questions for Epcot brides!

[BlovesC]

Few simple questions! Sorry if they're all basic knowledge; DF and I have been planning an Escape wedding in October. We've only ever done our research on WP, which was always our first location choice, but the new inclusion of the Canada showcase to Escape packages has thrown us. We LOVE Epcot, but we're not sure how it would work for our tiny ceremony!

1)If you get ready in your resort, where in Epcot do you have a chance to 'touch up' or prepare yourself, etc, before walking out to your ceremony location? Do they allow you into a building by whatever pavillion/area your ceremony is in?

2)Do you walk from the entrance gate to your ceremony location in your gown, or get dressed after entering the park? How do you leave when your ceremony is finished? I know that a few hours of limo service is included with each wedding package...where would the driver take us to from the lobby of our hotel (likely BLT)?

3)If we were to make a group dining reservation at an Epcot restaurant after our ceremony, is it correct that we'd have to change out of our wedding attire before being allowed into any restaurants?

I'm not entirely enthralled by the Canadian pavilion, but I'd love to ask DFTW if they'd consider allowing us to have an Escape ceremony in Norway. Since it doesn't seem to be a much requested option for Wishes weddings (like Canada, I imagine!) I'm kind of hopeful they'd be willing....if not, we still may seriously consider Epcot.

The only issue is we don't have the budget for a formal reception of any kind; our plan was just to have a group brunch reservation for our party of 14-15 after the ceremony. I just don't know if we'd have to leave the park post-ceremony to change, and how the rest of the details would work. Thanks so much in advance for any input!

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

I begged to have a Escape at Norway or Germany (after I found out about Canada) and I was told that Canada was it, or else it has to be a wishes (which even than I don't think you can do Norway). After seeing the pics and layouts from Canada, I was in love, and now cannot imagine doing it anywhere else!

To answer some of your questions:

You get dressed in your resort. I am not sure about touch ups, I haven't asked. I just figured if I am paying for hair/makeup to be done, it shouldn't need a touch up that quickly.

I also am pretty sure you wouldn't be able to wear your dress in the park for a meal afterward. You could go somewhere on the boardwalk since it is pretty close. Depending on your budget, you could get a private room on the Boardwalk. I am doing the Attic for 17 people, and it is coming in at just over $1000, and that is including a HUGE menu and alcohol (yes, we are drinking in the morning )

HTH

 

[BlovesC]

Oooh! Thank you SO much for the info!!

I will have to look into Canada. The more I talked about it with DF, the more we felt that marrying in Epcot would be so magical...we're not really going to be that picky about which pavillion! They're all beautiful.

I do love your reception idea...$1000 for everything included doesn't sound THAT bad! We are coming from having everything planned around the WP and GF, until the prices got to be too overwhelming for us (esp. when in the process of buying a house!) so when I found out about Canada for Escapes I had to start my research from scratch!

The plan we were going to pursue was, after an Epcot ceremony, just having group dining reservations at one of the world showcase TS places. No special menu or decor. I didn't think we'd be allowed back into Epcot in our wedding attire, so I was thinking of having our guests mingle in FW while we do pics and then change.

My biggest puzzlement was how an Epcot ceremony works. I was actually thinking the limo would drop you off at the front gate and you'd have to walk all the way to WS in a gown. I understand now that the international gateway is used, and that the limo can drive INTO epcot?

I'd love to hear more about your plans! Our 8 month mark isn't until Feb, but I'm hoping to give DFTW a call once I gather enough info!

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

I'm glad I could help! My PJ is in the link below, I have lots of details on our plans in there!

 

[lurkyloo]

My biggest puzzlement was how an Epcot ceremony works. I was actually thinking the limo would drop you off at the front gate and you'd have to walk all the way to WS in a gown. I understand now that the international gateway is used, and that the limo can drive INTO epcot?

When you pay for the Canada Escape package, you get a limo that drives you and the groom backstage into Epcot and a bus that drives your guests backstage too. Nobody has to walk from the front gate or from the International Gateway.

As for touchups, I brought my purse (which was graciously carried by one of our wedding planner's assistants) and reapplied my lipstick while we were hanging out in Japan waiting for our guests to be seated in Morocco. You probably won't need to touch up much else....

 

[BlovesC]

When you pay for the Canada Escape package, you get a limo that drives you and the groom backstage into Epcot and a bus that drives your guests backstage too. Nobody has to walk from the front gate or from the International Gateway.

As for touchups, I brought my purse (which was graciously carried by one of our wedding planner's assistants) and reapplied my lipstick while we were hanging out in Japan waiting for our guests to be seated in Morocco. You probably won't need to touch up much else....

Thank you thank you! That's so good to know. I suppose it was really silly for me to think there's no driving through Epcot...deliveries have to happen somehow. It just seems like sacred ground!

I'm glad I could help! My PJ is in the link below, I have lots of details on our plans in there!

Thanks, I've bookmarked it! Boy that was a lot of pages to read through! But I'm so glad you shared it with me...the pics of the set up with chairs prove how perfect it is! We're going for a very fall/halloween themed wedding and the dark brown and sort of 'rustic' look fits perfect!

 

[BlovesC]

Just placed my first-ever call to DFTW! Gave them our info, our hopeful date, and was told to expect a sales coordinator to contact me by early next week. Once I get more info from them maybe I'll start a PJ too!