What don't they tell you?

[HopefulDisneyBride]

I got to thinking today about things I wish I had known before planning my Disney wedding. For instance, for a wedding with a $20,000 minimum expenditure, you are looking at $3000 in taxes!!!! Not that I am going to nix the idea because of that, but still ....

Are there any other surprises or advice from past brides out there? Anything that Disney told you late in the process that you wish you had known before? Or even just advice about things that you found out the hard way as you delved into things? Just curious....

 

[disbridemimi]

Yes, photography & videography prices are a little crazy, so your better off using an outside vendor. But then, of course your adding on more cost in addition to the minimum you need to meet with Disney.

ANd some of the fees are taxed & have service fees. Fees that have more fees. lol. So confusing..

 

[Malefi_Stitch]

Yes, photography & videography prices are a little crazy, so your better off using an outside vendor. But then, of course your adding on more cost in addition to the minimum you need to meet with Disney.

ANd some of the fees are taxed & have service fees. Fees that have more fees. lol. So confusing..

I agree with the service fees and taxes. Essentially, any food/beverage has a 21% gratuity added. Everything that's taxable is taxed at 6.5% AAAAND if that has gratuity with it, then the gratuity is taxed too.

Delivery and move fees got us. We have a cake handling fee of $242.55!!! I don't know if it's a percentage of the cost of your cake...maybe someone else can speak more about that? We didn't know that the site fees were taxed too.

I hope I didn't on anyone's parade.

 

[Bride-to-be]

I understand that the gratuity is taxed. However I don't understand why. Whats the reasoning? I mean if you go to a restaurant and leave a tip even if it a large party the tip is already added in - you don't pay additional tax on it. The people receiving the tip are suppose to pay tax. So why do we have to pay it?

 

[rpmdfw]

I understand that the gratuity is taxed. However I don't understand why. Whats the reasoning? I mean if you go to a restaurant and leave a tip even if it a large party the tip is already added in - you don't pay additional tax on it. The people receiving the tip are suppose to pay tax. So why do we have to pay it?

Disney adds a "Service Charge" not a "Gratuity". Since only a portion of that will actually be distributed to wait staff in the form of gratuities, it's a taxable revenue stream per the state of Florida.

I work in the hotel business, and this is standard procedure for catered events in every hotel where I've ever worked.