you can! And, if I had $100k to spend on a wedding, you bet I would have had it in the rose garden in front of the castle with all the characters I could get!

Disney also sometimes does surprise us non-tv brides. I was originally going to simply walk from the GF ballroom to our wedding location on the GF beach. (the tightwad in me would not spend money on a limo, or whatever for such a small distance) Our coordinator arranged to have me driven over to the ceremony in the caddy outside the entrance of the GF! I did not know until I left the GF ballroom where I got ready that my EM had done this.

This thread also makes me very sad. I can't imagine what would have been said about DH & I if we had been portrayed on a wedding tv show. :( I work in television and know first-hand just how editing can change the meaning of anything!

Kristi
 
Originally posted by RUDisney
Personally, if I had the money to blow, I'd prefer to have a $70,000 wedding at WDW than to have a cookie cutter wedding in town. We went to one of the cookie cutter ones on Saturday night. It was elegant and lovely... actually, a lot of fun... but even then, to show off how much money that had to blow, they kept the bar open all night and still put bottles of wine on each table.
My wedding cost about $5000 (DH and I paid 1/2) 20 years ago, for 125 guests. My dress was $150. I got my headpiece free, because the bridal shop screwed up on something and threw it in as compensation. Trust me...we were very frugal.

However, we DID have an open bar all night (didn't do the wine bottles on the table, but could have...no big $$ deal)...we're from NJ, and open bar is customary. However, we were living in RI, where open bar is NOT customary, but we had open bar, because it seems very inappropriate to invite guests to your party and expect them to PAY for anything, any more than if our party had been at our house. It was certainly (obviously, for a $5000) in no way meant to "show off".
They also made sure to have fried peppers, hot and sweet, on each table (an Italian thing).
Is it? (an Italian thing). I'm Italian...we didn't have it, and I never went to a wedding that did. But I'm not sure what you meant by "they also MADE SURE" to have it...is there a problem with that?? :confused:

Didn't see the show...missed it. Hope to catch the repeat. The pictures posted here from the orange wedding are beautiful! Congratulations!!!
 












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