pro's and con's between swan and DFTW ?

[stitchaholic]

can anybody with experience in wedding planning, or has had one of these weddings help me by listing pro's and con's for swan and DFTW so I can make a comparison ?

 

[minniebride]

Here's what I think:

SWAN PRO's:
-*MUCH less expensive than DFTW
-*Get a ceremony site basically right at Disney's Boardwalk
-*More flexibility with vendors
-*Can still get many of the same or similar amenities as DFTW, such as horse and carriage, Disney characters at reception, Illuminations or Wishes Dessert Party (this is booked through Disney separately)
-*Swan & Dolphin catering is award winning

DFTW PRO's
-*WAY more ceremony sites to choose from (at various resorts and parks)
-*Access to ordering the exclusive MK Photo Shoot
-*Way more reception sites to choose from (at various resorts and parks). Also, access to getting well-known WDW restaurant signature dishes at your reception
-*Wedding planners book your Fireworks Dessert Party for you
-*Book Cinderella's glass coach

 

[tinkerbell 766]

I second everything Minnie has said!!! Price (? about half price) and more choice of vendors (eg floral, cake, musician etc) were the clinchers that made me go with the Swan. I wasn't having a MK photo shoot or Cindy's carriage anyway so I didn't need to consider these things. Good luck with your decision!!!!

 

[Mic]

My daughter was married at the Swan's Crescent Terrace less than a week ago(Aug.5,2010). The ceremony was simple and pretty, with just a wrought iron arch and the Boardwalk villas as a backdrop. I would compare it with what Disney calls an escape wedding, except we had 49 guests for the price Disney charges for 25. If I had to compare the Crescent Terrace, or any other ceremony location at the Swan for that matter, to a Disney site, it would be the Boardwalk. Crescent Terrace is right on the water like Sea Breeze Point, complete with boat horns, and strangers were hanging over the bridge between the Boardwalk and Swan and Dolphin watching the ceremony. A few people in flip flops and shorts even walked right through our group while we were taking pictures after the ceremony...some folks married at Sea Breeze Point reported similar experiences. We held the reception at the Swan as well, in a room very similar to a room at the Boardwalk with a patio. The food prices were comparable to Disney, but the food was good. The bar was pricey, but so is Disney's. We were able to do our own centerpieces, which saved us money, and book our own DJ and photographers. I feel like our photographers (the Arndts) were better than what Disney offered in their packages, and our DJ was an official Disney DJ (DJ Miles)that we were able to book on our own. My daughter chose fresh flowere for the bouquets(which we had made for less than Disney prices) that would not have made it home afterward, so we used them as part of our centerpieces. We had 6 tables including the Sweetheart table, and 7 bouquets, so I set out a half-filled vase filled with water and clear stones on each table, surrounded by 5 pedestal votive holders of varying heights. Our wedding planner(Beth) placed the bouquets into the vases right after our pictures, which looked extremely nice with the candlelight for the reception. For what we would have paid Disney for just flowers we were able to have centerpieces and flowers at the Swan. I will post a picture as soon as we get them so you can see. My daughter was not interested in any Disney perks, like the MK photo shoot or Cinderella's carriage, so a Swan wedding worked out better for us. Booking everything seperate felt less like a "package" to us, but some people prefer to make contact with one person for everything. Generally speaking, if you are looking at outside semi-private Disney sites for the ceremony without Cinderella's carriage, the Swan may be a good choice. But if you have dreamed of the wedding pavilion for the ceremony, the Swan can not offer anything like that.

 

[Belle2Be]

Any more pros and cons?

 

[minniebride]

Any more pros and cons?

It really depends on what your "must haves" are.

We are planning a Swan wedding and so far all of our "must-haves" are being taken care of with our Swan wedding. I guess the only aspect that makes me envious of the DFTW, is that their planner books the dessert party for them whereas I have to contact Disney myself to book, which I've heard is a bit of a lengthier process. Otherwise, all of my wedding wishes are coming true with our Swan wedding & we are saving a ton of money going this route!