Whitehall brides - when do I get to really start planning?

[torsie24]

Hey ladies.

Almost at 12 months, and as I'm sure you can imagine I'm super excited!

So I know in a couple of weeks we'll be able to request all of our locations, but can't sign our agreement until 8 months out due to WH being in the convention center.

Does this mean I can't do any of the fun planning (e.g. food, WP decoration etc) until then?

My co-ordinator is amazing, and I feel bad e-mailing her little questions like these when she must have lots of work (and other excited brides) to deal with. I want to be ready when I can plan, and don't want to bug her before hand.

I'd also like to get a rough estimate on the prices for what we're planning with our WP decor so we know how much we need to scale back. (DF is keen on really decoration a lot.)

As an aside - does anyone know how much swagging costs down the length of the WP aisle?

 

[Skylarr29]

You are correct that you will not be able to sign a contract or be assigned a wedding planner until you are at the 8 month mark. 6 months is when you really will/can start planning and getting prices for food and decor because they will not lock in the prices until then. I would suggest looking through other peoples planning journals for decor and food ideas and the prices. I know it seems like it isn't much time to plan but really it is plenty. Since Disney takes care of pretty much everything it is very different than planning a traditional wedding. In the mean time your coordinator can probably email you sample menus etc. with prices. You will also be assigned a floral planner at your planning session if you are having one and they will help you with specific floral issues.

 

[Desnik]

If you want to get an estimate of some pricing for decor and food for the Whitehall room you can look at my BEO at the bottom of the page on this link:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2022716&page=6
We had a first BEO with everything on our wish list. Then once we saw the prices, we had a few more BEO's to get closer to my budget. You can also see the final BEO on that link.

If you want to see pictures of the decor and food we had here is a link to my TR:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2330911

All we did for decor in the Wedding Pavilion was an alter arrangement so I can't help with pricing on the swagging, sorry.

 

[puente0629]

I'm in the same boat, we are booked for the WP and Whitehall room but we need to wait to sign the LOA until May which is our 8 month mark and in July we have our planning session, it's hard to wait but I"ve been keeping busy with getting my dress, my hubby's tux, accessories (flower girl basket, cufflinks, etc.), reserving photographer, officiant, etc...try to keep your mind on everything else and it should go fast.

 

[jessesgirl-080708]

We had our site visit and penciled in our date 11/07. Our planning session was 3/08 for our 08/08 wedding. There really isn't much you can do before you planning session besides research on here what you want. I really wish I had done so.

I had my planner send me a mock up BEO before any of the planning really got underway.
We knew a few things we definitely wanted: characters, DJ, food, dessert party, wedding pavilion, Whitehall, etc.

My planner knew this and then added a few "typical" things to the BEO to make us a mock up. It was really helpful because it included lots of things to think about.

 

[torsie24]

Thanks everyone.

I have my dress all decided and paid for now, so I think my excitement is being shifted elsewhere! I should really be concentrating on finishing off the invites and our wedding website as our guests will need to start planning/booking soon.

Thanks so much for the help and links, I should be able to make a rough BEO myself if I try hard enough and research. I'm just an impatient kinda girl! xx

 

[KMS'sGlassSlipper]

I was wondering the same thing, I'm trying to plan for 3/12/11 - WP and GF. I'm very close to the year mark! How does the penciling in work? I plan on using a lot of outside vendors, because my minimums are going to be met on food. Can anyone give me advice on this?

 

[puente0629]

You can call once you hit your year mark but they won't be able to send you the Letter of Agreement until 8 months prior. I called at the 11 month mark and they were able to reserve the WP and Whitehall Room but nothing is official until I sign the LOA.

As long as you meet Disney's minimums you can use outside vendors but you should go over that with someone when you call.

 

[KMS'sGlassSlipper]

Yes, I have called and am just waiting for my "verification" when the date comes. I just didn't know if anyone on here had used outside vendors and could give me advice. I feel like I bug Joe all the time with questions! LOL.

 

[puente0629]

Yes, I have called and am just waiting for my "verification" when the date comes. I just didn't know if anyone on here had used outside vendors and could give me advice. I feel like I bug Joe all the time with questions! LOL.

That's what their there for, ask away and don't feel guilty...

 

[pezaddict231]

I was wondering the same thing, I'm trying to plan for 3/12/11 - WP and GF. I'm very close to the year mark! How does the penciling in work? I plan on using a lot of outside vendors, because my minimums are going to be met on food. Can anyone give me advice on this?

Basically they take down all your info and note it in the system. If no one else requests that date/time/location then you get it. If two brides request the same locations or back-up locations then they will do a lottery to decide who gets it. I would call Disney now to get your name in the system. At 12 months I got confirmation of our ceremony time at the WP and at 8 months they confirmed the reception locations at the GF. We signed our contract at 8 months.

You're using the same locations I am and you can definitely use outside vendors. Most of the vendors know how Disney works and are will try their best to accommodate you if you don't get your date for some reason.

We're using outside vendors for photography, videography, floral and chair rental.

 

[KMS'sGlassSlipper]

Basically they take down all your info and note it in the system. If no one else requests that date/time/location then you get it. If two brides request the same locations or back-up locations then they will do a lottery to decide who gets it. I would call Disney now to get your name in the system. At 12 months I got confirmation of our ceremony time at the WP and at 8 months they confirmed the reception locations at the GF. We signed our contract at 8 months.

You're using the same locations I am and you can definitely use outside vendors. Most of the vendors know how Disney works and are will try their best to accommodate you if you don't get your date for some reason.

We're using outside vendors for photography, videography, floral and chair rental.

I have already called and have my name and everything in the system. I'm just waiting on confirmation when the year mark comes.

 

[pezaddict231]

then you're all set for now. The hard part is waiting and then after you get the ceremony waiting for the reception location, but we've all been through it too and it'll all work out. Good luck getting the date and locations you want!

 

[Skylarr29]

Thanks everyone.

I have my dress all decided and paid for now, so I think my excitement is being shifted elsewhere! I should really be concentrating on finishing off the invites and our wedding website as our guests will need to start planning/booking soon.

Thanks so much for the help and links, I should be able to make a rough BEO myself if I try hard enough and research. I'm just an impatient kinda girl! xx

If I can give you one piece of advice it would be to wait on the invites. I had my location changed about 3 times due to conventions! It would really be a bummer to have all your invites done and not get your date. Some more advice would be not to buy too much until after your planning session as you may change your mind on colors, or themes, etc.

 

[BecBennett]

Really? Poop, didn't want to hear that!

 

[KMS'sGlassSlipper]

Thanks everyone for your help! I'm just nervous because I have a large group (I live close to Orlando) and there are few places that my reception can be. But I talked to Joe today, and I hope everything will work out!!! I'm just going to have to wait out everything I guess, and get little things done till then.