Wishes vs. Escape?

[stitchlet]

I know that the max # of guests for an Escape wedding is 18 . . .

Is there a minimum # of guests for a Wishes wedding? I'm concerned that we might have trouble meeting the room block requirement or the headcount necessary for the reception . . .

Originally we were going to have an Escape, but DF is starting to add so many things, I think we might be approaching the Wishes $$$ anyway!

TIA for any info - it's much apprecaited!

 

[Janet2k]

Is there a minimum # of guests for a Wishes wedding?

Stitchlet, that's a question that only the FTW folks can truly answer. For the most part, though, the answer is no. Yes, there are minimum $$ numbers that must be met for food & beverage (and probably a few other things), but those numbers are usually fairly easy to reach if you select a nice dinner menu and add a bar package to it. Yes, there are a few venues that Disney will stand firm on in regards to head-count numbers, but if you are willing to be flexible, sometimes amazing things can happen. Just keep an open mind -- and an open budget -- when you're speaking with the FTW folks.

As to me, I moved from an intimate (escape) vow renewal into a custom (wishes) vow renewal. We wound up with only 22 guests at our event and yet we had the most ~magical~ wedding anniversary. Our evening ceremony inside the Wedding Pavilion was followed by a progressive dinner party inside the Disney Studios theme park. At 2 AM, the evening ended with a custom fireworks display (this was after our outdoor dance party had concluded). Everything that the FTW folks had planned for our vow renewal went off without a hitch. It was truly a night to remember for my husband and I.

 

[stitchlet]

Thanks so much for the reply Janet2k!

Your VR sounds absolutely amazing!

It's still ~2 months before I can call DFTW, but I want to have as much info as possible before I contact them. I'm lucky because my DF wants to keep adding things (like extra photo packages & the MK photo session) but that is quickly pushing the WP Escape price well beyond $5,000!

 

[lurkyloo]

On DFTW's website it says the minimum number for Wishes is 10. But I bet if you're willing to spend the moolah, they'll do it for less

 

[stitchlet]

I have the feeling you are quite right lurkyloo

Can't wait to hear all the details & see pics from your wedding!

Wishing you lots of

 

[Janet2k]

I'm lucky because my DF wants to keep adding things (like extra photo packages & the MK photo session)...

Stitchlet, it sounds like a lovely predicament to have. He's my kinda man. Hang onto him.

As to the MK photo session, definitely do that one if you can swing it. It's a fun session and the photos are something very unique to hand down through the generations. Not too many folks have wedding photos with castles in them -- especially photos with probably the most recognizable castle on the planet. I think one of my all-time favorite photos of my husband was taken during our MK photo session:

Yep, that's my prince and his trusty steed. Be still my heart, ~sigh.~

 

[Janet2k]

On DFTW's website it says the minimum number for Wishes is 10. But I bet if you're willing to spend the moolah, they'll do it for less

You wicked, wicked girl.

 

[stitchlet]

Stitchlet, it sounds like a lovely predicament to have. He's my kinda man. Hang onto him.

As to the MK photo session, definitely do that one if you can swing it. It's a fun session and the photos are something very unique to hand down through the generations. Not too many folks have wedding photos with castles in them -- especially photos with probably the most recognizable castle on the planet. I think one of my all-time favorite photos of my husband was taken during our MK photo session:

Yep, that's my prince and his trusty steed. Be still my heart, ~sigh.~

Thanks Janet2k - I know that I am a lucky girl!

I looked at pictures from your MK photo sessions on another post - they are great! It looks like you had a wonderful time & now have a beautiful reminder to keep forever!

 

[lurkyloo]

I have the feeling you are quite right lurkyloo

Can't wait to hear all the details & see pics from your wedding!

Wishing you lots of

Thank you!

You know, I started out with an Escape wedding. I didn't like how the sales coordinator kept telling me that, with all the extras we wanted, we were practically at the minimum for a Wishes wedding. But he turned out to be right - I just made sure that when we switched to a Wishes wedding, we really did do it for the minimums

 

[Whoopdedoo]

Hiya

We originally booked an Escape cause there was only 15 of us but after we added up what we wanted we were coming out at nearly the minimum for a custom wedding and that didn't include any floral. An escape wedding package is good if you have a small group of guests and you are happy with a cake and champagne reception afterwards. If you wanted a meal after most locations do have a minimum spend I think the cheapest is for the Sonoma Room at the California Grill Contemporary resort their minimum is $1500 on food and beverage.

If you are planning on having a MK shoot they only count towards the minimum spend if it's done on the same day as your wedding. The only time slots they do is in the morning but that would mean that you would see your DF the morning of the wedding.

Hope this helps

XX

 

[lurkyloo]

If you are planning on having a MK shoot they only count towards the minimum spend if it's done on the same day as your wedding. The only time slots they do is in the morning but that would mean that you would see your DF the morning of the wedding.

Oooh - you know, I have spoken we two people at DFTW (my planner, another planner) and my contact at Disney Photographic, and they all assured me that you can do you MK shoot any day during your stay and have it count toward your minimum - you don't have to do it on your wedding day. They understand that you might not want to get up at the crack of dawn on your wedding day and traipse around the park first.

We're having ours two days later, and I can assure you, it counted toward our minimums.

HTH

 

[Janet2k]

For my custom vow renewal, the day of my event was already snagged by another happy couple and therefore I had to choose the day before.

 

[Janet2k]

I think the cheapest is for the Sonoma Room at the California Grill Contemporary resort their minimum is $1500 on food and beverage.

That sounds very reasonable, Whoopdedoo. Thanks for the info.

 

[Starr W.]

That sounds very reasonable, Whoopdedoo. Thanks for the info.

That's if it ends before 5pm. It goes up to $2000 after that.

 

[B2B-2008]

I only have 10 guests, 12 including me and DF and we are having a wishes wedding. We met the room minimums as we are from England and most of my guests are staying for two weeks at disney.

I like the idea of a wishes wedding as I personally feel the day will flow better and I wanted a private meal after the wedding without having to spend to much on food.

 

[stitchlet]

Thanks so much to all of you ladies - it's always good to hear a lot of experiences because so many details seem to depend on which planner you talk to & when!

Thank you everyone for all of your very helpful input!

 

[Janet2k]

That's if it ends before 5pm. It goes up to $2000 after that.

Starr W., thank you for the info. That sounds reasonable too.

 

[Janet2k]

I only have 10 guests, 12 including me and DF and we are having a wishes wedding.

I like the idea of a wishes wedding as I personally feel the day will flow better and I wanted a private meal after the wedding without having to spend to much on food.

B2B-2008, please share your plans. I would love to hear what you've chosen to do for Wishes wedding, especially since your guest list is so manageable. I bet your guests are thrilled beyond belief to be sharing in your big day!

 

[Janet2k]

Thanks so much to all of you ladies - it's always good to hear a lot of experiences because so many details seem to depend on which planner you talk to & when!

Stitchlet, please keep us comprised of your plans. Let us know if you're going to move into the Wishes category or if you're going to stay in the Escape category. My vow renewal next year is still up in the air, so hearing what others are planning for their own events really helps me, too.

 

[Starr W.]

Starr W., thank you for the info. That sounds reasonable too.

My cousin's planning a 30th VR at WDW and since I'm a DVC member(so of course have more mouse knowledge or at least an idea of where to find stuff), I'm helping out.

Most of our generation like the idea of CG, but the parents(aunt & uncle and the inlaws) don't like the menu(goat cheese mentioned too often:rotfl).

PS-I loved your VR dress. Have to keep some of this stuff in mind (6yrs to 20 for me, have to start convincing DH)