home reception

[figment fan21]

Hey girls...

DF and I are planning on having an escape wedding in october of next year and would like to have a home reception here at our house. We have a great backyard and would love to have everyone over for an outdoor party. The issue is that we live in NH and it'll be too cold to have it outside when we get back.... we were hoping to do our at home reception the following May. Our question is whether thats too long to wait. So for all of you who are having (or had) an at home reception when was it and how did your family/friends feel about it?

TIA!

 

[soulmates]

I have no idea what is considered too long..wish I could help. Everyone I've known who's done the belated reception, has done them within a few months. Not sure if that helps. I lived in Londonderry for years, so your right, too chilly. Happy planning!!

 

[kmg148]

It would be interesting to hear opinions on this. I was thinking a "send-off" party at home would be cool if you were doing a Disney wedding..that way you could have the party and then get married and have nothing to worry about (and could stay in Disney for your honeymoon!)

 

[soulmates]

Ohhh, a "Send off Party", great idea!

 

[WDWBride04/19/2010]

I don't think that'll be too long of a time-span. My brother's going to get married on Oct. 4th and he wasn't going to go on his honeymoon 'til June, so that's another seperated wedding event. DF&I might do an at home kind of thing after we get married on April 19th too, and that prob' won't be until June, so right there is 2months. I think people will just be happy you are having one that they can easily attend, and that won't be in or right after Oct. outside in NH (I live in MA, so I know how it can be)!

kmg148's idea is good too!

 

[Sarah <3 Disney]

I think a general time frame of around 6 months is the norm. I imagine most guests would understand that the newlyweds have to adjust to a new way of life, and that may take some time. But I really like the "send off" idea!

 

[pghloveswdw512]

I don't think it's too long at all. The send-off party is a cute idea. I live in Pittsburgh, and I'm getting married in January. We're waiting until May to have our party because even then it might be chilly!

I think that once you explain that it's a weather thing, people will be totally on board. That's how all of my guests feel. They are glad I'm not asking anyone to travel for a reception in winter! Go for it!

 

[kmg148]

Thanks!

I can't afford to pay for everyone to attend a wedding (I sure wish I could! ), and I KNOW that anyone outside of immediate family wouldn't come if they had to pay to go to Disney. I want to have a honeymoon AND get married there. It wouldn't feel right to come back from our honeymoon, THEN have a reception. I feel like some people wouldn't even want to come at that point! So I thought a send off party would be a cool idea. That way it can be really relaxed, not a ton of money (after all, who doesn't want the Cinderella Coach!) and all of your friends can wish you luck...and why not wear a wedding dress!

 

[soulmates]

Thanks!

I can't afford to pay for everyone to attend a wedding (I sure wish I could! ), and I KNOW that anyone outside of immediate family wouldn't come if they had to pay to go to Disney. I want to have a honeymoon AND get married there. It wouldn't feel right to come back from our honeymoon, THEN have a reception. I feel like some people wouldn't even want to come at that point! So I thought a send off party would be a cool idea. That way it can be really relaxed, not a ton of money (after all, who doesn't want the Cinderella Coach!) and all of your friends can wish you luck...and why not wear a wedding dress!

Your not alone. My cousin did that. Had her dream wedding in DW and honeymooned there as well. They had their reception later. Do what works for YOU!

 

[figment fan21]

You girls are the best!

DF and I had a very emotional weekend because we started to realize that our eyes were bigger than our wallets and it was a matter of either cutting things out of the wedding or moving the wedding for a few years... One of the issues is that my dream has been to get married in WDW since i was little. We got engaged there, and we've vacationed there twice since we've been together and it holds a very special place in our hearts. We knew that alot of family wouldn't be going so we opted for an escape wedding with immediate family and some close friends and then doing something when we got home. We figured it would be the most cost efficient and the best way to get the best of both worlds.... Well since we are paying for it all ourselves we started adding things up that we wanted and freaked it was total sticker shock. Not what we were expecting. So the past few days have been thinking... thinking... and more thinking... i can't imagine getting married anywhere else. I'm trying to re-vamp the wedding ceremony and what to do after so that things will work out, but after a few hours of doing that i came back hear to read what you all thought about the reception... you all made me feel sooo much better and also gave me a great alternative! I think a "send-off" party would be a great idea! We can always just show family members our wedding pictures are christmas time anyway

So thank you all for making me feel a WHOLE lot better! I appreciate all the advice and the new idea!

 

[figment fan21]

ok one more question.... how would you word a "send off" invitation?

 

[Sarah <3 Disney]

Oh there are lots of ways to word it... especially if you have a theme for it!

You could do like...

The magic is just beginning... (Or "Our fairytale is just beginning...")

You're invited to the
local celebration to help send-off
Bride and Groom
on date & location

before they wed
at Walt Disney World Resort (Or "in Lake Buena Vista, Florida")
on date​

Or throw in phrases like "Bon Voyage" if you have a theme for it.

Edit:

We can always just show family members our wedding pictures are christmas time anyway!

And you could always send announcements after the wedding using a professional photo from it as well, to ensure everyone gets to see at least one photo from your big day. Or, while in Disney, pick up a bunch of postcards and mail them to those who could only attend the at-home festivities. This way, they know you were thinking of them while you were in the World.

 

[soulmates]

You girls are the best!

DF and I had a very emotional weekend because we started to realize that our eyes were bigger than our wallets and it was a matter of either cutting things out of the wedding or moving the wedding for a few years... One of the issues is that my dream has been to get married in WDW since i was little. We got engaged there, and we've vacationed there twice since we've been together and it holds a very special place in our hearts. We knew that alot of family wouldn't be going so we opted for an escape wedding with immediate family and some close friends and then doing something when we got home. We figured it would be the most cost efficient and the best way to get the best of both worlds.... Well since we are paying for it all ourselves we started adding things up that we wanted and freaked it was total sticker shock. Not what we were expecting. So the past few days have been thinking... thinking... and more thinking... i can't imagine getting married anywhere else. I'm trying to re-vamp the wedding ceremony and what to do after so that things will work out, but after a few hours of doing that i came back hear to read what you all thought about the reception... you all made me feel sooo much better and also gave me a great alternative! I think a "send-off" party would be a great idea! We can always just show family members our wedding pictures are christmas time anyway

So thank you all for making me feel a WHOLE lot better! I appreciate all the advice and the new idea!

Here is another option, still at Disney, thru Swan/Dolphin, HALF the cost of Escape.
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Q: What is Swan and Dolphin Wedding?
A: Details of their two wedding packages can be found here.
http://swandolphin.com/nonflash/weddings/weddings.html

Q: What are the prices?
A: intimate starts from $2,200, deluxe $5,200. please update prices upon changes.

Q: Who do I book the wedding with?
A: By either contacting Swan and Dolphing directly, or www.justmarry.com

Q: What ceremony locations do they have?
A: two locations within the Swan hotel - Crescent Terrace (next to the bridge connecting to Boardwalk) and East Courtyard (The swan fountain courtyard by Palio, the opposite fountain can be chosen as well). Their rainy day backup location is a banquet/meeting room that they'll decorate.

Q: Well there be a coordinator?
A: Yes.

Q: What about receptions, cocktail hour, etc?
A: You may use Swan's catering services to do all that. Menu is available on www.swandolphinmeetings.com/menus/weddingmenus/. Please contact them for pricing details. custom menu can be made and quoted accordingly as well.

Q: Is there any restrictions (hotel stay, guests) compared to DFTW?
A: Almost none, both outdoor locations can accompany atleast 20 guests. No hotel stay requirements.

Q: Can I use outside vendors for photography/video/etc.
A: Yes, but you'll be solely responsible for the outside vendors you choose.

Q: Can we use our own decoration?
A: Yes. Other than what they provided with the package, you can bring your own decorations. But let the coordinator know way ahead of time so they can verify it with the hotel.

Q: Can I get carriage ride, Mickey and Minnie apperance, just like DFTW?
A: YES! M/M 30min appearance costs same as DFTW. carriage ride is cheaper than DFTW but I'm not sure if it's oprated by DFTW.

Q: Is there any get-ready rooms?
A: Upon request and availbility. They should be able to secure at least one room. Very useful if you're not staying at the Swan hotel.

Q: Are there any discounts?
A: Yes if you book through justmarry. You can buy a unofficial guide book to the Disney Wedding from http://www.yourfairytale.com/book.html The book was published in 2003 but the code should still be valid. VERIFY with Justmarry before purchasing this book. Provide the code BEFORE signing contract.

Q: Is there a keepsake wedding certificate like DFTW?
A: Yes, they have their own certificate for extra cost upon request. If you get Rev. Tim, he will also give you a keek sake certificate.

Q: Is is magical?
A: It sure is!

Never say never, especially if this has been a life long dream!!