What other event(s) are you hosting for your wedding guests?

[Jilian]

We're doing a Saturday VR but wanted to do some sort of welcome party for our guests. The problem is that we'll have about 70 guests so anything we do will require renting a private room and will probably cost over $2,000. Are there any other less expensive options? If you are doing other events are you including all of the guests? I'd feel bad leaving any out, most are flying in from out of state. DH suggested just having everyone get together at the outside bar @ Coronado springs (we'll be staying there) and all having a drink there and mingling. I was thinking of maybe suggesting going out to DTD Friday night for drinks/dancing. I'd love to hear any suggestions or hear what you have planned (and if you don't mind sharing the price per person that would be helpful!).

 

[lurkyloo]

We could not afford to pay for an extra party, so we did a "no-obligation, come if you want to" meet 'n' greet in one of the public areas at the Beach Club from 4pm-6pm. That way, nobody would be expecting dinner and people were able to make plans to have dinner together in their groups afterward. We ended up having the Beach Club Villas' Parlor all to ourselves (although I don't think you could fit 70 people in there—maybe in the BC Solarium, though) for free!

Also, we made it clear that people were not expected to be there, especially since we couldn't provide any food (and it was Super Bowl Sunday ).

I like your DH's idea because it's a fixed location and an activity that can be enjoyed by all ages (well, OK, except the under 21s!) — not sure how many elderly guests you'll have or whether they'd be up for running all over DTD.

Some other neat, inexpensive ideas I've seen are to have a pizza party in a larger resort room (like if you're staying in a DVC villa), going mini-golfing, and doing the hayride at Ft. Wilderness. You could also have everyone meet up for one of the free movies they do on the beach at the Yacht & Beach Club, Ft. Wilderness or (occasionally) the Grand Floridian. They usually also have a campfire and $5 s'mores kits for sale.

 

[pezaddict231]

We also couldn't work a separate event into the budget, but I would have loved to do that. What we did instead was let our guests know which park we planned to go to each day and made a bunch of group ADR's. This way people could join us when and if they wanted.

 

[katel]

Our mothers wanted us to invite everyone to the rehearsal dinner... but that wasn't in the budget!

So instead, the rehearsal dinner will be immediate family and wedding party only, and we're planning an ice cream social for the whole group after the rehearsal dinner. It's $15++ per person, so it's not exactly cheap, but it will be nice to see everyone the night before the wedding and it's a heck of a lot less expensive than a full dinner! (This is at Disneyland, btw, so I'm not sure what pricing would be like at WDW).

My grandmother wanted to host a brunch for extended family (which for us is 50+ people!), so we're doing that the morning before the wedding as well.

On the day after the wedding, we're thinking about doing a "we'll be having breakfast here, feel free to stop by and eat with us" type of thing at a counter service location in the park.

 

[elle1024]

I was going back and forth on the same issue too. I really like the idea of having a dessert party, but having 85 guests myself it was way out of the question. I ended up with:

Friday: Informal "welcome party" at Ft. Wilderness. I plan on making s'more kits for those who are joining in which I am sure will be a lot less than $5.00 each (Dolly posted some really cute ones) I think the kids would really get a kick out of that especially since Chip & Dale make an appearance. Then they [kids with their moms or designated babysitters ] can stay and watch the movie while DF and I go our seperate ways with for our "bachelor/ette parties".

Saturday: We are doing the "drinking around the world" thing. We are making shirts for those who want to come, which I think will be fun. And will be having our rehearsal that night with a dessert party following for just the wedding party and their guest + our parents. (hope most of them will have their tickets from drinking around the world )

Sunday: WEDDING DAY

Monday: Chef Mickey's. Reservations will be made for those who want to join.

I think that gives our guests lots of choices for things to do if they want to join. And the shirts/ s'mores kits can't be too bad to make for those coming.

I have also seen a lot of others do things around the pool... drinks & pizza. Which sounds good too! HTH.

 

[Firefly09]

We are having a welcome dinner at Whispering Canyon the night before. We're getting the Tables in Wonderland cards to help pay for the dinner.

Then we're having breakfast at Ohana on Sunday after the wedding which happens to be Mother's Day. Also using the TiW card to help cut down costs.

 

[Nichole33]

We left the first couple of days (all day Thursday and Friday afternoon) open so the guys could get their tuxes and everyone could play at the pool, etc.

On Friday night we are going to have Hen and Stag parties. We are chartering a bus from Disney to take us all out. The girls are going to Citiwalk at Universal and the guys are going adult activities.

On Saturday we are drinking around the world at Epcot. We made it clear that everyone would have to get their own entrance to Epcot and didn't expect to have that many people. So far it has become the most popular event we planned and almost everyone is coming!!

On Sunday we have our rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner at 'Ohana for the wedding party and immediate family. Then we are having a welcome reception for everyone at Sago Cay Pointe. We are having the chocolate fondue and a cash bar, so our cost is pretty low for 65 guests.

Then Monday is our wedding

We have gotten good responses from everyone so far. They don't expect us to pay for everything and are more than willing to pay for a little.

 

[princesswendy720]

I'm having a Bridal Party brunch (with my girls, flower girl, my Mom, and my FI's Step Mom) two days before the wedding. We will be having an optional drinking around the World afternoon that day as well. We're telling people where we will be but saying it is optional b/c they need a ticket.

Sunday (Day before wedding), we are doing a rehearsal dinner for bridal party and immediate family, then we are having a welcome party at Epcot during Illuminations where everyone will be invited. When the dessert party wasn't in the budget, I was considering renting a Grand Villa and getting finger foods and drinks, or meeting at the bar at the Boardwalk Inn or Port Orleans Riverside, or going mini golfing with our guests (we would have paid).

We are not doing any kind of farewell event.

 

[girli565]

We only had 35 guests so my mom offered to host a DP at Sago cay the night before the wedding. It was just under $1200. But there are so many ways to customize the menus to make it fit your budget. My planner was very helpful in keeping the DP to the $1k my mom offered us.

 

[stitchaholic]

does anybody know if your guests are not staying at the same resort as you , if you are allowed to invite them over to your resort pool for a pool and drinks party ?

 

[lurkyloo]

There is no rule about this, other than that technically pool-hopping is not allowed. But no one will be policing your event or checking to see where each of your guests is staying. As long as the party doesn't get really noisy or out of control and people are respectful of other resort guests, there shouldn't be a problem.