Help, questions about reception (escape vow renewal)

[Miniefan]

I am planning on having an intimate (escape) vow renewal next December 2008, and while speaking to Brie from DFTW, she told me that they will be doing some renovations at the GF hotel and it is possible that we will not be able to use commander's terrace for the reception and will have to use one of the smaller ballrooms at the GF. I guess I am ok with that, I mean its not like their giving any choice in the matter, I was wondering if anyone else has been told this.

Secondly, I would like to know, if you have your ceremony at the WP, then you get an organist for the musician at the ceremony, do you also get a musician at the reception?

Last, is there any decoration provided for the cake table at the reception or do you have to purchase that additionally? Also, do they let you bring your own decorations?

Thanks
Kim

 

[Janet2k]

I am planning on having an intimate (escape) vow renewal next December 2008...if you have your ceremony at the WP, then you get an organist for the musician at the ceremony, do you also get a musician at the reception?

Miniefan, until someone can come along to answer your questions specifically, I thought I would simply quote what is currently found on the official FTW website:

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Escape Weddings

Not interested in a grand affair? Imagine a ceremony as intimate as the feelings you share for one another, an elegant experience reflecting your own personal sense of style. That's the magic behind Disney's Escape Weddings and commitment ceremonies - romantic experiences designed just for you and your special guests. Escape Weddings start at approximately $4,000* and include an organist and solo violinist for the ceremony and the magical amenities package. For additional guests (up to 18 maximum) additional elements are at an additional cost. Some ceremony locations have a maximum occupancy of 10 guests total.

Escape Wedding and commitment ceremonies are available Monday through Friday at 10:00 am, 12:00 pm, 2:30 pm, and 5:00 pm. (please note that Disney's Wedding Pavilion is only available Monday through Thursday)

Ceremony locations include:

• Disney's Wedding Pavilion
• Sunset Point located at Disney's Polynesian Resort
• Sea Breeze Point located at Disney's Boardwalk Resort
• Disney's Wedding Gazebo located at Disney's Yacht Club Resort
• Sunrise Terrace located at Disney's Wilderness Lodge

*This package price does not include resort accommodations. Disney's Escape Weddings and Commitment Ceremonies require a four night stay at an owned and operated Walt Disney World® Resort.

- - - - - - -

Package Elements
The Disney Escape Wedding Package includes these Magical Amenities:

Magical Amenities:

• Elegantly simple ceremonies on Monday through Fridays at 10:00 am, 12:00, 2:30 pm, 5:00 pm (except for Disney's Wedding Pavilion, which is only available Monday through Thursday)
• A fresh floral bouquet for the bride and a fresh flower boutonniere for the groom.
• An elegant two tiered wedding cake with keepsake cake topper and one bottle of Fairy Tale Cuvee for your champagne toast. (Approximately 6 glasses per bottle.)
• A Violinist for your ceremony and reception.
• A four (4) consecutive hour limousine charter for transportation on your wedding day for you and your guests.
• A professional Disney Photographer to capture your ceremony and reception.
• Up to two (2) hours of photography coverage which includes an album of twenty (20) images chosen by you. Along with the album Disney will also provide you with a contact sheet of all the images taken during your event.
• Two half-hour telephone planning consultations with a Disney Wedding Coordinator prior to your wedding
• A personalized wedding website.
• Two (2) Walt Disney World® Annual Passes for the bride and groom (beginning January 1, 2008)
• Online planning kit
• Additionally, you may choose to add special features to enhance your wedding celebration.

* Disney's Escape Weddings packages require a minimum of a four night stay at an owned and operated Walt Disney World Resort. For additional guests, up to 18 maximum additional elements are at an additional cost (note: some ceremony locations have a maximum occupancy of 10 guests.)

All prices and other terms are subject to change without notice. Ask about our rates, Resorts and dates available throughout the year. Ceremony locations are subject to availability. Advance reservations required and subject to availability.
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[Janet2k]

...if you have your ceremony at the WP, then you get an organist for the musician at the ceremony, do you also get a musician at the reception?

Okay, hopefully someone will tell you how it worked for their Escape VR, but judging by what is currently stated on the official FTW website, you'll get an organist and violinist for your ceremony and reception (respectively).

Again, hopefully someone will share how things were handled for their event.

 

[lurkyloo]

I can answer this one!

Last, is there any decoration provided for the cake table at the reception or do you have to purchase that additionally? Also, do they let you bring your own decorations?

You can bring your own decorations if you like, but they do a nice job spiffing up the cake table with linens and plants. Plus, usually they put your bouquet on the table.

If you poke around in the trip reports of Escape brides, you'll see lots of pix of their cake tables and get a pretty good feel for what Disney does.

 

[Janet2k]

You can bring your own decorations if you like, but they do a nice job spiffing up the cake table with linens and plants. Plus, usually they put your bouquet on the table.

If you poke around in the trip reports of Escape brides, you'll see lots of pix of their cake tables and get a pretty good feel for what Disney does.

I agree with Lurkyloo. Disney seems to do a lovely job with the cake tables at the intimate/escape events. The photos that I have seen of those events have always shown a very nicely laid-out table.

 

[stitchlet]

I am planning on having an intimate (escape) vow renewal next December 2008, and while speaking to Brie from DFTW, she told me that they will be doing some renovations at the GF hotel and it is possible that we will not be able to use commander's terrace for the reception and will have to use one of the smaller ballrooms at the GF. I guess I am ok with that, I mean its not like their giving any choice in the matter, I was wondering if anyone else has been told this.

Eeeeek! One of the reasons DF & I are considering an Escape is because we love the idea of the cake/champagne at Commander's Terrace. I haven't spoken to DFTW yet, but we were hoping for a December 2008 wedding . . .

Thank you for the heads-up about GF renovations!

 

[babystar]

Our wedding is booked for Sep and we have been told that we will DEFINATLY be having our champagne reception in one of the ball rooms due to renovations.Like miniefan said, I didnt get a choice so im just hoping that the room is nice!

 

[Miniefan]

I have seen some of the photos of the other brides and it looks like their cake tables have been decorated with small pots of flowers on either end, with the bouquet, cake and champagne, I was just wondering if those flowers were something they normally did or if they were something extra you have to add on.

I am really really hoping that whatever renovations that they have going on at the Gf is going to be done by the time December comes around.

I have a few Disney items I would like to bring and use, 2 picture frames, 2 plush dolls, a snowglobe and my own Mickey and Minnie cake topper.

Thanks for your replies.
Kim

 

[zalansky]

Reviving an old thread - I was just looking at the Disney VR info online and am I right about the fact that you have to spend a $10,000 minimum for an escape VR at Disney? If so, there goes that idea! And that was for Mon - Thurs

 

[DecemberBride]

Reviving an old thread - I was just looking at the Disney VR info online and am I right about the fact that you have to spend a $10,000 minimum for an escape VR at Disney? If so, there goes that idea! And that was for Mon - Thurs

That was for wishes VRs... escape are 4000 for now, i think the price is going up next year...

 

[Dancermomof1]

It can be confusing and I too thought there was a $10,000 minimum for the escape package but the other day when I spoke to the Disney people over the phone they said the escape packages for 2009 begin at $4,500 and the $10,000 minimum would be for wishes packages.

 

[zalansky]

Thank you ladies! I wish the rates were what they were two years ago when I started looking at VR's. And yes, it gets confusing. I thought the $4k was just for the site and basics and then you needed to order a bunch of extras to get to the $10k total. For a simple VR, I was like, no. Even the $4500 is a stretch. We definitely don't need a limo for 4 hours, or at all. And another question, Randy works for Disney right? He is a must have.

Any brides who have done or are planning an escape VR with a dinner afterward, I would love to hear your ideas on what you've done. Thats all I want. No big reception and all of that. just a very small, intimate VR ceremony followed by a dinner somewhere nice. Then maybe find somewhere to party on our own afterward.

 

[MariaLovesJon<3]

^ Randy doesn't work for Disney Photographic Services, he's an outside photographer. If you want info on his prices (or to just ogle more of his photos!), you can go to www.chapmanphotography.com, click on the Disney Brides link, and enter the password (Ariel). The pricing information is under the "Wedding Information" link.

HTH!

 

[snow_white725]

We are having a December 2008 escape wedding and I thought I could help you out

Yes, we were told that they are doing renovations as well. After some sleuthing it turns out that they are re-doing the main lobby floor. We called the GF and they said that there are no plans to have the construction going on in December, but that there is always a chance, so they have to issue the warning to people with functions there. (But according to the GF and their current schedule - everything should be normal during the holiday season and they will have all their decorations up - granted that information is always subject to change.)

Yes, you get the organist and a violinist at the ceremony and the violinist moves to the reception with you.

As for the decorations on the cake table - they will decorate it with linens and random "props" as well as any random flowers floating around the convention center. (I was told this directly from Disney floral because we have allergy issues and needed to know about decorations.) Your table really varies depending on what things are available to use around the GF on the day you get married. If you want something specific you should probably bring it yourself or be prepared to pay for it.

Anyhow, I hope that helps. (What day is your VR??)

 

[meryll83]

Hmmm I never noticed before that the magical amenities package states that you get the violinist for the ceremony AND the reception.

But by reception does it just mean the cake cutting and first dance at the ceremony location?

For example, we are hoping to get married at SBP, and have our reception meal at Citrico's, I doubt the violinist is gonna come trapsing along with us to the Grand Floridian. Or am I wrong?

 

[snow_white725]

Hmmm I never noticed before that the magical amenities package states that you get the violinist for the ceremony AND the reception.

But by reception does it just mean the cake cutting and first dance at the ceremony location?

For example, we are hoping to get married at SBP, and have our reception meal at Citrico's, I doubt the violinist is gonna come trapsing along with us to the Grand Floridian. Or am I wrong?

You only get the violinist during the cake/champagne reception. Basically it’s an extra hour after the ceremony. (So they do play more than just the first dance song but they would not come to your meal location.)

 

[snow_white725]

Our wedding is booked for Sep and we have been told that we will DEFINATLY be having our champagne reception in one of the ball rooms due to renovations.Like miniefan said, I didnt get a choice so im just hoping that the room is nice!

You can ask your WP for photos - that's what we did. It's a pretty nice room