escape wedding costs

[iheartmypanda]

Hello everyone!

My name is Mariana and my FH and I would LOVE to have a WDW wedding.
We decided that it's what we want now we just need logistics to work out such as the fiancee visa for me since I'm not American (we're in a long distance relationship ).

I have some questions about pricing. We definetly want an escape wedding. We wanted an elopement even before deciding on Disney.
I logged onto the wishbook and made my wishbook and it says $4,000 flat for the basic wedding.

Now what if there's stuff I don't want? Like provide my own bouquet and buttoniere and my own photographer?

And are there charges for having a friend film the wedding?

Why do other websites about disney weddings say cheaper prices than on the wishbook?

Basically I would really appreciate any insight about the whole pricing process!

Thanks in advance and I look foward to planning this year with y'all!

Mariana

 

[Skylarr29]

The basic package is 4k and you can not drop anything in the package ie. you can not provide your own bouquet etc. (well you can but the price would still be 4 k so you might as well let them provide it) You can use an outside photographer. If you choose to do so you get a honeymoon photo shoot as a 'credit' for not using a Disney photographer for the wedding. The honeymoon shoot is an hour long at one of the theme parks and you get an album with I think about 12 shots from the shoot.

There shouldn't be a charge for having someone else shoot the wedding especially if it is just a friend/guest at the wedding. Sometimes Disney charges a nominal fee for an escort to outside vendors (to keep an eye on them etc. but that shouldn't be the case in this situation)

I am not sure what you mean by other websites saying things are cheaper than the wish book when it comes to intimates/escape weddings? Maybe you can elaborate or if you have a specific question??

 

[RangerPooh]

Why do other websites about disney weddings say cheaper prices than on the wishbook?

This might be due to other websites not being up to date on the current pricing. Disney changes there pricing yearly and the pricing recently changed to 4k I believe, so the other sites might not reflect this.

 

[CdnDisneyBride08]

Sorry to hijack this post. I just had a question about this:

If you choose to do so you get a honeymoon photo shoot as a 'credit' for not using a Disney photographer for the wedding. The honeymoon shoot is an hour long at one of the theme parks and you get an album with I think about 12 shots from the shoot.

I have read this alot on this board and I told my WC last week that I was using outside photography and asked her if the Honeymoon/Engagement photo shoot would substitute for the wedding photography and she said no. She said:

"Disney Photography will provide a 30 minute alternate photo session at the theme park of your choice. Plan to meet your photographer at designated time and location. Theme park admission is NOT included in the photography session.

Your package includes a website and two (2) 5x7 Disney folios selected by your photographer."

My question is: has anyone else done this 30 minute alternate photo session, and what the heck are (2) 5x7 folios? Does that just mean two 5x7 pictures or would I get two photo albums with pictures?

 

[Skylarr29]

Who is your planner? I have never heard of that. It could be something new or she could be misinformed (I wouldn't be surprised if it was the latter) I would find the direct email to Rosie (I think that is who is in charge of the bridal and honeymoon shots) and enquire directly with her... she would know best. I haven't actually done it but when I was planning an intimate that is what I was told but we have since changed to a custom.

 

[CdnDisneyBride08]

Who is your planner?

My planner is Karen Serrette. I'll have to get in touch with Rosie to find out for sure.

 

[hiwaygal]

It is entirely possible that Disney has changed its policy (again)...

There was a time when NO substitutions/exchanges were allowed. If you used an outside photographer Disney would offer a $50 credit toward a honeymoon shoot, but that wasn't guaranteed.

It's best to contact Rosie and see what she says...but just in case, keep in mind that sometimes Disney changes their minds. I hope it works out for you all though!

 

[JaxTeach]

My planner is Karen Serrette. I'll have to get in touch with Rosie to find out for sure.

Hi, I have Karen as well. They are changing the way they do the Honeymoon portrait alternative package. They are phasing out getting 20 4x6 photos. This is being replaced by 2 5x7s. There was a thread a while ago on this... the consensus was that Disney is wanting to discourage people from choosing this option.

I would suggest asking Rosie, though. Karen is very on top of things, especially changes in DFTW policy. Rosie is in charge of Photography, though, so she would be the one who actually deals with your Honeymoon shoot. Hope that helps!

 

[Skylarr29]

It's a shame that they are chaning it (they are already getting enough money from people) but I wouldn't let that discourage you from using an outside photographer as you don't get your proofs on CD with DPS... which is why so many brides are going else where... now if they would just figure that out!

 

[sajilunni]

Hi Mariana, Welcome!

Yes, it's only the 2008 brides that will be charged the $4000. If you can get married in $2007 it will still be $3000. They increased the price for 2008 by a thousand dollars, but they are now adding 2 annual passes to the package (still doesn't add up to the extra grand, but still it's better than nothing). So the things you get are bouquet, boutinierre, standard intimate cake with mickey topper, 4 hours of limo, champagne bottle, violinist, photographer (and 20 of your best shots as 4x6's), 2 passes and venue (and a wedding planner to tell you where to go when).

And they used to offer a $200 value honeymoon photo shoot (with 20 4x6 photos) as credit if you used an outside photographer for the actual wedding, but they seem to be changing that policy as well. Now they offer only 2 5x7 photos in a folio (meaning folder), so obviously it's not going to take as long to take those photos as a honeymoon photo shoot. Yes, you can have whoever you want to photograph or videotape your wedding as well.

With an Escape wedding, anything is possible for an upgrade fee. You can change your cake or flowers if you don't like what's offered. You can bring a CD of songs if you don't want the violinist provided (that's free to do). You can buy additional bottles of champagne (the one provided fills 6 glasses). The thing you should keep in mind about what is not included in the Escape package are the officiant (around $150-$250) and any kind of dinner/reception that you want to do afterwards.

I think it's very possible to keep close to the $4000 budget and still have a beautiful wedding, because the venues they do provide are all gorgeous. And they provide good services for the included package. If you don't do a dinner reception, it's like having a lavish elopement with fantastic wedding pictures (and it's nice to have the cake/champagne ceremony and first dance as well).

Jil

 

[dee slack]

Hi, I have Karen as well. They are changing the way they do the Honeymoon portrait alternative package. They are phasing out getting 20 4x6 photos. This is being replaced by 2 5x7s. There was a thread a while ago on this... the consensus was that Disney is wanting to discourage people from choosing this option.

I would suggest asking Rosie, though. Karen is very on top of things, especially changes in DFTW policy. Rosie is in charge of Photography, though, so she would be the one who actually deals with your Honeymoon shoot. Hope that helps!

It was Rosie who emailed me with the revised info for the photo swap out ( 2 x 5x7") a couple of months ago, for our VR in Dec.
Personally, I'm not sure if we're gonna waste our precious vacation time for just 2 pics - or maybe that is what Disney's hoping for?!

 

[Mermaid_Ariel]

That's really disheartening if they won't allow for the swap. If the photoshoot is included in the amount, why can't it be applied to the honeymoon session instead? It makes no sense, they're getting their money either way whether or not I tell their photographer to take a hike.

 

[JaxTeach]

It was Rosie who emailed me with the revised info for the photo swap out ( 2 x 5x7") a couple of months ago, for our VR in Dec.
Personally, I'm not sure if we're gonna waste our precious vacation time for just 2 pics - or maybe that is what Disney's hoping for?!

This is my biggest frustration with DFTW! Your VR is 1 day before my wedding, so I'm sure you will have your photos taken close to ours. Rosie has confirmed to me that we will receive the 20 4x6 photos. I don't get it! It isn't as though our events are months apart... just days! It doesn't make sense that you are told one thing and I am told another. I don't think any other business could be run like this, telling clients different things like this.

I definitely agree that spending 1 hour (plus the time to get ready) for 2 5x7s is not worth it. I asked Rosie if we would get our Honeymoon session photos on the MK Bridal portrait CD when we buy it in 3 years and she said no. I wouldn't want Disney to have 30-40 photos of me & DF and me only get 2.

 

[hiwaygal]

That's really disheartening if they won't allow for the swap. If the photoshoot is included in the amount, why can't it be applied to the honeymoon session instead? It makes no sense, they're getting their money either way whether or not I tell their photographer to take a hike.

When I scheduled my wedding, Disney would not give ANY discounts/trade offs at all. I was really surprised when they started doing it.

I think they are trying to discourage the swap/discount because it is especially NOT cost effective for Disney to have one of their professional photographers out there to take a couple of pics that no one is likely going to want re-prints of (which is, of course, where they make their money).

While you make a good point, from Disney's perspective, why would you choose to use an outside photographer when the package already includes it? This isn't so different from other "wedding packages" in the area.

However I do understand why brides choose outside photographers (package price, etc).

This is my biggest frustration with DFTW! Your VR is 1 day before my wedding, so I'm sure you will have your photos taken close to ours. Rosie has confirmed to me that we will receive the 20 4x6 photos. I don't get it! It isn't as though our events are months apart... just days! It doesn't make sense that you are told one thing and I am told another. I don't think any other business could be run like this, telling clients different things like this.

I definitely agree that spending 1 hour (plus the time to get ready) for 2 5x7s is not worth it. I asked Rosie if we would get our Honeymoon session photos on the MK Bridal portrait CD when we buy it in 3 years and she said no. I wouldn't want Disney to have 30-40 photos of me & DF and me only get 2.

The differences may have something to do with when you booked your wedding/signed your contract. I suspect Disney has a cut-off date for certain things and if you had a contract or agreement of some sort before that, you got the "specials".

It is unfortunate and confusing when brides get together and know that one is getting something another isn't.