Some people have their heart set on a wedding with a few Disney touches, whether that means glass slippers on the ring bearer pillow, pumpkin coaches in the corner, or a magnificent Magic Kingdom ice sculpture.
But for others, the little touches aren't enough. Their heart's set on holding their wedding at Disney itself ... the "Happiest Place on Earth."
The only catch, of course — and for the true Disneyphile this isn't too big a burden — is the expense. A Disney wedding isn't for the faint of budget. If you're planning to have anything but the smallest bash, be prepared to shell out significant bucks.
Still, if you have them, you can often look forward to a flawlessly-managed, white glove affair where your coordinator handles everything, leaving you free to savor every detail.
Large Wedding, Small Budget
You won't have even a small Disney wedding for less than $3500, but that doesn't mean you can't grab some fairy dust anyway.
Hold your reception nearby, then pile into the Magic Kingdom for a mad Hatter tea party brunch or a festive evening taking in the Electrical Parade.
Two for Tea — at Sea
Why not try a romantic "I do" for two aboard the Disney Cruise line? Pricing is attractive, with a 7-night cruise and all-inclusive wedding averaging about $5000. Officiant, pianist, some flowers and a wedding-night dinner is included, and you can bump up the guest list at additional cost. Disney Cruise weddings typically get two big thumbs up from brides.
Goofy can probably grace
your reception — for about $800
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Small Wedding, Middling Budget
Disney also offers a four-night, five-day "Intimate Wedding" package for $3500 and up, a cost that's comparable to a
Sandals 7-day wedding package, and much less than you'd pay for most at-home affairs.
Depending on where you hold it, you can invite from 8 to 20 guests. (Don't be tempted to try and sneak in even one more — you could find your Big Day unceremoniously canceled.)
Ideally, your "Intimate Wedding" will be almost stress-free. The larger packages take time to plan, but you can set up this one as little as 10 weeks in advance. Your planner does almost all the work for you. All you need to do is choose your cake and fillings, your preferred bridal bouquet, your ceremony and reception spots, and decide what you'd like to do with your four-hour limo service.
Amenities like cake, flowers, and music are included. So is a unique marriage certificate signed by The Mouse himself. (The officiant used to be included, but it's something you'll need to book separately now. Expect to pay about $150. Also, Disney has recently updated their package terms, and now requires a four-night stay from bride & groom that is not included in the Intimate Wedding price.)
Also, the photographer and a wedding web site is currently provided, although you'll probably want an add-on package to fill out your photo album.
You can preview Disney's Intimate Wedding locations here:
http://home.att.net/~revtim5/
Bigger Budget, Generous Guest List
For larger weddings, Disney offers a Custom Wedding package that's a whole different animal. This one's more like a typical wedding with lots to plan, and less like a destination wedding.
A custom wedding is the full-service deal, with elegant linens, candlelight, white-gloved service staff, floral arrangements, a decorated head table, cake table and cake-cutting service, placecards, rose petals, centerpieces, programs and favors.
There aren't any size limits to your custom package, but there are minimum spending requirements. For example, you'll need to spend at least $10,000 (not including hotel and park tickets) for a Monday-through-Thursday affair, and if you want a coveted Saturday date, you'll need to set aside at least $20,000. You'll need to start your planning about a year in advance.
"Money's No Object, Dahling"
Having a custom wedding? Here are some popular add-ons, and approximately how many clams they'll cost you:
Dove release: $250
Bagpiper: $500
Horse and coach: $1750
30 minutes of Micky & Minnie: $1200
Cinderella's coach, with six Welsh ponies and two footmen: $2750
7-Piece Orchestra: $6500
Just be sure to check typical weather for the dates you have in mind at your destination. California is temperate almost all year-round, but Florida — where most wedding couples go — can get pretty steamy during the hot season.
And yes, you can have trumpeters announce your arrival and Major Domo (you know — the guy that hands Cinderella that fateful slipper) serve as your personal ring bearer (about $2000). You can serve up a groom's cake fashioned after Mickey's sorcerer's hat, or top your tiered cake with a white chocolate castle. You can hand out customized mouse ears to all your guests, or add the White Rabbit, Donald, Chip & Dale or Mickey and Minnie to your nuptial proceedings ... sometimes in formal attire, no less.
You can even rent out the entire Magic Kingdom ($45,000, venue only) and run custom messages over the park's video screens — all for price, of course.
Learn More About Disney Weddings
Disney has an
official wedding site, but you won't learn much there until you're ready to book. Instead, start by hanging with savvy brides at the
DIS Discussion Forums, and go on a scavenger hunt for savings at
MouseSavers.
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can you get married with just the bride and groom and two children at the pavilion do they supply wittness does anyone know how much this would cost
hi i got too ask do u ppl know if u can bring anima small dog into the disney resort ?
WE AS A COUPLE WOULD LIKE TO BE APART OF A DISNEY THEME WEDDING!!!WE WOULD LOVE THE EXCITEMENT AN ADVENTURE WE KNOW IT WOULD TAKE US ON.
AN WITH HOPE OF MEETING SOME CHARACTER’S TO BE APART OF THE WEDDING.IF IT IS POSIBLE?
No, you can’t. The castle suite is by invitation only and for charity or for children with special needs or disabilities.
Can you stay in the suite of Cinderella’s castle the night of your wedding?
Courtney, here is a thread that might be very helpful to you.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1633472
If that thread doesn’t answer your question, try signing up at DISboards and asking your question directly. Those people are so helpful, and I can almost guarantee they’ll help you figure something out. Good luck! :D>-
My boyfriend and I have a big year planned for 2008. He’s going to ask for my hand in Feb. and we’d like to get married that August. With it being just the 2 of us do you have any other plans?? I don’t need a cruise just a room and officiate and the 2 of us? Please help!!!
hi i am going to be getting married in march 09 and need some help i need to know more about things like who to book dinner at cindrellas castle with special guests
Sorry, the cinderella castle suite is not rentable. It is for charity functions and offered to children with disabilities.
can you stay in cinderellas suite if so how much does it cost per night
it’s me again i forgot to say where i live, im in St. Croix USVI
hi my dad always told me im his princess, and i’ve always dreamed of when this big day will come. well it’s finally here, and im getting married nov 2007, and im having a cinderella wedding, the only thing is that i want to arrive in a carriage, but we don’t have that here. what can i do to make my arrival magical.
Hi Tena-
My wedding was July 9th!! We just got back from our honeymoon, everything went perfect at Disney. We used The Golden Carriage florist….and she did a fabulous job. All the flowers were beautiful!
Anymore questions just let me know!
Hi Danni I just booked my disney Intimate Wedding through Thomas Cook and Virgin Weddings. We are getting married at the yacht club resort on 6th May 2008. I have to say it was very reasonably priced (we thought) considering how much a wedding at home might cost. But of course we received a brochure with all the add-ons available but with just the two two of us it is unlikely we will avail of them. If you want any more info let me know. Pamela
http://www.disboards.com/ Disney Weddings and Honeymoon thread…I have gotten so much info from this site. I feel as though I can plan a wedding for tomorrow! This site is a must if you are planning a Disney Fairytale Wedding or even just a trip to Disney for vacation.
Hiya
Ive been trying my best to plan and organise a disney fairytale wedding from the UK directly from the disney world website, does anyone have any advice or tips on how to make this easier i dont no where to start. thank you . Danielle
Madeline,
My daughter is getting married at Pavilion and having reception at Grand Floridian in 08. Could you tell me who your outside Florist is, and who the entertainment you used outside is? Did Disney have no problem with you going outside?
Tena
Madelin, you seem to be a very smart bride. I would love to know who you went through for your other options. I am considering a wedding a Disney but don’t know how to go about keeping the cost down. Please email me. I would love to get some of your smart ideas! Thanks!
Christina
christina_and_eric@yahoo.com
Hi everyone,
My fiance and I are having a Disney wedding this summer. I was reading some of the posts and decided I would comment on our Disney experience so far! We decided to do a custom wedding and ours is being held at the wedding pavillion with the Grand Floridian hosting the pre-reception and reception. I grew up going to Disney and always remembered the outstanding customer service so I expected that. Well… think some of the wedding planners go above and beyond, but some don’t. Unfortunately, the one we recieved I haven’t had the best experience with. I do know other who have been married at Disney and have had fabulous planners. Yes, they do want you to spend a lot of money, but you don’t have to! I asked questions regarding everything, and always read the fine print. Their florist is over priced so I went with an outside florist and got double for what I would have paid there. We also did the same with entertainment. Everything else we have done through Disney. We have 75 guests attending. We are at $26,000. That’s with the cake, all floral arrangements and rose petals, entertainment, pre- reception food, reception dinner,cider toast, photography, glass coach with four white ponies, limo for attendants, chair covers and table covers ( which I also did through the florist). It’s everything except my dress, favors ( which I made), and other little things. Yes, it’s expensive..but it’s Disney. Just be smart and always ask questions. I’m sure you can make it work if you want to! Also, no, they don’t give better service to people who spend more money!
To be fair Jessica, you would have to have a dress, alterationsw, officiant, wedding bands…..etc…..etc if you were getting married anywhere so you really should add it into your budget. It isn’t good to hear that your coo-ordinator isn’t helping you as much as they should.