DVC weddings

[dianeschlicht]

Our DS is planning a second wedding, and he and his fiancee' would love to get married at OKW. The problem is: 1, it's not on the Disney weddings list of places, 2. it appears that you can NOT do a wedding at anywhere on site that is not on the WDW wedding locations list without being "kicked out" and having your reservations canceled if they see such an activity occuring.

Since this is a second wedding for both, it will be very small, and could be as few as 6-8 people (and that INCLUDES the bride and groom). They really don't want to spend a lot of money, and actually wanted to get married in the villa and have a photo session on the bridge at OKW. Looks like that's not possible, so we are trying to think of other inexpensive routes to go. I'm sure we can still have a small reception in our villa, and we will all be going to a WDW restaurant for dinner, just not in any wedding clothes.

Anyone have any experiences along these lines?

We are going to look into a city park or something like that as well.

[TW1]

Do the ceremony in the GV. Who wuld know?

If their not in tux and gown, who's gonna stop them from getting a few formal pics taken in and around OKW?

Can a small group of well dressed adults not have their picture taken by the pool? I'd like to see them stop you.

[dvcconvert]

One alternative you may wish to explore is the Harry P. Leu Gardens

http://www.leugardens.org/house.html


from their site - facility rentals - weddings:
Small outdoor weddings are designed for those couples who wish to keep arrangements "short and simple," within one hour and have a maximum of twenty-five people in attendance. The fee is $175. Ceremony times are 9:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. Outdoor wedding sites for small weddings are the White Garden, South Woods Gazebo. Courtyard Gazebo, or Trellis.


It's a very beautiful place :)
HTH

[KNWVIKING]

The grounds of OKW are open to the public. Take your pics. If a CM asks "Wazzup", tell he/she/jaysue that you're staying at the Hard Rock but wanted a photo op at OKW.

[dianeschlicht]

The groom says he DOES want to wear a tux. Believe it or not, he likes to get dressed up once in awhile. I think the GV will be fine too, but the photos are the real problem. The bridge is WAY too close to HH for comfort, and it would be impossible to not be seen. We will be planning a dinner at one of the WDW restaurants, but the bride will change before doing that, and the groom might too. The funny thing is that they will be wearing Mickey wedding ears all week, and THAT will be okay! I'm having a real problem with this, even though I totally understand the issues. I just don't see any justification for spending nearly $500 per person for a WDW location when it doesn't include any of the dinner etc.

[dianeschlicht]

BTW, I am going to look at Leu gardens. That one looks like a good alternative.

[lllovell]

As long as you aren't doing the ceremony itself in the public areas of a resort, I can't think of any reason they could stop you. I assume the bride and groom won't be in a wedding dress and tux (since it is a 2nd marriage) so it won't even be really obvious what you all are doing anyway. I also can't imagine a CM actually coming over to confront anyone, although I realize these rules are set up to protect their money making wedding services. They are so anti-confrontational.

ETA - just read your comments about getting dressed up. I still think if the bride isn't in a formal wedding gown, who is to say it is a wedding if they were to see you? You all just liked to get dressed up to celebrate occasions like a wedding anniversary!

[KNWVIKING]

As I posted above, I don't think Disney cares what photos you take on their property. There are no laws preventing you from doing so. Snap away.

[dvcconvert]

On the photo front -- another possible alternative would be - assuming the party could be in formal wear (but not a wedding gown) maybe to hire a Disney Photographer (there used to be a DVC discount on this-not sure if that's still available) just to take some nice 'formal' shots for you at OKW.

[dianeschlicht]

Actually, Viking and Convert, neither of those would be allowed without doing a Disney wedding. We have been given dead ends on all of that. The bride wants to wear a gown, but no need for it to be white, and probably wont be "wedding dress" looking. I told her if she skipped the veil, there shouldn't be an issue.

[KNWVIKING]

That sounds really bizzare to me Diane. What if a wedding party wanted to have dinner at Olivias - regardless of the type gown the bride is wearing ? I can't imagine them saying "No" because they were married off property. The same would apply to pictures. I can't imagine a CM caring.

[dvcconvert]

Actually, Viking and Convert, neither of those would be allowed without doing a Disney wedding. We have been given dead ends on all of that. The bride wants to wear a gown, but no need for it to be white, and probably wont be "wedding dress" looking. I told her if she skipped the veil, there shouldn't be an issue.


You absolutely can hire a Disney Photographer to take photos of your 'family reunion' while in dressey but non-wedding attire. If you need to try calling 321-939-7129 --that's Disney Meetings (a division of DEP) don't mention a wedding - simply that you're having a family gathering and would like a photo shoot at OKW. Can't tell you the cost but Disney Photography does quite a bit of this type of work for meetings/conventions/grand gatherings/Disney weddings/and DEP.

[dvcconvert]

As long as you aren't doing the ceremony itself in the public areas of a resort, I can't think of any reason they could stop you.

-- I think that corporately the line in the sand is doing something which is offered for a fee on property without using the sanctioned host entity for such services. Concerns would range from insurance(s) issues to safety - oh - and the lost revenue.

That said, I personally believe it would be within your rights to hold a ceremony within the confines of a tenacy - but should the event spread outside that space, then problems could arise.

[dianeschlicht]

Okay, you guys are giving me lots of good suggestions. I'm going to run it by "the kids". They were pretty freaked by the information they got from Disney.