Opinions Please! Morning or Evening Ceremony

[DixieBelle]

I am just asking for opinions about a morning ceremony versus an evening event for a vow renewal.

We have just started planning and already there is drama in the extended families. Right now, we are doing an Epcot ceremony then ADH for a couple of hours followed much later by a dessert party back in Epcot. This time frame is fairly common from everything I have read on these boards. Pros are: family friendly time frame, lower cost menus, lower bar bill, less chance of excessive alcohol consumption, EPCOT CEREMONY!!, chance for guests to do other things, more casual atmosphere. Cons(according to others): no one comes to morning weddings for a reason?, missing the fun?

What do you guys think? Did you face opposition similar to this? We are still going to do the renewal at Disney regardless, but I am running out of things to say.

PS: there was no first "wedding", just a courthouse ceremony, then DH shipped out.

 

[kirasaurus]

i cant speak from experience, but it seems like you really want an epcot ceremony! its such a unique experience.
especially since you didn't have a ceremony or anything for your wedding, i say go with your heart and go with what you want! an evening ceremony would be nice, but it would be awful if you regretted not having that epcot experience.

best wishes!

 

[NoOrdinaryPrincess]

I absolutely would. Not.listen. To the family. You will be at DISNEY. People will show up to get exclusive access to a Disney park. If they seriously have a problem with it, they don't have to come and that's one less person for you to pay for.

 

[Designer Rose]

We're doing a morning ceremony because 1. it's cheaper, and 2. we like the idea that after the reception everyone is free to do their own thing, such as go into the parks. We're hoping to attend the MNSSHP after assuming that there is one that night!

 

[sambycat]

we had an awesome morning wedding and brunch reception. people who say what your family is saying haven’t planned or been to a wedding anywhere recently because it is very common!! do what YOU two want and can afford. people that are kvetching now are going to be whining no matter what you do!

 

[DixieBelle]

I kind of understand their point. If we were doing this at home, I think it would be a problem. I have only been to one morning wedding myself. However, this is a destination wedding. IT is the reason people are coming to Florida.
I guess what I am asking is did any of your guests comment, wonder, seem put out by an early ceremony?
I think 9 am is not really early. Most people we will invite have jobs or kids who go to school. They are normally functional by mid-morning. well awake and dressed anyway.

And, true, the complaining will not stop.

 

[BethieTink]

We are doing almost exactly what you are planning in November when we renew our vows.

Our ceremony is in the UK at 9, reception at American Adventure Parlor at 10 and DP in the UK that night.

I have warned all of our guests that it is an early morning. I have told them that the special bus will be picking them up around 8. If they don't like it, don't come! Simple as that.

I haven't gotten any questions about the time yet, but if I do here's my answer. Since it is in the park, Disney requires that we be done well before the World Showcase opens. We have NO choice on the time. There are some, what we consider, small trade offs for the once in a lifetime chance to do this. Also, I, the bride have to be up much, much earlier than all of you to get ready, so really no sympathy from me on that one.

Hope this helps. If your guests can see all this, then they will never get it.

Can't wait to hear more about your plans.

 

[MrsDuck]

I absolutely would. Not.listen. To the family. You will be at DISNEY. People will show up to get exclusive access to a Disney park. If they seriously have a problem with it, they don't have to come and that's one less person for you to pay for.

This this this.

Morning ceremony all the way!

 

[mellers]

Pros are: family friendly time frame, lower cost menus, lower bar bill, less chance of excessive alcohol consumption, EPCOT CEREMONY!!, chance for guests to do other things, more casual atmosphere. Cons(according to others): no one comes to morning weddings for a reason?, missing the fun?

I had a morning wedding--people griped
My brother had an evening wedding--people griped

Whichever ceremony you have, people will gripe. However, it is not their day. It is a day for you and your spouse. If they miss the fun, that is their choice. It sounds like you really want that Epcot ceremony (and who, really, can blame you?)

Have the ceremony when YOU want to have the ceremony.

 

[lpizzuro123]

Do exactially what you want - it is your wedding.

Our wedding was just like the one you are planning. We were married in Disney November 2008. We had an early morning ceremony, 9:00am, in Epcot (Italy). Our guests were all picked up by private bus from their resort and brought into Epcot. After the ceremony, everyone was then brought to ADH for a pre-reception from 10:00 to 11:00. We stayed in Epcot for another 30 minutes or so and then headed to ADH to join our guests. Our reception was from 11:00 to 3:00. We also did a brunch, had an open bar (although not many people drank) and had Mickey and Minnie join in for our cake cutting and we did plenty of dancing.

Our reception was over at 3:00 and everyone boarded the private bus back to their resort where they relaxed and used the pool. Everyone then headed back to Epcot (we did not have a bus for them for the evening - they used Disney transportation) around 7:30pm and went to our IllumiNations DP in UK Lower.

Everyone showed up and no on complained - at least to us (ha ha ha). My girls (I had 3) got ready in their own room and we had the limo pick them up from POFQ and bring them to our room at The Boardwalk. Yes, they said it was SO early but they did not complain and there is no where else but at Disney where you will get pictures like the ones you will get in Epcot. The limo also picked up the guys from POFQ and brought them to us at The Boardwalk and then the guys headed to Epcot for pictures (with our photographers husband) and my girls stayed with us while we had pictures done at The Boardwalk.

Please do exactially what you want to do - you will not regret an Epcot ceremony.

Linda

 

[tric8783]

We are having a Saturday evening wedding, but I think these ladies are right. We wanted a Saturday night so that people could come for the weekend if they couldn't come during the week between getting time off and taking kids out of school, and we wanted it at night so that people who couldn't get any time off at all, could fly down Saturday morning. For most people (and us) this is a destination wedding- people are going to Disney for YOUR wedding, so they really shouldn't complain about when it is. We already have our bridal party complaining we are cutting into their park time on Friday for rehearsal, so really people will complain whatever you do. If you want your ceremony in Epcot, do it, and don't worry about them. If they don't want to come, that's one less person you have to pay for!

 

[hrhamanda]

If I could go back and change things. I would choose a day/morning wedding. Keeps costs way down.

 

[DixieBelle]

Thanks everybody!! I really appreciate the support!

 

[Icecoldpenguin]

I am coming in late on this but I 100% agree with the crowd here. Do what YOU want to do especially since you did not have a wedding before. If your guests don't like it then they don't have to come. Morning weddings are gorgeous in my opinion and you can get really great lighting.

Teresa