Escape Wedding Questions?

[puente0629]

Hi,

My hubby and I are leaning towards an escape wedding...

With an escape can you request your own photographer and florist? We also want to request to have extra guest...can we and how much would it be? Would the limo fit everyone or do you think I should get a charter bus and how much is it? Is it possible to have a small dinner at the ATTIC or you can only use it if your having a wishes wedding? Another thing, how much is a dessert party and what decorations can you have?

Thanks!!!!

 

[missy0107]

You may hire an outside photographer, except when your events take place inside a park.

You may hire an outside florist for everything only if your events are not taking place in view of the public or other guests. If your ceremony is outdoors (Sea Breeze Point, etc.) then you must use Disney's florist for decorations, but you may still use an outside florist for your personal floral (bouquet). Keep in mind that your personal flowers are part of the Escape package price and it is likely you will lose them if you do not choose to use them.

You may add an additional 5 guests (for a total of 25 inc you and groom) for an additional $500.

The limo seats 8 and will make multiple trips during the 4 hour period if you need them to. Depends on your needs. Charter buses must be rented for 5 consecutive hours and I believe that the charge for 5 hours is pretty close to about $800.

Dessert Parties range anywhere from around $300 to $2000 depending on your needs, the location you choose, if you need transportation, etc.

I think you can have a small dinner at the Attic as an Escape bride but even with a small party you would still have to meet their minimum expediture ($2500+tax and tip) along with Disney's automatic $125 per person spend for a dinner event (this ends up already being more than the Attic minimum $125x25=$3125.)

 

[puente0629]

Thanks, Does anyone have any suggestions that would save me money?

 

[missy0107]

Yes! I was going for a complete budget wedding. I looked at Disney's Escape and Wishes packages and decided that I couldn't have the wedding I wanted within their limits. I looked at options at the Swan/Dolphin that were very reasonable. I ended up planning my own affair at Downtown Disney at Fulton's Crab House. Take a look at my Planning Journal (link in my signature), I'd be happy to help you with options on a budget.

 

[lurkyloo]

Thanks, Does anyone have any suggestions that would save me money?

The way to save money with an Escape wedding is to stick to exactly what's in the package and not add anything.

That said, the minimums for the Attic have recently been lowered for events ending before 5pm, so if you had brunch or lunch there, it would be only a $1,000 food and beverage minimum. Also, you would not have to meet the $125/person minimum because it only applies to Wishes events. On the other hand, your meal would be limited to 2 hours because you are doing an Escape wedding.

DISers like Missy0107 have found lots of great, low-cost alternatives to doing an official Disney wedding, while others have found ways to keep their weddings strictly to what's included in the Escape package. Check out the "planning journals" in the Planning Our Happily Ever After forum located at the top of the main weddings forum to get some ideas.

 

[missy0107]

That said, the minimums for the Attic have recently been lowered for events ending before 5pm, so if you had brunch or lunch there, it would be only a $1,000 food and beverage minimum. Also, you would not have to meet the $125/person minimum because it only applies to Wishes events. On the other hand, your meal would be limited to 2 hours because you are doing an Escape wedding.

Thanks for the clarification, I felt like I had part of that wrong.

 

[puente0629]

Missy,

Did you do all your planning with Disney Coordinator?

 

[missy0107]

Missy,

Did you do all your planning with Disney Coordinator?

No, once I decided that I couldn't work within the DFTW limits, I lost the use of their services.

When I started planning with the Swan/Dolphin I used the services of JustMarry, an independent planning company that the Swan uses to coordinate their venues, I found them extremely pleasant and easy to work with, however the roadblocks I found were with the people at the Swan.

Once I started speaking to Fulton's I started working with their event/banquet coordinator. She's by no means a wedding planner, though they have held several there. I had to locate my own florist, transportation, cake maker, etc. If you choose to do it outside of Disney, you are basically on your own. I have the time and skills to do it so it works out for me.

 

[Swmhc]

Unless things have changed (and we all know that is possible ), the Attic used to not be available for Escape brides. We checked into that for our reception and was told Wishes only.

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

The way to save money with an Escape wedding is to stick to exactly what's in the package and not add anything.

That said, the minimums for the Attic have recently been lowered for events ending before 5pm, so if you had brunch or lunch there, it would be only a $1,000 food and beverage minimum. Also, you would not have to meet the $125/person minimum because it only applies to Wishes events. On the other hand, your meal would be limited to 2 hours because you are doing an Escape wedding.

WHHHAAATTT????? The Attic is $1000 min now??? OMG this just made my life! I wanted it soooo much (thanks to you Lurkyloo), but didn't want to spend over $2000 for 2 hours. I am emailing my planner ASAP!

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

Unless things have changed (and we all know that is possible ), the Attic used to not be available for Escape brides. We checked into that for our reception and was told Wishes only.

I am an Escape bride, and I was given it as an option. I have 20 people though, I don't know if that makes a difference

 

[Wish on a Star]

I consider myself to be a budget bride! I am doing an Escape wedding and here are some of the ways I am saving money:

Photography- This might sound crazy- but I realized it was cheaper to hire Randy Chapman than to use the included Escape package. (I am getting just the DVD package and printing my own pictures when I get home).

Reception- St. James Room at the Boardwalk convention center. The minimum is really low and I am saving even more money by not serving dessert (because we get a cake)

Decorations- I am bringing my own candles for centerpieces- and considering using the bridesmaids bouquets too

Invitations- I made them using Vistaprint and coupons!

Music- Bringing my own ipod and player for reception
Let me know if you have any questions!

 

[honey2741]

That said, the minimums for the Attic have recently been lowered for events ending before 5pm, so if you had brunch or lunch there, it would be only a $1,000 food and beverage minimum. Also, you would not have to meet the $125/person minimum because it only applies to Wishes events. On the other hand, your meal would be limited to 2 hours because you are doing an Escape wedding.

What?! When did they change this? Wow, Lurkyloo you are always in the "LOOp"

WHHHAAATTT????? The Attic is $1000 min now??? OMG this just made my life! I wanted it soooo much (thanks to you Lurkyloo), but didn't want to spend over $2000 for 2 hours. I am emailing my planner ASAP!

I hope you get it!

I consider myself to be a budget bride! I am doing an Escape wedding and here are some of the ways I am saving money:

Photography- This might sound crazy- but I realized it was cheaper to hire Randy Chapman than to use the included Escape package. (I am getting just the DVD package and printing my own pictures when I get home).

You will still get the DPS Photographer too. They will just be in the background.

 

[lurkyloo]

Unless things have changed (and we all know that is possible ), the Attic used to not be available for Escape brides. We checked into that for our reception and was told Wishes only.

Oh my gosh, you wouldn't believe how much stuff has changed in the last year or so! If they had given Escape brides this many options back when I started planning in 2007, I prolly never would've switched to Wishes.

What?! When did they change this? Wow, Lurkyloo you are always in the "LOOp" =

Change seems to be the only constant at DFTW!

 

[sillykaren]

Oh my gosh, you wouldn't believe how much stuff has changed in the last year or so! If they had given Escape brides this many options back when I started planning in 2007, I prolly never would've switched to Wishes.



Change seems to be the only constant at DFTW!

Hopefully it keeps on changing for the better!!

Lurkyloo you had a brunch at the Attic after your ceremony, correct? How was it? I'm sure you have a trip report somewhere...

Oh and I was going to ask, sounding kind of silly, where exactly IS the Attic? Where at the Boardwalk? We've been DVC members at BCV for years and I had never heard of it!

 

[lurkyloo]

Hopefully it keeps on changing for the better!!

Lurkyloo you had a brunch at the Attic after your ceremony, correct? How was it? I'm sure you have a trip report somewhere...

Oh and I was going to ask, sounding kind of silly, where exactly IS the Attic? Where at the Boardwalk? We've been DVC members at BCV for years and I had never heard of it!

That's funny, because originally the Attic was the DVC member lounge at the BoardWalk! It is located atop Jellyrolls, and the only way to get there is down a couple of BWV's infamous long halls.

We did indeed have brunch at the Attic, and we loved it! You can read all my blathering on the subject by clicking the "Wedding!" link in my signature.

I also have a link to my planning journal there ("PJ"), which talked about choosing the Attic, and if you click on the "Anniversary!" link in my siggie and go toward the end, there's a report of the amazing surprise party our BoardWalk Inn Event Planner threw for us at the Attic on our anniversary!

 

[lfama]

Music- Bringing my own ipod and player for reception
Let me know if you have any questions!

We're considering St. James Room - do you have to pay to bring an iPod? Do they supply a dock or are you bringing your own? We have an iPod we're planning on bringing but are wondering if they supply a dock or if we should just buy a cheap one to bring.

 

[lurkyloo]

You have to pay to have speakers, an amp and a connection (when we did it, they didn't have an iPod dock, just a cable that went into the earphone jack), so you might want to just bring your own portable sound system.

 

[tinkandonaldfans]

So if you have an escape wedding and you want to use an outside photographer but want to have a dessert party in epcot and Since they can't be inside the parks, can you use the disney photographer included in the escape package for the dessert party?

does anyone have have pictures of the St james room?

would it be difficult to get a minimum spend of $1000 on a brunch/lunch at the attic for 18-20 people?

 

[CharacterFan]

So if you have an escape wedding and you want to use an outside photographer but want to have a dessert party in epcot and Since they can't be inside the parks, can you use the disney photographer included in the escape package for the dessert party?

No, you can't exchange the included photographer. If you decide to go with an outside photographer you "forfit" the included photographer. Although, depending on your outside photographer you might be able to have both. You can book a photographer for the dessert party for an additional fee.

would it be difficult to get a minimum spend of $1000 on a brunch/lunch at the attic for 18-20 people?

It would depend on what you want to spend. You can check out menus here http://www.magicalkingdoms.com/ftw/wdw/menus.html and get some rough ideas based off of prices per menu.