Indoor or Outdoor reception??

[TiggerTink]

Hi everyone!!!

I just spoke to a Disney wedding consultant and I'm a little bummed. Although she was great, she was really talking me out of having a reception outdoors. All of her points were very legit (possible heat, rain), but I am still wondering if I should chance it.

She recommended Narcoosees, which I know nothing about. Has anyone had their recpetion there?

We are to be married in October 2012. Probably a 10am ceremony at SBP and a reception that would end around 3. DP later in the evening. I don't know what to do!!!

 

[tinkandonaldfans]

I also thought an outdoor reception would be good but after thinking about it a bit more we are going to have our reception in the St James's room and have tables set up outside on the patio for people to have drinks. So if they want to go outside they can but at least they will have the air con!

I think cool happy guests are better than hot sweaty ones!

 

[princesswendy720]

Well October is still hurricane season so I can understand the concerns. If I were you, I'd be looking at sites in the boardwalk area with indoor and outdoor space - the st James room and the attic could work. You would need to worry about transporting guests if you used narcoossees. Where were you initially considering?

 

[Firefly09]

We were there last October and we had great weather, but it did get hot after being in the sun for a few hours. Plus, we kept hearing about the bugs that come out in sept/oct.
We are having our reception at the Attic, which has a porch so we get that outdoor feel but still have the shelter to retreat to.

 

[TiggerTink]

Well, I was originally considering Summerhouse (DF LOVED this venue) but I was told that it would not be available for private parties at the time of our wedding. So we were looking into the Yacht and Beach club Marina, crescent cove, or shipwreck beach.
The Attic was brought up as well... it just seems too 'tea party' ish. And DF isn't a fan of shabby/chic. I wish I could see these places in person!!!

 

[chryscrazy]

It sounds like your reception will be during the hottest time of the day. I went this past October and we had highs of 91 some of the days. That's pretty hot to be sitting outside dressed up.

I agree with an indoor outdoor venue, like St. James. I don't know if you wanted the Summerhouse because it's at the Grand Floridian? If so the Whitehall room is there and has a huge, beautiful patio. Again, you would have to provide transportation to the Grand Floridian, but not to a Boardwalk location.

 

[pezaddict231]

I would also go with an indoor location with an outdoor space. Your guests will not be able to appreciate a beautiful location if they are really hot. My MIL went to an outdoor wedding over the summer and she says even though it was beautiful it was really uncomfortable and she couldn't enjoy the food or anything. I would have hated for my guests to only remember how uncomfortable they were at my wedding, especially after traveling so far to be there.

The other thing is, if the weather is bad they will move you inside anyway and the back-up location may not match your theme or decor.

 

[DisneyBrittany]

It's interesting that your planner was against the outdoor reception because mine thought it was great.

We are getting married 10-22-11 at 9 am in epcot and then our brunch reception will be immediately after at the summer house. I'm only planning on using this space for an hour or two as we want to have brunch and have the first dances/toasts and then send everyone off to the parks. ( We will see them again at the dessert party later).

My planner did have to make sure that a back-up location was available for us to be able to use the summer house. She said we could use either Narcoosee's or the other restaurant in the grand floridian (why has that name escaped me at the moment?!)


What was the reason for the summer house not being available for private parties during your wedding?

 

[johnscafide]

I'm trying to find out about Summerhouse in October. I asked my consultant, and as soon as I hear back I will send it this way. Ours is 10/10/12 and we are really hoping for a Summerhouse reception.

 

[pinkfairy1684]

I also thought an outdoor reception would be good but after thinking about it a bit more we are going to have our reception in the St James's room and have tables set up outside on the patio for people to have drinks. So if they want to go outside they can but at least they will have the air con!

I think cool happy guests are better than hot sweaty ones!

We are also having our reception here! I am very happy with this choice!

 

[TiggerTink]

Brittany- She didn't say why it wouldn't be available, and I didn't ask. And she never ever mentioned the possibility of having it switched to Narcoosees if necessary!!! Could that have something to do with the fact that she isn;t my planner; she's just the consultant? Now I'm confused. She used to be a planner for Disney, though, so you'd think she would know this stuff. I'm gonna have to email her.

John: Thanks!!!!!! Yeah, please let me know. I'm curious and worried!

Thanks everyone for your responses. I will be looking into St James place, too. It just seemed so big for just a small party of around 30 people. We shall see!

 

[johnscafide]

Woo hoo! Good news... Sorta...

So, our consultant, Bill, who we met at the showcase sent us back an email stating that Summerhouse was indeed available for private events on our date (10/10/12), (which is super exciting)!

There was no mention (knock on that fancy Disney wood), of choosing an indoor over outdoor. To add to it, he suggested doing Summerhouse for a unique outdoor experience.

I would continue to ask about having your reception at the summerhouse if you want. You would have it 10/11/12 right?

Now, for the sorta good news.. Due to it still being hurricane season, the backup location would be Grand Floridian Convention Center.

Hope this helps a little...



***If you have twitter, I'll be updating "in the eyes of a groom" Disney Wedding....*** @DisneyGroom

 

[girli565]

I'm a Floridian and I would say that the rain and heat in october will def be an issue. October is one of those months that it will rain everyday! Like clockwork it will rain in the afternoon once Sept/oct rolls around.

Heat is an issue, it'll probably be 80+ degrees in October. I know that 2 years ago in Oct there was a major heat wave where everyday was in the 90's. The day we went to Epcot it was 98 degrees. SO HOT! My friends (who live in Jacksonville) were complaining about the heat, and they only live a few hours from orlando. Imagine being from a northern state with mild weather and being subjected to 80+ degree weather for 3 hours at a wedding reception. It'd be very uncomfortable.

There have been a few brides here who have recently had receptions at Narcoosees. It seems like a lovely place! maybe check out their planning journals?