Is a DP worth the $?

[geek+nerd]

I think I really, really want a dessert party (although I'm not totally convinced that I want it for me or I want it because it's what everyone does or I want it just so that I can wear my dress in a park-MK photo shoot is totally out of budget). However, the absolute cheapest we could do one for is $700, which isn't that bad, but I think I have a hard time justifying that expense for one hour worth of entertainment.

If you had one or are having one, is it/was it worth the expense? What was your guests' reaction?

 

[DisneyBride1207]

I haven't yet had my wedding (to include a DP post-reception). It's a great end to an amazing day...I am 100% for it, especially after reading TR's about other brides that did it. You also have to live within your means. Whatever makes you feel comfortable is really how you need to make the decision. We are very tight on money - but also feel that there won't be another time we will have an experience like that - so we are scraping for pennies! hehehe

Also depends on what location you are doing for a DP and how "worth it" it will feel...We are doing an Epcot Illuminations DP and feel that the fireworks show for that cost is totally worth it since it's like having your own fireworks show for your wedding.

p.s. - I've heard on the boards it is worth every penny!

 

[weedee]

I have never read about a bride who regretted her DP.

But with that, we didn't have one and didn't regret that either (I'm really glad we didn't have one). We decided to spend the money we were thinking of using on a DP on our reception dinner so our guests could have a completely open bar tab. We actually still watched the Wishes fireworks from the Grand Floridian pier with music and our drinks! It was awesome. And I should mention that we already had a yummy sampler of desserts at our reception dinner.

I think it just depends on if you really want to spend the money on the hour or if you have somewhere else in your wedding that could used that money (or if you just want to save it!). I'm sure it's a beautiful end to the night...but there's other amazing ways to end the night with your guests too, that aren't quite as expensive. I was a pretty frugal bride though Hope that helps!

 

[lurkyloo]

I agree with the previous posters—you just need to figure out what your biggest priorities are. For us, an in-park DP was one of the main reasons we chose a Disney wedding, so it was a no-brainer. On the other hand, we had zero interest in floral and decor, so cutting those out gave us the money to do a DP.

I always go on about how much I loved having something to look forward to at the end of the night, after the wedding. I'd read a few reports here where brides and grooms got done with their afternoon receptions and kinda looked at each other and said, "Uh, now what?" Knowing that we still had a DP to look forward to made me not sad when the reception was over, and by the time the DP was over, I was ready to be done!

However, Wee Dee makes a good point—there are any number of other activities you can do with your guests after the reception besides a dessert party. So if you think you might be wanting a DP just because everyone else does, see if some of the other options sound more interesting to you.

 

[NYPrincess422]

DF and I had considered having a DP but now Im considering saving that money for our honeymoon (we're going on an European cruise) and after our reception, which ends at 5pm, change out into a nice dress and go have romantic dinner at Le Cellier with the new hubby. It really depends on each bride. Now, Im really excited to end the day with the family and enjoy a nice dinner, just the two of us.

 

[puente0629]

We haven't had our wedding yet but we really wanted to do a DP for our Welcome Party, all the guests are extremely excited. We really wanted to do something nice for them prior to the wedding as a thank you for traveling to our destination wedding.

After our reception which ends at 4:00pm we will most likely head to a Disney restaurant with my parents. Which is the perfect ending to our dream wedding!

 

[erin.w]

Like others have said it's all about your priorities, our reason for having a wedding at WDW is because of the different options there are over our home locations. The dessert party is one of them. We are really looking forward to a midday lunch reception, followed by a break and then the dessert party later that night to end the day.

 

[Chilly]

I don't regret my DP but if I had the exact same wedding again I wouldn't have one, i'd have rented the Grand 1 instead.

For my wedding it was way too much food, the desserts hardly got touched.

I had SCP which was nice but I think an Illuminations DP has more wow factor, I couldn't have an Illuminations DP on my date sadly.

Also because of the small group size it didn't feel like a party, everyone had already spent all day talking to the same people.

Because i'd read how great everyone else's where that talked me into one, but its not for every wedding.

 

[Sarah84]

I don't regret my DP but if I had the exact same wedding again I wouldn't have one, i'd have rented the Grand 1 instead.

For my wedding it was way too much food, the desserts hardly got touched.

I had SCP which was nice but I think an Illuminations DP has more wow factor, I couldn't have an Illuminations DP on my date sadly.

Also because of the small group size it didn't feel like a party, everyone had already spent all day talking to the same people.

Because i'd read how great everyone else's where that talked me into one, but its not for every wedding.

Umm I feel all confussed and unsure myself now..
We are having about 14 guests and intially I was planning to hire the Grand 1 yacht but now changed my mind to have a DP instead and as much as I love everyones photos of the Epcot ones, I was planning on having it at SCP because I love Wishes but I have to admit I am worried it doesn't have as much wow factor at SCP as the Epcot sites

 

[Chilly]

Umm I feel all confussed and unsure myself now..
We are having about 14 guests and intially I was planning to hire the Grand 1 yacht but now changed my mind to have a DP instead and as much as I love everyones photos of the Epcot ones, I was planning on having it at SCP because I love Wishes but I have to admit I am worried it doesn't have as much wow factor at SCP as the Epcot sites

I understand, I love Wishes as well which is why I was fine about having SCP and was glad to have the decision taken away from me. However it is not the same as watching it in front of the castle.

 

[gemmybear83]

Although I have not had my dessert party yet for me it was one of the main reasons to get married at disney as it is such a special thing to do that you cant do anywhere else

I have to admit we picked Illuminations because we wanted the atmosphere that comes from an in park event. We have a small group too, so I am concious of this.

Were having our reception at lunch time as I had read a few reports of brides having a dinner reception then going stright to the dessert party and the food being wasted.

 

[decdisneybride2011]

Our wedding is still a little bit away but we are planning on having a DP, not sure where though. We are actually going to do it for our dinner rehersal and have some food catered as well, not just desserts.

 

[geek+nerd]

Thank you to everyone who replied! You really made me think about why I want the DP. I want it because I want to do something uniquely Disney for our guests who are going above and beyond to be a part of our special day. We just had our guest count drop, so it's looking like it will be feasible.

I also appreciate the advice; we are having a lunch celebration at a restaurant off property, so hopefully, if we do the DP, lots will get eaten!

 

[Sarah84]

I understand, I love Wishes as well which is why I was fine about having SCP and was glad to have the decision taken away from me. However it is not the same as watching it in front of the castle.

This is what I am worried about, as much as Wishes to me is such a fairtytale, magical fireworks show with the music that I'd love to watch on my wedding day I don't know if not seeing it in front of the castle and being in the atmosphere of the park it would have the same effect.

Although I have not had my dessert party yet for me it was one of the main reasons to get married at disney as it is such a special thing to do that you cant do anywhere else

I have to admit we picked Illuminations because we wanted the atmosphere that comes from an in park event. We have a small group too, so I am concious of this.

Were having our reception at lunch time as I had read a few reports of brides having a dinner reception then going stright to the dessert party and the food being wasted.

Gemma, you have just summed up why I have decided to now have one, I can't believe I even considered not having one before. I mean where else in the world could I have a dessert party watching a gorgeous fireworks show to round of my wedding day?

I'm beginning to think I should be having it in Epcot now though, I think one in a park would have much more of a wow factor than at SCP and be more special although I will be sad not to see Wishes that evening

 

[PrincessShea]

I am so happy I had one in Epcot, and I would have paid double for it...it was that worth it to me.

It was the funnest part of my wedding and I preferred it over other DP choices because I really wanted to enjoy the atmosphere of a park.