Reception Help??

[PrincessMo]

Happy Disney Day Everyone!

I am having my wedding at the Wedding Pavilion on December 7th, 2005. I am only having approximately 17 people (at most). Now, I liked the idea of having the pre-reception and reception at the boardwalk resort. I liked it for a few reasons:

- It is close to EPCOT (we are having an Illuminations Dessert Party at the lower UK pavilion which I can't wait for)

- It looks beautiful and I can get pictures there too with all their Christmas Decorations.

Now, I wanted to have some kind of DJ so that we aren't just staring at each other for 4 or so hours but the price was really too high for us through Disney. Can you book a non-disney DJ? If so does anyone recommend one.

Also, I am wondering if the fact that the room will be really big will be a problem. i really like the patio and ballroom idea. I want to have my father/daughter dance and my first dance since this is my reception. I don't want to miss out on certain traditional things. I also think that the boardwalk ballroom looks lovely. But I wanted some thoughts on the large room with the small group. I don't think it will matter maybe if i can hire an outside DJ who is reasonable.

Also, I wanted to do some kind of decorations like are shown on yourfairytale.com at the Boardwalk reception hall. How does that work outside of Disney? Let me know if anyone has any experience with that.

This is a great board. I thank everyone for posting and anyone who can give me some experiences or thoughts.

Thanks gang!

Have A Magical Day!!

 

[marn913]

We only had about 35 guests and had our cocktail hour and reception at the Living Seas lounge at Epcot. Our wedding coordinator recommended bringing our own music. We bought an inexpensive CD player from Target ($20) as well as a great Frank Sinatra CD and brought it to Florida with us. They set it up in a corner by the sound system and placed the microphone next to it so that we had music throughout the entire lounge for free (Living Seas has an existing sound system set up- you'd have to check with your EM about your venue to see if this would work for you)! We also had the caracture artist throughout our reception and it was a lot cheaper than the DJ! I don't think that most people even noticed (no one commented) that we didn't have dancing! It was still romantic and classy.

-Marne
06-16-03

 

[jamie0201]

Hi there...

I will try and help the best I can.

I am getting married in less then 4 weeks , and we are having a custom wedding with approx 100 guests. Our ceremony is at the Pavilion and reception at the Boardwalk.

Regarding a DJ... I was told if you bring in your own DJ, Disney charges an outrageous amount! I remember my EM quoting something like $900. I could so be wrong about that b/c its been a while. I just remember when we looked in to it, it was much cheaper to use Disney.

I think the rooms can be made smaller by shutting some sliding doors, if I am correct. I would definitely ask Disney.

I hope that was some help!!!

The Boardwalk is beautiful, and thats why we chose it as well.... as Disney has soo many beautiful places!

Good Luck!!!
jamie

 

[Kismetdreams]

Jaime is correct, if you use outside entertainment (big band, DJ, etc.), there is a very large fee associated with it. This fee covers new electrical runs, etc. for the vendor and cannot be waived.

The suggestion of determining if your venue has a soundsystem, or if you can rent a soundsystem fro the evening from Disney could be the most cost effective if you cannot afford a Disney DJ.

 

[PrincessMo]

Thanks everyone, I never thought about having a boombox and cd's possibly hooked up with the sound system in the ballroom and didn't know that you could possibly slide doors closed.

Of course now I have some more questions.

First is general, I wanted to go to breakfast with all the girls the day of my wedding. I only will have maybe 8 or 9 girls and I don't have the money for that mad hatter tea party (but I really would love to do that). So, I wanted to know if anyone knew if you could get kind of a private area reserved somehow at 1900 Park Fare and have a little table with a smaller version of the mad hatter cake there with maybe a stuffed mickey and minnie bride and groom on either side? I wanted to also know if anyone knows what time 1900 park fare opens. I don't want to cut it too close. Not sure how much time I need to get ready and pre picture stuff. I am thinking if we can do breakfast at 7am and maybe stay for 2 hours that would be ideal. Let me know any thoughts or advice please.

Jaime is correct, if you use outside entertainment (big band, DJ, etc.), there is a very large fee associated with it. This fee covers new electrical runs, etc. for the vendor and cannot be waived.

The suggestion of determining if your venue has a soundsystem, or if you can rent a soundsystem fro the evening from Disney could be the most cost effective if you cannot afford a Disney DJ.

Kismetdreams, I wanted to know how you were able to get sooo many pictures at the castle and you got some at the haunted mansion. I would love that. How did that work? Did you get married in the magic kingdom? Or is this something that can be done at my MK photo shoot? I think the photo shoot is an hour correct? Let me know if you can please!!

Thanks again everyone it is a HUGE help.

Have A Magical Day!!!

 

[marn913]

What time are you having your wedding? We had our ceremony at the wedding pavillion and had to be in the limo at 7am on our way to the GF convention center to get hair and makeup started by 8am. Don't forget to factor in all of the time to get ready, travel from place to place and to start photos. We started photos for the groom and his family at 10am and my photos with the bridesmaids and my family started at 10:45am. We did have fruit, bagels and beverages served as we got ready at the GF before the wedding. They set up a nice table for us in the room that we were assigned. It was very nice and we were able to sit around and have fun while we got ready and my dress got steamed! I'd only recommend to do a separate breakfast if your ceremony starts after 12pm.

-Marne
06-16-03

 

[PrincessMo]

Wow thanks for the info. marn913. My wedding is at 2pm. So does it still sound like it could work, since it is after 12pm? Any thoughts on what I would like to do at 1900 Park Fare? Do you think it's do-able?

The food in your room while you got ready, was that complimentary?

Just curious. Thansk for all your help, this is really wonderful stuff!

 

[Kismetdreams]

Food in the getting ready room is not comlimentary. Your EM can arrange any food/bevs you may want in your getting ready room.

As far as having a breakfast with your girls the morning of the wedding, I personally would advise against it for serveal reasons:

1. With your ceremony starting at 2 PM, Disney will want to begin your cosmo around 10 AM. I was married at 4 PM, started cosmo at 12 noon and photos at 2 PM.

2. One your wedding day, you will be more then a little stressed and seriously, I doubt that you will be able to eat, let alone enjoy the food.

As for the Mad hatter Cake, Disney will not create it for less then 75 people, no matter what, so I'm not sure you would be able to pull that off, but I do have a suggestion for you. Rather then breakfast the morning of, schedule a BM tea in the tea room at the GF for the day before your wedding. It's a great way to get some time with your girls, and it can be arranged via your EM. I am told the food is incredible, there are many options to choose from, and you can relax and enjoy the time without worrying that you may be late/busy with wedding stuff. Here is a link to information on the Afternoon Tea

Also, if you are really interested in a replica cake, the GF bakery does do miniature cakes that serve one person each, but they are pretty pricey at about $20 each. Again, this can be arranged via your EM if you are interested.