Reception Location Advice Please

[Raspberry Bubbles]

Hello Everyone!

I'm hoping for a little advice - I have my wedding booked but I am still unsure about the reception. What I'm looking for is somewhere that has a great outdoor view - I want photos of the cake with the outdoors in the background - I'm in Florida (from the UK) and I want to capture that in my photographs. I also want somewhere that can have a DJ, and a dancefloor, and round tables and chairs. We have about 30 guests. I was hoping for somewhere near the Boardwalk or Yacht/Beach Club, but I'm not fussed... Any ideas?

 

[orangetiggs]

we were in the same boat wanting to by near the braodwalk etc for good pics but the whitehall is a better outside location. ember had some great pics on the thread i had with her pics outside on the patio. Also we are doing our mk photo shoot two days later and have asked if we can go to the broadwalk after that to get pics there as we dont want to see each other before the ceremony and yet want pics on the braodwalk. ill let you know what my planner says about that

 

[Raspberry Bubbles]

Oooh, thanks - have you any idea where that thread is? I'd love to see the photos Don't you think it's going to be too hot to go outside for photos at the GF? I'm worried about that.

 

[Janet2k]

What I'm looking for is somewhere that has a great outdoor view - I want photos of the cake with the outdoors in the background - I'm in Florida (from the UK) and I want to capture that in my photographs. I also want somewhere that can have a DJ, and a dancefloor, and round tables and chairs. We have about 30 guests. I was hoping for somewhere near the Boardwalk or Yacht/Beach Club, but I'm not fussed... Any ideas?

Raspberry Bubbles, I've been to a private event that was held on the beach at the Beach Club. It was marvelous. They had a steel drum band and also a DJ. There wasn't a dance floor, but perhaps that is an option, who knows. The food was divine (food stations with roast beef, shrimp, etc.) and the beverages were cold (bartender & fully-stocked bar). It was a lovely, lovely event.

I have seen a few wedding receptions held at the Grand Floridian's Summerhouse & Patio. They looked like lovely affairs, and one of them even included a DJ, but I believe the DJ had to stop at 10 PM, understandably, due to a noise ordinance at the resort.

I'm sure you remember that I held a private dinner party at the Summerhouse. It included music, but that was strictly for ambiance (however, had anyone wanted to dance, they certainly could have). Here's the link to my photos: click here.

The Whitehall Room inside the Grand Floridian's Convention Center has been the back-up location for one of my outdoor events. It is a lovely room and the patio is equally as lovely. I would not hesitate to book an event there -- but it is quite popular, so if you're considering it, do look into it now.

 

[Raspberry Bubbles]

Hey Janet,

Thank you for your advice! The Beach at the Beach club sounds fantastic but my problem is that we're getting married on August 5th, so it will be too hot.

Our current booking is for the YCG at 10, the GF Whitehall and Patio until 4, the Summerhouse for a BBQ until 7 and then a DP at Epcot UK. I look so wistfully at the pictures of the escape brides cutting their cake on a patio with a fabulous view and then I feel sad because I want the same photos - my cake outside, with a beautiful view.

I'm worried that the GF room is going to be hard to theme and that it will look just like I'm in a stuffy room, and not in Florida. I love the balcony at the Attic but I don't really like the chairs and tables inside the attic. If I'm inside, I want to be able to dance freely on a dancefloor and I want it to be able to be dark, which I don't think I can do at the Whitehall as it looks so airy and has windows all around as opposed to a ballroom. I was told that as it was August we would most likely not be allowed on the Patio at the Whitehall due to the heat. The reason I booked the GF was because of the patio, you see. I figured I could cut my cake out there at least, in the open air. I'm quite sad about this.

I do remember your Summerhouse party - that inspired me to book at cook-out there after the reception - I hope mine is as exciting as yours!

I'm really at a loss. I can picture the rest of my day except for the reception, yet I know how I want it to look, I just can't find a reception location I love. I have my planning visit in February; I'm hoping I can make my mind up then.
Thank you so much for replying - you have been such a terrific help to me in the past - please feel free to add anything else!

Raspberry Bubbles, I've been to a private event that was held on the beach at the Beach Club. It was marvelous. They had a steel drum band and also a DJ. There wasn't a dance floor, but perhaps that is an option, who knows. The food was divine (food stations with roast beef, shrimp, etc.) and the beverages were cold (bartender & fully-stocked bar). It was a lovely, lovely event.

I have seen a few wedding receptions held at the Grand Floridian's Summerhouse & Patio. They looked like lovely affairs, and one of them even included a DJ, but I believe the DJ had to stop at 10 PM, understandably, due to a noise ordinance at the resort.

I'm sure you remember that I held a private dinner party at the Summerhouse. It included music, but that was strictly for ambiance (however, had anyone wanted to dance, they certainly could have). Here's the link to my photos: click here.

The Whitehall Room inside the Grand Floridian's Convention Center has been the back-up location for one of my outdoor events. It is a lovely room and the patio is equally as lovely. I would not hesitate to book an event there -- but it is quite popular, so if you're considering it, do look into it now.

 

[Janet2k]

The Beach at the Beach club sounds fantastic but my problem is that we're getting married on August 5th, so it will be too hot.

Raspberry Bubbles, yes, August is hot. I threw an outdoor party at the end of July in 2006 at the Grand Floridian's marina and it was warm outside. But thanks to the ice cold drinks from our bar, it was a little easier to bear.

The back-up location for that particular event was a room in the Grand Floridian's Convention Center. It wasn't the Whitehall Room, though, since that room was already booked for another event. Offhand, I can't remember the name of the room that Disney was going to give me in the event of inclement weather. Thankfully, the rain held off that night and my event went off outdoors without a hitch. But it was a close (close) call since it had rained cats & dogs that afternoon. I was a nervous wreck in the minutes leading up to my event.

Our current booking is for the YCG at 10, the GF Whitehall and Patio until 4, the Summerhouse for a BBQ until 7 and then a DP at Epcot UK. I look so wistfully at the pictures of the escape brides cutting their cake on a patio with a fabulous view and then I feel sad because I want the same photos - my cake outside, with a beautiful view.

It sounds like you'll have plenty of opportunities for a nice set of cake-cutting photos if you're willing to be flexible -- and the FTW folks are willing to allow you to be flexible. Run your wishes by them to see if something can be worked out in the event that it rains while you're at the Whitehall Room. That is, if it rains, see if your cake-cutting ceremony can be moved to later on in the day when you're at the Summerhouse. And if it rains while you're at the Summerhouse, see if the cake-cutting ceremony can be pushed back to your Illuminations dessert party. It's definitely something worth looking into since outdoor cake-cutting photos are very important to you.

I'm worried that the GF room is going to be hard to theme and that it will look just like I'm in a stuffy room, and not in Florida.

I have seen many photos of the Whitehall Room over the years. None of the photos ever made the room appear stuffy. It is a lovely room. But I would definitely speak with the FTW folks to see what sort of themeing is available. Disney has all sorts of wonderful ideas hiding up their sleeves. I'm sure they'll be able to come up with just the right decor package for you.

I love the balcony at the Attic but I don't really like the chairs and tables inside the attic. If I'm inside, I want to be able to dance freely on a dancefloor and I want it to be able to be dark, which I don't think I can do at the Whitehall as it looks so airy and has windows all around as opposed to a ballroom. I was told that as it was August we would most likely not be allowed on the Patio at the Whitehall due to the heat. The reason I booked the GF was because of the patio, you see. I figured I could cut my cake out there at least, in the open air. I'm quite sad about this.

Well, since you want to dance in the dark, you've got quite the dilemma with both of those locations due to the timing of your event. Ask the FTW folks how dark the Whitehall Room gets with the drapes closed. If it doesn't get too dark, I bet something could be done about that. Of course, this would be at an additional cost to you, so be prepared to open up your budget a bit.

I just thought I'd mention that I have been at afternoon weddings and had no problem dancing in the daylight. When everyone's in a good mood and the DJ is spinning some good tunes, people's feet just naturally gravitate towards the dance floor, have no fear.

I do remember your Summerhouse party - that inspired me to book at cook-out there after the reception - I hope mine is as exciting as yours!

I'm sure your party will be even more fun than mine was. I can't wait to see your photos.

I'm really at a loss. I can picture the rest of my day except for the reception, yet I know how I want it to look, I just can't find a reception location I love. I have my planning visit in February; I'm hoping I can make my mind up then.

Everything should begin to fall into place when you're down there next month for your planning session. Make sure to ask the FTW folks how each venue can be decorated. One of the nice things about working with Disney is that they are so dang creative. They should be able to come up with a decor package that will make your event look exactly the way that you envision it.

Thank you so much for replying - you have been such a terrific help to me in the past - please feel free to add anything else!

You're welcome. And if I can think of anything further to add, I will.

Janet

 

[orangetiggs]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1674642

its got some great pics in

 

[Raspberry Bubbles]

Janet and Sarah, thanks so much!

Janet, you always remind me to be calm and rational - something I don't seem to be able to do so far away from the place I'm getting married. I just don't want the DFTW folks to be cross with me as I'm so uncertain about the reception. I can picture everything else, just not that!

Thank you for anything ~ and if you do have any more advice, I would be so happy to hear it!

 

[orangetiggs]

I cant be calm either!! the time difference drives me mental cos I will email then wont get a reply to maybe the next day!!! Its so hard to cope with when you just want answers etc!!!

 

[Raspberry Bubbles]

Oh Sarah, I know! I always attach a return receipt to my emails so I know when they have been read - then I can drive myself nuts waiting for a response..... Haha.

 

[orangetiggs]

yes I do as well and got told off by my planner at one time for saying they werent responsing!!!