Im really overwhelmed reliving our reception (even though it is in writing) because it was very close to perfect. It probably wouldnt be everyones ideal, but for Amanda and I, it was EXACTLY what we had hoped it would be.
As you might have read in my PJ, we had quite an issue over Amanda wearing her dress at the venue. This was solved by us being taken to the venue back stage in a car. The town car collected Amanda, Kate and I from Saratoga and drove us into Hollywood Studios.
I had high hopes for the food and knowing that Fantasmic! had just re-opened after its refurb, I was hoping that the show would be even more awesome than it was before. All of our guests met us at the venue and were escorted in by a guide CM. When we entered the patio I was blown away by how great it looked.
The drinks and dessert station
The two dinner stations
For those who didnt read my PJ, our custom menu was as follows:
- Italian Wedding Soup
- Garden Salad with Italian, Thousand Island and Raspberry Vinaigrette
- Grilled Seasonal Vegetables
- Steamed Green Beans
- Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes
- Baked Penne Pasta with Italian Sausage, Marinara and Mozzarella
- Pork Chop with Apple Cider (Influenced by Artist Pointe)
- Pan Seared Beef Marsala
- House made Bread with Butter
- Fresh Fruit Display with Biscotti
- Warm Chocolate Banana Torte with Rum Glaze
- Fruit Punch, Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee, and Selection of Teas
The cost for those who are interested was $80 + tax + service charge (21%) per person. The venue hire fee was $250, there was a minimum people count of 10 and a food & beverage minimum of $750. I cant tell you what the final cost was in total because I havent had the final bill yet and Im due to get some money back.
They had set up 5 tables, with the standard black linens and candles. Servers wore the standard gold vests. Along the front of the patio they had set up chairs to watch the show.
As it grew dark, the stations glowed blue which was a beautiful setting, very soothing and serene. It was great to have the space for ourselves, with people congratulating us as they walked by and a perfect view of the show.
The food was INCREDIBLE especially the beef marsala. Everyone was blown away by the food, the only thing that wasnt stellar was the pork chop which was a bit dry and tough.
I was upset that so much food would be thrown away, we had food for 10 and everyone really ate a lot of food, but there was WAY more than we needed.
Kate loved the pasta and Amanda loved the soup and the beef. I didnt eat too much I was busy taking it all in and patting myself on the back for a job well done! ;o) All of our guests were super impressed at what Id managed to do, but the best was yet to come!
In my PJ, I said that at the very last minute (a few days before we left for FL) they contacted me to say that they would either have to cut the reception 15 minutes short OR move it to an earlier time. I wasnt happy about either option and basically they backtracked and said we could stay the full time as previously agreed. I think what happened next was about getting us out 15 minutes early rather than a great gesture , but it was really cool anyway and we had all finished eating so I wasnt too bothered.
The service manager in charge of our event tells Amanda and I that she has arranged a magic moment for us at 7.45. She said she had arranged for us to have a private ride on Tower of Terror. Basically, us and our guests, in our wedding outfits were going to be taken on a little back door tour of the ride and get to ride TOT privately and wed get the picture for free. WOO HOO!!!
I know from reading other peoples PJs and trip reports that it is not cheap to get the ride to yourself for your wedding party and we were going to get it FOR FREE!!
Not all of the guests wanted to ride it (especially on a very full stomach) but Amanda, Kate, our friends Joe and John and myself, couldnt pass that up! I am not a ride person, Amanda and Kate love them but I do them because I dont want to be chicken$*^t so I wasnt exactly excited about the whole thing which is very clear from the resulting picture!
The show was amazing as always, we all loved it and again I was told that I had done an incredible job and that no one was going to be able to top our day. For me, that was exactly what it was all about, giving Amanda the day of her dreams. It was close to perfect and we all had a brilliant day.
So after I got the life scared out of me, on TOT, it was time to get our car back to Saratoga for a quick costume change. Kate was going back with my MIL and FIL and us big kids as my MIL called us went out to Jelly Rolls on the Boardwalk.
Unbeknown to me there is a popcorn machine in there and practically everyone is eating it. For me it was like be surrounding by razors because Im allergic to corn. Having paid the $12 cover fee to get in, I wasnt about to just leave but if youve ever been in Jelly Rolls, its packed tight in there (especially on a Saturday night!) and after about 90 minutes, I was breaking out in hives and my throat was closing up.
I went outside for a bit to see if it would calm down but it didnt so we had to call it a night. Even with the allergy disaster, we still had a great time.
So here are some things I learned which are useful for other couples
1. Hollywood Studios doesnt get many catered events. Most people go for Wishes or Illuminations for their DP or dinner. For that reason, when they get a catered event they really do a great job and go out of their way to make it awesome!
2. Working directly with Disney Catered Events for your reception meal is a lot less stressful and a lot cheaper than arranging your reception through DFTW!
3. Despite what you might be told, you CAN wear your wedding attire in a park venue if you are driven in the back entrance and escorted
4. It is possible that if you have your event at Fantasmic! you will get a little surprise extra because they need you out!
Well thats about it for the day itself, Im posting a TR for the rest of our 14 day trip separately, so if you want to hear more about our trip, youll find it
here