Events during wedding week for guests

[Malibelle]

Is anyone planning other (Pay your own way) events to do with thier guest during your stay for the wedding? How did you organize it? I already have the Hoop do Doo Dinner show reserved for about 50 people through my EM. Our guest will be paying thier own way for these extra events, but I would assume the bill for the dinner would be tacked on to the wedding BEO as it stands right now. I really don't want to do it that way but I would like everyone to be sitting as close together as possible. I just dread having to collect money from everyone but I will do it for this show but as far as the rest of the things planned I don't want to be responsible doing this. I asked my EM if there is a way my guest could pay once they get there, she is checking on it for me.

I also want to go to a character breakfast at the Cape May Cafe at the end of our stay. Again, I don't want to pay for everyone and collect money. Would it be best if I just list it in my invitations/newsletter with the pricing info and reservation#. That way people can make the reservation on thier own even though we probably wont be able to sit together or close.

What did everyone else do?

 

[Belle1981]

We are having the wedding on a Thursday night and most of the guest coming to the wedding are from out of town so most are making this a mini vacation. On the Wed night the parents are hosting a rehersal dinner for everyone going to the wedding at Gaylord Palms resort restaurant Villa de Flora (Honestly the best buffet you will get in Central Florida. The Quality of the food is fantastic and your feature items are amazing the dinners are themed. French, Italian, Spanish and Greek!) We are putting in the newsletter a brief of what the "bride and groom" have planned letting them know where we are going to be and how much the food or event costs. The day after the wedding we are going to a character breakfast at Chef Mickey's and then going to the parks. The next day we are going to plan different options for all the guest. Men who want to golf can have a tee time and the ladies who want to shop we will coordinate a meeting place for those interested. That evening a night out at PI for those who want to come. I do not think its tacky at all. People know how much the wedding is costing you to expect you to pay for everything is silly. Just let them know they are welcome to participate, give them the prices and if they want to join you and if they don't everyone will do their own thing.

 

[JoD]

When my DH and I were planning our Wedding we thought we wanted to plan several events for everyone but it didn't work out. We all stayed at the same hotel and everyone would meet for breakfast and then they would decide who wanted to go where and they would split up and go do whatever they wanted. I was kinda upset at first but to alot of them this was there yearly vacation and I was trying to keep 100 people all together which is impossible.
Plan what you want to do and give everyone the information and leave it up to them to decide.
Good Luck and have fun planning.

 

[luvsmickey]

I agree with what everyone said. Also, if you wanted to get everyone together for a dinner the last night you're there or something, let everyone know that you are having a Grand Gathering. In that event you can get a reservation # for the group and everyone still pays their own way. Let them know that it's an event you would like to have them there and that this is how much it cost, in order for you to have the grand gathering, you need to know how many people would like to attend...etc. (also let the ones that have the disney dining plan know if this is something that is available for it! It might help them decide if they can afford it.) I'm sure everyone will understand! Good luck!

 

[Ember]

How soon in advance do you need to book a grand gathering? I'm worried people won't know what they're doing until closer to the wedding...

 

[luvsmickey]

How soon in advance do you need to book a grand gathering? I'm worried people won't know what they're doing until closer to the wedding...

You can book a grand gathering as soon as you would like and just update it as you go. Also, I would definitely have something booked at least a few months out, I would definitely get a definite count before going, but I'm sure you could change it as you go without it being a problem. Hope this helps! (by the way, this is what we are doing for some of the dinners and we are saying we need more people than we have confirmation for so that we can take people off if needed, but so that everyone can be there if they can!)