S/D Ceremony & GV Tea-Doable?

[perla75]

Ok, after much thought & financial woahs, we've decided to do a S/D ceremony instead of a WDW Escape.

I'm getting excited because it seems SO much cheaper & we love the BW area. I've read through the S/D FAQ on here, but I do have a few questions...

-We are looking at a ceremony in the East Courtyard with a maximum of 17 guests (including 2 infants). This is just our preliminary guest list, these people may not all actually come! I would love to have a harpist as well.

-Will the S/D provide a chupah? If so, how much extra is it?

-What kinds of flowers does the package come with?

-I still want to have a reception at the Garden View Tea Room at the GF. But, will it be a pain for us & everyone to travel there from the S/D?

-Are we obligated to stay overnight at the S/D? If so, what is the minimum # of nights we'll need to stay?

Thanks everyone!!

 

[perla75]

Just bumping this up-any thoughts??

 

[Ember]

You'll have to contact the Grand Floridian about having your reception, the only thing I would worry about it wearing your dress if you aren't a Disney bride. Disney is hyper sensitive about brides seeing each other, and because of this they may not allow you to wear your dress in case you run into another bride... I have no idea if this will be an issue, but I would check beforehand rather then risk having a problem...

I don't think getting from the Boardwalk area to the GF will be much of an issue, just hire town cars to take you. They hold 4 each and are something like $25 flat rate for a one way trip. You're guest list isn't that big, so you won't need many of them.

Have fun planning and be sure to tell us all about it!

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

I do not know all the answers, BUT I have researched S/D weddings a little bit. You definitely do NOT need to stay there to have a wedding there. If you go to the S/D website and click on "weddings" they have a FAQ (which is where I read that) and there might be more help there with your other questions, too.

As far as transportation, you would probably want to rent a limousine or towncar if guests don't have rental cars. Otherwise, guests would have to take the buses or ferry to another park (DTD, MK, etc.) and then wait for another bus/monorail from there to the GF. If you wanted to let them take Disney transport, I'd make sure that you allow at least 1 1/2 hours in between the ceremony and the reservation.

Honestly, if I went with a S/D ceremony, I'd have the reception closer. There are some really great not-too expensive options at the S/D and at the Yacht and Beach Club or Boardwalk. If you really want the tea, why not make it a separate meal just for you and your bridal party or something like that? are you doing a rehearsal?

Definitely check out the S/D FAQ on their site and I think there's a thread here about S/D weddings, too - I'll have to look for a link when I have some more time.

HTH!!

 

[perla75]

Thanks guys!!

Geez, I didn't think about having to check to see if it's ok to wear my wedding dress at the GF- Do you really think they will be unaccomodating to a non-Disney bride? Isn't there always a possibility that there might be two women in bridal gowns walking around, whether it's 2 WDW brides or not? I do want to wear my wedding dress for our lunch, but I don't want to feel unwelcome at the venue for not being a true Disney bride...

I'll have to research more lunch ideas. We just want to have a large group meal-not a true reception or private dining.