Escape wedding package

[Christine Frausto]

Hello everyone!

Hope your having a magical day! My fiancé and I are planning to get married in Dec of 2020. I know it’s a bit away and I’m so eager to start planning. We can’t wait for 2020 to get here. I had a couple of questions about the escape wedding package because that’s where we are leaning more too.

1. Is it worth it more to have a private reception at Disney’s contemporary resort so we could see the happily ever after fireworks or at Epcot. (I’m pretty sure it’s my preference but some insight on how these work would be great.)

2. Has anyone done D.I.Y. For your escape package. Like aisle runners and ceremony decor.

3. To add on to #1 if we were just to do a dessert party could we add a reception dinner with dftw or just the resturant.

4. If you live out of state do you have a waiting period from when you get your marriage license to when you can get married?

Thanks for everyone’s help in advance. I’m trying to get as much information so that we know how much more we need to save. Lol

 

[lurkyloo]

Welcome! This episode of the Disney Wedding Podcast covers everything you need to know about the Escape Collection: https://disneyweddingpodcast.com/escape-collection-overview-faq-2019/

1. Is it worth it more to have a private reception at Disney’s contemporary resort so we could see the happily ever after fireworks or at Epcot. (I’m pretty sure it’s my preference but some insight on how these work would be great.)

I prefer Epcot because you are closer to the fireworks and more immersed in the experience. It's also way more impressive to guests because they are treated as VIPs as they are escorted through the park, and you can book a private ride mix-in after the show! This post explains how this works for weddings: https://fairytaleweddingsguide.com/dessert-party-how-to/

(Note that it says "dessert parties" but this is Disney bride shorthand for any type of private meal in front of fireworks—you don't have to serve just dessert)

2. Has anyone done D.I.Y. For your escape package. Like aisle runners and ceremony decor.

Disney won't allow you to provide your own aisle runner, and you cannot do large ceremony decor yourself outdoors or at the Wedding Pavilion. You can do smaller things like toss petals, programs, unity ceremony and all personal floral though. This end of this episode and page 108 of my guidebook list exactly what you can DIY and where:
https://disneyweddingpodcast.com/how-to-use-outside-vendors-for-your-disney-wedding/

3. To add on to #1 if we were just to do a dessert party could we add a reception dinner with dftw or just the resturant.

You can add any type of catered event via your Disney wedding planner. You could do a dinner with desserts in front of the fireworks instead of just a dessert party, like we recently did: https://disneytravelbabble.com/blog/2019/02/14/our-crazy-80s-epcot-anniversary-party/ The Escape Overview episode I posted above talks more about this.

4. If you live out of state do you have a waiting period from when you get your marriage license to when you can get married?

No. This episode explains everything you need to know about getting your Florida marriage license: https://disneyweddingpodcast.com/classic-episode-how-to-get-your-marriage-license/

 

[Christine Frausto]

Do you know if you book your hotel with a travel agent will it count towards your min hotel stay for your escape wedding package? I know some travel agents can start planning sooner than you can book your hotel on your own.

Welcome! This episode of the Disney Wedding Podcast covers everything you need to know about the



I prefer Epcot because you are closer to the fireworks and more immersed in the experience. It's also way more impressive to guests because they are treated as VIPs as they are escorted through the park, and you can book a private ride mix-in after the show! This post explains how this works for weddings:

(Note that it says "dessert parties" but this is Disney bride shorthand for any type of private meal in front of fireworks—you don't have to serve just dessert)




Disney won't allow you to provide your own aisle runner, and you cannot do large ceremony decor yourself outdoors or at the Wedding Pavilion. You can do smaller things like toss petals, programs, unity ceremony and all personal floral though. This end of this episode and page 108 of my guidebook list exactly what you can DIY



You can add any type of catered event via your Disney wedding planner. You could do a dinner with desserts in front of the fireworks instead of just a dessert party, like we recently did: The Escape Overview episode I posted above talks more about this.



No. This episode explains everything you need to know about getting your Florida marriage license:

 

[lurkyloo]

Yes, it doesn't matter how you book your stay for Escape, only that you stay at a Disney-owned and -operated hotel for 4 days (so not the Swan & Dolphin or Shades of Green, for example).

 

[jaggies]

First of all, congratulations! I hope you’re having a magical day as well.

December is such a lovely time at Walt Disney World. I’m not like a big holiday person but there’s just something about the decorations that I find absolutely enchanting. It’s all so nostalgic and charming. I don’t know if you’ve been to Disney in December before, but either way you’re in for a treat. I can’t think of anything more romantic!

lurkyloo is too polite to say it, but you should really buy her Fairy Tale Weddings Guide, especially if you’re eager to get planning and want to spend time dreaming…I mean, doing important research in the months ahead! It’s so great that you already know you want a Disney wedding, so you have the gift of time to gather information and evaluate what your options are.

Escape collection events are great because planning them can be as simple as you want it to be. If you two have a lot going on in your lives and just want to “check off boxes” you totally can, and you’ll have a beautiful day. But if you want to really get into the wedding planning spirit, and it sounds like you do, there are lots of things you can do to customize and make your day uniquely you. Unfortunately, Disney isn’t always super forthcoming about all the options that are available, and Escape couples don’t get the benefit of an in-person planning session, which is why a guidebook might be especially useful to you.

The nice thing about a Disney wedding is they get rid of a lot of the unfun parts of planning an event, like dealing with multiple vendors. They take a lot of the stress away; we’ve all been to a “bad wedding” but I think it would be pretty hard to plan a bad Disney wedding. They’re just really good at what they do. The not-so-nice thing about planning a Disney wedding is that their prices are often higher than non-Disney alternatives (though a destination wedding by its nature often helps couples control costs by reducing their guest count). You two will have to decide what matters most to you, but I feel strongly that planning a wedding is something that ought to be enjoyed and celebrated, not stressed over.

If you decide you would like to get married at Disney but an official Disney Fairy Tale Wedding isn’t right for you, there are alternatives available at Disney area hotels like the Four Seasons, although these packages may require you to do more of the legwork yourself. Some couples who are considering Escape find that these packages help them get more “bang for their buck” or otherwise avoid some of Escape’s restrictions, like the strict 20-person limit. Of course, they come with their own limitations as well – you won’t have the option of riding in Cinderella’s glass coach, for example.

You have a lot of choices ahead of you, and it can feel a little overwhelming at first, but you have plenty of time and there are a ton of great resources for Disney weddings out there these days. (You’ve already found one of them…this board!) There didn’t used to be nearly as much information out there, but nowadays you can become a Disney wedding pro in no time. Who knows? When it’s all done, you might find yourself wishing you could plan another big shindig at Disney