Location help, please

[Ember]

We're trying to narrow down choices for the locations for the ceremony and reception. There will be approx. 30-35 guests. For the ceremony, I'm liking the yacht club gazeebo, the Epcot UK English garden, or sea breeze point. (Yes, I'm down to three, this is actually quite the accomplishment.)

Then for the reception I'd like to have a traditional afternoon tea (finger sandwhiches, scones, danties, etc.) but I really don't have any idea's at all for where to have this. I'd like to it have the feel of a formal tea: something elegant, charming, and a little old world. Any thoughts on places to consider?

I'm also planning a dessert party at Epcot. So if I chose three seperate locations, would shuttling guests around all day (I'd provide transportation) be a pain for them? If I hold the ceremony at the yacht club, or sea breeze point I can have it later in the afternoon and take everyone stright from there to the recpeption and then from there to Epcot where they can wander and play until the dessert party... (Which is a good reason to not have the cermony at Epcot to begin with...)

Anyway, as you can tell, I'm in need of some help. Ideas, sugguestions, pictures, anything would appreciated.

Thank you!

 

[nkkilala]

I think your idea sounds wonderful! I don't even have my cermony location narrowed down, but i have time (may 07).
For the tea I would think maybe the Attic at the boardwalk. Its sounds somewhat like what you are looking for. I have never been in it but have seen pictures and heard great things. It would be close to all of your cermony locations and Epcot.
I know I am struggling with the thought of transportatoin at the moment and how to coordinate everything.

Good luck!

 

[ead79]

I think all of your ceremony locations sound wonderful. You would have more flexibility with ceremony time if you do not have the UK English garden (since ceremonies there have to take place before the World Showcase opens).

For your reception, my two first thoughts were the Garden View Lounge at the Grand Floridian and the Attic at the BoardWalk. The Garden View Lounge is actually where the GF’s afternoon tea is held, so it’s ideal in terms of theme. You can reserve it for private events during certain hours of the day (when the regular tea isn’t going on). We used this venue for our bridesmaids luncheon and it was perfect. The Attic at the BoardWalk is a cozy, intimate space that would be a great size with your guest count. It has a slightly less formal atmosphere than the Garden View Lounge, but it’s not casual.

In terms of your dessert party (Illuminations parties are fantasic!), remember that your guests will need park admission in order to be able to hang out at Epcot until the dessert party. Typically (when guests don’t have admission), a host or hostess meets your group at the International Gateway entrance to Epcot then escorts your party as a group to the dessert party location. Guests under this scenario aren’t allowed to wander freely since they haven’t paid park admission. You pay a viewing fee of $12 per person for them to see Illuminations. I hope that helps!

 

[IrishCinderella]

I agree with ead79 about the Garden View Lounge. I've been there, and it's both very traditional and quite lovely.

ead79, I was wondering about the Garden View Lounge private event you held...what were the times of the day for which you were able to reserve a private event? I was hoping to have my own tea a little later in the day than the usually 2pm or 3pm.

Thanks for the info!

 

[FutureAshleyDukes]

I think your plans sound great. I love the idea of having an Epcot wedding, especially the English garden idea followed by the tea... it kind of has a nice theming to it. Like Elisabeth said you would have to have the ceremony early in the morning, bt I think it would be an amazing experience to allow your guests be in Epcot before the are is open to the public. Then again with having the ceremony and reception at The Boardwalk it would be really convenient for your guests, and you wouldn't have to worry about renting the charter bus. Best of luck planning.

 

[Snow_White]

For a reception of 30-35 guests, you might want to also check out Whitehall at the GF Convention Center...I'm a little partial to it (), but it's a really lovely location with both indoor seating and an outdoor patio.

 

[JonetteA]

We are having our wedding at the UK rose Garden. There are definate upsides and downsides...if you want to PM me I can share with you what I know.

 

[twojo21]

for the reception the garden view lounge at the grand floridian would be perfect. private events may be held 8am to 1pm minimum $500 or after 8pm minimum $1000. http://allearsnet.com/acc/gf12.jpg

the american adventure vip lounge at epcot would also work well, which is a formal parlor/living room with large windows overlooking world showcase & an intimate dining room, food & beverage minimum $85pp. http://www.yourfairytale.com/aavip.html

as for the ceremony i would go with the yacht club gazebo as it works nice for smaller weddings & has plenty of flowers & ambiance. the uk garden would also work nice but you can only have weddings there ending before 11am or after 9pm.

 

[Laurafoster]

I would also go for the gazebo, but im probably bias as thats where ive decided to have my wedding!