Help with reception location near GF

[justme0729]

We will be getting married at the wedding pavilion at 7:30pm and we are currently holding the Whitehall Room and Patio for the 3 hour reception from 8:30-11:30pm. I do really love this space because it is both indoors and outdoors for the heat/rain in June, its at the GF, cake can be included in minimums, it has the monorail gliding over it, and it has a view of Wishes. The only problem I might have with it is that the view of Wishes is obstructed.... I have seen wedding photos during Wishes from the whitehall patio and I actually think the photos are pretty even with the monorail track in the way but has anyone used this location and found that you didn't really get the "effect" of Wishes with the obstruction like it was just happening in the background??

I would consider other locations just to have a better view but none of them offer that indoor and outdoor space like the Whitehall room and patio does. I do like the Napa Room but I would rather have the dinner be outdoors and we can't do that at the Napa Room, right? We also wouldn't be able to make a custom menu or have a menu tasting. I also like Sago Cay or the Marina but being outside for 3 hours in June might not be a good idea?

Any suggestions?

 

[lurkyloo]

Just FYI, the cake counts toward your DFTW food and beverage minimums everywhere. It just doesn't count toward any venue-specific minimums outside of the Grand Floridian (like the $2,000/$4,000 at CA Grill, where you are required to spend a certain amount on food and beverages just in that room).

It does seem from photos that you don't get the full effect of Wishes. I haven't seen the show from there, but I have been in the rooms right at the end of the GF, in view of the show, and you don't really feel like you're "in" the show. It's much more distant. That's why I prefer IllumiNations events. Perhaps a Whitehall bride can add her two cents.

There is no outdoor dining at California Grill. The Contemporary Porte Cochere offers an indoor-outdoor experience within view of Wishes, but some people don't like the fact that the main view is a parking lot: http://disneytravelbabble.com/disney-weddings/wdw-venue-photos/contemporary-porte-cochere/

 

[justme0729]

Just FYI, the cake counts toward your DFTW food and beverage minimums everywhere. It just doesn't count toward any venue-specific minimums outside of the Grand Floridian (like the $2,000/$4,000 at CA Grill, where you are required to spend a certain amount on food and beverages just in that room).

It does seem from photos that you don't get the full effect of Wishes. I haven't seen the show from there, but I have been in the rooms right at the end of the GF, in view of the show, and you don't really feel like you're "in" the show. It's much more distant. That's why I prefer IllumiNations events. Perhaps a Whitehall bride can add her two cents.

There is no outdoor dining at California Grill. The Contemporary Porte Cochere offers an indoor-outdoor experience within view of Wishes, but some people don't like the fact that the main view is a parking lot: http://disneytravelbabble.com/disney-weddings/wdw-venue-photos/contemporary-porte-cochere/

Thanks so much for your input if we chose the marina or sago cay, do you know if the back up rooms would definitely be a GF ballroom?

And at the Napa Room, I think I read in your book we would be limited to ending at 10:00 or 11:00 even though our reception is supposed to go until 11:30? Do u know if we could start our reception at 8:00-11:00pm instead of 8:30-11:30pm?

 

[lurkyloo]

Yes, your backup for the locations at the GF Marina would be a ballroom. You could still go out and watch the show in the rain if it doesn't get canceled. Napa Room events must end before 11pm. I'm surprised your planner didn't mention this due to your event times, but maybe they're going to waive that for you? Otherwise, you probably don't want to cut too much from the ceremony because you need time to get everyone to the reception. They might let you start the ceremony at 7pm if there's no 5pm ceremony before yours.

 

[Tarynashley]

I am getting married next Sunday 7/3 and our 7:30 ceremony at the Wedding Pavilion was bumped up to 7:15 after much pleading with my planner (it will make the time flow more smoothly). And we are having cocktail hour from 8-9:15 at the Marina and Sago Cay (the Celebrate America fireworks show is at 9pm instead of 10pm like normal wishes), then we were ok with having the reception in a standard ballroom bc our guests are getting many changes of scenery. The 8pm sun shouldn't be as bad out on the marina for our guests, but we definitely did think about whether this outdoor portion would bother anyone. The sun sets at around 8:30pm in June or July, so with a 7:30 ceremony it would likely be dark for your whole reception and maybe you could catch the sunset! Having it outdoors at night is awesome bc then you can have a glow party with glow ice cubes in the drinks and glow centerpieces (if that's your thing - clearly it's mine LOL). My backup for the marina is a ballroom though... Let's hope for clear skies!!

Just thought I'd share a few tips since it seems like you're planning something very similar to my wedding!

 

[justme0729]

I am getting married next Sunday 7/3 and our 7:30 ceremony at the Wedding Pavilion was bumped up to 7:15 after much pleading with my planner (it will make the time flow more smoothly). And we are having cocktail hour from 8-9:15 at the Marina and Sago Cay (the Celebrate America fireworks show is at 9pm instead of 10pm like normal wishes), then we were ok with having the reception in a standard ballroom bc our guests are getting many changes of scenery. The 8pm sun shouldn't be as bad out on the marina for our guests, but we definitely did think about whether this outdoor portion would bother anyone. The sun sets at around 8:30pm in June or July, so with a 7:30 ceremony it would likely be dark for your whole reception and maybe you could catch the sunset! Having it outdoors at night is awesome bc then you can have a glow party with glow ice cubes in the drinks and glow centerpieces (if that's your thing - clearly it's mine LOL). My backup for the marina is a ballroom though... Let's hope for clear skies!!

Just thought I'd share a few tips since it seems like you're planning something very similar to my wedding!

Thanks!! Thats good to hear! I do like the idea of outdoors. I think I'll check out the back up locations and see if I would be happy enough with them so I don't have to worry about weather.... I'm thinking that would be Whitehall or do you know the other smaller ballrooms at the GF?