Oldest daughter just got engaged, and wants a Disney wedding! Help!!

[Mic]

Daughter just got engaged over Christmas to a nice young man she met while doing the Disney College Program last year. The original plan was to wait until after she graduated from college in December to actually get married, but that has been changed now. The groom-to-be will graduate in June, so they want to marry in August before she completes her last semester...right before her younger sister starts her junior year of college and her younger brother starts his freshman year. Money is definitely an issue, but I want to get the most we can with the little we have. The young man lives in Holland, but has a trip planned to the US in mid-February,so I was hoping we could make a few appointments and check out wedding sites then. That would be 6 months before the ceremony...would that be enough time? While the Disney weddings are nice, we are leaning towards the Swan and Dolphin right now because of the price difference. We are open to other options, too; she even looked at Leiu Gardens, but would really rather have the ceremony closer to Disney. I know Hotel Royal Plaza and Buena Vista Palace offer wedding packages, but I don't have any details yet. I just started reading about the Swan and Dolphin weddings here(which is obviously the best place to get information), and would really appreciate any inside tips and information anyone has. My daughter is still in Holland on vacation, but would like me to call and get any information I can before she returns home on Jan. 14th. Specifically, she would like to know if we have to choose a package at the Swan and Dolphin, as we are DVC members and would not need the room included for the bride and groom or the upgrade for the parents. The price she was quoted via email from the S&D for the reception is $159 per person with a minimum of 25 people. Right now, we are looking at having 25-40 guests. The ceremony would cost an additional $1500 I think. Has anyone had experience not doing a package, and if so, how was everything? Since the groom's family is traveling from so far away, we want to make it as memorable as possible without going into debt. Thanks so much!

 

[tiggerrifficheidi]

First off, I'd recommend contacting DFTW to see about options. I truly think you could have a memorable event for the prices quoted by S&D. You might end up choosing S&D, and it will be beautiful...but you might as well have options, right?

Secondly, I'd recommend checking out Carrie (lurkyloo's) TR. She had a Wishes wedding in EPCOT for 30-some-odd folks that was amazing with a reception and a Dessert Party that evening, and she spent barely over the minimum (of course, that didn't include photography and videography, but there are some very resourceful brides on here discovering some great photographers at great prices!)

To give you an idea of a comparable size and an amazing event...I had a bridal tea at the Grand Floridian two days before the wedding. We had 30 gals and had a lunch buffet of different foods, plus a cake. We had Mary Poppins come and had floral decorations and color coordinated linens. The total price was $3213.99.

My third recommendation is get Carrie's book: Passporter's Disney Weddings & Honeymoons. http://www.passporter.com/weddings.asp

I didn't have it, but I think it could help you add up all the possibilities and their costs.

You're well within the timeframe to start contacting DFTW, but I don't think 6 months is too late for a visit. It's actually the perfect time to do a tasting, try out the photographer with engagement pics, etc.

Lastly, some tips for having a Bigger Bang for Your Buck Disney Wedding:

don't overdo the food (just make sure the stuff you choose IS good). Everyone will have too much to eat anyway.

do Bill-on-Consumption for drinks (it always saves money, IMHO)

have a buffet (Disney buffets are fairly reasonable)

have an early wedding and a lunch/brunch reception. Carrie (and many, other brides have done this) and the savings can allow for a dessert party later or some other type of gathering.

Best of luck!

 

[girli565]

I agree with the above poster... the S&D prices you are being quoted seem high and you could def do a WDW wedding for a reasonable price.

I am having a 12pm ceremony and then a lunch reception. The lunch cost estimate was right around $2k, which is amazing. We're doing open bar that will be bill-on-consumption because how much could people drink at 1pm?

A breakfast/brunch or lunch will really save you $ because the room minimums are so much less before 4pm. The Napa Room, where our lunch reception will be, has a $1k minimum on events ending before 5pm. The dinner reception minimum is $3k.

 

[bunny_pop]

I've been a lurker for quite some time but thought I would finally join. Firstly, I also echo Carrie's book. She has many tips in the book for lowering the cost of a DFTW. I wouldn't rule them out until you call and talk to someone. I originally was planning to do a Wishes wedding, but changed due to cost and the number of guest I'm inviting. Also, 6 months I think is plenty of time for all the visits.

The Swan and Dolphin quote seems a little off if you ask me. I looked into them when I got engaged back in September. I was told then that you would have to use the Just Marry wedding planning team. Also, the staff at the hotel told me that they would work with my budget for food and bev. since the $159 per person was way out of my range. I did go visit the Swan and Dolphin; for me, I didn't love it because of my personal preferences in design and the Swan and Dolphin were booked for the entire month of Oct. 2010 for conferences. Plus, I remember there was a weird smell outside at the ceremony location. They claim that it was not normal, but it was the final decision maker for me.

I did visit the Buena Vista Palace and I loved it from the moment I saw it. It's very modern and contemporary inside. Angela, who is the wedding coordinator there, is extremely helpful and offers great suggestions. In the end, I did picked them because they were will to work with my budget and I was offered a discount because I am using the Just Marry team as my wedding planner, who rock. In addition, the hotel has an option for a decor package, which cover centerpieces, chair covers, napkins, candles, etc. I honestly couldn't be happier with them. I say it is worth giving Angela a call. But that's just me
I hope this helps. Feel free to PM if you have more questions about the Buena Vista Palace.

 

[wiserabbit]

As another MOB - I would agree with the other posters - do check with the DFTW planners and if you have not done so yet - take a look at the DFTW web site - with planning tools so you can get a good look at what might work for your daughter and her hubby to be

We set a budget for the wedding and then worked within it - everything was wonderful/perfect - the Disney weddding planner and her team (and Disney photography) did everything RIGHT!

Good luck - and have fun planning this special event with your daughter and her hubby-to-be