Illumninations rehersal dinner?

[*Pixiedust1438*]

So my DF does not want to do a dessert party on the night of our wedding, so we compromised and would like to do our rehearsal dinner during Illuminations, set up pretty much like a dessert party. Has anyone done this before? I have not read about this anywhere, so am hoping it is possible. If not, we could always do dinner somewhere in Epcot and then a dessert party after, but this would end up costing more and again DF does not really want to do this. Any information on this would be very helpful.

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

I'm doing a rehearsal cocktail style party @ Morocco. It is pretty much exactly the same as a dessert party, but using a menu with hot and cold finger foods (spring rolls, veggies and dip, cheese, etc) as opposed to cookies, etc. We are doing it the night before our wedding. We are still adding in DPS as well to get the fireworks pics!

 

[tiggerrifficheidi]

We had our "Welcome Dinner" during IllumiNations the night before our wedding. We had a buffet at Italy Isola.

I wrote about it in my TR starting on p27...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1929739&page=27

 

[*Pixiedust1438*]

We had our "Welcome Dinner" during IllumiNations the night before our wedding. We had a buffet at Italy Isola.

I wrote about it in my TR starting on p27...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1929739&page=27

OMG, I LOVE your WP. The pictures are so wonderful, everything looked so nice. Italy Isola is my favorite Epcot location, but since we will only be doing our bridal party and a few others, we will not have enough people to have it there. Too bad, because Italian is my favorite food. Anyway, Thank you for sharing, I will try and do something similar at another location. Your MK pictures on your signature are gorgeous as well. Looks like you had a beautiful wedding. I will have to read your completed TR when I have time!

 

[MainStMandy]

We are also doing this. We are having dinner at 'Ohana with just the bridal party and then a Welcome Dessert Party at the UK.

 

[Rebclay]

I am doing an Illumintations DP for my rehearsal dinner as well. How much did you guys spend per person on F&B if the you had something besides dessert.

 

[jspahn]

We did a dessert party instead of the rehearsal dinner as well.
We actually turned it into a "welcome party" so all the guests were invited, not just the bridal party. We had about 55 people, in Italy West. It was awesome!
We only had desserts though, so I can't comment on pricing for real food

 

[tiggerrifficheidi]

We had the Lady and the Tramp buffet, which was about $50pp ++. We did BOC on alcohol, which saved us quite a bit. But, then you have to figure in the site fee, and any napkins, floral, etc...

 

[Rebclay]

How much did all of you spend on a rehearsal dinner/ welcome party event (desserts and non dessert foods)? Sorry, i hope Pixiedust doesn't mind me asking these questions.

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

My dinner (cocktail party) is $28.50 pp, which doesn't include drinks, or venue fees (since it is @ Epcot). It includes spring rolls, quesidillas (sp?). veggies and dip, cheese tray and chips and dip. HTH

 

[PrincessShea]

Kashmir104 had an illuminations party before the wedding. Everything she had was really nice in fact: http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1424820

 

[IrishLily]

We also did Illuminations as our rehearsal dinner. It ended up being the best of both worlds. Our reception didn't have to end at 9:30pm and instead ended at 11pm, and we still got to show our guests some Disney magic! In fact, we had some extra pixie dust because in America a jazz band was playing all the way up until Illuminations started. You can't beat free entertainment

We were at Italy Isola West Wing Plaza and it was from 7:30pm-9:30pm. We had around 30 guests. To help with figures here they are:

Venue fee: $266.25 (including tax)
Illuminations Viewing Fee: $12.95pp (total for 30 guests=$413.75)
Call Brands Bar Package for 2 hrs: $24.50pp (30 guests=$947.16)
Outdoor Setup Charge: $79.88 (including tax)

We ended up with the Herbie Around the World menu. Everyone loved it because it had a little bit of everything: crab dip, spinach artichoke dip, salad, pizza, potato skins, fried turkey, etc. I can't remember everything at the moment but it was delicious!

We saved by not inviting everyone. Like I said, we only invited 30 of th 65 wedding guests. Also DH's parents did not spend anything on decor. So we went with the standard white linens and candle at no charge. Everyone was more focused on the music, food, and atmosphere so we didn't miss the decor anyway. And it was only for 2 hours, so I can understand why they would rather invite more people than have centerpieces. Here are some photos:

 

[*Pixiedust1438*]

We also did Illuminations as our rehearsal dinner. It ended up being the best of both worlds. Our reception didn't have to end at 9:30pm and instead ended at 11pm, and we still got to show our guests some Disney magic! In fact, we had some extra pixie dust because in America a jazz band was playing all the way up until Illuminations started. You can't beat free entertainment

We were at Italy Isola West Wing Plaza and it was from 7:30pm-9:30pm. We had around 30 guests. To help with figures here they are:

Venue fee: $266.25 (including tax)
Illuminations Viewing Fee: $12.95pp (total for 30 guests=$413.75)
Call Brands Bar Package for 2 hrs: $24.50pp (30 guests=$947.16)
Outdoor Setup Charge: $79.88 (including tax)

We ended up with the Herbie Around the World menu. Everyone loved it because it had a little bit of everything: crab dip, spinach artichoke dip, salad, pizza, potato skins, fried turkey, etc. I can't remember everything at the moment but it was delicious!

We saved by not inviting everyone. Like I said, we only invited 30 of th 65 wedding guests. Also DH's parents did not spend anything on decor. So we went with the standard white linens and candle at no charge. Everyone was more focused on the music, food, and atmosphere so we didn't miss the decor anyway. And it was only for 2 hours, so I can understand why they would rather invite more people than have centerpieces. Here are some photos:

Thanks for the info. That sounds very nice and reasonably priced. I love Italy for a DP, but thought you had to have 100 people to use? I will most likely have around 25.

 

[tiggerrifficheidi]

Thanks for the info. That sounds very nice and reasonably priced. I love Italy for a DP, but thought you had to have 100 people to use? I will most likely have around 25.

There are a couple of Italy locations on the water for Illuminations. Italy Isola has the highest guest requirement. We had about 65 for dinner, and I think you need 100 for a dessert party, but as you can see above...the other locations are still great!

 

[IrishLily]

Thanks for the info. That sounds very nice and reasonably priced. I love Italy for a DP, but thought you had to have 100 people to use? I will most likely have around 25.

The BEO for the rehearsal dinner specifically states Italy Isola West Wing. You'll notice that there is a throughway to the other side of Italy Isola. In fact, while we were having our rehearsal dinner another bride was having a dessert party before the reception right next to us. So, I guess they can split Italy Isola accordingly? That throughway was roped off to separate the two events. Like I said, we had 30 guests or so, so I can't imagine 25 would make a difference, though I don't know for sure. Good luck!

 

[DansBride2009]

Do it! Do it! We had an Illuminations dessert party to wrap up the wedding day, and it was such a beautiful end to the day! Everyone was blown away by how beautiful it was ! It is an experience you will want for sure. Totally worth the money.

 

[happybratpack]

Does anyone happen to have the hot/cold menus for the Illuminations parties? I know I had them somewhere but can only find the dessert ones right now. I'm trying to do some prelim budgeting. (maryann@fivehappyhounds.com)

Thanks!!!

 

[PipesofLirael]

We did a welcome party instead of a rehearsal dinner also. Our meal was at the Yacht Club Resort and dessert was near the England pavilion for Illuminations. I wish I could tell you cost, but it was my in laws that paid it. Though, since my mother in law was bragging about how she put so much money into the whole thing even though she didn't approve of our ridiculous wedding (wish I was kidding), I'm sure it was completely overpriced and not something to base other's ideas off of. :-/

However, the ice cream bar was AMAZING and everyone went for seconds and thirds. That was the best part of it all!