Just a Reception

[BouncyTrouncyFlouncy]

Hello
Has anyone ever had just a reception without going through DFTW? In other words, has anyone planned a reception through maybe the Disney Event Group? (And I don't mean just booking a group dinner at a restaurant - I mean having it at one of the venues like the Whitehall room and patio or the Summerhouse, etc.)

I'm wondering if this is allowed - to be able to wear your wedding dress and have the aspects of a typical wedding reception at a venue just not planned through DFTW.

I'm assuming this can be done since some couples get married off-site at a church and then have a reception at WDW. But what are the protocols?

If anyone has done this, was it less expensive than a DFTW? And did they provide floral, decor, music, cake, and photography options? Were you able to wear your wedding dress and cut the cake as well? How about transportation?

Also, one of my biggest questions if the above is possible is can you still take pictures around the resorts (not parks) in your wedding dress if you plan through DEG?

Any input or info on this is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

[Sweet Melissa]

I know it can be done, but I believe you must still go through DFTW if you plan to call it a wedding event and wear your dress. The usual minimums still apply.

 

[Chilly]

You can have a church wedding and then Disney reception but you still have to go through DFTW. If you go to catered events you cannot wear your dress.

 

[lurkyloo]

The people who do this still have Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings, they just only use DFTW for the reception. Usually it's because they are getting married in a Catholic church somewhere nearby.

As the others said, you can plan a catered party through Disney Catered Events, but if they suspect you are trying to plan a wedding, they will make you talk to DFTW. The prices are all the same, though, so there's not really an advantage to using DCE over DFTW. But DCE is a great option for non-DFTW brides who want to add a dessert party or a private reception and are OK with it not having the usual trappings of a wedding (like a DJ or the ability to wear a wedding dress inside the parks).