Wedding Dinner Ideas

[Pugsley]

Hi. I’m planning my wedding at WDW for next spring and we're thinking of just taking everyone out for dinner instead of having a reception. We’ll probably have around 20 people. Does anyone have any ideas for a good restaurant for a large group? Are there any restaurants with private rooms that would accommodate that many people? We’d prefer Epcot or one of the Epcot resorts but would consider other options. Thanks!

 

[ahutton]

There are many places around that area that would be great for you, although I don't know of a place inside EPCOT that will do a private area. Your best bet for inside the park is to contact Group Dining and see if they can arrange a dinner & dessert Illuminations party. They have some great menu options available, and will set up a private area with tables and anything else you want. One catch - unless you book a custom wedding through FTW you will not be able to wear your wedding attire into the park.

However, if you want to stay dressed through dinner you can easily do so at any of the hotels I'm pretty sure. Flying Fish at Boardwalk is very nice, Yachtsman Steakhouse has done dinners for many brides, and over at the Swan Palio's is really lovely. There are brides planning meals like this over on the Weddings Board - come check it out!

 

[Pugsley]

Thanks so much ahutton! I was actually planning to do the Epcot dessert party, but I didn't know you could have dinner too. I'll take a look at that. Do Yachtsman, Palio, Flying Fish offer private rooms?

I'll be heading over to the Weddings Board. Thanks!

 

[webray]

Not really a private area..but, Chefs de France in EPCOT has the patio,which would be very nice.

We have seen wedding dinners at Flying Fish..no private area though.

 

[lyncruiser]

We've seen wedding parties before when we've eaten at Victoria & Albert's. The restaurant has a separate area with perhaps 5 tables and a fireplace. Could be perfect for your party.

If you want to eat in Epcot, you could consider Bistro de Paris. Not sure they have a private area, per se, but the restaurant itself has an elegant, exclusive feel to it.

Marrakesh doesn't have a private area that I'm aware of, but the restaurant has always been quiet and half empty when we've eaten there. And it has entertainment, including a lovely belly dancer.

California Grill has a wine room with a few tables, which would feel more private. Doesn't have the view, but we always ask for a table there as it's much quieter and much less frenetic than the main dining room. Also, there is a back room at California Grill that normally seats about 50 -- we've been to Signature Dinners there during the F&W festival. You could look into that room. You can see the fireworks from the windows in that room.

Jiko also has a wine room, as does Flying Fish as I recall. Citricos has a quieter area toward the back with windows that look out toward the castle. Not private and would seat more than just your party, but it's quieter than the main area and a nice place to watch the fireworks.

Hope this is helpful.

 

[D&R love Disney]

Our wedding dinner was at the Yachtsman Steakhouse and we had a table set for 12. They were wonderful, did special menu's with no pricing on them and the service was superb!

 

[Pugsley]

Thanks so much for the ideas, lyncruiser and webray. Definitely gives me more to think about. I’m sure V&As would be wonderful but it may be a bit out of our price range. I love Cal Grill and may really be swayed in that direction if I can plan this on a fireworks night. Some of the WS countries would be nice but I’m trying to keep the food kind of standard since my fiance’s family isn’t really used to “fancy” food. D&R, Yachtsman is sounding really good. Do you think they could accommodate 20 people? We’re going down there on a scouting trip next month see we’ll check out all these locations. Thanks again everyone.

 

[D&R love Disney]

Pugsley I'm sure the Yachtsman could handle 20 people for dinner and since the restaurant is not in a park you can wear your wedding attire. They made special menus for us with our names on it and no prices for the meals. You can eliminate some items off the menu if you wish. My EM at fairytale weddings put me in contact with the right person to talk to and it was a perfect dinner.

 

[Pugsley]

Thanks D&R. You're right -- one of the reasons I'm leaning toward doing the dinner at a resort instead of inside the park is so I can wear my dress. Seems like such a waste to only be able to wear it for a quick ceremony and then have to take it off! But I still love the idea of the Illuminations party. This is going to be a tough decision! Maybe I could do the Yachtsman dinner and then do the dessert party. But that may break my budget!

 

[swilphil]

We ate at Alfredo's in Epcot last week. Our table of 10 was seated in a little side room with a few other tables. I would say the room would probably hold 25-30 people. You may be able to reserve it for your group. We had a fabulous meal and they had the best desserts. If you want to eat at a resort, call the Swan/Dolphin (between the Beach Club and Boardwalk). They do lots of group functions, and are very nice to work with. We've stayed there twice. They have many nice restaurants to choose from.

 

[Pugsley]

Thanks swilphil. I am also considering the Swan/Dolphin restaurants because it actually looks like the wedding ceremony may end up being at the Swan instead of Disney. I was thinking about Palio or Blue Zoo. I'm afraid Shula's will be too expensive. Any thoughts about those restaurants or other suggestion at the Swan/Dolphin?

 

[DrKnow77]

Originally posted by D&R love Disney
Our wedding dinner was at the Yachtsman Steakhouse and we had a table set for 12. They were wonderful, did special menu's with no pricing on them and the service was superb!

Yachtsman did this for our wedding as well. The service, food and atmosphere were fabulous. I highly recommend Yacthsman. Afterwards, you can walk over to EPCOT and catch Illuminations.

Good luck!

 

[DrKnow77]

Originally posted by Pugsley
But I still love the idea of the Illuminations party. This is going to be a tough decision! Maybe I could do the Yachtsman dinner and then do the dessert party. But that may break my budget!

We did the dessert party and it really topped off our wedding day perfectly. My wife and family really enjoyed walking to EPCOT, having our own private sitting area and enjoying the fireworks with desserts catered to us. The only bad thing is, the food at Yachtsman is so good, we were so stuffed, we could barely eat the desserts... but it was still worth it!

 

[Pugsley]

Thanks DrKnow. That sounds wonderful! I'd better start saving my money. It is a once in a lifetime event, after all (I hope!).