Grand Marina questions (lurkyloo?)

[mjshorses]

I'm really considering moving the ceremony from the WP to the GM due to all the construction and stuff. I did just email my planner about it (she's on vacation right now) but I was wondering if any of you knowledgeable people would be able to answer some of my questions while I wait for a response).

Does anyone know what the venue fee is to have your ceremony at the Grand Marina?

Is the back up location definitely the Wedding Pavilion, or is that subject to change?

Are there any restrictions, rules, or guidelines for having a ceremony there?

Where would the bridal party enter from?

Since it's in a public guest area, is there crowd control (ie is it roped off to kind of separate it)?

Can you still have Cinderella's coach?

 

[donald&daisy]

I don't have answers to most of your questions, but we seriously thought about having our ceremony at the marina. We were originally booked for the WP but when we found out about the construction, we knew that we didn't want the stress of worrying about what it would like on the day of. I talked to my consultant about it. He said that he felt it is a very exposed area. All the lookout binocular stations must stay in place and he felt like it requires a lot of dressing. One disbride, Cassie, had a gorgeous wedding there. I don't think her pics showed anything being roped off, but people keep a respectful distance. Her aisle was straight down the center of the area.

Also, DF didn't like that the area kind of smelled like a dock. Oh, and they will tell you they have no control over if any of the boats come or go during your wedding. I chose SBP. However, if having the castle in view is really important, I think the marina is a viable alternative. I want to say the back up location is the WP, but I can't remember for sure.

 

[mjshorses]

lol, I didn't even think about the smell. Does it really smell bad?

Thank you for bringing up the boats as well that never even crossed my mind.

I have seen videos and pictures of Cassie and JB's wedding and it was gorgeous. I don't think that much floral would fit in the budget but I was hoping we could make it look nice at a reasonable cost. You think that would be hard to do?

I really liked the thought about being outside and the fact that it's closer to the convention center for the reception. I figured that might give us some more time for photos. (and, I wouldn't have to worry about cranes, partially completed structures, and any tacky looking scrims). But you brought up some really good points. I'll bring them up to my planner. Hopefully, I'll hear back from her soon.

Thank you!!

 

[lurkyloo]

Hi!

Does anyone know what the venue fee is to have your ceremony at the Grand Marina?

$2,000 - the same as any other outdoor resort location.

Is the back up location definitely the Wedding Pavilion, or is that subject to change?

Backup locations are always subject to change. I would imagine that if the WP were booked at that time, you'd be moved into one of the GF convention center ballrooms.

Are there any restrictions, rules, or guidelines for having a ceremony there?

Just the ones that apply to any outdoor resort location and the specific ones mentioned above (can't move the binocular thingies, lots of traffic in the area to the Marina and Gasparilla Grill, etc.).

Where the bridal party enters from is usually flexible, but I'd imagine the way Cassie did it is Disney's preferred way. The coach *should* be able to get in there because there's a service driveway between the area and the GF convention center, but definitely check with your planner on that one.

To me, the thing about the Marina is that no amount of money—er, decor is going to hide the fact that it's a working marina adjacent to a counter-service restaurant, complete with the corresponding sights, sounds and smells (haven't noticed the dock smell yet, but the restaurant occasionally gives off a whiff of the grill). Some people are totally OK with that or even seek it out—couples around the country get married in marinas all the time. It just depends on whether these realities jive with your wedding-day vision.

 

[mjshorses]

^^^Thank you so much, that was very helpful!

 

[donald&daisy]

I don't want you to think it smells totally fishy or anything. I personally didn't mind the smell, but DF did. I think the deciding factor for him was actually that its just so exposed. Now, I would love lots of people staring at me, but I'm kind of an attention *****, lol. Edited: I guess that wasn't a Disney appropriate word, but you get the idea

 

[iluvasoldier]

I talked to my planner about this venue as the construction was bothering me, and that was in SEPT before the scrim and cranes were even around.

yes you can hand cindy's coach. in fact my planner boasted that it's the best place to have ciny's coach because all your guest see you arrive and get out of the coach.

For me, having an outside wedding in early Jan just wasn't feesable, nor was the amount of decor you need to hide the binocular things. I am having very little floral and couldn't imagine having to up it justto hide stuff.

 

[Ash8716]

I'm really considering moving the ceremony from the WP to the GM due to all the construction and stuff. I did just email my planner about it (she's on vacation right now) but I was wondering if any of you knowledgeable people would be able to answer some of my questions while I wait for a response).

Does anyone know what the venue fee is to have your ceremony at the Grand Marina?

Is the back up location definitely the Wedding Pavilion, or is that subject to change?

Are there any restrictions, rules, or guidelines for having a ceremony there?

Where would the bridal party enter from?

Since it's in a public guest area, is there crowd control (ie is it roped off to kind of separate it)?

Can you still have Cinderella's coach?

So after all the construction started I decided to go with the Marina in the end we ended up going to back to the wedding pavilion though but I did get a lot of information. I think it is a very pretty spot and dont think it smells at all!. You have a great view of Cinderella's castle and the monorail is right there. The only problem is it is not private. There is a fast food restaurant right behind you. Our big thing was having all those people yelling while the ceremony was going on or trying to watch it. We spoke with our planners supervisor on all of this and basically there was not much they were willing to do, what else is knew I guess. We did convince them to put up signs that said private event, wedding in progress so at least people knew. We were also told part of the planners jobs were to make sure people were respectful of our ceremony. We tried many ideas to try and separate us from the restaurant but they were either fire codes or not do able because of Cinderella's Coach. So yes you can have the coach! I do think if you are serious about this location under the circumstances you really need to press your planner to work with you as this isn't your fault. We went over some ideas with floral and other things, we pretty much told them they needed to figure something out for us. My understanding is the backup is a ballroom unless they are now making exceptions! There is a side entrance door behind the ramp leading to Gasparillas that the wedding party enters from. The coach will pull you right up to the aisle. You will get out on the other side and then walk around the coach. The coach then leaves so it can be turned around and ready for you to exit. I believe I still have pictures my florist sent me of the area too hide the view finders as well with floral arrangements I can try and find.