Reception only at Disney?

[FSUDisneyGirl]

Hey Disbrides!

I am a looooong time lurker/ very occasional poster, but I some questions for you all:

1. I think I remember a bride a few months/ years ago who had a Catholic ceremony outside of Disney and her reception only at Disney? Anyone remember this...or did she do a trip report?

2. Is a reception only possible? I know it's not normal...but are there ways around it (within the rules)? Like, maybe you can have your ceremony off property but your reception still has to meet the minimum cost?

Thanks everyone!

 

[CharacterFan]

The bride who is having her wedding at a Catholic church and reception at Disney is currently away. Today is her wedding day.

Disney trys to work with all brides. If there is a religious reason for not being able to have it on property I'm sure they can do something, not sure about a min though.

Maybe some others have more information.

 

[Wish on a Star]

So would you want to have an official Catholic wedding and then come and have a ceremony at Disney? or you just want to have a reception somewhere on Disney property with no ceremony?

 

[FSUDisneyGirl]

Thanks for the replies, girls! And HAPPY WEDDING DAY to the Catholic bride! I usually keep up with this board better, but with moving and starting a new job this summer, I am totally behind!

Here's some more details about my situation. Long story short, my boyfriend's father is currently a missionary in Africa, and has been away for almost 2 years. He is coming back this spring, and we have (almost positive!) decided to move our wedding from next winter to this spring so that his father can be there. We are not officially engaged yet, but that will come soon. We've been going out for 5 years, so it's a sure thing.

Anyway, the reason I was asking about the off-property ceremony is because it would mean a lot to my boyfriend to have the ceremony on his church property (the church he grew up at). The church actually just burnt down (was struck by lightning, if you heard about it on the news, that was his church) but there is a nice wooded area behind the church with a cross and benches where we would like to do the ceremony...part of clearing and constructing the area was his Eagle Scout project (yes, he's a big dork ) so it's special to him.

However....the area is about an hour away from Disney. I have a lot of family from the northeast that would be coming down for the wedding, and there are no nice-ish hotels and not much to do in the area. If my family is going to come down, I'd like a place (like Disney) where we can hang out and do fun things together. Disney has been my dream FOREVER, but it's so expensive and we are on are own...however, I figure any place is somewhat expensive, and we might as well be frugal and go for it...but we're still figuring things out.

LOL so, long story long...that is why I was wondering if we could do a ceremony off-site. Whew! Thanks for your help, and happy wedding planning to all!

 

[Wish on a Star]

Thanks for the replies, girls! And HAPPY WEDDING DAY to the Catholic bride! I usually keep up with this board better, but with moving and starting a new job this summer, I am totally behind!

Here's some more details about my situation. Long story short, my boyfriend's father is currently a missionary in Africa, and has been away for almost 2 years. He is coming back this spring, and we have (almost positive!) decided to move our wedding from next winter to this spring so that his father can be there. We are not officially engaged yet, but that will come soon. We've been going out for 5 years, so it's a sure thing.

Anyway, the reason I was asking about the off-property ceremony is because it would mean a lot to my boyfriend to have the ceremony on his church property (the church he grew up at). The church actually just burnt down (was struck by lightning, if you heard about it on the news, that was his church) but there is a nice wooded area behind the church with a cross and benches where we would like to do the ceremony...part of clearing and constructing the area was his Eagle Scout project (yes, he's a big dork ) so it's special to him.

However....the area is about an hour away from Disney. I have a lot of family from the northeast that would be coming down for the wedding, and there are no nice-ish hotels and not much to do in the area. If my family is going to come down, I'd like a place (like Disney) where we can hang out and do fun things together. Disney has been my dream FOREVER, but it's so expensive and we are on are own...however, I figure any place is somewhat expensive, and we might as well be frugal and go for it...but we're still figuring things out.

LOL so, long story long...that is why I was wondering if we could do a ceremony off-site. Whew! Thanks for your help, and happy wedding planning to all!

Wow- that is a story! My DFi and I actually booked our wedding before our actual engagement and were surprised how many other Disney brides did the same! Here is what I know other brides have done:

A- Had a Catholic wedding at the church of their choice and then another ceremony at Disney (which i dont think is what you were talking about, but an option) Depending on how many people you were thinking, it can still be down with a modest budget (particularly Escape weddings).

B- As far as receptions- you are always welcome to have a celebration through Disney. They are really advertising "what are you celebrating?" You will have to follow the "no dress in Disney park rules" So that would mean that you could book a room at a resort. You could book a private room, or an option that is becoming popular lately is booking a room in one of the Convention centers so you have the privacy and not the huge minimums. I dont see why you couldnt wear a dress at the resort restaurants (correct me if im wrong ladies).

I would contact Disney and get information about their "What are you celebrating?" options. You can even book dessert parties!

 

[Sarah <3 Disney]

Here is the planning journal of the bride who was married off site yesterday. Maybe you can browse through it and see what she did.

Planning Journal: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1807984

Edit: After a quick look through her journal, I found a post with all of her responses from her wedding planner concerning her off site ceremony. Disney seems to be very accommodating, even offering transportation from the ceremony site to the reception.

Link: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=27100098&highlight=ceremony+site#post27100098

 

[FSUDisneyGirl]

Thanks so much, Sarah! Sorry for the long story!