Wishes Dessert Party help!

[Swana9]

New to this board, so I am sorry if I ask a repeat question...

I am soo thrilled to find this board, because as most brides, I am trying to stay within my budget!

Is this a possible plan? Can I have my ceremony at Wedding Pavillion, then have a dessert reception at Epcot? Or do I have to have a formal reception as well to meet the minimum.

Also, can there be a DJ at the dessert reception? Are there tables for guests to sit?

How long does a dessert reception last?

Thank you all so much!!

 

[sambycat]

welcome! i don’t have specific answers for you but i do believe you have to have a reception with wishes and i don’t think the dessert party can sub for that. someone with more recent, pertinent experience will chime in, but i wondered if you knew about this book - you can get a hard copy and/or an e book - the e-book is up-dateable as info does change! it will give you lots and lots of answers! the passporter’s wedding guide is a lifesaver!

 

[Swana9]

thank you for your reply.. I will definitely look into the e-book. I was really hoping to have the dessert party as my reception...but if I cant, I cant. Thanks again for the info...

 

[lurkyloo]

Is this a possible plan? Can I have my ceremony at Wedding Pavillion, then have a dessert reception at Epcot? Or do I have to have a formal reception as well to meet the minimum.

You can call it whatever you want, but you have to meet the overall ($12,000 and up) and per-person ($100—$150) minimum expenditures for Wishes events, which might be hard to do if you're only serving desserts. But theoretically, yes, you could have your reception be in one of the venues at Epcot and just serve a bazillion desserts (and drinks) that work out to $100–$150 per person.

Just to clarify, you can also do a full meal at most of the places around World Showcase where you can see IllumiNations—it doesn't have to be dessert.

Also, can there be a DJ at the dessert reception? Are there tables for guests to sit?

DJs depend on the venue. If you're talking about the fireworks-viewing locations around World Showcase Lagoon, no. They don't allow amplified entertainment at outdoor locations. But if you wanted someplace indoors like Living Seas Salon or American Adventure Rotunda/Parlor, yes.

Most venues have tables and chairs, except the very smallest lagoon-side spots, like Vikings Landing, Parisian Point, etc.

How long does a dessert reception last?

Thank you all so much!!

Desert parties usually last one hour. You can add more time for free if you don't extend the food service. Doing that results in a pro-rated charge per person for more food.

 

[Swana9]

WOW! Thank you thank you thank you!! I see that a lot of people choose the Living Seas. Is that at the Coral Reef restaurant? Is there a venue charge for that?

 

[lurkyloo]

It is a private event space inside the Living Seas pavilion, sorta behind/next to Coral Reef restaurant. Here are photos: http://disneytravelbabble.com/disney-weddings/wdw-venue-photos/living-seas-salon/

The food and beverage minimum is $1,500 for events ending by 10am, $2,450 for events before 4pm and $3,500 for events after 4pm. The venue rental fee is $500.

 

[Swana9]

Lurkyloo...you need a medal!! lol Thank you for such great information! I am in touch with a wedding planner at Disney, but she is on vacation for a week and its driving me crazy!! Hope she is having a great time tho...hee hee..

Can you explain to me what exactly the food and bev minimum means? I know that sounds like a stupid question... but what is included? How much per person? Do they offer a buffet?

Thankyou!!!!

 

[lurkyloo]

Can you explain to me what exactly the food and bev minimum means? I know that sounds like a stupid question... but what is included? How much per person? Do they offer a buffet?

Sure! DFTW actually has two food and beverage minimums. There's the overall minimum that must be spent per person in order to have a Wishes event. That's the $100/$125/$150 per person figure, depending on the time of day. ANY food and beverage on the day counts toward that, so a reception meal, a bar package, desserts at a dessert party, cake, and even the food if you had, say, a catered ladies' tea earlier that day.

The other food and beverage minimum is one that some (but not all) venues impose. This is a minimum amount you must spend at that venue. So if you had an event starting after 4pm at Living Seas, you have to be sure that at least $3,500 of the $150/per person you're spending on food and drinks that day happens at Living Seas Salon (and cake doesn't count in this case).

Oh, and yes, you can do a buffet at Living Seas Salon.

 

[Swana9]

WOW! Totally makes sense now... Thank you!!! I did not know that about the food and bev. I thought the 100/120/150 was per person per plate...so thank you for clarifying. Do you know the cost of a buffet per person?

Thanks again! You are a terrific source!

 

[Chilly]

WOW! Totally makes sense now... Thank you!!! I did not know that about the food and bev. I thought the 100/120/150 was per person per plate...so thank you for clarifying. Do you know the cost of a buffet per person?

Thanks again! You are a terrific source!

It would depend on what food you served at the buffet, its all custom to you.