small escape wedding, ideas for reception?

[WeLoveLilo05]

for those who had a small escape wedding what did you do in terms of a reception. Someone mentioned on here that you could have a reception with an escape wedding but its 2 hours instead of 4, which is great.

If you all don't mind me asking, what was your budget for this?
Thanks!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

With the Escape package you have the choice of a privately catered reception at one of the smaller rooms (eg St James' Room) or just booking a meal in the usual way at a restaurant (most restaurant managers are very accomodating to wedding parties). Just remember that if you have a privately catered event through DFTW (reception or DP), your minimum expenditure must total $7500.00 inclusive of your Escape package.

 

[Brit_Jude]

We had a catered event by Disney at the Whitehall Room but yes the $7500 minimum would kick in. Some brides report great meals and service at some of the restaurants like Citico's and Bluezoo.

WeLoveLilo05 - I posted on your other thread about a guide you can get to help you make a decision.

 

[Chilly]

I had mine at the Key West Room at the GF, for us the minimum was $500, we splurged on food though and it was over $100 a person but you could easy cut that down, we had brilliant service from our own private server.

 

[Tinker Bell Fan]

We're having a VR in April 2011 (Escape pkg). I'm not planning on going through DFTW for this - I'm planning on doing it on my own. If everyone on our guest list comes there will only be 20 of us, I'm banking on maybe 10 to 12 will actually show up. My budget for this is $1500 (only because at this moment I don't know where it will be held. I've been tossing ideas such as Whispering Cafe at Wilderness Lodge, Trails End, O'Hana's, and even Spirit of Aloha. Not quite sure where we'll end up yet!

 

[wonderlandaddict]

My daughter had hers last week. We had 20 people and we had dinner at Grand Floridian Cafe. They provided us with a smaller menu and seated us at 2 long tables in the back of the rest. away from most of the guests. The food and service was excellent!!!! And the cost was $300 less than I budgeted for!
And there was no wait!

 

[Disney-Chick]

I thought of doing a restaurant but after some discussion with DF and my family we felt that doing catered supper at the rented house my family will be staying would be more relaxed and we all could mingle as I have others coming just to the reception. Plus being at my parents there is no time limit and we don't have to worry about noise or other issues you run into while at a restaurant. Plus this saves more money and my DF is all about saving as that means that extra money can be put into our other trips.

 

[Tinker Bell Fan]

My daughter had hers last week. We had 20 people and we had dinner at Grand Floridian Cafe. They provided us with a smaller menu and seated us at 2 long tables in the back of the rest. away from most of the guests. The food and service was excellent!!!! And the cost was $300 less than I budgeted for!
And there was no wait!

I'm going to look into this! I like this idea!

 

[evey82]

I'm interested in the Grand Floridian Cafe too, can you give me an idea of the menu and costs for a meal/reception type event like your daughter had? Have you got any pics? It looks nice from pics i've seen and i think it would be v handy if having the wedding at WP

 

[wonderlandaddict]

I am going to attempt to post some pictures. If you want a copy of the menu PM me your email address and I can send it that way.
thanks!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

I am glad you had good sevice from the GF cafe.
I recently emailed the manager about the possibility of our VR reception at the restaurant and was told that it could not be gauranteed that our party (of 16) could all sit together and that a long table for this many was out of the question. As it was important to me that we all sit together, I decided not to consider it for our reception dinner.

 

[angel81uk]

We are having a reception at Sago Cay after our escape wedding. It seems to be working out really well for us. As we have such a small party we were going to struggle to meet the location f&b minimum so we have tacked a dessert party on to the end which has increased the time the space is available to us without increasing the required spend. Budget wise, we have to meet the $1000 f&b minimum and will spend more on floral and decor etc to help us meet the $7500 overall minimum.

 

[weedee]

We had our reception dinner at Citricos in the GF. They set up the table for us in the main dining room (toward the back with all the pretty windows) to seat 17 guests. We didn't have to meet any minimum and were allowed to stay there as long as we liked. We ended up being there from 6ish pm - after 10 pm so we were able to catch the Wishes fireworks on the pier Even though it wasn't a private reception it felt like it! No one was cemented to their seats and the staff was very accommodating for us.

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

We had our reception dinner at Citricos in the GF. They set up the table for us in the main dining room (toward the back with all the pretty windows) to seat 17 guests. We didn't have to meet any minimum and were allowed to stay there as long as we liked. We ended up being there from 6ish pm - after 10 pm so we were able to catch the Wishes fireworks on the pier Even though it wasn't a private reception it felt like it! No one was cemented to their seats and the staff was very accommodating for us.

that sounds nice, did you have a special menu or were able to chose whatever?
Also, children are allowed at Citricos right? 4 will be in attendance lol.
You had to make ADRs right? and when you did that did they promise you'd all be together?

 

[weedee]

that sounds nice, did you have a special menu or were able to chose whatever?
Also, children are allowed at Citricos right? 4 will be in attendance lol.
You had to make ADRs right? and when you did that did they promise you'd all be together?

We used their large party menu which came in 3 tiered prices, so we chose one from there and were able to customize it. Each menu had a set of appetizers, salad, main course (with 5 options) and dessert. Yes, children are allowed. We actually had a two-year old there and they provided a high seat for him. We made ADRs and contacted Citricos directly. We spoke with their managers throughout the process and they took care of everything. We were ensured we'd sit together. We gave them a seating chart, place cards and personalized menus that they set out for us.