What did you do??

[JDR2b777]

What did you do about the eating arragements? Did you have a buffet style for all your guests or did you have a sit down and let everyone be served by the disney crew? Did you like it? ANd would you have changed anything?

I am thinking about have a sit down at the grand floridian whitehall outside around 7PM. Do you think there would be bugs bother us? And do you think those lamps outside are bright enough. Maybe add some tea candles outside at the tables lite along with some christmas tree white lights around the columns and stuff?

Or buffett?

 

[JJClemson]

I originally wanted an outside reception too. If your wedding is in the summer, just remember how hot it is in Disney then. You don't want your guests to be uncomfortable. Just something to think about

Jen

 

[JDR2b777]

I agree. But do you think since it is so late, the sun going down, it should not be too hot????

I haven't been to disney in the summer in so long - But here in Mississippi around 7Pm it is not to bad outside.

 

[JonetteA]

We are doing a Buffet with Assigned seating tables. That way no one has to feel awkward. (ok, I can't spell today) I will let you know how it goes, but with all of the picky eaters, the buffet seemed the way to go.

 

[RangerPooh]

We had an indoor venue with plated meals. The Disney crew did a fabulous job. Our only complaint was one of the side dishes that we specifically requested was left off the plates. But our EM took care of this and made sure that everyone was quickly brought their sides. I have attended Disney weddings that were done bufet style (including carving stations) and thought that they were done very nicely. The only thing that I would be concerned about are lines and who gets to eat first, as some people can be very impatient. Since it's Disney I wouldn't be too concerned about running low on food either (which was a concern when we were considering a buffet).

 

[twojo21]

we had a sit down plated dinner at ariels for our reception March 21st, it was perfect & everyone got to relax & enjoy the food.

we had a dessert party after the reception at uk & didnt have any problems with bugs, we had lighting from the epcot lights & candles in blue fish holders on the tables which kept everything visible.

 

[KT27]

We are also doing a buffet (brunch) with assigned seats. We didn't want an overly formal wedding and my fiance/hubby felt more comfortable with a buffet.

 

[Janet2k]

What did you do about the eating arragements? Did you have a buffet style for all your guests or did you have a sit down and let everyone be served by the disney crew? Did you like it? ANd would you have changed anything?

For my custom vow renewal, I had a progressive dinner party inside the Great Movie Ride. It was a lot of fun. In the Gangster Area is where drinks & appetizers were served. It was very informal since everyone was entertained by a Gangster & his Gun Moll while a honky-tonk pianist played music in the background. In the Western Area is where the sit-down dinner was served. It was both formal and informal. Well, as formal as a sit-down dinner can be with a Cowboy and Cowgirl entertaining everyone while a Country & Western Band played music & sang in the background. In the Land of Oz Area is where dessert was served. It was also formal and informal. Well, as formal as dessert can be with Glinda the Good Witch hamming it up for everyone.

You asked if I would have changed anything about my vow renewal. The answer is no. If I had to do it all over again, I would do it exactly the same way. It was ~magical.~

 

[Janet2k]

I am thinking about have a sit down at the grand floridian whitehall outside around 7PM. Do you think there would be bugs bother us? And do you think those lamps outside are bright enough. Maybe add some tea candles outside at the tables lite along with some christmas tree white lights around the columns and stuff?

The Grand Floridian is a gorgeous resort, and the Whitehall room and patio area are lovely. You can't go wrong with that location, in my humble opinion. Just make sure that your guest list isn't too large. The room & patio are limited in the number of guests that may dine there. Your EM will let you know what the maximum number of guests is.

Would bugs bother you? Probably not. I held a dinner party at the Grand Floridian's Summerhouse just about two years ago. The Summerhouse is an outdoor location that sits on Seven Seas Lagoon. My dinner party was held late in the day and ran into the evening. Bugs were not an issue. Yes, they were there, but there weren't many and none of my guests got bit by anything.

I don’t know if you know this, but Disney sprays pesticide in certain locations on property in order to keep the bug population (e.g., mosquitoes) under control. They've been doing this for as long as I can remember. Early in the morning I have oftentimes seen a pesticide truck at work.

As to lighting, your EM will recommend additional lighting if it is needed. For my Summerhouse party it was needed and I wrote the following in my trip report (click here):

- - - - - - -
Since my party would be lasting into the evening, I had been told that additional lighting was needed for two main reasons: 1) safety and 2) ambience. My proposal stated the following:

Technical Services
Audio Package: (BGM)

Portable Lighting System:
This portable lighting package will enhance and emphasize your
Entertainment with a splash of color. Package includes par lights,
ultimate stands and technician setup and strike.

Technicians: Set/Strike Technician

20 Amp 120 Volt Duplex
Temporary Power Installation

Temp Drop Permit Fee

Electrician

I had no idea what “par lights” and “ultimate stands” were, but they sounded interesting. I was certain that whatever Disney deemed appropriate for the event would be used. Like many things regarding my party, I was leaving certain aspects of it completely up to the professionals. I had no idea how to throw a party. I wasn’t even going to pretend that I did.

When I took a closer look at the Technical Services items, I noticed “Audio Package: (BGM).” I didn’t know what that meant and thus asked my son about it. He said, “Mom, ‘BGM’ stands for ‘BackGround Music.’” I laughed at my naiveté. I’m sure my son was correct, but until that point I had no idea that my party would have music. That subject never came up during the party-planning process. Nevertheless, I was happy to see it stated on the list. Music would definitely add to the ambience of the evening.
- - - - - - -

So, if your Whitehall outdoor party needs additional lighting, your EM will tell you just as mine had told me for my Summerhouse outdoor party.

I hope this helps (and I hope you don’t need additional lighting because it can be costly).