I found a thread on another site (gasp! there are other disney forums!) and it really helped me get the full picture of a Disney Fairytale Wedding so I decided to share my experiences with all of you.
The Proposal
September 21, 2010 on Peter Pan's Flight during MNSSHP. For more details, see my Engagement Trip Report. :sohappy:
The decisions
I immediately decided on an Escape wedding and my budget is $10k. We are having 18 guests including immediate family only. Luckily, our immediate family adds up to EXACTLY 18! I know it's hard for some people to leave friends out but I feel like they will all understand because it's a destination wedding and our budget is small.
We decided on The Wedding Pavilion in September 2011. We had originally thought about December 2011 so it would be Christmas time but with the free dining plan special ending at the end of September 2011, we had to change our plan. We had also originally decided on Sea Breeze Point which would be wonderful in December but September is the rainy season and I don't want to chance it with an outdoor ceremony.
Making Contact
I called DFTW last Saturday and I was surprised to find out that they are only open M-F. They have an option to leave a message or send an email so I sent them an email. I got a response the following Monday but when no one had called me by Tuesday, I called after work around 6PM. I was on hold for about 5 minutes before I decided to just leave a message. I hate sitting on hold. Someone called me back the next day but they had to leave a message because I was in a meeting. I finally called back this morning and got the ball rolling.
Our wedding consultant is Michelle and she was incredibly sweet. She ooed and ahhed over my decisions and made me feel really special. She was very informative and knowledgeable about everything.
The Escape package is a short 20 minute ceremony with about a 40 minute cake cutting and champagne toast event. We are adding Mickey and Minnie to cut the cake with us! We are also adding a Bridal Portrait session. They have a combo deal where you can get both the MK and EPCOT. The night of our wedding, we are treating our guests to a dessert party at EPCOT for Illuminations. We are also thinking about adding hors d'oeuvres to our cake cutting event.
Our tentative date is 9/6/2011. We chose a Tuesday because we have a better chance of getting the Wedding Pavilion on that day. We originally wanted Saturday 9/10/11 (our anniversary and just a friggin cool date) but Michelle said that there was only one time slot available. Wishes weddings get priority because they are allowed to book 12 months in advance. The way it works is there is a lottery drawing when multiple couples want the same date and time for an Escape wedding. I really hope we get 9/6/2011! I'll be able to book in January.
Problem!
I can't book until January but us and all of our guests have to book by Dec 20th to get the free meal plan. It's a nail biter! DF and I are planning to spend 10 days so we're pretty much covered for any of our alternate dates. But some of our family consists of school age children so I think they will only stay the minimum of 4 nights to get the free dining plan. Does anyone know if you have to change dates do you retain the free dining plan even after Dec 20th?
That's all I've got for now! I have a ton more stuff to do...the dress, attire for my wedding party, etc. It's overwhelming but fun at the same time because I'm going to be a DFTW bride!!
I'm so glad you decided to read about my journey as a DFTW Bride To Be! I hope you find my information entertaining and helpful. :wave:
Edit: This thread is getting pretty long so I thought it would be helpful to add a Table of Contents
Intro, Budget, Venue, Dates, Decisions!
Escape Wedding Lottery Dates
Helpful Tips, Budget Update, Weight Loss, Favors
We're Booked!
Dress Ideas & LOA
Dress Shopping at Alfred Angelo's
Wedding Planning Kit
Inside Disney Weddings Interview
Honey...er Disneymoon Planning & ADRs, Finished Wedding Planning Kit
Wedding Planning Trip Summary - Wedding Pavilion, UK Lochside, Rev Kevin Knox, Franck's, Oh My!
Life Happens...Duchess In Memoriam
Buying Silk Flowers, Favors, Jewelry, and Hair Design!
I Sold My Car To Pay For This Wedding
Wedding Dress Fitting #1 at Alfred Angelo's
DIY Bride & Groom Baseball Caps with Ears
Finalizing the BEO & Payment!!!
Wedding Dress Fitting #2 at Alfred Angelo's
Wedding Day Itinerary
Beware of FairytaleWeddingStore.com!!
Less than 30 Days to go, we are contacted to move our venue????
Now We Can Laugh About It!!
The Proposal
September 21, 2010 on Peter Pan's Flight during MNSSHP. For more details, see my Engagement Trip Report. :sohappy:
The decisions
I immediately decided on an Escape wedding and my budget is $10k. We are having 18 guests including immediate family only. Luckily, our immediate family adds up to EXACTLY 18! I know it's hard for some people to leave friends out but I feel like they will all understand because it's a destination wedding and our budget is small.
We decided on The Wedding Pavilion in September 2011. We had originally thought about December 2011 so it would be Christmas time but with the free dining plan special ending at the end of September 2011, we had to change our plan. We had also originally decided on Sea Breeze Point which would be wonderful in December but September is the rainy season and I don't want to chance it with an outdoor ceremony.
Making Contact
I called DFTW last Saturday and I was surprised to find out that they are only open M-F. They have an option to leave a message or send an email so I sent them an email. I got a response the following Monday but when no one had called me by Tuesday, I called after work around 6PM. I was on hold for about 5 minutes before I decided to just leave a message. I hate sitting on hold. Someone called me back the next day but they had to leave a message because I was in a meeting. I finally called back this morning and got the ball rolling.
Our wedding consultant is Michelle and she was incredibly sweet. She ooed and ahhed over my decisions and made me feel really special. She was very informative and knowledgeable about everything.
The Escape package is a short 20 minute ceremony with about a 40 minute cake cutting and champagne toast event. We are adding Mickey and Minnie to cut the cake with us! We are also adding a Bridal Portrait session. They have a combo deal where you can get both the MK and EPCOT. The night of our wedding, we are treating our guests to a dessert party at EPCOT for Illuminations. We are also thinking about adding hors d'oeuvres to our cake cutting event.
Our tentative date is 9/6/2011. We chose a Tuesday because we have a better chance of getting the Wedding Pavilion on that day. We originally wanted Saturday 9/10/11 (our anniversary and just a friggin cool date) but Michelle said that there was only one time slot available. Wishes weddings get priority because they are allowed to book 12 months in advance. The way it works is there is a lottery drawing when multiple couples want the same date and time for an Escape wedding. I really hope we get 9/6/2011! I'll be able to book in January.
Problem!
I can't book until January but us and all of our guests have to book by Dec 20th to get the free meal plan. It's a nail biter! DF and I are planning to spend 10 days so we're pretty much covered for any of our alternate dates. But some of our family consists of school age children so I think they will only stay the minimum of 4 nights to get the free dining plan. Does anyone know if you have to change dates do you retain the free dining plan even after Dec 20th?
That's all I've got for now! I have a ton more stuff to do...the dress, attire for my wedding party, etc. It's overwhelming but fun at the same time because I'm going to be a DFTW bride!!
I'm so glad you decided to read about my journey as a DFTW Bride To Be! I hope you find my information entertaining and helpful. :wave:
Edit: This thread is getting pretty long so I thought it would be helpful to add a Table of Contents
Intro, Budget, Venue, Dates, Decisions!
Escape Wedding Lottery Dates
Helpful Tips, Budget Update, Weight Loss, Favors
We're Booked!
Dress Ideas & LOA
Dress Shopping at Alfred Angelo's
Wedding Planning Kit
Inside Disney Weddings Interview
Honey...er Disneymoon Planning & ADRs, Finished Wedding Planning Kit
Wedding Planning Trip Summary - Wedding Pavilion, UK Lochside, Rev Kevin Knox, Franck's, Oh My!
Life Happens...Duchess In Memoriam
Buying Silk Flowers, Favors, Jewelry, and Hair Design!
I Sold My Car To Pay For This Wedding
Wedding Dress Fitting #1 at Alfred Angelo's
DIY Bride & Groom Baseball Caps with Ears
Finalizing the BEO & Payment!!!
Wedding Dress Fitting #2 at Alfred Angelo's
Wedding Day Itinerary
Beware of FairytaleWeddingStore.com!!
Less than 30 Days to go, we are contacted to move our venue????
Now We Can Laugh About It!!