Epcot venue with small sit down breakfast

[igrsod]

Does anyone know what venues in Epcot can accommodate a ceremony and then a small sit down buffet breakfast?
My daughter doesn't want the whole traditional reception, but I would like to have some food provided for our guest and a champagne toast.

 

[Lilsia]

I have seen plenty of weddings put on the the viewing area on the bridge between the UK and France. They will make a buffet for you if you want. I can't imagine the cost of it though. The only sit down places that have breakfast at Epcot are the Garden Grill, which would not work because of the seating configuration, and Akershus. And they would charge you a fortune because they always seem to be booked up. Call up Disney weddings, they will have all of the information.

 

[lurkyloo]

Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings just completely overhauled the way they price weddings, and it is now possible to do only a ceremony with added cake-cutting and Champagne toast. You just have to spend $50/person on the cake, Champagne and any small bites you add.

However, a buffet meal would trigger private reception pricing. This doesn't mean your daughter has to have a traditional reception with DJ and dancing. After our ceremony in Morocco at Epcot, we did a a buffet brunch at BoardWalk Inn's The Attic with just an iPod playing background and first-dance music, and it was perfect for us: https://disneytravelbabble.com/trip-reports/wedding/day-4b/

If your daughter decided to just do a ceremony with cake and Champagne and then do a restaurant meal rather than a private event, there is only one ceremony venue in Epcot where they would likely let her do the cake-cutting, and that's Canada Terrace: https://fairytaleweddingsguide.com/wdw-venues/canada-terrace/

All the rest would require her to move everyone to a separate venue—inside the park or out—that may have its own venue fee and food and beverage minimums, possibly negating any savings made by doing a restaurant meal.

This episode explains the new pricing in detail, including how much the various Epcot venues cost depending on day of the week and time of day: https://disneyweddingpodcast.com/disney-world-wedding-pricing-2020/

 

[igrsod]

Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings just completely overhauled the way they price weddings, and it is now possible to do only a ceremony with added cake-cutting and Champagne toast. You just have to spend $50/person on the cake, Champagne and any small bites you add.

However, a buffet meal would trigger private reception pricing. This doesn't mean your daughter has to have a traditional reception with DJ and dancing. After our ceremony in Morocco at Epcot, we did a a buffet brunch at BoardWalk Inn's The Attic with just an iPod playing background and first-dance music, and it was perfect for us: https://disneytravelbabble.com/trip-reports/wedding/day-4b/

If your daughter decided to just do a ceremony with cake and Champagne and then do a restaurant meal rather than a private event, there is only one ceremony venue in Epcot where they would likely let her do the cake-cutting, and that's Canada Terrace: https://fairytaleweddingsguide.com/wdw-venues/canada-terrace/

All the rest would require her to move everyone to a separate venue—inside the park or out—that may have its own venue fee and food and beverage minimums, possibly negating any savings made by doing a restaurant meal.

This episode explains the new pricing in detail, including how much the various Epcot venues cost depending on day of the week and time of day: https://disneyweddingpodcast.com/disney-world-wedding-pricing-2020/

Thank you for your response. I listened to your podcast and got your updated e-book. I don't think I would mind the triggering of reception pricing per se... just wondering if any of the Epcot ceremony venues allow for a breakfast buffet after the ceremony?

 

[lurkyloo]

Thank you for your response. I listened to your podcast and got your updated e-book. I don't think I would mind the triggering of reception pricing per se... just wondering if any of the Epcot ceremony venues allow for a breakfast buffet after the ceremony?

You would not be able to have the reception in the same location as the ceremony. But you could use any indoor venue for a reception, or you could use any of the fireworks-viewing patios around World Showcase Lagoon (Italy, France, UK,). You just wouldn't be able to use the outdoor spaces in the pavilions, like Morocco, Italy or Japan.

 

[igrsod]

You would not be able to have the reception in the same location as the ceremony. But you could use any indoor venue for a reception, or you could use any of the fireworks-viewing patios around World Showcase Lagoon (Italy, France, UK,). You just wouldn't be able to use the outdoor spaces in the pavilions, like Morocco, Italy or Japan.

Another question for you... if she chose to do a dessert party at Epcot for the fireworks... does that count as a "reception"? She doesn't want to do a wedding cake, or speeches or dancing... so hence why the 3 hour reception would be a waste. Debating between a dessert party or possibly just a meal out at a restaurant. There will be between 25-30 guests... so it's tricky to figure out what is the best solution.

 

[lurkyloo]

Another question for you... if she chose to do a dessert party at Epcot for the fireworks... does that count as a "reception"? She doesn't want to do a wedding cake, or speeches or dancing... so hence why the 3 hour reception would be a waste. Debating between a dessert party or possibly just a meal out at a restaurant. There will be between 25-30 guests... so it's tricky to figure out what is the best solution.

If she doesn't want a cake, speeches or dancing, than she could do a ceremony-only wedding and add on a dessert party. As long as it is a walk-around reception and not a sit-down meal, it only triggers a $50/person food and beverage minimum, not the $190/person dinner food and beverage minimum for a reception. She can serve savory food, too—it doesn't have to be dessert. And it will be WAY more impressive to guests than a reservation at a restaurant, plus she can customize the food.

 

[igrsod]

If she doesn't want a cake, speeches or dancing, than she could do a ceremony-only wedding and add on a dessert party. As long as it is a walk-around reception and not a sit-down meal, it only triggers a $50/person food and beverage minimum, not the $190/person dinner food and beverage minimum for a reception. She can serve savory food, too—it doesn't have to be dessert. And it will be WAY more impressive to guests than a reservation at a restaurant, plus she can customize the food.

Thank you for all your information.... you are amazing. Do you know if they will set up table and chairs for guests to eat at, and still have it not be a sit down meal? I just worry about grandparents.

 

[TinkLoverSam]

Thank you for all your information.... you are amazing. Do you know if they will set up table and chairs for guests to eat at, and still have it not be a sit down meal? I just worry about grandparents.

I believe a few dessert party locations have some existing tables and chairs which are used, otherwise it is high top tables (no chairs) which are used

 

[lurkyloo]

^^THIS. Your best bet would be UK Lochside, which has three permanent umbrella tables with chairs.

 

[lorimay]

^^THIS. Your best bet would be UK Lochside, which has three permanent umbrella tables with chairs.

We used this location for my daughters dessert party, those tables were appreciated after a long day.

Congratulation and good luck.

 

[to be tink]

I have some friends who are thinking about doing a vow renewal in August. I was wondering if anyone has any idea how much a small venue would be for just the ceremony?

 

[igrsod]

I have some friends who are thinking about doing a vow renewal in August. I was wondering if anyone has any idea how much a small venue would be for just the ceremony?

I believe the cheapest a ceremony could be done is $5000 now.

 

[lurkyloo]

@to be tink Yes, the cheapest ceremonies start at $5,000. That would be a Tuesday or Wednesday event at Luau Beach, Luau Pointe, Sago Cay Marina, The Grand Floridian Marina or Conch Key Marina. Photos of all venues are here: https://fairytaleweddingsguide.com/wdw-venues/

And this episode of the Disney Wedding Podcast talks about how to have a small wedding and stick to the $5,000 minimum: https://disneyweddingpodcast.com/how-to-have-a-small-disney-wedding/

 

[to be tink]

@to be tink Yes, the cheapest ceremonies start at $5,000. That would be a Tuesday or Wednesday event at Luau Beach, Luau Pointe, Sago Cay Marina, The Grand Floridian Marina or Conch Key Marina. Photos of all venues are here: https://fairytaleweddingsguide.com/wdw-venues/

And this episode of the Disney Wedding Podcast talks about how to have a small wedding and stick to the $5,000 minimum: https://disneyweddingpodcast.com/how-to-have-a-small-disney-wedding/

Thank you.

 

[bopper]

Devil's Advocate:

Are people travelling long distances for this wedding?
What would they think if they have a short ceremony, cake and that is it?
They travelled 1000 miles and had to pay for a hotel, etc. and...not even a meal?

 

[igrsod]

Devil's Advocate:

Are people travelling long distances for this wedding?
What would they think if they have a short ceremony, cake and that is it?
They travelled 1000 miles and had to pay for a hotel, etc. and...not even a meal?

That is my thoughts as well. My daughter originally just wanted to do the original package with just the cake and champagne and call it a day. My first answer to that, was you can't not feed your guests.