Wedding Pavilion only??

[BouncyTrouncyFlouncy]

Is there ANY way to only get the Wedding Pavilion for a ceremony-only event without having to get a package deal?

I just don't understand why, if it has a rental fee and can hold over 200 people, we can't get the space for an hour for as many people as we want without all the extras (champagne, cake, etc.) of an Escape package and limitation of 20 people.

It just really bothers me - the 20 person limit. Why 20? If I'm getting a space that holds way more than that, and they don't have to set out seats so it's not like there is an extra set-up fee/time for that, and they're not giving enough champagne and cake for everyone anyway, then why, for goodness' sake, do they have to limit it to 20 people??

I just don't get it. Why is there not a wedding pavilion ceremony-only option?? I mean, does DFTW have a monopoly on the wedding pavilion space?

Please don't take offense to this post. I'm just really sad and frustrated that I would love have a ceremony at WDW, but I cannot afford a Wishes wedding but would want to invite more than 18 people!

 

[elphie101]

Disney has a "monopoly" on the Wedding Pavilion because it's a DFTW space. It was built for DFTW weddings. It's also hands down their most popular ceremony venue, which is why they would never let you use it for a ceremony-only option without attaching it to the real moneymaker (the reception) or without limiting you on your guest count as a compromise (as with Escape).

I'm sorry you can't make happen the wedding you want to have. If you're looking to have more people than the Escape package allows, have you researched Swan & Dolphin events? Many many brides here have found that to be a more affordable way to have more people attend their wedding.

 

[Chilly]

I know its frustrating when you can't have what you want but Disney is a business and their aim is to make money.

I hope you are able to find another location that you love as much.

 

[aristocatz]

Just as others mentioned, WDW owns the wedding pavilion & it is the most popular DFTW ceremony site with lots of people willing to pay for both ceremony and reception, so they are going to make the rules in their favor, in order to maximize their income.

You do have a variety of options of having a ceremony on WDW property with a larger guest count. Swan and Dolphin weddings offer beautiful outdoor ceremony spaces with unlimited guest counts. Coronado Springs Resort, Downtown Disney locations also offer ceremony locations. These options are also alot less expensive than going directly through Disney.

Do a little research and I'll bet you will find something that fits your taste that is well within your budget

 

[BouncyTrouncyFlouncy]

Yes, I have done LOTS of research, that's why it frustrates me so.

I know Disney is ultimately a business and would therefore make "rules" based upon what makes the most money for them, but the reason I brought it up is because of the size of the venue and how they don't have to do anything more for more than 20 guests at that venue.

Also, I saw that for a Castaway Cay ceremony, the guest max is 10, BUT, you can pay $20 per extra person if you wanted more guests. Why can't DFTW do the same for the pavilion?

I have looked into a Swan and Dolphin ceremony, and we are keeping that as an option, but we've really never been too keen about the looks of those resorts. I like the Crescent Terrace location, but I had a couple of friends take some pictures of that location, and you can see more of the resorts than I thought you could through the trees.

But thanks for your support in us finding a place we love.

 

[mb187143]

Yes, I have done LOTS of research, that's why it frustrates me so.

I know Disney is ultimately a business and would therefore make "rules" based upon what makes the most money for them, but the reason I brought it up is because of the size of the venue and how they don't have to do anything more for more than 20 guests at that venue.

Also, I saw that for a Castaway Cay ceremony, the guest max is 10, BUT, you can pay $20 per extra person if you wanted more guests. Why can't DFTW do the same for the pavilion?

I have looked into a Swan and Dolphin ceremony, and we are keeping that as an option, but we've really never been too keen about the looks of those resorts. I like the Crescent Terrace location, but I had a couple of friends take some pictures of that location, and you can see more of the resorts than I thought you could through the trees.

But thanks for your support in us finding a place we love.

I don't know how true it is that they don't have to do anything extra - I know for our wedding with only 60 guests, we had 3 people from DFTW wrangling everyone. Not sure how many are normally there from DFTW for an escape wedding, but just from a crowd control perspective, I could see there being a difference. Not that it matters though. I could almost guarantee they have no issue with the staff it would take to support the larger event, it has everything to do with the lost revenue of the reception. Sadly it all comes down to money. I'm sure part of the reason why you are able to pay extra for the Castaway Cay wedding to have extra guests is that they are a captive audience already - Disney has the cruise fare for those guests already, so they're not losing money by allowing this. whereas allowing a wedding at the pavilion for a large party without the requisite reception to follow could lose them many, many thousands of dollars, and that is indeed what matters to them.

I do hope you find a resolution for you that you can enjoy!