Has anyone done a World Showcase ceremony and/or pre-reception?

[DisneyLeah]

Hi all -

I'm curious if anyone has photos, info, prices, etc from a World Showcase ceremony and/or cocktail hour. We are thinking of doing a WS ceremony and cocktail hour immediately following.

I'd like to get a feel for costs and pros/cons of each type of event when held in World Showcase.

Or, if you considered either and chose not to do them, why not?

Epcot is so beautiful that I think a ceremony and cocktail hour (pre-reception) held there would be really different, but I'm not sure if its worth all the transporation and the early start time.

What do you think?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

Leah

 

[Pirate's Princess]

If you mean you want a ceremony in one of the countries, I'm almost positive they need to be held at 9 am, and that's a BIT early for a cocktail hour...maybe mimosas.

For pricing guides, Carrie's Passporter book has listings, and so does websites such as magicalkingdoms and mouseweddings.

 

[DisneyLeah]

If you mean you want a ceremony in one of the countries, I'm almost positive they need to be held at 9 am, and that's a BIT early for a cocktail hour...maybe mimosas.

For pricing guides, Carrie's Passporter book has listings, and so does websites such as magicalkingdoms and mouseweddings.

Hi - Yes, I do mean a ceremony at one of the Worldshow case countries. I'm familiar with the site fees and general pricing and transportation requirements, as I have been working with a sales consultant from DFTW (and I have Carrie's book too), but I wanted to know more details like how much does it cost to bring in the sound system/mics, chairs, typical decor, and other fees I may not yet know about.

As for cocktail hour, yes, that is a little early for actual cocktails although the consultant suggested mimosas or a champagne punch have been done before. I was thinking having the 'pre-reception' in Epcot was a neat guest experience to allow them some additional time in the World Showcase before it opens to the public.

Anyone else have any thoughts?

thank you!!

 

[lpizzuro123]

Our ceremony was in Epcot in Italy. It was at 9:00am and went to around 9:30 - our guests got back on the bus that brought them there that morning and went to ADH for our pre-reception (form 10:00 to 11:00) and then our reception (from 11:00 to 3:00).

We stayed in Epcot until 10:15 or so for photos and then they were really kicking us out. I believe you need to be out of there by then so they can clean up and the area can be available for 11:00 when WS opens.

I know there are evening receptions done in Epcot around the time of Illuminations but I do not believe you can be married there then. You would need to have your ceremony somewhere else and then you can go in for your reception.

Linda

P.S. We were married before Disney did not allow you to use outside photographers. We had Misty and our photos were wonderful.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

I think one of the points many brides consider is that you are compelled to use Disney photograpers whose work seems to range from brilliant to not so good. Unfortunately, outside photographers cannot be used. This and the early ceremony times sometimes make brides think twice about WS weddings.

 

[Namsupak]

We had our ceremony in Japan. It has to be at 9. We met before the ceremony so that we could do most of the pics with family beforehand and after the ceremony the 2 of us got to go to China to take pics before we went to the brunch reception. A lot of people worry about how early you have to get up... however, I got up at 5:30 and was fresh as a daisy and stayed up until 3:30 the next morning because I was so pumped all day. It was the happiest day of my life so the adrenaline was pumping all day! We had also thought about a ceremony in China in the courtyard, but we decided on Japan because it had a longer walkway and a better place to hide me. If you have any questions feel free to PM me

 

[DisneyLeah]

Our ceremony was in Epcot in Italy. It was at 9:00am and went to around 9:30 - our guests got back on the bus that brought them there that morning and went to ADH for our pre-reception (form 10:00 to 11:00) and then our reception (from 11:00 to 3:00).

We stayed in Epcot until 10:15 or so for photos and then they were really kicking us out. I believe you need to be out of there by then so they can clean up and the area can be available for 11:00 when WS opens.

I know there are evening receptions done in Epcot around the time of Illuminations but I do not believe you can be married there then. You would need to have your ceremony somewhere else and then you can go in for your reception.

Linda

P.S. We were married before Disney did not allow you to use outside photographers. We had Misty and our photos were wonderful.

Hi Linda - Thanks for posting this info! Would you be able to post some of your Italy ceremony photos here or send them to me via PM?

Do you or anyone else know of anyone who did a pre-reception immediately after the ceremony in World Showcase?

thanks!

 

[lpizzuro123]

Of course I can post some photos (you do not need to ask me twice). I still love looking at them.

Before the ceremony with my girls.

Ceremony

Set up before the whole thing started.

Candle lighting (if you do this be warned - we could not get the candle to stay lite - I was alittle sorry we did not do the Sand Ceremony).

Giving of rings.

After the ceremony - love the arches in Italy.

Not sure if you are thinking about a Dessert Party but here is a picture from later that night. Our DP was in UK Lower.

I do not have any more loaded on Photobucket at this time. Happy planning.

Linda

 

[lpizzuro123]

Namsupak - your pictures are beautiful - who was your photographer?

Linda

 

[DisneyLeah]

Of course I can post some photos (you do not need to ask me twice). I still love looking at them.

I do not have any more loaded on Photobucket at this time. Happy planning.

Linda

Ohhhhh Linda....these are BEAUTIFUL!!! Thanks so much for posting!

The early ceremony time is not problem for us or our party, so we are really torn over WS vs WP! These photos are making me lean back toward WS!! If only you could use outside photography...hmm, what to do, what to do!

I don't know if I will ever be able to make a decision!

Thanks again!
Leah

 

[Namsupak]

Linda- We used Randy Chapman but this was when you could use outside photographers in the park. But he is amazing to work with and I love every single pic he took!

 

[Pirate's Princess]

Check out The dps website and look at the photos. The quality is definitely improving. Just one note on japan. They planted a tree right in the middle of where the above wedding was held so the seating is now quite awkward. We are now going to do the entrance through the koi pond and have our ceremony with the archway/ gate with the globe in the background.

 

[alwaysdisney]

Linda- We used Randy Chapman but this was when you could use outside photographers in the park. But he is amazing to work with and I love every single pic he took!

Thank you so much for your pics. I booked Randy about a month ago for our Escape Weddding at the WP. I am all excited, I can't wait. We're thinking about booking a MK shoot and using the 2 hours of the Disney Photographer that comes with the package for that shoot, now that we can not use Randy. Oh well, it's all good!

 

[DisneyLeah]

We had our ceremony in Japan. It has to be at 9. We met before the ceremony so that we could do most of the pics with family beforehand and after the ceremony the 2 of us got to go to China to take pics before we went to the brunch reception. A lot of people worry about how early you have to get up... however, I got up at 5:30 and was fresh as a daisy and stayed up until 3:30 the next morning because I was so pumped all day. It was the happiest day of my life so the adrenaline was pumping all day! We had also thought about a ceremony in China in the courtyard, but we decided on Japan because it had a longer walkway and a better place to hide me. If you have any questions feel free to PM me

Hi - I just realized I never thanked you for posting your info and photos about your Japan wedding! It looks gorgeous! thanks so much for sharing!



Leah

 

[figmentfan814]

I always love looking at all the shots from any Epcot wedding thanks Linda & namsupak!

We also had a World Showcase wedding in the American Adventure Rotunda. The location fit us perfectly plus we didn't have any concerns about getting rained out. If you want to have a cocktail hour immediately after your ceremony the AAR has a reception site upstairs called the American Adventure Parlor. I'll post some of my ceremony pictures and some of the parlor. We ended up having our reception at Living Seas Salon since we outgrew the parlor which only holds up to about 40 guests. Even though you have a morning reception we still had a "cocktail" hour. We had a fruit and cheese display and pastries. Instead of alcohol we had a signature juice drink with passion, pineapple, and orange juices. We also used Randy Chapman before the rule change went into effect for in-park events.

And of course we got pictures in other locations around the World Showcase before and after the ceremony.

Pictures of the parlor:

Area where tables are set up for eating:

View of lagoon from windows:

 

[DisneyLeah]

I always love looking at all the shots from any Epcot wedding thanks Linda & namsupak!

We also had a World Showcase wedding in the American Adventure Rotunda. The location fit us perfectly plus we didn't have any concerns about getting rained out. If you want to have a cocktail hour immediately after your ceremony the AAR has a reception site upstairs called the American Adventure Parlor. I'll post some of my ceremony pictures and some of the parlor. We ended up having our reception at Living Seas Salon since we outgrew the parlor which only holds up to about 40 guests. Even though you have a morning reception we still had a "cocktail" hour. We had a fruit and cheese display and pastries. Instead of alcohol we had a signature juice drink with passion, pineapple, and orange juices. We also used Randy Chapman before the rule change went into effect for in-park events.

ohhhhhhhhh! Thank you SO much for posting this!! It looks like you had about 50 guests - is that right? This opens up a whole new world for me! I thought you could only use AAR if you had 100 guests or more - or is that only for receptions?? I've been confused about whether the epcot minimums applied to ceremonies or only receptions!

I'm jealous that you got to use Randy too! Thats another factor that's been weighing on me heavily when we talk/think about Epcot! Your photos are GREAT!

Thanks for the info on your "cocktail" hour too. That's more like what I had in mind as opposed to a "regular" cocktail hour...good to hear that others have also done it!

I hope you won't mind...I'm going to PM you for some more info about the costs!

thanks again!
Leah

 

[figmentfan814]

ohhhhhhhhh! Thank you SO much for posting this!! It looks like you had about 50 guests - is that right? This opens up a whole new world for me! I thought you could only use AAR if you had 100 guests or more - or is that only for receptions?? I've been confused about whether the epcot minimums applied to ceremonies or only receptions!

I'm jealous that you got to use Randy too! Thats another factor that's been weighing on me heavily when we talk/think about Epcot! Your photos are GREAT!

Thanks for the info on your "cocktail" hour too. That's more like what I had in mind as opposed to a "regular" cocktail hour...good to hear that others have also done it!

I hope you won't mind...I'm going to PM you for some more info about the costs!

thanks again!
Leah

Yes, thankfully the minimums are only for receptions. We had exactly 50 guests for our ceremony. It is definitely confusing with some of the different minimums depending on location, etc. Thankfully, for the ceremonies these don't apply. As a couple of other people posted, DPS is definitely improving on their quality. I know over the last week there have been a couple of brides that have posted pictures from their Epcot portrait shoots that are very beautiful, so even though you can't have Randy or another outside photographer don't let that from keeping you having the experience of having a wedding "around the world."

Feel free to PM me with any questions. I am heading out for a class (I teach at community college) in a little while, but I will definitely get back to you later today

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

If you go to www.disneymeetings.disney.go.com and click on "Theme Park Venue Map" you will see the "meeting locations" available at World Showcase. It looks as though you could have a pre-reception at the following places:

American Adventure
MIN: 10 MAX:450

Usher your group into our nation's glorious past with a moving tribute to the red, white and blue! Beautiful settings with a colonial theme create a nostalgic atmosphere, resplendent with a red carpet arrival with colonial Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. Host a private reception or dinner accompanied by a capella arrangements from the Voices of Liberty or a talented jazz trio. Cap off the evening with a short stroll to a private dessert reception and front-row presentation of the nighttime spectacular IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth.

France
Breakfast in Paris
MIN: 25 MAX: 300

As the sun rises over the Eiffel Tower, your Guests cross over a quaint bridge and find white linens and chairs set alongside a Parisian plaza. Gleaming buffet stations feature an assortment of fresh-baked French pastries and breads, while a strolling accordionist and a traditional French mime set just the right tone for the start to a perfect day.

Canada
Canada Terrace
MIN: 10 MAX: 85

Whisk your Group north of the border without ever leaving the confines of the sunshine state! The Canada Terrace is an open-air veranda set against the backdrop of the Rockies overlooking the picturesque World Showcase Promenade. A rushing waterfall complements an elaborate plated or buffet dinner, followed by a short stroll to a private dessert reception and front-row presentation of the nighttime spectacular IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth.

China
The Great Hall of China
MIN: 75 MAX: 250

The beauty and splendor of one of the worlds greatest cultures comes alive in the Great Hall of China. Whether your event is an informal reception, elegant buffet, or formal dinner, the atmosphere and ambiance of the China Pavilion creates a unique and beautiful setting for your occasion. Enjoy treasured recipes from the Far East, along with exotic libations and world-class performances. Cap off the evening with a short stroll to a private dessert reception and front-row presentation of the nighttime spectacular IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth.

Norway
Norway VIP Lounge
MIN: 10 Max: 120

Take your group to the birthplace of high-seas adventure. You can host meetings, retreats or presentations in the Norway Lounge, featuring authentic historic artifacts from their seafaring exploration. Following the days meetings, your group enters the Northern Lights Room for a casual cocktail reception and then it's on to the elegant Fjord Room for a customized menu featuring the tastes of Scandinavia. Finish with a private dessert reception and viewing area overlooking the World Showcase Lagoon for a front-row presentation of the nighttime spectacular IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth.

I am far from actually planning a DFTW, but when I get to, I really want to do a ceremony in France followed by the Breakfast in Paris event.

I may be mistaken, but my understanding for WS ceremonies is that the LATEST they can start is 9...but you could start earlier...8 or 8:30 and then have your pre-reception from 9 till 10.

 

[lpizzuro123]

Hey Vanessa - I just love your photos. Because of your great ceremony location and photos, when we signed our contract I made them put in that our rain location would be the AAR.

DisneyLeah - that is definately something to consider - if you do end up doing and outside Epcot location - ask them to add the inside rain location to your contract.

Linda

 

[DisneyLeah]

If you go to www.disneymeetings.disney.go.com and click on "Theme Park Venue Map" you will see the "meeting locations" available at World Showcase. It looks as though you could have a pre-reception at the following places:

WOW - thank you for this info! Why does my DFTW Sales person not tell me this when I am calling and emailing her with questions about Epcot venues!!?

I knew the Dis brides --and fans of WDW weddings -- would be lots more help!

thanks so much!

Leah