wishes minimum??

[kkfl2m]

Hi Everyone!

My FI and I had our engagement party this weekend and it seems like a lot more people would be willing to go than we thought so we are considering switching from escape to wishes.

My question is - do tax & service charges figure into that 12k minimum? I believe I read in the passporter book that they do NOT but I just read a couple PJs/BEOs and it appears they DO? 12k is manageable but 12k + 3k in taxes/fees is out of my comfort zone.

Thanks!

 

[kkfl2m]

Also, a follow up question - is it possible to add guests to an escape wedding instead of going all the way to wishes?

 

[mb187143]

Also, a follow up question - is it possible to add guests to an escape wedding instead of going all the way to wishes?

we were told the taxes and service charges don't count toward our wishes minimim, but I don't have experience with that yet, so i can't confirm whether that's true or not.

I do know you cannot add more guests to your escape wedding if it goes over the maximum. They hold you to the guest count for packages, and also for event spaces. We're having a wishes wedding, and we have 50 guests, but couldn't use the whitehall room for our reception because we didn't include my fiance and myself in the count, and we cannot go over 50. They are strict about that.

 

[kkfl2m]

Oh ok, cool.

What about if we had the escape wedding and kept the ceremony/cake reception to the right # people and then had a larger reception/dessert party? Can you invite more people to other events than to the ceremony?

 

[DoomBuggy0922]

Hi there!

The Wishes minimum definitely does not include taxes/service charges. The BEOs you see that are about $12k with taxes and fees (like mine!) are probably from when the minimum was $10k, but they changed that earlier this year.

I was originally an Escape bride and, when I was, I was told that ALL events had to stick to that 18 guest maximum. This was actually one of the first things I was told by a consultant, so I assume it is a big deal to them. I think (but don't quote me on this) other brides have been able to have more people at events, so they may not always be strict on this.

However, that does not prevent you from organizing your own ADR and inviting as many people as you want! And, as I am sure Joanne will tell you lmao: if you see this Joanne, I love you!!!!), you should also look into having a Swan/Dolphin wedding. They are BEAUTIFUL, much more budget friendly, and allow you to have more people!

HTH!

 

[kkfl2m]

Ah, yes, that makes sense. I forgot about the annoying little thing called inflation!

I think Joanne has recommended S/D to me a couple times but I just love the WP!

Hmm, decisions, decisions!

 

[lurkyloo]

I was originally an Escape bride and, when I was, I was told that ALL events had to stick to that 18 guest maximum. This was actually one of the first things I was told by a consultant, so I assume it is a big deal to them. I think (but don't quote me on this) other brides have been able to have more people at events, so they may not always be strict on this.

At one point the Escape policy changed and people were allowed to add 5 extra guests to an Escape event for a fee. That's no longer the case, though.

 

[DoomBuggy0922]

At one point the Escape policy changed and people were allowed to add 5 extra guests to an Escape event for a fee. That's no longer the case, though.

Oohh I mis-spoke! I didn't mean the Escape event itself, I meant a catered event--- aka a dessert party/ "two hour private catered meal." (The consultant I spoke to made CLEAR it was not to be called a reception. But, apologies if that is not the case, regardless.

 

[kkfl2m]

Now I'm confused.... 18 guests max on everything (that day) or just the ceremony/cake reception?

 

[lurkyloo]

18 guests max on everything you book through Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings for Escape. If you book your own meal (like, say, the private room at The Wave) or event (like a dessert party through Disney Catered Events), you can have as many people as the venue will accommodate.

 

[kkfl2m]

Can you still wear wedding gear to those events if you don't book through DFTW?

 

[lurkyloo]

If it's inside a theme park, no, but if it's at a resort, yes.

 

[kkfl2m]

Thank you so much!!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Hi there!

The Wishes minimum definitely does not include taxes/service charges. The BEOs you see that are about $12k with taxes and fees (like mine!) are probably from when the minimum was $10k, but they changed that earlier this year.

I was originally an Escape bride and, when I was, I was told that ALL events had to stick to that 18 guest maximum. This was actually one of the first things I was told by a consultant, so I assume it is a big deal to them. I think (but don't quote me on this) other brides have been able to have more people at events, so they may not always be strict on this.

However, that does not prevent you from organizing your own ADR and inviting as many people as you want! And, as I am sure Joanne will tell you lmao: if you see this Joanne, I love you!!!!), you should also look into having a Swan/Dolphin wedding. They are BEAUTIFUL, much more budget friendly, and allow you to have more people!

HTH!

Ah, yes, that makes sense. I forgot about the annoying little thing called inflation!

I think Joanne has recommended S/D to me a couple times but I just love the WP!

Hmm, decisions, decisions!

Yep here comes the worn out recording!!!! Oh and Jackie, I love you too!!!
I think I have spoken to you a couple of times re. S/D weddings and so won't bore you with all the details again!!
I have to say, it would not sit right with me personally, if I had to ask my guests to take the trip, and not be actually present at the wedding (even if they were at the reception or 'private catered event as the DFTW planners would have it!!), but if your guests are fine with that, then that's great!!
If not, I guess your decision comes down to whether you are more willing to let go of your extra guests or the WP. If you are not willing to let go of the WP, then your guests have to go or you have to find the money for a 'Wishes' event. Conversely, if you would rather have the extra guests there and keep things reasonably priced, you could consider the S/D.
I suppose you could start off with an 'Escape' event, see how many guests do actually RSVP positively (it's amazing how many change their minds when it comes down to actually booking!!) and if you are over the limit switch up to 'Wishes', but, obviously it would still mean finding the extra cash!!
It is precisely these sorts of rules and regulations (plus the cost!!) that made us look in to a S/D VR in the first place. But then I guess I didn't have my heart set on a particular venue. I'll stop now, as you all know (only too well) the rest of my story.........

 

[kkfl2m]

Yep here comes the worn out recording!!!! Oh and Jackie, I love you too!!!
I think I have spoken to you a couple of times re. S/D weddings and so won't bore you with all the details again!!
I have to say, it would not sit right with me personally, if I had to ask my guests to take the trip, and not be actually present at the wedding (even if they were at the reception or 'private catered event as the DFTW planners would have it!!), but if your guests are fine with that, then that's great!!
If not, I guess your decision comes down to whether you are more willing to let go of your extra guests or the WP. If you are not willing to let go of the WP, then your guests have to go or you have to find the money for a 'Wishes' event. Conversely, if you would rather have the extra guests there and keep things reasonably priced, you could consider the S/D.
I suppose you could start off with an 'Escape' event, see how many guests do actually RSVP positively (it's amazing how many change their minds when it comes down to actually booking!!) and if you are over the limit switch up to 'Wishes', but, obviously it would still mean finding the extra cash!!
It is precisely these sorts of rules and regulations (plus the cost!!) that made us look in to a S/D VR in the first place. But then I guess I didn't have my heart set on a particular venue. I'll stop now, as you all know (only too well) the rest of my story.........

That is all great advice! I am definitely struggling excluding people (both from the whole thing & from just the ceremony). I know not as many people would actually book a trip compared to who expressed interest, but I am already at 18 guests with immediate family and our wedding party, so inviting even one more couple puts me over! If we were to invite "everyone" that would be approx 150 people, and I think we would get 20-30 additional to come to WDW.

We could afford a 'Wishes' wedding in the sense that we have the cash for it, but we can't afford it in the sense we are simultaneously saving for a house. I still haven't talked to my dad about what he is prepared to contribute, but at the end of the day we want a place of our own rather than more guests at our wedding.

As far as the S/D goes, they havebeautiful venues and your VR was amazing (I read it all in just a couple hours!), but I really love the WP (they better not stop having weddings there next year!! )

 

[KaceyParkHopper]

Can you still wear wedding gear to those events if you don't book through DFTW?

I can't imagine wearing wedding gear to all those events... how are you going to convince your FI to go along with this?

 

[kkfl2m]

I can't imagine wearing wedding gear to all those events... how are you going to convince your FI to go along with this?

Great question. If you, er- he, knows what's best for him he will wear his tux!