Intimate Wedding worth it?

[JessHooper]

I was just doing some research and I read that the ceremony for an intimate wedding is only 15 minutes long and then there is a brief "reception" where you cut cake. Is that it? Is that all that happens? I'm not sure if paying $5000 for a 20 minute event is worth it. Anyone who has had their wedding at disney please give me some advice. Is there a way to do a ceremony and sit down dinner with some dancing if its an intimate wedding? If so, what would it cost? Most importantly, is it worth it?

 

[UnderTheMistletoe]

I think those are questions you and your significant other need to answer for yourselves. There's no one here that can answer those questions for you. They've made the decision that for them, yes, it was worth it. You may feel differently. You can only gather information, read stories, and gain a better understanding of the process here. The ultimate decision rests in your hearts and in your hearts only.

xoxo

 

[WDWbride2007]

I must agree with Jill...it really depends on you and your fiance. For us, we are willing to pay for the intimate wedding because that is the only way for us to have the Disney wedding we have dreamed of for years. I am a poor grad student getting a PhD in science and my DF is finishing his masters in computer art. We are not sure what type of job he will get in May, but it likely won't pay all that much to start. Since we don't want to go into debt for one day, we have decided that the minimums for the custom weddings are just too high. So, we are going to Disney with a few friends and family to commit to our future. We are planning to have a nice dinner afterwards...maybe the private room at Victoria and Alberts or the Napa room at the Cali Grill. We are probably going to lengthen the ceremony a bit by having some readings, the unity candle, and a rose presentation to our parents. We are then going to take a ton of pics with an outside photographer. The cake cutting ceremony will probably be short, but it will have the key elements: first dance, cake, father-daughter dance, and mother-son dance. So, you can add elements to your day like dinner or a fireworks cruise, but you will need to do the legwork. Disney FTW will only plan those events for custom brides. I have heard that convention services is great with private events. Good luck with your decision!

 

[JessHooper]

I must agree with Jill...it really depends on you and your fiance. For us, we are willing to pay for the intimate wedding because that is the only way for us to have the Disney wedding we have dreamed of for years. I am a poor grad student getting a PhD in science and my DF is finishing his masters in computer art. We are not sure what type of job he will get in May, but it likely won't pay all that much to start. Since we don't want to go into debt for one day, we have decided that the minimums for the custom weddings are just too high. So, we are going to Disney with a few friends and family to commit to our future. We are planning to have a nice dinner afterwards...maybe the private room at Victoria and Alberts or the Napa room at the Cali Grill. We are probably going to lengthen the ceremony a bit by having some readings, the unity candle, and a rose presentation to our parents. We are then going to take a ton of pics with an outside photographer. The cake cutting ceremony will probably be short, but it will have the key elements: first dance, cake, father-daughter dance, and mother-son dance. So, you can add elements to your day like dinner or a fireworks cruise, but you will need to do the legwork. Disney FTW will only plan those events for custom brides. I have heard that convention services is great with private events. Good luck with your decision!

Thank you for your input. That was more or less what we were looking for. To know if we could do the traditional dances and then a sit down dinner for us and 15 guests, but with out the extra $5000 for the Custom wedding. Like you were saying, the dinner would be our responsibility to arrange? Or can we add it on to our wedding package?

 

[UnderTheMistletoe]

I am a custom bride, so I'm working on a different side of the house. But, my EM was out of the office for about 5 days when the you know what hit the fan with our dessert party. We came up with the alternatives we were willing to look into and called the regular Disney ressie line. I explained the situation to the operator and she gave me direct numbers and extensions for the parties I needed to call. I inqired about Narcoosee's, California Grill (which we've ended up with), and .... drawing a blank......

One major difference- our dinner and bar tab is already pre-paid for as a custom wedding. You would be responsible to pay for any charges probably as you would a regular dinner. Don't get caught off guard with that one! You may want to talk ot them about the bar tab, too, as it can get drive the cost of any event up considerably.

Take a look at the restraunt lists and see what interests you, narrow your options, and start asking the right people questions! A lot of us here have menus, too.
xoxo

 

[JessHooper]

I guess I just want what the custom wedding offers, just at an intimate wedding setting, since there are only going to be 18 of us. I also know that I don't want to spend custom wedding prices when the same thing can be done with an intimate wedding setting.

 

[janine]

I have heard that convention services is great with private events. Good luck with your decision!

I am an intimate bride and have tried and tried to get a private event with either the Yacht Club or Grand Floridian, and they have said NO.
If I am working with the fairytale weddings department I have to go through them, which means bumping up to a custom in order to get it.
Convention services just refused point blank. I have wasted a month trying to get somwhere on this, but failed miserably.
Instead we will be having a nice dinner at the Yacht club steakhouse, followed by an illuminations cruise.

 

[groomtb]

JessHooper have you looked into the option of having a Swan Wedding instead?

 

[hiwaygal]

is it worth it?

In a word...ABSOLUTELY!!!

 

[JessHooper]

JessHooper have you looked into the option of having a Swan Wedding instead?

What is a swan wedding?

 

[UnderTheMistletoe]

You have a wedding on Disney property, but at the Swan hotel. Technically, it is owned by one of the big chains (I have no idea if it's Marriott, Sheraton, etc), so you go through an outside planning agency. I believe groomtb said www.justmarry.com was a good place to start. It costs much less and the people that have done it there have given rave reviews.

Good thought groomtb !

 

[WDWbride2007]

I am an intimate bride and have tried and tried to get a private event with either the Yacht Club or Grand Floridian, and they have said NO.
If I am working with the fairytale weddings department I have to go through them, which means bumping up to a custom in order to get it.
Convention services just refused point blank. I have wasted a month trying to get somwhere on this, but failed miserably.
Instead we will be having a nice dinner at the Yacht club steakhouse, followed by an illuminations cruise.

Janine, I have heard of several intimate brides that have worked directly with the GF to have a private dinner after the ceremony. I am sorry you have run into so much trouble. Perhaps, you can call the restaurants directly and speak with the managers to arrange a dinner in a private room (for example, V&A's has a private room that one intimate bride used for her dinner).

For others considering the intimate wedding, you need to handle all dinner arrangements on your own. You cannot add a dinner to your package with FTW. They can make reservations for you to dine at a restaurant, but not a private event. You are responsible for the bill at the end of the event. Depending on where you decide to dine, this could add considerable costs to your wedding. V&A's is about ~100 a person not including tax, tip, and extras (such as wine). This would all be on top of the $5000 that you pay to FTW. There are much cheaper restaurants on property that offer a great deal. Alternatively, you could host a reception at the Swan hotel working with their catering. It would be a bit more traditional and I don't think there are any minimums. You could also just host a dinner and dessert party on the Grand One. Although my wedding is two years away, I am starting to think about options for dinner after our ceremony. If I come across any useful information, I will pass it along. Good luck!

 

[DisneyBride2B]

Have you been to the Fairytale Wedding Website? They have just updated it the week of Thanksgiving and it gives you a detailed rundown of the differences between custom and intimate weddings. You can create a "wishlist" to help you distinguish what is important for you to have for your ceremony/reception/music/flowers/locations.

But I have to agree with all the others, it is ultimately between you and your DF. My DF and I have decided on an intimate wedding because we want something simple and not too ornate, but we are having a brunch, illuminations dessert party, things that we would want...without having to spend the custom minimums.

Good luck with your search and planning!

 

[JessHooper]

You have a wedding on Disney property, but at the Swan hotel. Technically, it is owned by one of the big chains (I have no idea if it's Marriott, Sheraton, etc), so you go through an outside planning agency. I believe groomtb said www.justmarry.com was a good place to start. It costs much less and the people that have done it there have given rave reviews.

Good thought groomtb !

Great thought you two. That sounds like more what we're looking for. We want the Disney setting for our intimate wedding but want all the benefits of a custom wedding at disney, only with a much smaller group of people and budget. Thank you guys sooo very much. If you know of anyone who has gone through www.justmarry.com who could give us some positive feedback, let me know.

 

[FutureAshleyDukes]

I have to add that I LOVE The Swan, I grew up going there every time I went to Disney. It's owned by Sheraton, so they have the Heavenly Beds and it's by Epcot which is another nice bonus. That might not be a bad alternative if you are wanting a more custom wedding at an intimate price.

 

[groomtb]

You have a wedding on Disney property, but at the Swan hotel. Technically, it is owned by one of the big chains (I have no idea if it's Marriott, Sheraton, etc), so you go through an outside planning agency. I believe groomtb said www.justmarry.com was a good place to start. It costs much less and the people that have done it there have given rave reviews.

Good thought groomtb !

awww I can't take credit for it....cus I'm in the similar situation lol. been doing research on disboard and in contact with justmarry.com

found this info about swan and dolphin properties:
'The Swan Resort and its sister property The Dolphin are owned and operated by Westin and Sheraton respectively, which are both divisions of Starwood Hotels.'
AAA rating for Swan is 3 diamonds, and Dolphin is 4 Diamonds. intersting.

JessHooper: not sure where you got that $5000 figure from for intimate wedding, but it really starts from $23xx for the 4 outdoor locations and $33xx for WP, 2006 pricing. And most people here says it last about 1hr~2hr (ceremony, cake cutting, maybe a dance to the musician), hence the 'intimate' part of the package.
IMO it comes down to you and your fiancee's own perspective on the wedding. There are pros and cons to intimate wedding but that's really up to you guys to determain. But like everyone said, it'll be very magical and special no matter what you choose with Disney.

 

[WDWbride2007]

Janine,

I have been thinking about your problem. Is it really important for you to say in your wedding gown? If not, you might think of having an Illuminations party with some appetizers and desserts. Did you try telling them it was just a family party without mentioning the wedding part? There's not much they can do if it is a formal party where you happen to wear a nice fluffy white evening gown. I am really heart-broken...I hope it all works out for you. Sending a truck load of pixie dust your way....

 

[JessHooper]

FutureAshleyDukes,
Where do you recommend staying if we were to stay at the Swan?

 

[groomtb]

I was reading the resort board for Swan/Dolphin that they have some rooms with Epcot Illumination view, which you can practically watch it from your room...pretty awsome I think. with Disney Intimate, you must stay 4 nights at any Disney resorts, except swan/dolphin. But no restriction for Swan wedding since they don't go by Disney rules.

http://www.swandolphin.com/nonflash/weddings/weddings.html
2 outdoor locations to choose from, there's a indoor place for rainy days.


you mentioned that you like the Disney custom options. justmarry is not related to Disney at all so you won't be able to get stuffs exactly like Disney's custom option (like disney photo sessions). BUT you do get to have custom options nontheless for me that's a big plus.
Request some info from justmarry.com for swan wedding, they'll give you a general price list and options, but they said they can do basically anything you want.

 

[FutureAshleyDukes]

I was reading the resort board for Swan/Dolphin that they have some rooms with Epcot Illumination view, which you can practically watch it from your room...pretty awsome I think. with Disney Intimate, you must stay 4 nights at any Disney resorts, except swan/dolphin. But no restriction for Swan wedding since they don't go by Disney rules.
.

I'd have to agree with groomtb that I would shoot for a water view. We were never really fortunate enough to get a great view, for my Dad's company always booked our rooms.