Inexpensive Reception Options?

[poohbear227]

Oh my goodness, I didn't realize the reception (even for a small party of less than 20) would be so expensive!! I've been reading that a reception at an Epcot restaurant is $5000-$10,000!!!

We will NOT be able to afford that. We would like to have a reception at a WDW restaurant though. We do not need to "buy out" a place. Just a nice sit-down meal with friends and family, not too too loud, able to share some champagne, and cut the cake. We don't need it to be completely private with loud speeches and the whole shabang

I'd love to have the reception at an Epcot or BW restaurant (would like to be walking distance to the BW). I'm ok with not wearing or changing out of my wedding dress for the reception.

What about having a reception at a buffet style restaurant? Will they allow parties of 16-18 and would they allow us to have our cake there?

What types of less expensive receptions have you had at WDW for parties of less than 20 guests?

TIA!!

 

[poohbear227]

I was just looking at the Le Cellier lunch menu and wondered if it's possible to just make a reservation for a party of 18 and just order our meals (maybe order them in advance) and order champagne as our reception?

Calculating a party of 18 for appetizers, salads, and entrees ended up to be less than $1000 (w/tip), unless I calculated it wrong.

Do you think that sounds realistic? We would be ok w/out a pruvate dining room if the restaurant is ok with that.

 

[Vayleen]

I booked the Yacht Club Galley for 25. I don't want anything over the top.

 

[poohbear227]

Could I ask the price range for that?

and what does it include?

 

[luv4mylittleones]

We are having our cake at Gardenview tea lounge along with cheese and fruit trays and wine and then heading over to 1900 Park Fare for dinner...all of that should still cost us under $1000! (21 people)

 

[Vayleen]

It's mostly sandwiches. The most expensive thing on the menu is $14.99.

We're having a 10:00am wedding so we will be up early and we are planning on running around the parks after lunch. I know that my guest's palates aren't too accomodating to "new" foods... Whatever. So we decided on something small. We're going down in two weeks for the MVMCP and will eat there one day. I hope it's good!

We were planning on having lunch at the Biergarten but you can't wear your wedding apparel in the parks so I changed my mind REAL quick.

There's a website that has menus for the different resorts and parks, if you're interested.

 

[Kristen14]

If you're having an escape wedding you can call group dining and make your reservation wherever you want. I'm a wishes bride, but I'm having my rehearsal dinner at Ohana, and I booked it myself thru group dining for a party of 35. Disney is great with large groups... you just may need to be a little more flexible with the time.

 

[poohbear227]

Luvformylittleones:

Ooh I love the idea of the tea lounge for cake!! Could you tell me more about this? You said less than $1000 for the tea room and then a meal at a restaurant for 21 guests. I'm interested in how this breaks down. We would love to keep the reception to $1000 for 20 people max (including me and DF)

Is this the tea room at the GF or is this tea lounge somewhere else?
If it is at the GF, is it inconvenient for guests to travel to so many different locations? We are thinking of having our ceremony at the Boardwalk. Would GF tea room be too much hassle for them to travel?

Ideally, I'd love to have the ceremony at the BW, cake in a tea room type place somewhere at the BW, and then lunch in Epcot.

I would like to stay in my wedding dress for a little while longer

-Valeen: I would be very interested in that menus link if you dont mind. Thanks!!

*Also, silly question but you are allowed to walk around the Boardwalk in your wedding dress right?

 

[luv4mylittleones]

Luvformylittleones:

Ooh I love the idea of the tea lounge for cake!! Could you tell me more about this? You said less than $1000 for the tea room and then a meal at a restaurant for 21 guests. I'm interested in how this breaks down. We would love to keep the reception to $1000 for 20 people max (including me and DF)

Is this the tea room at the GF or is this tea lounge somewhere else?
If it is at the GF, is it inconvenient for guests to travel to so many different locations? We are thinking of having our ceremony at the Boardwalk. Would GF tea room be too much hassle for them to travel?

Ideally, I'd love to have the ceremony at the BW, cake in a tea room type place somewhere at the BW, and then lunch in Epcot.

I would like to stay in my wedding dress for a little while longer

-Valeen: I would be very interested in that menus link if you dont mind. Thanks!!

*Also, silly question but you are allowed to walk around the Boardwalk in your wedding dress right?

Yes...the tea lounge is in the Grand Floridian and they were super helpful with helping me plan. Basically, we are having our wedding at the WP and then a champagne toast and first dance on the commanders terrace. We will also be having a mock cake cutting there and then they will be boxing it up and sending it downstairs to the tea lounge. My guests will then also head downstairs while DF and I finish up our photos and then we will meet them there. The guests will be served the cake and and will be able to order any tea/wine they like. I have also order 4 (or maybe 5?) British Cheese plates so they can also have some cheese and fruits to snack on. After that we will be heading over to 1900 Park Fare (also in the GF) for dinner. Here's how it breaks down financially:

TEA LOUNGE
Cheese Plates......4 at 12.50 at plate = $50
Beverages....... 25 at average $6/drink = $150
Gratutity.........18% = $36

Total.........................................$236

1900 PARK FARE
5 Children at $14/each = $70
15 Adults at $29/each$ = $435
Gratuity at 18 % = $91

Total.........................................$596

GRAND TOTAL.............................$832

This isn't including any alcoholic beverages at dinner but as you can see, even with alcohol it would be easy to stay under $1000!! Also, if you plan to purchase the Disney Dining experience you would save at additional 20% off of 10 people at both places!!!

 

[disprincessatheart]

I'm doing a dinner for 20 at Narcoossees and it will be about $1500 for 20 ppl - they charge $65 ppn with a limited menu - one chicken, one beef and one fish entree and that includes salad, apps and dessert too.

Last year when I was looking at rehearsal dinner options, the GF Cafe was a great option. Lunch was going to be about $25 ppn I think. It's a beautiful restaurant and I liked that it looks out to the GF gardens. Take a look at their menu!

 

[monana]

so did you book Narcoossees with the DFTW people, or is it through group dining? and are you able to still be in your wedding dress for the dinner? Thanks for your info. this might be something we may do also.

 

[disprincessatheart]

I booked it directly with Narcoossee's. If you call the regular dining number they'll give you the number to call. Yes, I will be wearing my dress (you can anywhere but in a park) and we can even serve our cake there if we choose to. Just an FYI for anyone considering this venue - they're normally only open for dinner, so it's not an option for an intimate lunch.

 

[lurkyloo]

When we were planning an Escape wedding, Narcoossee's was offered to us as a lunch venue for a private event, but you have to book through Groups, your event has to end by 3pm, and the minimum is $1,000.

Narcoossee's, Jiko's Wine Room and California Grill are the only three places that Escape weddings can book a private room through DFTW/Groups, and there minimums, time cutoffs, etc. that make it a hassle.

Better to do what disprincessatheart did and just make a reservation during normal restaurant hours by calling the place directly!

 

[monana]

Thank you, I will definetly look into that.

 

[yearbook50]

I'm doing Victoria & Albert's for 1750 for up to 12 people, 115 a person after that up to 21. Its reasonable enough, especially for the quality of food that you get.