What time to meet for Illuminations DP

[tinkerbell 766]

What time did you have to meet your guide for your Epcot DP?
I am trying to work out timings for my day and I am considering brunch after a 12.00am ceremony (Escape).
The problem is I haven't a clue what I would do with my guests afterwards. I understand that Escape brides only have their venues for 2 hours which would mean we would have to be out about 3.00pm approx. Then what? I don't want to go to a park as I would like to keep my dress on and don't want to risk spoiling my hair and make-up before the DP. I also don't want my guests sitting around in a bar for 3 - 4 hours Any ideas?

 

[Chilly]

I think Epcot DPs are normally 2100>2200.

 

[lpizzuro123]

Our DP was in the UK from 8:30pm to 9:30pm. Our ceremony was in Epcot (Italy) at 9:00am. Our prereception and reception was at ADH from 10:00 to 3:00. At 3:00 everyone went back to their resort. Most got changed, used the pool, had something to eat and just relaxed. My DH and I were staying at The Boardwalk. We went back to our room and the first thing I did was get out of my dress. We hung around in our room, went through some of our gifts and just relaxed. I put my dress back on before leaving our room for our DP.

We told everyone to meet back at the front of Epcot at 7:30 and they were met there by a host that walked them into our DP location. I think the official time was 7:45 but I told everyone 15 minutes early to make sure they were all there on time. Those staying at The Boardwalk and The Yacht and Beach Club we told to meet at The International Gateway and we were all walked in. As it was alittle early for everyone to go down to our DP location they let everyone roam around the UK. I know some of our guests listened to The British Invasion and some shopped in the UK.

As everyone was up very early for our ceremony, I really think they enjoyed the break in between. It really extended the day - I loved getting back together with everyone later that day.

Linda

 

[chipscinderelly]

We had our DP as our welcome party and extended the time as we had appetizers in addition to dessert. We had some guests walk over from the Yacht Club with us so we met at 7:00 and the guides met us at the International Gateway at 7:15 pm (party from 7:30 - 9:30).

 

[lurkyloo]

After our reception ended at 2pm, we gave our guests a break! We went back to the hotel and napped, and our guests got some free time to go to the parks, swim, nap, etc. Then we all met at the DP site at 8:30.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Thank you all so much
Does anybody know whether Escape brides can extend the amount of time they can use their rooms?
For example if I was to hire the St James Room for a small pre-reception and reception which started at 3.30pm, could I have it until 7.30pm?
If the usual time to meet for DPs at Epcot is about 8.00pm, it may be easier to have photographs with Randy before a 5.00pm ceremony and have a reception from 6.00 - 8.00pm Do you think we would be rushed by this? Sorry just thinking through my options!!!