Some early, VERY early, questions!

[TabZ]

Hi Ladies!

While I'm yet to be able to claim the coverted DFTW Bride, I'm hoping to be able to soon, and like all good future princesses we start dreaming early!

I have a preliminary plan, and was wanting to run it by the experts here before taking it to my prince!

Wedding day:
MK Shoot first thing in the morning
Breakfast (seperately) with our respective families
Individual photo shoots (either with Disney Photography or outside vendor)
Ceremony at around 12pm at Yacht Club Wedding Gazebo
Lunchtime reception at California Grill (can I do this?? There will only be about 10-15 of us)
Relax for the afternoon, perhaps an afternoon tea at GF Cafe
Back to California Grill for Cocktails and fireworks viewing - would like a photographer for the fireworks too!

Whole trip:
Arrive 4(ish) days before hand to make final preperations, staying at Yacht Club
Get ready at Yacht Club
Spend wedding night at GF, and stay for a few days afterwards
Run away for a quick 3-4 night cruise
Couple of days back at the parks afterwards at a yet to be determined resort - I might even let my prince make this decision!

Wow it sounds like so much when it's all written down!

What do you think - am I crazy or might it just work?

Logically by the time we save up and convince our families to come with us.. and me convince him it's the right thing to do (i think he's convinced deep down he just wont' tell me yet!) we would be looking at December 2014, but thats fine I love the whole planning thing!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Hi and welcome from another UK (VR) bride
Congratulations on your forthcoming wedding!!
Yours plans sound lovely, but a few pointers have sprung to my mind!!
I am assuming that you are looking at an 'Escape' wedding as you say you would only have 10 - 15 guests.
California Grill is only open for dinner (first sitting 5.30pm) so lunch there would be out. The only way to use it would be to have a 'Wishes' wedding (minimum of 18 guests) and have your reception in one of the private rooms (Napa or Sonoma). These rooms are only available to 'Wishes' brides.
If you were set on having 'Cali grill', I would push your ceremony time back to, the 2.30pm slot and then you could book the first sitting at the restaurant at 5.30pm. There would be time to fill between the two, but I am sure with photography time and setting aside a bit of time for pr-dinner drinks, that could be easily filled. You would have to sit in the main restaurant, (you would be fine in your dress) and I am sure you can have a leisurely dinner and hang around with your drinks to see the fireworks!! As an 'Escape' bride, you would be better booking this as a regular ADR, as private dining events planned by DFTW trigger a $7,500 minimum spend for 'Escape' brides.
The above scenario would not allow time for afternoon tea (which is at 'Garden View Tea Room', not the 'GF Cafe'), but maybe that is something that you could do the day before the wedding!!
You have plenty of time to save and plan which is fantastic!!! Enjoy this special time!! Just remember that DFTW change their rules fairly frequently, so what applies now, may be totally different when your time to book rolls around!!
Good luck sweetie and if I can be of any further help, don't hesitate to ask!!

 

[sambycat]

I'd you haven't already purchased and/or downloaded yourself a copy of the passporters guide to weddings and honeymoons, do so now! Check it out!

 

[leonix8238]

I'd you haven't already purchased and/or downloaded yourself a copy of the passporters guide to weddings and honeymoons, do so now! Check it out!

I second this!

 

[TabZ]

I second this!

Right as soon as I get paid I will own this!! Hopefully it won't change too much between now and then, but totally understand things change every day over there!

Thanks Tink - thats so much useful information! I probably should have done a bit more research before posting but I had a plan in my head and I just had to get it out on paper... or on the screen whichever you prefer

I was hoping to get away with only having to pay for hair and makeup twice, hench doing the MK photo shoot that morning. Could I ask if anyone could give me an indication of how much hair and makeup would cost? If it's not too extravagant I would be happy to have it done twice, once on the wedding day and the other for the MK shoot but was trying to keep the costs down a little bit, especially when I read that the prices had gone up to $1500! But so worth it in my opinion!

Right so my lunch at Cali Grill is out of the question - I definatly see myself as an Escape bride - I doubt we will make the minimum numbers of people for a Wishes wedding.

If we do the MK shoot on another day, I certainly like the idea of a mid afternoon ceremony, followed by photos, then dinner, then fireworks!

Would it be terrible of me to wear my dress for both the MK shoots and the day if the shoot was not on the actual wedding day?

The advice and help on this board is fabulous thanks again in advance!

 

[leonix8238]

The wonderful thing with the downloadable version of the Passporter guide is that when it's updated you can download it again for free!

Prices for hair and make-up servies vary depending on who you use, what you want done and how many people you have in your party. I used Beaute Speciale for my hair and make-up, you can see their prices here: They don't charge to come to your room unless it's early morning i.e. your MK shoot, then they charge an extra $50.

 

[Sarah84]

Lunch isn't actually out of the question at Cali Grill, as an Escape bride you can book the Sonoma room there through your wedding planner you just can't book the Napa room (one with views to MK)

 

[princesswendy720]

And its totally normal to wear your wedding gown to your MK shoot when it is on a different day. I'd say that most of the people on here (and this is just a guestimate not through any scientific research) have their shoot on a day other than their wedding and it is meant to be in your bridal attire (hence the inflated prices....they offer engagement shoots at a lower price but you can't wear your wedding dress).

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Lunch isn't actually out of the question at Cali Grill, as an Escape bride you can book the Sonoma room there through your wedding planner you just can't book the Napa room (one with views to MK)

Thank you for this info Sarah. I didn't realise that the Sonoma Room was available to 'Escape' brides!!
I guess the only downside would be that if used it would have to be booked through DFTW and thus would trigger the $7,500 minimum spend.

 

[TabZ]

The wonderful thing with the downloadable version of the Passporter guide is that when it's updated you can download it again for free!

Prices for hair and make-up servies vary depending on who you use, what you want done and how many people you have in your party. I used Beaute Speciale for my hair and make-up, you can see their prices here: They don't charge to come to your room unless it's early morning i.e. your MK shoot, then they charge an extra $50.

Thanks Leonix - those prices are certainly not as bad as I thought they were going to be - I was thinking upwards of $400 for one session of hair and make up but looks like i could get two sessions and change for that amount of money .... MK shoot on a different day is looking more and more realistic!

Thank you for this info Sarah. I didn't realise that the Sonoma Room was available to 'Escape' brides!!
I guess the only downside would be that if used it would have to be booked through DFTW and thus would trigger the $7,500 minimum spend.

Ouch... thats about how much I was hoping to get away spending on our Escape package and MK shoots... for a max of 15 people this really sounds outside the realms of possibility for us - each person would have to spend $500 on dinner!!

And its totally normal to wear your wedding gown to your MK shoot when it is on a different day. I'd say that most of the people on here (and this is just a guestimate not through any scientific research) have their shoot on a day other than their wedding and it is meant to be in your bridal attire (hence the inflated prices....they offer engagement shoots at a lower price but you can't wear your wedding dress).

It's amazing how much they can get away spending on exclusivity... but whereelse in the world could you get your wedding pictures taken in front of a beautiful castle!

So I was having a quick word to my prince last night (he'd kill me if he ever knew I was calling him that!!) and asked him straight out - Was a wedding at Disney even something I can dream about, was he willing to entertain the idea, or was he dead set against it - and he said he was willing to entertain! I mention it every couple of days at home so I think he knows how much it would mean to me

So! Flowers! I of course love fresh flowers, but if I end up doing my MK shoot on a different day in full wedding regalia I would want to keep things the same as we were on the actual day. So maybe silk flowers for me would be the way forward? Is this something you can substitute through DFTW? Or could I substitute corsages for our mothers for instance instead of my bouquet and his button hole for use on the day and have ours made out of silk? Sounds a bit more realistic than paying for two sets of fresh flowers which we can't take home with us anyway!

And the dresss... yes I've already chosen my dress without anything shiny on my finger!

http://lizziejayne.co.uk/page3.htm - if you scroll down to Grace (the strapless dress with the hot pink underskirt) that is my dress and I love it and I want it and I can't wait to get in it!! I actually found the link on these boards, one of the brides in the US who took her inspiration from this dress and I fell in love with it! I want it exactly like that, with the hot pink sash and underskirt (pink is my favourite colour!)

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

Ouch... thats about how much I was hoping to get away spending on our Escape package and MK shoots... for a max of 15 people this really sounds outside the realms of possibility for us - each person would have to spend $500 on dinner!!

Hopefully someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is that when the $7500 min. is triggered for an Escape, it includes the cost of your Escape package in that minimum. In other words, I don't think you have to spend $7500 on top of your Escape.

 

[TabZ]

Hopefully someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is that when the $7500 min. is triggered for an Escape, it includes the cost of your Escape package in that minimum. In other words, I don't think you have to spend $7500 on top of your Escape.

Oooo I really hope your right!!!!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Sweetie - This is right!!! The $7,500 minimum applies to the entire spend on an 'Escape' wedding including the actual package!! It is only triggered if you have the ceremony on a week-end or if you have a privately arranged (through DFTW) dining event eg. your Sonoma Room lunch or a DP. There would be individual minimum food and beverage spends attached to the private use of the Somona Room, but these would count toward your overall minimum. The minimum spend can include any extras you add to the package eg floral etc but not tax and gratuities.
I may be wrong (again!! - please correct if wrong!!)) but I think for 'Escape' brides the MK shoot would only count toward this minimum if it were on the same day as the wedding.

 

[TabZ]

Sweetie - This is right!!! The $7,500 minimum applies to the entire spend on an 'Escape' wedding including the actual package!! It is only triggered if you have the ceremony on a week-end or if you have a privately arranged (through DFTW) dining event eg. your Sonoma Room lunch or a DP. There would be individual minimum food and beverage spends attached to the private use of the Somona Room, but these would count toward your overall minimum. The minimum spend can include any extras you add to the package eg floral etc but not tax and gratuities.
I may be wrong (again!! - please correct if wrong!!)) but I think for 'Escape' brides the MK shoot would only count toward this minimum if it were on the same day as the wedding.

Fantastic - they love to make it complicated don't they! When we were there in July/August OH and I had dinner at the Cali Grill, and between the two of us, sharing starters and desserts, with one beer and one glass of wine we spent $180 inc tax and tip, so round that up to say $220 inc a starter each and dessert each, 15 people will easily spend $1500 which if I remember correctly is the minimum for Cali Grill - I read it on magic kingdoms.com - but I'm sure they will change that as well by the time I get there!

At least the possibility is there!

You have all been so helpful thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions

I feel a little silly because I don't have my ring yet but I know he's bought it for me and it's hidden in the house somewhere, I'm resisting the urge to go looking for it! We are going to DLP in October so I'm hoping he might do it there... in front of the castle would just be fantastic, and my little sister will be with us visiting from Australia, would just be perfect, but I'm sure he will do it when he's good and ready in his own time and it will be beautiful and magical wherever we are

 

[Sarah84]

Thank you for this info Sarah. I didn't realise that the Sonoma Room was available to 'Escape' brides!!
I guess the only downside would be that if used it would have to be booked through DFTW and thus would trigger the $7,500 minimum spend.

Yep Sonoma room if fine for Escape brides, I wanted to use Napa room but was told I couldnt but could book the Sonoma room.
You're right it would trigger the minimum but as the OP is planning on doing the MK shoot, by the time you factor in that cost ($1500), Escape package ($4750) and Sonoma room minimums ($1000 as long as you are finished by 4pm) then you've pretty much met it already!

 

[Sarah84]

Fantastic - they love to make it complicated don't they! When we were there in July/August OH and I had dinner at the Cali Grill, and between the two of us, sharing starters and desserts, with one beer and one glass of wine we spent $180 inc tax and tip, so round that up to say $220 inc a starter each and dessert each, 15 people will easily spend $1500 which if I remember correctly is the minimum for Cali Grill - I read it on magic kingdoms.com - but I'm sure they will change that as well by the time I get there!

At least the possibility is there!

You have all been so helpful thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions

I feel a little silly because I don't have my ring yet but I know he's bought it for me and it's hidden in the house somewhere, I'm resisting the urge to go looking for it! We are going to DLP in October so I'm hoping he might do it there... in front of the castle would just be fantastic, and my little sister will be with us visiting from Australia, would just be perfect, but I'm sure he will do it when he's good and ready in his own time and it will be beautiful and magical wherever we are

When booking one of the private rooms at California Grill its not actually the main restaurants menu you order from it is infact a special group menu so I wouldnt be calculating how much the meal will cost by how much you've spent when eating in the restaurant before

Also as far as im aware MK shoots dont have to be done on the wedding day to count towards the $7,500 minimum thats triggered by adding a private dining event, this is only a rule for Wishes brides

 

[TabZ]

When booking one of the private rooms at California Grill its not actually the main restaurants menu you order from it is infact a special group menu so I wouldnt be calculating how much the meal will cost by how much you've spent when eating in the restaurant before

Also as far as im aware MK shoots dont have to be done on the wedding day to count towards the $7,500 minimum thats triggered by adding a private dining event, this is only a rule for Wishes brides

Ahh ok thanks Sarah - it was the only guideline I had to go by, but if the minimum is $1000 and even if it a special menu I'm still confident that we will hit the minimum with the number of people we're lookign to have. I wonder if they will mind us coming back for fireworks and cocktails if we have had lunch there...

If the budget allows I might see if we can do a DHS shoot as well - I think OH would get a real kick out of photos around Star Tours and ToT - his two fav rides!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

When booking one of the private rooms at California Grill its not actually the main restaurants menu you order from it is infact a special group menu so I wouldnt be calculating how much the meal will cost by how much you've spent when eating in the restaurant before

Also as far as im aware MK shoots dont have to be done on the wedding day to count towards the $7,500 minimum thats triggered by adding a private dining event, this is only a rule for Wishes brides

Arr wrong again!!! I am sure that I read that somewhere, but maybe it was 'Wishes' brides I was thinking of!!!

TabZ sweetie - I had to smile when you asked where else in the world can you have your wedding photos done in front of a beautiful castle. I think the answer would be pretty much anywhere in the UK (particularly Scotland) and most of Europe!! I know what you mean though!!!

 

[TabZ]

Arr wrong again!!! I am sure that I read that somewhere, but maybe it was 'Wishes' brides I was thinking of!!!

TabZ sweetie - I had to smile when you asked where else in the world can you have your wedding photos done in front of a beautiful castle. I think the answer would be pretty much anywhere in the UK (particularly Scotland) and most of Europe!! I know what you mean though!!!

Hahaha yes I know what you mean, it was a silly way to word that statement!

I've priced up small weddings at castles thoughout the UK, and it's still going to be cheaper to go to Disney, and you get so much more bang for your buck in my opinion

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Absolutely agree - it is the most magical place on earth after all!!