Need Help from Escape and Swan Brides

[Icecoldpenguin]

So guys, I have been doing a lot of thinking and things for me are really in flux. I think there are a lot of things we all want to do and then we start looking at cost of things. So this thinking is making me start to look at escape weddings and also at swan/dolphin weddings. I am really glad we are going in december so we can meet with Disney and really hash this all out do the site visit and make some decisions. I am also going to try to meet with the swan/dolphin people as well. my point is though if anyone has any info on escape weddings they want to share or swan weddings please message me and I will give you my email I need all the research help I can get.

thank you for your help

Teresa

 

[TabZ]

Do you have the passporters guide to weddings and honeymoons? there is a wealth of information in there, especially with regard to Escape weddings.

Have you read through the sticky post about the S/D weddings at the top of the forum?

What kind of info are you looking for - am sure there will be plenty of people who have some info for you

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Sweetie - I have PM'd you!!!

 

[MrsDuck]

I know we're FB messaging and emailing but let me know if there's anything else I can do!

 

[Icecoldpenguin]

Thank you so much for everything.

Faith-thank you for being supportive and helping me I kind of think you are going to be the most helpful since we are getting married 5 days apart.

So here are my questions about swan weddings:

1. How do vendors work do I need to find my own?

2. How can I get a look at the cost of things because I have not really seen much as far as cost?

3. Are characters only available if you do a reception at Garden Grove and which characters are options?

4. Can I still do a dessert party through disney?

5. Are bridal sessions in the parks 100% out and for swan brides what have you done or are you planning to do to get awesome pictures at disney?

6. What comes with a swan wedding?...im not really understanding the email I got

Also for the record I do have the passporter book and there is a little about swan and dolphin weddings but not alot.

The passporter has been super helpful for looking into Escape weddings so here are my questions for that:

1. can you still get discounts on rooms for having an escape wedding?

2. can you still get bridal portrait park sessions?

3. what all applies to minimums with escape weddings or does it work that way?

4. what are good restaurants to do a meal with your group at and sort of decorate it to have a mini reception?

5. are character meals good to do in your bridal gear? because I don't want to miss out on characters

Ok I think this is it for now.

Thanks guys,
Teresa

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Right sweetie here goes:-


1. It is entirely up to you!!! 'Just Marry' have preferred vendors with which they work frequently and trust. You can either book them (and they will work with you on the details to get what you want) or you can research and book your own vendors. I did a mixture - I booked my own officiant, photographer, musician, cake-maker, hair and make-up and reception. I went with Karen's advice with floral and transport. I was going my own way with floral too, but that didn't work out!! Whether you choose your own vendors or use 'JustMarry''s recommended ones, Karen will have all their numbers and is happy to co-ordinate with them on the day, but obviously JM will take no responsibility for the work of vendors you book yourself!!! Mine all worked out perfectly!!

2. Costs vary enormously according to what you want, location, number of guests etc. My advice would be to get a rough idea of how many guests, when, what you want etc and then drop JM (or Karen if you are already in contact) an e-mail.

3. The same rules (and prices ) apply to S/D brides as to DFTW brides as regards characters. You can have the same characters attend under the same circumstances as DFTW brides. You do not have to have a reception at Garden Grove to achieve this.

4. You can still arrange a dessert party through Disney, however it should be arranged through the events department rather than DFTW. You should say that it is for a 'family gathering' or 'celebration' when booking and not a wedding as if they think you are booking for a wedding, you will be referred to DFTW and up go your minimums!! You can wear your wedding dress to the event if you chose a 'Wishes' DP, as it takes place at the GF and not in the MK. If you chose an in park DP (Epcot or DHS) you would have to change out of bridal attire for the event.

5. You can have a bridal session in any park except MK - a session in bridal attire at the MK is a privilege reserved exclusively for DFTW brides. Whether you are a DFTW bride or a S/D bride, you need to use DPS for such a session as outside photographers are never allowed in the theme parks.
I wanted something completely in contrast to the more formal pictures on the VR day, and so we had a TTD session with Randy at the Poly a few days later - we shot in the Lagoon, on the beach, at SP and in the pool. The result was some of my favourite pictures of the whole trip, and it was great fun!!! It cost me about $200.00 (excellent value!!) and was an excuse to wear my dress again!! My dress is now cleaned and as good as new. It didn't really get 'trashed' at all!!

6. Again, it is up to you. I booked the 'bare-bones' minimum package as I wanted more control, and added my vendors and details as I went along. My package included venue (West Courtyard), chairs, water station set up at ceremony site, rain back-up location, suite to get ready in (if required), use of flatware, glasses, plates etc for the cake and champagne pre-reception and all Karen's excellent services for planning the event and co-ordinating the day. JM offer various different packages which can include as much or as little as you want!!

I won't even pretend to be an expert on 'Escape' packages, and I am sure somebody, with knowledge far superior to mine on the subject, will be along to help with that one!!

Please feel free to check out my PJ/TR (link is in my signature) and don't hesitate to ask if you have other queries or questions!!!
HTH and good luck with your decision!!

 

[Icecoldpenguin]

Right sweetie here goes:-

1.
It is entirely up to you!!! 'Just Marry' have preferred vendors with which they work frequently and trust. You can either book them (and they will work with you on the details to get what you want) or you can research and book your own vendors. I did a mixture - I booked my own officiant, photographer, musician, cake-maker, hair and make-up and reception. I went with Karen's advice with floral and transport. I was going my own way with floral too, but that didn't work out!! Whether you choose your own vendors or use 'JustMarry''s recommended ones, Karen will have all their numbers and is happy to co-ordinate with them on the day, but obviously JM will take no responsibility for the work of vendors you book yourself!!! Mine all worked out perfectly!!

2. Costs vary enormously according to what you want, location, number of guests etc. My advice would be to get a rough idea of how many guests, when, what you want etc and then drop JM (or Karen if you are already in contact) an e-mail.

3. The same rules (and prices ) apply to S/D brides as to DFTW brides as regards characters. You can have the same characters attend under the same circumstances as DFTW brides. You do not have to have a reception at Garden Grove to achieve this.

4. You can still arrange a dessert party through Disney, however it should be arranged through the events department rather than DFTW. You should say that it is for a 'family gathering' or 'celebration' when booking and not a wedding as if they think you are booking for a wedding, you will be referred to DFTW and up go your minimums!! You can wear your wedding dress to the event if you chose a 'Wishes' DP, as it takes place at the GF and not in the MK. If you chose an in park DP (Epcot or DHS) you would have to change out of bridal attire for the event.

5. You can have a bridal session in any park except MK - a session in bridal attire at the MK is a privilege reserved exclusively for DFTW brides. Whether you are a DFTW bride or a S/D bride, you need to use DPS for such a session as outside photographers are never allowed in the theme parks.
I wanted something completely in contrast to the more formal pictures on the VR day, and so we had a TTD session with Randy at the Poly a few days later - we shot in the Lagoon, on the beach, at SP and in the pool. The result was some of my favourite pictures of the whole trip, and it was great fun!!! It cost me about $200.00 (excellent value!!) and was an excuse to wear my dress again!! My dress is now cleaned and as good as new. It didn't really get 'trashed' at all!!

6. Again, it is up to you. I booked the 'bare-bones' minimum package as I wanted more control, and added my vendors and details as I went along. My package included venue (West Courtyard), chairs, water station set up at ceremony site, rain back-up location, suite to get ready in (if required), use of flatware, glasses, plates etc for the cake and champagne pre-reception and all Karen's excellent services for planning the event and co-ordinating the day. JM offer various different packages which can include as much or as little as you want!!

I won't even pretend to be an expert on 'Escape' packages, and I am sure somebody, with knowledge far superior to mine on the subject, will be along to help with that one!!

Please feel free to check out my PJ/TR (link is in my signature) and don't hesitate to ask if you have other queries or questions!!!
HTH and good luck with your decision!!

Ok you are officially lifesaver! So I can say that if we go with what I had originally planned we have about 48 people I could probably push that to 50-60 honestly but with disney I was trying to cut down on cost.

I want to dance at my reception that is priority number 1 I also want to do an awesome vinylmation/star wars themed wedding in peacock jewel tone colors. I don't want too many flowers either.

I already have Randy chapman and stan from STVS on board for the wedding and Tim herring as my officiant. The trash the dress sounds awesome....but your dress is ok? What do your pictures look like?

I think I can be ok with giving up castle pictures as Disney already is irritating me that MK sessions are not available when I am getting married. So in that case I am good with Hollywood studios which is my favorite park and maybe animal kingdom since I do love nature or Epcot but not at any of the traditional places I like future world and the UK and the Americas most.

So if I book a dessert party through events then show up in my wedding dress disney won't kill me? I hope not! lol

thank you so much!

Teresa

 

[MrsDuck]

Jo has already answered your questions really well but I figured I'd throw in my 2 cents as well!

1. You can have Just Marry book your vendors, or you can book them yourself! I've found it's easier and cheaper to let Just Marry book my vendors. I like all of their preferred vendors so I'm happy! The only outside vendor I have is my photographer but that's just because I love her so much. I may or may not bring in my own cake.

2. This is something you'll just need to ask Karen. Like I said, I'm having a wedding for 60 people for a little under $10k. We're doing the whole shebang.. but we aren't having a DJ or centerpieces since our reception will be in a restaurant without a private room.

3. You can get characters outside of Garden Grove-- it just so happens that I'm using GG because I love it and because the characters are included. Bonus!

4. Yes to the DP. Use Disney Events instead of DFTW. Like Jo said, make it a "family celebration" instead of a wedding. No bridal attire in the park.

5. You can have a session in any park but MK.

6. I did the bare bones as well- which is the cheapest you can get (basically the venue, the planner, the set-up, and a water station, I believe) and then added on the additional services that I wanted.

As far as the other questions...

1. I believe you can still get room discounts with Escape but I'm not sure.

2. I think you can add on park sessions as well.

I don't know the answers to the rest of your questions!

Hope this helps!

 

[Chilly]

1. can you still get discounts on rooms for having an escape wedding?
Yes if you set up a room block

2. can you still get bridal portrait park sessions?
Yes you can

3. what all applies to minimums with escape weddings or does it work that way?
A minimum is only triggered if you want a private reception that your planner books, the minimum is $7500 but the cost of the escape package is included in that. I think the minimum also applys at weekends.

4. what are good restaurants to do a meal with your group at and sort of decorate it to have a mini reception?
Lots of restaurants have private rooms you can book to have a mini reception that won't trigger the minimum, or you could just do an ADR, Citricos is the best i've heard reports on but also the Cali Grill & Ohana

5. are character meals good to do in your bridal gear? because I don't want to miss out on characters
Yes i've heard of brides doing this, as long as its not in park your fine to do this. You can also have characters at an Escape wedding, they'd come to the cake and champagne reception that is included in the package

 

[lurkyloo]

1. can you still get discounts on rooms for having an escape wedding?

Room blocks with discounts have not been available to Escape weddings for quite some time now - you may need to download an updated version of the book. You can get the latest version for free by going back into your order in the PassPorter Store and clicking the link to re-download it.

2. can you still get bridal portrait park sessions?

Yes

3. what all applies to minimums with escape weddings or does it work that way?

There are no minimums for Escape weddings unless you add a private event or have your ceremony on the weekend. That triggers a $7,500 minimum, and any services provided by Disney on your wedding day count toward it.

 

[Chilly]

Ignore my answer to question 1 and listen to Carrie instead!

 

[2dogmom]

Jo and Faith covered everything, but I will answer anyway

1. I'm working with Karen from Just Marry. I contracted the basic plan and added on some floral (actually the beach setup) and the officiant. I have contracted Randy Chapman on my own because the price he gave me directly was better than the price through Just Marry. Karen has been really good about letting me figure out what I want to do on my own and add on if I want as we go along.

2. Karen has provided everything I have asked for.

3. Yes they are, but I am not doing them.

4. Like Jo said, do it as an event and don't mention you are getting married.


1. If you are doing a Swan wedding, and you know you will definitely be having a lot of rooms, you can contact a travel agent and work on getting a rook block at a discount. If you need help with that, I work for a travel agency as my side gig (I love planning disney trips) and we can help you with this.

 

[lurkyloo]

Ignore my answer to question 1 and listen to Carrie instead!

It was a very quiet change...

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Ok you are officially lifesaver! So I can say that if we go with what I had originally planned we have about 48 people I could probably push that to 50-60 honestly but with disney I was trying to cut down on cost.

I want to dance at my reception that is priority number 1 I also want to do an awesome vinylmation/star wars themed wedding in peacock jewel tone colors. I don't want too many flowers either.

I already have Randy chapman and stan from STVS on board for the wedding and Tim herring as my officiant. The trash the dress sounds awesome....but your dress is ok? What do your pictures look like?

I think I can be ok with giving up castle pictures as Disney already is irritating me that MK sessions are not available when I am getting married. So in that case I am good with Hollywood studios which is my favorite park and maybe animal kingdom since I do love nature or Epcot but not at any of the traditional places I like future world and the UK and the Americas most.

So if I book a dessert party through events then show up in my wedding dress disney won't kill me? I hope not! lol

thank you so much!

Teresa

Teresa sweetie
If you are wanting to dance at your reception and you have your ceremony at the S/D, you can always look into booking one of their rooms to have a DJ and dancing - just ask Karen.
If you run with DFTW's 'Escape' package, you will not be able to have the amount of guests that you are hoping to have. Also, remember that in order to have a DJ, dancing etc, you would have to book a private reception through DFTW, and that would trigger the $7500.00 minimum spend.
My dress is as good as new following my TTD session. You can see the photos in my trip report if you wish, but below are some examples!!

You can have your bridal attire session in any of the other parks - no problem!!!
No, Disney will not kill you if you show up at your 'Wishes' DP at the GF in your dress. You are perfectly entitled to be at a resort in bridal attire and many S/D brides have done this!!

HTH

 

[MrsDuck]

Teresa sweetie
If you are wanting to dance at your reception and you have your ceremony at the S/D, you can always look into booking one of their rooms to have a DJ and dancing - just ask Karen.

Also, depending on the time of day and location, I think some private restaurants do allow dancing. I know Michelle and Russell had an S/D wedding with dancing at BlueZoo. They just used an iPod but you could inquire about the DJ.

 

[princesswendy720]

Also, depending on the time of day and location, I think some private restaurants do allow dancing. I know Michelle and Russell had an S/D wedding with dancing at BlueZoo. They just used an iPod but you could inquire about the DJ.

I was going to suggest renting out Bluezoo as well..I think it would be perfect with your theme!

 

[Icecoldpenguin]

Also, depending on the time of day and location, I think some private restaurants do allow dancing. I know Michelle and Russell had an S/D wedding with dancing at BlueZoo. They just used an iPod but you could inquire about the DJ.

This would be something to look into Greg thinks I will really like Blue Zoo just depends on the time of day we get married and I still want to do a DP for wishes.

Teresa sweetie
If you are wanting to dance at your reception and you have your ceremony at the S/D, you can always look into booking one of their rooms to have a DJ and dancing - just ask Karen.
If you run with DFTW's 'Escape' package, you will not be able to have the amount of guests that you are hoping to have. Also, remember that in order to have a DJ, dancing etc, you would have to book a private reception through DFTW, and that would trigger the $7500.00 minimum spend.
My dress is as good as new following my TTD session. You can see the photos in my trip report if you wish, but below are some examples!!

You can have your bridal attire session in any of the other parks - no problem!!!
No, Disney will not kill you if you show up at your 'Wishes' DP at the GF in your dress. You are perfectly entitled to be at a resort in bridal attire and many S/D brides have done this!!

HTH

The minimum thing is another reason I am going away from an escape wedding and I don't want to cut my guest list. Karen and I talked today and we are looking into space availability and if so then a tour when I am there in december to discuss options. We also talked about the ballroom idea and there is a room called the peacock which is great since I am doing peacock jewel tones for colors

I still want to do a DHS portrait session and maybe an epcot session I am scratching the MK session it just does not seem worth it. I am also highly considering a trash the dress session!

Ok good that they won't kill me for wearing my dress...although I still might change anyway.

Jo and Faith covered everything, but I will answer anyway

1. I'm working with Karen from Just Marry. I contracted the basic plan and added on some floral (actually the beach setup) and the officiant. I have contracted Randy Chapman on my own because the price he gave me directly was better than the price through Just Marry. Karen has been really good about letting me figure out what I want to do on my own and add on if I want as we go along.

2. Karen has provided everything I have asked for.

3. Yes they are, but I am not doing them.

4. Like Jo said, do it as an event and don't mention you are getting married.


1. If you are doing a Swan wedding, and you know you will definitely be having a lot of rooms, you can contact a travel agent and work on getting a rook block at a discount. If you need help with that, I work for a travel agency as my side gig (I love planning disney trips) and we can help you with this.

Karen was very helpful today I agree! I dont want to have to find my own floral so she is gonna get stuff priced for me. I picked my officiant my photo and video.

I may take you up on your travel agent offer

1. can you still get discounts on rooms for having an escape wedding?
Yes if you set up a room block

2. can you still get bridal portrait park sessions?
Yes you can

3. what all applies to minimums with escape weddings or does it work that way?
A minimum is only triggered if you want a private reception that your planner books, the minimum is $7500 but the cost of the escape package is included in that. I think the minimum also applys at weekends.

4. what are good restaurants to do a meal with your group at and sort of decorate it to have a mini reception?
Lots of restaurants have private rooms you can book to have a mini reception that won't trigger the minimum, or you could just do an ADR, Citricos is the best i've heard reports on but also the Cali Grill & Ohana

5. are character meals good to do in your bridal gear? because I don't want to miss out on characters
Yes i've heard of brides doing this, as long as its not in park your fine to do this. You can also have characters at an Escape wedding, they'd come to the cake and champagne reception that is included in the package

Thanks for the escape info...I think disney with all of their restrictions is just stressing me out more because there is always a BUT with them.

Jo has already answered your questions really well but I figured I'd throw in my 2 cents as well!

1. You can have Just Marry book your vendors, or you can book them yourself! I've found it's easier and cheaper to let Just Marry book my vendors. I like all of their preferred vendors so I'm happy! The only outside vendor I have is my photographer but that's just because I love her so much. I may or may not bring in my own cake.

2. This is something you'll just need to ask Karen. Like I said, I'm having a wedding for 60 people for a little under $10k. We're doing the whole shebang.. but we aren't having a DJ or centerpieces since our reception will be in a restaurant without a private room.

3. You can get characters outside of Garden Grove-- it just so happens that I'm using GG because I love it and because the characters are included. Bonus!

4. Yes to the DP. Use Disney Events instead of DFTW. Like Jo said, make it a "family celebration" instead of a wedding. No bridal attire in the park.

5. You can have a session in any park but MK.

6. I did the bare bones as well- which is the cheapest you can get (basically the venue, the planner, the set-up, and a water station, I believe) and then added on the additional services that I wanted.

As far as the other questions...

1. I believe you can still get room discounts with Escape but I'm not sure.

2. I think you can add on park sessions as well.

I don't know the answers to the rest of your questions!

Hope this helps!

Thanks faith for everything I will probably go with the base as well and then just add on.

So far I picked my officiant, video and photo. I will need help with floral and decoration, setting up a reception in a ballroom, music (dj or ipod) and dance floor, cake, menus for the reception, disney characters

I feel much better now and I appreciate everything everyone has done to help me not feel so scattered.

Teresa

 

[Jilian]

FYI anyone can do a Disney room block as long as you can guarantee at least 10 rooms for one night during your stay. I set up a block through Disney leisure travel, they offered pretty decent prices and 10% off of tickets and a free perk like golf or a water park. We didn't end up going with the block though because free dining came out during our stay so we went with that. The Swan/Dolphin will also offer a block for 10 rooms, you just call and speak with someone from the sales department. We are doing our VR during peak season in March and I believe it was $189/night they offered us. Disney offered us $165/night for moderates in our block. HTH!

Another option for dancing would be to do it just after the ceremony, a lot of people do that and then cut the cake and go on to have dinner at a restaurant instead of a formal reception.

 

[MrsDuck]

FYI anyone can do a Disney room block as long as you can guarantee at least 10 rooms for one night during your stay. I set up a block through Disney leisure travel, they offered pretty decent prices and 10% off of tickets and a free perk like golf or a water park. We didn't end up going with the block though because free dining came out during our stay so we went with that. The Swan/Dolphin will also offer a block for 10 rooms, you just call and speak with someone from the sales department. We are doing our VR during peak season in March and I believe it was $189/night they offered us. Disney offered us $165/night for moderates in our block. HTH!

Another option for dancing would be to do it just after the ceremony, a lot of people do that and then cut the cake and go on to have dinner at a restaurant instead of a formal reception.

That's great info! Thanks Jilian!

 

[Icecoldpenguin]

well it does not look like a reception at the swan is do-able they have a $4,000 minimum for their ballrooms and that does not include tax or gratuity. That puts my guest list at about $100 per person and to me that is just way too much money. So I would have to figure out other options...ideas?

Oh and Lindsey said that at blue zoo we can't move tables around or anything that if wanted to just do a brunch in the room is one thing but we can't move tables around to create dance space, even a small dance space.

just a heads up for future brides.

Teresa