Wedding Size, Events And Budget

[gibsi53]

Hey Brides!

I am still gathering info trying to determine how best to spend our wedding day and not only get the most for the stretched dollar, but have the most fun too!

Can you post your wedding location, number of attendees, reception location, anticipated (or actual) budget and the thing that you couldn't live without/ no one should miss or the favorite thing about your day.

We're still thinking about the chance of having a SD wedding vs DFTW and our planning session is rapidly approaching....

Did you have a night reception or day event? alcohol? dj? desert party? brunch? welcome party?

 

[lurkyloo]

Wedding location Morocco

Number of attendees 34

Reception location The Attic

Actual budget $10,069.80 paid to Disney

Thing that you couldn't live without/no one should miss Dessert Party... but the Friendship boat to the reception was a close second.

Night reception or day event? Day, with a 6-hour break between reception and dessert party

Alcohol? nope

DJ? iPod run by guest

Dessert party? yep

Brunch? nope

Welcome party? casual meet 'n' greet in hotel public area (no food, no room-rental fee)

 

[DisneyBrideToni]

Not married yet but here is where I am at so far.

Wedding location: Sea Breeze Point

Number of attendees 35

Reception location The Attic

Budget to date $19,780.07 (Disney only) does not include photographer, Misty Miotto $2,497.00 and videographer STVS Video $1,562.20.

Thing that you couldn't live without/no one should miss: Dessert Party and Cinderella’s Carriage

Night reception or day event? Night reception with a Dessert Party in UK

Alcohol? 4 ½ hour bar

DJ? Nope. Violinist for the ceremony and reception.

Dessert party? Yes. UK Lower

Brunch? No.

Welcome party? No welcome party but I am having a tea party for all the ladies coming at the Grand Floridian Tea Room.

 

[Willow1213]

LurkyLoo how did you do it?! We are debating having a Disney wedding b/c $10k is doable for us, but since it is a "minimum" we didn't think it would even be possible. Can you give details? PM me or email willow1213 @ gmail. com if that's easier for you

Thanks so much!

~Abby

 

[StitchBride]

Wedding location: Wedding Pavilion

Number of attendees 54

Reception location Grand Floridian

Budget to date $19,500 (Disney only) does not include Floral and linens through Charming Events $2,400 and videographer for $1,300. All said and done, with dress, tux, and all the paper goods we were dead on at $25,500

Thing that you couldn't live without/no one should miss: Sorbet course in Cinderella's Slipper, Cinderella’s Carriage, and Videographer

Night reception or day event? Night reception

Alcohol? 5 hour bar (BOC)

DJ? Yup, plus a harpist for pre-reception & dinner

Dessert party? Nope, timing didn't work

Brunch? Yup, at the Gaylord Palms (not included in above cost, hosted by bride's parents for brides family $30pp)

Welcome party? Yup (not included in above cost) Paid for by groom's mother at Ohana's at $26pp

 

[BecBennett]

This is an awesome thread! Anyone else??

 

[disprincessatheart]

Mine was an escape, does that count?

Wedding location WP

Number of attendees 17 +

Reception location Commander's Terrace cake cutting, Narcoossee's Dinner, Grand 1 Wishes Cruise

Actual budget $7500 paid to Disney for day of +$400 for extra pictures

Thing that you couldn't live without/no one should miss Wishe Cruise!

Night reception or day event? Evening

Alcohol? open bar at dinner

DJ? no, just the disney provided violinist and organist

Dessert party? fireworks cruise

Brunch? nope

Welcome party? dinner at Chef Mickey's, but everyone paid their own way

 

[simplosys]

Wedding location: Wedding Pavilion

Number of attendees 54

Reception location Grand Floridian

Budget to date $19,500 (Disney only) does not include Floral and linens through Charming Events $2,400 and videographer for $1,300. All said and done, with dress, tux, and all the paper goods we were dead on at $25,500

Thing that you couldn't live without/no one should miss: Sorbet course in Cinderella's Slipper, Cinderella’s Carriage, and Videographer

Night reception or day event? Night reception

Alcohol? 5 hour bar (BOC)

DJ? Yup, plus a harpist for pre-reception & dinner

Dessert party? Nope, timing didn't work

Brunch? Yup, at the Gaylord Palms (not included in above cost, hosted by bride's parents for brides family $30pp)

Welcome party? Yup (not included in above cost) Paid for by groom's mother at Ohana's at $26pp

really nice.. Getting all these stuffs for $19K pretty cool. I think this could be the best place for wedding.

 

[PrincessJewel]

Wedding location: Wedding Pavilion

Number of attendees: 75

Reception location: Grand Floridian

Actual budget: $25,000 paid to Disney/$4,000 Charming Events/Randy Chapman $2,400

Thing that you couldn't live without: the pumpkin coach was my dream and made it feel like disney and was the thing everyone remembered

Night reception or day event? 5:00 wedding/6:00 cocktail/7:00 dinner

Alcohol? Beer and Wine, no liquor

DJ? yes

Dessert party? yes (the night before as a rehearsal party instead of a dinner)

Brunch? nope

Welcome party? no

I tried to concentrate on the things that were most important to me and what would be the most noticable. And I tried to cut wherever I could. I didn't have floral centerpieces, I used tea-lit ceramic castles for only $50 a piece. I bought my dress online for half the cost. Made all my paper items like programs, placecards, etc. (it helps I am a graphic designer though). Charming events was cheaper than disney floral, and randy was a great value. For the food we came up with a custom menu to try to sit the price right around the minimum. And the cake we displayed was big enough for half the people, while a sheet cake was in the back to feed the rest. And we did beer and wine instead of full bar. So a lot of little things can really add up.
__________________

 

[dawrobin]

Keep in mind there are LOTS of wedding expenses that may be figured into costs below.

Everythign from dress, suit, alterations to things like the marriage license and outside vendors.

When you figure out your budget, I found it best to do a spreadsheet and account for every single wedding related cost as minute as the gas to get to Orlando (I live in FL) to the rings, HM, etc.

 

[Pinkerbell1983]

I haven't had my wedding yet, but I have done a very indepth budget planner on excel, using everyone elses BEO's etc. I have included tax, service charges, moving fee's etc and I have budgeted around $12000 to give to Disney and $625 is going to Randy Chapman.

Ceremony Location: Wedding Pavilion @ 2.30pm

Number of guests: 26

Reception location: Grand Floridian Whitehall Room and Patio

Alcohol? Premium brands for 26 people for 7 hours

DJ? iPod run by guest

Dessert party? Sago Cay Pointe

Brunch? nope

Welcome party? Dinner at a Disney restaurant. Guests are paying for themselves.

I am also having the reception extended so we can go back and dance after the Dessert Party (or pudding party as my guests are calling it!) which is $400 per hour for 3 extra hours-ish.
__________________

 

[jnale]

I'm not married yet either but here is where I stand 29 days out.
My date is this Oct. 18th.

Wedding location: Wedding Pavilion

Number of attendees: 100

Reception location: American Adventure Rotunda (Epcot)

Actual budget: $35,433.28 (this is my estimated figure from my BEO that I paid this week - I don't think it will fluctuate too much)

Thing that you couldn't live without/no one should miss: I personally couldn't live without the Cinderella's Coach or the Magic Kingdom Photo Session; but I didn't want my guests to miss Illuminations

Night reception or day event? Night - 7:15pm ceremony, 8:30 cocktail hour, 9:30 - 1:30am reception

Alcohol? Yes - we are having a signature cocktail (Peach Sangria and Peach Punch) for the cocktail hour and then a bill on consumption premium bar from 9:30pm to 12:00am and then a cash bar from 12:00am to 1:30 am.

DJ? Yes

Dessert party? No - we chose to do Illuminations for the cocktail hour instead

Brunch? we are actually having a "day after the wedding" brunch at the Crystal Palace for the wedding party and their families

Welcome party? Not formally - we'll probably all meet up in the parks and some of us will eat together....trying to go with the flow there

 

[Malefi_Stitch]

Fabulous thread! Don't mind me...just subscribing here for now! We're in the process of getting our planner so i'll definitely post when i can give you more specifics on what it'll cost.

 

[JandJ]

Keep in mind there are LOTS of wedding expenses that may be figured into costs below.

Everythign from dress, suit, alterations to things like the marriage license and outside vendors.

When you figure out your budget, I found it best to do a spreadsheet and account for every single wedding related cost as minute as the gas to get to Orlando (I live in FL) to the rings, HM, etc.

We did the same thing - a spreadsheet with every last detailed cost. What you owe DFTW is one thing, everything else really adds up! Our Intimate/Escape was three years ago and prices have changed, but of the approx. $7500 (can't remember exact numbers anymore!) less than half was to DFTW - the rest was attire (1/2 of my gown was paid for by my parents; we paid for DH's attire and we paid for MOH's attire), bridal jewelry, tiara, and purse, honeymoon (three nights at Disney and a RC cruise), day-after brunch for 12, announcements, postage, wedding bands (this did not include my e-ring of course), license, scrapbook I made, gas and tolls to Disney (we live in FL), food at Disney during honeymoon, extra decor for ceremony site, vase for mom's remembrance rose, and tips (MIL paid for hair so I just gave a tip). I'm sure I'm forgetting lots of stuff. We did get our formal invitations and stationary for free, fortunately, thanks to the company I was working for at the time.

I think I found a really good spreadsheet on weddingchannel DOT com. It let you estimate and then put in the actual cost so you could see how far you were off. DH gave me a $10k budget and I came in around $7500 so I was pleased with myself. Best of all, our wedding day was perfect

 

[TamTab]

Not married yet but here's where we are .....

Wedding location WP

Number of attendees 50

Reception location Atlantic Dance Hall

Actual budget Right now we are sitting around $40,000. That doesn't include my dress and accessories (about $2500), tuxes, hair/make up, Rehersal dinner and invitations.

Thing that you couldn't live without/no one should miss Cindy's pumpkin coach, Mickey and Minnie

Night reception or day event? Cocktails start at 3:30 Reception starts at 5pm when all is said and done we are finished at 11:30pm

Alcohol? 4 1/2 hour full bar package, plus wine package and champagne toast

DJ? Yes through Disney

Dessert party? no

Brunch? no

Welcome party? No ... everyone is coming in at different days and times.

 

[pixie08]

Wedding location: WP

Number of attendees: 75

Reception location: Boardwalk Resort

Actual budget: around $38,000 paid to Disney( includes welcome dessert party and rd at Ohana for 25 people the night before). Does not include photography, Videography, dress etc.

Thing that you couldn't live without: An evening reception, cinderella's slipper dessert, sorbet ice sculpture, rolls royce, and lots of flowers lol!

Night reception or day event: CH started at 6:30pm

Alcohol: full package & Champagne toast

DJ: Yes through Disney- DJ Miles

Dessert party Yes as a welcome party

Brunch: no

Welcome party Dessert party at the Franch Island- Illuminations

 

[lurkyloo]

LurkyLoo how did you do it?! We are debating having a Disney wedding b/c $10k is doable for us, but since it is a "minimum" we didn't think it would even be possible. Can you give details?

You can do it!

It should be noted that on top of that minimum was about $1,100 in taxes and service fees (the figure varies depending on what you pick), and the only photography we paid Disney for was the Magic Kingdom photo shoot. We spent another $2,800 on photography and videography from outside vendors, my dress was $500 on eBay, tux was $128, dress shipping/storage/steaming was $100ish, hair & makeup was $150, and our favors were $300. Our honeymoon was entirely paid for by a combo of the Disney Honeymoon registry funds, Disney Visa Rewards, eBay selling, and doing Sunshine Rewards for Disney Gift Cards.

Some of the biggest ways we saved money:

- weekday wedding
- small guest list
- brunch instead of dinner
- no alcohol
- iPod instead of DJ
- no centerpieces + no bridesmaids (i.e., no additional bouquets)
- no Disney photography/videography
- no welcome/rehearsal dinner

Some of the "luxuries" we still got for our ten grand:

- Magic Kingdom photo shoot
- Friendship boat from ceremony to reception
- chair covers (I felt guilty for paying for these!)
- Dessert party in Epcot
- Charter buses to the ceremony and to the dessert party (one of our biggest expenses and the most -worthy...)

 

[mermaidbride1108]

I also recommend Sunshine rewards & Disney Rewards!!! (I learned about Sunshine through Lurkyloo ) I've been doing the same and I'm trying to bank as many rewards as possible! Plus we did the Honeymoon registry as well. But I'm not sure how many people will actually purchase things for us through there.

 

[DisneyJules]

Wedding location Morocco

Number of attendees 34

Reception location The Attic

Actual budget $10,069.80 paid to Disney

Thing that you couldn't live without/no one should miss Dessert Party... but the Friendship boat to the reception was a close second.

Night reception or day event? Day, with a 6-hour break between reception and dessert party

Alcohol? nope

DJ? iPod run by guest

Dessert party? yep

Brunch? nope

Welcome party? casual meet 'n' greet in hotel public area (no food, no room-rental fee)

Wow, how oh how did you make it only $10,000. I'm am so impressed!,hehe I was looking at your beautiful photos a while back and thought, this wedding must have cost so much. Your pictures are truly GORGEOUS! You did a wonderful job coordinating colors and theme.

EDIT: I see someone had the same question as myself over head! Thanks

 

[mermaidbride1108]

You can do it!

It should be noted that on top of that minimum was about $1,100 in taxes and service fees (the figure varies depending on what you pick), and the only photography we paid Disney for was the Magic Kingdom photo shoot. We spent another $2,800 on photography and videography from outside vendors, my dress was $500 on eBay, tux was $128, dress shipping/storage/steaming was $100ish, hair & makeup was $150, and our favors were $300. Our honeymoon was entirely paid for by a combo of the Disney Honeymoon registry funds, Disney Visa Rewards, eBay selling, and doing Sunshine Rewards for Disney Gift Cards.

Some of the biggest ways we saved money:

- small guest list
- brunch instead of dinner
- no alcohol
- iPod instead of DJ
- no centerpieces + no bridesmaids (i.e., no additional bouquets)
- no Disney photography/videography
- no welcome/rehearsal dinner

Some of the "luxuries" we still got for our ten grand:

- Magic Kingdom photo shoot
- Friendship boat from ceremony to reception
- chair covers (I felt guilty for paying for these!)
- Dessert party in Epcot
- Charter buses to the ceremony and to the dessert party (one of our biggest expenses and the most -worthy...)

Do you mind me asking how much the friendship boat was? I don't have any opportunity to use it in the layout of my wedding, but I'm insanely curious! I just thought they let you use it for free seeing that it travels that way anyway