I am a little confused and a little annoyed.

[laura forbes]

Before I start this I am sorry to anyone I may offend I really dont intend to I am really happy for everyone getting their wedding dates (early or otherwise) and I really do hope you have a wonderful day.

I am confused because I thought that the WP could only be booked 8 months out regardless of which wedding type you choose, however I have seen several posts detailing signing there contracts way before that date. Do I have it wrong about the 8 month thing or are those of us wishing an intimate just getting pushed to the side.

I am annoyed because:

1. If it can be booked early, if you are willing to pay for it, is it going to give us intimate brides a chance. Should DFTW not change the rules for everybody.
2. I dont intend to get married until the end of 2009 if disney are allowing people to do this now and more and more people get to book will there be any hope for me then.
3. Are Disney trying to phase out Intimates (Someone mentioned this on the pricing thread and when I read it i thought dont be so silly but I am not so sure now). Dont get me wrong I really want to get married in Disney and will pay the extra if needs be but at present I chose an Intimate as that suited me best. I am coming from UK so only having about 15 guests both of our close families, and because of this I would prefer a nice quiet meal then a few drinks afterwards rather than a reception.

Again I am so sorry of I am offending anybody I really dont intend to. Its more a vent about DFTW's policies and procedures.

Thanks for listening to my wee moan.
Laura.

 

[mmgibbs4]

I believe custom weedings get to book 12 months out and intimates 8 months out.
We are doing an intimate vow renewal in Dec. and had to call at 7am EXACTLY to the 8 month mark.
At 7:10 am there was only one time slot left for my date.

I think it's reasonable since Disney makes 2-4 x on a custom wedding than an intimate. It's just hard and nerve wracking to wait to get the call in.
Hope that helps some.


Melissa

 

[dmslush]

I am not getting married at the wp, but rather at Sunset Point. I was able to call one year ahead and get 'penciled in'. Then once the 2008 packages were released, I was able to pay the deposit and lock us in. That was at the 8 month mark.

 

[sunsh1ne]

i am a custome bride but i could not book untill 8 months out and it took a month after that becouse i had to go in to a lottery and i ended up with my fourth choice. but everything happens for a reason

 

[pooh98378]

I think the reason for the difference is because of the capacity of the WP. For customs that have a lot of people, there are not as many locations that are available in terms of seating. I think the WP will hold around 300 people or something like that. If the WP is booked up, then there are not as many locations for the larger weddings to be booked at.

I agree that I don't really think it's fair, but I think that might be the reasoning behind it.

I hope that you get your date! I think as long as you're a little bit flexible that you shouldn't have a problem. Good Luck!

 

[laura forbes]

Thanks everyone and I had not thought about that Pooh thats a really valid point about the size of the WP. I think I am just feeling a bit down today (I have so long to wait) and there has been so many changes already since I started thinking about a DFTW so I guess I am just worrying I may not get what I want since its so far away.

 

[Kashmir104]

I'm really sorry but I have a feeling I'm one of the people who you might be frustrated with. Please don't be mad...

I did sign my contract 2 weeks ago, and my wedding is not until January 3, 2009. I never asked for this. Originally, my coordinator was just asking the Contemporary and the WP to let me book 1 year in advance instead of 8 months, however she was able to get permission for me to book now. This came as a huge (and welcomed) surprise!

I do not know the exact reasoning behind it, but this is my guess. From what I understand, the day I wanted fell at the end of "Holiday Week" at WDW and conventions cannot be held during this time because it is their busiest time of the year. Therefore, the Contemporary knew already that it would be free. Second, I am having a Couture Collection wedding, which can ONLY be held at the Contemporary, so that might be another reason. Another again might be because we are shelling out about 20-24x the cost of Disney's Escape Weddings (I'm saying this to be honest, not to be snotty or anything, but the deposit alone was $10,000! I can't tell you how PAINFUL it was for me to sign that check! I've never purchased ANYTHING that big! Not even a car!!!) Another reason might have been that I drove my coordinator to the point of insanity asking 50 billion questions about the collection, decor, prices, food, what we could change, and I even asked for her opinion on my bridesmaid attire to coordinate everything (she put me in touch with David Tutera himself for that answer!), but she might have been so tired of me she just wanted to pass me on to someone else (the person I probably should've been asking those questions to originally!) Granted I have yet to be assigned to my Wedding Planner... Plus, I'm pretty sure there was a little Disney magic thrown in there.

DF and I are soooo incredibly grateful that we were able to sign our contract early. Still, we are not home free yet. We do not have our room block at all, and save-the-dates won't be able to go out until the 1 year mark, but for us it was about the date. I don't know what I would've done knowing that I was planning such a huge event and giving Disney all this money not knowing if we could secure it until 8 months out. I understand how anxious you must feel and how hard it is to see others getting a date already, but I think a lot has to do with the VERY limited location choice for the wedding and $$ for us. I hope that makes some sense...

Please don't hate me for being able to sign early!

 

[princessdisneybelle]

I'm really sorry but I have a feeling I'm one of the people who you might be frustrated with. Please don't be mad...

I did sign my contract 2 weeks ago, and my wedding is not until January 3, 2009. I never asked for this. Originally, my coordinator was just asking the Contemporary and the WP to let me book 1 year in advance instead of 8 months, however she was able to get permission for me to book now. This came as a huge (and welcomed) surprise!

I do not know the exact reasoning behind it, but this is my guess. From what I understand, the day I wanted fell at the end of "Holiday Week" at WDW and conventions cannot be held during this time because it is their busiest time of the year. Therefore, the Contemporary knew already that it would be free. Second, I am having a Couture Collection wedding, which can ONLY be held at the Contemporary, so that might be another reason. Another again might be because we are shelling out about 20-24x the cost of Disney's Escape Weddings (I'm saying this to be honest, not to be snotty or anything, but the deposit alone was $10,000! I can't tell you how PAINFUL it was for me to sign that check! I've never purchased ANYTHING that big! Not even a car!!!) Another reason might have been that I drove my coordinator to the point of insanity asking 50 billion questions about the collection, decor, prices, food, what we could change, and I even asked for her opinion on my bridesmaid attire to coordinate everything (she put me in touch with David Tutera himself for that answer!), but she might have been so tired of me she just wanted to pass me on to someone else (the person I probably should've been asking those questions to originally!) Granted I have yet to be assigned to my Wedding Planner... Plus, I'm pretty sure there was a little Disney magic thrown in there.

DF and I are soooo incredibly grateful that we were able to sign our contract early. Still, we are not home free yet. We do not have our room block at all, and save-the-dates won't be able to go out until the 1 year mark, but for us it was about the date. I don't know what I would've done knowing that I was planning such a huge event and giving Disney all this money not knowing if we could secure it until 8 months out. I understand how anxious you must feel and how hard it is to see others getting a date already, but I think a lot has to do with the VERY limited location choice for the wedding and $$ for us. I hope that makes some sense...

Please don't hate me for being able to sign early!

Courtney,
It totally makes sense that you are getting to sign so early. This type of wedding is brand new, and I'm sure they haven't had a huge amout of brides requesting it. And there seems to be alot more involved to planning it. It's a very different and unique situation.

I do agree that Disney doesn't seem to be consistant. That is great for some brides, but has to be incredably frustrating to others like Laura. Laura sorry for the frustration.

 

[jodeeluvsdisney]

I completely ditto what princessdisneybelle just wrote (Laura)!

And so far, kashmir104 is the first bride I've seen who has been able to confirm her date more than 1 year ahead...am I wrong anyone?

If I am, and they are not doing a couture wedding, then that would definitely be a huge inconsistency for Disney (compared to their many others...)

Good Luck, I am sure you'll be okay with your date. We all have to be a tad bit flexible I guess

 

[autumnbride2B]

Custom brides can't book any earlier than intimate brides. If you are having a reception in-park you can book at 12 months, and it is 8 months out for ballroom or other non-park locations. There are new restrictions on the WP for certain days of the week for intimate/escape weddings, but the time before you can lock in the date and sign your contract are the same for both types of weddings.

 

[Skylarr29]

For custom brides there are 2 different points at which you can sign a contract, 12 months or 8 months, and it depends on your reception location. If you are an in park wedding or in park reception you can sign a contract at 1 year. If you are a ballroom location you have to wait until the 8 month mark because Disney gives priority to conventions wanting to use those spaces. You can call Disney and be penciled in for your intimate and then wait until the time to sign the contract. You also have to have 4 nights at a Disney resort booked in order to sign for intimates. Hope this helps.

 

[laura forbes]

Kashmir I am sorry I really did not mean you if I was booking a couture wedding and paying that much I would want to be able to book as far in advance as I could. I really am so excited for you for getting your date and trust me if I could afford to fly all of my family out there I would really love to have that wedding type and I am loving hearing all of your plans.

I was more frustrated at the inconsistancies I had noticed in the Intimate/custom weddings with noticing that some custom brides had mentioned getting their contracts signed 12 months out for the WP (I have since had some advice on this issue which I will not go into and I intend to call DFTW myself next week to clarify). I am only frustrated with this issue because I intend spending roughly the same amount - if not a touch more - for my Intimate wedding as most of the minimums for the Customs but having an Intimate because that is better suited to us.

Again I am really sorry I did not intend to upset anyone I am frustrated at Disney not Disney Brides (and lets face it if I got to sign my contract early I would totally take up the opportunity).

I was just feeling a bit down last night I am now feeling a bit guilty for posting cause I reallise how catty it must have sounded so I apologise to all.

Laura.

 

[Laurafoster]

I was more frustrated at the inconsistancies I had noticed in the Intimate/custom weddings with noticing that some custom brides had mentioned getting their contracts signed 12 months out for the WP (I have since had some advice on this issue which I will not go into and I intend to call DFTW myself next week to clarify). I am only frustrated with this issue because I intend spending roughly the same amount - if not a touch more - for my Intimate wedding as most of the minimums for the Customs but having an Intimate because that is better suited to us.

Again I am really sorry I did not intend to upset anyone I am frustrated at Disney not Disney Brides (and lets face it if I got to sign my contract early I would totally take up the opportunity).

I was just feeling a bit down last night I am now feeling a bit guilty for posting cause I reallise how catty it must have sounded so I apologise to all.

Laura.

I dont think it sounded Catty at all. When i was booking my custom wedding my EM told me that ALL weddings can be booked at the 8month mark. The only exceptions to these were Custom weddings who were having an in park reception or a reception at Ariels or the contempory.

I certainly had to wait till 8 months to sign my contract - i was even bumped out of my choice of reception venue because a convention booked it and they get priority

I dont know if this have changed now but that was certainly the way it was last year. I would speak to DFTW and ask them to clarify their rules.

 

[Kashmir104]

Kashmir I am sorry I really did not mean you if I was booking a couture wedding and paying that much I would want to be able to book as far in advance as I could. I really am so excited for you for getting your date and trust me if I could afford to fly all of my family out there I would really love to have that wedding type and I am loving hearing all of your plans.

I was more frustrated at the inconsistancies I had noticed in the Intimate/custom weddings with noticing that some custom brides had mentioned getting their contracts signed 12 months out for the WP (I have since had some advice on this issue which I will not go into and I intend to call DFTW myself next week to clarify). I am only frustrated with this issue because I intend spending roughly the same amount - if not a touch more - for my Intimate wedding as most of the minimums for the Customs but having an Intimate because that is better suited to us.

Again I am really sorry I did not intend to upset anyone I am frustrated at Disney not Disney Brides (and lets face it if I got to sign my contract early I would totally take up the opportunity).

I was just feeling a bit down last night I am now feeling a bit guilty for posting cause I reallise how catty it must have sounded so I apologise to all.

Laura.

Hi Laura,

I'm really glad you aren't mad at me!!

And don't worry! I don't think you sounded catty at all. I mean if I saw other brides booking before I could then I'd be frustrated too! The date is one of the biggest things... once you have the man, then you need the date and if you can't get it, it starts becoming frustrating!

Take it from the girl who has been waitlisted her entire life. I was waitlisted for to get into my private boarding school for high school, waitlisted for college, and I had to wait countless months to know if I actually got a job after graduating. I've become so used to waiting for everything I want badly that it came as a HUGE shocker that we didn't have to wait for our wedding day!

(Another reason that I just thought of for them allowing me to sign now and block off the WP is because I am going to do the Couture ceremony too. There are only 3 times a day custom brides can get married in the WP- 2:30pm, 5pm, and 7:30pm, and they had to block off 5pm and 7:30pm for my ceremony in order to make sure they would have enough time to put up all the decor. My estimated ceremony time is "somewhere between 5-7:30pm.")

From what I've seen, Disney's policy has more or less be consistant, and my own coordinator confirmed this: Custom Brides can book 1 year in advance if they are having a reception or part of the wedding in one of the parks or in Ariels, but otherwise all brides have to wait until the 8 month mark because conventions take priority. The only people who should be signing at 1 year are those who are having the ceremony or reception in the parks or at Ariels. I've noticed that some people on the boards will say they "booked" their wedding at the 1 year date, but really mean they were just penciled in. I think I might be the only one on the DISboards who was able to sign a contract more than a year in advance.

Have you called Disney to have them pencil you in? You might want to and keep reminding them that you're excited to be planning so far in advance, and since you're coming from so far away that you hope and pray every night that you'll get it... I mean exagerate a little here and there and make it very clear to them how important that date is for you. I don't want to get your hopes up, but maybe when 8 months rolls around they will remember how you requested early and how eager you were in getting that exact day and maybe they won't let you down or disappoint you? I could be totally wrong, but it's a thought!!

Don't worry... we all have our down days! Just try to keep a positive attitude. I know it might seem like forever until your wedding. Somedays I feel the same way. Other times I get nervous and start freaking out because 19 months is really not that long and the big day is creaping up more and more. Plus, recently I've been on this downer thinking of us spending all this time planning for 1.5 years for an event that will last us only 2 days. DF keeps trying to make me remember that it will be the start of our marriage so that is something to look forward too (of course it is!), but I keep thinking that the whole wedding will be over soon and then I'll have nothing to plan and nothing to look forward too! I'm going through Post-Disney Wedding-Partum already and I haven't even had my wedding yet!!! So you're definitely not alone in being a little bummed. Just try to keep your chin up and remember we are all here for you!!!

 

[Corpsebride]

Wow. Okay, so I did get a message today from a WP regarding just putting down an deposit so I could for sure have oct 31, 2008. If and depending what spot is open for that day I am to put down a 2000- dep. and you bet, I will do it. I know its 18 months away but that is what I gotta have! We want a NBC wedding and nov, 1st just wont do. I am a little freaked out by reading everyones posts but, I believe in fairy tales pixey dust and tinker bell. If I dont have to do a thing for another 6 months after puttting down this dep, that is fine with me as long as I have my date. I dont know what my point is, but I guess, I am just rooting for all of us to have our perfect days, okay,,, group hug, lets do the huddle , on 3 mickey, 1....,2....3 ...MICKEY!!!

 

[Raspberry Bubbles]

Just a little note to say that Disney have said that Couture Weddings are subject to different rules than wishes weddings, so don't be alarmed! I too was getting a little antsy about people saying they were getting dates for weddings which were scheduled to be after when I want my wedding, but I was still waiting to get my chance to book. I am sure everything will be fine, we'll get there and have fun! I'm from the UK too so it's nerve-wracking also!

 

[RangerPooh]

Wow. Okay, so I did get a message today from a WP regarding just putting down an deposit so I could for sure have oct 31, 2008. If and depending what spot is open for that day I am to put down a 2000- dep. and you bet, I will do it. I know its 18 months away but that is what I gotta have! We want a NBC wedding and nov, 1st just wont do. I am a little freaked out by reading everyones posts but, I believe in fairy tales pixey dust and tinker bell. If I dont have to do a thing for another 6 months after puttting down this dep, that is fine with me as long as I have my date. I dont know what my point is, but I guess, I am just rooting for all of us to have our perfect days, okay,,, group hug, lets do the huddle , on 3 mickey, 1....,2....3 ...MICKEY!!!

I know that DL brides have been able to book their venues between 12-18 months out. So definately contact them at 18 months out to put your name in the books, then find out whenthey want the deposit, if it's that day have it ready to go. A NBC theme would be so awesome but you're right, a Nov 1st event just isn't the same.

 

[Cinderella22]

Hi everyone,
I'm glad this post started, because I was wondering the same questions. I understand the different rules for different weddings etc. however, some brides (who have same locations as me) have mentioned having their WP and contract signed 12 months out. Meanwhile, even though my reception etc. IS in the park, I was told that I had to wait eight months also. Part of the reason we chose the locations (as side from loving them) was because of the 12 month contract, then to find out later that it "is" 8 months. I wanted save the dates to go out ASAP. Anyway, I guess I don't have much of a point, just a little confused.
Maggie

 

[Corpsebride]

You are so the Grand POOH bah of all things Disney and I bow at your furry yellow feet!! You always have the answer

 

[RangerPooh]

You are so the Grand POOH bah of all things Disney and I bow at your furry yellow feet!! You always have the answer

BTW, there is a sticky at the top of the forum for DL weddings that might be of some assistance to you. Feel free to post any info that you receive as there might be other DL brides out there with similar questions. I love the idea of a NBC event as it is non-traditional.