Help for someone just getting started

[DIP626]

Long story short my DF and I have spent the past few months planning a destination wedding in the Bahamas, and it is quickly falling apart. It does not look like the Bahamas is going to happen at all. We were thinking of going elsewhere, and were coincidentally on vacation visiting friends in Orlando last week. We stopped by the Wedding Pavillion just to look around and were instantly impressed So now Disney is looking like a very good alternative that we didn't consider at first.

I'm just looking to get advice, ideas, pros / cons.......or any kind of help you can offer to someone that literally just started the DFTW process. (I called on Monday, and have not heard back yet) Any help at all would be very appreciated!!!

Millions of thanks in advance

 

[hiwaygal]

Have you visited the website? Disney Weddings

Honestly, that will have the best information on what is included and what is available (for custom or intimates). You can sign up for the wishbook and look at some ways to further customize your event.

Are you planning an intimate (18 or fewer guests) or custom (more than 18 guests)?

 

[DIP626]

Sorry....I should have been more specific. We would definitely do a custom wedding, at least 40-50 guests and I already did the wish book. But just from reading a few posts on this site it looks like a lot more things are offered that just what you can pick out out the wish book. I'm also just trying to get an idea of how the whole process works.

Thanks again!

 

[ead79]

You've done all the beginning steps you can do on your own already--spend time browsing through the Wishbook to get an idea of what is offered. You are correct that there are MANY more options that just what is featured in the Wishbook, so you can always look through bridal magazines and pull out pictures of things you think you'd like Fairy Tale Weddings to duplicate.

The next step will be when they return your call and assign you a sales manager. This person will help you choose your locations and pencil in your date. They can also give you initial budget guidelines. They will explain the details about the minimum expenditures and the room nights guarantee. Then, depending on your venues, you will sign your contract at either 12 or 8 months before your wedding day. At this time your venues are reserved for you and you're "official" so to speak. Disney will then assign you an event manager that will help you settle on the details of your wedding such as the menu, floral, entertainment, etc.

Hope that helps!

 

[DIP626]

This is great. Thank you. Thankfully we're not starting completely from scratch. Since we were already a few months into planning elsewhere we already have a pretty clear idea of what we want and just from looking at the general prices in the wish book it looks like the the total cost would be similar. Hopefully we can stay reasonably within our budget. The only thing is that we were thinking of doing a welcome cocktail reception (as a thank you for coming to our wedding), but I think that essentially adding a second party might get too expensive. Has anyone done this, welcome receptions or farewell brunches?

 

[CA_Stitch]

This is great. Thank you. Thankfully we're not starting completely from scratch. Since we were already a few months into planning elsewhere we already have a pretty clear idea of what we want and just from looking at the general prices in the wish book it looks like the the total cost would be similar. Hopefully we can stay reasonably within our budget. The only thing is that we were thinking of doing a welcome cocktail reception (as a thank you for coming to our wedding), but I think that essentially adding a second party might get too expensive. Has anyone done this, welcome receptions or farewell brunches?

We had a dessert party the night before as a welcome party and a dinner at Ohana the night after the wedding as a thank you.

It is fun to spread things over several days. Makes the party last longer.

 

[DIP626]

Ooh a dessert party definitely sounds like a lot of fun. I totally agree about extending it as long as possible. Can you tell me more details about the dessert party? Where was it? Also where is Ohana?

 

[CA_Stitch]

Ooh a dessert party definitely sounds like a lot of fun. I totally agree about extending it as long as possible. Can you tell me more details about the dessert party? Where was it? Also where is Ohana?

The dessert party was at Epcot for Illuminations. It was held at the UK Terraces. Ohana is at the Polynesian Resort and it is a casual restaurant for our guests to relax after all the wedding events.

 

[twojo21]

congratulations on your dw plans dip626! we were married at wdw march 21st 2006 let me tell you our whole wedding & time at disney were amazing. we had 50 of our close family & friends there with us & everyone made it a fun vacation.

defintely check out the wishbook, post on here for ideas & advise the girls here are great and check yourfairytale.com for more info. once you get a call back from disney you can set up a date & start working on details with your sales manager like room blocks & sending info to your guests (as a custom bride your guests will receive a discount at your room block hotels & discounted park tickets). there is a $1000 deposit. once your within 8 months of the big day you'll work with your wedding planner/coordinator to finalize the details & time frame of your events.

we had a welcome dinner at rainforest cafe dtd for our guests to welcome them to florida. in all this cost about $2000 for 50 guests & was a personalized plated menu with margaritas pizza for appetizers, salad, due entree of tuscan chicken & mojo ribs and chocolate cake for dessert plus drinks & a childs menu.

we also spend a day with guests at the parks & had some other prewedding events for our bridal party.

our wedding was at the yacht club wedding gazebo followed by a prereception at marthas vineyard & reception at ariels at the beach club. we then had a dessert party to end the evening at epcot. our dessert party also cost about $2000 for 50 guests with the child in you dessert menu, rental fees & a few extras.