In 2000, my husband and I were married at The Yacht Club Gazebo. The Pavilion was just a glimmer in Disney's eye at this point but even so, our wedding was glorious. The event was so spectacular, we launched a website devoted to information pertaining to weddings at Disney World and Disneyland. Today, the site includes dozens of reviews, hundreds of pictures, a source for Disney-themed wedding invitations, and a mailing list devoted to couples getting married and/or honeymooning at Disney. Visit us and you'll find just about EVERYTHING you need to know about getting married at Walt Disney World.But, here is the basic information you need to begin planning your Fairy Tale Wedding.
What Can Disney Offer
Disney really can make your dreams come true. . .no matter what they are. Are you the type that wants to be ultra-involved with each and every aspect of wedding planning? Well, that's just fine because Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings department will assign a personal wedding coordinator to work with you and your family to create the perfect wedding event. From ceremony location to the reception menu to the musical entertainment, your coordinator is with you every step of the way.
If you prefer to have someone do it all for you, no problem. Disney's coordinators are trained to ask the right questions, determine what you want and make it happen. Your level of involvement is up to you. Disney generally begins planning a wedding eight months before the big day. However, intimate weddings can be coordinated in as little as a week depending on availability!
Gorgeous wedding locations run the gambit from garden gazebos to beach fronts to Cinderella's Castle. Ride in Cinderella's Coach or arrive in a horse-pulled carriage. Host a cocktail hour aboard a 44-foot private yacht sailing the Seven Seas Lagoon in front of The Magic Kingdom. Invite Mickey and Minnie to your reception--don't worry they have their own wedding attire. The options are bounded only by your imagination.
What Cost Happiness?
If you live in a large city like New York, Chicago or Los Angeles, you'll find Disney's prices to be very competitive. In our case, our wedding costs thousands less than a comparable wedding here in New York City would have been. With careful planning, you can keep costs down. There are basically four types of Disney weddings to fit your individual needs. An Intimate Wedding is geared towards those having a handful of guests. A Destination Wedding is ideal for those inviting 20 or fewer guests. A Custom Wedding is the most flexible package and is meant for anyone with a guest list larger than 20 people. An In-Park Wedding is when your ceremony and reception take place in either The Magic Kingdom, EPCOT or Disney's MGM-Studios.
Destination Wedding
If you're planning a somewhat small wedding, Disney's Destination Wedding Package would be ideal. The maximum number of guests you can host is 20. Wedding ceremonies take place at the Wedding Pavilion. (Available times from 5:30pm on Sunday through Friday at noon.) Receptions can be held at Disney's Polynesian Resort, Contemporary Resort or Disney's Bonnet Creek Golf Club. Included with this package is: your choice of officiant; organist for the ceremony; ceremony and reception flowers; three (3) hour limousine charter for the bride and groom to ceremony and reception; six (6) hour VIP transportation charter for all guests to and from ceremony and reception; complete food and beverage package for the reception (including alcoholic beverages); wedding cake (choose from four beautiful styles); a disc jockey or string trio for the reception, and two (2) Disney Characters to appear at the reception.
As of February 5, 1998, the package price for a Destination Wedding is $8,500 (inclusive of 19% service charge and 6% sales tax).
You must guarantee a certain number of hotel room nights when booking a Destination Wedding. The number of rooms you must book is based on the number of guests attending. You must guarantee 10 room nights when inviting up to nine guests. You must guarantee 25 room nights when inviting 10-20 guests. This may seem like a lot but you'll be surprised how quickly the rooms add up! Most often your guests will stay for more than one night. For example, if you invite five couples and they all stay for two-nights, you've already met your minimum room requirement. If you book more than 25 room nights, a complimentary room will be provided for the bride and groom on their wedding night.
What's not included in the Destination Wedding Package? Your photographer, videographer, formal wear, invitations, and wedding favors. The prices may be daunting at first, but believe us. . .it will all be worth it when you walk down the aisle!
Custom Disney Wedding
The Custom Wedding is meant for couples who wish to have a large wedding. There is no limit on the number of guests you can invite. There is a minimum expenditure (plus service charge and sales tax) that you must meet. Items that count toward this expenditure include food and beverage, music, entertainment, flowers, decorations, special transportation, Wedding Pavilion or other wedding ceremony site fees. As of March 1, 1998, the minimum expenditure for a Custom Wedding at Walt Disney World is $10,000. [The minimum was actually lowered from $12,500 to $10,000 in early March 1998.]
Disney will create a special menu designed especially for your wedding reception. If your celebration begins before 2pm, you must spend at least $75 per person (plus service charge and sales tax) on food and beverages. If your celebration begins after 2pm, the per person fee is $100 (plus service charge and sales tax). The food and beverage requirement is made up of hors d'oeuveres, alcoholic beverages, appetizers, plated or buffet dinners, dessert and wedding cake.
Fifty room nights must also be guaranteed if you are having 41-75 guests, and 75 room nights for 76 or more guests. Most often, fulfilling this requirement is not a problem since many of your guests will choose to make your wedding celebration at Disney into a family vacation. With the Custom Wedding Package, Disney offers a complimentary room for the bride and groom on their wedding night.
Of course, there are elements of the wedding that are not included in the Custom Package and must be paid for separately (in addition to your minimum expenditure). These elements include your officiant to perform the ceremony, a photographer, a videographer, formal wear, invitations, wedding favors, welcome baskets for your guests, etc.
Intimate Disney Wedding
For couples who are planning a very small wedding with six guests or less, Disney's Intimate Wedding package may be perfect for you. The key here is how many guests you are planning to invite. The Intimate Wedding package is a great deal but it only includes facilities for up to six guests. If there are more than six guests accompanying you, Disney will offer you a "Destination Wedding." The prices rise once you embark on planning a Destination Wedding.
The 1998 Intimate Wedding Package includes four nights accommodations at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, Disney's Polynesian Resort, Disney's Yacht or Beach Club Resorts, Disney's Grand Floridian Beach Resort and Spa, and Disney's BoardWalk Inn or Villas; unlimited admission for two to the Disney parks; a deluxe wedding ceremony with a cake and champagne reception at a variety of locations; one romantic basket filled with personal items delivered to the couple's room; two dinner coupons valid for an elegant dining experience at Victoria & Albert's in Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa; three (3) hour limousine charter (for use during Disney Resort stay); spa gift certificates; on-site wedding coordinator; officiant services; choice of violinist or flautist or guitarist for ceremony and reception; flowers; and more.
Deluxe Intimate Package includes ceremony at a variety of outdoor locations. Package price starts at $3,300 per couple. Premium Intimate Package includes ceremony at Disney's Wedding Pavilion (including organist) available Monday through Thursdays. Package prices start at $4,100 per couple.
In-Park Weddings
These weddings carry an additional cost but they are truly spectacular. You can get married in front of Cinderella's Castle at night after the park is closed. Your "I Do's" can be capped off with a fireworks extravaganza meant for just you and your guests. Your cocktail reception can be held outdoors in the courtyard between the Castle and the carousel. Then, move your party back into the Castle for a dinner at Cinderella's Round Table restaurant.
EPCOT wedding locations are equally stunning. The Italy Pavilion, and English Gardens in the U.K. Pavilion are current favorites. You can also host a wonderful dessert party during the viewing of IllumiNations laser and fireworks show in the evening!
Have you always wanted to be a movie star? Then why not get married in front of Mann's Chinese Theater at Disney's MGM-Studios? It's a wedding memory few have!
Where To Get More Information
Call Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings department at (407) 828-3400 and request an information package and video. You can also visit the official Disney website.
Booking Your Wedding With a Disney Wedding Representative
Disney's Fairy Tale Wedding offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 6:00pm. You will work with a Disney Wedding Sales Manager during the initial stages of booking your wedding. "Site inspections" are available and should be scheduled in advance with your Wedding Sales Manager. It is recommended that you determine availability of your preferred wedding dates in advance of your visit to Walt Disney World. Once your wedding plans are definite, you will be assigned to a Disney Wedding Event Manager.
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