Memmories Wedding at WDW with 7 people

[SDonkey66]

Good day all,
My fiance and I are looking to book a "memories" wedding in Nov. of 2015.
Guests being myself, fiance, my parents, and our 3 kids. Total of 7 people.
The kids ages will be 9, 7, and 4.
When I called they said I would have to upgrade to the "escape" package cause that's over the allowed 6 guests.
I cant justify spending almost double because the 4 year old's birthday is in May.
My folks are over 20+ year members with DVC and this wedding is meant to be very small and simplistic. Its my kids first time to WDW.
The escape allows up to 18 guests and doesn't have the Polynesian location we want. Its way overkill.
Anyone have any experience or advice on getting Disney to allow this to happen?
Any advice greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Zack

 

[sambycat]

I think 5 years ago there were more stories about people being able to finagle guest lists by a small number but I don't read about that now. I guess the best you can do is continue to ask? Have you looked at offsite options (Swan & Dolphin?), maybe something more like a dessert party and a family photoshoot or something?

 

[mb187143]

Did they say it's because you're goig to have a 4 year old? For my wedding back in 2012, while we didn't pay for her meal, our 2 year old flower girl still counted toward the guest count. So it might not matter anyway.

I agree with pp, I haven't heard of anyone getting any play with the numbers for memories or escape weddings recently. The swan/dolphin may be the best option.

 

[Sweet Melissa]

Have you looked at offsite options (Swan & Dolphin?)

A Swan wedding may not be the better value for such a small party. Obviously YMMV, but I know for our party of 17, it was pretty close. I priced an Escape wedding against what I paid for the same services to the Swan and local vendors, and although I would have had fewer choices in terms of things like cake. floral and decor, the Escape ceremony would have been about $400-500 cheaper. Add in the free annual passes you receive from DFTW, and the Escape wedding definitely would have been less expensive.