Reception location

[jaymi20]

We are planning a wishes wedding in August. We are going to get married at the Wedding pavilion. I am trying to decide what to do after. We have two options:

1. Reception at Napa room at contemporary after 5:00pm ceremony - view Wishes while there

2. Reception at 2:30, reception at Ariel's and dessert party at Epcot afterwards

Thoughts?

 

[TiffinyKaye]

We are planning a wishes wedding in August. We are going to get married at the Wedding pavilion. I am trying to decide what to do after. We have two options:

1. Reception at Napa room at contemporary after 5:00pm ceremony - view Wishes while there

2. Reception at 2:30, reception at Ariel's and dessert party at Epcot afterwards

Thoughts?

I haven't ever eaten at either location. That said, what's the view like at the Napa Room? If it's a GREAT view, then it may be well worth it to just spend money on the reception and watch fireworks, over spending the extra money on a dessert party. I would only question the superiority of your view for the fireworks at the Napa Room, versus having your own private area at Epcot.

For me, personally, I opted to do a dessert party because I felt that having one was one of the "unique Disney" things we could do for the wedding. How often do you get to be "those people" that everyone looks at and says, "Wow--those people must be SPECIAL!" Plus, for me, a dessert party is a way to provide a unique, intimate experience for myself and my guests that likely can't be rivaled. So...my vote is for the dessert party.

I say if you can afford to do it, do it. My wedding isn't until December 8th, and I have to tell you that I am probably most looking forward to the dessert party of all the events for the day (the ceremony will be cool and all--and marrying my fiance--but AFTER marrying my fiance, I think the dessert party will be the coolest).

Tiffiny

 

[mb187143]

We are planning a wishes wedding in August. We are going to get married at the Wedding pavilion. I am trying to decide what to do after. We have two options: 1. Reception at Napa room at contemporary after 5:00pm ceremony - view Wishes while there 2. Reception at 2:30, reception at Ariel's and dessert party at Epcot afterwards Thoughts?

I love both options, my only advice is to figure out which is more "you" if that makes sense. We had a 5:00 ceremony which made for an extremely relaxing day - hair and make up and pictures were not at ridiculously early times. We did a DP the night before our wedding as a welcome party since we had a later ceremony, which our guests enjoyed a lot. I would maybe consider that a 2:30 ceremony means your guests are probably going to get started getting ready and getting picked up at 1:00, and then they'll be transported to Ariel's and then to a DP, that can make for a long day for some people. Plus, DPs on the wedding day don't count toward the minimums anymore, so you still have to make the wishes minimums plus the DP on top. If you can swing it and think your guests can handle a long day, I say go for it.

 

[Lorelei528]

i vote for option 2. Anyone can eat in California Grill and watch Wishes...

But having a private dessert party in EPCOT is really a unique experience and is a great way to end your wedding day!

 

[allanahx]

You also need to note that you can't really customise the menu for Cali Grill. Its sort of set. You get your pick out of what they already serve there. You can't add decorations or anything unless it is from a disney vendor either and they are a bit wary on what you have there too. But the fireworks view is amazing. So you could always book an ADR or have it as a welcome dinner?

 

[alyaki]

You also need to note that you can't really customise the menu for Cali Grill. Its sort of set. You get your pick out of what they already serve there. You can't add decorations or anything unless it is from a disney vendor either and they are a bit wary on what you have there too. But the fireworks view is amazing. So you could always book an ADR or have it as a welcome dinner?

The menu customization is something to really think about. Not only do you need to pick from what they already serve (either off their regular menu or on their group events menu), but no menu tasting either. I know we had originally been considering that spot, but neither I nor Raist really liked the changes to the menu that happened when they renovated, and menu tasting was important to Raist, so that axed that one. It does have a good view, and it would be a fun location, but I'd only book it for reception if you're okay with what they serve and don't care about the menu tasting.

As for decor, I think both locations you're considering require you to use Disney for it (though you can go outside for personal floral), so that probably shouldn't affect your decision.

I'd probably be tempted to do either book it as an ADR or rehearsal meal, as allanahx suggested.

Hope that helps!