Escape Wedding budget questions

[SuzeQ]

Well the new limits pushed us over the edge and our Escape wedding is off. After countless hours spent reading others' PJs and pouring over my printed-out passporter book, of course I'm sad to say goodbye to a Disney wedding. But when it comes down to priorities, buying our house is simply #1 and we can't justify so much extra expense for our 20 person wedding. Maybe in 5 or 10 years from now when we've had a chance to save up with no more big purchases, we can book an Escape vow renewal.

But, not all is lost, since we're not spending much money on a ceremony we've amped up our honeymoon a bit! 4 night Disneymoon and 4 night cruise. Small victories!

I agree with Lurkyloo, you will have a wonderful Honeymoon and more money to spend! When did the minimums go up? Did Wishes go up too for week day weddings? I guess some think the economy is getting better. Hum??!! We can only hope!

Suze

 

[tinkerbell1988]

If you buy it from Disney, it counts. Now, with Wishes couples they say that only those who use Disney for their wedding photography can do the photo shoot on a different day and have it count. But since most Escape couples use the Disney photography that comes in the package, this shouldn't be a problem.

Thanks Lurkyloo!! will this still apply if we are using outside photography for the wedding ceremony? x

 

[lurkyloo]

When did the minimums go up? Did Wishes go up too for week day weddings?

Previously there was no minimum for Escape weddings. This $7,500 thing is new within the last week or two. The Wishes minimums are the same as always (as of 45 seconds ago... )

Thanks Lurkyloo!! will this still apply if we are using outside photography for the wedding ceremony? x

That's the tricky part. If you were having a Wishes wedding, it would not. But the situation may be different for Escape package because it's not like they lose money when you go with an outside vendor. Definitely ask your planner.

 

[SuzeQ]

Previously there was no minimum for Escape weddings. This $7,500 thing is new within the last week or two. The Wishes minimums are the same as always (as of 45 seconds ago... )



So funny!

Thank you,
Suze

 

[tinkerbell1988]

That's the tricky part. If you were having a Wishes wedding, it would not. But the situation may be different for Escape package because it's not like they lose money when you go with an outside vendor. Definitely ask your planner.

thanks for that Lurkyloo! i will keep my fingers tightly crossed and hope that it will count towards the new minimum!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Can you have a buffet meal for a small party? The buffet menus I have looked at all seem to say a minimum of 25 people?

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

Yes, I am having a buffet for 18 people.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Thank you!!

 

[athenna]

Still confused on options for me, but I guess I wont worry about it too much yet...When I say small, I mean small...No reception w/dancing, etc..None of that..Just want ideas on somewere that feels special for after the wedding.

 

[amy_schlemer]

Still confused on options for me, but I guess I wont worry about it too much yet...When I say small, I mean small...No reception w/dancing, etc..None of that..Just want ideas on somewere that feels special for after the wedding.

I'm with ya there. I just want to have a small wedding and then have a nice dinner for the 20 (or less) people. So if I go ahead with my Escape wedding, I can have it and then have a privately catered dinner and it should meet the minimum of $7500? I'm really hating the fact that it went up. They should change it on their website then so it isn't so confusing.

Now just to be clear...

I can have my wedding at the Disney Pavilion and decorate it with outside vendors? But if I have it anywhere else I have to use Disney for decorations?

 

[lurkyloo]

You could still have a nice private dinner for 20 people for less than the $2,500 difference between the basic Escape package and the new minimum if you booked directly through a restaurant like The Wave or some of the ones on Downtown Disney.

You only have to use Disney for decorations if your event is inside the parks or outdoors at the resorts. So if you were in a convention center or restaurant, you could bring in your own decor.

 

[athenna]

You could still have a nice private dinner for 20 people for less than the $2,500 difference between the basic Escape package and the new minimum if you booked directly through a restaurant like The Wave or some of the ones on Downtown Disney.

Why is this confusing me now?
I just want someone to hand me a list of options, and say here, pick something..LOL...Would make this a lot easier

 

[LovesHerTaurus]

Don't forget the whole book now and get a free gift card deal! I booked our stay at AKL and we get a $750 gift card on check in [for moderate/deluxe the giftcards are less]! The minimum for Escape is definately only for Saturday/Sunday Escape weddings (we're below that!).

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Don't forget the whole book now and get a free gift card deal! I booked our stay at AKL and we get a $750 gift card on check in [for moderate/deluxe the giftcards are less]! The minimum for Escape is definately only for Saturday/Sunday Escape weddings (we're below that!).

Are you sure it is not for Escape weddings that are on Sat and Sun and also for Escape weddings which have a private catered event attached to it eg a dessert party. This is the impression I was under

 

[lurkyloo]

Yes, the minimum also applies to Escape events that have a catered meal attached. It is not advertised, but it is the policy. Most people who have Escape events at WDW will never hear about it because most of them don't add catered events to the package.

 

[bowqueen]

If I were to do an Escape wedding (17 people including he and I) and were to have dinner afterwards possibly at Ohana's is it possible to just make a dinner reservation for our party or does it have to be a catered event? I read somewhere about a card for larger parties making reservations but I'm not sure what all this is about. Just curious...thanks!

 

[Chilly]

If I were to do an Escape wedding (17 people including he and I) and were to have dinner afterwards possibly at Ohana's is it possible to just make a dinner reservation for our party or does it have to be a catered event? I read somewhere about a card for larger parties making reservations but I'm not sure what all this is about. Just curious...thanks!

Yes you can just make a regular ADR but you might find it hard to get one table for 17 people so you could be on multiple tables and they prefer groups to either be at the start or end of the night.

 

[Pooh Friend]

We are having six people for our wedding on 5/23/10. I am upgrading my disney photographer to also include a photojournalistic album for $400 more and adding a photo shoot the next morning in MK and Epcot ($1,400). A bouquet ($100 each) for the MOH, one Bridesmaid and a Jr. Bridesmade, and an upgrade on my flowers and the $1875 is spent! You will be very surprised at your choices and how easy it will be to upgrade!

 

[Bethany66]

We are getting married in October at Canada. We upgraded on ceremony Photography, added some rose petals and wedding favors-white chocolate wedding cakes. We have 18 guests plus us-we are an Escape Wedding. By the time you add the few extras you will have no problem reaching the minimum. Your Planner will help you with any dining reservations. Ours, Kathleen, got us booked for Le Cellier immediately following the cake cutting ceremony and there will be 16 of us. It is not a catered lunch, as a matter of fact everyone is "on their own" for this one, it's just a simple get together. The night before we are hosting a dinner at Wolfgang Puck's for our guests. On the Friday before the wedding, we are hosting a Campground Cook out to welcome our guests and will be getting food platters and yummy chocolate cake form the Publix on Vineland. Soooooo, the jest of all this is to relax and enjoy. You will have no problem reaching a minimum and ask your Planner for help, he or she will be great! Congrats!!!!

 

[bowqueen]

Yes you can just make a regular ADR but you might find it hard to get one table for 17 people so you could be on multiple tables and they prefer groups to either be at the start or end of the night.

Thank you for the information.

I never pictured myself having the large wedding but always knew I wanted it to be an "experience" for immediate family and closest friends and most of all an exciting and memorable day that is special to us (not accomodating everyone else as I hear from so many of my friends that do the big wedding). It's for some but not me!