Help!

[Firefly09]

Life would be so much easier if they would allow the extra guests for $500 again... sigh

Have you checked out the budget thread?? There are lots of examples on there and you should be able to cut things down to fit your budget. What are they including in their estimate for you? They might have thrown in a decor package that you could probably go without and only add the elements that you want.

 

[mad4282]

Here is the estimate given to us:
Wedding Ceremony

Ceremony Location Fee @ $3,000.00+ 3,195.00


Floral
Bridal Bouquet ~ $275.00+ 292.88
Bridesmaid Bouquet ~ 5 @ $125.00+ 665.63
Boutonniere ~ 6 @ $12.50+ 79.88
Mother Coursages - 2 @ $40.00+ TBD
Jr. Bridesmaids Baskets - 1 @ $45.00+ TBD
Unity Candle Arrangement ~ 1 @ $250.00+ 266.25
Monogram Aisle Runner ~ $675.00+ TBD



Entertainment
Organ and Organist (included in Pavilion fee)

Transportation
(1) Limousines ($95 hr./3 hr. minimum charter) 285.00
(8 passenger limo / based on 1 limo for 3 hours each)
Chartered Mini -Bus ($87 hr./5 hr. min /25 passenger) 435.00
(based on (1) bus for approximately 5 hours/pick up guests at
different resorts and bring to Reception location)
Guests to utilize existing WDW busses to return to their resorts
Cinderella's Royal Glass Coach @ $2,700 TBD
Rolls Royce ~ $850.00 TBD


Photography
Romance Photography Package @ $2,800.00 on own
Up to six (6) hours of wedding ceremony coverage
A Signature album with a credit of $750 for your print selections
A private website of your final images
4x6 Presentation images (proofs)


Videography
Ceremony only video coverage ~ $750.00 TBD
or
Memories Videography Package @ $3,300.00 TBD
Complete coverage beginning 2 hours before ceremony until reception end
Wedding Pavilion - 4 cameras- 3 mounted and 1 manned camera
Two manned camera coverage at the reception
Three (3) DVD's with special packaging

ESTIMATED CEREMONY TOTAL 5,219.63


Wedding Reception
Reception Menu (1/2 hour)
MENU @ $9.50++ per person 428.48
(based on 35 people)

Premium Cheese Display
International and Domestic Cheeses served
with assorted Crackers and Breads


Beverage
Open Beer and Wine Package Bar @ $30.00++ per person 1,353.08
(Based on 4 hours / 35 adults over 21 years)
(Guests must be 21 years of age to consume alcohol)
(ID will be required)

Open Non-Alcoholic Bar @ $24.50++ per person TBD
(Based on 5 hours / TBD guests)




Entertainment
DJ @ $1,500 (based on 5 hours) 1,500.00


ESTIMATED WEDDING RECEPTION TOTAL 3,281.56


Wedding Reception
Menu
MENU @ $70.00++ per person 3,157.19
(Based on 35 adults) .


Tony’s Town Square Lunch Buffet
Classic Minestrone with Asiago Basil Pesto

Caesar Salad with Romaine Hearts, Croutons,
and Shaved Parmesan Cheese
Pan Seared Gnocchi Salad with Crisp Vegetables and Italian Herb Vinaigrette

Prepared on Stage:
Penne Pasta Primavera
Includes Creamy Alfredo Sauce, Fresh Vegetables, and Parmesan Cheese
Shellfish and Sweet Italian Sausage Diablo with Orecchiette Pasta
and Spicy Saffron Tomato Sauce
Garlic-crusted Breast of Chicken with Marsala Mushroom Sauce

Creamy Herb Mascarpone Risotto
Freshly Prepared Seasonal Vegetables

Rolls, Butter, and Garlic Breadsticks

From the Bakery:
Italian Rum Cake
Tiramisu in Chocolate Pouchette
Cannolis

Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee, Iced Tea, and Selection of Teas





Kid's Menu
Menu @ $23.50++ per person TBD
(Based on TBD children ages 3-9 years)

Gus and Jaq Children’s Meal
(Ages 3-9)

Mickey-Roni and Cheese
and
Chicken Tenders, French Fries, Buttered Corn,
Applesauce, Barbeque Sauce and Ketchup
***
Child’s Beverage

Beverage
Package Bar continued


Wedding Cake ~ 50 @ $12.00++ per person (50 ppl min) 773.19
(Based on the current average for cake)




Floral
Table Linens (existing white tablecloths from the resort)
Table Centerpiece ~ 4 @ $150.00+ each 639.00
(Based on 4 tables of 8-10 people each)




Existing Wooden Chairs in Dance Hall at No Charge

Chivari Chairs @ $12.50+ each TBD
Chair Covers w/Bow ~ @ $10.50++ each TBD
Chair Covers w/Sash ~ @ $8.50+each TBD

Entertainment
DJ - continued
(based on 4 hours reception)

ESTIMATED RECEPTION TOTAL 4,569.38

ESTIMATED WEDDING EVENT TOTAL 13,070.57

 

[DoomBuggy0922]

Mad,

Wow!!! How did you get a quote so fast? Although, I guess I haven't asked for one yet.

Yes, we are having a brunch reception, and I also despise flowers, so that's how we're saving a TON of money. But, think about it--- if you switch to a brunch and cut that menu down to 50 pp, that's $20 a head savings right there!

 

[mad4282]

Mad,

Wow!!! How did you get a quote so fast? Although, I guess I haven't asked for one yet.

Yes, we are having a brunch reception, and I also despise flowers, so that's how we're saving a TON of money. But, think about it--- if you switch to a brunch and cut that menu down to 50 pp, that's $20 a head savings right there!

I am not to worried about flowers either so im sure that helps! I BEGGED AND BEGGED AND BEGGED for quotes and havent signed my contract yet. I am just so confused! lol I am definitely liking the idea of a brunch reception the more and more I think about it. Where will your ceremony and reception be held? Congrats on your engagement!!!

 

[DoomBuggy0922]

I am not to worried about flowers either so im sure that helps! I BEGGED AND BEGGED AND BEGGED for quotes and havent signed my contract yet. I am just so confused! lol I am definitely liking the idea of a brunch reception the more and more I think about it. Where will your ceremony and reception be held? Congrats on your engagement!!!

Why, thank you! Congrats to you too! Was it a recent proposal?? Our ceremony is at Sea Breeze Point and our Reception is at The Attic, and we're having a DP at Sago Cay Pointe. (The Attic has a really low required expenditure, and so does Sago Cay--- and there are no viewing fees or venue rental fees for Sago either, which is great!) The Pavilion is a bit more than Sea Breeze, but the WP includes an organist, which more than makes up for the price difference!

 

[lurkyloo]

1) Atlantic Dance Hall does not have a 150-person minimum.

2) Disney has eliminated the option to add extra guests to an Escape event for $500.

3) I don't think you have to worry about people not coming to your wedding because it's early in the morning. If they're driving 3 or 4 hours from Tallahassee, they are probably going to have to stay over at least one night anyway, so they may just as well stay the night before than the night of... I'm biased b/c we had a brunch wedding and loved it—it gave us almost the whole day to spend with our guests and a dessert party to look forward to at night.

4) If your heart is set on having a dessert party, have you considered making that the reception? You can add heavy hors d'oeuvres without triggering the dinner minimum at Epcot locations, or you could use a spot with a lower dinner minimum.


5) Here are some things you could cut down on (or cut out completely) in your budget:

Ceremony Location Fee @ $3,000.00+ 3,195.00


Floral
Bridal Bouquet ~ $275.00+ 292.88
Bridesmaid Bouquet ~ 5 @ $125.00+ 665.63
Boutonniere ~ 6 @ $12.50+ 79.88
Mother Coursages - 2 @ $40.00+ TBD
Jr. Bridesmaids Baskets - 1 @ $45.00+ TBD
Unity Candle Arrangement ~ 1 @ $250.00+ 266.25
Monogram Aisle Runner ~ $675.00+ TBD (Buy/make your own)



Entertainment
Organ and Organist (included in Pavilion fee)

Transportation
(1) Limousines ($95 hr./3 hr. minimum charter) 285.00 Does it have to be a charter? Could it be a round trip?
(8 passenger limo / based on 1 limo for 3 hours each)
Chartered Mini -Bus ($87 hr./5 hr. min /25 passenger) 435.00 Does it have to be a charter? Could it be a round trip?
(based on (1) bus for approximately 5 hours/pick up guests at
different resorts and bring to Reception location)
Guests to utilize existing WDW busses to return to their resorts
Cinderella's Royal Glass Coach @ $2,700 TBD
Rolls Royce ~ $850.00 TBD Pick one


Photography - Hire an outside vendor
Romance Photography Package @ $2,800.00 on own
Up to six (6) hours of wedding ceremony coverage
A Signature album with a credit of $750 for your print selections
A private website of your final images
4x6 Presentation images (proofs)


Videography - Hire an outside vendor
Ceremony only video coverage ~ $750.00 TBD
or
Memories Videography Package @ $3,300.00 TBD
Complete coverage beginning 2 hours before ceremony until reception end
Wedding Pavilion - 4 cameras- 3 mounted and 1 manned camera
Two manned camera coverage at the reception
Three (3) DVD's with special packaging

ESTIMATED CEREMONY TOTAL 5,219.63


Wedding Reception
Reception Menu (1/2 hour)
MENU @ $9.50++ per person 428.48 Cut the pre-reception food—it's brunch. People are not going to eat a ton.
(based on 35 people)

Premium Cheese Display
International and Domestic Cheeses served
with assorted Crackers and Breads


Beverage
Open Beer and Wine Package Bar @ $30.00++ per person 1,353.08 Do a Bill-on-Consumption Bar - again, brunch, not a lot of drinking going on. Don't pay for more booze than you'll need.
(Based on 4 hours / 35 adults over 21 years)
(Guests must be 21 years of age to consume alcohol)
(ID will be required)

Open Non-Alcoholic Bar @ $24.50++ per person TBD
(Based on 5 hours / TBD guests)
Do soda BOC + pitchers of water - remember, your brunch menu includes coffee and tea.



Entertainment
DJ @ $1,500 (based on 5 hours) 1,500.00


ESTIMATED WEDDING RECEPTION TOTAL 3,281.56


Wedding Reception
Menu
MENU @ $70.00++ per person 3,157.19
(Based on 35 adults) . Cut a few items from the menu or swap them for cheaper things (i.e., pick pasta OR risotto, cut the desserts b/c you'll have cake). You will still easily meet the $75/person brunch minimum when you include drinks and cake.


Tony’s Town Square Lunch Buffet
Classic Minestrone with Asiago Basil Pesto

Caesar Salad with Romaine Hearts, Croutons,
and Shaved Parmesan Cheese
Pan Seared Gnocchi Salad with Crisp Vegetables and Italian Herb Vinaigrette

Prepared on Stage:
Penne Pasta Primavera
Includes Creamy Alfredo Sauce, Fresh Vegetables, and Parmesan Cheese
Shellfish and Sweet Italian Sausage Diablo with Orecchiette Pasta
and Spicy Saffron Tomato Sauce
Garlic-crusted Breast of Chicken with Marsala Mushroom Sauce

Creamy Herb Mascarpone Risotto
Freshly Prepared Seasonal Vegetables

Rolls, Butter, and Garlic Breadsticks

From the Bakery:
Italian Rum Cake
Tiramisu in Chocolate Pouchette
Cannolis

Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee, Iced Tea, and Selection of Teas





Kid's Menu
Menu @ $23.50++ per person TBD
(Based on TBD children ages 3-9 years)

Gus and Jaq Children’s Meal
(Ages 3-9)

Mickey-Roni and Cheese
and
Chicken Tenders, French Fries, Buttered Corn,
Applesauce, Barbeque Sauce and Ketchup
***
Child’s Beverage

Beverage
Package Bar continued


Wedding Cake ~ 50 @ $12.00++ per person (50 ppl min) 773.19
(Based on the current average for cake)




Floral
Table Linens (existing white tablecloths from the resort)
Table Centerpiece ~ 4 @ $150.00+ each 639.00 Ask for ideas of cheaper centerpieces
(Based on 4 tables of 8-10 people each)




Existing Wooden Chairs in Dance Hall at No Charge

Chivari Chairs @ $12.50+ each TBD
Chair Covers w/Bow ~ @ $10.50++ each TBD
Chair Covers w/Sash ~ @ $8.50+each TBD Chiavari chairs will trigger a set-up fee; chair covers do not.

Entertainment
DJ - continued
(based on 4 hours reception)

ESTIMATED RECEPTION TOTAL 4,569.38

ESTIMATED WEDDING EVENT TOTAL 13,070.57

 

[mad4282]

1) Atlantic Dance Hall does not have a 150-person minimum.

2) Disney has eliminated the option to add extra guests to an Escape event for $500.

3) I don't think you have to worry about people not coming to your wedding because it's early in the morning. If they're driving 3 or 4 hours from Tallahassee, they are probably going to have to stay over at least one night anyway, so they may just as well stay the night before than the night of... I'm biased b/c we had a brunch wedding and loved it—it gave us almost the whole day to spend with our guests and a dessert party to look forward to at night.

4) If your heart is set on having a dessert party, have you considered making that the reception? You can add heavy hors d'oeuvres without triggering the dinner minimum at Epcot locations, or you could use a spot with a lower dinner minimum.


5) Here are some things you could cut down on (or cut out completely) in your budget:

Lurkyloo! You are like a celebrity to me!!! Seriously, your book is amazing.

Ok, so originally we didnt want an early morning reception but now it is sounding like an amazing idea. Although me and my fiance live in Tallahassee, most of our guests will actually be coming from New York. We met in highschool,went on one date, then lost contact. Fast forward years and years, we remet, I moved to florida, he visited me twice and decided I was it and he moved here! My parents live in Kissimmee, and Disney is a huge part of me and my fiance's life, so we decided it had to be here.
I am not doing an aisle runner or anything of the sort, and it actually wasnt included in the estimates she gave. (it was listed just so i could see how much it would run but never included it in the totals). The photog I want will come to around $3,500. We also will not have a videographer as it is out of our price range and id rather splurge on my photographer. I am going to go back and rework my numbers as well, but this brings up a whole other issue (of course). I feel the Atlantic Dance Hall is beautiful but clubby, so im not sure it would work for a brunch, but I could be wrong! Thanks for all the replies, everyone on the disboards has been wonderful!

 

[mad4282]

Why, thank you! Congrats to you too! Was it a recent proposal?? Our ceremony is at Sea Breeze Point and our Reception is at The Attic, and we're having a DP at Sago Cay Pointe. (The Attic has a really low required expenditure, and so does Sago Cay--- and there are no viewing fees or venue rental fees for Sago either, which is great!) The Pavilion is a bit more than Sea Breeze, but the WP includes an organist, which more than makes up for the price difference!

Hi! Its funny, but the short answer is no. We were engaged right before my fiance left to serve a year in Iraq, then he asked again when he returned with an upgraded ring (yay) lol.

 

[PartofDisney'sWorld]

Lurkyloo! You are like a celebrity to me!!! Seriously, your book is amazing.

Ok, so originally we didnt want an early morning reception but now it is sounding like an amazing idea. Although me and my fiance live in Tallahassee, most of our guests will actually be coming from New York. We met in highschool,went on one date, then lost contact. Fast forward years and years, we remet, I moved to florida, he visited me twice and decided I was it and he moved here! My parents live in Kissimmee, and Disney is a huge part of me and my fiance's life, so we decided it had to be here.
I am not doing an aisle runner or anything of the sort, and it actually wasnt included in the estimates she gave. (it was listed just so i could see how much it would run but never included it in the totals). The photog I want will come to around $3,500. We also will not have a videographer as it is out of our price range and id rather splurge on my photographer. I am going to go back and rework my numbers as well, but this brings up a whole other issue (of course). I feel the Atlantic Dance Hall is beautiful but clubby, so im not sure it would work for a brunch, but I could be wrong! Thanks for all the replies, everyone on the disboards has been wonderful!

Just wanted to tell you that we are doing a brunch reception at ADH and it is not clubby at all. It may seem more like it is at night, but during the day there is sunshine pouring through the windows and doors. When we did our site visit and went there, we were in awe. I would suggest definitely doing a site visit first before you pick your locations though.

 

[mad4282]

Just wanted to tell you that we are doing a brunch reception at ADH and it is not clubby at all. It may seem more like it is at night, but during the day there is sunshine pouring through the windows and doors. When we did our site visit and went there, we were in awe. I would suggest definitely doing a site visit first before you pick your locations though.

Hi! We did a site visit and thats what made us want the atlantic dance hall, it is SO NICE to hear you are doing it there and think it will be lovely! How many guests will you have if you don't mind me asking? Congrats on your upcoming nuptials!

 

[girli565]

I agree with what Lurkyloo cut from the budget. There's a lot of things you don't need that add up to the cost of a DP! We spent about $1200 on a Wishes DP at Sago cay Pointe but I've seen other brides have Epcot DP's for similar amounts (they just have smaller menus than I had). It's possible, espcially if you are firm with your planner that you don't want to spend over $15k including taxes and service charges.

My planner knew from day one that my hard limit when it came to budget was $13k with everything. We got it to $14k because my mom paid for the DP. What my DH and I paid was exactly what we agreed to, $13,000.

 

[mad4282]

I will need to look into the brunch idea some more as well as dessert parties! I just want my guests to have a wonderful, memorable time (even if there are only a few of us).

 

[leonix8238]

Lurkyloo! You are like a celebrity to me!!! Seriously, your book is amazing.

Ok, so originally we didnt want an early morning reception but now it is sounding like an amazing idea. Although me and my fiance live in Tallahassee, most of our guests will actually be coming from New York. We met in highschool,went on one date, then lost contact. Fast forward years and years, we remet, I moved to florida, he visited me twice and decided I was it and he moved here! My parents live in Kissimmee, and Disney is a huge part of me and my fiance's life, so we decided it had to be here.
I am not doing an aisle runner or anything of the sort, and it actually wasnt included in the estimates she gave. (it was listed just so i could see how much it would run but never included it in the totals). The photog I want will come to around $3,500. We also will not have a videographer as it is out of our price range and id rather splurge on my photographer. I am going to go back and rework my numbers as well, but this brings up a whole other issue (of course). I feel the Atlantic Dance Hall is beautiful but clubby, so im not sure it would work for a brunch, but I could be wrong! Thanks for all the replies, everyone on the disboards has been wonderful!

I'm confident for $3,500 you could get a photographer and videographer if you used an outside vendor. Our photography package with Randy Chapman was around $750 and we had 4 hours, 5 high resolution discs and an album. May be worth looking into to shave a little more off your estimate?

 

[PartofDisney'sWorld]

Hi! We did a site visit and thats what made us want the atlantic dance hall, it is SO NICE to hear you are doing it there and think it will be lovely! How many guests will you have if you don't mind me asking? Congrats on your upcoming nuptials!

Congrats to you too!

Right now we have about 100 (maybe a little more like 103 or something, haha!) invited, and we are expecting 85 to show. Although pretty much every single person has been saying they are coming, so we'll see. We should be getting our first BEO in reallllly soon, hopefully within the next couple of days, so if you have any questions feel free to ask. Also, we already did our menu tasting for the brunch and let me tell you, the food is PHENOMENAL. One of the great things about ADH is it doesn't need a lot of decor, so you could save a lot of money there, as Disney's floral is insanely priced.

 

[PartofDisney'sWorld]

I'm confident for $3,500 you could get a photographer and videographer if you used an outside vendor. Our photography package with Randy Chapman was around $750 and we had 4 hours, 5 high resolution discs and an album. May be worth looking into to shave a little more off your estimate?

I COMPLETELY agree with this! If you are trying to keep costs down I would highly suggest using an outside photog/videographer. If you go with Randy Chapman you can get a combo photo/video package deal I think for $2500 or around that. That is sooooo much cheaper than Disney, and he's an awesome photog. And to be honest I found that I liked most outside photogs work better than Disney. Also, look into David and Vicki Arndt (that's who we are having!). They are amazing too. We got a package with them for $1400-ish for the whole day including getting ready pics, it's a cd only package but we get the rights to it, so we can print out the pics whenever, wherever. Printing your own prints will also be a lot cheaper than Disney. Also, when we booked with them we got a free engagement session so check into that as well.

 

[lurkyloo]

Lurkyloo! You are like a celebrity to me!!! Seriously, your book is amazing.

Ok, so originally we didnt want an early morning reception but now it is sounding like an amazing idea. Although me and my fiance live in Tallahassee, most of our guests will actually be coming from New York. We met in highschool,went on one date, then lost contact. Fast forward years and years, we remet, I moved to florida, he visited me twice and decided I was it and he moved here! My parents live in Kissimmee, and Disney is a huge part of me and my fiance's life, so we decided it had to be here.
I am not doing an aisle runner or anything of the sort, and it actually wasnt included in the estimates she gave. (it was listed just so i could see how much it would run but never included it in the totals). The photog I want will come to around $3,500. We also will not have a videographer as it is out of our price range and id rather splurge on my photographer. I am going to go back and rework my numbers as well, but this brings up a whole other issue (of course). I feel the Atlantic Dance Hall is beautiful but clubby, so im not sure it would work for a brunch, but I could be wrong! Thanks for all the replies, everyone on the disboards has been wonderful!

Glad I could help a little! It sounds like you're definitely on the right track for cutting costs.

 

[mad4282]

Wow, thanks for the great tips everyone! I have emailed the photogs everyone has suggested to me for pacakge prices so yay! My fiance is still not too happy about a brunch wedding, tried to talk him into it but he did not share my enthusiasm! I guess I will have to look into cutting while still having a lunch time wedding.

 

[mad4282]

Congrats to you too!

Right now we have about 100 (maybe a little more like 103 or something, haha!) invited, and we are expecting 85 to show. Although pretty much every single person has been saying they are coming, so we'll see. We should be getting our first BEO in reallllly soon, hopefully within the next couple of days, so if you have any questions feel free to ask. Also, we already did our menu tasting for the brunch and let me tell you, the food is PHENOMENAL. One of the great things about ADH is it doesn't need a lot of decor, so you could save a lot of money there, as Disney's floral is insanely priced.

Thank you so much! I will def keep in touch, your wedding sounds like it will be perfect!

 

[mad4282]

Ugh, ok, my budget has been slashed yet again. I now only have $10,000 for the wedding. Id like to keep it to 50 guests if at all possible. The 10,000 needs to include everything except my dress. I am guessing my disney dream has now officially ended! sad1:

I am trying to see if there is ANYWAY to make it work. I am still pretty confused by the minimums. Like, if I do brunch or lunch and have to spend $75-$100 per guest, do flowers for bridesmaids count in that or no?

 

[leonix8238]

Ugh, ok, my budget has been slashed yet again. I now only have $10,000 for the wedding. Id like to keep it to 50 guests if at all possible. The 10,000 needs to include everything except my dress. I am guessing my disney dream has now officially ended! sad1:

I am trying to see if there is ANYWAY to make it work. I am still pretty confused by the minimums. Like, if I do brunch or lunch and have to spend $75-$100 per guest, do flowers for bridesmaids count in that or no?

Your flowers would certainly count towards you minimum.

Have you looked into doing a Swan and Dolphin wedding? They're more flexible with everything and you could still have your dessert party!