In need of help regarding ceremony and reception areas

[Chabelis]

My fiance and I live in Australia and we're planning a DFTW, we're looking at the Wishes collection , so we're hoping to get as much advice as we can. Since we wont be able to afford the extra $5000+ to check out the reception and ceremony areas I was hoping that someone can give me an idea on the each area and what we get for our money.

I was wondering what the most private ceremony location is? From what I could see in photographs I'm assuming it'd be the Wedding Pavilion, would this assumption be correct?

If we were to get someone to set up some of our own decorations for the ceremony and and reception, how much time are we allowed to set up and break down? Or do you have to pay to use your own?

We are looking at a group of about 50 people, would the Whole Grand Floridian Ballroom feel too big for that kind of group or will they position the tables in a way it'll feel the space doesn't feel too empty?

Thanks for anyone that can provide any information!

 

[Chilly]

Have you got the Wedding Passporters book? I suggest you get it, it answers many questions.

http://disneytravelbabble.com/disney-weddings/passporters-disney-weddings/

 

[Museofire]

I can answer some if these I think.

For private spaces wedding pavilion is the most. However any of the theme park locations, since the ceremonies are done before the park opens or after it closes are very private as well.
I believe if you want to use your own decor you can't set it up yourself. You have to bring it to Francks earlier in the week and they put them in labeled bins while you describe how you want it set up. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong but that was the impression my planner gave me.

What they will do with the ballroom is only give you one section of it. That way it doesn't feel like you're a little school of fish in an ocean. I'm having an 80 person wedding and we have two sections of the at Augustine ballrooms in the grand

 

[LittleKittyMarie]

I agree with that Wedding Pavilion is the most private and has the least restrictions. Theme parks are also private, because those weddings happen before or after park hours. (8:00am or 9:00am ceremonies in the morning and probably 9:00pm or 10:00pm ceremonies at night ). You could probably also have your ceremony in a ballroom and that would be private...

I would just add that some locations have restrictions on bringing in certain elements. From my own experience I am not allowed to use any outside vendors for decor at any of my locations (all located within Epcot). For example, no flowers, centerpieces, chairs, chargers, etc. I have to get all my decor from Disney. I believe this rule applies to the Wedding Pavilion now as well, except for personal floral (that is, you can bring your own bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres). I believe the ballrooms are more flexible with outside vendors.

Items such as cake topper, cake knife, toasting glasses, escort/place cards, table names, guestbook and pens, favors can be brought by you for use at any location. You will have deliver these items to Francks prior to your wedding and they will be set out by Disney cast members. I believe there is a small hourly charge if you exceed a certain number of items per place setting, it's either 2 or 3 items. That would refer to items such as multiple favours or placecards. These items will be packed up and returned to a designated person at the end of the reception.

But as mentioned above I would highly recommend getting a copy of the passporter wedding book, it is so helpful! We wouldn't have been able to plan our wedding without it. There is also a weekly podcast that has a lot of very valuable information (Disney Wedding Podcast).

 

[Chabelis]

Thanks guys, your help is invaluable. I did eventually purchase the e-book version of passporters, and it has answered many of my questions and even brought up some very valid points regarding the amount of extra decoration the ballrooms will require and extra expense as a result.

I'll be looking to speak to our consultant tomorrow evening (for us), so hopefully everything will be much clearer in the next few days.