Morning Ceremonies

[PinkSleepingBeauty]

Hi everyone. For those of you that had an early ceremony (9.00am Epcot etc) can I ask how you planned your day? What you do with your guests? Did you go straight on for a reception or have it later in the day? How did you make the most of the day? As always, thanks for the great advice!

 

[Pirate's Princess]

I haven't had my wedding yet, but we are getting married at 9 in Epcot this October. We are planning our reception at the Living Seas Salon immediately afterward (leaving time for pictures) and then we're having a dessert party later that night. The free time is between 3-7, so guests can relax or hit the parks.

 

[PinkSleepingBeauty]

Oh thanks for the reply. I'm just trying to look at all of the options. I just want the guests to have a great day where everything flows well. Will you be having a breakfast or brunch?

 

[girli565]

I think having a breakfast or brunch right after would be perfect. Breakfast and brunch is normally waaay cheaper. The per person Food and Beverage minimums are $75/person at breakfast, which is the cheapest. Lunch is $100/p and dinner is $125/p

 

[Pirate's Princess]

We'll be doing more of a lunch actually. We're both teachers, as are most of our friends, and lunch time can be as early as 9:45 so we're used to eating early. I wanted brunch but DF said he didn't want to serve waffles at his wedding, which actually is fine with me because I'm more of a lunch person myself. There are so many options, I'm sure you'll figure out what works best.

I love the idea of having the ceremony in the morning, that way the day is my wedding day. The problem is what to do afterwards. My fiance is really into marine science, and we recently became scuba certified so the Living Seas is our favorite choice (plus it is beautiful in person!) I think a brunch/lunch following afterward is the best option for the time flow. I know Carrie did a brunch at the Attic, and another bride (I forget her name) did hers at Atlantic Dance Hall. I'd probably stay in the Epcot/Boardwalk area for convenience. Plus I love dessert parties and this way everyone will probably be hungry enough to eat it. We're also considering serving some savory appetizers as well, not just dessert.

 

[disneygal922]

Hi! We are having a 10am ceremony at the wedding pavilion (so a little later than an Epcot ceremony) but here is our timeline just in case you are interested

5am Patricia LeJuene arrives for hair and makeup for myself and bridesmaids
8:30am Groom Pics at GF
9am Bride pics at GF
10am ceremony
11am Pre-Reception in Napa Room
12-3pm Reception in CG Napa Room
3pm bride and groom additional pics around Contemporary
3-7p free time for guests (some will be meeting us in Epcot)
5pm bride/groom head to Epcot
7:30p guests meet at guest relations in front of Epcot for DP
8-9:30p DP in lower UK terrace

Hope this helps!

 

[PinkSleepingBeauty]

Thanks for all of the replies. I do like the idea of a morning ceremony, I was just worried about what to do with the guests for the rest of the day but you've all got some great ideas. Thanks for sharing x

 

[lpizzuro123]

We had a 9:00 Epcot ceremony. It was over around 9:30 or so and our guests were brought over to ADH. Our pre-reception was in ADH on the upper level from 10:00 to 11:00 (we stayed in Epcot for pictures until 10:20 or so). Our reception was in ADH downstairs from 11:00 until 3:00. We served the Tinkerbelle Brunch which has both breakfast and lunch items. We did not have waffles but had chefs there making crepes.

We also had make you own omlet, breakfast potatoes, bacon, sausage for breakfast items but we also had parm crusted chicken, a pasta and veggie dish, salad and some other items.

By 3:30 the last bus left ADH with our guests to take them back to their resort. Everyone then met back at Epcot at 8:00pm and we had them escorted into UK Lower for our IllumiNations Dessert Party.

I think they all enjoyed having the break. Most went back to their resort and changed, relaxed and hung out by the pool.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Linda

 

[Pirate's Princess]

Linda, you're the ADH bride I was thinking of! I totally forgot your name!

 

[lpizzuro123]

No problem - this just shows that I am on these boards way too much - especially considering our wedding was over a year ago.

Linda

 

[PinkSleepingBeauty]

Thanks! Hope you don't mind me asking, but how much per person is the Tinkerbelle Brunch?

 

[puente0629]

Hi! We are having a 10am ceremony at the wedding pavilion (so a little later than an Epcot ceremony) but here is our timeline just in case you are interested

5am Patricia LeJuene arrives for hair and makeup for myself and bridesmaids
8:30am Groom Pics at GF
9am Bride pics at GF
10am ceremony
11am Pre-Reception in Napa Room
12-3pm Reception in CG Napa Room
3pm bride and groom additional pics around Contemporary
3-7p free time for guests (some will be meeting us in Epcot)
5pm bride/groom head to Epcot
7:30p guests meet at guest relations in front of Epcot for DP
8-9:30p DP in lower UK terrace

Hope this helps!

Is your reception only 3 hours and if it is why? I've been so worried lately because there has been talk that brides having a 10am ceremony or taking advantage of the $10K minimum deal will only have a 3 hr reception. I've been in communication with my consultant and not once has he mentioned this.

 

[lpizzuro123]

Our Tinkerbelle Brunch was $59.00 - but remember - we were married in November 2008. Not sure how much the prices have changed since then.

This is the brunch menu.

Smoked Salmon served with Red Onion, Eggs, Capers, Cream Cheese, Caviar, Dill, and Bagel Crisps

Oven-roasted Yukon Gold Potatoes

Maple-glazed Pork Sausage Links and Bacon

Seared Chicken Breast with Granny Smith Apples, Roasted Fennel, and Fig Jus - We had the Parm Crusted Chicken instead of this.

Penne Pasta with Artichoke Cream and Julienne Vegetables

Eggs and Omelets (Made to order)
To include Shrimp, Cheddar Cheese, Ham, Peppers, Onions, Mushrooms,Goat Cheese, Spinach, Salsa, and Egg Substitute

Grand Marnier Cream Cheese Crepes and Chocolate Crepes made to order.

Croissants, Danish, Brioche, Rolls, Butter, and Jellies - We had this put out for our pre-reception - along with extra coffe, tea and champaign punch.

Assorted Pastry Display

Assorted Juices, Coffee and Teas

We also had a green salad added with 2 different dressings and and an Antipasto Display with grilled veggies, meats, seafood, assorted cheese, tomato and mozzarella salad and bread crisps.

Linda

 

[puente0629]

For our Jan. 2011 wedding we are having the Tinkerbell Brunch which is $55++ it might go up as we will substitute or add a couple of items from other brunch menu's (i.e. grand marnier crepes)

 

[lpizzuro123]

For our Jan. 2011 wedding we are having the Tinkerbell Brunch which is $55++ it might go up as we ill substitute or add a couple of items from other brunch menu's (i.e. grand marnier crepes)

See - that must have changed - the crepes were part of our brunch (not extra). We had them do 1/2 of them cheese and 1/2 of them chocolate.

Linda

 

[disneygal922]

Is your reception only 3 hours and if it is why? I've been so worried lately because there has been talk that brides having a 10am ceremony or taking advantage of the $10K minimum deal will only have a 3 hr reception. I've been in communication with my consultant and not once has he mentioned this.

It is technically only 3 hours b/c of our location. We need to be out of the California Grill at 3pm so they have time to clean up and be ready to open for Resort Guests who have ADRs at 4pm.

 

[puente0629]

It is technically only 3 hours b/c of our location. We need to be out of the California Grill at 3pm so they have time to clean up and be ready to open for Resort Guests who have ADRs at 4pm.

Okay, so it's because of the location you chose...we are having it at the Whitehall Room

 

[disneygal922]

Okay, so it's because of the location you chose...we are having it at the Whitehall Room

You should be fine. I dont' think there is a time restriction on the WH Room.

 

[connorlevismom]

What about guests who stay off-site? What are they going to do during the break? I have most of money staying off-site so I hate to have them go all the way back and turn around again. But they are staying really close so maybe it is not that big of a deal.

Kristine

 

[Walcott]

We're doing something a little bit different. We're going to have the ceremony and the cake/champagne in the morning, and then have a dinner reception at Jiko that night. I figure the ceremony and cake will end around 10:30, and then our guests can do enjoy the parks or do whatever they want to do until that night.