sarahknowles
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2006
- Messages
- 55
Let the planning officially begin....
I just got back from my site visit. I met with Kristi Davis and she was absolutely wonderful. We talked for about 30 minutes first while she got an idea of what we were looking for, and she explained many things to us and answered many questions. Nothing is confirmed yet but we are hoping for April 18, 2008.
I had already decided on the wedding pavilion for the ceremony, so I was mainly concerned about finding the right reception site. Originally I had wanted a V&A's reception, although now I'm rethinking that idea. But for those of you who might be interested in that here is the deal. The whole restaurant can comfortably seat 50 guests, and the smaller room can seat 18-25. To book the whole place for one seating (from 5:30 to 8:30 or 9:00 to 12:00) is $13,000 with no alcohol (additional $60/person for the wine pairings). A Harpist plays throughout the evening but there is no room for dancing. There may be room for the bride and groom's first dance though. The smaller room can be booked for a little under $2000, not including alcohol. There is no room for even a first dance here though. I was very impressed with the restaurant and I will definitely incorporate a dinner here into some aspect of the wedding (maybe a honeymoon dinner?), but I surprised myself by being equally impressed with the next stop on our site tour.
As soon as I saw the Whitehall room at the GF convention center I knew that it fit all of our needs. I was originally hesitant about it because I did not want a convention center feel, but this room is different. It has warmth and charm and beautiful views and many different possibilities. I am so glad I made a site visit because there is no other way to really get a feel for the room. I have decided that dinner on the patio would be perfect, with dancing inside the Whitehall room. Right across the hall is another room where we can set up the children's party. We have around 50 adults and 10 or so children. Everyone should fit very comfortably.
Just to be sure that I had seen everything that I was considering we made a visit to the American Adventure pavilion in Epcot. For the size of our party we would be placed in the upstairs parlor for coctails and another room upstairs for eating. It was all very lovely, but honestly did not impress me as much as the Whitehall room.
So now I'm pretty confident in how the wedding day with play out. I'm hoping for a 5 pm ceremony and dinner/dancing at the whitehall room. Thanks to this forum I've been convinced that taking pictures before the cermony is the way to go. I think it will calm my nerves and give me and DF a few precious moments together before we're "on" in front of everyone.
The other two events I have to plan will be the welcome party and the morning after brunch. The quiet pool at the boardwalk is my first choice for the welcome party, and I'm hoping to get the Garden View tea room at the GF for the brunch. If anyone has managed to get the tea room for anything please let me know. I was told it might be possible.
I'm so excited to finally get things rolling and I'm really looking forward to the whole planning process. Yay for the DISboards!
I just got back from my site visit. I met with Kristi Davis and she was absolutely wonderful. We talked for about 30 minutes first while she got an idea of what we were looking for, and she explained many things to us and answered many questions. Nothing is confirmed yet but we are hoping for April 18, 2008.
I had already decided on the wedding pavilion for the ceremony, so I was mainly concerned about finding the right reception site. Originally I had wanted a V&A's reception, although now I'm rethinking that idea. But for those of you who might be interested in that here is the deal. The whole restaurant can comfortably seat 50 guests, and the smaller room can seat 18-25. To book the whole place for one seating (from 5:30 to 8:30 or 9:00 to 12:00) is $13,000 with no alcohol (additional $60/person for the wine pairings). A Harpist plays throughout the evening but there is no room for dancing. There may be room for the bride and groom's first dance though. The smaller room can be booked for a little under $2000, not including alcohol. There is no room for even a first dance here though. I was very impressed with the restaurant and I will definitely incorporate a dinner here into some aspect of the wedding (maybe a honeymoon dinner?), but I surprised myself by being equally impressed with the next stop on our site tour.
As soon as I saw the Whitehall room at the GF convention center I knew that it fit all of our needs. I was originally hesitant about it because I did not want a convention center feel, but this room is different. It has warmth and charm and beautiful views and many different possibilities. I am so glad I made a site visit because there is no other way to really get a feel for the room. I have decided that dinner on the patio would be perfect, with dancing inside the Whitehall room. Right across the hall is another room where we can set up the children's party. We have around 50 adults and 10 or so children. Everyone should fit very comfortably.
Just to be sure that I had seen everything that I was considering we made a visit to the American Adventure pavilion in Epcot. For the size of our party we would be placed in the upstairs parlor for coctails and another room upstairs for eating. It was all very lovely, but honestly did not impress me as much as the Whitehall room.
So now I'm pretty confident in how the wedding day with play out. I'm hoping for a 5 pm ceremony and dinner/dancing at the whitehall room. Thanks to this forum I've been convinced that taking pictures before the cermony is the way to go. I think it will calm my nerves and give me and DF a few precious moments together before we're "on" in front of everyone.
The other two events I have to plan will be the welcome party and the morning after brunch. The quiet pool at the boardwalk is my first choice for the welcome party, and I'm hoping to get the Garden View tea room at the GF for the brunch. If anyone has managed to get the tea room for anything please let me know. I was told it might be possible.
I'm so excited to finally get things rolling and I'm really looking forward to the whole planning process. Yay for the DISboards!
