Ive never been to WDW, Please Help

[Nicci]

Hi everyone!!!:)

I really need some help, any tips and advice would be greatly appreciated.

I have never been to Disney before but it has always been my dream to be married there since i was a little girl ( long time ago now, enough said ). I will be having a custom wedding with approx 20 guests.

Before settling down to read this you may want to make yourself a drink and fix a snack!

For the ceremony I was thinking of the Wedding Pavilion or Italy Isola. Can anyone tell me what the ceremony is like?

I would like to hold the reception in Italy Isola, Is this possible? Followed by a dessert party while watching Illuminations.

7 of my 20 guests are children including my then 2 year old son. Two of the children will be my bridesmaids dressed in there favorite princess costume. Five of the children are boys and i would really like to make the day special for them too. Does anyone have any entertainment ideas for them, I know some ppl don't think hiring characters is worth the money for such a short time, but if it keeps them happy.

I'm in the middle of choosing my hotel, looking through the brochures i would like to combine a romantic hotel as well as a hotel suitable for toddlers. (As my parents have agreed to take him in there hotel for the wedding night & to do the odd bit of babysitting during our honeymoon). HOORAY FOR GRANDPARENTS!! Can anyone make any suggestions?

I know the best thing for me to do is to fly out there & see for myself (& believe me I cant wait) unfortunately due to ill health I'm unable to fly for the next six months, so any help and advice would be really useful

Nicci :) :) :) :) :)

[Figaro]

Oh Honey.....you have been so deprived....just kidding. I think if you call down there...you might find someone who might be able to answer all your questions. I think you have some great ideas.....best wishes on the future!

[Nicci]

Thanks Figaro

I know ive been seriously deprived but im not gonna let my little boy suffer my fate.
Ive just arranged to go and visit WDW to get things sorted, im gonna be staying at Port Orleans. I can hardly wait!!!! I dont know whoes the bigger kid me or my 14 month old. LOL

[candyman]

hey the best thing in the world for the kids , honest it is not for you or hubby , is to have a character at the wedding .
we are having mickey at ours , ok it costs more but hey what memories and photos
and you only do it once
ok you lot ill tell her before you do , or in my case 3 times !!! but i have found the right one this time !!!!

steve

[Nicci]

Hi Steve

I think an appearance from a Disney character is a great idea! :D

Ive asked the kids to vote for their fave character.

One character who i would really love to appear is Tigger for my 14m son, his eyes just light up whenever he sees pictures of him.:) Is this possible?

I know it will cost a fortune for 2 for just 1/2 hr but I really want everyone to be as happy, and to make this as memorable for everyone as it will be for me. Ive gone through 3 engagements to finally be this happy lol, I know im with the right person now:sun:

Nicci

[candyman]

funnily enough my 14 month old son is tiger mad too
dont know where you are , im in nottingham uk
but olivers favourite thing at the moment at his tigger pj's
great buy if you are in the uk and have a tesco near by they are in a sale at only £4
he hates it when they are in the wash and they have o come straight out when they are done again !!!


but we are going with our choice and having mickey at the wedding
just think of the photos
steve

[Nicci]

Hi Steve

Your photos will look fantastic with Mickey in them! Will he be wearing his tux? He looks so cute!!

My 14 month son has those very same pajamas, we have 2 sets so ones always clean, other wise he refuses to go to bed!! We like putting them on to the Jim Jam song on playhouse Disney.

Were from Herts/Cambs but have family in Mansfield.

Nicci

[candyman]

yep we have asked for formal wear i have never seen him in that so it should be good

we are not too far from your family were are just south of nottingham in stapleford
steve

[joanne]

I think you can have any character you please if you pay for them.

Italy Isola is a fantastic location to watch IllumiNations. We had our dessert party there last year and the view was out of this world, as were the desserts!
The wedding pavilion is a wonderful location, right on the shores of Seven Seas Lagoon. You can see Cinderella Castle as you take your vows. There's a lovely archway at the side of the pavilion where you can stand to have your photos taken with the Castle in the background - perfect!
That will be so cure having the bridesmaids in princess costumes :)
I'd expect having character(s) there would keep the kids entertained. Also little things like the bubbles you can buy these days in little champagne type bottles for weddings would keep the young ones occupied.
Would you like to stay onsite in a Disney Resort or offsite?
If onsite, it depends on your budget. Any of the Disney Resorts are great for kids. My personal choices would be Port Orleans French Quarter for a moderate resort, Polynesian for deluxe resort. I'm sure the kids would love the larger than life All-Star Resorts or Pop Century for a budget resort.
Any more questions, just ask away, we love helping people plan, especially for weddings :bigsmile:

[Details]

I'm glad I'm not the only one in this boat!!! I too am planning a Disney wedding without ever having been there. Congrats to you and yours. Your wedding sounds beautiful and I can't wait to hear how it goes!!!:overhere:

[Nicci]

Hi Joanne

Ive seen pictures of Illuminations from Italy Isola and they look absolutely amazing!! I'm glad the desserts are fantastic too, but I don't think I'll be eating that many, as i fear the seams on my dress will rip lol :lol: . I'll be wearing one of those corsets gowns that will only allow you to take short quick breaths only!

Ive been to Disney website and seen the 3d pictures of the WP, your right it looks really beautiful, perfect for pictures, and the views of Cindi's castle look great!

The character's are primarily for the children, but I'm hoping to have a dance with them too. We are hoping to have Tigger for my 14 month son, and the other 6 children are going to vote for another character.
Thank you for suggesting bubbles, i hadn't thought of that, I have already got crayons and disney colouring In books in mind, as well as penny sweets in little boxes in the shape of baby Mickey, Minnie and Donald.
Does anyone where you can get disney balloons from:confused: .

We will be staying onsite, we havent decided where yet. Its between Animal Kingdom Lodge and The Grand Floridian. We will be visiting WDW soon and staying at Port orleans - I can hardly wait!:) :)

[candyman]

you will be able to buy disney balloons in the parks
but they will be expensive

steve

[Nicci]

Hi Details

Welcome to the forum!!

I know its difficult planning a disney wedding when you've never been, but I have found everyone here is really helpful and more than ready to help!!:) Which is a huge relief.

Are you due to visit disney before your wedding? If not, not to worry as every location in Disney looks wonderful, and you will be guaranteed a beautiful amazing magical wedding!!

I look forward to hearing about your wedding!

Happy planning:) :)

[Details]

Thanks for the welcome Nicci! Although I would love to visit DW before the wedding I'm not sure if we'll get the chance. Flights are expensive from Alberta, Canada. We'll have to wait and see. :shrug:

[candyman]

details
while it would be nice and conveininet to visit before the wedding it will make the whole experience just some much more magical arriving at WDW for the first time and geting married on that first visit
that is something i am sure a lot of my friends on here and myself would quite envy you for being able to do

steve

[Details]

Thanks Steve! That actually made me feel a little better about not being able to be there. I know all of you will be my eyes and ears anyway. Thanks all!

[candyman]

trust mickey he wont let you down !!!
steve