Help me decide on a reception plan!

[missy0107]

I'm hemming and hawing about reception options. Being an Escape bride I have to coordinate most of it myself and I'm ok with that but there are so many choices!! Here are the options I'm leaning towards (25 ppl, Randy already booked for 5 hrs):

Option 1: 10:30 AM cermony at SBP. Followed immediately by a lunch reception at St. James Room at the Boardwalk with a BBQ and beer and wine bar for 2 hours.

Option 2: Same as option 1 however the reception would be on the Beach Club beach on the Beach Club side of SBP, same menu.

Option 3: Move the ceremony time up to 2:30. Still have the ceremony at SBP but head on over to DTD and have the reception as a dinner at Raglan Road. I'm kinda liking this idea because I can wear my dress and the dinner could possibly go later into the evening and we'll get some free Irish entertainment out of it. (My family loves Ireland!) I have yet to get menu or banquet options from Raglan Road, I sent an email and haven't gotten a response so I have no idea what the cost of this would be but I figured people could possibly order off the regular menu which generally saves money.


Are there pros and cons to any of these options that I may not be considering? I like the idea of the ceremony and reception being in the same place, but having it at Raglan Road I think will get me more time out of the whole thing. Don't they limit Escape receptions to 2 hours?

Help, ladies!

 

[Bride-to-be]

For some reason I am sort of leaning towards option 2. I have heard a lot of people really like raglan road. I have seen it - but haven't eaten there.

 

[Janell]

I havn't seen your choices for reception locations. But wanted to ask a question, how would your guest get from one location to the other if you had it at Raglan place?

We had a WP and Living Seas, due to LS is back stage we had to provided a Disney bus for our wedding. You wouldn't need to do this. But you and your groom will need some type of transpiration.

Anyhow, I look into the transpiration side of things and make sure it works for you.

 

[missy0107]

I havn't seen your choices for reception locations. But wanted to ask a question, how would your guest get from one location to the other if you had it at Raglan place?

We had a WP and Living Seas, due to LS is back stage we had to provided a Disney bus for our wedding. You wouldn't need to do this. But you and your groom will need some type of transpiration.

Anyhow, I look into the transpiration side of things and make sure it works for you.

I was thinking about this and I think the 4 hour included Limo would get most of us there, it would be the getting back part that would be the problem. There is always Disney buses! It would be a hoot to take the regular bus back from DTD to Old Key West! My in-laws live in Florida and they will have a rather large mini-van there, but I would prefer my FFIL to not have to play chaffeur.

 

[missy0107]

For some reason I am sort of leaning towards option 2. I have heard a lot of people really like raglan road. I have seen it - but haven't eaten there.

DF really likes the BBQ beach idea for 2 reasons, he loves Disney burgers laughing and it keeps the cost down and will allow us to have a beer/wine open bar because we're saving a few bucks.

I like the idea of having the BBQ on the patio of the St. James because there is an indoor option already there if we need it. You have to have the BBQ buffet open air because they grill everything fresh for you.

 

[PrincessShea]

I lean toward option 3. I'm not a fan of waking up early or sitting around with nothing to do half the day, so I would prefer a 2:30 ceremony. But that's just me. It seems like almost everyone here has a really early ceremony and it works for them.

Have you considered any other venues for dinner? Shula's or Bluezoo? Maybe I'm bias since my dinner is there, but no one ever seems to consider these places and it seems so easy for a Boardwalk wedding. They both have private rooms, it can be as long as you want (mine is 3 hours), and you get to wear your dress.

 

[missy0107]

I lean toward option 3. I'm not a fan of waking up early or sitting around with nothing to do half the day, so I would prefer a 2:30 ceremony. But that's just me. It seems like almost everyone here has a really early ceremony and it works for them.

If we had a 10:30 ceremony lunch would follow immediately, there wouldn't be a break, it would just end at 3. I'm leaning toward option 3 for the same reasons though. I'd like to not have to wake up too early or pay fees to hairdressers for early starts.

We were initially planning on a Dessert Party in the evening but that's not in the budget any more.

Have you considered any other venues for dinner? Shula's or Bluezoo? Maybe I'm bias since my dinner is there, but no one ever seems to consider these places and it seems so easy for a Boardwalk wedding. They both have private rooms, it can be as long as you want (mine is 3 hours), and you get to wear your dress.

I have thought about those places but neither really stuck out for me. My DF and I are pretty casual people, we don't need anything fancy or completely private, which is why we liked the beach idea a bit more than St james. Bluezoos room is beautiful but maybe a bit much for me. What is their minimum?


I just spoke to Raglan Road, I should have their banquet info soon!

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

When you say beach (for Option 2) do you mean shipwreck beach? I wanted to do that, and got the info from my planner, and it is insane how much you have to spend!!!!

I am doing a noon ceremony with a st. James room reception. All the pics I have seen of it looks nice, there are a variety of menu options, and you can walk there!! (we want to save the limo for the dessert party, or upgrade it to a bus).

 

[missy0107]

When you say beach (for Option 2) do you mean shipwreck beach? I wanted to do that, and got the info from my planner, and it is insane how much you have to spend!!!!

I am doing a noon ceremony with a st. James room reception. All the pics I have seen of it looks nice, there are a variety of menu options, and you can walk there!! (we want to save the limo for the dessert party, or upgrade it to a bus).

I don't believe it's Shipwreck beach but I could be completely wrong, I haven't done a ton of research on that option yet. I got the idea from this thread: http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2176379

Can someone verify if that beach IS Shipwreck Beach?

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

I am pretty sure that is it. I was determined to have me reception there, but than I saw this from my planner:

"Hello! Our Escape Weddings can do a small private reception in some of the smaller venues. The private reception portion can be requested at the 6 month mark. Shipwreck Beach would be available to couples looking at a Wishes Collection. They do have a food and beverage minimum of $1,000.0++ and they do require an Event Support Package of $3000+ which includes a greens package, fencing to hide electrical support and tents for the Catering Team. Events would need to conclude prior to 10pm. Events that were taking place after sunset would also be required to purchase a lighting package as well. Cost would be based on the number of guests and the type of lighting requested."

I would say if your heart is set on it, find out more info (and let me know!!!) My planner doesn't really seem to know a whole lot (she doesn't know that St. James room has a patio).

 

[missy0107]

I was kind of afraid of that....My heart is set on a good price, so there goes the beach idea! Thanks for the info and clarification!

I got the banquet info from Raglan Road and it is very reasonable! Right now that is where I am leaning. Their cheapest dinner banquet menu is less than $40 a head and their bar packages are the same as Disney's and service fee is only 18%. Having it there would probably save me close to $1k! So far Raglan is winning!

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

Again, I would double check to be sure!

I am with you though, the beach was my first choice, and Raglan and St. James are my back up!!

 

[Janell]

I was thinking about this and I think the 4 hour included Limo would get most of us there, it would be the getting back part that would be the problem. There is always Disney buses! It would be a hoot to take the regular bus back from DTD to Old Key West! My in-laws live in Florida and they will have a rather large mini-van there, but I would prefer my FFIL to not have to play chaffeur.

That would be funny to be on a regular Disney bus. And DtD has a bus to almost everywhere so you good there. Make sure you get photos, because thats would be really cute and different.

One thing just hit me, are you doing any photos after the wedding, either that day or a a few days later in your dress? I ask because you might be in a bus with children when sticky fingers that could get on your dress.

 

[missy0107]

That would be funny to be on a regular Disney bus. And DtD has a bus to almost everywhere so you good there. Make sure you get photos, because thats would be really cute and different.

One thing just hit me, are you doing any photos after the wedding, either that day or a a few days later in your dress? I ask because you might be in a bus with children when sticky fingers that could get on your dress.

Great point about sticky fingers! I think that Raglan Road would be the end of it, the MK shoot would be FANTASTIC but, so far, out of the budget!

 

[Nikisha421]

reading everyone of these wedding threads teaches me something new everyday...i am so impressed with how much you all knkow

 

[goin' goofy]

I think you should go with Raglan Road, but I might be a bit biased!

Ater a lot of going back and forth through all the options we finally settled on Raglan Road because its one of our favorite onsite restaurants and we always make sure to get there during every trip. We wanted to share our love of it with our guests, and the prices were on par (if not a bit better) with what Disney provides.

We plan to take the Disney bus from Boardwalk to DTD, and then the river boat from DTD to our room at Port Orleans, and we will be sure to get bunches of photos of both! I've seen photos of other Disney brides using Disney transportation in their dresses and its just too cute! Plus, DF doesn't mind saving money where he can

Whatever you choose, I'm sure it will be magical, just as a Disney wedding should be! Good luck with everything!

 

[missy0107]

Thank you everyone so much for your opinions! This board is so helpful!

We have decided on Raglan Road! I just have to make sure I can switch my ceremony time from 10:30 to 2:30!

I love the boat idea!! Is there a ferry from Old Key West to DtD? I don't remember there being one the last time I was there! I didn't consider the bus from Boardwalk to DtD, I thought more of adding on an extra limo hour, but saving the $$ is a better idea!

 

[goin' goofy]

I love the boat idea!! Is there a ferry from Old Key West to DtD? I don't remember there being one the last time I was there! I didn't consider the bus from Boardwalk to DtD, I thought more of adding on an extra limo hour, but saving the $$ is a better idea!

I've never stayed at OKW so I don't personally know, but I swear I've seen the riverboats with OKW signs, and it looks like according to the Disney World site they do offer boat transportation at that resort - I can only assume that the boats go to DTD, since the waterway isn't really open to anywhere else!

Congrats on your decision, and I hope you post LOTS of photos so I can see what I can expect for my own wedding day (since yours is almost a year before mine!). Best wishes for a wonderful day!!