Is a "Hybrid" Swan Ceremony/Disney Reception possible??

[BabyBelle1]

I've been weighing options for weeks, now... overwhelming!!

I've been considering an Escape package, and the only negative is that my nieces and nephews wouldn't be able to attend the ceremony because of the guest count limit

Which leads me to Swan's Crescent Terrace... It's a pretty area, I'm just concerned that it won't feel "Disney" enough as that area has always seemed like a "weird island of normal hotels" in the middle of Disney World (at least that's my view, having never been on that property ) Can any of the Swolphin Brides around here convince me otherwise??

Most of my guests will be staying at the Boardwalk Villas, so it seems like it would be convenient to that area...

I really want a morning ceremony with a brunch reception... I don't think I could settle for a Swan ceremony IF I can't have a brunch at Ariel's or another private venue in the EPCOT *REAL* Disney resort area. Is it legal for me to plan such a brunch through Disney Catered Events?? If so, what are the restrictions of photography & decor, etc.?? Can I get a wedding cake from them, too??

 

[justlook3]

I was planning a Swan event myself for my VR until I took my husband to see the venues. He much preferred Disney's. And they say men don't care about these things!
Anyway, the problem is that while you could indeed have a catered brunch on a Disney property, if they think you are having a wedding reception they will not work with you and direct you to Fairytale Weddings. So obviously a wedding cake would be a big giveaway likewise a wedding gown, etc. Were you to have it as a celebration brunch and have a different type of cake, wear a non-obviously wedding gown, etc then it could work.
Now Escape brides can work with catered events for receptions/dinners etc but I'm pretty sure that you have to have the guest list be equal to your Escape wedding which won't work in your situation.
A friend of mine had an Escape VR where she invited extra people to her "reception". She rented a suite and had it outside catered and then had a dessert party at Epcot through Catered Events. Because she didn't wear a wedding gown to the dessert party she was able to just have it as a private party.

 

[aristocatz]

I had a Swan wedding a few years ago. My ceremony site was Crescent Terrace, with a formal cocktail hour in one of the Swan fountain courtyards, and a formal plated lunch in one of their ballrooms (DJ, Mickey & Minnie appearance, etc...). My wedding was fantastic. My planner, florist, caterer, and musicians were extremely professional, communication was super fast, and their talents went well beyond my expectations.

I found our ceremony site to be very pretty and private. Crescent Terrace has a backdrop of the waterway with the pretty boats going by.

We got married a week before Christmas, so the hotel and the entire area was really themed well. We had tons of photos with the gorgeous tree in the lobby and decorations in the background. In addition to that though, I found the lobby and grounds to be really beautiful.

I never once got the feeling that any aspect of my wedding was "less Disney." My officiant, harpist, photographer, hair/make up, DJ, and characters were the same vendors that DFTW brides have. My floral (Greenery Productions) was an outside vendor and they were amazing. Swan catering is award winning & everything was delicious and well presented-from the hors d'oeuvres to the meal to the cake. I had several additional events at Disney venues (welcome dinner, bridal party/family dinner) and had a customized grooms cake from the GF bakery. I had an Epcot Illuminations dessert party at the France venue. Our theme was vintage WDW, and we incorporated some nice and subtle WDW touches.

All that said though, I went into this with an open mind. & when I weighed the pro's and cons of DFTW and a Swan wedding, it was a no brainer for me to going with the Swan. The Swan was significantly less money for the same quality of magic. The communication & the fact that they include you in every step of the event was wonderful. I loved that there was no limited 30 min phone meeting and that's it. My wedding planner was in touch with me constantly, returned my calls and emails very quickly. We had several in-person meetings for site visits, tasting sessions, floral, etc... (no additional charge). That, itself, was a lifesaver for me-the constant communication really helped my anxiety. On the day of my wedding, my planner and her two assistants stayed through the entire ceremony & our catering manager stayed through the entire event. I also loved that I could customize everything. There was no guest count limit, no price minimums that I can recall (maybe a food and beverage minimum?), I was welcome to choose my vendors.

The only losses I think there are between the two are: no wedding dress at your Epcot Illuminations Dessert Party, no MK photo shoot, and no Cinderella's carriage (though they have other pretty horse and carriages you can book). I didn't really care about those things-my biggest priority was the Epcot DP, which I got no problem & worked directly with Disney.

Our guests still talk about our wedding & how they can't believe that we got married in WDW. They probably have no idea that it was not an "official" Disney wedding.

To me, there was nothing "non-Disney" about it. Hope this helps You have to do what you feel most comfortable with and prioritize which aspects are most important to you & go with that.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

My VR was at the S/D and I had photos taken at BLT, Swan, Boardwalk, GF and Poly. I had a reception meal at Citrico's at the GF. I felt my VR was very 'Disney'. In fact, I am not entirely sure what you mean or what you are looking for???
None of the DFTW venues scream 'Disney' at you. All are elegant and sophisticated, with very little characterisation. The venues at the S/D are much the same. What are your concerns?
If you are wanting a private reception in 'Ariel's', you may be better sticking with DFTW, as doing a private event in somewhere like this would be possible, but difficult to pull off as a traditional wedding reception, because if it is suspected that the private event is a wedding, you will be referred back to DFTW and be into the realms of minimum spends etc.
The private reception venues at the S/D are very beautiful and their food is delicious!!! Granted, they are not decorated with Mickey etc, but then nor are the private reception areas in Epcot. I know that neither Ariel's or the Attic are typically 'Disneyfied'. The 'Living Seas' is a bit more typical Disney. Of course, you can choose to have characters at a reception at the S/D just the same as you can at a DFTW venue.
We rejected the 'Escape' option because of the restrictions applied to that package (and by DFTW generally) and we too wanted more guests than the 'Escape' package would allow.
We swapped over to the S/D side and have never regretted it for a second!!!!

 

[alyaki]

You may want to check in with DFTW, but I believe I've heard of someone recently who is planning a ceremony at the Swan/Dolphin and a reception through DFTW. I think the changes to how they're pricing are part of what make this possible. You would be subject to the food/beverage minimum, and the enhancement minimum ($5000, $8000, or $10000, depending on day of week), and may be required a certain number of people, but that could be an option for you. I will say, the Swan/Dolphin weddings I've seen through all the trip reports are lovely, so I think you'd be fine either way.

 

[MrsDuck]

If you meet the food and beverage minimums for a Disney catered event, you can do it.