Having dinner at a DP

[figment fan21]

Ok ladies i can't get a DP out of my head... but the budget only calls for either taking everyone out to dinner or having a DP... not both. DF wants to make sure our guests eat dinner, but i recently learned that it is possible to serve dinner at DP's!

Our original plan was the take everyone to BOMA. Its an escape wedding and we will most likely only have 18 of us. So we were going to be spending 555$ at BOMA and thats without drinks/tax/and gratuity. If i can convince DF that we'd spend the same on a DP with Dinner items on the menu i think we could do it!!

Would any of you lovely ladies who are having or have had a DP with dinner items be willing to share your budget? I'd normally wait to hear from my WC but i'd rather know now

 

[kmg148]

I'd love to see budgets for this. I actually just threw together one adding up the various parts to get an approximate total. I posted it on your PJ.

 

[figment fan21]

Thanks! I'll go check it out!

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

I wanna know I wanna know!!!!

 

[lurkyloo]

The food and beverage minimums go up if you want to serve a full meal at your dessert party. For example, UK Upper has a minimum of $440 for a dessert party and $1,500 for dinner. Plus, there's the $12.95 viewing fee for any of your guests who don't have (or don't want to use up) park admission and the venue-rental fee of $250. About the only break you get is no $75 setup fee because there are already tables and chairs at that location.

 

[Rafiki31]

I was told that they would not do this for an Escape wedding when I called. Has this changed or did I just get bad info? I feel like there is not a lot of consistency with the Escapes.

I think this is a wonderful idea, having a dinner dessert party! I would love to hear more about this.

 

[lurkyloo]

I wouldn't be surprised if they restricted the options for Escape weddings. They have other restrictions in place for Escapes, like the 2-hour limit on private events. Although they have opened up a lot more options for Escape couples recently, at the end of the day, they make more money on Wishes events so they offer more flexibility for those events.

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

I'm doing a dinner at Sago Cay for the fireworks. I am using a rehearsal menu, at $55 @ person, plus alcohol package, so it will prob be over $2000 for 19 people (don't quote me yet though).

You can also do a cocktail style reception at Epcot, which I am doing for my welcome party (at Morocco). There is one buffet for $28 pp, that includes quesidillas, chips and dip, veggies and dip, fruit and cheese and spring roles. There are some options that have WAY more food (but obviously the price goes up). This was all offered to me for an Escape! It isn't a fancy sit down dinner, but I think cocktail receptions are great!

 

[tiggerrifficheidi]

We had a welcome dinner at Italy Isola during IllumiNations. We used the "Lady and the Tramp Buffet" which was about $58pp ++. We did BOC which ended up a little over $600 for 60 people (big money saver!).

Then, there was a $500 Site Rental, $12.95 pp for the viewing fees.

We also did table linens, napkins and decorations. I know the decorations (we did dry pasta arrangements with candles) were $400 for 7 tables. I can't remember the linens.

 

[figment fan21]

Thanks for the info girls!

 

[figment fan21]

Yea so i just heard from my planner and she said that no escape brides are allowed to do dinner DP's.

But thats ok... i appreciate all of your help ladies!

 

[kmg148]

Couldn't you just book it privately through Disney events? You wouldn't be able to wear your wedding dress, but might still be able to have the party.

I honestly think it's ridiculous. Not everyone has $30,000 for a wedding. Some barely can make the minimums for Escapes. They need to have more options, they would probably make more money if they did. It really makes me rethink getting married there--since it is obviously a difference in treatment between a Wishes and Escape wedding; and it shouldn't be. I realize it's all about the money, but you would think Disney would care about the quality as well.

 

[figment fan21]

Yea .... it stinks because DF and I are in that boat... since we are paying for our wedding ourselves AND we already bought a house we are limited on wedding funds. I mean our planner is nice enough but sometimes i wonder how we will be treated as and escape couple. :/
Hopefully everything will work out though... im optimistic! I'm going to keep my original plan of just going to BOMA for dinner with everyone and then heading to EPCOT to watch illuminations... i'm going to buy a short white dress and i'll wear my "just married" pin and bridal ears... it'll be a DP on a budget! I was talking to my sister (MOH) about it and she thinks that'll be the best thing to do anyway so i'm ok with it!