Horse and Carriage - Is it worth it?

[jshora]

I'm so torn on what to do and could use some advice. Here is the situation:

One of the things that I really wanted to do for the wedding was have a horse and carriage ride. Unfortunately, I disliked the options provided to me by Disney. I love Cinderella's carriage but hate the ponies (I wish they used horses!). I don't mind the horse and carriage, but wish the horse matched the carriage. I think both the options are expensive for a 15 min carriage ride.

I did some research and I found an outside carriage company that will come on Disney property. It's a beautiful white carriage pulled by two matching grey Percherons. It's $860/2 hours, however we want to spend those two hours. We were thinking of doing pictures at the Polynesian from 8am - 8:30 and then Grand Floridian from whenever we get there - 9:30am and then we have to head to the wedding pavilion. So, we could have the carriage show up at the Polynesian, take a carriage ride to the Grand Floridian, have pictures there, then have the carriage drive us to the ceremony, and have a couple pictures with the carriage post ceremony.

However, this would be an additional expense outside of our Disney Minimum Expenditure. I, of course, did not budget for an additional $860. Plus I'm having a hard time rationalizing it as we can get a town car to drive us around for $25/trip (and be a part of our Disney Minimum Expenditure). I can't help but really really want it though.

So, what do I do? Do I try and figure out a way to scrape of the money and make it happen or should I just let it go?

 

[Jilian]

I think it really depends on how important a horse and carriage is to you. When you picture your wedding day do you picture it with a carriage or does it not really matter? Is your budget very limited, or will not having the $860 go towards your minimum be ok? If you really want the carriage then maybe you can cut costs in other places like floral (maybe smaller bouquets/arrangements) cake (keep it somewhat simple) and other decor. It is all about what is most important to you!

 

[Que_Sarah_Sarah]

Horses and Florida don't mix. They smell really bad and they poop a lot

 

[jshora]

I right now have everything budget for the wedding, reception, and honeymoon with only a $200 margin of error. We do have credit available, but I hate starting off a marriage by adding more debt. My biggest concern is the fact that I have to do home repairs the month before the wedding as well and I have no idea how much that is going to cost me. So, I have to make sure that I have something in the bank for that.

Honestly, I always told myself that I would have a horse and carriage at my wedding. When Disney didn't provide me with any options that seemed really feasible or like what I really imagined, then I just kind of accepted it as "stupid Disney". Now, having found something that I really like, it's a whole different ball park and I find myself really longing for it.

However, I keep telling myself that I'm getting married in Disney World. That should be good enough.

Maybe the solution is waiting until I get most of the response cards back for the reception. If there is a significant amount of people who can not attend, then we could do the carriage without breaking the bank. However, that's taking the risk that we can get the carriage at such short notice (we've ask for responses by Sept 30th, the wedding is Oct 7th).

 

[kmaclou]

It really depends on your priorities. For me, the carriage was a HUGE priority, whereas floral in the WP was not. Other brides see it completely differently - couldn't care about the carriage any less but decorating the ceremony site was very important to them.

I think you're going about it very responsibly in not wanting to go into debt for the carriage. And you are completely right, you're getting married in Disney World and that in itself is fabulous!

 

[jshora]

I think we found a compromise! Yay! So after talking with the carriage company and my planner, we found out that it was just not feasible to have an outside carriage company come on Disney property.

Since we are having a morning ceremony and a brunch reception, we have decided to meet the carriage outside of Downtown Disney. That cuts the cost almost in half! ($450/2 hr) We will still be all dressed up. My parents will have their rental car at the reception (Hollywood Hideaway) so they will drive us to the carriage. I can still have my carriage ride without completely breaking the bank (I should be able to scrape up an additional $500)!

 

[jshora]

Okay, I can finally stop obsessing about this! Thanks to a wonderful suggestion, I finally found something that works more wonderfully than I could have ever imagined.

We decided that it just wasn't worth spending a whole lot of money on a carriage ride. Thanks to a suggestion, I looked into the carriage rides that Disney does daily at Port Orleans Riverside. It's perfect! It's a 25 min carriage ride (longer than the 15 min you get through DFTW and shorter than 2 hours) for $45! We have time after our reception and before our dessert party to make it happen. One of my friends attending the wedding is a professional photographer, so she is going with us to take pictures. I couldn't be happier!

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

It really depends on whats most important to you.

We were married in June & the horses added to the heat made me worry so we said no.......

 

[ssbn740]

We have yet to meet with a planner but I'm curious if this is an option I want. As father of the bride, it would be awesome for us to arrive at the WP in a glass carriage. We have just decided to try to pull on of these DFTW off. I am finding all these blogs excellent resources.

Thank you

 

[geek+nerd]

We have yet to meet with a planner but I'm curious if this is an option I want. As father of the bride, it would be awesome for us to arrive at the WP in a glass carriage. We have just decided to try to pull on of these DFTW off. I am finding all these blogs excellent resources.

Thank you

I was recently married at the WP and my parents surprised me at my bridal shower with Cinderella's coach. Let me tell you, it is a ridiculous expense, but it made the day. It was an unbelievable experience to share with my mother, sister and niece before the wedding and with my husband after. Plus, we have the pictures to remember it by. When we were in the coach on our way to the wedding pavilion, my mother remarked that it was worth every penny!

 

[jshora]

So, I just have to make a quick comment about the horses and the heat. I moved me and my Peruvian Paso mare from MN to South Florida a couple of years ago. (Im now back in MN, but that's a different story).

Yes, it took her about a month to adjust and lose her fuzzy winter coat. However, she adjusted very quickly. Those horses are used to working in the heat. Furthermore, from what I understand it is a 15 min carriage ride and then a lot of standing around for pictures and what not. Those horses are probably thrilled just to be getting out and doing a job. They are accustom to the heat.

So, if that's the only reason why one would be concerned about having the carriage ride. I would say to go for it.

 

[DisneyFairytale]

I'm so torn on what to do and could use some advice. Here is the situation:

One of the things that I really wanted to do for the wedding was have a horse and carriage ride. Unfortunately, I disliked the options provided to me by Disney. I love Cinderella's carriage but hate the ponies (I wish they used horses!). I don't mind the horse and carriage, but wish the horse matched the carriage. I think both the options are expensive for a 15 min carriage ride.

I did some research and I found an outside carriage company that will come on Disney property. It's a beautiful white carriage pulled by two matching grey Percherons. It's $860/2 hours, however we want to spend those two hours. We were thinking of doing pictures at the Polynesian from 8am - 8:30 and then Grand Floridian from whenever we get there - 9:30am and then we have to head to the wedding pavilion. So, we could have the carriage show up at the Polynesian, take a carriage ride to the Grand Floridian, have pictures there, then have the carriage drive us to the ceremony, and have a couple pictures with the carriage post ceremony.

However, this would be an additional expense outside of our Disney Minimum Expenditure. I, of course, did not budget for an additional $860. Plus I'm having a hard time rationalizing it as we can get a town car to drive us around for $25/trip (and be a part of our Disney Minimum Expenditure). I can't help but really really want it though.

So, what do I do? Do I try and figure out a way to scrape of the money and make it happen or should I just let it go?

I can understand why you are such an argument with yourself. I would be the same way, however this is wedding that will only happen ONCE. You have those memories and those pictures as you grow old together and recall things like your wedding, and this amazing carriage ride. You will smile every time you look at your wedding photos, or tell your grandkids, that you arrived by carriage. You have a lifetime and a half to make up for $800 dollars. Do it.

 

[minniebride]

Okay, I can finally stop obsessing about this! Thanks to a wonderful suggestion, I finally found something that works more wonderfully than I could have ever imagined.

We decided that it just wasn't worth spending a whole lot of money on a carriage ride. Thanks to a suggestion, I looked into the carriage rides that Disney does daily at Port Orleans Riverside. It's perfect! It's a 25 min carriage ride (longer than the 15 min you get through DFTW and shorter than 2 hours) for $45! We have time after our reception and before our dessert party to make it happen. One of my friends attending the wedding is a professional photographer, so she is going with us to take pictures. I couldn't be happier!

I LOVE this idea!!!!

 

[Kluhxrenay]

I agree...You should do what you want..do a pros and cons list and see what you come up with...If you feel some regret will be in order, then def do it!