Please tell me it's not true!

[missjennye]

Hi All!

I've spent the past few days reading this forum and THANK GOD I found ya'll.

OK, here's the run-down.

My dream has always been to have a Disney Wedding. Always. I've been to Disney every year since I was about 2 years old, so this is a huge dream of mine.
That being said, my boyfriend proposed to me on December 22nd this year. (yeah!!)

We've been talking about getting married for awhile and we both decided that the Disney wedding is what we want to do. So, I called DFW and said that I would like to schedule an appt to meet with a wedding planner to discuss costs, options and all the technicalities IN PERSON. The woman I spoke with on the phone, "a consultant, not the planner. <---her words not mine) was the rudest person I have EVER encountered from Disney. She was asking me all kinds of quesitons when I was just trying to set up an appt to go to Orlando and talk to someone. She was asking about my budget, amt of people, flowers, invitations, guest list, date, dress...etc!!!! I told her that we didn't have all the ligistics in order yet because we just got engaged, but I told her that we would probably send out about 200 invitations. Then she asked me my budget, and I've played around on the wishbook and NEVER went above $26,000, but when I told her 26K, she snorted into the phone and said, "No, that wedding is going to cost you close to half a million dollars.

She destroyed every positive hope I had flowing in my head.

After 20 min of being a snob, she FINALLY told me that a wedding planner would call me by Friday to set up an appt with me. The wedding planner never called.

Girls, my question today is above all else, a plea for hope.

How many people did you have at your wedding and what was the cost? Are we talking half a million for < 200 people?? ( I even told the brod that we were goign to send out about 200 invites, but I guarantee that many people will not be able to show up for a disney wedding. )

I hate to be tacky and ask these questions, but I need to know, and ya'll are the best people to tell me.

****She also mentioned that, despite the $75-$100 price range on the wishbook for the reception, the reception is no less than $100 per person. ANYWHERE on disney property.*****

I am open to any sugesttions and ideas.


Jenny

 

[princessdisneybelle]

Don't give up! I'm sure you can do it for wayyyyyyyyyyy less then that!

 

[Sparkles9306]

I can't answer your questions about cost because we're doing an intimate. But I just wanted to Welcome you!

 

[DisneyDeeFL]

Though I am in the beginning stages of planning as well....I'd say you certainly shouldn't rule out a Disney wedding just based on your conversation with this ONE person (who sounds like she got up on the wrong side of bed!). I think it seems very reasonable to have your dream wedding within your budget. When it comes down to it, you might not be able to get all of the Disney "extras" such as the Cinderella carriage or fancy chair covers and tons of flowers, but you could certainly plan a wedding to remember (after all, a Disney wedding is certainly unique and memorable, no matter how much money is spent).

Hopefully, the next planner you talk to will be more helpful. Congratulations, and good luck!

 

[Tammy32]

Don't give up on your dream. I sent out almost 200 invitations and about 100people actually showed up. The total for my wedding was around $38,000 but I did have a lot of extra things. There are ways to cut back on the price of the wedding. You can go with outside vendors or make your own centerpieces.

I am sure you will get a phone call soon. I have noticed that it does take them a couple of days longer then they say. They are really busy, so don't give up. When they do call they will be more then willing to work with you on your budget.

Don't let one person ruin your dream!

 

[StephSFL]

Welcome and congratulations!
I am shocked by her questions/answers. Do you have her name because would definitly report this.
I would give DFTW a call back- they are good about returning calls when they say they will- maybe she accidently put your phone number in wrong!
As for costs, I am trying to figure that out myself, but it seems unreasonable for her to give you that kind of estimate. In fact, when I fist called, they would not give me any info on prices!
Hope everythign works out!

 

[DisBride2007]

There are lots of ways to make your wedding less expensive even for a large group. If you have a reception that begins before 2:00 p.m., your minimum per person for food is $75/person, while a reception that begins after 2:00 p.m. has a $100/person minimum. However, it is important to know this includes food, alcohol and cake, so really your food could come in at more lke $45/person. Hope this helps and don't let one person get you down.

 

[missjennye]

Yeah, her name was Lizette. She was horrible!!!!

Tammy32-What kind of outside vendors can you have?

DisBride2007----Does it include alcohol and cake? I thought those were extra?

Thanks to everyone for all the positive encouragement. If ya'll have anymore helpful hints on how to keep the cost low, let me know.

 

[princessdisneybelle]

You can have outside Photographers, floral, video, bring your own centerpieces. If you have more than 3 things for them to set up on a table there is like a $75 per hr fee. Sometimes they charge a fee for outside vendors, but not always. If you are having your wedding in a theme park you have to use Disney floral. Just a few things.

 

[Luvndisney]

wow what a ride person. sorry that was your first experience with DFTW. do not give up hope..if its your dream you can find a way to have it. for 100 people i would say a good estimate for everything including dress, travel, etc might be about 40k. no that being said there are people who do it for less and those that go higher. you can save money by cutting things and using outside vendors if possible.

good luck

 

[happylalagirl]

1/2 million dollars is compeletely outrageous and not even realistic!!! I would call and report her!! Don't deal with that. This is Disney for crying out loud!!! Sorry, that kind of stuff ticks me off. We got our original budget back for $26,000 and were able to cut it down to $14,600. Now, originally we had 75 people coming and in the end, we ended up with 43, so that made a big difference. But you can probably figure around $30 - $35K, for about 100 ppl depending on all the extras you have. We used outside vendors for photography, videography, floral (for ceremony only, but I highly recommend her for everything), and limo. Good luck and I would definitely call again and tell them what happened. I think you'll get a call back pretty quickly.

 

[jlovesee]

I don't post very often here... but they way you were treated was just wrong. My husband and I were married at Disney back in 2002, (five years on Jan 26th!) we had about 50 people, and the cost was around $16,000 including everything (outside vendor, Jeff Hawkins was our photographer, Lyons was our videographer everything else was Disney). Now while we did not do a full blow out, we didn't restrain our spending a whole lot either, so I couldn't see any possible reason why you couldn't have what you want (with maybe some frugal decisions) for that price.

I also agree with what the other poster's have said, if you send 200 invitations chances are a lot won't be able to come. Don't give up on your dream ...


Jennifer

 

[smoof]

I would report this woman. I didn't have a DFTW, but I am on these boards a lot. You have to have an incredibly elaborate wedding to make a half million. She is nuts!

 

[smoof]

Just a clarification...200 invitations, like 400 guests, or 200 guests?

 

[Tabetha]

Did you say you wanted to get married in the Magic Kingdom? That's the only way I can see a wedding there costing half a mill!

 

[Laurafoster]

Did you say you wanted to get married in the Magic Kingdom? That's the only way I can see a wedding there costing half a mill!

That was what i was thinking?! Theres no way it shoud cost as much otherwise!!

 

[sarah_n_brian2006]

Those people that call you from the website or that you call on that 321 number are not DFTW people. They are a answering service. Please do not let them discourage you. I know I've talked to 3 people in the last 2 weeks that say someone will call me in 1-2 business days and no one calls me. I promise once that DFTW person calls you from a 407 area code, it's going to be much different. Oh and if you have a brunch it is only $75/guest. Also for destination weddings usually 35% of your invites will not come. So good luck and happy waiting. Im with you.

 

[sarah_n_brian2006]

Does it include alcohol and cake? I thought those were extra?

$75 or $100 includes all food and beverage. If you can eat or drink it it's included. IE: Appetizers, alcohol, sodas, desserts (cake), Entrees and sides.
Tax and 20% Services charge is separate

 

[dznystar]

We're getting married in June with approx. 50 people. We're using all disney services(photography, flowers) with the Illuminations reception for about $15000. Call back and talk to someone else. I wouldn't accept that attitude from Disney.

 

[pintradingwedding]

i was going to skip the wedding cake ($980!) but loved it so much i decided to max out my credit cards!

if you REALLY want a disney wedding and can't afford the $10,000 or $20,000 minimum for a custom wedding -- then i say have an INTIMATE wedding. then go home and throw a big party for everyone else. You can play the video of your Disney Wedding for folks