Newsletter content: We disagree!

[Mermaid_Ariel]

Okay, I have about 75% of the content typed up for newsletter #1. It's 1 page, front and back.

The first section is just a, "Hi! We're so happy you're joining us!"

Second section: Who's in the wedding party and who they are in relation to us

Third section: Welcome dinner (Now, since our wedding isn't until December I don't have any specific times for any of this) and a little about the food and the atmosphere.

Fourth section: Ceremony location, time, picture and a mention that transportation will be provided for all guests.

Fifth section: Where the lunch reception is with a little about the food and atmosphere

Sixth section: Talking about the Wishes cruise that we're planning, but I don't have many details on that

Seventh section: Accomodations. I recommended two resorts depending on budget (Either Caribbean Beach Resort or All-Stars) and explained a little about the benefits of staying on Disney property (such as Disney Magical Express and that there's a bus system)

Now, I figured I could go into details about how Disney transportation works in issue # 2, things to do while you stay there, information on tux fittings and other nitty-gritty details like what to do when you land in Orlando Airport, etc.

I guess my logic is - don't people want to know first what the heck they're going all this way for and THEN worry about nitty-gritty details like tux fittings, what to do while they're there, etc. I dunno. '

DF wrote his ideas like this:

"My thoughts on content:
Issue 1: How do I get there? Where do I stay? What dates do I have to understand? Why Disney, why now?
Issue 2: What are the plans? What should I bring? What can I do?
Issue 3: Who is everyone? What shouldn't I forget?"

I just don't see the point of putting what to bring and what they can do if they haven't booked flights or accomodations yet. And like I said, I just think that if I was a guest I'd want to know where we're eating and what we're doing.

I don't mind if you ladies think he's right, the newsletter is for the guest's benefits. It's just that my thought process was to iron out the big chunks first (ceremony site, time and where we're eating, welcome dinner) and THEN NOW I'm finally worrying about tux fittings and all the little things to make it work.

What do you think? In a nutshell, I think the ceremony, food plans and accomodations should be mentioned now and other details in issue # 2. He thinks it should be the reverse.

 

[GlobalDiva]

I definitely gotta agree with you on this one. Ceremony, eating plans, and accommodations are the most important thing.

The way DF has his ideas set up will give too much info to the guests all at once. You want the newsletter to be succinct (ESPECIALLY if it's the first newsletter), you don't want it to have extraneous info that's not needed at this point. Otherwise when people receive it, they're just bombarded with too many things to "keep in mind."

The "what to bring, what to do while you're there, don't forget this, etc" can come later. You're not travel agents planning their complete itineraries; you're inviting them to your wedding first and foremost. Of course, you will very kindly give them ideas for fun side activities as well, but this letter is one of the first pieces of info they receive about your wedding, so why give so much focus to OTHER unimportant stuff?

That's my opinion!

 

[shezfrombermuda]

I agree with you as well. I think in the first newsletter you should include details about the wedding, where it is, reception, etc., introduction of the wedding party and information on hotels. Perhaps you could include Why disney and why now? in the first newsletter.

In the second newsletter, I would include what should you pack, other plans you might have and other information guests would need closer to the time.

DF has good ideas and at least he is giving you some input unlike someone I know!

 

[Mermaid_Ariel]

You're not travel agents planning their complete itineraries; you're inviting them to your wedding first and foremost.

See, this is the point I think he's forgetting. I understand where he's coming from but I think he's not at least seeing my point. His point is that we shouldn't be mentioning where we're eating exactly yet because we don't officially have the reservations yet because of the 180 day mark.

I just never heard of anybody not getting their reservations for a large group if they called 180 days out. The fact is, we're definitely doing these reservations and they're all outside the theme park, but they are still popular choices.

Welcome Dinner: Whispering Canyon Cafe
Reception Lunch: 'Ohana
Day after breakfast: Kona Cafe

I just don't anticipate any problems but I think he's the type that if it's not set in stone than anything can happen. I mean, if something really bizarre happened and we couldn't get a reservation for some reason then we change plans, but I just really don't foresee that happening.

He's also concerned that we won't have much to talk about in the next issue. I think that once people read this issue, they'll book hotel in flight. And then there are new questions! Okay, what happens once I arrive in Orlando Airport. Where's the Disney Welcome Desk?? Where's my luggage? AHHH! So, we'll have plenty to discuss. Plus, I can talk in more detail about tux fittings, hair and makeup and maybe show off the bridesmaid dresses that we're picking this weekend. There will be a ton of stuff.

My Mother brought up a good point as well. She said that if we don't mention exactly where we're eating or what type of food it is, she KNOWS she'll immediately be going, "What kind food is that? Is it spicy? What if I can't eat it? Huh???" LOL Poor Grandma My whole side of the family is so funny when it comes to food. I admit it that I am, too. If there's a Birthday Dinner planned I wanna know exactly where and if they have a website so I can see the menu. XD

 

[disprincessatheart]

Ok, my opinion - I agree with your DF on the not mentioning all the details. I know what you mean about people wanting all the details on food and such, but it IS possible not to get the restaurants you want, and especially with something like the Wishes cruise that you can only book at 90 days out - those things can really change. I think times and dates should be mentioned now, but not specific restaurants as you really don't know for sure. FOr example, I wanted our wedding dinner at Narcoossee's. I knew we had to have the first seating, but each restaurant has different times they consider the first seating. If you leave it out for now, the next one can have one big detailed timeline wth transportation and all.

What they really need to know first off is when are all the events happening, so when do I absolutely need to be in Orlando, and where should I book accomodations. The rest can wait.

 

[Starr W.]

I would put in only what is firm right now. I think a lot of the girls have done multiple newsletters as things get closer like 180 day ADR windows, or update transporation schedules when no one books one hotel in the room block(ala Lurkyloo and her ).

 

[mufasa0505]

You also have to be careful about making the newsletter too bulky. If you give people too much to read, sometimes they'll ignore the whole thing because it's too much "work."

 

[mla1977]

Just thought of something re: dining for you. You should include some info about dining in general, including the 180 ADR info. For the meals that you plan on making reservations for, you do not need to provide specifics just yet (in case things change), but say we will be making group reservations for XYZ meals, reception/desert party will take place at XX:XX on XX/XX/XX, etc. Aside from these meals, advise everyone that they may want to make reservations for specific restaurants on their own.

 

[JaxTeach]

I agree with your logic. The first thing your guests have to do is decide to join you-- so they need to know the basics of the Welcome Dinner, ceremony, and reception details. People will need to book airfare soon. They will also need to book their accomodations soon. I believe Disney dining is now at 180 days for restaurants, so you might want to add a blurb about that and maybe a link to allearsnet.net so people can start researching other dining options if they are making a mini or full vacation out of their trip. I tend to forget that infrequent Disney visitors don't realize you have to plan WAY ahead for dining @ Disney.

Our final newsletter was insanely long (we only did 2). In that issue we included things to do at Disney and Orlando that did not require advanced booking. We also finalized times and locations for our Welcome Dinner.

 

[JonetteA]

We sent out two newsletters. I think you plan is really reasonable. I also did a "special edition" for those in the wedding party that needed more details that the rest of our guests!