Disney Wedding under $15k ?

[MotherOfBirds]

I have heard it said many a time that a DFTW is not cheap, but always worth it and certainly memorable. I, in my pre-nuptial travels, have been trying to figure out a WDW 50-person shindig for $10k-15k or less, including outside costs like my dress. I figured that since there are fewer than 100 guests, it would make a huge difference in comparison to other Wishes weddings. SO: Is it possible to have a really nice and really fun wedding on this budget and, more importantly, is it realistic?

 

[baymenxpac]

I have heard it said many a time that a DFTW is not cheap, but always worth it and certainly memorable. I, in my pre-nuptial travels, have been trying to figure out a WDW 50-person shindig for $10k-15k or less, including outside costs like my dress. I figured that since there are fewer than 100 guests, it would make a huge difference in comparison to other Wishes weddings. SO: Is it possible to have a really nice and really fun wedding on this budget and, more importantly, is it realistic?

this is COMPLETELY anecdotal, but it might be helpful:

friends of ours are getting married next february in the yacht club gazebo and having their reception (3 hours, i believe) at the atlantic dance hall. they're expecting the guest count to be around 40 people. with the dress and all, when everything wraps up, the bride-to-be said she expects it to come in around 30k. but then again, i'm totally not privy to her dress choice and the complete financials (and i'm not sure if she's included flights costs, etc. in that estimate as well), so don't let that stop you from investigating.

best bet is to give disney weddings a call and completely go full disclosure with them. tell them you have a budget and what you want to pay and i'm sure someone will be very frank with you. i wouldn't say its out of the realm of possibilities, but you may have to be prepared to reach a little.

 

[Master Yoda]

I am far form a Disney wedding expert and you will need to call Disney to confirm but, given your guest count I am going to have to say not likely. According to the current info, a wedding at Disney for more than 20 guests starts at around $10k. If you can knock your guest count down to 20 or less than it might be possible.

 

[MotherOfBirds]

I also live in Orlando and so do all my guests, so there would be no flights or hotel accommodations to fool with. My numbers were pretty much based off the minimum expenditures for weekdays. Do most people find that they go significantly over the minimum?

 

[dreamfinder]

I also live in Orlando and so do all my guests, so there would be no flights or hotel accommodations to fool with. My numbers were pretty much based off the minimum expenditures for weekdays. Do most people find that they go significantly over the minimum?

Well, pulling some older information states the following for a wishes wedding

Food & Beverage Minimum Expenditure

*

A minimum of $75.00 per person, plus 21% service charge and 6.5% sales tax will apply to Breakfast/Brunch Receptions (8:00 am, 9:00 am, and 10:00 am wedding ceremonies).
*

A minimum expenditure of $100.00 per person, plus 21% service charge and 6.5% sales tax will apply to Lunch Receptions (12:00 noon ceremony).
*

A minimum expenditure of $125.00 per person, plus 21% service charge and 6.5% sales tax will apply to Dinner Receptions (2:30 pm, 5:00 pm, and 7:30 pm ceremonies).

Room Night Minimum

*

You must guarantee 25 hotel room nights at Walt Disney World owned and operated resorts.
*

Any combination of your own and your guests' reservations can be used to meet the minimum. For instance, if the couple getting married stay 7 nights, one set of parents stay 7 nights, the maid of honor stays 5 nights and the best man stays 6 nights, that would meet the minimum.
*

Rooms can be booked directly with Disney, or through a travel agent. You can use any available resort discount, including those offered to Wishes Collection participants (see below) or other discount such as AAA, Annual Passholder or Florida resident. You can even use DVC points to book rooms if you wish. If guests book on their own, that's fine -- the reservation still counts toward your minimum. Just get their reservation numbers and report those to your event coordinator.
*

Usually you'll be asked to select three specific hotels for your guests (one Value resort, one Moderate resort and one Deluxe resort) and some rooms will be held at each hotel for your group. Discounts are offered to Wishes Collection participants on the hotel rooms: usually 10% off Value Resorts; 15% off Moderates, Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom Lodge and Polynesian; and 30% off Contemporary, Boardwalk, Beach/Yacht Club and Grand Floridian.
*

If your group doesn't meet the minimum (a VERY rare situation), you will be charged for the extra nights, but Disney will charge you the lowest rate at which you had rooms held (i.e. the discounted Value Resort rate).

Based off of those numbers, you would be paying minimum $7,500 for food for 100 guests. Ceremony costs for a ballroom at GF/BC/YC were $1,500 (cheapest location possible). Just for the food and ceremony location you are at $9,000 pre tax/service fees. Another $2k for taxes/fees puts you at $11k. This doesn't include officiant, photographer, decorations, cake, or flowers, dress etc.

This is based off of old numbers, you would need to get in touch with DFTW to get the current prices.

What are you looking for out of a WDW wedding? If you simply want to be on property, try giving the Swan/Dolphin a call. They will gladly host weddings, and I think you can even hire characters through them if you are so inclined. The prices should be lower than the DFTW prices, just a slightly different location.

 

[KJ1081]

It would be very difficult, but it is possible to stat right around the Wishes minimum. Pick up the book Passporters book 'Disney Weddings & Honeymoons' by Carrie Hayward. She has tons of money-saving and cost-cutting ideas in there. She also does a weekly podcast that's very helpful- 'Inside Disney Weddings Radio'. She had a fabulous wedding for around 50 people and she kept it right at the minimum. It would take a lot of will-power on your part- go easy on flowers or use an outside vendors for personal flower, skip the 'extras' like characters, specialty transportation, the ever-popular Illuminations dessert parties, etc. One relatively easy way to keep costs down is have a weekday morning ceremony followed by brunch instead of an evening ceremony with dinner- the minimums are cheaper and you save a ton on alcohol and entertainment. Pick ceremony and reception locations that need little, if any, decoration- which is very easy to do, since all but the ballrooms are themed guest areas.

The previous posters' idea of having it at the Swan/Dolphin is a fantastic option! They're prices are MUCH more reasonable and you are allowed to use outside vendors for many more thing, which can save you even more money.

 

[s8film40]

Shades of Green is another less expensive option, you'll need a military sponsor though. I have a friend who got married on the Grand 1 right before the fireworks, the capacity of the boat was limited but it was only $500.

 

[ddbowdoin]

21% service charge! Yowsers... I thought the 13% we were paying for is a lot here at home. yet again, we have a 20K food minimum!

 

[britdaw]

You definitely should call the Disney Wedding planning people. There are a lot of less expensive options for weddings at the park.

 

[Becky]

I have heard it said many a time that a DFTW is not cheap, but always worth it and certainly memorable. I, in my pre-nuptial travels, have been trying to figure out a WDW 50-person shindig for $10k-15k or less, including outside costs like my dress. I figured that since there are fewer than 100 guests, it would make a huge difference in comparison to other Wishes weddings. SO: Is it possible to have a really nice and really fun wedding on this budget and, more importantly, is it realistic?

http://disneyweddings.disney.go.com/weddings/florida/pricing/detail

Check this out then call a Disney planner and discuss what you want to do.

 

[dreamfinder]

You definitely should call the Disney Wedding planning people. There are a lot of less expensive options for weddings at the park.

There are, but the curve ball the OP threw was the 100 guests. The more affordable "Escape" options are capped at 20 people, but are ~2k to 5k. So if they are able to cut down their guest list, then they will most certainly be able to do it for much less money.

* Conch Key Marina at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa $1,991.00
* Narcoossees' Landing at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa $1,991.00
* Luau Beach at Disney's Polynesian Resort $1,991.00
* Sea Breeze Point at Disney's BoardWalk Resort $4,750.00
* The Wedding Gazebo at Disney's Yacht Club Resort $4,750.00
* Sunrise Terrace at Disney's Wilderness Lodge $4,750.00
* Sunset Pointe at Disney's Polynesian Resort $4,750.00
* Disney's Wedding Pavilion $5,750.00
* Canada Pavilion at Epcot® $5,800.00

Those prices include

Floral Bouquet & Boutonniere
* Fresh floral bouquet
* Fresh floral boutonniere

Cake and Champagne
Wedding Cake and Champagne
* Beautiful two-tiered wedding cake
* One bottle of our signature Fairy Tale Cuvee (pours approximately six servings) or two bottles of non-alcoholic sparkling cider
* Keepsake Mickey and Minnie cake topper

Entertainment
Entertainment
* A violinist to play during your event
* In Magical Ceremony Locations, a trained organist will accompany a violinist for your walk down the aisle.

Limousine
Limousine
* A limousine charter for four consecutive hours

Photographer
Professional Photography
* A professional Disney photographer to capture your event
* An album of 20 4x6 prints

Wedding Websites
Web Site
* A personal Wedding Web site

Disney Wedding Coordinator
* A Disney Wedding Specialist will coordinate your wedding and ensure that your events runs smoothly.

Annual Passes
* The happy couple will enjoy Complimentary Annual Passes to Walt Disney World.
* Annual Passes become active from date of first use.

You may need to do things like buy more champagne if you want it, but it is still much cheaper than the Wishes collection. The number of guests per location varies, some max at 8, others can do up to 20.

That really should give you an idea of what the ballpark prices would be, but definitely call DFTW to discuss details with them.

 

[Est1971]

We are getting married May 28th 2011 @ The Wedding Pavilion and reception to follow at The Grand Floridian.... I am certain that the Pavilion does not cost $5,750.00. I want to say it is in the $3000 range... We are having about a 100 guests and that does not increase the price for the ceremony venue, unless you have to rent chairs, which you dont at the Pavilion... We thought the Pavilion was the best bang for your buck considering you dont have to pay or rent any music equipment since they have an organ they can play live music on and speakers all set up allready...

Oh and you no longer get a personal website... We were told that ended last year even though they originally had told us we were eligible for it when we did out initial consultation at Francs!

 

[MotherOfBirds]

Yeah, gotta love that they reserve the right to jack up the prices until 6 months beforehand and then you have a few months left before they want you to cough it up XD

Honestly, I was practically raised at WDW and that atmosphere, the theming, the "Disney touch" on everything, and the one-stop-shop are my main reasons for wanting one. It just bothers me that they try to inflate the amount you pay with a lot of unnecessary crap you don't need, like the mandatory 5 hour bus transport booking if you have a ceremony at Epcot. It adds an almost sinister edge to a place that has always felt so benevolent and that bugs me a lot.

 

[Fashionista007]

I am having an escape wedding at the Wedding Pavilion in September with 18 guests. I got my first draft BEO and the total right now is right around $9k. Feel free to read through my planning journal/report to see what I'm spending my money on

 

[MotherOfBirds]

I've actually been lurking quite a bit on your thread, Fashionista It looks like so much fun!

And I know that the online numbers are never really the same as the call-'em-up numbers, but what I was really going for was the personal experience a lot of y'all have, especially when it comes to all those little particulars that may or may not be advertised. Things to avoid, ways to get around things, & basically all your nifty tricks and maneuvers to get the magic you want without making your credit card or the father of the bride cry :lol: