Pushing the Wedding Back

[KStarfish82]

Unfortunately, I am going to push the wedding back to the summer of '09 because of my job and its my tenure year as a teacher. Kinda bummed, but what can you do?

Will I be able to book far in advance? I mean, it would be great if we could set a date and at least have that locked in.


Also, I would like to know at what locations couples have had their wedding ceremonies as well as their receptions.

I really would like to know details and such so any information would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[ChocolateMouse]

I've read many times on Disney's web site they can only tentatively pencil you in 12 months ahead of time, but I've never tested it:

Planning Timeline:
One Year Advance of Wedding Date: Twelve (12) months prior to your desired wedding date, our Wedding Consultant is able to tentatively hold space for your Disney Fairy Tale Wedding. If your events are taking place at a Walt Disney World Theme Park, Ariel’s at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, or Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort, then you may sign a contract at this time. All other space may be confirmed exactly eight (8) months prior to your requested date. For all outdoor events, if inclement weather occurs your event will be held in a back up location. Please speak with your Wedding Consultant for further details. In the meantime, you can begin to research the following items for your wedding event in the Wish Book planning tools.

 

[JJClemson]

Actually, I was able to be "penciled in" about 15 months in advance. I think my SM said you can be "penciled in" up to 18 months before your wedding. However, other people can be "penciled in" for your date, location, and time too, and then DFTW does some kind of drawing to see who gets their first choice. Then at 12 months out (if it's not one of those places that ChocolateMouse mentioned), DFTW can hold a date, location, and time for you. However, conventions have priority , so you could be kicked out. At 8 months out, you are allowed to finally sign your contract and begin planning. Good luck

 

[orangetiggs]

who would i need to speak to to get pencilled in at 18 months? I'm in the uk so does that mean its different to if we lived in the usa?

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I don't have any advice just wanted to say I know how frustrating it can be to push a wedding back! My DFi and I had told ALL of our family members (over 80 people) that we were getting married 12/10/07 at Disney (because the first question everyone asks is "what's the date?"). After much consideration we too have to push ours back to October 2008, mainly to save up for a downpayment on a house and get rid of some debt. The good news is now we're looking at a DFTW instead of the Swan/Dolphin.

Don't worry! You'll get to marry each other one day and it will be great! Enjoy being engaged.

 

[Raspberry Bubbles]

Okay, I was worrying about booking but I called WDW and they advised that they cannot book at all in any shape or form until 12 months prior to the wedding. I told them that I had heard rumours (I am in the UK) that people were booking earlier and she told me that these were just that (rumours) and that outside of 12 months they cannot do anything - so I am just holding tight until my 12 month deadline to get back on that phone!!!

 

[KStarfish82]

Thanks for the advice so far. I'm going down in April and I would like to go speak to someone in person. I also want to narrow down choices for locations.

If anyone knows of any in particular please let me know. Kinda interested in the Living Seas....

 

[Janet2k]

Unfortunately, I am going to push the wedding back to the summer of '09 because of my job and its my tenure year as a teacher.

I'm sorry to hear that you have to push your date back, but the time will fly, believe it or not, and your date will be here before you know it.

Also, if you find yourself able to move your date up, Disney is capable of pulling off the most amazing things within a short time-frame. I had my Planning Session in July and had my actual event in October. That was three months to pull off the following:

Wedding Pavilion Ceremony
Hand Print Ceremony (Disney-MGM Studios)
Progressive Dinner Party (Great Movie Ride)
Outdoor Dance Party (Sorcerer's Hat Icon)
Custom Fireworks Display (Disney-MGM Studios)

I had a lot of fun planning my event. The Fairy Tale Weddings folks were simply amazing to work with.

 

[KStarfish82]

I'm sorry to hear that you have to push your date back, but the time will fly, believe it or not, and your date will be here before you know it.

Also, if you find yourself able to move your date up, Disney is capable of pulling off the most amazing things within a short time-frame. I had my Planning Session in July and had my actual event in October. That was three months to pull off the following:

Wedding Pavilion Ceremony
Hand Print Ceremony (Disney-MGM Studios)
Progressive Dinner Party (Great Movie Ride)
Outdoor Dance Party (Sorcerer's Hat Icon)
Custom Fireworks Display (Disney-MGM Studios)

I had a lot of fun planning my event. The Fairy Tale Weddings folks were simply amazing to work with.

If I may be so bold, it seems as if you had a very elaborate affair. What would you recommend as being something worth splurging on or anything you believe is absolutely necessary? I would appreciate your input. Thanks!!

 

[Janet2k]

What would you recommend as being something worth splurging on or anything you believe is absolutely necessary? I would appreciate your input.

Here are the items that I could not live without:
* My Parents (my husband & I eloped the first time around)
* Wedding Pavilion (my husband & I watched it being built)
* Photographer (to capture precious moments)
* Videographer (to capture precious moments)
* Private Motor Coach (to keep everyone safe)

What follows is a list of extraneous items, but I must admit that I am very glad that I had them:
* Scrumptious Food (custom menu designed by my favorite Disney Chef)
* Individual Mini-Cakes (one of the only true Disney touches at my event)
* Free-Flowing Beverages (to quench guests' thirst all night long)
* Fun Reception Venue (something unique and memorable)
* Fun Entertainment (Streetsmophere characters, Mickey Mouse, musicians)
* Dance Party (dancing outdoors beneath the stars)

And a very special surprise:
* Custom Fireworks Display (kept a secret from my guests)

Look inside your heart and determine what you can and cannot live without. Plan accordingly. But remember to remain flexible. Sometimes things don’t quite turn out as planned. Roll with the punches.

 

[KStarfish82]

Here are the items that I could not live without:
* My Parents (my husband & I eloped the first time around)
* Wedding Pavilion (my husband & I watched it being built)
* Photographer (to capture precious moments)
* Videographer (to capture precious moments)
* Private Motor Coach (to keep everyone safe)

What follows is a list of extraneous items, but I must admit that I am very glad that I had them:
* Scrumptious Food (custom menu designed by my favorite Disney Chef)
* Individual Mini-Cakes (one of the only true Disney touches at my event)
* Free-Flowing Beverages (to quench guests' thirst all night long)
* Fun Reception Venue (something unique and memorable)
* Fun Entertainment (Streetsmophere characters, Mickey Mouse, musicians)
* Dance Party (dancing outdoors beneath the stars)

And a very special surprise:
* Custom Fireworks Display (kept a secret from my guests)

Look inside your heart and determine what you can and cannot live without. Plan accordingly. But remember to remain flexible. Sometimes things don’t quite turn out as planned. Roll with the punches.

If I may ask and if you don't mind sharing, how much was the expenses in total?

And about your menu, can you customize? I am very picky, but have very simple tastes, can they accomodate this?

 

[Janet2k]

If I may ask and if you don't mind sharing, how much was the expenses in total?

And about your menu, can you customize? I am very picky, but have very simple tastes, can they accomodate this?

KStarfish82, I always try to answer as many questions as I can, however, I won't share pricing info. It's too personal. As a matter of fact, that info is so personal that not even my husband knows what our custom vow renewal cost.

I have shared tiny pieces of my pricing info over the past two years. For example, there's a current thread about beverage pricing. I put beverage info from at least three of my private events in that thread so others would have an idea of what that pricing looks like. Since most folks have seen Disney's beverage packages, that was safe information for me to share. I have also shared the cost of my mini-cakes (25 mini-cakes ran me approximately $851). Lastly, I have shared my private motor coach cost. But I think that's about the only pricing info that I have shared.

I have an old trip report about the planning of my vow renewal. I haven't gotten around to finishing it yet but honestly hope to do so one day. I'm afraid that most of the photo links in that thread are broken by now. I haven't had a chance to fix them since Yahoo broke them a few months ago. But if you would like to read my trip report and see what I went through as I moved from an Intimate VR into a Custom VR, click here.

In that trip report I described what I went through when it came to the selection of a menu for my dinner party. I was fortunate to have developed a friendship over the years with one of Disney's chefs. He was a lifesaver and really came through for me. You'll understand why when you read my trip report.

I described lots of other decisions that I had to make as the planning of my event evolved. I had a few sleepless nights, but for the most part, everything fell into place within a very short time span. The Fairy Tale Weddings folks were wonderful to work with.

I hope this helped.