Need help with intimate wedding planning

[minnienurse01]

Hi everyone! This is my first post, as I am pretty new to this forum Anyway, I need some help/advice regarding an intimate wedding. I spoke to a planner today (I don't remember her name) and she didn't give me too much information. So here goes... I'm planning an intimate wedding for May 2009. We are planning on SBP. I know that we can have only 18 people at the ceremony, but there will be 40+ at our dinner. Here are my questions... hope someone can help me out

1. I know that only 18 people can be inside our SBP gazebo, but since the walkway is open to the public, can some of the guests linger around to watch the ceremony without getting in trouble? Is there security that enforces the wedding??

2. The Disney Wedding planner said that if we have an intimate, but want 40 people at the post-ceremony dinner that we would have to book the private dining room on our own. We are looking at California Grill (Napa room), Fulton's Crab house and Portobello Yatch Club. Anyone had an intimate reception there? And I would have to go through ADR to get the California Grill.

3. Also does anyone know a good vendor to decorate SBP and our reception room?

4. Can you have Mickey and Minnie come to an intimate reception dinner that was booked through ADR (ie. California Grill)?

I can any advice that you guys have. I would do a wishes wedding, but I was told that if you party is over 40 people, that it would require 50 room reservations. I don't know that we can guareentee that many rooms. Thank you for reading my post, as I will have more to come to keep you updated!!

 

[TinkerFairy]

to the DIS!


1. I know that only 18 people can be inside our SBP gazebo, but since the walkway is open to the public, can some of the guests linger around to watch the ceremony without getting in trouble? Is there security that enforces the wedding??

I don't know much about SBP, but I wouldn't think they would be a security type team to shoo away guests watching a wedding from the walkway. If you had 40 people standing around looking, someone might say something if it was obstructing movement for other guests.

2. The Disney Wedding planner said that if we have an intimate, but want 40 people at the post-ceremony dinner that we would have to book the private dining room on our own. We are looking at California Grill (Napa room), Fulton's Crab house and Portobello Yatch Club. Anyone had an intimate reception there? And I would have to go through ADR to get the California Grill.

If you had to book your dining on your own for that many people, you would need to go through Grand Gatherings if I'm not mistaken. I made a ADR for the 20 of us and had no problem, but I also went with a less popular? restraunt. Having a huge at home reception, I didn't mind losing out on a big deal down there, I was happy with a magical wedding.


4. Can you have Mickey and Minnie come to an intimate reception dinner that was booked through ADR (ie. California Grill)?
I know you could have them at the location of your provided cake/champaign post ceremony celebration, and I would assume if you had a private room booked it would be ok, but I'm not 100% sure. If you just made a general ADR somewhere, I would doubt Disney would do it, and I don't think I would want to go ahead with that anyways, simply because other guests might cut into your expensive time with whichever charcter you choose.

Granted I'm no expert, and your absolute best bet would be to speak with someone at DFTW. They didn't really give me a whole lot of information either until we hit the 8 month mark. I'm sure the expierenced brides on here can lend some more useful information to you, as I'm really just making assumptions.

Good luck and happy planning!

 

[purplegirl247]

I can't help with much, but here's my two cents...

We had our reception at Portabello's and it went beautifully. Granted, we only had 16 people total, but the food was good, the servers were nice, and it was elegant without being overly expensive. We were there for lunch (around 2:30, oddly enough) and the place was EMPTY. When we went to view the area on a Saturday afternoon, it was also empty. I guess their rush is during the dinner hours, so if you're planning to eat late, they can probably set you up with a more private area if need be.

As for a vendor decorator, we were at the Yacht Club Gazebo and didn't use/need any decor at all. I think SBP is similarly beautiful, but I know some people have put swag or rose petals down.

HTH! GL!

 

[lurkyloo]

Yeah, I've heard that if Disney thinks you're trying to go over your guest limit (like by having 22 people milling around in the walkway at SBP) they will imediately cancel your wedding - yikes!

Portobello Yacht Club, Fulton's and Raglan Road are all really friendly to large groups - check them out. You wouldn't be able to have Mickey & Minnie there, but they can come to your cake-cutting ceremony.

PurpleGirl had her Intimate reception at Portobello and APrincess did hers at Raglan Road - do a search and you'll turn up their super-helpful trip reports!

 

[Chantelle]

There's a reason Disney limits the numbers for the intimate weddings to keep the wedding costs down. If you really want that many people see you get married, then you should be doing a custom wedding. Maybe you are unable to afford it, but there are a lot of us intimate brides who were in that boat and kept our numbers down to 20 or less. I think it is kind of ridiculous that you think you can bend the rules and have extra people show up to your wedding without paying the custom costs all the other brides are. I am pretty sure Disney does not allow you to sneak extra guests in and you'll probably just end up hurting future brides by trying to do so since Disney will have to come up with stricter guidelines and regulations. Thats just my two cents.

 

[minnienurse01]

Thanks for all of the helpful information so far!! I have no idea which direction I want to take things. I wouldn't mind doing a Wishes Wedding, but if I have over 40 guests, I think I have to require 50 nights stay I feel like I would be asking too much from my guests to fly down to Florida AND spend a couple nights at a Disney resort. I tried to talk to one of the Disney Wedding Planners on what our required night stay would be for 40-50 guests, and he would not give out any information. Soooo stressful!!! Thanks for everyone's help so far!! I'll keep you updated!!!

 

[TinkerFairy]

Since you are so far in advance, I would start talking to family/friends/ect. NOW and get a feel for who would be going and staying on property. Values and Moderates can be quite affordable, especially with a code. We just switched to ASmu from POP because of the code that just came out, and that saved us an extra $750.00. For 10 days with park hoppers and dining our package is only $1700, which for Disney, IMHO, is very, very affordable.


If your only issue with a Wishes wedding is the room blocks, I think there are a few brides who actually recruited other DIS'ers to fill the empty spaces.

 

[minnienurse01]

There's a reason Disney limits the numbers for the intimate weddings to keep the wedding costs down. If you really want that many people see you get married, then you should be doing a custom wedding. Maybe you are unable to afford it, but there are a lot of us intimate brides who were in that boat and kept our numbers down to 20 or less. I think it is kind of ridiculous that you think you can bend the rules and have extra people show up to your wedding without paying the custom costs all the other brides are. I am pretty sure Disney does not allow you to sneak extra guests in and you'll probably just end up hurting future brides by trying to do so since Disney will have to come up with stricter guidelines and regulations. Thats just my two cents.

Chantelle- I don't know why I offended you so much to write the reply that you did, but I was asking for helpful advice, not criticism on behalf of my character. I was not trying to "bend the rules". I was simply asking if anyone has been told or knows if it's okay for a few people to stand outside the gazebo. It would be a different story if I knew that it wasn't okay and still decided to do it. It was just a question.

 

[Tabetha]

Thanks for all of the helpful information so far!! I have no idea which direction I want to take things. I wouldn't mind doing a Wishes Wedding, but if I have over 40 guests, I think I have to require 50 nights stay I feel like I would be asking too much from my guests to fly down to Florida AND spend a couple nights at a Disney resort. I tried to talk to one of the Disney Wedding Planners on what our required night stay would be for 40-50 guests, and he would not give out any information. Soooo stressful!!! Thanks for everyone's help so far!! I'll keep you updated!!!

The room block requirement for 41-75 guests is 50 nights.
Look at it this way, if people are flying down, they have to stay somewhere, right? If they're told they get a discount for staying on property, that may help sway people, but ultimately, I think if people are coming, they're coming. Don't sweat it, just lay out the options to them.

 

[jodeeluvsdisney]

Its A-OK to ask questions...that's what this board is for...don't worry about the "tone" of some of the replies you may receive...some of us are truly here to help.

I think some people forget that when you are brand new and in the pre-planning stages you really do not know all of the rules!! And, I know from experience, as I'm having an Intimate wedding next year, that your first call to Disney does not give you a lot of information!

So, have fun planning and ask away!

 

[minnienurse01]

Ok, so i think that I've finally come up with a solution that I like! I have decided to make things very simple. I think that Sunset Pointe is absolutely beautiful and intimate. Ceremony would consist of my mom, dad, brother and grandma, his mom, dad, and sister. Then we could have our cake cutting ceremony there and go to dinner just the 9-10 of us. I'm thinking of Ohana although I've never been there. Me and DB (yes I know we're not engaged yet We're waiting until I graduate from Nursing school. Only 8 more weeks!!) are flying down to Florida in Feb to look around and eat at some of the restaurants that we will possibly hold our small reception dinner.

Anyone know what disney resorts have nice rooms for a romantic honeymoon? I would really like a jacuzzi for our honeymoon!!

So as far as our big reception, we are going to have in back in Michigan with a slight Disney touch. I'll post some pics of ideas and some things I've found!

 

[minnienurse01]

Ok here is the cake topper that I found on ebay that I really like. I was thinking of have a 3 tiered cake buttercream frosting with some small touches of blue. I think this cake topper is enough and I don't want my cake to look too gaudy.

And here is a picture of the flowers! I love blue hydrangeas!! I think that they are so beautiful and elegant! I am going to have my bridal bouquet with blue hydrangeas. There is a really good picture of the bouquet on proflowers but it won't let me copy the actual picture.

 

[jodeeluvsdisney]

Just an FYI, a really cute keepsake Mickey and Minnie cake topper is included in the Escape packages!!!

 

[mcarthur205]

Ok, so i think that I've finally come up with a solution that I like! I have decided to make things very simple. I think that Sunset Pointe is absolutely beautiful and intimate. Ceremony would consist of my mom, dad, brother and grandma, his mom, dad, and sister. Then we could have our cake cutting ceremony there and go to dinner just the 9-10 of us.

I noticed that you're planning your wedding for May 2009. Disney only allows Sunset Pointe to be used between October and March because of the heat and the fact that there's very little shade at this location. I agree it is a beautiful spot, my DH and I were considering using it for our VR (also in 2009!), but we'll probably exceed the guest limit there so we'll go for SBP instead I think.

Not sure what your budget is for hotel accommodation, but if you want a jacuzzi you're probably looking at one of the deluxe hotels. We rented points in 2006 for a stay at the BWV in a one bedroom villa and there was a jacuzzi in the bathroom there. It was great!

Best wishes and enjoy your planning!

 

[minnienurse01]

I noticed that you're planning your wedding for May 2009. Disney only allows Sunset Pointe to be used between October and March because of the heat and the fact that there's very little shade at this location. I agree it is a beautiful spot, my DH and I were considering using it for our VR (also in 2009!), but we'll probably exceed the guest limit there so we'll go for SBP instead I think.

Not sure what your budget is for hotel accommodation, but if you want a jacuzzi you're probably looking at one of the deluxe hotels. We rented points in 2006 for a stay at the BWV in a one bedroom villa and there was a jacuzzi in the bathroom there. It was great!

Best wishes and enjoy your planning!

Thank you soo much for informing me that Sunset Pointe is not available for May. I'm kinda bummed, but I still think that Sea Breeze Pointe is beautiful too. Thanks so much for making me aware before I started getting too excited. I guess I'm back to SBP

 

[Skylarr29]

For wishes weddings your guests get a discount on rooms, you do not with an intimate.

Also if your planner makes you book the Cali Grill by yourself, it is only available for booking to Fla residents (not sure if you are) and conventions (If you are not booking through DFTW)

 

[Ticky Toria 78]

Hi, just wanted to welcome you to the board.

We got married at the Yacht Club Gazebo, as we had a small wedding. May time is lovely for a wedding. I've seen SBP and it's beautiful - happy planning!

 

[sajilunni]

Welcome and have fun planning! I gathered a bunch of info on intimate weddings from another thread I started but I'll paste it here:

Here are some things that I've learned if anyone else is just starting to plan:

1. The 2008 price for an Escape wedding is $4000. This includes all the old amenities (location, bouquet, boutanierre, one cake that feeds 20 with your choice of filling, Mickey cake topper, 1 bottle of champagne, a violinist, 4 consecutive hours of an 8 person limo, 20 4x6 photos) plus 2 annual passes. The maximum allowed is 18 guests plus the bride and groom (children are counted as guests). The Wedding Pavilion location is $1000 extra.

2. Locations can be held by Disney at exactly 12 months in advance. You call and they pencil in the date and send you a contract. You mail back the signed contract with a $750 deposit and they confirm the date. The times available are M-Th: 10AM, 12PM, 2:30PM and 5PM.

3. Sunset Pointe (Poly Resort) is only available Oct-March. It is a beach with a 10 person capacity. Sunrise Terrace (Wilderness Resort) is on the 4th floor and overlooks the mountain stream, but it has a 10 person capacity. The Wedding Gazebo (Yacht Club) is in a rose garden and holds a large capacity. Sea Breeze Point (Boardwalk Resort) overlooks Crescent lake and holds a large capacity.

4. Wedding attire is not allowed in the parks at all, but they are allowed at the resorts (hotels). If you book an Illuminations dessert party, you can be specially escorteed by a CM in your wedding attire to Epcot Park. Otherwise all dinner/reception venues are at the resorts.

5. Fireworks cruises: all private boats available have capacities of 12 or less. Grand1 yacht holds 12. Pontoon boats hold 10. Breathless holds 4 at most. Grand Gatherings offers a Magical Fireworks Voyage for large parties with visits from Peter Pan and Hook (I'm not sure if it leaves from the park, whether wedding attire would be permitted on board).

6. Post-wedding dinners for large parties (over 8 I believe) have to be when the restaurant first opens for dinner, usually around 5-5:30PM. I've heard that a few restaurants will give large parties the last seating too, around 9:30PM. So if you book a 5PM wedding, you are unlikely to get a standard dinner time, unless you book a private room.

7. Private dinner rooms available are: Citrico's Chefs Domain (capacity 12, $650 minimum), California Grill Sonoma Room (capacity 40, $2000 minimum) and Napa Room (capacity 60, $3000 minimum), Jiko's Wine Room (capacity 20, $2500 minimum), Victoria and Alberts (capacity 21, $1750 for first 10 guests), DTD Fulton's (capacity 40 , $2000 minimum).

8. Here are pictures of the reception venues:
http://www.tazfoto.com/webhtml/wdw_locations.htm

9. Here are ALL the phone numbers at Disney:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread....+contact+snail

If anyone else has some efficient info to add or edit, feel free!

Jil

 

[sajilunni]

Oh and I forgot to add two more things:
1. Officiants are not included in the Escape package. They typically run $150-$250. You can bring your own officiant as well, but then they will be included in the number of guests.

2. You can hire your own outside photographer, then you will get a credit to get 2 5x7 photos from a Disney photographer. Any of your guests are allowed to take their own photographs or video.

 

[jodeeluvsdisney]

Nice job Jil! I think that is a very good summary of details for an Escape wedding!!!