Swan & Dolphin Weddings FAQ

[pixie921]

AnnaLe, congratulations on your getting your date! Now the fun begins. You are in *such* good hands with the Just Marry team ... believe me -- the difference between them and other local wedding planners - *coughDisneycough* - is night and day!

I hope you'll share your plans with us!

 

[msylvester01]

Hi all,

I think I am changing over to the Swan/Dolphin idea for our big day. It's still pretty far out yet, 10/12/13, but I have so many ideas. I was put in touch with Erin at JustMarry and she was sweet to return my call even though she was out of the office for the day.

I think I am looking at The Courtyard for the ceremony, unsure of cocktails location, and either Il Mulino or Shulas for around 20-35 people.

I am been hunting down budgets in every inch of these boards so any help you all can give, I would appreciate it so much!

Have a fantastic day everyone!

Marie

 

[MrsDuck]

Welcome Marie! I hope you join our Swalphin family!

Feel free to check out my planning journal- my budget is linked there somewhere!

And, of course, always ask questions! Between all of us, we should be able to answer most everything!

 

[Jilian]

Welcome new Swalphins! I have a budget in my PJ too, link in my sig. It is still pretty accurate. Can't beat the S/D wedding prices!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Welcome Marie sweetie, to our happy little sisterhood!!!
I have no actual budget posted, but feel free to check out my PJ/TR (link in my signature), for photos of my ceremony, which was in the West Courtyard.
Happy planning and make sure you keep us all up to date with all the developments!!!

 

[DarkPhant0m]

Thank you girls for the warm welcome! I got my contract this morning from my planner AND my photographer! The deposits will be paid tomorrow morning! Now it's time to nail down a dress... guess I should get on that, lol! I guess I'll start working on a PJ so I can get some extra input from everyone.

 

[jessiegirl84]

Hello ladies

Im back again, and we almost 100% sure that our wedding will be at Walt Disney World!
I have a few questions and I need your help if I could ask for your suggestions..

So if we have the ceremony at say lunchtime/early arvo at Swan & Dolphin, then have minnie & mickey come after the ceremony with some cake and champagne. We have been looking at possibly holding a dessert party either at Epcot or one of the restaurants to watch wishes.
So my question is, do you think it would be better to have the reception (so a late lunch) at say Californian Grill and then stay a bit longer and enjoy the dessert party or have the reception at one of the restaurants at the Swan, and then everyone go back to their hotels for a few hours have a nap, then get a bus to get everyone to go to the dessert party?

Thank you so much for your help girls, I can't wait to lock this in and start my trip report, I think I'm going to need as much help as possible. Its hard, every time i think ohh i will just call wow and ask the question, i realise its too late in the day haha, damm the time difference !!

Jess

 

[jessiegirl84]

Thank you girls for the warm welcome! I got my contract this morning from my planner AND my photographer! The deposits will be paid tomorrow morning! Now it's time to nail down a dress... guess I should get on that, lol! I guess I'll start working on a PJ so I can get some extra input from everyone.

Congratulations on getting your contract thats so exciting!! Yes definitely please start your PJ I can't wait to read it

 

[jessiegirl84]

deleted.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Hello ladies

Im back again, and we almost 100% sure that our wedding will be at Walt Disney World!
I have a few questions and I need your help if I could ask for your suggestions..

So if we have the ceremony at say lunchtime/early arvo at Swan & Dolphin, then have minnie & mickey come after the ceremony with some cake and champagne. We have been looking at possibly holding a dessert party either at Epcot or one of the restaurants to watch wishes.
So my question is, do you think it would be better to have the reception (so a late lunch) at say Californian Grill and then stay a bit longer and enjoy the dessert party or have the reception at one of the restaurants at the Swan, and then everyone go back to their hotels for a few hours have a nap, then get a bus to get everyone to go to the dessert party?

Thank you so much for your help girls, I can't wait to lock this in and start my trip report, I think I'm going to need as much help as possible. Its hard, every time i think ohh i will just call wow and ask the question, i realise its too late in the day haha, damm the time difference !!

Jess

Hi Jessie
Your plans sound lovely sweetie!!
Just be aware of a couple of points regarding DPs

They do not hold DPs in restaurants. The DPs are held in Epcot (at selected countries in World Showcase), at selected places at the GF or in an area of the 'Fantasmic' auditorium.

If you are a S/D bride you will need to change out of your dress to go to a DP at Epcot or DHS. The DPs held at the GF are fine as they are not in theme parks so you can remain in your dress.

I think a lunch and then a break and an evening dessert party would be lovely, particularly if you need to change!!

 

[Icecoldpenguin]

I agree with Jo here especially if you do a wishes dessert party. We are doing a wishes dessert party for two reasons. We like wishes better, we wanted to involve the castle and I can wear my dress if I want.

I am not wearing my dress I am wearing a short wedding dress that I have but it is still a wedding dress.

check out my planning journal my ceremony is at 11am then cocktail hour from 12-1, then reception from 1-4. Our dessert party will be that night with wishes.

hope this helps

Teresa

 

[J.ThaddeusToad]

So my question is, do you think it would be better to have the reception (so a late lunch) at say Californian Grill and then stay a bit longer and enjoy the dessert party or have the reception at one of the restaurants at the Swan, and then everyone go back to their hotels for a few hours have a nap, then get a bus to get everyone to go to the dessert party?

Hi Jess! Just wanted to mention that there are rumors that the California Grill will be closing sometime this year for construction on the Contemporary roof. I've also heard that it may close for good and reopen as a completely new restaurant. This was something I was told by a waiter when I was there in November '11 and I read more about it here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2844583

I love CG and will be sad to see it go if that is the case!

 

[MrsDuck]

Hi Jess! Just wanted to mention that there are rumors that the California Grill will be closing sometime this year for construction on the Contemporary roof. I've also heard that it may close for good and reopen as a completely new restaurant. This was something I was told by a waiter when I was there in November '11 and I read more about it here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2844583

I love CG and will be sad to see it go if that is the case!

This is INCREDIBLY upsetting! I hope it's just a rumor..

Thanks for the heads up-- we'll have to eat there on our next trip!

 

[Jilian]

I'd go with the Wishes DP if you want to stay in your dress. Sago cay @ the GF is a beautiful location for a DP. Epcot DPs sometimes require you to charter transportation too, depending on who you talk to. You also have to pay a "viewing fee" for anyone in your party without a theme park ticket. I think a break between is nice to give everyone a chance to be hungry again. Most brides who do a DP directly after the wedding say that their guests were still really full from dinner.

I'ma big fan of the restaurants in the Swan & Dolphin because you can work directly with them instead of having to go through Disney. Some of the Disney restaurants put you in contact with the restaurany manager directly but most don't.

 

[jessiegirl84]

Hello, Thankyou everyone for your thoughts.
Ive made quite a few calls over the past day and it's making it hard when I can ring late in the afternoon, which is early morning for us hehe.
So I'm waiting on some information back from Californian grill but I did just see that about the rumor it might be closing. Hopefully it could be open by sept 2013? Hopefully I'll get a call soon and more information.
I rang Citricos and they have $70pp for parties over 15. But they say you can't see the fireworks from there.
I'm waiting on information back from il mulino & Shula's does anyone know about pricing for these 2 restaurants?
I'm thinking we might do dinner at one of them then maybe do a dessert party either the night before or night after thinking it might be too much travel between places.
Ohh so many decisions girls, feeling really overwhelmed plus it's hard to lock some restaurants in only 180 days out.
Thanks for letting me get this out and if you want to offer any suggestions as to different reception ideas please feel free I welcome any ideas

 

[Jilian]

You can't see fireworks from Citricos but if you walk right outside you can see them from the marina, and it is a pretty good view. We're using Il Mulino and for the private room the menu prices start at $55 per person, the minimum is $1500 for up to 24 people, $3000 for up to 48 people, and $4500 for up to 70 people. This doesn't include tax and gratuity. Tax and grat are standard everywhere, 21% and I think 7% or so for tax.

ETA: you can see fireworks from Narcoossees at the GF.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Jessie sweetie
Just a quick shout out for Citrico's!!
We had our VR reception there and it was perfect!! They treated us like royalty!! They allowed us to have our floral moved from the ceremony site to the tables in the restaurant, and we put favours out on the tables for our guests. They even printed out personalized menus for us. The food was some of the best I have tasted and the service impeccable!! It's true that you cannot see the fireworks from the restaurant but you can wander down to the Marina (drinks in hand) after dinner, where you get a great view of them with the music piped in (and all for free)!!
Citrico's has a private room for parties 12 or under. We were a bigger party and so sat in the main restaurant. We just ordered off the menu and no minimum costs (eg. $70.00 per person) were imposed. Highly recommended!!!
Good luck with all your decisions!!

 

[J.ThaddeusToad]

This is INCREDIBLY upsetting! I hope it's just a rumor..

Thanks for the heads up-- we'll have to eat there on our next trip!

Your welcome! Our next trip is in October and if they are still open we will have to eat there! If not, I'm so glad we were able to go during our honeymoon and that it was probably the best dining experience I've ever had there! Our waiter told us they would be expanding the restaurant and redecorating/updating. I so hope this is the case!

 

[jessiegirl84]

Thankyou all so much for your thoughts & suggestions.

We checked out Il Mulino and got some pricing which sound really good. Jillian can I ask you a question about your beverages what are you doing? We had a look through the menus and they wines are quite expensive. I would ring Erika but she is on leave until next Monday . Do you know if we can just pay on consumption by the glass? Thankyou for your help

Another question about the ceremony music do you have to have a violinist or something similar or can you have an iPod set up?

So after alot of discussions we are going to do a DP as a welcome dinner for our guests. And if our numbers work out the way I think they will at il Mulino thenwe will be booking our wedding early next week!

We also got a really great quote from Rabdy Chapman for photos but still searching for a videographer. Any suggestions would be welcomed. Gosh I love the disboards!

 

[MrsDuck]

Another question about the ceremony music do you have to have a violinist or something similar or can you have an iPod set up?

So after alot of discussions we are going to do a DP as a welcome dinner for our guests. And if our numbers work out the way I think they will at il Mulino thenwe will be booking our wedding early next week!

We also got a really great quote from Rabdy Chapman for photos but still searching for a videographer. Any suggestions would be welcomed. Gosh I love the disboards!

You can have whatever you want as far as ceremony music is concerned!

We are having a violinist because DFi doesn't want "canned" music (he's a music guy and very picky! ) but I wanted to just do the simple iPod set up. I was shocked by how many songs our violinist can play (she really seems to know everything!).

A DP welcome dinner would be lovely!! So exciting!

STVS is a popular videography but we're using Paul Duhon Videography! He is fantastic, responsive, and just lovely!