Help on Intimate weddings

[clnilsen]

Hi All!

My Fiancee and I just got engaged last weekend, and we really want to do a disney wedding.

However, we only have a few people to invite (8 total), so the Intimate wedding seems like a natural fit for us.

HOWEVER...

There are 3 things that we are having trouble on when I talk to the Disney people. They seem to really want to push us onto the cusotm wedding, which is frustrating, especially since they have increased the minimum expenditure to 10,000 from 7,500 for the weekday..

My Fiancee and I are very happy w/ 95% of the entire package of the intimate wedding, and very flexible, but she really wants to buy a few additional things that they are just not co-operating on, and I was hoping some people here could give som advice.

1) We really would like to buy a different/second cake, but they won't even let us TALK to a baker. We could care less what it tastes like, etc, but the small round included in the package just isn't what she was wanted. We are not looking for any credit for the cake thats there, we just want to be able ot buy a second cake.

2) Food / Dinner. With a small party, we do not want to do anything resembleing a reception.. however, we woudl liek ot be able to get a table at a restauant, preferrable in a private corner or room. When I talked ot the wedding agent she said that the restaurants, with the intimate wedding package "can't even guarantee a table together"

3) Flowers.. Again.. we woudl like to be able to buy a bouquet for each of the mothers, but the best we can get out of the disney planner is a "maybe"

Overall, I am getting a pretty negative view of the disney wedding people, but perhaps I am misinformed. If anyone has any input or advice, we woudl appreciate it!

Thanks!!!!

Chuck

 

[FutureAshleyDukes]

Hi there!

I'm having my intimate wedding this May, and I think I can help out with a few questions. As for the cake, yes, you can upgrade to a different one, but it serves 50 people and will add on a few dollars. As for the restraunt, when you are assigned your event coordinator they will help you with all of these things and be more helpful than the person trying to sell you your package. It's kind of frustrating, yes, but it only gets easier (in my opinion) the closer you get.

As for the boquet, a definite yes. If you have the money they'll get it to you. Sometimes you can catch the wrong people at the wrong time, and that sounds like what may be happening in your situation.

Oh and I don't know if you know this yet, but for the intimate you can invite 5 additional people which costs $100 each. This is something else they gave me a "maybe" about until I booked my date and put down my deposit.

Best wishes!
Ashley

 

[inloveindisney]

yeah, I don't know, but it sounds like the person you talked to didn't really know about all this other stuff. Those are things you really need to wait to talk about when you get your event manager. All of those things are possible, you just may need to spend more money.
There is actually a slot on the planning packet to do each of the things you are talking about.
Don't worry. It will all work out just fine. Go ahead and book the intimate and you can worry about the details later.
Good luck

 

[melmel]

When we went down in November we met with a Sales Manager (Donna). When we asked about the cake we were told the same thing, but she also said that they are being told to push customs so I think your best bet is to just wait until you have a Event Manager. I'm still waiting for mine, so I'm still not sure about the cake, but since I know it's been done before I'm going to fight them until they cave, because that's the only thing I reeeeeallly want. The other thing I noticed is the SM's don't seem to know all the ins and outs since they're only job is to sell you on the package, a couple of minor questions we had, she had to find the answers for us. But she did always find them, and has tried to be as helpful as possible until I get my EM. Now I just wish I would get my EM already so that I can start 'working' on her to get my cake We also decided to do a dinner afterwards, so we talked to the manager at Yachtsman Steakhouse, and he told us that they do them all the time and no problems, they'll even do a custom menu with your names, date, and no prices. Just call the manager at the resturant you want, and they'll help you out. Just remember you can't wear your gown in the parks, so if that's important to you to wear it at your dinner, you'll have to have it at a resort or DTD. Hope this helps. Good luck.

Melissa

 

[D&R love Disney]

It seems like you are not talking to a very good sales manager. The intimate cake is a 2 tier cake and you have choices as to flavors. We upgraded our flowers and had additional flowers at a cost. We also had our dinner at the Yachtsman Steakhouse, you need to do an early seating but it's not a problem. We had 11 people and a customized menu.

 

[LK03]

What a different experience. Maybe you should just call back and ask to speak with a different SM. I know in my case the girl that was my SM never pushed a custom on me, we didn't even bring it up. I hope you have better luck

 

[Jenn]

For my sister's wedding on 12/3/03, we arranged our own dinner at Yachtman Steakhouse for 17 people or so. Her coodinater person was useless (and in fact was changed 3x during the year, including a change the day of the wedding). My sister and I spoke with the manager of the restaurant directly and she was wonderful, she had 2 tables in a section that was off to the side a bit, not far from the regular diners, but still had its own little area next to a fireplace - it was lovely. She also suggested the personalized menus and they were perfect. They had the bride and grooms names, the date, and a selection of entrees the bride and groom chose with the prices removed. She even printed up extras for us to keep as souvenirs.

My sister did the standard cake - it was 2 tiers and very nice.

For flowers, my sister had silk arrangements made for everyone but herself (hers came through Disney), which we brought down with us. They were way cheaper and looked beautiful.

 

[annieoaklie]

Why don't you add something Irish to your wedding
www.wedding-ireland.com

You will also learn about a lot of the general wedding tradtitions and what they are all about.

www.weddingireland.ie

Best wishes for your specail day.

 

[angey77]

Don't get discouraged!!!
Flat out tell them you want an intimate and then start talking to an EM. With our intimate, the packet that was given gave prices for all kinds of extras. We got exra champagne, cider and extra flowers. We did have to ask and received from Boardwalk Catering a fruit and cheese plate and were given options on additional sweets and such. I also booked CG myself and noted that on the planning kit. Some problems arose from it when I called to confirm a week before, and even though I did not book it through Disney Weddings, my EM was more than happy to straighten it out and she did beautifully.

 

[pennyring]

In researching Disney weddings for about 8 years, what I've heard the most from people is "You can have a beautiful Intimate with Disney, you just have to do all the work yourself." Some people are lucky enough to get exactly what they want the first time around, but it seems like communicating with some SMs is like pulling teeth. My best advice is, if you don't like the answer you're getting, ask someone else. And keep asking until you get the answer you want and know is correct!

I've heard countless brides talk about having to book their own reception dinners because the SM wasn't helpful at all, and my best friend still talks about the arguments she had (right up until 20 minutes before the ceremony!) with her Sales and Event managers over sparkling cider! You'd think something as simple as the price and how many bottles served could/would be resolved weeks in advance. But no.

 

[MrsTink04]

Just keep asking until you get a helpful SM or EM. My EM was fantastic...really went above and beyond the call of duty and I only had to ask ONCE!!! She was even patient with me when my DH (then fiance') was having a severe attack of nerves. I still keep in touch with her. There are helpful people at Disney Weddings, so don't stop until you find someone that is willing to make YOUR wishes a reality!!!

Good Luck!!

 

[melissa_79]

I am getting married in May 2005. I had a very hard time getting any information from the SM I was dealing with prior to making my booking. It would take her days to get back to me, and even then she may not have actually answered my question. Now that I am dealing with an EM things are going much more smoothly, and she is very prompt at returning my calls/emails. If this is what you want to do, just be persistent!

For dinner we also wanted a private area, and booked the Chef's Domain room at Citricos (Grand Floridian). This room seats up to 12 so it was perfect for our group. Since I hadn't figured out the other details of my package yet, I just made the reservation myself through the regular Priority Seating phone line.

And you can definitely add on extra flower options at added cost. They will provide you with prices when you receive your planning package.

 

[Diana Lyn]

I know if several other brides have done this for the Yachtsman Steakhouse too, but as far as planning a "reception" I dealt with someone at GF Group Dining directly, and she was a Godsend! We were a party of 17 total, she had a table right in front of the windows at Narcossee's all done up for us. They even put flowers on it. I had spoken to her several times in advance about the menu. They printed out custom menus for us, saying Welcome and Congratulations to Diana and Bruce with the date on it. The custom menus didn't have the price of the food on it (I thought that would be tacky) and she took off whatever dishes I didn't want offered to my guests (the million dollar lobster ones!) We brought our cake and the staff their even cut it for us. It made our intimate reception a lot more like a "real" wedding reception.

 

[clnilsen]

I know if several other brides have done this for the Yachtsman Steakhouse too, but as far as planning a "reception" I dealt with someone at GF Group Dining directly, and she was a Godsend! We were a party of 17 total, she had a table right in front of the windows at Narcossee's all done up for us. They even put flowers on it. I had spoken to her several times in advance about the menu. They printed out custom menus for us, saying Welcome and Congratulations to Diana and Bruce with the date on it. The custom menus didn't have the price of the food on it (I thought that would be tacky) and she took off whatever dishes I didn't want offered to my guests (the million dollar lobster ones!) We brought our cake and the staff their even cut it for us. It made our intimate reception a lot more like a "real" wedding reception.

It sounds like the GF is the most co-operative for this type of thing. Does anyone have a ocntact name or number for someone to work with there? We will be down there in May to work on this.

Thanks!!

Chuck

 

[Diana Lyn]

I dug through my wedding binder and can't seem to find a number for you. I did find an email from my EM Karen Serette. I had asked her about dining options at the GF and her email back said Carianne (this was 3 years ago, don't know if it's still the same person) from GF Group Dining would contact me. So that is who I dealt with, and I'm guessing she contacted me first.

I would suggest trying one of two things--Contact your EM and see if she can hook you up with GF Group Dining or Contact the PS number 407-WDW-DINE and ask them for Group Dining. We had a welcoming dinner at Boma (we stayed at AKL) and I had to go through Group Dining for each meal that I had PS for 17 people.

Hope this helps you out!

 

[kegafford]

Subbing

 

[Skylarr29]

Oh and about the cake I would just contact the bakery myself by calling the GF and asking to be transfered to the Bakery. If you eat at the GF they will deliver it for you ahead of time for no fee. I just ordered a anniversary cake for us for our dinner at NArcoossee's or just call them and tell thme when your wedding is etc and that you wont be able to make it down to order so you are calling. You also can now have up to 20 guests with your intimate. I also agree with just doing the work yourself that way everything is perfect for you.

 

[marn913]

Just an add on - I agree that you should get the number for group dining and deal with them directly for your dinner priority seating find out the exact date that you can call to reserve and get up early and make the call. We had a custom wedding and FTW really didn't seem to want to have much to do with anything other than true FTW "events" - although some EM's will make dining reservations. My EM had me make the PS arrangements for our rehearsal dinner (we had it at O'Hana's at the Poly) and then FTW took over the reservation about 30 days before the wedding. They did give us the same information that they cannot guarantee seating together - but I think that's their standard script for large group priority seating. We did not have a problem, we were just required to do the first or last seating of the evening to ensure that it would be easiest to sit together - and we did not have any problems.

Marne