Swan & Dolphin Weddings FAQ

[Jilian]

Ladies, I just found out some wonderful news that I had to share!!! We are eligible for room discounts! I just contacted Disney leisure group sales and as long as you can guarantee to book 10 rooms you qualify for a discount on rooms and tickets. The discount varies depending on the time of year but we're going during peak season (March) and our discount is about 10-15%. I thought it was great to be able to offer my guests something. Just wanted to put this out there in case everyone wasn't aware. The # to leisure group sales is: 407-828-3200

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Jilian sweetie - what a great piece of information for S/D brides!!!

 

[Jilian]

I was surprised to hear it myself. I also asked what would happen if a better discount came out through Disney and I was told that they would not be able to apply it If a guest cancelled a reservation to go for the better discount that guest would not count towards the room block. So I told her I'd pass because many of my guests will be FL residents who get the FL resident discount (which is closer to 25% off a moderate) and she said she'd get back to me after she spoke to her manager about offering a better rate. So the rates may be flexible depending on the time of year and # of rooms requested! I hope this helps others!

 

[minniebride]

Hey Everyone!

I got in touch with Karen and she sent me the link to the menus for the S/D. Is there a minimum that you have to have? Because I found a menu that I am in love with, but it isn't going to be a lot, but it really isn't a sit down thing anyway. I want something casual and quick.

Thanks for listening... sorry to be a pain.

Hi Sarah!

I don't think there are any minimums like at DFTW, but double check with Karen.

There are minimum orders for cocktail hour appetizers, but I don't think so for actual entree menus.

I also know that we customized our menu that we put together from the Swan. Our catering coordinator is Lindsey Cullen and she is fantastic! PM me if you would like her email address-she is so easy to work with

Which menu did you choose, by the way?

 

[Jilian]

Lindsey is so great! She used to be the manager for il mulino and I dealt with her for a while before she left to become S/D catering manager. I miss her

 

[minniebride]

Lindsey is so great! She used to be the manager for il mulino and I dealt with her for a while before she left to become S/D catering manager. I miss her

Yup she got promoted to the catering coordinator for weddings and functions through the Swan. We had the pleasure of meeting her recently and she was so wonderful!!

 

[sarahb01]

Hi Sarah!

I don't think there are any minimums like at DFTW, but double check with Karen.

There are minimum orders for cocktail hour appetizers, but I don't think so for actual entree menus.

I also know that we customized our menu that we put together from the Swan. Our catering coordinator is Lindsey Cullen and she is fantastic! PM me if you would like her email address-she is so easy to work with

Which menu did you choose, by the way?

They have a menu listed as a "break" but it a movie theme. My fiance runs a movie theatre so I thought it would be cute. I would also want to add soft pretzels. That is why I wanted to know if there was a minimum, because it is not an expensive menu, but we are planning on a DP later that night too.

 

[minniebride]

They have a menu listed as a "break" but it a movie theme. My fiance runs a movie theatre so I thought it would be cute. I would also want to add soft pretzels. That is why I wanted to know if there was a minimum, because it is not an expensive menu, but we are planning on a DP later that night too.

Aw, cute!! According to the website, there is a minimum of 50 guests for that one but honestly you should ask Karen about what they could do about putting together a custom menu for you, with the movie breaks snacks & the pretzels. I'll bet they will accommodate you!!! You would be amazed at how accommodating and flexible they are!!

 

[sarahb01]

Aw, cute!! According to the website, there is a minimum of 50 guests for that one but honestly you should ask Karen about what they could do about putting together a custom menu for you, with the movie breaks snacks & the pretzels. I'll bet they will accommodate you!!! You would be amazed at how accommodating and flexible they are!!

I will for sure talk to them when I get to that point! I am hoping to have 50 people there, but you never really know. I SOOO want to start really planning but we aren't getting married until late 2013 so, we can't book a date yet. And until we have a date, other things don't really fall into place. That hasn't stopped me from getting all the information I can though! All I think is wedding wedding wedding

 

[minniebride]

I will for sure talk to them when I get to that point! I am hoping to have 50 people there, but you never really know. I SOOO want to start really planning but we aren't getting married until late 2013 so, we can't book a date yet. And until we have a date, other things don't really fall into place. That hasn't stopped me from getting all the information I can though! All I think is wedding wedding wedding

Are you sure you cannot book your date now? We booked ours 1.5 years out! Do you have any dates or months in mind?

 

[sarahb01]

Are you sure you cannot book your date now? We booked ours 1.5 years out! Do you have any dates or months in mind?

Karen told me we could start looking at book if we were going to have a wedding in the early part of 2013. We are thinking of September. Because of the movie business, we can't have a "vacation" from May to Labor Day, because that is the summer blockbuster season and they are busy. So I thought in September we could still have warm enough weather that my guests will still be able to enjoy the outdoor pools. They are all in the upper Midwest and we love out time in the sun!

Wow, sorry if that is all too much information for a simple question

 

[Rora]

Hi girls--posting on the behalf of my cousin who is possibly planning an S/D!

She is in contact with the lovely Karen but they are waiting on date confirmation from the Swan. Apparently the space coordinators are out of the office until tomorrow and poor DCousin is pretty anxious!

We've also emailed Leo Tarver-- she wants to have a reception at the Garden Grove-- but he hasn't responded either! Has anyone had the same issue? It's only been a day, but again, anxious bride (who is starting to drive me nuts too.. )!!

Quick question: if her date is available and she decides to book, will Karen be able to help get ahold of people at the S/D? DCousin is not booking her reception through the S/D, but making her own reservations.

THANKS!

 

[minniebride]

Hi girls--posting on the behalf of my cousin who is possibly planning an S/D!

She is in contact with the lovely Karen but they are waiting on date confirmation from the Swan. Apparently the space coordinators are out of the office until tomorrow and poor DCousin is pretty anxious!

We've also emailed Leo Tarver-- she wants to have a reception at the Garden Grove-- but he hasn't responded either! Has anyone had the same issue? It's only been a day, but again, anxious bride (who is starting to drive me nuts too.. )!!

Quick question: if her date is available and she decides to book, will Karen be able to help get ahold of people at the S/D? DCousin is not booking her reception through the S/D, but making her own reservations.

THANKS!

Hi Rora! I remember the first few weeks of our planning waiting impatiently to finalize our date! Tell her to hang in there-Karen is most likely on top of it. She may want to check in with Karen tomorrow afternoon.

Leo is a very nice guy! We had some email correspondence with him when we were originally looking at booking a brunch at Fresh. He was the manager there at the time. He might be managing both restaurants now? I do remember it took him a few days to respond to me but he was very thorough and helpful when he did. The only reason why we did not end up booking our reception with him is because we decided to do a plated lunch instead & our guest list increased so we went with a catered ballroom instead

Karen will be your "go-between" girl between your cousin & the Swan and she will get all the details about ceremony site & get a contract ready for you. Karen is wonderful!!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Hi Rora
Glad you have ventured into our small but distinguished group of S/D brides (now happily incorporating cousins of brides ). I agree with everything that Minnie said!! I also had some correspondence with Leo (via the angelic Karen) when I was looking at having our 'Morning After Brunch' at 'Fresh'. He was great and very helpful, but, I think because we are so spoiled with Karen's efficiency, seemed a little slow in getting back. The only reason we didn't run with a brunch at 'Fresh' was due to transportation issues. We ended up at 'Kona Cafe' instead which was easier to get to for everybody!!!

 

[Jilian]

I just have to say that I am so, so happy to be having a swan/dolphin wedding. When I first booked I was still a bit sad over not having the option of a magic kingdom photo shoot or being able to have our VR in the wedding pavillion, and now after all of the issues coming up I am THRILLED to not be going through DFTW. I have had nothing but a positive experience so far. Karen always gets back to me within hours and she is so helpful and knowledgeable. I have a feeling that swan/dolphin weddings are about to become a lot more popular in the next few months!

Thank you so much Joanne for sharing your journey and teaching me all about this hidden gem!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Aww Jilian sweetie, I am so glad that you are glad!! Karen and her wonderful team deserve any business we can coax their way!!! I must admit that this terrible situation over the WP, and the previous issues (cancelling MK shoots, re-routing of Cinderella's carriage etc) have made me even more grateful that brides have such a wonderful alternative as the S/D, right there in WDW for them!!
I fear, however, that some are so determined to go down the DFTW route, that they will never consider the alternatives!!

 

[minniebride]

Add me to the list of brides that are SO incredibly grateful to have chosen a S/D wedding, instead of DFTW. Karen should win an award for most efficient & all around wonderful planner!! She really does do what Just Marry advertises-ensures that your wedding planning is 100% stress free Lindsey, our catering coordinator is fantastic, as is ever vendor we have encountered so far!

We would never have chosen the WP, if we had gone through DFTW (just not our style), but I know I would be so nervous about our own wedding being messed up, either way.

Thank you Just Marry, The Swan, & Karen-I feel like I made such a good decision by choosing them!!!!!

 

[DisneyBride'03]

Interesting read here!! Did NOT know abt S/D weddings until I ventured over here because of tinkerbell 766...im so not a stalker...lol..really!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Stalk away sweetie, stalk away!! We are a small band of brides and VR brides who try to 'spread the word' about S/D weddings. I guess to sum it up, S/D weddings/VRs offer more flexibility (than the smaller DFTW packages), cost less money (usually significantly less money), and sacrifice none of the Magic (unless one of your priorities for your day are an MK shoot or Cindy's carriage)!! The JM planners are excellent, good at communication and very professional.
If you are interested in finding out more about S/D weddings VRs, I did two podcasts for Carrie for 'Inside Disney Weddings'. Here are the links

http://www.insidedisneyweddings.com/2011/02/swan-dolphin-vow-renewal-planning-spotlight-joanne-paul/

http://www.insidedisneyweddings.com/2011/08/swan-dolphin-vow-renewal-spotlight-joanne-paul/

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Add me to the list of brides that are SO incredibly grateful to have chosen a S/D wedding, instead of DFTW. Karen should win an award for most efficient & all around wonderful planner!! She really does do what Just Marry advertises-ensures that your wedding planning is 100% stress free Lindsey, our catering coordinator is fantastic, as is ever vendor we have encountered so far!

We would never have chosen the WP, if we had gone through DFTW (just not our style), but I know I would be so nervous about our own wedding being messed up, either way.

Thank you Just Marry, The Swan, & Karen-I feel like I made such a good decision by choosing them!!!!!

Minnie sweetie - I think you just summed up how all us S/D brides feel!!