Frustrating Pattern...

[KateDisney]

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[Hydra]

I TOTALLY understand. I've felt that way a couple of times, but to help combat these feelings we've made specific plans for the few days before and after the wedding (ie: drinking around the world at Epcot, Disney bounding at the MK). I'm pretty lucky that most of my guests know each other already, but we've made it clear the weekend is about celebrating and vacationing.

 

[KateDisney]

I TOTALLY understand. I've felt that way a couple of times, but to help combat these feelings we've made specific plans for the few days before and after the wedding (ie: drinking around the world at Epcot, Disney bounding at the MK). I'm pretty lucky that most of my guests know each other already, but we've made it clear the weekend is about celebrating and vacationing.

Thank you SO much for your reply! We have been thinking about setting up a brunch/and possibly dinner for everyone the next day in one of the parks or even resorts, but have no idea what restaurant in Disney could accommodate our group (approximately 40 people)

 

[Chilly]

Surely being excited about going is better than the alternative, talking behind your back moaning they are spending a lot of money to go to a wedding in the middle of nowhere.

It may be your BIG DAY but to them i'm afraid its just another wedding but one that is in a better location.

If you want something for 40 people you'll probably need to book a private event, i've heard of group reservations for 20 ish but 40 is a lot of people. Were you planning on paying for this?

 

[KateDisney]

Surely being excited about going is better than the alternative, talking behind your back moaning they are spending a lot of money to go to a wedding in the middle of nowhere.

It may be your BIG DAY but to them i'm afraid its just another wedding but one that is in a better location.

If you want something for 40 people you'll probably need to book a private event, i've heard of group reservations for 20 ish but 40 is a lot of people. Were you planning on paying for this?

Oh I am sure they're doing that too, haha. Yes I would be paying for it.

 

[Chilly]

I'd look into a private event then, your wedding planner might be able to book it for you and if not Disney Catered events.

 

[KateDisney]

I'd look into a private event then, your wedding planner might be able to book it for you and if not Disney Catered events.

Thank you!!

 

[lurkyloo]

Honestly, you are SO lucky that your guests feel that way. Most of us received a much more negative response to the announcement that we were getting married at Walt Disney World—so many, in fact, that I did an entire Disney Wedding Podcast episode on "What to Say to the Naysayers"!

 

[wilkeliza]

While not at Disney, my wedding is a destination wedding for my side of the family and kind of for my fiance's. We live in NYC and so are getting married here but all my family is in Texas and some of my fiance's family is in Florida and Georgia. Everyone will be traveling. I'm sure we will get a lot of OMG so excited to be going to NYC type texts and fb posts as people begin booking things. If people are excited about what they, or we, are doing leading up to the wedding then I won't fault them for that. I'm sure they will be just excited about the wedding itself. When my friend got married in Toronto, I did say I was excited for my trip to Toronto. I can't wait to see ____ and ____ in Toronto. Excited to go see Niagara Falls. etc on social media. My friends knew I was also excited about their wedding.

We actually thought about doing a Disney wedding simply because it would have made it easier for our family traveling with little ones since Disney is so family friendly and we figured more people would be willing to use their vacation days if they were going to Disney too.

 

[KateDisney]

Honestly, you are SO lucky that your guests feel that way. Most of us received a much more negative response to the announcement that we were getting married at Walt Disney World—so many, in fact, that I did an entire Disney Wedding Podcast episode on "What to Say to the Naysayers"!

Oh my gosh really?! Im so sorry you experienced that! You deserved to have a wedding wherever your heart took you and good for you for going through with your (im sure beautiful!) wedding regardless

 

[KateDisney]

While not at Disney, my wedding is a destination wedding for my side of the family and kind of for my fiance's. We live in NYC and so are getting married here but all my family is in Texas and some of my fiance's family is in Florida and Georgia. Everyone will be traveling. I'm sure we will get a lot of OMG so excited to be going to NYC type texts and fb posts as people begin booking things. If people are excited about what they, or we, are doing leading up to the wedding then I won't fault them for that. I'm sure they will be just excited about the wedding itself. When my friend got married in Toronto, I did say I was excited for my trip to Toronto. I can't wait to see ____ and ____ in Toronto. Excited to go see Niagara Falls. etc on social media. My friends knew I was also excited about their wedding.

We actually thought about doing a Disney wedding simply because it would have made it easier for our family traveling with little ones since Disney is so family friendly and we figured more people would be willing to use their vacation days if they were going to Disney too.

Thank you for your reply! It really does calm my nerves and make me feel better about what the general response has been.

 

[epcotcenter1982]

I'd be focused on the fact it's YOUR day and honestly it doesn't MATTER what they do any time other than the wedding and reception. I'd be celebrating that they are excited to come? They're making the best of it? Where's the downside? the alternative is they don't come? Or they DO come and moan the whole time? What other reaction are you wanting really?

We've booked the wedding we want where we want and how we want but given the potential guests are all in the UK or Australia all except some immediate family is coming. It's disappointing but I don't expect people to drop everything and pay to fly to our wedding. So it is what it is. We'll have an amazing time and that's all that matters?
I never wanted bridesmaids either way and other than the wedding and a reception do or sorts I wouldn't be booking any time to spend with the guests and I'd expect them to find things to do themselves and not expect me to entertain them the whole time. To be honest I think it's wonderful your guests are doing exactly that.

 

[KateDisney]

I'd be focused on the fact it's YOUR day and honestly it doesn't MATTER what they do any time other than the wedding and reception. I'd be celebrating that they are excited to come? They're making the best of it? Where's the downside? the alternative is they don't come? Or they DO come and moan the whole time? What other reaction are you wanting really?

We've booked the wedding we want where we want and how we want but given the potential guests are all in the UK or Australia all except some immediate family is coming. It's disappointing but I don't expect people to drop everything and pay to fly to our wedding. So it is what it is. We'll have an amazing time and that's all that matters?
I never wanted bridesmaids either way and other than the wedding and a reception do or sorts I wouldn't be booking any time to spend with the guests and I'd expect them to find things to do themselves and not expect me to entertain them the whole time. To be honest I think it's wonderful your guests are doing exactly that.

The issue was more with my bridal party/family wanting to help/focus on details of our coming park hopping days rather than the wedding itself. I had been overwhelmed with wedding planning and became more overwhelmed when trying to help people plan their entire "days at Disney World". I'm actually thrilled they're staying beyond just the day of the wedding, regardless of the reason, since I don't live in the same state as them.

 

[Disney_Alli]

I'd still count your lucky stars they're excited about any part of the trip. I gave lot of information to my inlaws who were WDW first timers including guide books and all I asked them to do was pick the top 5 things they wanted out of their trip. Not a single one of them (5 people) gave me even 1 and one of my brother-in-laws was rude to me through the entire process and walked out of several events during the wedding. I never received a single thank you for booking their entire trip using our DVC points and booking all of their ADRs and FP+s. They didn't even book flights until 30 days before the trip (From Alberta Canada no less) and frequntly changed arrivals and departures forcing me to rebook multiple aspects of the trip for them.

 

[Kiki La Reu]

I went to a wedding in wdw and I know of several people who ditched the ceremony and showed up after the cocktail hour to hit the parks. Not very nice but it happened. Perhaps this type of behavior is what the op is worried about?? I can completely understand that. I don't think the bride was very happy about people ditching the most important part of the day.

 

[KateDisney]

The issue was more with my bridal party/family wanting to help/focus on details of our coming park hopping days rather than the wedding itself.

I went to a wedding in wdw and I know of several people who ditched the ceremony and showed up after the cocktail hour to hit the parks. Not very nice but it happened. Perhaps this type of behavior is what the op is worried about?? I can completely understand that. I don't think the bride was very happy about people ditching the most important part of the day.

Yes! That is one of my biggest worries!

 

[lurkyloo]

The issue was more with my bridal party/family wanting to help/focus on details of our coming park hopping days rather than the wedding itself. I had been overwhelmed with wedding planning and became more overwhelmed when trying to help people plan their entire "days at Disney World".

You can always pass them off to one of the many certified Disney travel agents. There are a few who specialize in wedding groups. They can help you with adding reservation numbers to the room block and fielding all those guest questions so you don't have to.

 

[epcotcenter1982]

I went to a wedding in wdw and I know of several people who ditched the ceremony and showed up after the cocktail hour to hit the parks. Not very nice but it happened. Perhaps this type of behavior is what the op is worried about?? I can completely understand that. I don't think the bride was very happy about people ditching the most important part of the day.

That is just plain horrible....and it's partly why I made it an open...please you are welcome if you want to come but I simply can't afford to fund any part of your stay or extra events. I guess I have an amazing and very supportive family and friend cluster as one was all set to come but for her boss refusing leave. She was SOO excited to be at the ceremony and little celebration.
I guess I'm so used to the reactions being....I REALLY WISH I COULD SEE THE CEREMONY!!! I just can't imagine a different reaction. Everyone is fascinated by a fairytale wedding and wants to see it.
I've upgraded photo packages and am doing a double park shoot as much for me and them

 

[Kiki La Reu]

Not that it matters, but this was a huge 'wishes' wedding. Like second cousins twice removed type thing. But still wrong. I think very close friends and family will do the right thing. With weddings in general I've found that don't expect anyone to change their nature for the sake of your special day. People who are normally selfish will be especially selfish on your day, people who are complainers will complain twice as much and forget about gossips. Lol. But that goes the same for the supportive amazing people in your life. They will be all the more supportive and caring. Focus on those people and the others you 'have to' invite who may be less enthusiastic...shrug them off.

 

[KateDisney]

You can always pass them off to one of the many certified Disney travel agents. There are a few who specialize in wedding groups. They can help you with adding reservation numbers to the room block and fielding all those guest questions so you don't have to.

AH I had no idea there were some that specialize in wedding groups! Thank you so much!