Tag Archives: California Grill

Vendor Reveal: Chapman Photography

Posted in Vendor Reveal by

WELCOME to the next in our new series of “Vendor Reveals”.  Through our Disneymooner forums we’ve found our members have used a number and variety of Vendors for their Disney Wedding and we’ve been asking those Vendors to reveal just a little more about their business……. and themselves!

Our next Vendor Reveal falls to an “outside” wedding photographer…. a very popular choice amongst Disney Brides

What is the name of your business/service and what is your offering?
Chapman Photography ~ Randy Chapman, specializing in Disney Fairytale weddings and honeymoon Photography.  We also photograph Disney Vacations and Family Reunions!

What is your name? – Randy Chapman

FantasiaSam “shoots” Randy at her own Disney Fairytale Wedding

What makes your business/service unique?
With 17 years shooting Disney Fairytale weddings, I have a great reputation for capturing unique, creative and natural fun moments. Over these years I have extensively communicated with and worked alongside Disney’s staff which aid towards a seamless day for the Bride and Groom!

How did you get started and how long have you been doing this?
I discovered my talents when shooting in New York City,, after shooting great upcoming models for 2 years, I moved back to my native State and City, Orlando Florida, where I pursued my talents in the wedding field.

After shooting weddings for 6 years, I was recognized by Andrea Rotondo in 1997. Andrea was a past Disney Bride in 1996 and founded the Disneymooner list and Unofficial Disney Wedding Guide… Andrea posted a link to my website and from there, history was in the making!!

After 17 years  numerous awards and thousands of Disney weddings, Disney Fairytale Weddings and Honeymoons is my home of 90% of all my weddings.

When not working a wedding at Walt Disney World (or another venue for that matter) what are you doing?
On my days off from shooting Disney weddings, I love shooting Family sessions, Honeymoon couples, engagement shoots, and try to get in 14 miles of biking every other day!!

What is your favorite part about your job?
The favorite part about my job is everything!! What better job can you have, do what you love to and go to work, where that day is one of the happiest days of another person’s life!! Then to see how excited a Bride and Groom are when receiving their photos!!

I also love shooting the engagement this is a great way to get to know my couples before the big day

What types of wedding packages do you offer Disney brides?
My Photography packages are customized for each Couple to fit their budget, in some cases full wedding coverage will include engagement session or Honeymoon session.  There are printed packages on my website www.chapmanphotography.com or email info@chapmanphotography.com   407-841-2300 cell 407-341-0761.  All the Packages include the master DVD with all the copyrights!

What is your favorite wedding trend right now in relation to your business/service?
My Disney couples are less traditional and using a lot of bright colors, props, Trashing the Dress, shooting Honeymoons, Social Networking Facebook for Sneak Peaks. Checkout my Facebook.

What’s your favorite thing about doing Disney weddings?
One of many favorite  experiences of shooting Disney Weddings is working with Disney Fairytale Weddings Staff, they all do a great job. Another is shooting Cinderella’s coach, all the Charters and Monorail.

What was your strangest request when working a Disney Wedding?
I could write the top 10 strangest requests but I will keep it short   A reception at the Grand Floridian  approximately 200 guests and everyone is at their tables eating Cake… the Bride then had the DJ announce my name and request a dance with me…..eeek not a pretty site !!! Hips don’t lie!!!

What’s your most memorable moment that you have taken away from a Disney wedding?
The most Memorable Moment was at the last-minute of a wedding I was shooting my Bride asked me to walk her down the aisle at the Wedding Pavilion as her brother was delayed at the airport.

Also a family of 3 sisters and 1 brother all had their wedding at Disney which I photographed and I’ve been shooting their family portrait sessions every year since!

JUST FOR FUN – we asked Randy to answer these questions

If you were getting married at WDW where would you have your ceremony and reception and why?
If I was to get married at WDW it would be at the Disney Wedding Pavilion this being Florida and the weather changing by the hour, there’s no need for a back-up location plus it has A/C and an awesome location for photos.

My reception would be the Atlantic Dance Hall, because the location is at the Boardwalk which makes for great photos outside.

It also has an outside Balcony great for viewing the Illuminations at Epcot and I can make the photos look like we were there!! The inside is great, no need  for a whole lot of decorations and it has a great dance floor… perfect!

Who is your favorite Disney character and why?
Pluto has always been very playful and fun with photos!!

Which is your favorite Disney attraction and why?
Favorite Disney Attraction is Haunted Mansion, it brings a lot of memories, being born and raised in Orlando, our family went to Disney a lot in the 70’s even though the Haunted Mansion had a 45 min wait I was there. Not really an attraction but I love Eating Around The World at Epcot.

FINALLY

Why should a member of our Disneymooner Forums choose your service?
I believe with my vast knowledge and 17 years specializing in shooting Disney Fairytale Weddings, under very affordable packages, I can be of a great advantage for my future Disney Couples. My Experience in knowing all the great locations for photos whether you choose a Wishes, Escape, or Memories Wedding, I will keep the Wedding Couple on the required timetable throughout the day.

All the Disney Fairytale Wedding Staff  know me and we work great together as a team. I enjoy, being a part of making dreams come true with beautiful wedding photos.

90% of all my weddings are at WDW! I have a great following of past, present and future Disney Wedding Couples including many from the Disneymooners that will give you their experience with me, many have continued to come back to me after their wedding for Vacation shoots and/or Family Sessions around the Walt Disney World Properties, which I believe is a great testament to my work! We also offer Engagement and Honeymoon sessions at any of Walt Disney World Resorts.

Randy Chapman
Disney Weddings  Chapman Photography
Studio 407-841-2300
Cell 407-341-0761
Fax 407-841-2193

www.chapmanphotography.com
Info@chapmanphotography.com
Facebook

Thanks to Randy, Chapman Photography for answering our questions as part of our Vendor Reveal series, if you would like your work revealed to our readers please contact yourfairytalewedding@disneymooner.com

Advertisement

California Grill to Close for Renovations

Posted in Disney Fairytale Wedding News by

It has been recently announced that the California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort will close on January 6th, 2013 for renovations.  As of right now, Disney Fairy Tale Weddings says that the California Grill is blocked out until July 20th, 2013 but that date could be pushed back even further.

Disney’s California Grill is home to the Napa and Sonoma rooms. These are popular reception choices for their gorgeous panoramic views of Bay Lake and the Magic Kingdom.

The Napa room is a coveted choice for it’s access to the observation deck which makes the nightly “Wishes” fireworks show, at Magic Kingdom, a magical ending to your Disney wedding.

We’re pretty excited to see what the new California Grill will look like when it’s all finished, how about you?

Featured Venue Fridays: Napa Room

Posted in Featured Venue Fridays by

This week’s Featured Venue post includes images from Disneymooner Jill’s Napa Room reception, from her Photographer Egomedia Photography.

The California Grill, located at the top of Disney’s Contemporary Resort is a great choice for a bride and groom who want incredible views of along with top-notch cuisine.

See our recent venue review of the main dining room reception. Receptions in the main dining room must end before 3 p.m., however couples wanting an evening reception can utilize one of the restaurants two other private rooms. The Napa Room and Sonoma room offer secondary options for brides and grooms interested in this captivating venue. The Napa Room seats 50 and has a view of the Magic Kingdom. The Napa room can be used for morning or evening receptions and events starting after 4:00p.m. will have a higher food and beverage minimum.

One of the greatest aspects of using the Napa Room for and veining reception is a private show of Wishes fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom. If timed correctly, you and your guests could see a one of a kind view of this incredible fireworks display.

The Sonoma Room is a great location for the cocktail area for Napa Room events, or even for those weddings with a smaller guests list. The Sonoma Room seats 40 guests and has a wonderful view of Bay Lake. Even though the room does not offer a view of the Magic Kingdom, guests and couples cold use the walk way from California Grill to see the fireworks display.

Brides and Grooms wanting to use this venue should consult their planner regarding which room and time frame will work best for their event.

See what Disneymooners are saying about the Napa and Sonoma Rooms at The California Grill on our private forums.

Please  check out our latest Featured Venue Friday Reviews as well.

China Pavilion

Living Seas

Sea Breeze Point

The Yacht Club Wedding Gazebo

Disneyland Resort’s Rose Garden Gazebo

Grand Floridian Ballrooms

White Hall Patio at the Grand Floridian

Featured Venue Fridays: California Grill

Posted in Featured Venue Fridays by

This week’s Featured Venue post was written by Disneymooner Heather, who used the main dining area for her wedding. Images are from Paul Triller Photography. To read more about her wedding and others please join our private forums.

The California Grill, located at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is a great choice for a bride and groom who want a view of the lakes and Magic Kingdom area.

You can fit up to 150 guests in the main dining room. Tables for 4, 6, 8, and 10 can be set up to accommodate your guests. The main dining room can be used for brunch and lunch receptions only. The Napa and Sonoma rooms can also be used for dinner receptions.

With wall-to-wall windows overlooking the Seven Seas Lagoon, Grand Floridian, Polynesian, and Magic Kingdom, guests will be stunned by the views. California Grill is perfect for a bride who likes minimal décor.

The food was absolutely amazing. We had a brunch buffet that the guests were still raving about months (and even a couple of years!) later. The chefs at the California Grill generally do not allow a tasting, but if you’ve ever eaten dinner there, you can get a very good idea of what type of meal you’re in for.

Brides and Grooms wanting to use this venue should consult their planner regarding which room and time frame will work best for their event.

Events in the main dining rooms area must end before 3 p.m.  Those couples who wish to plan their event to coincide with Wishes fireworks at the Magic Kingdom, could utilize the smaller private rooms : Napa and Sonoma. Stay tuned for a venue review of the Napa Room Next!

Here’s what Disneymooners are saying about California Grill on our forums:

To us the view said everything we wanted it to and more. Everyone kept asking us ‘Why Disney?’ before the wedding, and once they got to California Grill, they all said ‘Now we get it’. It was magical and perfect!’

– Heather (used main dining room)

Be sure to join our private forums to find out more detail on this venue including more pictures and wedding recaps.