Wearing Wedding Dress to Illuminations Change?

[fun2bmomof3]

I just talked to event manager and we were discussing an intimate vow renewal. I told her I was interested in an illuminations Dessert Party. Then in discussing time frames for planning and needing time to change before the Dessert Party because intimate Brides aren't allowed to wear their dresses, she said I was incorrect. That an intimate Bride can wear her dress to an illuminations dessert party because you are escorted by your Host/hostess to your party destination. Now if you want to walk around the parks or have dinner in the park you must change but not for the illuminations dessert party.

Can anyone confirm this?

Crissy

 

[Mommy Poppins]

This is the response I received from my EM:

You can wear your gown IF you purchase a motorcoach to transport your group backstage at Epcot. You'll be met by a host/hostess who will escort you to the party location. The cost of the motorcoach is $436 (5 hour minimum). Otherwise, a guest relations person will meet you and your guests at International Gateway (no wedding attire permitted) and escort you to the party location.

Since we were unable to book the Grand I, I am still trying to decide if I want to do the Illuminations Dessert Party (@ $1,000) or see if we can get two regular boats for the Magic Kingdom Fireworks Cruise.

 

[princessblueeyzes]

This is the response I received from my EM:

You can wear your gown IF you purchase a motorcoach to transport your group backstage at Epcot. You'll be met by a host/hostess who will escort you to the party location. The cost of the motorcoach is $436 (5 hour minimum). Otherwise, a guest relations person will meet you and your guests at International Gateway (no wedding attire permitted) and escort you to the party location.

This is what I was told to by my EM too!

 

[Boo0105]

I was told that I could wear my dress and did not need any special transportation. I just had to meet the host at the International Gateway and
they would escort me and my guests to the reception location.

 

[Mommy Poppins]

Boo - Are you custom or intimate? Maybe there is a difference. The info I posted was for our intimate vow renewal.

I think the deal with the motorcoach is that you can't walk through EPCOT in your wedding attire. The motorcoach would take you in "the back way".

 

[Boo0105]

Mine is an intimate also.

 

[Mommy Poppins]

You may want to confirm again with your EM since two of us were told otherwise. I know that intimates didn't used to be able to wear wedding attire at all to an Illuminations Party.

 

[sajetto]

Wow, I sure hope they changed the policy. If they have I would definitely think of doing an Illuminations party

 

[Mommy Poppins]

Yeah, I would love to not have to pay that extra $436 just to wear my dress to the party.

 

[LoveWDW]

I have read before of the restriction about wedding attire, but I am curious why it can't be worn?

 

[myslipperfitin06]

I just had my intimate wedding with a Dessert party at Epcot. I was able to wear my dress.......But we also had rented a bus to transport our guests over. I have pics with Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore and Tigger so I was excited. And the attention was awsome. I know it does sound like a lot, but it was top notch treatment with the bus. Someone met us and took us to the spot and she is who told us where to go to see Pooh. And at the end of the night after a few drinks she made sure the whole group got back on the bus for a safe trip back to our hotel.
They just dont want brides in full dress walking through the front. But with the bus rental it is yours for the night. If you have a cranky child in the party that bus will take the parent and child back to the hotel without any wait.
Sandy

 

[Kellyella]

I just had my intimate wedding with a Dessert party at Epcot. I was able to wear my dress.......But we also had rented a bus to transport our guests over. I have pics with Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore and Tigger so I was excited. And the attention was awsome. I know it does sound like a lot, but it was top notch treatment with the bus. Someone met us and took us to the spot and she is who told us where to go to see Pooh. And at the end of the night after a few drinks she made sure the whole group got back on the bus for a safe trip back to our hotel.
They just dont want brides in full dress walking through the front. But with the bus rental it is yours for the night. If you have a cranky child in the party that bus will take the parent and child back to the hotel without any wait.
Sandy

Hi,myslipperfitin06
That sounds nice to have the bus.
How many people were you able to fit in there?
Do you remember how much it was?
Thanks

 

[myslipperfitin06]

It was a regular size bus, like a charter bus. I believe it was $400 give or take and you have to charter it for minimum of 4 hours. but it was well worth it. We had 19 altogether so we had plenty of room

 

[Janet2k]

I thought it would be helpful if I posted a link to photos of the motor coach that was used to transport my guests to and from my vow renewal's events (resorts, Wedding Pavilion, Disney-MGM Studios).

Since Disney has a contract with Mears Transportation, various types of motor coaches are used (yellow coaches, Disney Cruise Line coaches, Magical Express coaches, etc.). It is the luck of the draw as to which style of motor coach you will receive. For my vow renewal, I received the yellow coach. Here are two photos of it:

Photo # 1
Photo # 2

I hope that helped.