Swan & Dolphin Weddings FAQ

[minniebride]

We had around 55 guests for a lovely Crescent Terrace ceremony, West Courtyard cocktail hour, and one of the reception rooms for our reception. They were very accommodating to our party size and there was no guest limit that had any affect on price.....aside from your regular per person food prices.

Best things about having a Swan wedding are their flexibility with vendors and their more personalized communication and attention.....something that seems to be seriously lacking with DFTW, according to the many PJs I've read on here. Our planner and caterer made it very welcoming for us to contact them and meet with them as many times as we needed without extra fees or hassles. They it back to us right away all the time. That, in itself, made the planning so much easier and virtually stress-free!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

hi everyone,
i have been lurking on here for quite some time. My fiance and i went to visit the Swan and Dolphin resorts today and loved it.

I wanted to know, is there a guest limit? We are planning on inviting about 60 people or so (waaaay beyond the ESCAPE DFTW), but are on a limited budget, which is why we are looking into the S/D wedding now.

Thanks a bunch!

Hi sweetie and welcome!!! I fully endorse everything the other girls have said!!! There will be no problems with your guest count at the S/D. It is a very wise choice for a wedding at WDW.
We are a friendly bunch and will be very happy to answer any questions or queries you may have. There won't be many questions we can't answer between us!!
Welcome to our little, exclusive group and happy planning!!!

 

[MrsDuck]

It sounds like you and I are having a similar wedding! We are having ~60 people with a full dinner at one of the S/D's restaurants and we are paying $10k for EVERYTHING (except our honeymoon and my dress). That would've never been possible with DFTW! S/D is the best!

Ditto the ladies-- there is no guest count max for the resort; there are just certain areas.

It seems that the average wedding "fits" at Crescent Terrace but the courtyard is just gorgeous for smaller weddings and Lakeside Terrace is great for large large weddings!

 

[Icecoldpenguin]

I agree with everyone here I invited about 60 people. In the end we are only having right around 30 and we will be using crescent terrace. I think the venues at the S/D are great and are accommodating for all sizes. Here you will find brides that have used all 3 venues, receptions in S/D ballrooms, receptions at S/D restaurants, cake cuttings and no receptions and people like me that are using a different restaurant on disney property all together. There are some of us that have done dessert parties through disney's catered events, some of us that have had room blocks and there are some of us that have done the all inclusive packages with the swan and just marry. There is a lot of variety and we can definitely help you get whatever type of wedding you want.

My wedding which is at Crescent Terrace/Fulton's Crab House & The Grand Floridian Marina is going to cost us about $15,000 for 32 people. I would not have been able to accomplish this at disney with the venues that I wanted if I had gone with DFTW. The best thing about the swan is that I am in love with all of our venues/vendors and our planner. Diana has become one of my very good and close friends.

You will love it

Teresa

 

[AvasMommy526]

Hello Ladies! I have been reading all your posts the last couple days and soooo have my heart set on a S/D wedding! My wonderful fiancé and I, my parents and a few others were planning on taking our daughter to Disney for her 2nd birthday, May 2013, and now we are recently engaged and have always dreamed of a destination wedding with an at home reception for our large group of family and friends later in the summer! Needless to say, I am now set on Disney during her brithday trip and just adore the Swan and Dolphin! I contacted Karen at justmarry.com yesterday, does anyone know how long it usually takes for the initial response? I'm so excited that I can't wait! Our plan was to have the ceremony at S/D with some flowers and a musician and photos (I'm set on Randy Chapman based on all your suggestions!) and then host a dinner at one of the many wonderful Disney restaurants, I'm not sure which one so any suggestions there would be helpful! I didn't want to do a full reception, just a nice dinner and have a wedding cake at the resturant we chose, if that is possible! Also, looking into a dessert party, but I wanted to do that maybe on the evening of our daughters birthday for all our guests, when I looked into it, it said we could have it on the Tomorrowland Terrece and it is around 30/adult and 15/child but on here I saw it was much more, is that for a private room?
Any suggestions and tips would be so helpful, we are so happy and excited! Thank you, Nicole

 

[minniebride]

Hello Ladies! I have been reading all your posts the last couple days and soooo have my heart set on a S/D wedding! My wonderful fiancé and I, my parents and a few others were planning on taking our daughter to Disney for her 2nd birthday, May 2013, and now we are recently engaged and have always dreamed of a destination wedding with an at home reception for our large group of family and friends later in the summer! Needless to say, I am now set on Disney during her brithday trip and just adore the Swan and Dolphin! I contacted Karen at justmarry.com yesterday, does anyone know how long it usually takes for the initial response? I'm so excited that I can't wait! Our plan was to have the ceremony at S/D with some flowers and a musician and photos (I'm set on Randy Chapman based on all your suggestions!) and then host a dinner at one of the many wonderful Disney restaurants, I'm not sure which one so any suggestions there would be helpful! I didn't want to do a full reception, just a nice dinner and have a wedding cake at the resturant we chose, if that is possible! Also, looking into a dessert party, but I wanted to do that maybe on the evening of our daughters birthday for all our guests, when I looked into it, it said we could have it on the Tomorrowland Terrece and it is around 30/adult and 15/child but on here I saw it was much more, is that for a private room?
Any suggestions and tips would be so helpful, we are so happy and excited! Thank you, Nicole

Congratulations!!!

You will absolutely adore Karen from Just Marry-she is the best planner anyone could ever ask for! In my experience, she was really fast at responding, so I'm sure you will hear from her shortly!!

I wasn't aware you could book a private dessert party at Tomorrowland Terrace, but I know you can book space at the public event that they offer. We had our dessert party at Epcot-at the french lower terrace-and it was incredible!! The view of the fireworks was beautiful & Disney private events did a fantastic job with the set up & the food.

Happy planning!! Having a Swan wedding was the best decision we ever made!!

 

[AvasMommy526]

Congratulations!!!

You will absolutely adore Karen from Just Marry-she is the best planner anyone could ever ask for! In my experience, she was really fast at responding, so I'm sure you will hear from her shortly!!

I wasn't aware you could book a private dessert party at Tomorrowland Terrace, but I know you can book space at the public event that they offer. We had our dessert party at Epcot-at the french lower terrace-and it was incredible!! The view of the fireworks was beautiful & Disney private events did a fantastic job with the set up & the food.

Happy planning!! Having a Swan wedding was the best decision we ever made!!

Thank you!! I am just so excited and when I have a plan in my head I like to just dive right in!! Hearing all of the stories, I truly believe this will be my dream

As for the dessert party, I did mean to say that the one I came across for the 30/adult was part of the public reservations you can make lol! The more expensive prices I came across on some of the posts were for private DP's? and if so are they booked through the Disney private events you mentioned? Thanks

 

[MrsDuck]

Welcome!!

Your plans sound wonderful! Very excited for you!!

Just so you know, you cannot wear your wedding dress into any park or any DFTW exclusive venue-- if that's something that matters to you, you may want to take it into consideration when hunting for restaurants!

I'm really no help with the DPs but let me know if you have any other questions!!

PS. Use It's Tasty Too for your cake-- you'll love it!

 

[AvasMommy526]

Thank you!! And the coordinator just got back to me! Erin is her name, anyone have any experience with her? I was thinking between Ohana, Narrccoosses, and California Grill for the dinner! I would love to wear my dress but I suppose it's not a make or break thing. In the email she had said they don't provide a list of recommended vendors unless it's with the upgrade, but based on all the posts in here I don't think I will need that! If anyone has any suggestions for hair, photography, harpist, etc I would greatly appreciate it! And for the DP I think we are just going to do the one at MK with our guests just as a little celebration for Ava's birthday and so we get a good view of fireworks and thank you for the cake suggestion, I'm gonna look into that today!

 

[MrsDuck]

Thank you!! And the coordinator just got back to me! Erin is her name, anyone have any experience with her? I was thinking between Ohana, Narrccoosses, and California Grill for the dinner! I would love to wear my dress but I suppose it's not a make or break thing. In the email she had said they don't provide a list of recommended vendors unless it's with the upgrade, but based on all the posts in here I don't think I will need that! If anyone has any suggestions for hair, photography, harpist, etc I would greatly appreciate it! And for the DP I think we are just going to do the one at MK with our guests just as a little celebration for Ava's birthday and so we get a good view of fireworks and thank you for the cake suggestion, I'm gonna look into that today!

I think one of our girls has Erin! All of the coordinators are amazing!!

You would be fine with an out of park restaurant to wear your dress!

Hair/Make-Up: Beaute Speciale. The majority of us use them. They're the best!

Photography: Regina Hyman. Holy cow- she takes gorgeous pictures! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Regina-Hyman-Photography/115970761825030

I'm using a local vendor from my hometown and absolutely adore them. They're trying to break into the Disney business. They may be worth looking into: www.poirierweddingphotography.com You can see samples of their work in my engagement pictures!

A lot of our girls use Randy Chapman. He is affordable and gets good shots. Personally, I'm just not crazy about some of his editing. Everyone who uses him is thrilled with him, though!

Harpist: one of our girls can give you contact info.. I think her name is Cristy or Christine?

Cake: Again, It's Tasty Too!

Floral: It seems as if half of us use Greenery Productions and the other half use Petals by Design. Both are great.

Let us know if you need anything else!!

 

[AvasMommy526]

Oh my gosh, thank you so much!!!! I'm going to have all my research done this week haha!! did you use just marry for all these bookings? Or did you book some on your own? And if they are booked on your own, will just marry coordinate with them? Thanks so much again!!

 

[2dogmom]

Hello Ladies! I have been reading all your posts the last couple days and soooo have my heart set on a S/D wedding! My wonderful fiancé and I, my parents and a few others were planning on taking our daughter to Disney for her 2nd birthday, May 2013, and now we are recently engaged and have always dreamed of a destination wedding with an at home reception for our large group of family and friends later in the summer! Needless to say, I am now set on Disney during her brithday trip and just adore the Swan and Dolphin! I contacted Karen at justmarry.com yesterday, does anyone know how long it usually takes for the initial response? I'm so excited that I can't wait! Our plan was to have the ceremony at S/D with some flowers and a musician and photos (I'm set on Randy Chapman based on all your suggestions!) and then host a dinner at one of the many wonderful Disney restaurants, I'm not sure which one so any suggestions there would be helpful! I didn't want to do a full reception, just a nice dinner and have a wedding cake at the resturant we chose, if that is possible! Also, looking into a dessert party, but I wanted to do that maybe on the evening of our daughters birthday for all our guests, when I looked into it, it said we could have it on the Tomorrowland Terrece and it is around 30/adult and 15/child but on here I saw it was much more, is that for a private room?
Any suggestions and tips would be so helpful, we are so happy and excited! Thank you, Nicole

This is what I am doing. We are getting married at the Swan beach in 3 weeks, having cake right after the ceremony, then having a reception dinner later in the evening at 'Ohana. In July we are having a huge backyard luau for all of our family and friends.

I don't recall it taking long for Karen to get back to me. I am using Randy and It's Tasty Too.

 

[AvasMommy526]

This is what I am doing. We are getting married at the Swan beach in 3 weeks, having cake right after the ceremony, then having a reception dinner later in the evening at 'Ohana. In July we are having a huge backyard luau for all of our family and friends.

I don't recall it taking long for Karen to get back to me. I am using Randy and It's Tasty Too.

This sounds exactly what we want!! I am so excited, I hope your day turns out beautifully, and cannot wait to hear all about it!! Erin from just marry did get back to me, I am waiting for a response to if our date is available
Did you also book everything thru just Marry or did you book some of your vendors separately? I hate to ask prices, but I thought I had read that the basic package at S/D was 1600 and then you add on from there, when I just got the package quotes from just marry, the basic was listed at 2600? I'm not overly concerned with it, the fact that I can't be in Florida and I have someone there on my behalf makes me feel much better, I just wonder if booking vendors on my own instead would be more efficient if I was going to do the photographer, musician etc on my own anyways! Thanks again ladies

 

[2dogmom]

This sounds exactly what we want!! I am so excited, I hope your day turns out beautifully, and cannot wait to hear all about it!! Erin from just marry did get back to me, I am waiting for a response to if our date is available
Did you also book everything thru just Marry or did you book some of your vendors separately? I hate to ask prices, but I thought I had read that the basic package at S/D was 1600 and then you add on from there, when I just got the package quotes from just marry, the basic was listed at 2600? I'm not overly concerned with it, the fact that I can't be in Florida and I have someone there on my behalf makes me feel much better, I just wonder if booking vendors on my own instead would be more efficient if I was going to do the photographer, musician etc on my own anyways! Thanks again ladies

Thanks, I just hope the afternoon rain stays away!!!

I know they changed the pricing structure now and I am not sure what is included under the new plan. When I booked the site, water, planner and not too much more were included. I booked the photographer, harpist, and cake on my own, and I am also bringing fake flowers for bouquets. I'm all about DIY projects It came out cheaper than going through Just Marry for those things.

 

[AvasMommy526]

Thanks, I just hope the afternoon rain stays away!!!

I know they changed the pricing structure now and I am not sure what is included under the new plan. When I booked the site, water, planner and not too much more were included. I booked the photographer, harpist, and cake on my own, and I am also bringing fake flowers for bouquets. I'm all about DIY projects It came out cheaper than going through Just Marry for those things.

It will a beautiful day no matter what!!!

I definitely planned on booking the photographer, possibly a videographer (to show a video at our at home reception later the harpist, possibly the cake as I figured I could find them cheaper on our own. So I figured with all that work I could be my own coordinator I guess what I was wondering if you even can book a wedding at the S/D without a coordinator? I'm sure I will end up using Just Marry! because like I said earlier having someone in Florida on my behalf makes me feel so much better!

 

[MrsDuck]

Just Marry booked everything for me except for the cake and my photographer!

Honestly, I found that it was just the easiest to let them book it. They work with great vendors and I wasn't picky about anything for that reason. I say let them book and do the leg work for you! I found the costs to be pretty much comparable for what I'd pay booking on my own. AND, I chose to maybe pay a little more so I didn't have to do anything.

You will definitely get the cake cheaper on your own.

I don't believe you can get married at the S/D without using Just Marry.

 

[AvasMommy526]

Just Marry booked everything for me except for the cake and my photographer!

Honestly, I found that it was just the easiest to let them book it. They work with great vendors and I wasn't picky about anything for that reason. I say let them book and do the leg work for you! I found the costs to be pretty much comparable for what I'd pay booking on my own. AND, I chose to maybe pay a little more so I didn't have to do anything.

You will definitely get the cake cheaper on your own.

I don't believe you can get married at the S/D without using Just Marry.

I'm just waiting to hear that ur date is available! I'm so excited I can hardly contain myself I did figure Just Marry was the way to go with S/D and I was wrong about the package quotes, I misread the first one so I take that all back
I'm curious to know what restaurant everyone chose for their dinners/receptions? I'm a little torn between a few and I also looked into Fultons Crab House as a more low key option? Has anyone ever been there? And also I've been to Disney many times but the times as an adult I stayed off site not doing that anymore so I was wondering how convenient it is to get from the Swan to the restaurants without a limo? And if we stayed at another resort besides the Swan and Dolphin, how difficult it would be on wedding day?

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Hi Nichole sweetie and welcome to our little group of S/D brides!!!
I apologize that it has taken so long for me to get around to welcoming you, but I have been working and sometimes real life gets in the way of the important things (like Disboards ).
I agree with everything the gorgeous girls have said - except I would like to put in a vote for Patricia LeJeune for hair and make-up. I think Faith said that Beaute Speciale are the best, but, IMHO, Patricia is right up there with them!!!!
It is true that it is almost impossible to get married at the S/D without going through JM, and I certainly wouldn't recommend it. Even with going through JM, your planner will be more than happy for you to source and book any vendors you want to, on your own. I booked my officiant, harpist, photographer and cake on my own, but my planner was happy to liase with them just the same.
The harpist I used was Christine McPhail (link below). Many of us have used Christine and she is absolutely amazing!!!!

http://www.orlandoharpist.com/

I highly recommend Randy Chapman for photos!!! Faith mentions she doesn't like his editing, but he doesn't do so much now, and any shot he edits, you also get in the original version on the CDs he sends. He is a very talented and amazingly sweet man!!!
We used 'Petals by Design Orlando' for floral and 'It' Tasty Too' for a cake and were blown away by both!!! You cannot go wrong with either of these vendors!!!
In answer to your most recent question, we had our reception meal at Citrico's at the GF. We couldn't fault it at all, and would recommend it 100%!!!
Getting from the S/D to DTD without transport might be tricky, but it doesn't have to be a limo - taxis would suffice. Using the buses in all your finery, would not be ideal and it is certainly not within walking distance. The restaurants on the BW, in the YC or BC or at the S/D would be a better option if you will not have any transport at all.
Again, staying anywhere other than S/D, YC, BC or BW will be a struggle for getting to your S/D ceremony with no booked transport. Are you absolutely against booking some form of transport?
It's always good to see another new face joining our little group!!! I am sure you will not regret your decision to go for a S/D wedding!!
If you have any questions or concerns we are always here for you!!!
Much love sweetie and happy planning!!!
Joanne

 

[AvasMommy526]

Hi Nichole sweetie and welcome to our little group of S/D brides!!!
I apologize that it has taken so long for me to get around to welcoming you, but I have been working and sometimes real life gets in the way of the important things (like Disboards ).
I agree with everything the gorgeous girls have said - except I would like to put in a vote for Patricia LeJeune for hair and make-up. I think Faith said that Beaute Speciale are the best, but, IMHO, Patricia is right up there with them!!!!
It is true that it is almost impossible to get married at the S/D without going through JM, and I certainly wouldn't recommend it. Even with going through JM, your planner will be more than happy for you to source and book any vendors you want to, on your own. I booked my officiant, harpist, photographer and cake on my own, but my planner was happy to liase with them just the same.
The harpist I used was Christine McPhail (link below). Many of us have used Christine and she is absolutely amazing!!!!


I highly recommend Randy Chapman for photos!!! Faith mentions she doesn't like his editing, but he doesn't do so much now, and any shot he edits, you also get in the original version on the CDs he sends. He is a very talented and amazingly sweet man!!!
We used 'Petals by Design Orlando' for floral and 'It' Tasty Too' for a cake and were blown away by both!!! You cannot go wrong with either of these vendors!!!
In answer to your most recent question, we had our reception meal at Citrico's at the GF. We couldn't fault it at all, and would recommend it 100%!!!
Getting from the S/D to DTD without transport might be tricky, but it doesn't have to be a limo - taxis would suffice. Using the buses in all your finery, would not be ideal and it is certainly not within walking distance. The restaurants on the BW, in the YC or BC or at the S/D would be a better option if you will not have any transport at all.
Again, staying anywhere other than S/D, YC, BC or BW will be a struggle for getting to your S/D ceremony with no booked transport. Are you absolutely against booking some form of transport?
It's always good to see another new face joining our little group!!! I am sure you will not regret your decision to go for a S/D wedding!!
If you have any questions or concerns we are always here for you!!!
Much love sweetie and happy planning!!!
Joanne

Oh thank you so much Joanne!! I have been reading your PJ and I'm almost finished and truthfully I'm a little sad it's almost over!! You had such a beautiful day and your plans were amazing! You should be a coordinator, I would hire you I have also been reading Mrs.Ducks too, I'm a little jealous of her since her day is coming qucikly and she is able to be in the midst of her planning and I'm dying to be! You ladies are so wonderful!
I am definitely going to look into your suggestions of hair/makeup! I am set on Christine for harpist, my DF and I found her website yesterday and are just in love with her music! I am strongly leaning toward Randy also! Your photos and another S/D bride on here ( I can't remember whom ) were just stunning and I have seen a lot of beautiful photos, he just seems like he was fun and comfortable which is what we are all about. We both get a little camera shy so having someone like that might be the best way for us! I am still torn on the restaurant (though I have some time, Im a planner haha) I like Narcoosses a lot and the terrece they have outside to see Wishes (my all time favorite!) Though the night before the big day is our daughters 2nd birthday so as a little welcome/HB we were just going to do the DP at MK even though it's not the private one we just want everyone to get a good view of the parade and fireworks and hoping I can bring or get a cake in for her birthday too but I would see Wishes every night if I could!
I am definitely not against transportation, I had originally thought of just staying at the S/D for the beginning of our trip and moving to another resort for the rest of our stay (we have friends who are "renting" us their yearly DVC points) so I was only thinking we would need to get our party from the S/D to whichever restaurant we choose! Are there other options besides limo we could rent for our group? I suppose if it it cheaper to stay with our rented DVC points for the whole 10 days and just get transport to and from S\D rather than splitting our trip up between 2 hotels that would be the way to go
Sorry for the long winded posts, I am just so happy and excited (though a little stressed already, FMIL is already trying to add guests and I am sure to get some kind of guilt trip which I gather some of you ladies understand ) and I am a planner so once I have an idea I have to plan it out! And you all seem to know so much and have had or are planning such beautiful days! Thank you all so much!

 

[DarkPhant0m]

Hey girls! Sorry, I've been MIA for quite a while. Nothing really happening on the wedding front, so I'm just kind of in a lull for right now. I'm sure it will pick up here soon!

I just wanted to welcome Nicole into the group and say HI! I have Erin for my planner, and she is WONDERFUL! She's always very quick to get back to me and she has been amazing at working with me on vendors, the floral, just everything!

We are not having a very big wedding (only about 10 of us total) but it hasn't deterred Erin or anyone she's worked with in making this a very magical and special day for us! I have booked everything through her, except hair/make-up (Beaute Speciale), cake (It's Tasty Too), and photographer (Jason Angelini). I am also setting up the reservation for our dinner by myself. There are only going to be 10 of us, so it's not a formal reception dinner (we're having a formal reception a few months after we get back). All of my floral (even though it's not much) is booked through her, and I tried booking Christine MacPhail (www.orlandoharpist.com) directly but she told me that I had to go through Just Marry now, which was no problem! I just contacted her this morning with a question about my floral, and to question her about a videographer, so we'll see how that plays out!

And I'll echo all of the other girls in saying Welcome to the amazing group of S/D Brides! We're always here to help if you have any questions! You've made a great choice in going with the Swan and JM!

~AnnaLe