Escape package, is it worth it and realistic?

[Yensid33]

My fiancee and I have decided that we cannot afford a formal, lavish sit down ceremony and reception here in Massachusetts (as much as we'd both love one). He is set on getting married at a courthouse or whatever, then going on a trip and having whoever wants to join us feel free and they can celebrate our wedding with us that way. I think I'd like to take it one step further. Since I love WDW--I've gone there every yr since 2000, I think it would be nice to have an intimate gathering with just a few family members and/or friends at WDW
So I went to the website to do some research, and I think the Escape package is wonderful. It's small, intimate but VERY special. How many people can say they've been married at WDW and how many people can say they've attended the wedding there? So, in effect, we get the modest wedding I want, the trip he wants and our friends and family there as well!
My question is: Is the Escape package truly worth it? I mean, it's a fraction of what we'd pay for JUST a reception up here. But does anyone feel you are shortchanged at all?
Has anyone gotten married with the Escape package? What are your thoughts? Was it lacking? Did you need to add on extras? And if so, what did you add on and if you don't mind can you give me an estimate of the grand total?
I really appreciate all this. I would LOVE to get married at WDW and get a trip there to boot since I always go anyway. Plus my fiancee has never been so I think that would make it even more special.
I just want something a little better than a trip to the courthouse and hopping a plane to Vegas with a bunch of rowdy partiers. I think this is a little more meaningful.
Thoughts, guys? Escape brides, please help me!!

Thanks!

 

[lurkyloo]

Welcome!

I was only an Escape bride for about 30 seconds (OK, it might have been a few weeks), so I'll leave the reviews to others, but I can provide some info:

- The price will be $4,500 or $5,500 (for the Wedding Pavilion) in 2009, but it includes two annual passes that admit you to all four parks.

- The price doesn't include a meal, so you need to figure that on top of the package price.

- Most people don't find they need to upgrade the package or add to it, except to get more Champagne/cider.

If the alternative is going to the courthouse or Vegas, then yes, I'd say an Escape wedding is the perfect low-cost, low-hassle yet still meaningful way to get married in a special place and a memorable way!

 

[DecemberBride]

I think it sounds perfect for you two! I will be an Escape Bride on December 1, 2008 and it's so far been the best decision I ever made concerning my wedding! I know you will get tons of feedback from other Escape brides who have already had their wedding and it will become invaluable information for you!

Your situation sounds just right for the Escape package... remember though that you and fiancee will be required to stay on site for four nights at least during the time of your wedding...

I hope you choose an Escape wedding and I can't wait to hear all your plans!

Let me know if you have specific questions...

 

[Yensid33]

Thanks I appreciate it. How many guests did you have? Did your total include all your guests? How many did you have?

Thanks for all your help! I'd love to make this happen!

 

[DecemberBride]

I'm topping it out at 18 guests and then plus my me and my fiancee... 20 is the total amount of people they allow at escape weddings... Remember kids count as a guest, so if you will have a flower girl, she will count as a guest. My fiancee and I have three kids together, twins who will be two at the time and even they count to my total guest count... it's a tad dissapointing, but my guest list is all family and just a few friends.....

 

[Yensid33]

Sorry I am repeating myself! I'm so excited! I just wanted a ballpark figure before I get my hopes up. We prob won't wed until Nov of 2009 so it gives me plenty of time to budget and I figure the price will go up a little by then too.

I appreciate all your help!

 

[Yensid33]

I wouldn't mind if we only had 10 guests--we have no kids and there's too many kids in our families to include them all, so it's better to have none than one or two.

How much extra does it cost per guest over me and the groom?

 

[Eyesparkle]

 

[Yensid33]

Thanks. It's confusing on the Disney website. It sounds like you have to add on stuff if you're having more guests than just yourself and the groom!

 

[disprincessatheart]

We just had our Escape wedding. I posted this in another thread but I hope it helps.

We did the escape wedding at the WP, extra flowers for dads, mom, flower girl, ring bearer, MOH and BM. We bought the DFTW unity candle set and added rose petals to the altar, upgraded our cake, took 19 people to narcoosse's with no limits on the bar, and did a Wishes cruise on the Grand 1. Everyone was blown away by how nice everything was, and we did it all for $7500. Also, the dinner we had at narcoosse's for $65ppn was so much nicer than the $125ppn dinner we had originally planned in EPCOT for a wishes wedding. And being able to do the Grand 1 was so much fun and really blew everyone away!

It really comes down to how many extras you can do without or can't. You can have an amazing weddign either way. And, I did use DPS and I really love my pictures. I wasn't particular about the style of pics, just that I got nice shots of our day, and we really did.

 

[Eyesparkle]

 

[lurkyloo]

Thanks. It's confusing on the Disney website. It sounds like you have to add on stuff if you're having more guests than just yourself and the groom!

Yeah - it's worded really weirdly. What they mean is that the bottle of Fairy Tale Cuvee included in the package only serves about 6, so if you have more guests, you have to buy an additional bottle or two to cover them. But the Disney site makes it sound like there are all kinds of other costs for having more than just the two of you - there aren't.

 

[Eyesparkle]

disprincessatheart - What was your narcoosse's menu like? I thought they would be too expensive.

 

[DecemberBride]

We just had our Escape wedding. I posted this in another thread but I hope it helps.

We did the escape wedding at the WP, extra flowers for dads, mom, flower girl, ring bearer, MOH and BM. We bought the DFTW unity candle set and added rose petals to the altar, upgraded our cake, took 19 people to narcoosse's with no limits on the bar, and did a Wishes cruise on the Grand 1. Everyone was blown away by how nice everything was, and we did it all for $7500. Also, the dinner we had at narcoosse's for $65ppn was so much nicer than the $125ppn dinner we had originally planned in EPCOT for a wishes wedding. And being able to do the Grand 1 was so much fun and really blew everyone away!

It really comes down to how many extras you can do without or can't. You can have an amazing weddign either way. And, I did use DPS and I really love my pictures. I wasn't particular about the style of pics, just that I got nice shots of our day, and we really did.

I'm impressed with all you did for such a reasonable price! I'm super confused though... how did you get 19 people on the Grand 1? I thought only like 12 people were allowed... I'd love to do that, so I'm wondering who you spoke with? Thanks!

 

[Yensid33]

Thanks you guys, all of you. And Eyesparkle--thanks for your help too. Best wishes to you on your wedding day!
I'm getting more and more excited!!

 

[A whole new world]

I'm having an escape wedding on 05 November. There will only be 9 of us. Were not having extra champagne/cider as 6 will be enough for us 2 are underage. You get a bouquet and button hole included. I've paid extra and had all my flowers made of silk as i need to bring them back to the UK. I added another 2 button holes, a flowergirl basket and a small bridesmaid bouquet.

You will need to pay for an officiant and the meal for afterwards. Were having a meal at 1900 park fare this includes non-alcoholic drinks, so saves having to pay for them.

If you need any more help ask away

 

[disprincessatheart]

disprincessatheart - What was your narcoosse's menu like? I thought they would be too expensive.

Narcoossee's was perfect. It was a ton of food for $65ppn. Their group menu is set at that price and comes with family style seafood appetizers, choice of soup or salad, choice of chicken, fish or steak (ours was salmon and filet, but it can change) and choice of dessert. They also served bread and there were sides with the entrees (I only mention that b/c some places don't include those things). really it was way too much food, but in a good way! Also, we bought the DDE card and got 20% off 10 of the meals, so it was even better!

I'm impressed with all you did for such a reasonable price! I'm super confused though... how did you get 19 people on the Grand 1? I thought only like 12 people were allowed... I'd love to do that, so I'm wondering who you spoke with? Thanks!

Thanks! I was inspired by Lurky loo's amazing budgeting to keep costs low and we really did, but you'd never have known it! They got a new boat for the Grand 1 and it now seats 18 instead of 12. Because we had 19 my aunt and cousin who were in Florida with other people skipped the cruise. We had 2 little ones, so I'm not sure what they would have done if we'd showed up with 19, but we didn't try it.

 

[Yensid33]

I was thinking of having a meal afterwards but not sure where, I suppose I can get that ironed out in time. I'm all set with not really having a proper reception. That ceremony and cake cutting are both fine with me.

I ordered the Wedding package planner DVD thing (whatever it is!) on the disney weddings site so hopefully that will help and give me some details.

 

[figmentcookie]

We're having an escape wedding in October. There are a few add-ons that we have chosen that ended up causing everything to total more than we thought it would be (but we're both happy and that's what matters!). A. Was the additional champagne, B. flowers for the bridal party, and C. Disney Photography upgrades. FYI: the most substantial add on was the photography for us... mainly because we couldn't agree on using an outside photographer . A lot of the other brides on this board used/are using outside photographers, so there's lots of information here about it.

Good luck with your planning!

 

[alissa2008]

Thanks I appreciate it. How many guests did you have? Did your total include all your guests? How many did you have?

We're doing an escape in October at Sea Breeze Point and have invited the maximum 18 guests.

I would definitely call them and let them send you (by email) the package and its break down. That will help you a ton.

I agree. Also, there is a "wish book" sort of thing you can do for both the wishes and the escape wedding... its like an online workbook that breaks down addons by cost and lets you know what you're getting... thats on the DFTW site.

-------

We had a few extra costs that will put us in the $6K ballpark. We added extra champagne and are hiring an outside photographer and videographer. My mom is very crafty, so we're going to make all our extra bouquets and buttonholes out of silk and ship them down. We're also taking everyone afterwards to D'Antonio in Celebration (Disney's town). (Google them, they're very reasonable)

It's totally doable and totally worth it!! We're so excited If it wasn't for the escape package there would be no way we could afford it.

Another option might be to investigate some of the threads about non-disney destination weddings... then you can still be NEAR disney for the party!