Show me your custom/out of the box ceremony and/or reception photos

[FSU Fanatics]

We have an idea we drew up since the lady we spoke with a few days ago said the croquet lawn could be both our ceremony and reception site with a plated dinner or buffet that was plated. We went to see the site yesterday and called our sales manager to double check and then sign paperwork if it was true. He said that we could only have a ceremony there. I really would hate to spend so much money creating a huge custom scene for like 20-30 minutes. Now we have to make some decisions.

I would love to see what others did so I can see what can be done to locations throughout Disney World. I am not a fan of ballrooms but am open to seeing ideas of what can be done. Pretty much unlimited budget so I can see all ideas.

He also said we have to have 100 people min for the DP in Italy I want. Is it wrong to invite some of his army buddies or coworkers just for that? Part of me says yes and the other part says no.

Thanks!!! With so much stress these days being 3 months out and some health issues I need inspiration.

 

[lirija]

I think invited extras for the DP is fine, especially if it is his buddies. Others may disagree, but if I were a young woman and a friend invited me along just to the DP and I was local, I would not mind.

Look at the Disney Travel Babble blog (Google it) for pics of receptions at interesting venues. It looks like they do that at Coronado Springs and it looked amazing.

 

[TiffinyKaye]

Personally, if I had an unlimited budget, I'd likely have my reception at the Indiana Jones Stuntshow or the Great Movie Ride. I think Indy is closed now (or closing), so that may not be an option. Great Movie Ride is still an option, I think, and I always thought that would be a really cool, unique experience.

I am also a fan of the reception venues in Animal Kingdom. I think the Tamu Tamu Courtyard, followed by the Belvedere Palace Ruins would have been my my favorites there. I actually would have LOVED a reception there, but DF didn't. So, we're in Epcot.

Bringing me to Epcot...we are having our reception at Living Seas Salon. It sounds like you have a lot of people coming. I don't remember how many people the venue accommodates, but you may be able to have it there. It's a unique venue because it faces into an aquarium...so that's cool. And, since you say you have an unlimited budget (lucky you!), you could even arrange for Scuba Mickey to drop in and swim by in the tank. I'm really happy with having chosen that venue for our reception. DF and I both agreed on it, and it's really cool.

The other place I think I would have loved a reception at, but we didn't have the guest minimum to do it, is the American Adventure Rotunda. It has a 100-person minimum guest count to reserve. It's insanely gorgeous, and I would have chosen there if they had let me. I don't know if they let you walk around in there during a reception, or if they have it roped off, but there are all sorts of American history exhibits in the adjoining rooms. I think my guests would have loved it. The rotunda ended up being our backup location for the ceremony if we get rained out...so I wasn't disappointed in that.

Good luck, lucky girl!

Tiffiny

 

[TiffinyKaye]

I forgot to add--yeah, it's fine to invite army buddies and whatever to the DP. I think anyone who had the opportunity to attend totally would. In fact, invite me if you want! I'll be a warm body so that you can meet your minimum...

Tiffiny

 

[TiffinyKaye]

In fact....Carrie's got a whole section of photos on her website!:

http://disneytravelbabble.com/disney-weddings/wdw-venue-photos/

 

[MrsDuck]

Prop Shop would be my first choice!

 

[FSU Fanatics]

Thank you!!! Animal Kingdom is closed to events for reno as is Hollywood Studios. I asked about the Great Movie Ride but have not heard anything. I will have to look into Indiana Jones.


@TiffanyKaye...I'll keep you in mind living Seas is the only thing booked on our date for dinner so that is out. To use it we would have to have a brunch there or change our date. My FI and I both worked at Sea World so it is cool for the aquarium. Did they say anything about what they do when the aquarium lights go out at like 945pm? I love the rotunda too but FI doesn't nor do we meet the minimum unless we invite more people. We are at 50-80 for just family and close friends since FI has a huge family.

 

[TiffinyKaye]

Thank you!!! Animal Kingdom is closed to events for reno as is Hollywood Studios. I asked about the Great Movie Ride but have not heard anything. I will have to look into Indiana Jones.


@TiffanyKaye...I'll keep you in mind living Seas is the only thing booked on our date for dinner so that is out. To use it we would have to have a brunch there or change our date. My FI and I both worked at Sea World so it is cool for the aquarium. Did they say anything about what they do when the aquarium lights go out at like 945pm? I love the rotunda too but FI doesn't nor do we meet the minimum unless we invite more people. We are at 50-80 for just family and close friends since FI has a huge family.

That's way too bad about Animal Kingdom. That means we probably wouldn't have been able to do anything there either, even if I could have convinced DF. I'm sorry.

Definitely ask about Indy--but again, I think you might not get to because of the construction. I think they're taking it all out for an as-of-yet unannounced "Star Wars" expansion. Even though they haven't said anything...it only makes sense. I think it was Iger that came out a while ago and said that they were going to try to give "Star Wars" a bigger presence in their parks...and it would only make sense to put it in Hollywood Studios where "Star Tours" already is (which means good-bye Indy. ).

Hollywood Studios...I think there would be SOME places you could have an event that would not be affected by renovations. For example, the Prop Shop (unless that's what you're referring to). One of the few Disney grooms that we have on these boards is having his wedding in November at SBP, and their reception is at the Prop Shop. It could be that their event is occurred before everything closes down though. I have heard that the entire area--including the backlot tour--will be removed for construction (I would guess for "Star Wars" additions).

That said--other popular attractions should NOT be closed during that time frame (but could be booked). If you look at the venues on that website I shared, Carrie (LurkyLoo) has listed in there the area over by Rockin' Rollercoaster and Tower of Terror. The Tower of Terror courtyard looks AWESOME and so gorgeous. It has a very elegant vibe (especially when you look at the pictures Carrie took of herself and DH during their little mini-party--they're adorable!). If that's available....that'd be a great place.

Great Movie Ride...that SHOULD be available (if it's not already booked). They have it on the Disney Weddings website as something that you can book...so I imagine that hasn't been taken out of the mix for refurbishment yet. So, hopefully they are able to make that work for you. I would totally have my reception in Munchkinland.

I think you're right on the aquarium lights in LSS. I think they do turn them off at 9:45 PM. So, if you're having a night ceremony and reception--that would be a roadblock anyway, in addition to the fact that you said it was already booked.

Here's a better link to the other stuff Lurkyloo has written on some venues:
http://disneytravelbabble.com/blog/2011/08/02/private-party-locations-at-disneys-hollywood-studios/

At this point...if you have no budget, I think the Tower of Terror courtyard would be awesome. Plus, especially if you have no budget, it looks like you can pay them $6,500 to keep the ride open for your guests. The aforementioned groom isn't paying to keep it open, but he is doing a "ride mix-in" so that all the guests can hopefully go on while it's still open during their reception. Per the description on Carrie's website...it looks like you get an escort to the front of the line. Not sure if you'd be able to do it in your wedding dress, but I can't imagine why not. The car isn't like Space Mountain (where there might actually be some danger to you being in a wedding dress while riding).


Finally....what did you and your DF do at Sea World? My step-sister currently works there in the arctic portion. She loves it!

Tiffiny

 

[FSU Fanatics]

We do have a budget. I couldn't figure out how to word it when I typed it up at like 2am this morning. I was saying unlimited budget so everyone could join in and not limiting design ideas by price so I could get more ideas. I had been up for a few days with little sleep between working and his doc appointments and hospital visits so my brain is a little slow.

Star Wars...now I have to ask what is being done, lol. We have my friends coming in their costumes so we can have Darth Vader and some storm troopers as a surprise for my dad who loves them since his birthday is a few days before our wedding. No cost to us so I hope our planner says it is ok. I know Backlot is gone but don't remember what was going in there in its place.

Thanks for the location info!!! I will ask my sales manager about those places to see what we could have access to. He was a little vague on places because he was not sure what construction was going on or when it would be done.

My FI was a diver and then a Blue Horizons show member and I was operations control. Sea World is an awesome place to work. Honestly I miss it some days.

 

[TiffinyKaye]

We do have a budget. I couldn't figure out how to word it when I typed it up at like 2am this morning. I was saying unlimited budget so everyone could join in and not limiting design ideas by price so I could get more ideas. I had been up for a few days with little sleep between working and his doc appointments and hospital visits so my brain is a little slow.

Star Wars...now I have to ask what is being done, lol. We have my friends coming in their costumes so we can have Darth Vader and some storm troopers as a surprise for my dad who loves them since his birthday is a few days before our wedding. No cost to us so I hope our planner says it is ok. I know Backlot is gone but don't remember what was going in there in its place.

Thanks for the location info!!! I will ask my sales manager about those places to see what we could have access to. He was a little vague on places because he was not sure what construction was going on or when it would be done.

My FI was a diver and then a Blue Horizons show member and I was operations control. Sea World is an awesome place to work. Honestly I miss it some days.

Sea World is a place that I love too--and step-sister (obviously) loves it. I get so angry when I think about all the "Blackfish" stuff. So many arguments with people over that movie. Then I tell them my step-sister works for Sea World, and they retort with, "Of course Sea World is telling you what they WANT you to know!" As if my step-sister would work with a company that didn't treat its animals well. A lot has happened with the management of that park, too, since some of that footage featured in the film. I just roll my eyes. Soo....Sea World is lying to me, but there's zero way that a documentary film is, huh? Because it's a "documentary," it must all be true? As a film major from college, you quickly learn that a documentary is basically just a visual essay. You support your thesis with images. You intentionally don't show images that defeat your thesis. I've been in the backstage areas of Sea World and have seen all the animals that are currently being nursed back to health. I've studied their policies and how they attempt to make the oceanic world a better place. Grr..it just drives me nuts. Okay-- I'll shut up on that now. #ISupportSeaWorld

Now, that said--yes, "Star Wars" is likely coming to Disney in a big way (since they own it now, and it's an insanely huge cash cow). I don't know what any of the new rides will be...I just hope they try to keep prequel influence to a minimum. I will be happy if it's more Endor-based, rather than Tatooine.

As for your dad and Darth Vader/storm troopers...that is definitely something you'll want to talk to your planner about before you just do it. I am fairly certain they would deny entrance to those guests if they came to your wedding dressed up. Disney wants your money--and so if they can provide something to you that you wanted to provide yourself, they will stop you from providing it yourself and make you pay them for it.

Doubtless you've seen Disney wedding pictures with Darth and the troopers there--but those are all Disney-provided. So, I would talk to your planner and see how much they cost. I know that in the early stages of planning my wedding, my first planner (who is no longer there) told me that Darth Vader showing up and having a lightsaber duel with DF was an option. What he didn't realize is that that was more my dream that Mitch's. So, if anything--particularly if you're in Hollywood Studios, I bet--you can still have Vader. You'll just likely need Disney to provide him, and he'll cost you money.

And, in connection with your dad's birthday--I have heard of people doing special occasion cakes at their weddings for guests who show up and share their birthday with the wedding day. It sounds like your dad's b-day isn't exactly your wedding day, but perhaps close enough to where you wouldn't get to celebrate it with him due to the honeymoon, or feel the wedding might overshadow it. I saw one wedding where one of the guests--like a 7-year-old girl or something--shared her birthday with the wedding day. The bride and groom commissioned a special "Up"-themed cake for her, so that they could celebrate her birthday at the same time.

Maybe see if Disney would do an awesome 3D-sculpted Darth Vader cake for your dad?

You mentioned doc appointments and stuff. I really hope everything is okay.

Tiffiny

 

[FSU Fanatics]

Awesome idea!!! I will so ask my planner for the cost of Darth Vader and other characters. I have to have them. I am getting so excited talking about them now with my FI and you! I saw a 3D Darth cake yesterday and had already forgotten about it. Yoga is my dad's favorite so I may see about doing that cake. So many ideas.

My twin sister actually got married on my dad's 60th birthday to follow tradition as my parents married on my grandfathers 60th. We were going to get married on the 17th when we were planning at a different venue but then decided to change it to the 24th so it wasn't so close. Our original date for the old venue was April 4 but they were "booked" so we had either January 17 or 24 if we didn't want to wait till July. We just kept it the same when we changed our venue to Disney. My dad's birthday is the 15th and my moms is February 8 so we would do something for them both. Moms surprise is something a lot easier and already approved. Cannot wait to share what we do for her in my report.



I too could go on and on about Sea World. They forget to mention all the good that is done or that the animals born in captivity cannot be put into the wild because they would die. Same for those rescued and taken care of. They are used to not having to hunt for food so they would die quickly if released. It honestly was an awesome job and great company. Oh, and I have yet to watch the movie.

 

[TiffinyKaye]

Do you have a planning journal set up yet? Do you have a link? I would love to read once you have it up!

Tiffiny

 

[FSU Fanatics]

Do you have a planning journal set up yet? Do you have a link? I would love to read once you have it up!

Tiffiny

I was just reading some of the PJs and am loving the inspiration. I was thinking of creating one and then putting more details in it when I get to a laptop.
I have been on my iPad since my FI is using the Mac. I will put a link here once started.

 

[FSU Fanatics]

Hope this works: Our PJ

 

[TiffinyKaye]

Hope this works: Our PJ

Yep! It works! I'm so subscribing. I can't wait to see everything you end up doing!!!

Tiffiny

 

[FSU Fanatics]

Prop Shop would be my first choice!

I asked to see it today but they said no as they do not know the future of it since it has plans to change/go away so it is no longer offered.

I asked about Indy and Great Movie Ride. We were told they can't take us to see them since they are in parks but we will discuss it next Thursday when our sales manager is finally available to meet with us again.

Going to post in our PJ but wanted to share here for others to see. Prop shop shouldn't go down till March but they just want to be on the safe side.