Two Questions about Custom Weddings

[McBeck83]

1) Has anyone had a large Disney Wedding? Just going over the list I have for a make-shift guest-list, I'm looking at 150+ guests. Has anyone attempted this large? Some advice if you've got it.

2) How involved is Disney in the Custom Weddings? Do they mandate every detail, from invites to band selections? I'm wondering how much I'll have to do - because a lot of stuff I want to do myself {to keep costs down, most likely}.


Thanks!

 

[catmorgan4]

Our guest list is that large, but we probably only have about 75 attending. You have say in everything that is done.

There are ways to cut back such as: making your own invites, place cards, programs, and favors, and using an outside photographer. Depending on the location you chose you may not need as much decor. We decided to do the Atlantic Dance hall because we felt it did not need much in way of flowers and decor. If you go with a ballroom you may need more flowers or other additional things.

Good luck in your planning!

 

[dznystar]

I can't help with your first question, we're only looking at about 50 guests. But I do know that Disney will help with anything you want, but you still have a LOT of freedoms. They can recommend someone for invites, but they don't have people for bands or anything like that. If you have your ceremony/reception inside one of the parks, you have to use disney floral, photography, etc. You have more options if you use one of their ballrooms or convention areas at the resorts. I hope this helps some.

 

[lurkyloo]

1) There may be some brides on this board who had around 150 people, but most find that their 150+ potential guests works out to be much fewer actual guests, just because fewer people can make it to a destination wedding.

2) If you have a Wishes/Custom Wedding, you are in charge of all your choices. The only thing Disney mandates is the food & drink minimums and the number of guest room nights. If you choose a David Tutera Collection wedding, Disney mandates everything to match one of four themes (you just get to pick the theme!)

Hope this helps!

 

[JoD]

We invited 136 (all from NY) and 100 guest attended.
Disney will give you choices and will recommend things but the decisions are all yours, we actually put together our own food menu, room decor and handled almost everything. Our EM Marion Stewart was wonderful and gave us her opinion and recommendations but the final decision was ours.
Good Luck.

 

[McBeck83]

We invited 136 (all from NY) and 100 guest attended.
Disney will give you choices and will recommend things but the decisions are all yours, we actually put together our own food menu, room decor and handled almost everything. Our EM Marion Stewart was wonderful and gave us her opinion and recommendations but the final decision was ours.
Good Luck.

That's really good to know. I don't want to feel like my wedding will be completely done by someone else. Its my wedding, not theirs.

Thanks!

 

[DVCGirl49]

Definitely know the feeling worring about the cost/decisions when looking at a big invitation list! We are now working on the 2nd DFTW for our family (my cousin just got married in Nov at WP/GF). For us, we have found that the 70-80% acceptance rate that Disney states on how many of those invited that will actually come, is a bit off.

We are expecting approx 125-150 guests, for our wedding next Feb. However the invitation list is considerably larger than that. We just started gettng our preliminary RSVP's back a week or two ago and thus far we have 40-50% yes'. My cousin's Nov DFTW final count was 33% yes.

For the decisions, as others have stated, unless you are getting the new David Tutera Collection, you will have a say in all the decisions that are made. Yes there are some stipulations, like no outside floral/entertainers for in park weddings, but generally we have found the DFTW people to be very flexible and accomodating. As to items that you will have to sort out yourself (DFTW has reccommendations on vendors but doesn't personally take care of these things) theres: the officiant, your dress/attire, BM's dresses/attire, guy's tuxes, the rings, cosmetologist/hairdresser, and the invitations.

There are definitely several ways to cut down on costs, like using outside photography/videography/floral, shopping around for your invitations (we've found that there's as much as a 35% price difference for different vendors for the same Disney invites!), making/buying your own favors, etc. There are many brides on this board who have had some excellent tips on this topic, so make sure to ask for help if you need it!

HTH!
Brandi

 

[McBeck83]

We don't have an exact date yet - and there is still the matter of telling my parents - so I'm not contacting the people for the wedding at Disney cause nothing is for sure. I'm glad to know that I can get the costs down if need be.

My family looks forward to weddings. They're our version of a family reunion. I'm expecting a huge turn-out since my side of the family is at least 100 people.

Thank you, everyone for your advice! Its been very helpful!

 

[DisneyFairy19]

We are having between 100-120.. I am picking out my own wedding invites,,,and I know that you have to do invites yourself... I believe they can help you find something... but you can pretty much do things on your own