Intimate/Escape - Worth The Money?

[lurkyloo]

After months of reading through posts on this site, I've noticed that the brides who have the most issues on the day of their wedding are Intimate/Escape brides - no direction from the WC, requests not being fulfilled, etc.

It seems most brides are happy with their weddings despite the snags, but now that they've increased the price for Escape weddings by $1,000 (well, you get two APs valued at $463 each), I'm wondering - do you think they're still worth it? I keep seeing my dream become less and less of a possibility...

 

[dmslush]

I admit that I was really shocked at that price increase.. but, that being said, I was planning on buying the APs for me and df anyway. So, when I factored that in, it isn't that large of a budget jump for me.

But, I have to admit, if I hadn't already been planning on buying the APs, I would have some serious issues with the price jump!

 

[dee slack]

that is a serious price increase, and I know exactly what you mean as I had the same last year for this year but I know it was something that I REALLY wanted so I just put up with it and started saving a little more. I think overall, almost all brides who had a DFTW will say it was worth it.

 

[purplegirl247]

I think one of the side effects of the price increase (and I'm sure this was intentional on Disney's part) is that you'll be more inclined to go along with what's included. Namely, I'm thinking Disney photography. If we had had to pay $1k more for our base Disney price, we probably wouldn't have used Randy for the additional $675.

I was a little surprised at how quickly everything added up, but Disney really does include a lot of stuff, so if you really wanted to keep the budget down, you could just keep it bare bones (no extra floral, no extra champagne, etc. etc.).

Or you could do what princessdisneybelle is doing and have it at Shades of Green. She just posted her budget on her planning journal and she's having WAY more people with WAY more decorations than we did but her budget is still about $1k less than ours was!

In conclusion (yes, this was long-winded; sorry!), I think the price we paid was worth it, just to say that we were married at Disney. Luckily, Disney wedding have the flexibility to be very different.

 

[JandJ]

Well, we were married in 2005, and obviously the prices have increased while some things have been taken away (officiant) and other things added (APs). I didn't realize how expensive APs were! We're FL residents so we get the Seasonal Passes and renewal for those is "only" $190 + tax and I think FL resident APs are closer to $300.

Was it worth the money? YES!!
Could I have done the exact same thing cheaper at a local hotel? Yes, but I really wanted a Disney wedding and it was completely perfect!
Since I have passes, no I wouldn't pay an extra $1k to get passes, but they probably have a contingency plan for people who already have passes.
Would I spend more today to get what I got in 2005? YES! Aside from not needing the passes, it's still worth it!!

As far as photography, who knows if that has anything to do with the price increase, but as other posts on these boards have demonstrated, folks seem to really want to knock Disney photography, and I believe it is not deserved. When we booked our wedding we didn't know there were other options (didn't find the DIS until after the wedding) and honsetly, seeing the pictures that have been posted, our wedding pictures are just as good if not better. We loved our Disney photographer!

 

[purplegirl247]

Sorry, didn't mean for it to sound like I was knocking Disney photography! We went with Randy because (a) we'd heard such great things about him and (b) we liked the idea of doing the honeymoon shoots as well (as a swap).

I just meant that having a higher base cost will probably encourage people to stick with the Disney plan as-is, which is likely easiest for both Disney and Disney brides in the long-run (less coordinating with less vendors involved).

Ideally, the price would've increased along with an increase in services (actual wedding services and not Disney-related bonuses like the AP). Wouldn't it be great if for $5k EVERYTHING was included (officiant, makeup, the works) so you didn't have to coordinate with ANYONE but your planner?? Ah, well.

 

[PrincessBride07]

I just wanted to clarify something. Purplegirl247 mentioned princessdisneybelle's wedding at the Shades of Green. Shades of Green is the military resort, and I believe only those in the military or in a military family can host an event there.

Also, I have to wonder if the price increase is to get more couples to upgrade to the custom/wishes wedding. If you take the $5000, add in any upgrades and your lunch/dinner afterwards; you are getting close to the minimums for the custom if they haven't raised them too. Did they raise the custom minimums?

OP, I would still find it worth it. If you want to get married at Disney, then it shouldn't really be about the "is it worth it" feeling but rather "can we afford it" feeling.

 

[JandJ]

Sorry, didn't mean for it to sound like I was knocking Disney photography! We went with Randy because (a) we'd heard such great things about him and (b) we liked the idea of doing the honeymoon shoots as well (as a swap).

I just meant that having a higher base cost will probably encourage people to stick with the Disney plan as-is, which is likely easiest for both Disney and Disney brides in the long-run (less coordinating with less vendors involved).

Ideally, the price would've increased along with an increase in services (actual wedding services and not Disney-related bonuses like the AP). Wouldn't it be great if for $5k EVERYTHING was included (officiant, makeup, the works) so you didn't have to coordinate with ANYONE but your planner?? Ah, well.

Oh no, I totally didn't take it that way at all! No, I just meant that there have been a few threads on here about Disney photography and I think there is a small minority of us who feel Disney did just as good if not better of a photography job than outside vendors. I did not think you were knocking anything - sorry if it came across that way

You still have to have an on-site hotel, right? And that's on top of the new $4k cost?

 

[purplegirl247]

Oopsie. Forgot about the military aspect of Shades of Green. Thanks for setting me straight, PrincessBride07!

 

[princessdisneybelle]

Yes Shades of Green is a military resort. Actually there are alot more people than you would think that can host events there. Alot of people are Civilian employees of the government.

 

[jodeeluvsdisney]

Everyone has made really good points. Is it worth it to do an Intimate Wedding? It all depends on several factors. If you really want a Disney wedding, then yes! For us it was the perfect choice because we only want close friends and family there, so the 18 guest limit was great.

We feel people here at home would feel slighted if we didn't have a huge wedding here...and that would mean big bucks for us! This is a good excuse for us, having a destination wedding.

And even with the price increase (BTW, we're not going with the WP) and the room stay minimum, which I am sure still applies, but don't have that confirmed, it will be less for us in the long run. We consider our resort stay as our "honeymoon", also saving us $$ later on that!

But, now we are probably going to go with the Disney photography to save money. I am not at all opposed to that, even though DF loves the idea of having the entire CD included.

Just go bare-bones as someone mentioned if need be. We are having a casual lunch after our ceremony, not the dinner, dessert party, etc. that can add a lot to the costs. So it is doable if you're willing to sacrifice some of the extras...it is to us!

 

[aprincess72]

I think it was worth every penny. I LOVED that we had a small wedding. I loved the idea in the beginning and after everything was said and done it was absolutely the right decision. Everyone said our wedding was the best wedding they had ever been to!
I was very happy with everything that was included and everything that I added. In the end my bill with Disney was $6000. That included the intimate ceremony, illuminations dessert party, MK & Epcot photo shoot.
We did our own decorations for the ceremony and that saved us a good bit. I made cuts on the bridesmaid's bouquet as well. I didn't skimp on the dessert party except for not having alcohol.

 

[luna99]

Well, we were married in 2005, and obviously the prices have increased while some things have been taken away (officiant) and other things added (APs). I didn't realize how expensive APs were! We're FL residents so we get the Seasonal Passes and renewal for those is "only" $190 + tax and I think FL resident APs are closer to $300.

Ok, I"m going to sound completely idiotic here.. but what are AP's?!?

 

[PrincessBride07]

Ok, I"m going to sound completely idiotic here.. but what are AP's?!?

Annual Passes

 

[luna99]

Annual Passes

now I'm even more confused. This thread is about intimate weddings right? Do annual passes come with the intimate wedding package price? I mean, I'm having an intimate wedding (aren't I? lol) at Sea Breeze Point and we only are allowed 18 guests (that's an intimate wedding right? now I'm starting to second guess everything!)...

but I don't remember anything about annual passes.

 

[princessdisneybelle]

now I'm even more confused. This thread is about intimate weddings right? Do annual passes come with the intimate wedding package price? I mean, I'm having an intimate wedding (aren't I? lol) at Sea Breeze Point and we only are allowed 18 guests (that's an intimate wedding right? now I'm starting to second guess everything!)...

but I don't remember anything about annual passes.

The annual passes have been added to the new 2008 packages.

 

[luna99]

The annual passes have been added to the new 2008 packages.

oh wow! thanks for clearing that up for me! That's kinda cool actually if you were already planning on getting one but if not, it pretty much sucks! lol

 

[DisneyFairy19]

I cant believe that the Intimate/Escapes weddings went up a grand... Geez I hope they dont keep increasing it

 

[WineGalTina]

Ummmmmmm...I am just starting to plan my wedding for October 2008. Is this price increase everyone is talking about something new or if the base prices are still $2950 for the intimate wedding? Now I am worried I was able to talk my fiance and family into doing the Disney wedding by showing that it could be done for $6000 or less including the extra photography and goop. Is there any information on the 2008 packages that are different than the 2007 stuff currently on the disneyweddings.com website? Thanks

 

[FlowerJ723]

What is an AP? Is it an annual pass? That is extra right..not included with the wedding?? I'm sorry I'm just a little confused!