lunch after intimate wedding

[Holly81]

We are having an escape wedding a noon, and I am trying to figure out what we should do about a meal. If we eat right afterwards, it will be lunchtime, rather than dinnertime. I am trying to figure out where we should go. It seems like a lot of the nicer resort restaurants are not open for lunch. Does anybody have any suggestions as to where to go? I would like it to be someplace where I wouldn't feel completely out of place in my gown...

Also, what do you think of waiting a couple of hours and having dinner? If we did that, we'd have a LOT more choices. But, I don't know how my guests would feel about that. Has anyone here ever done that or is anyone planning on it? How did/do your guests feel about it?

I would appreciate any suggestions that anybody has for me!

 

[purplegirl247]

We went to Portobello's (Italian) at Downtown Disney. It wasn't busy for lunch at all, so it was very private. Everyone found something that they enjoyed. We were going to go to Fulton's (the big ship that's next door to Portobello's) but pretty much everything they serve is seafood-related and we didn't know if everyone would enjoy seafood. I highly recommend Portobello's. You can even get them to print up personalized menus if you'd like to keep it in a particular range. If you'd like the sales person's name/number, just let me know. Oh, and you can definitely wear your gown.

Your other option, like you said, would be to wait until dinner. Since your wedding is at noon, what would everyone do for lunch? Would everyone separate, eat lunch, and change clothes, or would you all go out for a low-key lunch (or maybe a tea at the Grand Floridian?), then go to dinner later? A noon wedding is sort of an awkward time since by the time you're finished with cake cutting and such, it's at least 2, 2:30 (I know this from personal experience, ha ha). I just told my guests in advance that it would be a late lunch and everyone was fine with it.

Oh, we also used the four-hour limo service to take us and pick us up from Portobello's. We had 14 people, so had the limo do two shifts. This worked very well because while the first bunch was on their way to lunch, DH and I got a few more shots in with our photographer. Hope that helps!

 

[Summer-Caitlin]

We are having a 10.00am wedding and are dining at Citricos (in my dress) for lunch and Victoria and Alberts for dinner. Bear in mind that Citricos isn't usually open for lunch but as The Grand Floridian Cafe will be hosting meals for 1900 Park Fare, Citricos are opening and taking over a similar GF menu. Bonus for me as I wanted to dine at Citricos anyway
As we are having the 10.00am wedding, we likely wouldn't have been able to wait until 18.45 (V & A) to eat as we will be up at 05.00am on the day of the wedding so will likely be pretty hungry by 12.15.
Hmmm, noon is quite awkward really, by the time you have your ceremony and pics it will likely be around 2-2.30pm, your best bet may be waiting until dinner.

 

[luv4mylittleones]

We are also having a noon wedding and this is a problem a lot of us intimate brides face. We opted to have a 2:00 tea at Gardenview Tea Lounge where we will serve our cake and enjoy tea and wine. We will also have a few platters of cheese and fruit for our guests to pick on while we finish up our photos. Instead of a cocktail hour, it's a tea hour (or 2). By the time we finish up there it will be almost time for our 4:30 reservation (first seating) at 1900 Park Fare. It's perfect for us.

 

[Holly81]

Thanks everyone! I appreciate your advice/suggestions!

Purplegirl, I would love the contact # for the person at Portobello. That was one place that I was considering, actually, but I wasn't sure if it was more of a casual or formal atmosphere. As long as I won't feel silly wearing my gown, that's fine.

Summer-Caitlin, that is awesome that you are having lunch at Citricos. I would love it if we could go there, but I don't think it will still be open for lunch by the time our wedding comes around. December 14? Does anyone know?

luv4mylittleones, the GF tea as sort of a "cocktail hour" is a GREAT idea... I hadn't thought about that! My grandma would absolutely love that, she always talked about taking me to this tea place near where we live, but we never found the time. DF's nieces would also probably like it. Not sure about DF and his dad, though... But it would be a great way to stretch the day out (AKA, stay in my dress!).

Thanks ladies! You have given me such great ideas! 12pm is such an awkward time for a wedding... One thing I'm surprised to hear is that it will be 2 or 2:30 by the time the cake-cutting is finished. I thought we only had Sea Breeze Point for 1 hour...? Is it because of the photography afterwards or because the ceremony and cake/champagne reception takes two hours?

 

[purplegirl247]

Her name is Lindsay and her number at Portobello is 407.828.8996. She sent me a bunch of info on what sorts of menus you can have and such and was very helpful.

As for the timing, our ceremony started at noon, ran very quick (our vows weren't very long), but then did the champagne toast, the cake cutting (just for pics; we ate the cake after lunch at Portobello's because we didn't want the guests getting a sugar/alcohol high before lunch!), the first dance (twice actually, do to a technical problem), and all the family photos. I think the first bunch of the wedding guests left around 1:30/1:45 (our ressies were for 1:45). By the time the limo got back to pick us up, it was around 2, and we were seated and ordering by 2:30. Hope that helps, time-wise!

Oh, the only crappy thing about Portobello's is that since they're not technically owned by Disney, they charge you a cake-cutting fee. It was $2.50 per person AT THE TABLE, whether they ate cake or not. I tried fighting Lindsay on it, but she held firm. On the plus side, the wait staff we had either didn't know about the feee or waived it for us since we gave our leftovers to the kitchen staff. But I wouldn't count on that!

 

[Holly81]

Her name is Lindsay and her number at Portobello is 407.828.8996. She sent me a bunch of info on what sorts of menus you can have and such and was very helpful.

As for the timing, our ceremony started at noon, ran very quick (our vows weren't very long), but then did the champagne toast, the cake cutting (just for pics; we ate the cake after lunch at Portobello's because we didn't want the guests getting a sugar/alcohol high before lunch!), the first dance (twice actually, do to a technical problem), and all the family photos. I think the first bunch of the wedding guests left around 1:30/1:45 (our ressies were for 1:45). By the time the limo got back to pick us up, it was around 2, and we were seated and ordering by 2:30. Hope that helps, time-wise!

Oh, the only crappy thing about Portobello's is that since they're not technically owned by Disney, they charge you a cake-cutting fee. It was $2.50 per person AT THE TABLE, whether they ate cake or not. I tried fighting Lindsay on it, but she held firm. On the plus side, the wait staff we had either didn't know about the feee or waived it for us since we gave our leftovers to the kitchen staff. But I wouldn't count on that!

Thanks for your help! I will give her a call soon. That's kind of sucky about the cake cutting fee... but I guess if you eat the cake there instead of ordering a desset off the menu, that saves some money. Were you pretty happy with the food there, overall? I've heard mixed reviews about it, which makes me nervous, but it seems to be one of the few nice, sit-down places open for lunch.

 

[purplegirl247]

We liked the food. Because of the time we came in (2:30p), they offered us both lunch and dinner menus. My dad was the only one who ordered off the dinner menu. He got rack of lamb, just to be a comedian. We all enjoyed what we got. The steak sandwich, which DH RAVES about, is literally a slab of steak on slices of bread (just as a warning for those expecting something dainty, ha ha!). The pastas were also good.

The only complaint was the potato salad served with the sandwiches. They said it "didn't taste right." Basically, these were a bunch of finicky Southern gals who didn't like it because they didn't make it themselves!

All 16 of us were able to eat for around $$300/$350, I think, and that included some beers/hard liquor that were ordered. You can check out the menus at allears.net, by the way.

 

[Chantelle]

You also have the option of doing a private lunch at either the California Grill or Narcoossee's, but this is probably more expensive then going to a restaurant.

We wanted something private so we are having a plated lunch in the Napa Room at California Grill. We have the room booked from 3 hours. For the two of us and our eleven guests, the total cost breakdown is:

Bar
13 Package Call. Brands @ $28.00 per person $465.19
Catering Food & Beverage
13 Calif Grill Plated Lunch @ $41.00 per person $681.17
Catering Fees and Equipment
1 Fee Bartender @ $100 each $106.50

TOTAL $1252.86

There were also buffett and sandwich options, but we chose to go with the more substantial plated meal option. A large cost is obviously the bar, so you could take that out to save money.

I didn't like the idea of having my wedding meal in a restaurant full of other people so we chose this more intimate option.

 

[Holly81]

We liked the food. Because of the time we came in (2:30p), they offered us both lunch and dinner menus. My dad was the only one who ordered off the dinner menu. He got rack of lamb, just to be a comedian. We all enjoyed what we got. The steak sandwich, which DH RAVES about, is literally a slab of steak on slices of bread (just as a warning for those expecting something dainty, ha ha!). The pastas were also good.

The only complaint was the potato salad served with the sandwiches. They said it "didn't taste right." Basically, these were a bunch of finicky Southern gals who didn't like it because they didn't make it themselves!

All 16 of us were able to eat for around $$300/$350, I think, and that included some beers/hard liquor that were ordered. You can check out the menus at allears.net, by the way.

That's funny that your dad ordered rack of lamb! A nice, light lunch!
I'm amazed at the price... I was budgeting 2-3 times that! Glad to hear that you guys liked the food. We don't have too many picky eaters, and it sounds like there's something for everyone, so I think we should be fine. I'm gonna go check out that menu now...

 

[Holly81]

You also have the option of doing a private lunch at either the California Grill or Narcoossee's, but this is probably more expensive then going to a restaurant.

We wanted something private so we are having a plated lunch in the Napa Room at California Grill. We have the room booked from 3 hours. For the two of us and our eleven guests, the total cost breakdown is:

Bar
13 Package Call. Brands @ $28.00 per person $465.19
Catering Food & Beverage
13 Calif Grill Plated Lunch @ $41.00 per person $681.17
Catering Fees and Equipment
1 Fee Bartender @ $100 each $106.50

TOTAL $1252.86

There were also buffett and sandwich options, but we chose to go with the more substantial plated meal option. A large cost is obviously the bar, so you could take that out to save money.

I didn't like the idea of having my wedding meal in a restaurant full of other people so we chose this more intimate option.

I had no idea you could have lunch at those places. I figured since they don't serve lunch, it wasn't an option. It does sound quite a bit more expenseive then a restaurant (at least compared w/what purplegirl said she paid at Portobello) but it's not that much more than what I had budgeted. I actually don't think we would get a bar package... our families aren't big drinkers, so I think it'd be a waste for us. Is there a certain amount you have to spend in order to have a private lunch? It just seems like it might not be worth it to the restaurant if you are only spending $500 or $600. If not, then I would love Narcoosees!

So far, I am thinking Narcoosees and Portobello are my top choices....

 

[JaxTeach]

There is a minimum for CG private rooms. I think it is $1000 for lunch.

However, here is some info on Narcoosee's:

http://www.mouseweddings.com/weddingrestaurants.html#narcoossees

It says there is no minimum. I'm not sure what time you can eat there, though.

 

[lurkyloo]

However, here is some info on Narcoosee's:

http://www.mouseweddings.com/weddingrestaurants.html#narcoossees

It says there is no minimum. I'm not sure what time you can eat there, though.

MouseWeddings' info is for dinner, which would have to be at 5:30 if you have more than 12 people. I just discovered Narcoosee's is available for breakfast and lunch private events, with a minimum of $1,500. Events must end by 3pm. Hope this helps!