Escape Weddings- What do you do for a reception?

[i_hrt_mickey]

My DH and I are considing a VR for our 25th Annv, but it won't be until 2011. We are only consideing inviting 16 ppl and DH suggested the Wishes cruise or the Dessert Buffet for Illuminations. We were gonna see about having breakfast the morning of and dinner that night, of course depending on time of the wedding.

I am just now starting to read these boards so I am now thinking that is way too much sweets if we have cake at the wedding.

I am soooo lost.. and wondering were to start. I know it is still a long way to go.

 

[Figmificent]

Those of you talking about Chef Mickey's, Ohanas or WCC, did you all wear your wedding attire? I love the idea of a wedding dress in Chef Mickey's... must make for GREAT pictures!

 

[beach bride 2010]

Those of you talking about Chef Mickey's, Ohanas or WCC, did you all wear your wedding attire? I love the idea of a wedding dress in Chef Mickey's... must make for GREAT pictures!

I am curious about this too. I personally would not want my wedding reception at Chef Mickey's. It is so loud in there and it is very casual and sometimes filled with children that aren't being supervised as well as they should be. In all the times I've been there I don't think I've ever seen a bride in a wedding dress. O'Hanas only has characters at breakfast and I've never seen a bride there either. If it was allowable it is something I would consider for a late breakfast after the photo shoot. I don't have the $ to have characters at my wedding and it would be neat to have a picture with Mickey with us in our wedding attire.

 

[Gareth& Hayley]

what time does the wishes cruise start and how much does it cost?

 

[Bride-to-be]

The cost and time of the wishes cruises depends on how long you want the boat for. Also if you want to have dinner or decorations on board that costs quite a bit more too.

The other big thing is the boat. The pontoon boats are much cheaper than the grand 1.

Here is a link to pricing that I think is pretty current for everything. http://www.wdwinfo.com/recreation/fireworks.htm
Unless otherwise stated I think all of the fireworks rentals are for an hour and end just as the fireworks end - but I am not positive.

We did the grand 1 for 2 hours and it was just the right amount of time to have dinner and enjoy dessert during the fireworks. It might have been nice to have it a little longer. If you are not planning to do dinner then I think 1 hour would be fine.

 

[disprincessatheart]

I have wishes cruise questions!!! I put this question up on my PJ but haven't gotten much response. We got engaged on the grand 1. I LOVED it. I wanted to rent pontoon boats so our 60 guests could see the fireworks and have a similar experience. However we are going to be there in the very end of January so I am sure it will be chilly. If we go this route I was planning to provide blankets as favors. Do you guys think its a mistake? So this isn't a reception or even on our wedding day but supposed to be more of a fun welcome activity for the first night that everyone is there.

I think that's a great idea. The only issue would be hiring enough boats for everyone - I guess you'd need 6 pontoons or 4 pontoons and the Grand 1. I'm not sure they have that many boats going from any one resort. They did have some blankets on the boat for us to use, but I like the blanket gift idea. For logistical (and cost) reasons I would probably consider a GF dessert party as well as the wishes cruise and see what works out simplest and most cost effective.

Those of you talking about Chef Mickey's, Ohanas or WCC, did you all wear your wedding attire? I love the idea of a wedding dress in Chef Mickey's... must make for GREAT pictures!

I am curious about this too. I personally would not want my wedding reception at Chef Mickey's. It is so loud in there and it is very casual and sometimes filled with children that aren't being supervised as well as they should be. In all the times I've been there I don't think I've ever seen a bride in a wedding dress. O'Hanas only has characters at breakfast and I've never seen a bride there either. If it was allowable it is something I would consider for a late breakfast after the photo shoot. I don't have the $ to have characters at my wedding and it would be neat to have a picture with Mickey with us in our wedding attire.

We did our RD at Chef Mickey's. It was one of the only things we did all week that I'd change if I had it to do over again. It was insane in there. We had to wait forever, there were kids RUNNING everywhere, it was kindof a mess, and it was probably the loudest restaurant I've ever been to.

what time does the wishes cruise start and how much does it cost?

The cost and time of the wishes cruises depends on how long you want the boat for. Also if you want to have dinner or decorations on board that costs quite a bit more too.

The other big thing is the boat. The pontoon boats are much cheaper than the grand 1.

Here is a link to pricing that I think is pretty current for everything. http://www.wdwinfo.com/recreation/fireworks.htm
Unless otherwise stated I think all of the fireworks rentals are for an hour and end just as the fireworks end - but I am not positive.

We did the grand 1 for 2 hours and it was just the right amount of time to have dinner and enjoy dessert during the fireworks. It might have been nice to have it a little longer. If you are not planning to do dinner then I think 1 hour would be fine.

For us, wishes was at 9:00 and we were told to be at the boat at 8:15. We left the dock at 8:30, cruised the 7 seas lagoon and bay lake, then parked in front of MK. After wishes we stayed put for the electric water pagent and then headed back in. I think it was closer to 10 before we finished, even though we only paid for 1 hour. We didn't do any decorations or food on board since we had come straight from cake cutting followed by a 4 course dinner - we didn't miss it at all. Everyone stayed outside on the decks the whole time and they were all wowed by the views. I think we paid $450.

 

[Luvmyfam3]

Thanks OP for this thread! This information is just what I need! We are planning an Escape wedding in June at 10:00 at SBP. Does anyone know what the minimum is for the Attic? That would be my favorite place! We're looking for a brunch-type meal after our ceremony. Any other suggestions for about 20 people in the Boardwalk area?

Thanks!

Kim

 

[PrincessSarah19]

bump!

 

[Luvmyfam3]

In case anyone is interested, the minimum for the Attic is $2,500. The minimum for a small ballroom in the Boardwalk is $685 (or something like that). Since we're having a brunch with only about 22 people we chose to go with the ballroom. I LOVE the Attic, but at least this way we'll be able to all sit at one long table instead of breaking up into smaller tables in the Attic (trying to look at the positive! ) Since we're having a brunch buffet (thanks Lurkyloo for the idea!) it'll be very reasonable. We decided to watch our costs here and splurge on a suite for our honeymoon cruise.

Good luck to everyone in their search! There are so many lovely options to choose from!

Kim

 

[disbridemimi]

Did they give you special menus for the ballroom?

 

[Luvmyfam3]

I think it's pretty much the standard menu they offer for all catering... If you'd like, I can PM it to you... I think the "Tinkerbell" brunch buffet is about $25/person...but they reduced it to $22 because we asked for Mickey waffles instead of smoked salmon.

 

[rumrunnergirl]

.

 

[girli565]

I think it's pretty much the standard menu they offer for all catering... If you'd like, I can PM it to you... I think the "Tinkerbell" brunch buffet is about $25/person...but they reduced it to $22 because we asked for Mickey waffles instead of smoked salmon.

Could you possibly PM me the info too? I'm planning an Escape wedding with the 18 at the ceremony but may have more than 20 at the reception to include a few friends and extended family, so I would love to have an idea on prices.

Thanks.

 

[Swmhc]

We didn't want anything formal or fancy. We wanted FUN ! So we went to 50's Prime Time in DHS for our "informal reception." Then played in the park the rest of the day !

 

[DznyGal]

Right now I am scheduled for ceremony at SBP at 2:30, then looking for dinner someplace close, and topping the night off with an EPCOT dessert party. It looks like we will have 15-18 guests (put us making it 17-20). We are not big sea food fans, any ideas on best places to eat. We thought about maybe trying Pucks at DD, or going with Yachtsman, but I would like to "try" to keep costs down a bit. Our budget is relatively small, so I want to cut costs where I can and still have a wonderful day for everyone.

Does anyone have suggestions? Should I try to change my wedding time and maybe to a late lunch instead of an early dinner to keep costs down?

I did see were you could also add "finger food" to the dessert party, but I believe my mom would like to have a meal for everyone.

Do you think renting one of the small ballrooms would end up costing less than eating at a restaurant? I don't plan on doing any decorations on the tables, unless I bring stuff from home to help with cost, so I was wondering if the ballrooms would look to empty.

My wedding is scheduled for April 16, 2010 so things are happening quickly

Thanks for all your help, I love these boards!

 

[Chilly]

No a private reception would probably cost more than a restaurant.

 

[girli565]

A private lunch reception would definitely be less than a dinner. I'm looking at the Napa Room for mine and the F&B minimums are $1000 for lunch. Much less than a private dinner.

But like Chilly said above, a dinner at a restaurant would probably be much less. But be careful because some restaurants have a set menu for large groups that are a certain price per person and can be quite high $$

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

When I was planning on doing a restaurant, I was looking into Raglan Road. It has a semi-private room, and I large menu, so people can get whatever the want. It is relatively inexpensive.

 

[amyy]

We are having our wedding at 10:00 and then lunch at the Napa room around noon. Well we are hoping the Napa room but can't book it until 6 months out. I would have liked to have brunch in the Boardwalk but my mom (who is picking up a large part of the cost) really wanted a meal. The menu options do look good. That night we are having a dessert party at Sago Cay.

 

[Bethany66]

Who did your photos? They're wonderful!