Escape Bride Questions?

[puente0629]

Hi,

Are their any Escape brides that had or will have a reception (i.e. brunch or lunch & soda bar or beer & wine bar) and a dessert party at Epcot? May I see your BEO? Also, did you upgrade anything (bouquet, cake, musician, photographer)? Are you or were you able to cut your cake during your reception (instead of after the ceremony)? Do you still need to have the mini-reception right after the ceremony? Did you add chair covers, altar arrangements and/or scattered petals for your ceremony?

Sorry for all the questions, I'm trying to get an idea what everything would cost me, because I did the number for both and wishes and a escape and escape for me comes out $2k less then a wishes. We need the $2K for our honeymoon, if not I would add it to our wedding budget.


Thanks,

 

[Wish on a Star]

I am not having a reception AND a dessert party (although I wish I could). Instead to save money, we are having a reception at St. Jame's room in Boardwalk Convention Center and then just DFi and i will be eating at the California Grill at the "Sweetheart Table" to watch the fireworks from up there.

I upgraded by bouquet (by 14 dollars-lol, by adding a few crystals)
and I also ordered flower petals for a staged exit. I am getting married at SBP and I like the way it looks without anything extra- so that is going to save me some money. I also discovered that it was cheaper for me to hire an outside photographer (Randy) and use the DVD only option and then print my own pictures at home, than it would be to upgrade to Disney photography plus with all of the pictures I plan on printing- it can get very expensive, very quickly!

As for the reception, we will be doing the cake cutting there. I upgraded the chairs for the reception, but not for the ceremony itself. I also saved money buy using my bouquet and my bridesmaids' bouquets as centerpieces. (Oh and I saved 5$ per person by taking the dessert off the of the menu- because they have cake).

 

[lurkyloo]

Sorry for all the questions, I'm trying to get an idea what everything would cost me, because I did the number for both and wishes and a escape and escape for me comes out $2k less then a wishes. We need the $2K for our honeymoon, if not I would add it to our wedding budget.

Also, don't forget that a Wishes wedding will cost an extra $2,000 or more in tax and service fees on top of the minimum, while the Escape package includes all taxes and service fees. Of course if you add a reception, DP, etc. there will be tax and service fees on those...

 

[JoJo1980]

We added all sorts of stuff to our escape wedding and it was only the two of us

Ours was a ceremony at the WP then the cake cutting with stitch and then we had a meal on the Grand 1 yacht and then a dessert party at Japan in epcot - with photo time inbetween everything. If you've got any questions just ask

We decorated the WP, upgraded the cake & bouquet, had some little decor bits put on the table in the yacht and also some decor at the dessert party - no table or chair covers though.

 

[puente0629]

Also, don't forget that a Wishes wedding will cost an extra $2,000 or more in tax and service fees on top of the minimum, while the Escape package includes all taxes and service fees. Of course if you add a reception, DP, etc. there will be tax and service fees on those...

Yeah, I know...even though some have said a wishes wedding was more economical than an escape for them, I really think for us the escape is the best way to go. The only down side is we wish we could have 30 guests but 25 (including us) isn't so bad.

Thanks for the info everybody, it help me a lot...

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

I haven't had mine yet, but here is everything I am doing with approx costs:

-upgraded cake ($300)
-extra champagne ($150 - I'm guessing for 2 with tax)
-petals and chair covers - ($200 ish)
-decorations in the Attic (I'm not doing much, but I have no idea on pricing!)
- rose wands x3 and extra boutonnieres x2 ($150)
-Lunch at the Attic (approx $1300)
-Dessert party at Epcot, including bar (approx $2000)

I think all together we are estimating our wedding to be around $15000 CDN (prob $1330 US), but that includes EVERYTHING. It includes all our outside vendors that do not count towards the minimum, and all taxes, and service charges. It even includes the MK and EP portrait sessions. I am not sure how accurate my pricing is....it is what I have found out through Carrie's passporter wedding books, these boards, and my wedding sales consultant. So many of the prices may be out of date for 2010.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

I am not having a reception AND a dessert party (although I wish I could). Instead to save money, we are having a reception at St. Jame's room in Boardwalk Convention Center and then just DFi and i will be eating at the California Grill at the "Sweetheart Table" to watch the fireworks from up there.

I upgraded by bouquet (by 14 dollars-lol, by adding a few crystals)
and I also ordered flower petals for a staged exit. I am getting married at SBP and I like the way it looks without anything extra- so that is going to save me some money. I also discovered that it was cheaper for me to hire an outside photographer (Randy) and use the DVD only option and then print my own pictures at home, than it would be to upgrade to Disney photography plus with all of the pictures I plan on printing- it can get very expensive, very quickly!

As for the reception, we will be doing the cake cutting there. I upgraded the chairs for the reception, but not for the ceremony itself. I also saved money buy using my bouquet and my bridesmaids' bouquets as centerpieces. (Oh and I saved 5$ per person by taking the dessert off the of the menu- because they have cake).

I know this has been asked before, and I think I have asked it myself but forgotten!! (and it is one of the very few things I can't find in Carrie's book), but what is the F&B minimums for the St James' Room please
Thank you so much

 

[puente0629]

I haven't had mine yet, but here is everything I am doing with approx costs:

-upgraded cake ($300)
-extra champagne ($150 - I'm guessing for 2 with tax)
-petals and chair covers - ($200 ish)
-decorations in the Attic (I'm not doing much, but I have no idea on pricing!)
- rose wands x3 and extra boutonnieres x2 ($150)
-Lunch at the Attic (approx $1300)
-Dessert party at Epcot, including bar (approx $2000)

I think all together we are estimating our wedding to be around $15000 CDN (prob $1330 US), but that includes EVERYTHING. It includes all our outside vendors that do not count towards the minimum, and all taxes, and service charges. It even includes the MK and EP portrait sessions. I am not sure how accurate my pricing is....it is what I have found out through Carrie's passporter wedding books, these boards, and my wedding sales consultant. So many of the prices may be out of date for 2010.

You are also doing an escape wedding?

Does your estimate include tax and service charge?

 

[puente0629]

I know for an escape wedding your planner doesn't help much with your reception or dessert party but if you do plan on have those things who helps with decorating the reception venue or transferring the centerpieces to the dessert party?

Thanks again,

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

You are also doing an escape wedding?

Does your estimate include tax and service charge?

Yes, we are doing an Escape with pretty much every upgrade possible. I made 2 separate budgets, one with everything I would love to have, and one with everything that I have to have (so eliminates some extras). Here are the two separate ones (in $US this time) so you have an idea of what I am looking at:

Option A:
Cosmo (1 makeup, 5 hair) = $400
Petals and Chair covers = 250
Cheese/Fruit tray (since cake will be at reception) - 170
Extra Champagne = 170
Extra Flowers - 180
Officiant - 150
photography = 850

Food and bev for reception (19 people) 1200
Extra Decor = 200
Favours = 65
Cake upgrade = 300

DP food and bev (including open bar) 1000
Viewing fees (estimated)= 200
Venue fee = 275

MK and EP Photoshoot = 1437

ESPN rehearsal = 300


So, I think all of that should total to be around $13000, and for most, I worked the tax and SC into it. For my option B, which came to just under $10000, I eliminated the rehearsal, portrait sessions, reception decor, cake upgrade, cheese/fruit tray.

These are all just estimates right now, since I am only slightly less than 8 months away. I just tried to figure out a budget to work with, so that were not any big surprises!

HTH!!

 

[honey2741]

I upgraded by bouquet (by 14 dollars-lol, by adding a few crystals)
and I also ordered flower petals for a staged exit. I also discovered that it was cheaper for me to hire an outside photographer (Randy) and use the DVD only option and then print my own pictures at home.

I also saved money buy using my bouquet and my bridesmaids' bouquets as centerpieces. (Oh and I saved 5$ per person by taking the dessert off the of the menu- because they have cake).

I've been looking for ways to cut costs. The DVD only option sounds quite appealing. What or who will you use to print your pictures? I like the idea of using bouquets as centerpieces. I'm thinking of taking off having a salad to cut down on cost for the reception. Thanks for sharing.

 

[puente0629]

Yes, we are doing an Escape with pretty much every upgrade possible. I made 2 separate budgets, one with everything I would love to have, and one with everything that I have to have (so eliminates some extras). Here are the two separate ones (in $US this time) so you have an idea of what I am looking at:

Option A:
Cosmo (1 makeup, 5 hair) = $400
Petals and Chair covers = 250
Cheese/Fruit tray (since cake will be at reception) - 170
Extra Champagne = 170
Extra Flowers - 180
Officiant - 150
photography = 850

Food and bev for reception (19 people) 1200
Extra Decor = 200
Favours = 65
Cake upgrade = 300

DP food and bev (including open bar) 1000
Viewing fees (estimated)= 200
Venue fee = 275

MK and EP Photoshoot = 1437

ESPN rehearsal = 300


So, I think all of that should total to be around $13000, and for most, I worked the tax and SC into it. For my option B, which came to just under $10000, I eliminated the rehearsal, portrait sessions, reception decor, cake upgrade, cheese/fruit tray.

These are all just estimates right now, since I am only slightly less than 8 months away. I just tried to figure out a budget to work with, so that were not any big surprises!

HTH!!

Thanks for the info...


For the reception decor, who set's that up? Plus, what if you want to have your centerpieces sent to the dessert party and add some LED lights to them, who would help you?

Thanks,

 

[CharacterFan]

I've been looking for ways to cut costs. The DVD only option sounds quite appealing. What or who will you use to print your pictures? I like the idea of using bouquets as centerpieces. I'm thinking of taking off having a salad to cut down on cost for the reception. Thanks for sharing.

I'm going to print my pictures with kodakgallery.com (they now offer profession prints for .29cents each) or mpix which is the same price/quality. I'll most likely use Kodak because I've always used them, and they offer free shipping on orders over $5.

 

[lurkyloo]

I know this has been asked before, and I think I have asked it myself but forgotten!! (and it is one of the very few things I can't find in Carrie's book), but what is the F&B minimums for the St James' Room please
Thank you so much

DFTW says the food and beverage minimums for Escape receptions at convention center venues change depending on a lot of factors, so they can't give a firm number (which means I can't put them in my book ). However, the minimums I have heard for the St. James Room in the past are $1,500 Sun- Thursday and $1,800 Friday and Saturday if you need both sides of the room and something like $685 if you only need one side.

I know for an escape wedding your planner doesn't help much with your reception or dessert party but if you do plan on have those things who helps with decorating the reception venue or transferring the centerpieces to the dessert party?

You can pay the Disney Florist a fee to set them up and transfer them if you purchase them through Disney.

 

[puente0629]

Thanks, I was so worried I would have to set up myself.

Does anyone know how much the fee is for the disney florist to do the set up and transfer them to the dessert party?

 

[PrincessShea]

Thanks, I was so worried I would have to set up myself.

Does anyone know how much the fee is for the disney florist to do the set up and transfer them to the dessert party?

Mine was $50.

Also, my wedding coordinator planned my dessert party.

 

[puente0629]

Mine was $50.

Also, my wedding coordinator planned my dessert party.

That's great to hear as well. I thought I would have to do the leg work for everything.

Did anyone upgrade their photography package? We want the photographer to take pictures of the reception and dessert party.

For the dessert party you have to use Disney photographers? Is it that much less to just use an outside photographer? Other the Randy Chapman (do not want to offend anyone but I just don't like his work) who is a great photographer with great prices to match? I really want to get Domenico Castaldo, I love his work, if I can find someone even close to that be better prices would be awesome.

Thanks

 

[lurkyloo]

You have to have a Disney photographer for an in-park dessert party. If you will be at the Grand Floridian watching Wishes, you can have anyone.

For a dessert party, many photographers charge less than Disney or they give you more for your money. For me, it was about personal taste and not paying through the nose to get my images on disc.

I thought I wanted Domenico Castaldo until I found Root Photography. But I don't know how the pricing compares....

Here's a list of other photogs I compiled a while back - it's not exactly comprehensive, but it might be a place to start:

http://www.mikebriggsphoto.com/

http://www.tazfoto.com/

http://www.tonyschreiber.com/

http://www.whatistimco.com/blu27/#

http://www.mikebuoy.com/index.html

http://www.henkprinsloo.com/

www.elizabethleighton.com

http://www.jesscumbie.com/

http://www.karlafountain.com/

 

[puente0629]

Thanks so much!!!

 

[PrincessShea]

If you want photos for the DP, the Disney photographer is $350. Although I just read here somewhere that someone said the price changed next year to $300 but you no longer get any 4X6 proofs.