My BEO is huge-monguous!!

[jnale]

Ok so I now have the BEO and I am now on the floor passed out...
$60,208.80!

Ceremony:
Wedding Pavilion Usage Fee: $2500 + tax = $2662.50

Disney Photography (6 hour package): $2800.00
2 Family Albums @ $200.00 each = $400.00

1 String Trio = $1365.00

Cinderella’s Coach = $2700.00 (ok so apparently I don’t own it )

Floral BEO = $7671.09 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1822509)

1 Limousine – Charter for 4 hours = $358.40
1 Limousine – Charter for 3 hours = $268.80
2 Motorcoaches (servicing Contmeporary & Yacht Club) for 8 hours = $1496.00
1 Motorcoach (servicing Port Orleans & All Star Music) for 8 hours = $748.00

Pre-Reception – Italy Isola:
140 Illuminations Viewing Fees @ $12.95 per guest + tax = $1930.85

110 Call Brands Bar package @ $17.50 per guest + service charge + tax = $2480.65
30 Soft Drink & Bottled Water package @ $8.00 per guest + service charge + tax = $309.28

Custom Cocktail Hour for 140 @ $48.00 per guest + service charge + tax = $8659.73
The Custom Cocktail Hour includes:
- International and Domestic Cheese Display with Breads & Crackers
- Spicy Tuna Rolls and Avocado Rolls with Wasabi, Soy, and Ginger
- Bacon-crusted Beef and Blue Cheese Meatballs
- Spanikopitas

Outdoor Set-up charge ($75) + tax = $79.88

Cake:
“Rich in Roses” cake for 140 @ $10.00 per guest + tax = $1491.00
1 White Chocolate Castle Cake Topper with Gold Turrets ($100.00) + tax = $106.50

Reception – American Adventure Rotunda:
American Adventure Rotunda Fee: $2000 + tax = $2130.00

110 Call Brands Bar package (for 2.5 hours) @ $26.50 per guest + service charge + tax = $3756.41
30 Soft Drink & Bottled Water package (for 2.5 hours) @ $14.00 per guest + service charge + tax = $541.23
70 Hosted, Premium Cocktails – Jack Daniels @ $7.25 each + service charge + tax = $653.99 (I asked to add Jack Daniels to the bar and this is what I got)
140 Hosted, Soft Drinks, Assorted @ $3.75 each + service charge + tax = $676.54
140 Bottled Water (Sparkling – Hosted) @ $4.00 each + service charge + tax = $721.64
(Ok…let me explain the above 2…we said we wanted to cut the bar off at midnight and then after that we would cover any waters or sodas the guests got…so that’s what the above 2 charges are)

White Chocolate Castle Handling Fee ($20) + service charge + tax = $25.77 (can I just take it off myself)

140 Wedding Cake Handling Fee @ $2.00 each + tax = $298.20 (can I just cut it myself)

Bride’s Meal ($96) + service charge + tax = $123.71
This includes:
- Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup
- Mixed Green Salad w/ Grape Tomatoes, Caramelized Onions & Key Lime Vinagrette Dressing
- Raspberry Sorbet in a Blue Lit Ice Glass Slipper
- Seared-beef Filet with Red Wine Demi, Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes, Baby Carrots and Asparagus
- Also includes Rolls, Butter, Coffees, and Teas

Groom’s Meal ($80) + service charge + tax = $103.09
This includes:
- Mixed Green Salad w/ Grape Tomatoes, Caramelized Onions & Key Lime Vinagrette Dressing
- Raspberry Sorbet in a Blue Lit Ice Glass Slipper
- Grilled Lemon Chicken, Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes, Baby Carrots and Asparagus
- Also includes Rolls, Butter, Coffees, and Teas

59 Beef Dinners @ $89 per guest + service charge + tax = $6766.70
This includes:
- Mixed Green Salad w/ Grape Tomatoes, Caramelized Onions & Key Lime Vinagrette Dressing
- Raspberry Sorbet with Raspberry Garnish in Martini Glass
- Seared-beef Filet with Red Wine Demi, Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes, Baby Carrots and Asparagus
- Also includes Rolls, Butter, Coffees, and Teas

59 Chicken Dinners @ $80 per guest + service charge + tax = $6082.43
This includes:
- Mixed Green Salad w/ Grape Tomatoes, Caramelized Onions & Key Lime Vinagrette Dressing
- Raspberry Sorbet with Raspberry Garnish in Martini Glass
- Grilled Lemon Chicken, Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes, Baby Carrots and Asparagus
- Also includes Rolls, Butter, Coffees, and Teas

20 Gus & Jaq Children’s Meals @ $20 per guest + service charge + tax = $515.46
This includes:
- Chicken Tenders
- Mickey-Roni and Cheese
- Fries
- Corn

2 Chef’s Choice Vendor Meals @ 13.95 each + service charge + tax = $35.95

1 DJ Wedding Package = $1250.00

Magic Kingdom Portrait Session = $1000

Grand Total: A shocking $60,208.80!!!!!!!

Ok...so apparently I was having an awesome time during the PS because I added everything but the kitchen sink!

Now I'm going to pick myself up off the floor and starting cutting down the price. Any suggestions? Help!

 

[Keira1387]

Ok, let me join you...

 

[Keira1387]

double post!

 

[BaBeeCee14]

Yikes Jennifer!!

That is just crazy!! Are you sure that the 140 guests are definitely coming? I think once your invites go out and the rsvps start coming back - your guest count is going to slowly go down. Which is a good thing because your beo total will start to go go down as well. Its not so much that you made expensive choices - you just have a large guest list.

I would start with what element is most important to you that you feel like you can't do without. For example, Cindy's Coach. Do you feel like you have to have that? I thought about getting it too because I love the pictures you can get with the coach, but I couldn't justify spending $3,000 on it. But again, it might be different for you.

Definitely talk it over with your DF and just go down the list and see what he thinks about each item and whether or not it is something you will regret not having. Good luck and let me know what you guys decide.

I will say that one thing that is killing me is that Illuminations fee. $12.95 a person - that hurts, but what're you gonna do?

 

[DisneyBrideToni]

Holy cheese and crackers!!!!

I am worried now. I am one of those people that see stuff and want it so when I go to my planning session I will have to restrain myself..

 

[lurkyloo]

OK, off the top of my head I'm gonna say...

1. Go with BOC bars instead of all the packages. If it's still too much, cut out all the call brands and serve beer, wine and a signature drink.

2.What's up with all the separate transportation packages? Of course I don't know your group or the itinerary, but could you charter 1 limo to go all those places or get two "one-way" limos instead of charters? Can some of these limo guests ride the bus to where they need to be before it goes to get all the other guests?

And since each of your 3 buses only goes to two places, they should be able to hook you up with those one-way buses instead of charters (one-way buses make two stops in each direction, contrary to their name!)

3. Cut the photography and go with an outside vendor. You'll save at least half!

 

[PrincessBride010103]

It's not that you made really expensive decisions...it's just a high guest count. You have almost 3x the amount of guests I had, and your BEO is about double mine, so I'd say all in all...you did good, girl!

 

[BaBeeCee14]

Oh I forgot to add - just like Carrie said, think about an outside photographer. You will definitely save some money there!

 

[IndyBride]

WOW!! I can't beleive that number! And I don't think you are doing anything outrageous! Just a lot of people.

 

[ElleBren]

Is it really that huge of a difference using an outside vendor for video/photo? Who is the best to go with?

 

[wendy46001]

Just suggestions and don’t know what the final number should be
So here are some thoughts

first
cut down to one limo (only bride and groom ride to the reception)
and ride the bus home (only one way rental) kill the second all together

If its getting from resort to WP for the bridal party the limo can do multiple trips
the wedding party rides the bus for reception

or just use the carriage and the bus

Second
String trio, sometimes the organ will just have to do (again don’t know how attached you are to any of these)

third
Cocktail hour
Why not just do passed appetizers, they are cheaper…then you can
cut out the cheese display (your feeding everyone again in an hour anyway)

AAR
Just kill everything at 12
Don’t pay the extra fee, people will be winding down by then anyway
Plus its not like the bartender is going to run away right at midnight…people will still be able to get a glass of water

Also ask if you can just pay the one set price for five hours of open bar…
Stick with call brands people are happy with liquor they don’t care if you have the good stuff.

If it comes down to it you might have to cut the Sorbet (its pretty but pricey)

Good luck with the trimming….
Also when it gets down to the end its time to negotiate with your planner
Tell them where you need to be as far as final price…and they will make it happen

 

[OceanGdss]

Ok...wow! thats huge!!
But here's my thoughts..

If I were a guest these are the things I wouldn't care about..

Which liqours are available...Just do a BOC beer & wine bar, and cut it to 3 hours, not the entire time.

The sorbet..cute, nice...but forgettable...ditch it.

$7000 in flowers...the locations alone are beautiful.

The transportation...seriously, if someone complains about the transportation you provide then they don't understand Disney..there is FREE transport!

The food at the pre-reception....just do a few passed ones, much cheaper, and like a PP said..you're feeding all these people an hour later anyways.
(On a side note, we cut out our pre-reception COMPLETELY, and save several thousand dollars that way!)

When I was reading through your BEO there was a recurring theme I noticed....booze booze and more booze....cut down on the bar packages and use outside photography and you will cut that WAY down!!!

People will NOT care if you don't have an open bar/top shelf. We are doing a BOC soda, beer & wine bar for 3 hours only, and buying a few gallons of sangria to serve. Thats it.
We've been to 3 weddings this year alone, and even though we're limiting our liqour & drinks, we'll still have more than all of the weddings we've been to.

 

[Skylarr29]

My suggestion to save money would be to consider switching to a billed on consumption bar. For it to be worth $6,400.00 approx. each of your guests will need to drink about 6 drinks each (Including children because I just divided by 140).... is every single guest at your wedding going to drink 6 drinks? I know there is no way my grandparents, parents etc. are going to drink 6 drinks... heck they probably won't even drink 1.

Really crunch the numbers before you pay that much. Every person I have heard about that has done BOC bar has come out way under. Worst case scenario is that you actually pay for what is drank and best case you save a lot of money.

 

[inkedupmomma]

This is exactly why i joined these boards!! when planning (well thinking of planning lol) i came out with ridiculously large numbers. i've come to realize that I dont HAVE to invite everyone. I dont HAVE to serve all you can drink drinks lol. and it's disney worl.. it's going to be magical whether i buy 50 floral arrangments or if i buy 1!

 

[OceanGdss]

it's disney worl.. it's going to be magical whether i buy 50 floral arrangments or if i buy 1!

exactly!!! That's my theory!! When we sat down with Laura from floral yesterday I was literally asking for the cheapest and simplest floral options...and it was no problem for her! My guests will NOT look at my floral and say "oh..she used baby's breath instead of roses...oh dear..how cheap"

 

[Bouncy bounce]

I thought mine was crazy at 46k it will go up if more then 100 come.. we invited 186.

 

[jnale]

Ok, let me join you...

Thanks - I didn't want to be the only one screaming!!

Yikes Jennifer!!

That is just crazy!! Are you sure that the 140 guests are definitely coming? I think once your invites go out and the rsvps start coming back - your guest count is going to slowly go down. Which is a good thing because your beo total will start to go go down as well. Its not so much that you made expensive choices - you just have a large guest list.

I would start with what element is most important to you that you feel like you can't do without. For example, Cindy's Coach. Do you feel like you have to have that? I thought about getting it too because I love the pictures you can get with the coach, but I couldn't justify spending $3,000 on it. But again, it might be different for you.

Definitely talk it over with your DF and just go down the list and see what he thinks about each item and whether or not it is something you will regret not having. Good luck and let me know what you guys decide.

I will say that one thing that is killing me is that Illuminations fee. $12.95 a person - that hurts, but what're you gonna do?

Yes - it is crazy!! No I'm not sure about the 140 guests. We invited 206. We guesstimated 140 for the BEO, but I've heard a lot of people that said they were coming in the beginning are now not coming. I hope a lot more decide that too. I just want the 100 I need for the Rotunda and that's it - that would cut out a lot from that BEO!

I don't really need the Cindy's Coach - I just really really want it!!

Yeah we have a lot of deciding to do! I'll post what we end up with.

Holy cheese and crackers!!!!

I am worried now. I am one of those people that see stuff and want it so when I go to my planning session I will have to restrain myself..

That made me laugh!

Well as long as you don't have a huge guest list like me it might not be that bad!

OK, off the top of my head I'm gonna say...

1. Go with BOC bars instead of all the packages. If it's still too much, cut out all the call brands and serve beer, wine and a signature drink.

2.What's up with all the separate transportation packages? Of course I don't know your group or the itinerary, but could you charter 1 limo to go all those places or get two "one-way" limos instead of charters? Can some of these limo guests ride the bus to where they need to be before it goes to get all the other guests?

And since each of your 3 buses only goes to two places, they should be able to hook you up with those one-way buses instead of charters (one-way buses make two stops in each direction, contrary to their name!)

3. Cut the photography and go with an outside vendor. You'll save at least half!

1. Yeah this seems like the better choice. At first i was concerned about guests getting drinks and then setting them down somewhere and losing them and then getting another drink so thats why I chose the package. But how many people would really do this?

2. Yeah I agree - to much in transportation. We need to condense and combine.

3. Thanks for the tip!

 

[jnale]

It's not that you made really expensive decisions...it's just a high guest count. You have almost 3x the amount of guests I had, and your BEO is about double mine, so I'd say all in all...you did good, girl!

Girl...I don't feel like I did good, but I see what you mean.

Oh I forgot to add - just like Carrie said, think about an outside photographer. You will definitely save some money there!

Thanks - I'll start looking into it.

WOW!! I can't beleive that number! And I don't think you are doing anything outrageous! Just a lot of people.

Yeah it is a lot of people - i really hope the number goes down.

Is it really that huge of a difference using an outside vendor for video/photo? Who is the best to go with?

Good questions - let me know!

 

[jnale]

Just suggestions and don’t know what the final number should be
So here are some thoughts

first
cut down to one limo (only bride and groom ride to the reception)
and ride the bus home (only one way rental) kill the second all together

If its getting from resort to WP for the bridal party the limo can do multiple trips
the wedding party rides the bus for reception

or just use the carriage and the bus

Second
String trio, sometimes the organ will just have to do (again don’t know how attached you are to any of these)

third
Cocktail hour
Why not just do passed appetizers, they are cheaper…then you can
cut out the cheese display (your feeding everyone again in an hour anyway)

AAR
Just kill everything at 12
Don’t pay the extra fee, people will be winding down by then anyway
Plus its not like the bartender is going to run away right at midnight…people will still be able to get a glass of water

Also ask if you can just pay the one set price for five hours of open bar…
Stick with call brands people are happy with liquor they don’t care if you have the good stuff.

If it comes down to it you might have to cut the Sorbet (its pretty but pricey)

Good luck with the trimming….
Also when it gets down to the end its time to negotiate with your planner
Tell them where you need to be as far as final price…and they will make it happen

first = thanks for the transportation tip!

second = the string trio can go!

third = are the passed appetizers the ones in the Flora, Fauna, Merryweather packages?

AAR = good idea; I think 12 is late enough too! Thanks for the tip on the 5 hour bar.

I think the sorbet may go as well.

Thanks for all the advice!

 

[Keira1387]

Is it really that huge of a difference using an outside vendor for video/photo? Who is the best to go with?

YES! It makes a HUGE difference. We went with Randy for photo and saved about $1,000 on the package we picked!! Plus, Disney charges you an extra $1,000 if you want the negatives, with Randy it's included in the package. So that totals $2,000 right there.

We are using STVS for video and we are saving another $2,000 there!

*Plus, when you use Disney you can't pick who you get, you are assigned to the video/photographer*