Escape Wedding budget questions

[amy_schlemer]

Hi.
I'm new to this forum and was wondering if anyone could help me. I have been a Disney fan my whole life and since I've taken my fiancee to WDW in July 2009 he's become a fan as well. Well now we've decided we would like to have our wedding there. We aren't looking for anything big but nice and as inexpensive as we can go. We were thinking the Escape package would be fine since we were just inviting immediate family and a few friends. But I was wondering if there were any brides out there who did the Escape package and could tell me what it was like, what was included and what I should do to get the best deal. We were thinking about September 2011 and I understand that by 2011 they will have changed the price of the packages. I just don't want to go bankrupt. Is there any tricks to the trade about these packages?
As of right now the 2010 Escape package includes:
A fresh floral bridal bouquet and the groom's boutonniere.
2 tiered wedding cake, 1 bottle of Disney champagne, and a keepsake Mickey and Minnie cake topper.
A violinist to play during the ceremony.
A limousine charter for 4 hours.
Disney photographer plus an album of 20 4x6 prints.
A Wedding website.


Now I was just looking to have a maid of honor and best man.
Can you bring decorations and supplies in from the outside or do I have to have it done by Disney or someplace around the area?
Is Disney good with working with the couple or do they stick to a certain guideline for couples looking at the Escape package?

Thank you so much for any help.

 

[aduck126]

Disney has pretty strict guide lines for their weddings but as long as you can provide the green they will work with you to make changes. Floral colors can be changed without any expense but flowers are an upcharge for example. So I don't know how you want them to work with you, but don't expect to get anything too out of the ordinary for your escape package without paying for it. You can bring in your own decorations but you have to set them up yourself.

My pj has a budget breakdown for my escape wedding if you want to look over what all teh "extras" cost. just click the link on my signature. I'm not sure what page it is on, I'm thinking closer to the mid-end though. I had 31 people and did a dessert party and reception dinner though so it will have a lot more on it than what you are probably looking for.

good luck.

 

[lurkyloo]

Is there any tricks to the trade about these packages?

The trick is to stick to exactly what's in the package if you want to keep costs down. (As the previous poster noted, you can change small things without affecting the price, like the color of your flowers).

Also, the included annual passes can help you get discounts on rooms, food and souvenirs, so that helps!

Can you bring decorations and supplies in from the outside or do I have to have it done by Disney or someplace around the area?

If your ceremony is outdoors, you will be required to use Disney for decorations and entertainment above and beyond what's in the package. If you're inside the Wedding Pavilion, you can provide your own.

Is Disney good with working with the couple or do they stick to a certain guideline for couples looking at the Escape package?

Disney has become a lot more flexible about what you can add to the package (for an additional charge) as an Escape couple, but you still won't get the level of personalized service they give Wishes couples. For example, you don't get a planning session or a cake tasting. However, you don't really need those things because it's pretty much a fill-in-the-blanks package.

 

[Pooh's Corner]

Can you do a DP the same day with more guests?? I saw some where you could and again somewhere you cant. Any thoughts?

 

[aduck126]

Can you do a DP the same day with more guests?? I saw some where you could and again somewhere you cant. Any thoughts?

this is tricky. i had 2 planners the first one told me no, there is no exception if you are having a escape wedding you have to stick to the maximum guests for all wedding events period, not up for discussion. Luckily disney fired some people and moved others around and the planner that i got switched to didn't care at all. I had 25 wedding guests and 31 DP guests. She even was cool about letting the extra guests come to the cake cutting and champagne ceremony as well. So it all depends on your planner.

 

[Scrap_Vamp]

We stuck mostly to the basics for our Escape, although I added the Model A Ford to surprise DH, and my mum surprised us both with Mickey and Minnie!

Aside from that we didn't decorate SBP apart from bringing in our own freeze dried rose petals, which my flower girl scattered. I ordered a single long-stemmed calla lily for my MOH (much cheaper than a bouquet), and then additional boutonnieres for the men.

We substituted the champagne for the cider so we got two bottles instead of one, which was plenty as they also provied us with water and sodas at the cake cutting.

We didn't do a dessert party - we had a dinner at California Grill (5.30pm seating) as there were 8 of us. We used our APs to get a Tables in Wonderland card which then gave us a discount on this meal, as well as our pre-wedding meal, then all the others that DH and I ate on our honeymoon

 

[amy_schlemer]

I think my problem is that I want it decorated my way but do not want to have it cost an arm and a leg.
So let me get this correct? For the Escape Wedding, I can only have 20 ppl but can have as many as I want if we get the DP?
If I get the DP I can decorate it myself with things I bring in but if I have it at SBP then I have to use Disney for decorations?
And I would like to have a nice dinner and/or dessert party but when I have looked online (mouseweddings.com) they were saying that at most of the restaurants to have the dinner reception we have to spend a minimum of $2000 or $3000 which is way over what I was wanting to spend. Is this true and if it is what should I do to cut costs down?

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

I think my problem is that I want it decorated my way but do not want to have it cost an arm and a leg.
So let me get this correct? For the Escape Wedding, I can only have 20 ppl but can have as many as I want if we get the DP?
If I get the DP I can decorate it myself with things I bring in but if I have it at SBP then I have to use Disney for decorations?
And I would like to have a nice dinner and/or dessert party but when I have looked online (mouseweddings.com) they were saying that at most of the restaurants to have the dinner reception we have to spend a minimum of $2000 or $3000 which is way over what I was wanting to spend. Is this true and if it is what should I do to cut costs down?

To save money, you can combine dinner and dessert party at Sago Cay. I am doing that, and the minimum to spend is $1000. That way, I can have a nice dinner, and still get the added benefit of having a dessert party, by being able to see the fireworks (wishes).

FYI- I am using a rehearsal dinner menu for my wedding dinner at Sago Cay, that I modified, and it is $48 pp.

What did you want for decorations? Not all of Disney's is that bad. I was going to have a really themed dinner, and with everything extra included to do that, I think it was about $300 to $400. We decided we are going to take most of that out though, and use that money elsewhere (on trash the dress at Typhoon Lagoon!).

 

[Scrap_Vamp]

And I would like to have a nice dinner and/or dessert party but when I have looked online (mouseweddings.com) they were saying that at most of the restaurants to have the dinner reception we have to spend a minimum of $2000 or $3000 which is way over what I was wanting to spend. Is this true and if it is what should I do to cut costs down?

Only if you specifically book it as a reception with food and beverage minimums. Depending on your numbers you can do as I did - book a normal ADR (we had one for 8 people) for dinner and then get a Tables in Wonderland card that will save you money (up to 8 people per card, and the second card costs way less than the first). We saved almost the cost of the card on the wedding meal alone, not to mention the night before and other meals

Obviously if you want much larger numbers then that is not an option for you, but just letting you know what you can do with smaller numbers.

 

[amy_schlemer]

So do you have to use a Disney Photographer? It is included with the package but I didn't know if you had to use them and if you don't want to do they exclude the price of one or can you use the price of the photographer for something else?

 

[TinkLoverSam]

So do you have to use a Disney Photographer?

If you are not in a park you can use an outside photographer.

It is included with the package but I didn't know if you had to use them and if you don't want to do they exclude the price of one or can you use the price of the photographer for something else?

If you do not use the Disney photographer then you simply loose that park of the package they will not allow you to subsitute. However, if your photographer is willing to work with the disney photographer (like Randy Chapman) then you can have both the outside photographer (who becomes the primary photographer) and the disney photographer (who shoots photojournalist style).

This is what I am doing

 

[amy_schlemer]

If you are not in a park you can use an outside photographer.


If you do not use the Disney photographer then you simply loose that park of the package they will not allow you to subsitute. However, if your photographer is willing to work with the disney photographer (like Randy Chapman) then you can have both the outside photographer (who becomes the primary photographer) and the disney photographer (who shoots photojournalist style).

This is what I am doing

Thank you very much. I want to get as much in the photography part since I'm very specific about that. Does anyone know how much Randy Chapman is and what all is included with him?

 

[TinkLoverSam]

Package #1 $575.00
�� Up to 3 hours coverage, approximately 400 or more photos in preview album
�� Master DVD containing all in COLOR and all BLACK / WHITE
�� 25 images with stylized enhancements
�� Also have them displayed online at your request,
�� Package #1 Just DVD only with all images no prints
$450.00

Package #2 $1,600.00
�� FULL WEDDING DAY COVERAGE UNLIMTED IMAGES
�� Preview albums contain prints of all photos with creative candid and formals
�� Unlimited images on the master DVD you will have the copyrights,
�� Master DVD containing all in COLOR and all BLACK/WHITE.
�� 25 images with stylized enhancements, 1-11x14 may exchange for 2-8x10’s
�� Also have them displayed online at your request.
�� Package #2 with master DVD with all images no prints $1,400

Package #3 $2,175.00
�� FULL WEDDING DAY COVERAGE UNLIMITED IMAGES
�� Preview albums containing your 4x5 prints
�� Master DVD containing all in COLOR and all BLACK/WHITE
�� 30 images with stylized enhancements
�� 24-side Renaissance Leather Album containing multiple sized images to create
your custom storybook wedding
�� Formal Engagement Session may be added for an additional $200.00
Upgrade this 24-side Renaissance album to a Digital Flush Mount album for
$475.00
Package #3 with master DVD with all images no prints $1,400

Package # 4 $2,675.00
�� FULL WEDDING DAY COVERAGE UNLIMITED IMAGES
�� 30-side Renaissance Leather Album containing multiple sized images to create
your custom storybook wedding
�� 2-Preview albums containing your 4x5 prints
�� 2-11x14 custom prints (may exchange for 2-8x10’s)
�� 2-Parent Albums containing 15 pages of 4x5 prints
�� 100- wallet photos for Thank You Cards (may exchange for 3-8x10’s)
�� Engagement Session included….
�� 40 images with stylized enhancments
�� Master DVD containing all in COLOR and all in BLACK/WHITE
Upgrade this 30-side Renaissance album to a Digital Flush Mount album for
$575.00
Package #4 with master DVD only $1,400

Package # 5 $3,150.00
�� FULL WEDDING DAY COVERAGE UNLIMITED IMAGES
�� 40-side Renaissance Leather Album containing multiple sized images to create
your custom storybook wedding
�� 2-Preview albums containing your 4x5 prints
�� 1-16x20 custom print (may exchange for 3-8x10’s)
�� 2-11x14 custom prints (may exchange for 2-8x10’s)
�� 2-Parent Albums containing 20 pages of 5x7 prints
�� 150-wallet photos for Thank You Cards (may exchange for 3-8x10’s)
�� Engagement or Pre-Bridal Session on location of your choice
�� Black & White prints
�� 50 images with stylized enhancments
�� Master DVD containing all in COLOR and all in BLACK/WHITE
�� 1-Signature Mat for Reception
Upgrade this 40 side album to a Digital flush mount album
695.00

 

[amy_schlemer]

Thank you.

Is there a website that I can look at for Sago Cay or somewhere else to have a dinner after the ceremony? What places are available for a dessert party and is there a website to look at those places? Or is there a place on this forum? I would highly appreciate it.

 

[athenna]

I'm confused about the minimum that has to be met for Escape Weddings...We are hoping for a wedding @ the Poly Site (I always get the name of it mixed up w/the Boardwalk site) and it will be a very small wedding. May not even have the 10 total people we're allowed. I see on the official site, that the package is $4,750, but must meet a minimum of $7500. With such a small group, what would I spend the almost extra $3k on?

 

[hiwaygal]

I'm confused about the minimum that has to be met for Escape Weddings...We are hoping for a wedding @ the Poly Site (I always get the name of it mixed up w/the Boardwalk site) and it will be a very small wedding. May not even have the 10 total people we're allowed. I see on the official site, that the package is $4,750, but must meet a minimum of $7500. With such a small group, what would I spend the almost extra $3k on?

It's my understanding that the $7500 minimums you are talking about only apply to weddings on Saturday or Sunday. If your wedding is M-F, it doesn't apply.

If you do have to spend that extra money, I'm sure many of the brides here will have some wonderful ideas for you!

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

I'm confused about the minimum that has to be met for Escape Weddings...We are hoping for a wedding @ the Poly Site (I always get the name of it mixed up w/the Boardwalk site) and it will be a very small wedding. May not even have the 10 total people we're allowed. I see on the official site, that the package is $4,750, but must meet a minimum of $7500. With such a small group, what would I spend the almost extra $3k on?

I think that minimum is only if you will have it on a weekend.

 

[athenna]

Oh, ok! That explains it, thank you soooo much for clearing that up for me.
Uh-oh, just checked the calendar and the date we're hoping for is a Saturday
Ok, I need some ideas then, if you've got some?

 

[S <3 M]

Oh my. When did they start doing the whole escape and minimum thing? It's pretty easy to add up to the minimums if you want all the extra things...

 

[TiffJ]

Can someone explain the minimum thing for me? I thought the package price was the only price and it just varied if you had it at either the wedding pavillion or other locations. I thought on the weekend Escape brides just had the more limited times available.