Wedding bells are in the air (well, if all of those Christmas-marriage-proposal-themed jewelry ads are any indication), and that might make Disney fans dream of getting hitched at their favorite place on earth. Weddings at Walt Disney World feature a wide variety of options and prices that may not be as expensive as some couples might think. The ceremonies and receptions can be as lavish or as simple as the bride and groom wish, but since all of the choices may at first seem overwhelming, here are 5 things to know about Walt Disney World weddings:
1. There are three pricing tiers
Much like many wedding cakes, Disney weddings feature three levels of sweetness. Couples who have a big wedding budget can choose a completely customizable celebration from the Wishes Collection menu. These events start at $12,000 and the price just goes up from there. Disney says its Wishes Collection is its most popular. Another option is the Escape Collection, which is meant for up to 18 friends and family members (not counting the bride and groom). Escape Collection events begin at $5,000. And the most affordable ceremony is found in the Memories Collection. Ceremonies in this category start at $2,495 and are meant for four guests of the bride and groom. Many couples also choose the Memories Collection for vow renewals. There are minimum expenditures for each collection, and there are some restrictions to keep in mind in some of them. For example, Memories Collection events are only held at specific times on weekdays, and most elements of that collection and the Escape Collection can’t be changed.
2. There are many venues to choose from
So once couples have a budget and a number of guests in mind, here comes the fun part: Selecting where to have the ceremony. Each of the collections mentioned above has its own options. For example, the Wishes Collection includes the opportunity to get married at Disney’s Wedding Pavilion, the Victorian chapel near the Grand Floridian that’s surrounded by a lagoon and offers a view of Cinderella Castle in the background. Other ceremony locations in this collection include several options at Epcot, such as the United Kingdom, China and Germany courtyards; ballrooms at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, Contemporary Resort and Grand Floridian Resort; and even the Walt Disney World Railroad Train Station right inside the Magic Kingdom.
Venue choices in the Escape Collection are more limited, and include the Wedding Pavilion, Canada Terrace in Epcot, Sea Breeze Point at the BoardWalk Inn and the wedding gazebo at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. And the Memories Collection offers the chance to have a ceremony at the Conch Key Marina at the Grand Floridian Resort or Luau Beach at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.
3. And the choices don’t stop there
The best part about Disney weddings (besides their awesome location) is that Disney can arrange every element of an event. All a bride and groom has to do is to choose what they want from a selection of cakes, music, food, flowers, photo and video options and transportation choices, and Disney can make it happen — for a fee, of course. Disney’s chefs are even willing to whip up a family recipe to serve at the reception if the couple requests that.
Couples can plan their trips from afar by using Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons website, but those who will be in Florida before the big day can make an appointment to visit Franck’s Studio near the Wedding Pavilion. The summerhouse serves as a one-stop shop for planning the big day — and it’s even named after Martin Short’s memorable wedding planning character from the “Father of the Bride” movies.
4. There are special touches that only Disney can provide
Where else can Mickey and Minnie “crash” a reception? Characters can actually make appearances (though Goofy cannot serve as a best man and Daisy can’t be a maid of honor, sadly). Up to two characters can appear during receptions only, for 30-minute increments. Disney also offers the chance to arrive storybook-style in Cinderella’s Coach and hire Major Domo, a gentleman in a Renaissance costume who will bring the rings down the aisle in a glass slipper. Couples can also hire “tacky tourists” or “uninvited wedding guests” to provide entertainment at their reception with improvisational comedy and then finish off the night with their own private fireworks show.
5. Disney weddings aren’t just limited to WDW
While the Florida resort has the most options, other Disney properties can host events too. Disneyland in California offers variations of the Wishes and Escape collections, and ceremonies can also be arranged on the Disney Cruise Line’s ships. Another option is to get married at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina on Oʻahu. There, a Wishes Collection event is a little more reasonable, starting at $8,200 for a ceremony in a courtyard, patio, lawn or even a private estate overlooking the ocean. A Hawaiian Escape Collection wedding begins at $3,900 and the venue choices are Alohi Point, which is right near the Pacific, or Kula Wai, a quiet spot for twilight ceremonies that’s between two whirlpools.
Couples who choose Disney ceremonies have the added benefit of not needing to travel for their honeymoons — and the sites are some of the top honeymoon destinations in the world. Disney wedding prices are also comparable to wedding costs in many other cities. So once most of the major decisions are made — on the collection, location, entertainment and more — then comes what might be the biggest question: whom to invite? Brides and grooms might find themselves facing a long list of people who’d love to receive an invitation to their special event!
