Escape Brides..BEWARE!!!!!!

[Boardwalk_bride]

Okay, that makes sense.
And at what time do they arrive before the ceremony? I just realised I don't actually know what to expect from a co-ordinator at all, but having read the OP's problems, I figured I should know this stuff really!!

I'm confused by this as well! What if we have a private dinner @ the attic, st. james, etc? Do they just leave and make you figure out how to get there on your own?

 

[girli565]

I'm confused by this as well! What if we have a private dinner @ the attic, st. james, etc? Do they just leave and make you figure out how to get there on your own?

If it is a reception you booked through DFTW then I believe they are there for the whole thing but when you make your own ressies at a restuarant like Boma after the Escape ceremony and cake cutting/toast, you're on your own.

 

[Swmhc]

That is correct, with the Escape wedding you receive their services for set up, ceremony and cake/champagne reception. If you wish to do a reception meal, you are on your own to arrange reservations, transportation etc... That is one of the differences between the Escape and Wishes weddings. If you desire more services, you should contract for a Wishes wedding.

Our coordinator was waiting at the Yacht Club when we arrived, passed out flowers, gave a quick run down, walked us out to the entrance and we had our ceremony. She directed us over to the cake table for our cake cutting and toast, then to our first dance and was gone. That is all that is included with the package. The rest is the bride and groom's responsibility to "handle" if you want more.

And DPS is in charge of the photography, proofs and website, so you should check your BEO for approximate dates and contact them if you haven't received them within 3-4 weeks.

 

[Beep]

If it is a reception you booked through DFTW then I believe they are there for the whole thing but when you make your own ressies at a restuarant like Boma after the Escape ceremony and cake cutting/toast, you're on your own.

We've booked dining at Sago Cay at the GF and our co-ordinator will be there. Although, saying that, we invited her to join us so I'm not sure if she would have been there ordinarily.

 

[Lorelei528]

I'll say it again...our WC Tanis was outstanding!

I arranged all transportation and menus with her and she contacted the Jiko person in regards to any menu or liquor questions. I worked with Rosie on table centerpieces and set up and just paid a set up fee.

I think it really depends upon your WC as Tanis came to Jiko and made sure everything went smoothly with everything including the transportation back to EPCOT for our DP....the only thing is I think she was off the clock after a certain point and it was her choice to stay and make sure everything came out perfectly, but I'm glad she was there for sure!

(She also stayed for our DP which even Carrie will attest that the WC's are not usually there!) (That's why I was glad Carrie and Jensey did not get kicked out of our DP! Again, why? Because Tanis ROCKS!!)

Meanwhile, the OP has not been back with any updates or info and I know we're all dying to know if she was compensated at all etc...

 

[Scrap_Vamp]

WOW!
I have been on these boards (this forum) for about 1 1/2 years now and I have never heard of these types of numerous problems!
I also have to agree with Tommymomo on a few things.

Also, I was an Escape bride on May 1, 2009 and my co-ordinator told me they decide first thing in the morning if they need to move a SBP ceremony inside due to any possible weather problems.

I don't know who your co-ordinator was and it seems like many of the issues were co-ordinator related. That being said, the title of the OP certainly isn't fair to any future Escape brides.

...

Again, I can say I can stand behind my Escape Coordinator 110%. Tanis was mine and she was AMAZING.

I too am really sorry that your wedding did not turn out at all like you planned, but I have to agree with the above - Tanis was amazing for us, and went above and beyond at all times. We also had an Escape wedding at SBP with minimal extras.

 

[donaldsgirl]

I am really sorry that your wedding didnt live up to your expectations. I have to say though, some of the problems seem a little manufactured. I am not looking to pick this apart, and by no mean am I trying to defend the disney wedding planners, as I have had my own issues with them. However I have a few questions that were left out of the details.

1-Who calls the bride to go and get them breakfast the morning of her wedding? thats what a best man or a maid of honor if for. and that made you 1.5 hrs behind schedule?



2-I understand the the weather moved your ceremony inside, but you have at the most 18 guests, if you noticed they werent there, why did you start? why didnt one of the guests go to where it originally was to bring them in, or wait by the front desk to direct them?



3- you asked for certain shots and the photographer didnt take them? While he may have been lost, couldnt you have grabed him and tell him to take those shots? and if i read it right, your friend as a wedding gift was there to shoot the wedding? might explain why he didnt take them, thought the other one did and since you didnt say anything...



4-I understand that certain people need to be seperated,and I certainly have the same issue at my upcoming wedding, but with such a small guest list they are going to be together no matter what. If they cant get along, they shouldnt have been there. I told my parents point blank, if you cant get along for one day, dont come. also when is there assigned seating at a ceremony? if they dont like each other sit on the other side of the room.




5-yes, the waiter should have brought you chiars, and I find it odd that they set a place setting with out them, but this really shouldnt have ruined dinner. Grab a chair from another table or walk up to the front and get a mgr , and really, that guest was going to leave?? Some friend they are.



6- IF your planner is no where to be found,go get them. Francs is ont he grounds of the GF.



7- The floral not showing up is a strange one for me? According to our BEO, the bouquet is be delivered almost 2hrs before the ceremony. If you didnt get your bouquet why didnt someone call? again, you hired 2 florists?


8- Are you really telling us that the planner is rushing your ceremony? seems odd, but if if they did, say no and move on.



I appologize for picking this apart, and i am not trying to pile on here, but these types of posts make every future bride(mine included) even more nevous than they already are. It just seems to me while yes the planner should have been more on top of things, some of the problems could have been fixed by yourselves as well.





I am sure I will be beaten up over this post, and that is eveyones right to do.

I wish you nothing but happiness on your honeymoon.

I am really sorry that your wedding didnt live up to your expectations. I have to say though, some of the problems seem a little manufactured. I am not looking to pick this apart, and by no mean am I trying to defend the disney wedding planners, as I have had my own issues with them. However I have a few questions that were left out of the details.

1-Who calls the bride to go and get them breakfast the morning of her wedding? thats what a best man or a maid of honor if for. and that made you 1.5 hrs behind schedule?

My mother in law asked for breakfast,(you would just have to know her) doing that put me about 5 minutes behind. My appt for hair was at 8:30, when I arrived they had already started on my mom and mil. That is how I got 1.5 hours behind. By the way, my maid of honor didnt have a rental car

2-I understand the the weather moved your ceremony inside, but you have at the most 18 guests, if you noticed they werent there, why did you start? why didnt one of the guests go to where it originally was to bring them in, or wait by the front desk to direct them?

I didnt start the ceremony early. I said she WANTED to start the ceremony early because of possible weather issues. The ceremony was at Sea Breeze Point where is was supposed to be. The reception was moved inside. I dont know who dropped the ball but there it is. My husbands uncle and cousin came up right after the ceremony started and my friend completely missed the whole thing. As we were walking inside she ran into us and told me what happened. I actually had no idea that anything was going to be moved inside until after the ceremony. As I was getting ready to walk down the isle the decorations were on the reception tables and when the ceremony was over they were gone. But my flowers that I ordered for the arch posts were not there.

3- you asked for certain shots and the photographer didnt take them? While he may have been lost, couldnt you have grabed him and tell him to take those shots? and if i read it right, your friend as a wedding gift was there to shoot the wedding? might explain why he didnt take them, thought the other one did and since you didnt say anything...

I made it clear that my friend would not be the head photographer at the ceremony and reception. Disney has a 7 or 8 page contract and my friend did not want to agree to a lot of their stipulations. While we were taking pics with the Disney photographer, I told him I wanted these two shots, he said ok, we will get them later but I didnt get the shots.

4-I understand that certain people need to be seperated,and I certainly have the same issue at my upcoming wedding, but with such a small guest list they are going to be together no matter what. If they cant get along, they shouldnt have been there. I told my parents point blank, if you cant get along for one day, dont come. also when is there assigned seating at a ceremony? if they dont like each other sit on the other side of the room.

There is assigned seating when the bride says there is assigned seating. I would have done it myself but I was not there as they were being seated. It is pretty easy actually. You sit here... You sit here. SEE???? I told my parents the same thing but in the real world things dont always work out the way you want them to.


5-yes, the waiter should have brought you chiars, and I find it odd that they set a place setting with out them, but this really shouldnt have ruined dinner. Grab a chair from another table or walk up to the front and get a mgr , and really, that guest was going to leave?? Some friend they are.

Turns out we needed another table. I gave them the correct count, they just screwed it up. My guest didnt want to cause me any more inconvenience, that is why they offered to leave. So actually yes they are great friends. Not to mention the fact that it would have been very rude of me to do anything different. Not sure how your mom raised you but mine raise me to have MANNERS!!!!

6- IF your planner is no where to be found,go get them. Francs is ont he grounds of the GF.

How do you expect me to get there with no car?? I am standing there with no phone, no numbers, no planner, and NO CLUE as to WHAT THE $%&@ is going on. Thanks for telling me all these things that I already know. I appreciate your concern.

7- The floral not showing up is a strange one for me? According to our BEO, the bouquet is be delivered almost 2hrs before the ceremony. If you didnt get your bouquet why didnt someone call? again, you hired 2 florists?

I didnt say the floral didnt show up, I said that I was having to hand out the bout., corsages, bouquets myself. The floral arrangements that I ordered for decoration from DISNEY for Sea Breeze Point wasnt there. They had put the hanging arrangements on the cake table inside instead. I had my bouquet (from disney by the way) but it was somewhat wilted and the roses were brown around the edges. I will post some pics when I get them so you can see what I am talking about.

8- Are you really telling us that the planner is rushing your ceremony? seems odd, but if if they did, say no and move on.

What I am saying is that she wanted to start the ceremony about 20 minutes early. I assume it was because she thought that it was going to rain. So YES that is EXACTLY what I am saying.

I appologize for picking this apart, and i am not trying to pile on here, but these types of posts make every future bride(mine included) even more nevous than they already are. It just seems to me while yes the planner should have been more on top of things, some of the problems could have been fixed by yourselves as well.

Sister, I PRAY TO GOD that your wedding goes better than mine did. I am not posting this to scare anyone. I am posting so that another bride doesnt have to go through the same thing. Your post is PETTY and NASTY. I paid DISNEY a lot of money to take care of the small things like, oh I dont know... making sure that my guest got to the ceremony sight...I am not a difficult person to please but this was one big cluster. Now you tell me what I could have done or what you would have done if you were in my shoes??? When your wedding is jacked up beyond all belief because someone you PAID to take care of things fails to do their job then you have a right to be pissed off. This isnt something that you can redo on a whim. You pay someone to take care of the details so that this very thing doesnt happen.

Any other questions???



I am sure I will be beaten up over this post, and that is eveyones right to do.

I wish you nothing but happiness on your honeymoon.[/QUOTE]

I am really sorry that your wedding didnt live up to your expectations. I have to say though, some of the problems seem a little manufactured. I am not looking to pick this apart, and by no mean am I trying to defend the disney wedding planners, as I have had my own issues with them. However I have a few questions that were left out of the details.

 

[donaldsgirl]

Wow. First of all I am sorry that you had so many problems. I assume you have the BEO and everything in your email, so when you get home you need to fax that to whoever and raise hell about not getting the things you paid for and arranged for in advance.

I know personally for me, every minute detail of my escape wedding was outlined in my BEO...that includes all the floral and details down to how the chairs were supposed to be arranged. If that wasn't followed, you need to be compensated.

I am confused though as to how you were able to get outside floral as I was under the impression that was not possible for outdoor weddings (with the exception of personal things like bouquets).

Actually you can have outside arrangements as long as Disney is the one who makes them. And it was your pic under the Boardwalk sign that I specifically asked for. The weather was as close to perfect as you could get and right at the ceremony time a freak black cloud popped up. I have already started the emails and phone calls ect..to file a complaint.

 

[donaldsgirl]

I have to agree with everything Tommymomo said. As an Escape Bride, wouldn't you have been responsible for setting up your reception dinner at Boma on your own? And Boma is a buffet, right? is there a private room there or did you just book a group reservation in the restaurant? I can't see how the restaurant's inability to have a proper table for your guests in any fault of the wedding planner.

I did book the Boma reservation myself. I had to adjust the # of guests about 3 weeks before the wedding and I couldnt ever get anyone on the phone to do so. (I actually had to call Boma and not the main dining #) My planner called a few times for me too..Finally a day or so before the wedding they returned the call. I had made a back up reservation at Big River Grill just in case. I should have kept that reservation.

 

[donaldsgirl]

I'm confused. Technically the dinner and flowers had nothing to do with Disney weddings right? Sorry you had a bad experience.

You are correct about the dining...it was just another bad experience during a bad day. They flowers on the other hand was Disney's fault. It was the Flowers that I ordered from disney that wasnt in the right place.

 

[donaldsgirl]

So sorry you had a stressful day!

Is it standard not to have a co-ordinator onsite for an Escape wedding?

The planner was on site for the ceremony and part of the reception. My problem was that I didnt know that she had left.

 

[donaldsgirl]

I too am really sorry that your wedding did not turn out at all like you planned, but I have to agree with the above - Tanis was amazing for us, and went above and beyond at all times. We also had an Escape wedding at SBP with minimal extras.

I will say that Tanis was not my planner...wish that she was.

 

[donaldsgirl]

I'll say it again...our WC Tanis was outstanding!

I arranged all transportation and menus with her and she contacted the Jiko person in regards to any menu or liquor questions. I worked with Rosie on table centerpieces and set up and just paid a set up fee.

I think it really depends upon your WC as Tanis came to Jiko and made sure everything went smoothly with everything including the transportation back to EPCOT for our DP....the only thing is I think she was off the clock after a certain point and it was her choice to stay and make sure everything came out perfectly, but I'm glad she was there for sure!

(She also stayed for our DP which even Carrie will attest that the WC's are not usually there!) (That's why I was glad Carrie and Jensey did not get kicked out of our DP! Again, why? Because Tanis ROCKS!!)

Meanwhile, the OP has not been back with any updates or info and I know we're all dying to know if she was compensated at all etc...

Sorry guys, I didnt know that I would stir all of this up. I just wanted to make other couples aware and to stay on top of things. I am still here at Disney World. I have a 6 yr old and 2 yr old so I havent had alot of extra time to update. I have started emails and calls about filing a complaint. I dont have all of my information here with me so I will have to wait until I am home to do much more. I am leaving on saturday though so I will get busy with all of this next week.

 

[UbIwerks]

I am truly sorry you feel that your special day went awry.

Now, not to step in this but...

You put yourself 1.5 hours behind by choosing to get breakfast for your MIL. When you arrived to get your hair done, why didn't the hairdresser stop working on the mothers and get you finished so you could go on about the things you needed to do? That seems like something you could have controlled.

As to the flowers, if Disney doesn't provide them (even if they approve or coordinate and outside vendor), Disney doesn't touch them. That's been made abundantly clear by our planner. They are your responsibility. Again, why didn't your Maid of Honor take care of handing them all out? As to the misplaced floral ordered through Disney... clearly their fault if it was in the wrong place.

With two unaffiliated photographers, there was bound to be confusion. Out of curiosity, why did you decide to have an additional person taking pictures?

You keep saying that the coordinator was there for part of your reception, but you didn't have a reception right? Just the cake cutting/champagne toast that comes with your package? That is the only thing that they handle. The dinner after was a private function arranged by you.

As to Boma, I agree it sounds like the service was less than stellar but what does that have to do with an Escape wedding?

I guess my main issue is that your post says something to the effect of "ESCAPE BRIDES BEWARE." While I agree that Disney made at least one clear mistake (the flowers) everything else that went wrong had nothing to do with the escape wedding package. I mean, weather would cause confusion regardless and the planner was probably trying to help you by suggesting to start before any inclement weather that might be on its way (Florida is notorious for clear skies that become downpours instantly).

Again, I'm sorry things didn't go as planned for you... it's such and important day and no one wants anything to go wrong, but it seems that the title of your post is a tad misleading.

 

[Emimy]

I am so sorry your wedding wasn't how you imagined

Perhaps what the OP is trying to say in the title, is that if she had had a Wishes wedding then the ceremony/reception/dinner etc would've been taken care of? I guess when so many things go wrong - even if them have nothing or little to do with Disney - it's easy to see the whole day as a failure. Even though the Boma meal had nothing to do with the WC or DFTW in general, I'd still be upset that yet another thing went wrong on my big day... and I'd probably wish that I'd had a Wishes wedding instead.

I could be completely wrong, just trying to see things from the OPs point of view

 

[Rafiki31]

I am surprised how mean people are being to the OP. I think if your big day was less than expected, you would want to tell people and vent too. Obviously she is not satisfied with how the day turned out and for what it costs to have a Disney wedding, I thinkpeople have high expectations. I am not saying there are not little things she could have done to avoid it, but well how would you know beforehand that all these things would pop up?

Try to take a step back people and instead of blaming the OP try to imagine how you would feel if your day was a series of mistakes. I thought I was on the Knot for a second there, by how people are getting so catty.

 

[donaldsgirl]

I am truly sorry you feel that your special day went awry.

Now, not to step in this but...

You put yourself 1.5 hours behind by choosing to get breakfast for your MIL. When you arrived to get your hair done, why didn't the hairdresser stop working on the mothers and get you finished so you could go on about the things you needed to do? That seems like something you could have controlled.

As to the flowers, if Disney doesn't provide them (even if they approve or coordinate and outside vendor), Disney doesn't touch them. That's been made abundantly clear by our planner. They are your responsibility. Again, why didn't your Maid of Honor take care of handing them all out? As to the misplaced floral ordered through Disney... clearly their fault if it was in the wrong place.

With two unaffiliated photographers, there was bound to be confusion. Out of curiosity, why did you decide to have an additional person taking pictures?

You keep saying that the coordinator was there for part of your reception, but you didn't have a reception right? Just the cake cutting/champagne toast that comes with your package? That is the only thing that they handle. The dinner after was a private function arranged by you.

As to Boma, I agree it sounds like the service was less than stellar but what does that have to do with an Escape wedding?

I guess my main issue is that your post says something to the effect of "ESCAPE BRIDES BEWARE." While I agree that Disney made at least one clear mistake (the flowers) everything else that went wrong had nothing to do with the escape wedding package. I mean, weather would cause confusion regardless and the planner was probably trying to help you by suggesting to start before any inclement weather that might be on its way (Florida is notorious for clear skies that become downpours instantly).

Again, I'm sorry things didn't go as planned for you... it's such and important day and no one wants anything to go wrong, but it seems that the title of your post is a tad misleading.

Sorry, let me clear this up. I had a reception at Boma which the planner didnt attend. The reception that I am referring to is actually the Cake cutting. Sorry for the confusion.

Well, you did step right in the middle of it. My original post was meant to give other couples a heads up. THAT IS ALL. This is my experience with an Escape Wedding and everything around it. I did ask for them to stop and do my hair. She said that she would be done in a few minutes and that few minutes turned into 1.5 hours because my mother didnt like her hair. Understand now????

I dont care if they are affliated or not, photographers, florists. Whatever. The point is I landed doing it and they would have been asking me who gets what anyway. My coordinator was useless to me.

Boma doesnt have anything to do with an Escape wedding...AGAIN IT WAS MY EXPERIENCE.
If you choose to do an escape package, then stay on top of things!!!

That is what I am saying.

 

[donaldsgirl]

I am surprised how mean people are being to the OP. I think if your big day was less than expected, you would want to tell people and vent too. Obviously she is not satisfied with how the day turned out and for what it costs to have a Disney wedding, I thinkpeople have high expectations. I am not saying there are not little things she could have done to avoid it, but well how would you know beforehand that all these things would pop up?

Try to take a step back people and instead of blaming the OP try to imagine how you would feel if your day was a series of mistakes. I thought I was on the Knot for a second there, by how people are getting so catty.

Thank you very much. If someone wants to be nasty then let them. When or if thier wedding that they had worked on forever flops and they say anything about it then hopefully they will get nasty comments to or about them. Not that I am catty enough to wish that but hey if the shoe fits...I took most of everything in stride until one of my guests was sent to the wrong place and missed the entire thing. That started me thinking about everything. If you step back and take a look at the big picture, the whole day was one mess after another. Apparently if pays to be a bridezilla.

 

[RubySlippers]

I am so sorry this happened to you. Your wedding day is suppose to one of the most beautiful days of your life.
I will say that your experience is NOT unique. My friend had her wedding at WDW and it was a nightmare for her and her guests. I know that these things do happen at Disney or anywhere for that matter but we all buy into the magic and fairy tales of Disney and hope that it will all be perfect. And most of the weddings are .....but once and awhile the system is flawed and it stinks when you are the one it happens too. Again I am sorry and I wish you and your hubby a long and wonderful life together.

Ruby

 

[Ember]

OP, I am truly sorry that you're wedding day was less than perfect. It may only be "one day" but it's a pretty darn special one. And now your memories will always be tainted with the frustrations you felt - that is inexcusable. Please keep updating your posts, as Disney does read these boards, and if they know other brides are following your story they just might be more inclined to help. (That's not the way it should be, but I have seen it happen in the past. In one case, the bride was forced into a non-disclosure agreement so we never did find out the resolution, but she did say she was happy with the end result.)

I think the "nastiness" is really just fear. Pay it no mind. Couples put their entire hearts into their wedding day, and to hear that it can go so very wrong can be very scary. No one wants to have a day like you did. So they start to analyze how it won't (or wouldn't) happen to them. Frankly, it's easier to think that it was something you did or didn't do, rather than something out of their hands. It's a very human reaction, even if it comes off as a little uncaring. Honestly, this board has some of the nicest people out there on it, and I can't see any of them being mean just for the sake of nastiness.

There clearly are things that were not Disney's fault with your day, such as the hair incident. But to not have your flowers there, or to miss key photographs - that is definitely their fault and they should be bending over backwards to make amends. The restaurant wasn't through DFTW so you will probably have to make a separate set of complaints to them directly. Be sure to get your complaints as high up as you can, the wait staff won't be able to help, but someone higher up should be able to.

I hope Disney steps up and makes this right for you, both the restaurant and DFTW team.