Non-Disney Disney Wedding?

[tiggerrifficheidi]

If he was in the Navy in Vietnam, your dad qualifies under the "Active or retired military personnel" criterion. (When I called today, they said the only former military personnel who don't qualify are those who were dishonorably discharged.)

Lurkyloo---don't want to question or cause confusion, but I'm pretty sure "active or retired" means they hold an ID card of some sort. If you're retired after 20 years or so, you still have an ID card. If you separate after serving for a while, you don't.

I've stayed there (and looked into a farewell b'fast there), but I'm active. My dad served 4 years in the Army from 1960-1964, and he cannot (without my sponsorship), even though he's a veteran, because he didn't retire.

Here's the laundry list of "eligibility" from the SoG website.

http://www.shadesofgreen.org/eligibility.htm

It looks like it would have to be 100% service connected disability to be eligible.

Also of note, DoD employees AND DoD contractors are eligible. Nowadays there are LOTS of DoD contractors.

Maybe you can "adopt a service member" There are always folks who don't get many care packages in Iraq!! (believe it or not!) I always got the most mail, and I was teased by my Soldiers...until I told them that when you shop online, you get to shop AND you get mail!!

 

[disbridemimi]

I was wondering how he would prove it? Im not sure if he has any ID or anything. Im going to call him today, and send an email to SOG to clarify.

Are you sure they military person does not need to be present? I have a friend that would totally vouch for me, but I thought they had to be there. That list of eligibility is very confusing to me.


So confusing. lol. we need a SOG weddng sticky with FAQ etc. I think people would utilize it way more if it was more clear.

One thing I promise is that no matter where we do our ceremony, if it is off site or SOG I will do a details TR to help future brides.


Those PJ & TR are SOOOOOO helpful to us future brides, so ladies and gentleman KEEP EM COMING

 

[lurkyloo]

Thanks for explaining that, Heidi! I was hoping you'd come along and give us the inside scoop.

Watch - you may now be inundated with requests for sponsorship!

 

[srferson]

Hey DisBrideMimi,

Can you let us know what you find out from SoG?

Their detailed list of eligibility criteria indicates to me that there are probably a lot of people who have been in the military in the past who don't meet SoG criteria now. I mean, if my brother-in-law, who was honorably discharged with a disability doesn't meet the criteria, I don't think my dad or my fiance's dad, both of whom served for a few years in their earlier days, would fit either.

Plus, I have people who do meet the criteria who could "vouch" for me, but not anyone that will be at the wedding.

By the way, what are PJ and TR?

 

[disbridemimi]

PJ= Planning Journal
TR= trip report

I will let you know as soon as I know. The planner at SOG has been great about getting back to me quickly, so Ill get back to you.

 

[tiggerrifficheidi]

Thanks for explaining that, Heidi! I was hoping you'd come along and give us the inside scoop.

Watch - you may now be inundated with requests for sponsorship!

Well, I'm not sure I cleared anything up! I think I just muddied the waters...

DisBrideMimi, I also would love to know what you find out, because I'm unclear on what they mean by "sponsor." When I looked at having my parents stay at SoG during our wedding, we were told we'd have to "sponsor" them, which meant check them in and technically be staying there, too. But, I'm sure no one would be able to verify that as long as our name was on the room.

But, maybe there's different criteria for sponsorship for events vs. hotel stay?

 

[disbridemimi]

The sponsorship requirements are the same for events and booking. So my father would not qualify.

 

[MegKate]

We were thinking about staying at SOG when we go down. DF (in addition to being a spiffy meteorologist) works for the Dept. of Defense as a civilian.I must say the rules confuse me as well.

 

[goin' goofy]

I'm not sure what price range you are looking for, but I've also been looking into some alternative "Disney Wedding" options for the last couple months and might have an idea for you.

Fulton's Crab House at Downtown Disney will let you do wedding ceremonies on their upper outside deck for $425.00. This price covers the use of the deck, the chairs, and setup/tear-down. The hitch is that you must also book one of their banquet rooms for a "reception" meal following the ceremony. The smaller room holds up to 40 people but has a $2,500 minimum attached. Their menus range from $60 to $90 per person and includes soup, salad, entree, and dessert. They also have bar/beverage options and hor d'oeuvres, and can assist with ordering a wedding cake that would all apply toward your minimum. (I'm starting to sound like a commercial! )

If you're interested, I can send you the rest of the info and photos I have. Oh, I also have the latest info for Swan and Dolphin if you're still having trouble getting the information from Michelle. Good luck with your search!

 

[disbridemimi]

I think it would be funny to say we got married at the "crab shack" lol. Not sure I could live with that, but well, perhaps I could.

 

[DisneyDJChuck]

I would agree with a previous poster and try Celebration Hotel- it is a little pricey, but they can customize a small luncheon, etc.

Melissa is the Director of Social Events there and does an excellent job. It may be worth a look.

 

[disbridemimi]

I think Celebrations prices were too high. If I am going to spend as much as i would at Disney, might as well do Disney right? Plus their menus were a little too fancy for us. I have found this to be true as far as costs with a lot of area hotels the prices are just as high as Disney which to us, defeats the purpose of going elswhere. Its just that 18 person limit that will do us in.

We are now looking into cruise options.