Receptions for under 50 guests questions? (Ariel's?)

[pixie08]

Hi everyone..I was wondering if someone could possiblly help me with this.

We have not yet set a date but we are trying to figure out a budget (probably the date will not be until 2007) so we can begin to save. We are probably going to have about 40 people not including us at our wedding. This is my problem....I don't think a ballroom is appropriate because according to disney they seat 10 at a table so there would only be 4 tables and a sweetheart table so I think the ballroom is going to be empty!!!

I love the gazebo @ the yacht for the ceremony (I love the pavillion..actually it is what made me decide to have a disney wedding when I saw it last year but for $1,000less the gazebo is just as nice!) So I was thinking about Ariel's (do they allow dancing/DJ?). Anyone have experiences to share or suggestions? They really have limited pics on the site. We are going in Aug and will be checking a few places out..but right now it is so open we will wind up spending all day looking at reception locations! I would love any feedback to help me narrow down my choices!!! THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!!!!

 

[hmgolden]

Fantasia Sam had her reception at Ariels. I think that she had around the size guest list that you are looking at there. I know that she had a DJ at her reception. I'm sure she'll be along to give you more detailed answers to your questions though!

There are different size ballrooms at Disney, and in one of the smallers ones, your size party wouldn't look too small (the St. James room at the Boardwalk comes to mind).

There are also other in park locations that come to mind, like the Living Seas, or the American Adventure VIP Lounge in EPCOT.

Have you looked at www.yourfairytale.com? There is a lot of info there on potential reception sites. Also, when you talk to a Sales Manager at Disney, they will be able to help you find the perfect place for your reception!

 

[twojo21]

hi pixie08! we're getting married at the yacht club gazebo, followed by a prereception at martha's vineyard & our reception at ariels (it has a great seaside/underwater theme), then an illuminations dessert party at french island march 21st 2006. we are so excited! the yacht & beach club is so elegant & just what we wanted for our big day, we are having 55 guests & a custom wedding.

yes ariels allows a dj/band & the tile area near the aquarium is perfect for a dance floor. i have some pictures from our site visit & em if you pm me your email i'll be happy to forward them to you. make sure to check out fantasia sam's wedding photos on the sticky link above for wedding photos too, her wedding was just beautiful. there are tons of choices at wdw for ceremony & receptions so i'm sure you two will find something perfect & since you have some time to save it will be that much easier.

best of luck with your plans!
twojo21
to be

 

[Kismetdreams]

I also hosted my wedding at the YCG, followed by a reception at Ariel's. We had 50 people total at the wedding and it was a perfect fit! They set the bar up down in the sunkin area at the far end of the room, your DJ will sit down in the tiled/sunken area on the left side of the room (as you are facing the back wall from the entrance. In the entrance area, there is room for your guest book/placecard tables. And there is lots of room in the main dining area. We had 4 tables, plus our sweetheart table.

You can see more photos from our wedding at: Our Wedding pics on Ofoto

Any other questions, feel free to ask!

HTH!

 

[Snow_White]

You might also want to check out Whitehall at the Grand Floridian. We're having approx 35 people at our reception and that is where we are having it. Originally, we wanted an in-park reception of some sort, but as soon as we saw Whitehall (during our site inspection), we fell in love with it I posted lots of pics of it here.

 

[Fantasia Sam]

Ariel's is just perfection follow on for a YC Gazebo wedding but I am biased.

As everyone said it fits 50 in more than comfortably.

You can read my trip reports and see pictures

Sam & Paul's Wedding Trip Report

Sam & Paul's "Under The Sea" DFTW wedding photos

Oh and our video summary if you really want a taste

Look for Samantha & Paul's wedding video summary

Hope that all helps for you to make up your mind

 

[pixie08]

wow thanks- you guys have all been so helpful..twojo21 thanks so much for the photos!!!! fantasia Sam I loved your wedding pics...you looked so beautiful and the ceremony and reception looked gorgeous...I loooved your wedding pics so much that I really think I want the yacht club gazebo & Ariel's!!!! Kismetdreams..for some reason I could not access your pics but I am sure they are beautiful it is such a beautiful and elegant spot.

I will be going in August to look at sites...gazebo/ariel or on top of my list I will also look at the whitehall but is seems like there is no dancing????

Thanks to all of you again!!

 

[rosiejo]

Sam & Paul's "Under The Sea" DFTW wedding photos

Sam - i love your photos - are they DPS or did you have an outside photographer?

RJ

 

[Fantasia Sam]

Sam - i love your photos - are they DPS or did you have an outside photographer?

RJ

HI RJ - thanks - I used Randy Chapman Photography - we were very happy with our choice

pixie08 - thanks for the compliments also - I'm so glad you like the look of Ariels and the Gazebo. You can have dancing at The Whitehall I attended a wedding reception there myself last October and there was a dance floor - it's just you have to pay extra for the dance floor where as at Ariel's it's already there

 

[J&L Love Disney]

We are having our Vow Renewal Ceremony in December at "The Attic" in the Boardwalk. We will only have 25-30 guests.

It is a very casual atmosphere. Small tables with chairs, sofas, etc. It has antiques, floral theme, a carousel horse. They do buffets only, but you can have very upscale menu items.

There is a large covered/uncovered private terrace that overlooks the Boardwalk and the lake. We are going to have dancing out there since they are not too many of us.

I have watched a bride's video online and she had her wedding reception at The Attic and used the terrace for dancing. It was beautiful.

It's just another option.

Lisa

 

[Fantasia Sam]

Oh Lisa I simply adore the Attic - My girlfriends threw my Bridal Shower there and it was absolutely wonderful and yes perfect for the guest size you mention.