What time of day did you get married?

[Malibelle]

I have been discussing with our sales manager the times for the ceremony and reception. She suggested that since we are interested in the Illuminations dessert party. Typically to make things flow to have the wedding as follows:

Ceremony(WP)=2:30-3:30pm
Cocktail hour(ADH)=3:30-4:30pm
reception(ADH)=4:30-8:30pm
Dessert party(France)= 8:30-10pm

It just seems to close together and not enough time in between for pictures and travel time to the venues. Does anyone have any suggestions on what worked out best for them?

 

[hmgolden]

This is what we did:

2:30 Ceremony
3:00 Guests depart WP for coctail hour at ADH
3:30 We arrive at ADH
4:15ish - Reception begins
8:00 - reception ends, guests transported to EPCOT
8:30 - 9:30 - Illuminations dessert party

We saw each other before the ceremony and got a lot of our posed photos with family and the bridal party then. I think formal shots started at 12:30 PM. We also wanted to attend as much of our cocktail hour as possible. We were there for about 45 minutes of it - this cut into the amount of time we had to take pictures at the WP and was one of the reasons we took photos before the ceremony.

 

[Codie]

My schedule went as follows:
11:30-1:30 Pictures (I took pics before and after)
2-3 ceremony (really ended at like 2:30)
3-4 pre reception
4-8 reception

I agreed with you and was nervous about getting everywhere and on time...but disney works with precision--it's very cool to be a part of it (or I should say the STAR of it!) If you have a concern, or want more time for pictures--let your wp know that. You don't attend your pre-reception, btw...it's just for your non-bridal party guests.

 

[Codie]

PS--what day is your wedding on? It used to be that your reception had to end by 8 if on a tues-Sat...and there should probably be some walking/traveling to France put in there

 

[Malibelle]

Codie: My wedding would be a Sunday so it can be after 8pm at the ADH since it is not open to the public that day.


HMgolden: Did you have to use the disney motorcoach in order to have the dessert party? I think I ready somewhere that you did but it only holds 42 people. DO you have to rent a 2nd bus or will they make rounds to take your guest to the party? We would probably have to rent the motorcoach to take them to the reception as well.

 

[hmgolden]

We rented the motorcoaches. We had 2 for our guests. There wouldn't have been time for the motorcoach to make a trip back to the Boardwalk for everyone else. Plus, since your party will be ending after park hours end, you'll need them to transport your guests back to their resorts (that was one of the reasons we were given anyway)

FWIW, while some people gripe about the buses and having to rent them, but our guests LOVED being taken everywhere and the party bus atmosphere that they created. Plus it aleviated any concern over drinking too much. Based on our guests experiences, the buses were some of the best money we spent.

 

[Codie]

Codie: My wedding would be a Sunday so it can be after 8pm at the ADH since it is not open to the public that day.


HMgolden: Did you have to use the disney motorcoach in order to have the dessert party? I think I ready somewhere that you did but it only holds 42 people. DO you have to rent a 2nd bus or will they make rounds to take your guest to the party? We would probably have to rent the motorcoach to take them to the reception as well.

I didn't have a dessert party, but I did use the buses for the wp to the adh and everyone loved them also. However, I was told that if we chose our guests could walk or take the boats over to Epcot from adh and there would be a host there for them...the buses are kind of cool with the whole backstage thing, but if you want to save the money...

 

[twojo21]

ceremony ycg = 1-2pm
prereception/cocktails (us pictures) marthas vineyard = 2-4pm
reception ariels = 4-8:30pm
dessert party uk = 8:30-9:30pm

were paying for a private boat to take us from the yc pier to epcots international gateway for dessert party. i cant wait!

40 days to go!

 

[Laurafoster]

were paying for a private boat to take us from the yc pier to epcots international gateway for dessert party. i cant wait!

40 days to go!

I didnt know you could do this, how many people can you fit on the boat? just 2?
If you dont mind me asking how much is that costing you? you can PM me the answer?

 

[ahutton]

This is what we did:

4:00 Ceremony
5:00 Guests depart WP for coctail hour at Living Seas
5:30 We arrive at coctail hour
6:00 - Reception begins (plated dinner, cake, dancing)
8:15 - reception ends, guests transported to EPCOT for Candlelight Processional
9:30 - 10:30 - Illuminations dessert party

We had a very small wedding party (MOH and BM only) so our after photos did not take too long. We did not do a ton of posed stuff at the WP, but since the ceremony is really only 20-25 minutes we had time after the ceremony to do those before the bus took everyone to Living Seas, then stayed behind and did more photos and the limo took the four of us over.

On the buses - we "had" to use them because of the backstage venues, but without them we would never have been offered the Candlelight Processional (offered because Illuminations time changed THAT DAY and we would have been out of our venue with nothing to do for an extra hour). They had added an extra CP show, and delayed the fireworks. Everyone LOVED being picked up at their hotels, and enjoyed not having to worry about where to go, if they needed a car, where to park, etc.

 

[PookieB]

Ceremony : 2:00 pm
Dinner at Narcoossee's: 5:30 pm
Wishes firework pictures with Randy: 8:00 pm
Dancing in lounge at GF with jazz band: 8:30 pm

 

[twojo21]

I didnt know you could do this, how many people can you fit on the boat? just 2?
If you dont mind me asking how much is that costing you? you can PM me the answer?

laura you have mail!

 

[Laurafoster]

My plan so far is -

Ceremony 3pm
Pre reception - 3:30-4:30
Reception 4:30-8:30
Illuminations 9-10 (As Illuminations is as 9:30 that night)