Wishes wedding with no reception (sort of)?

[myadventurebook]

Hi y'all,

I had a question that I'm a but worried about the answer to...

We aren't even engaged yet due to bugetary restrictions there, but that's coming and we are saving towards a ring. Affordability is something I see many of you have had no problem with when planning, though, so that's not my real issue.

Here's my issue: When the time comes, we will possibly have enough people for a Wishes event, BUT we are huge fans of The Wave and would want to use Disney Catered Events to have a brunch reception there. This seems pretty impossible. They seem weirdly strict about guest counts and it doesn't seem possible to exclude receptions from Wishes OR add guests to Escape. Is it possible to have a Wishes-numbered wedding and *not* have a reception? I would try to cut it down but BF has a HUGE family and there would be issues and "drama" if anyone was left out. We will probably have to have about 50 people. Luckily his family will most likely pay for some of it since they would literally make up 90% of the guests (I only have 5 family members), but we will still have to foot some of the bill I'm sure.

Anyway, do you guys know if it's possible to use an outside source for your reception? If we could do other things for our $12k (or probably more by that point) that don't include a reception that's really all I'm asking. The DCE Wave rental is only $800 for 50 people, so if I could have a $15-16k wedding at WDW for 50 people I'd be pretty floored. I'm not sure if it's possible though...

Thanks!

 

[elphie101]

The reception is where DFTW makes their money from you, far more than the ceremony, so no, it isn't doable. If it's the food you're after you could always have a reception in a Contemporary ballroom (same resort, same kitchen) or request favorite dishes from The Wave at a different reception venue. At least you still have some time for brainstorming! Best of luck

 

[myadventurebook]

Thank you for your answer! We definitely have plenty of time, but at least now I know what I'm working with.

 

[lurkyloo]

Have you considered holding your wedding ceremony someplace else, like the Swan and Dolphin, Las Ventanas/Rix Lounge at Coronado Springs or someplace off property and then doing your meal at the Wave?

 

[myadventurebook]

We are in the very very very beginning stages of planning (the ring shopping stage... haha!) so I wasn't even aware of those options! Basically all we know is that we want to have the wedding at WDW and we want to involve The Wave's amazing breakfast food. Thank you for letting me know about those options. I knew a lot of people used S/D for weddings, but I thought it was an all-inclusive sort of thing like DFTW is. I was hoping to have the ceremony outside, but if it makes things easier with the reception and pricing I will definitely avoid DFTW completely. Thank you for the information!

 

[lurkyloo]

You might like these podcast interviews I've done with brides who chose "Disney alternatives" for their ceremonies and/or receptions: http://disneyweddingpodcast.com/category/disney-alternatives/

 

[myadventurebook]

Thank you so much! I will definitely give them a listen. I also started reading up on the S/D wedding ceremonies and that looks like it could be a possibility.

 

[myadventurebook]

You know, the more I'm reading, it seems like it might be more worth our while to just do The Wave as a brunch the day after with immediate family or something. As a couple we'd be able to enjoy it more that way anyway. I think I'm going to table it for now since it's so far away, but I'm so glad to know that there are so many different options available.

PS- I'm sure you hear this all the time, but you are such an amazing resource. Thanks so much for all that you do!

 

[lurkyloo]

Glad to help! This is a great place to get ideas and narrow down choices when you're early in the planning process.