Florida-Central Florida

Shades of Green?

Hey ladies! I'm new and just getting started with the whole planning process, but I recently stumbled across the Shades of Green resort...has anyone gotten married there?? My fiance is Active Duty Army, and his whole family is in Orlando, so he absolutely loves the idea. I just couldn't find much information on the website, except for the intimate wedding/vow renewal. We plan on having too many guests for that package, so I don't know much of anything about it. Can anyone help? Thanks so much!

Re: Shades of Green?

  • edited December 2011
    go to the disboards.com and the weddings and honeymoon page. that's where there is a lot of info about Disney weddings and Shades of Green. hope that will help.
  • edited December 2011
    That was really helpful, thanks a lot!
  • happe2getherhappe2gether member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Amberg017 - I am getting married there and I know of at least one other bride on TK that was recently married there.  If you want any of the info, just let me know.  My date is a while away (9/2/12) but due to school obligations I have been planning for a while.  I can assure you this is a great deal! FI and I were military as well as a good portion of both our families.  PM me for documents if you want.  I have all the info. My guest list is about 200 so I understand where you are coming from.  Have you been on site yet? 
    80 said yes image
  • edited December 2011
    Thanks so much. I haven't been on site yet, I have an appointment with Virginia on June 9th. I just received all the info from her--have you used any of the vendors that they suggest? I'm not in the area, so I'm kind of trying to do what I can around school and drive out there when I can.
  • happe2getherhappe2gether member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Hey there!  Virginia is VERY helpful.  I had a situation with the SOG and she worked everything out for me.  She is also the Sales Manager so I know that helps.  We only visited there ONCE and made our decision on the spot.  The ballroom is GORGEOUS to me and I was really won over by the size for the cost.  We anticipate alot of guests so it seems to be the right fit for us.  We saw the venue over a year ago and had to wait 4 months to book it since they only book 2 years in advance.  Our date is 9/2/12, so since it is a holiday weekend, I knew we had to book right away when the window for me opened. So we've had the place booked since 9/2010.  They have made some significant changes to things and I can definitely tell you the changes are worth it. 

    As far as the vendors are concerned, the list actually shrank from the first one we were given.  I had planned on using them but found great deals elsewhere at a bridal show.  Since SOG is one of those hidden gems, my main requirement for my vendors was that they knew the property and had done several events there before.  So far I'm satisfied and again I got discounts so that certainly helps with the budget.  I still have to find a cake maker (I'm leaning towards It's Tasty Too) and a florist (leaning towards Peddles).  Vicky from Peddles is on their list and I've communicated with her already.  

    Sounds like you and I both have school and distance in common (which is another reason for me planning so far in advance).  I'm in Jax so when I need to go to Orlando I try to book more than one appointment in one day to make it worth my gas.  Are you in the Jacksonville area too?  Just asking since your area is listed as "First Coast".  Feel free to ask me anything.  I truly understand the issues planning something out of area can bring. 

    How many guests?  When's the big date?  Any details you want to share?
    80 said yes image
  • edited December 2011
    Ahh thank you so much...FI's family is in that area and his mom planned his sister's wedding last year, so she knows a few vendors in the area that we can get a friend/family discount from, so I was worried about using the ones on their list. One question that came up when we were looking at the price lists: do you have to use their table linens and whatnot? The napkins make me nervous because they weren't very specific about the colors, and they seemed kind of expensive to rent--I could probably buy some for a very similar price!

    We're planning on June 29, 2013, and I'm going to see SOG on June 9th, so I would be in a similar situation--I would have to wait a few weeks before I can book it if I decide I want to..but I'm already falling in love with it and I haven't even been on site yet! We're planning on about 100 guests, but I'm from NY and most of my family is up there, so it's hard to tell how many of them will be able to make the trip. 

    Other than looking into SOG and planning out my wedding dress (my FMIL is making me a dress out of my mom's dress...I love the personal touches from both of them that will be in it :) ) I haven't done much planning.  FI just commissioned as an officer in the Army, so he's not around at the moment...since we've got so much time I'm going to try and do as much planning as possible when he can be here to help me make the decisions!

    Oh, and I'm in St. Augustine...small world :) Thanks so much for all your help!
  • happe2getherhappe2gether member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    The basic napkin colors they have included with ballroom rental are black, green and white.  Anything else you will need to order from a linens vendor.  The up side is that SOG gets a discount through BBJ linen so that isn't a bad deal.  I haven't gotten to far into the linens part yet, even though I did have an appoint at their showcase wharehouse in Orlando.  It can be expensive so we are fully dressing a sweetheart table and doing minimal linens on the rest of the tables.

    We are all OOT so I understand how that can affect guest attendance.  I actually announced very early to both sides what our plans were so that everyone was on notice.  One of the things we did was a newsletter just to let everyone know.  Also, once we paid for the SOG, they set up a group reservation code and all of our guests have an entire year to make their room reservations there.  Even though there is a huge distance for FI's extended family, almost all still plan to attend because they are using it as a vacation.  And speaking of which, we are taking advantage of discounted tickets that can be purchased there.

    I hope you love it like I do.  I immediately fell in love with the ballroom.  It is huge!!
    80 said yes image
  • edited December 2011
    Shades of Green is a great choice. There is a wedding planner that is an Army wife also and does a great job coordinating. I went to a wedding in March that she did and it was beautiful. Her name is Amber with www.premierbutterflyevents.com. She gives discounts for military as well. Hope this helps some!
  • KagriffithsKagriffiths member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I am getting married there in 4 months, 11-6-11, let me know if i can be of any help. I live in Orlando.
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