Just got engaged!!! Want to ask questions to people who have had Disney Weddings

[KStarfish82]

Hi! I'm new to this site and I was so thrilled that I came across it. I just got engaged on Dec. 23rd and we are in the early, very early stages if planning a Disney Wedding. I want to use this as a way to ask questions to people who have had Disney weddings and their experiences.

First question...

What are the most popular (and cost reasonable) places to have a reception on Disney property?

 

[Sparkles9306]

Welcome! You'll find this site to be VERY helpful! One of the first things you can look at is the wishbook on Disney's Wedding website. Happy planning!!

 

[Disneybride_Nov07]

I second the wishbook suggestion!! Its great to be able to see your basic options with Disney!! Congratulationss

 

[StephSFL]

The Wishbook is a great idea!
I know that the catering costs differ for each area (GF catering is the most expensive). Also, the location really depends on your tastes/preferences and each has their own additional costs. We are having our wedding at the AAR which has added travel expenses because we have to transport our guests on chartered buses to/from EPCOT, but we save in that we don't need to decorate the location too much.
As a tip, I would check into the seating situation- after we booked the AAR we realized we didn't like the standard chairs they provided for that particular location (they did not look good with our colors, theme, etc.). Bringing in chairs we liked added an additional $2,000 to our budget!
Pick the location you love and they will work with you to make the extras work within your budget.
Have fun and congratulations!

 

[Gradar1]

From what I've noticed, the Wedding Pavilion is the most popular location, for both intimates and customs. The Wishbook is amazing to me though--you can see table styles, locations, examples of bouquets....etc.

 

[KStarfish82]

Thanks...I will definitely look into the wedding wishlist.

okay, here is another question....

I was looking around the Disney website, and they said that there is a 25 night minimum. Does that mean my party has to spend a total of 25 nights in a disney resort? Do vacation club nights count also? And what if I can't make that happen?

 

[princessdisneybelle]

It means 25 night between all of you. For instance if you and your DF stay 10 nights. That counts.

 

[Tink11302]

I

 

[lurkyloo]

Just to clarify, you only have to guarantee room nights if you're having a custom wedding (which it sounds like you are, since you are looking at reception sites).

From what I've read on these boards, Disney may not actually ding you if you don't fill all the room nights - they just won't give you that one free night. This has been some DISers' experience.

Also, several brides on the Boards have been able to fill empty room nights by posting here and asking other DISers who will be in WDW at the same time to add their hotel reservation numbers to the bride's total. I'll bet a search for "room nights" or "guarantee" will turn up a lot of threads on this subject!

 

[tchan03]

Congrats! Like other people, go to Disney wedding website and try the wishbook ^_^

Have fun planning...

 

[KStarfish82]

If anyone has met with a Disney wedding planner, what is that experience like? I mean, do they push for the more extravagant, or are they realisitic about budgets?

 

[balatonbabe]

I'm pretty new to DFTW planning and am concerned about the room block minimums. My DF and I want to send out our invitations to determine a more reasonable number.

Thought I read on another thread something about invitations. Does anyone know if we have to use Disney for our invitations?

 

[princessdisneybelle]

I'm pretty new to DFTW planning and am concerned about the room block minimums. My DF and I want to send out our invitations to determine a more reasonable number.

Thought I read on another thread something about invitations. Does anyone know if we have to use Disney for our invitations?

No your invitations are up to you. You can use whomever you want.

 

[disprincessatheart]

As far as the room nights go, yes DVC rooms count. We have a 25 night min, we're staying 8 ourselves (1 free so we count as 7), my M&D are staying 6, my sister is staying 6, and DF's family have 2 rooms for 5 nights, so we're over our min with immediate family - so all the others are just cushion.

I do have 3 family members with DVC rooms and I gave the res. #'s to our planner so that they're counting towards what we have. I'd rather have lots of cushion in case of last minute issues.