Photography and Dinner/Dessert party questions

[TabZ]

Hi guys and gals,

Have been mulling over a few ideas lately and wanted to get some feedback to see if I'm on the right track

We are planning an Escape wedding in December 2014, and would like to use Disney photography. Escape packages come with 2 hours coverage, but I would like to add an extra hour on at the beginning for getting ready photos - I'm gathering this will not be a problem. I would also like the photgrapher to then return in the evening to get a few shots around GF at night and then some fireworks shots - is this possible or do I have to have the hours continous?

At the moment the plan is to have dinner at Citricos, but I was thinking for the amount I'm going to be paying for everyone to have a standard dinner there, we might be able to have something in Sago Cay - a dinner/dessert party type thing. Rather than a buffet I was just thinking about doing hot and cold appetizers, but heaps of them, then a few desserts and the wedding cake. Would this still be classed as a buffet dinner or would it be a dessert party? Would that be enough food for dinner?

My only reservation apart from the costs between doing dinner vs the party would be the weather - it might be cold sitting outside eating at a December wedding? I adore eating outside it's one of my most favourite things so would love to, but I don't want my guests to freeze!

TIA xxx

 

[lurkyloo]

We are planning an Escape wedding in December 2014, and would like to use Disney photography. Escape packages come with 2 hours coverage, but I would like to add an extra hour on at the beginning for getting ready photos - I'm gathering this will not be a problem. I would also like the photgrapher to then return in the evening to get a few shots around GF at night and then some fireworks shots - is this possible or do I have to have the hours continous?

The hours must be consecutive, but Disney will happily sell you a dessert party photography package.

Rather than a buffet I was just thinking about doing hot and cold appetizers, but heaps of them, then a few desserts and the wedding cake. Would this still be classed as a buffet dinner or would it be a dessert party? Would that be enough food for dinner?

I have a hunch they will probably consider it dinner if you're doing lots of appetizers, but maybe they base it more on whether you need 100% seating and service vs. doing a stand-up/mix 'n' mingle kind of thing. As long as your guests know what to expect foodwise, they can make their own decisions about whether it will count as dinner.

My only reservation apart from the costs between doing dinner vs the party would be the weather - it might be cold sitting outside eating at a December wedding? I adore eating outside it's one of my most favourite things so would love to, but I don't want my guests to freeze!

If you follow the "what to expect at WDW at Christmas" types of threads, you learn that weather in December varies by year, by week, and even by day. Sometimes it's beautiful and balmy, sometimes it's freezing, and occasionally it's balmy but pouring down rain. Your planner will have a backup location for you in case of bad weather.

 

[princesswendy720]

It might work out cheaper to get an outside photographer for the ceremony. If you do the escape package and you choose not to use Disney Photography, you can exchange it for Dessert Party photography. Getting an outside photographer for 3 hours could work out cheaper than the extra hour plus dessert party (the DP photoraphy alone is $350) through Disney.

 

[TabZ]

Thanks Ladies, so helpful as usual

I was flicking through Carrie's book this morning and for the extra hour of Photography this years prices anyway will be $200, plus $300-350 for the dessert party. This is the same price I can get Randy Chapman to do a 3 hour wedding shoot... as we are planning on having an MK/DHS shoot as well I think I'd be best to keep it all DPS.

If we ended up having our meal at Citricos instead of in a dinner/dessert party type thing, do you think DPS will let me have a dessert party shoot without the dessert?? I'd love to get night pictures around GF and fireworks shots xx