Yacht Club Wedding

[Mr&Mrs Mouse]

Hi Everyone,

I am new to the forum and was just wondering if anyone has ever been or is getting married at the Disney Yacht Club?

We have booked the wedding for April 2007 through a well known Travel Agent here in the UK and we dont really seem to have been told and awful lot of info about the actual resort.

So if you have any pictures of weddings that have taken place here or any advice or if you would like to tell me about your day I would really appreciate it :0)

Thanks in advance

Nicci

[SorcererMickey]

Welcome to the Boards!!!

I haven't been to a wedding there, but have seen one from a distance and do know that many are officiated at the Yacht Club.

It's a very nice location, the one I saw was at the gazebo in the middle of the graden, which is always very well taken care of. The resort as a background for a wedding is very nice. Mrs. SM and I spent the first two nights of our honeymoon at the Beach Club just next door.

I don't have photos of the Yatch Club, but do have of the Beach Club, they are very similar, the Yatch Club is just a bit more calm and elegant in the interior design with more of a nautical design.

Disney's Beach Club (http://www.disneyguest.com/images/beach_club/beach_club-0001.html)

[tazfoto]

Hi Everyone,

I am new to the forum and was just wondering if anyone has ever been or is getting married at the Disney Yacht Club?

We have booked the wedding for April 2007 through a well known Travel Agent here in the UK and we dont really seem to have been told and awful lot of info about the actual resort.

So if you have any pictures of weddings that have taken place here or any advice or if you would like to tell me about your day I would really appreciate it :0)

Thanks in advance

Nicci

Hi,

I was the photographer for a wedding at the Yacht Club gazebo last December. I will sort out some pictures of the place and post them for you tomorrow to look at.

[Mr&Mrs Mouse]

Hi,

I was the photographer for a wedding at the Yacht Club gazebo last December. I will sort out some pictures of the place and post them for you tomorrow to look at.

Hi :) !

Thanks for that I really appreaciate it! It will just be nice to have a look to see what the place is like.

What do you think of the hotel and the weddings that get held there?

Are you a photograher for Disney?

If you don't want to post the pics on here you can send them to me via email

Thanks again :)

Nicci

[Mickeymac]

I have location shots of the Yacht Club here, if you would like: http://mickeymac.smugmug.com/gallery/323974 It's my husband's favorite resort, and such a perfect location. I prefer it over the Beach Club, just seems cozier to me, although the Beach Club's new colors are very lovely. I don't have any wedding photos over there, though, but at least you can get a feel for the resrot.

[tazfoto]

Adding to Mickeymac picture posting of the YC....

http://www.tazfoto.com/webhtml/yacht_club.htm

NOTE: I blanked out the names on one of the picture for privacy reason.

Nicci,
You have seen these already... :).

[SorcererMickey]

We went to Beaches & Cream this past Sunday and the banquet room area was set up for a reception, don't think the ceremony took place outside since it was rainy but I'm sure they had a back-up plan inside in the convention center :yes:

[Mr&Mrs Mouse]

I only have my fiancés immediate family and my brother and his fiancée coming so it will only be a family meal after the ceremony has taken place. Can anyone suggest a nice place to eat where I can keep on my wedding dress? Also I would like to do something after the meal as my fiancés parents are not big conversationalists and my brother is so don’t want there being any awkward moments. :yawn: :umm:


I read on another forum a mini cruise firework display? Can anyone give me anymore information about this please? How long are you on the boat and will it hold 8 people? How much does it cost?


I think a nice family meal in a lovely restaurant and the fire work display cruise would be a great idea.


We are having a few problems with the travel agent that we have booked the honeymoon/ wedding with. We book the trip back at the end of March and since then have only received the form we needed to return to them with a copy of our passports and birth certificates. They since have put the cost up of the wedding and one person has told us they can’t confirm the date of the wedding before we go and the other has told me they can! I feel totally confused and extremely worried :worried: at the moment as they seem to have problems in communicating between each other and am worried something will go wrong with the wedding.:unsure: They have also told us they cannot specify a time until day of arrival either!


I have received no information on what extras I can add to the package and how much these will cost. We are finding if very hard to keep the family from booking as we do not want them to book and we find out that the wedding will not be going ahead on that particular day.

Has anyone booked their wedding with First Choice and if so can you let me know what you think of their services so far???? :shrug:


Also can anyone recommend Virgin? I am seriously thinking of cancelling the whole thing and booking it with someone else if they don’t get it sorted ASAP!


Sorry for the long rant but like I have told them we are spending a lot of money with them and I need to clarification of what the **** is happening on my wedding day!!! :sorry:


Thanks

Nicci :)

[tazfoto]

Hi Nicci,

Sorry to hear about all the troubles. Here are some answers to your questions and my recommendation.

1. Yachtman's Steakhouse at the Yacht Club is very good. In the past, they have worked closely with Intimate Brides to set up a lovely dinner. They have a semi-private alcove in a part of the restaurant. You can wear your wedding dress in any restaurants that is not in a park. Technically, you can wear your dress anywhere except in a park.

For Yachtsmans Steakhouse, call the Yacht Club at 407-934-7000 and ask to be connected to the restaurant. When connected to the restaurant, ask to speak to the manager about setting up your dinner.

2. Since you will be at the Yacht Club that day an option for an IllumiNations cruise is a 24-foot pontoon boat, which seats 10 comfortably. The pontoon has a canopy, is roomy, and has some drink holders. The boat belongs to your party for the show; meaning the only people there will be the ones you've invited!

The price for a pontoon IllumiNations Cruise starts at $234.74 + tax, for a maximum of 12 people (10 adults).

Cost includes a driver, bagged snacks (pretzels, chips, popcorn), water and Coke products. Other food and beverage items are available through Yacht Club Private Dining at +1 407-934-3160.

You may not bring your own food or beverages on board.
RESERVATIONS for all cruises are made by calling 407-WDW-PLAY, between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m Eastern Standard Time, up to 90 days in advance. NOTE: These cruises are VERY popular so it is important to call at the 90 days mark AT 7 a.m.

You must provide a credit card to hold the reservation. You must cancel at least 24 hours in advance or your card will be charged.

Another option is the cruise for Wishes to see the Magic Kingdom fireworks. It also uses pontoon and reservations are made with the same numbers . The same rules about food applies. It will depart from Wilderness Lodge, or Grand Floridian or Polynesian Resort. You will have to go to one of these resorts by car to get onto the cruise.

You can wear your dress at both cruises.

3. Most American brides work with Disney directly for their wedding and do their own vendor bookings. So I would suggest that you do your travel booking through the agency BUT do your wedding bookings yourself with Disney and other vendors such as videographer and /or photographer yourself.

That way you will know exactly what day and what time. What you can add and what you cannot. Which vendor you will use etc.... you will have greater control of your event.

Another option is to is to work with a local wedding coordinator here in Orlando who will coordinate the event directly with Disney and other vendors. The coordinator will act as your advocate here in Orlando.

Those are the options that the brides I have worked with have chosen.

The phone number for Disney Weddings is: 321-939-4610

Since I am here, any questions I can assist with, please let me know.

[Keith]

Just a couple of comments from me...
1. I wouldnt book with a travel agent for the wedding stuff unless you know them personally that is.... I've photographed many weddings and it's ALWAYS the ones that were planned by a travel agent or similar that end up with stuff going wrong :( I'd book yourself directly with disney weddings... not saying it'll be any less frustrating but you'll know exactly where you are and whats going on.

2. Ive been lucky enough to be invited to a few disney weddings and taken photos but I was actually hired to take a yacht club wedding last year and it's a great place :) really it is... it looks very upmarket on the photos. There was a bit of walking back and to from the various locations there but the staff were very helpful indeed and it was a great day. You'll have a fantastic time :)))))

[tazfoto]

Hi Nicci,

Just to add to my previous posting.

Beside the Yachtman's Steakhouse, there are numerous other dining places in and around the Yacht Club/Beach Club/Boardwalk/Swan/Dolphin area Some elegant one Palio's, Shuler's, Spoodles, Flying Fish and others.

If you are willing to travel to other parts of Disney World, there is Victoria & Alberts, Citricos, Narcoosee, California Grill, Artist Pointe, Ohana (casual and fun) and others.

Too many to provide in-depth details in a post... email me if you want details on any one of them.

We are going to Victoria & Albert in July for our anniversary.

[Keith]

My fave would be the yachtsmans steakhouse for quality of food + price. We went to V&A for our wedding dinner which was of course superb but I think for a party of a fair size, I'd have chosen Yachtsmans. :thumbs:

[tazfoto]

I agree.... a fair size party at V&A will be expensive @ $100+ a person. :)

[Keith]

The other place would be california grill.... but they seem to be really hard to talk to because they're so paranoid about everyone wanting "a window table"...

BUT there are some nice photo opportunities there with the castle in the background, some fireworks etc... and it has the advantage that there's "something going on" which feels a bit special.

[tazfoto]

Or Narcoosee's at the Grand Floridian right in front of the Magic Kingdom. Of course the trick for any restaurant at WDM is to time the reservation so you get the fireworks... but have to say the castle in the background is good.

For casual food, I like Ohana's LOTS OF FOOD... too much food but then it is a special occasion. There are a few brides who had their reception there in wedding dress and all. A bit tough to take pictures there... but lots of cool candids.

[Keith]

of course... the other advantage to narcoosees if you time it right is the water pageant which can also be a fun background ;-)

and of course of course :) ohanas @ the poly means some poly beach photos (and water pageant/mk shots)

:lol: too many great choices

[tazfoto]

Yes, too many choices but better than too few.. :wink:

I have worked with brides that walked from the Wedding Pavillion to GF to Polynesian then rode a limo the WL and to the Yacht Club for pictures at every location... and it does make for beautiful pictures... It just take time and good planning in advance.

One thing is for sure, you will never run out of places to take pictures at WDW... you will just run out of time. But then that is what vow renewals are for... We did ours last year and my wife is bugging me about doing it again next year.... :wink:

But I think we are digressing from the original thread... :wink:

[hayleyneeyore]

Just wondering, why can't you wear your dress in a park? :shrug:

[tazfoto]

The official reason is that Disney does not want the children in the parks to confuse a bride with one of their princesses.

Since the Princesses are a trademark and a big part of their livelyhood, it is understandable.

Hope that helps

[tazfoto]

To add to my previous post.

You can get married in a park before opening (Epcot etc..) or after closing (MK for $500K???) but Disney won't let you walk around all day in the park.

The resorts are fine. It is funny though that at GF they try to keep two brides from seeing each other.... I guess the world might implode if they did or the new husbands might get confused??? :)

[hayleyneeyore]

Ahhh I see... I thought it would be fun to go, wedding dress and all, over to Cindy's Royal Table to act like a real princess :lol: or maybe head to the ToT :D

I suppose the GF thing is to make the brides feel special?? I mean you're there thinking it's MY DAY and then you see another girl wearing a wedding dress :lol: You want to think you're the only person in the world getting married at Disney - or is that the only child in me coming out? :lol:

[tazfoto]

It is exactly that... For each bride, it is their special day and so one bride at a time is good. All the ones I have worked with have been nice about waiting a few minutes before going in.

It is a ballet of brides where everything is choreographed.:wink:

[hayleyneeyore]

I love looking at your photos Taz :) Have you got any more of the parks and resorts?

[tazfoto]

Yes I do. Which one resort / park would you like?

Thank you I am glad you like them. I have enjoyed taking everyone of them. Taking pictures makes me happy...:wink:

[Mickeymac]

Mr. & Mrs. - another vote for coordinating directly through Disney Weddings, rather than a third party vendor. You'll get information direct from the source, rather than what you are currently getting. You will have a minimum room requirement, which sounds like it might be easily reached.

[Mr&Mrs Mouse]

Hi Everyone,

Apologies for the delay in response but I have the latest on my travel agent. I spoke to the Manager of the store and she has now personally said she will deal with our Wedding booking she has been in contact with Disney and they are now just waiting for Disney to confirm our date and time (if they can confirm the time).

Thanks for all of your help in the posts. :thumbs: If things do not look up over the next 2 days then I will be cancelling the wedding booking with them and will enquire about booking it though disney.

Can I just ask, I have been on Disney Weddings site and they do not do any wedding bookings under $10k. Our wedding package isn't as expensive as this unfortunately and we get a bunch of stuff like a cake, flowers etc..etc.. thrown in the price.

We are not planning on spending a fortune on the wedding hence doing it abroad so am now unsure whether we would be able to book through Disney if I can't resolve my current booking with my agent?

hope all that makes sense????:confused:

Thanks

Nicci :)

[Keith]

Can I just ask, I have been on Disney Weddings site and they do not do any wedding bookings under $10k. Our wedding package isn't as expensive as this unfortunately and we get a bunch of stuff like a cake, flowers etc..etc.. thrown in the price.

We are not planning on spending a fortune on the wedding hence doing it abroad so am now unsure whether we would be able to book through Disney if I can't resolve my current booking with my agent?


They have 2 types.... intimate which is the one your TA will be booking for you, and custom which is more expensive for more people.

They just try and steer you towards the more expensive package on the website ;-) but don't worry, you'll be able to get one cheaper than that.

[tazfoto]

Hi Everyone,

Can I just ask, I have been on Disney Weddings site and they do not do any wedding bookings under $10k. Our wedding package isn't as expensive as this unfortunately and we get a bunch of stuff like a cake, flowers etc..etc.. thrown in the price.



Hi Nicci,

Disney offers two types of weddings - The Custom Wedding which starts at $10K and the Intimate Wedding which is the one that you are planning. Following is the information for an Intimate Wedding at the Yacht Club (Prices are for 2007 in USD):

Intimate Weddings at Disney's Yacht Club Resort / Wedding Gazebo start at approximately $2,650 including the magical amenities package (see below). The Cake & Champagne Toast accommodates 4 guests as part of the package. For additional guests (up to 18 maximum) additional elements are at an additional cost.

Ceremonies can be held from Monday - Saturday only. Maximum guest count for Disney's Yacht Club Wedding Gazebo ceremony is 18 guests.

If inclement weather should occur on the day of the wedding an indoor back-up location will be provided.

Disney's Intimate Wedding Package does require a 4-nights stay at an owned and operated Walt Disney World Resort - This encompasses value Disney hotels to deluxe hotels.

The Magical Amenities Package includes:

A magical setting of your choosing selected from five enchanting environments. Yours is the Yacht Club Gazebo.

A fresh floral bouquet for the bride and a fresh flower boutonniere for the groom. You get to choose the flowers - see on the website.

An elegant two tiered wedding cake with keepsake cake topper and one bottle of Fairy Tale Cuvee for your champagne toast. You get to choose the cake flavor - see on the website.

A Violinist for your ceremony and reception. A list of recommended songs is usually sent to you in a Planning packet from Disney. I do not know if you will get this since you are booking through a TA. If you do, you can pick the songs that will be played.

A four (4) consecutive hour limousine charter for transportation on your wedding day for you and your guests. Some brides that I have worked with use these hours to go get pictures taken at other resorts.

A professional Disney Photographer to capture your ceremony and reception. Many brides will chose their own outside photographer because the Disney photographer will only be there for an hour or so although the Disney site says up to 2 hours. You only get 20 prints. In addition, if you want the high-resolution CD of your pictures it is an extra charge of several hundred dollars. The price of the CD alone is usually the price you would pay for an outside photographer. The CD and online photo viewing is usually included in the price for most outside photographer.
If you chose not to use the Disney photographer you will get a credit from Disney toward a honeymoon photo session in the parks.

Includes an Intimate Wedding Coordinator to help plan and execute your wedding.

A personalized wedding website.

A Disney Fairy Tale Weddings Wedding Certificate.

Some points to consider:

1. Your TA should have a firm date and time in no more than a week. Disney reserves the time and date right away after the deposit is paid. Your TA should be doing this as soon as they talk to Disney.

2. Ask for your planning kit that Disney would send to your TA.

3. Disney asks that your planning kit be filled out and returned to them no less than 10 weeks before the wedding.

Information about Intimate Disney Wedding can be found at:

http://disneyweddings.go.com/site/wed/int/start/index.jsp

Hope this helps... The yacht club pictures that you saw on my site were from Intimate Weddings.

[hayleyneeyore]

TazFoto - I'd like to look at any!! Whatever you throw my way, I'll enjoy looking at them! I've never been to Disney so I'm in awe of everything and my list of 'Must Sees' is growing by the day!