Planning A Best Disney Wedding!

When it comes to bringing the magic, Disney does it best. They'll assign a wedding planner to work with you on every detail and be sure that your special day is perfect and expresses your personality and style. Since 1991 more than 45,000 couples have married at a Disney property. From glass carriages pulled by six ponies to crystal-hidden Mickeys in the bouquets, Disney has it all. All this magic does not come cheap, but they offer an extensive range of experiences and pricing. The venue choices and weddings are endless and can provide just about any architectural style or theme you can dream up. 

Start your planning by choosing from one of the many magical venues available in the vast Walt Disney World Resort. They offer over 50 venues for ceremonies and receptions, both indoor and out, in the theme parks or at the resorts. One of the most popular venues is Disney's Wedding Pavillion at the gorgeous Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. The Victorian chapel sits on a private island, surrounded by a lagoon with the iconic Cinderella Castle as a backdrop. If the Magic Kingdom is your thing, consider East Plaza Garden in the Magic Kingdom. You'll say your vows surrounded by the magic of Main Street and in front of the Cinderella Castle.

Add an international flair in Epcot Center on France's lower terrace with a view of a replica of the Eiffel Tower. Stroll the cobblestones of Germany to the central Platz and marry in a Bavarian village courtyard. It's amore in Italy where you can cross a footbridge to the private terrace where gondolas and striped mooring poles bring Venice's romance. Epcot offers 11 unique international backdrops, all sure to charm you and your guests. 

Is the beach more your scene? No problem. You'll love Luau Beach at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, where you can marry on the sugar-white sand by swaying palm trees. What better way to say "I do" than to marry in front of the iconic Tree of Life in Disney's Animal Kingdom. 

Bring a New England vibe with an intimate ceremony on a secluded beach near a sunken pirate ship at Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resort. The possibilities are endless, and Disney can deliver your dream wedding, whatever that may be. Learn more about The Best Theme Parks in Orlando.

Having a wedding at Disney does not mean there need to be Disney details infused throughout the wedding. Many people chose a Disney Fairy Tale Wedding because of the fantastic array of offered venues and forego the "Mickey Mouse." No affinity for Disney is required! If you want to add Disney details, there are many options like a castle wedding cake, mouse-ear favors, or a fireworks display at Magic Kingdom. And of course, who wouldn't want to arrive at the ceremony in Cinderella's coach. 

Disney provides a wedding planner and can take care of all the details. They're so confidant in their delivery you won't even have a rehearsal. The only details they don't handle are the hair and makeup, the officiant, and obtaining the marriage license. They do have a list of pre-approved vendors.

You can start your planning 16 months in advance and can book your date and event up to one year prior. And if you're thinking about eloping, they can set you up with 21 days' notice. 

You can pull your inspiration from your favorite Disney movie or experience, and your wedding planner will help you pull together all the details and accessories you'll need to make your day picture perfect. They will help with florals, food, and beverage, entertainment, photography, and videography. The wedding planner is included with your event fee, and they will offer a seamless experience. 

If you want to channel your favorite princess, you can check out the annual official Disney Fairy Tale Wedding Collections through Allure Bridals. You can be more subtle with your Disney vibe, how about some tasteful Minnie Mouse studs? 

When in Rome.....Why not consider themed entertainment? Your guests will love a private fireworks display, confetti cannons, or actors arriving in character to regale you. 

And arrive in style. Choose a horse-drawn landau coach, Cinderella's coach, or a vintage Ford Model A or vintage Rolls-Royce to add some elegance and drama to the day. 28.1%

Disney weddings carry a minimum expenditure for your event. The minimum is based on the ceremony venue you chose, the day of the week, and the time of day. The ceremony venue fee and wedding services are all used toward your event minimum.

Just as the Disney Resorts have various categories (value, moderate, and deluxe), the same is true of their event locations. A couple of venues outside of the parks start at $2500, but venues can go as high as $30,000 for Cinderella's Castle. Even the lowest tier of $2500 will carry a minimum of $2500 spend for florals, decor, food, etc., so the least expensive wedding is $5,000. 

The minimum spend for Cinderella's Castle is $50,000, so that's a pretty pricey experience. There are lots of other venues at the resorts that are fantastic, and the wedding coordinator and planner are both included so you can have an affordable Disney wedding. They also provide free backup plans for outdoor events in case of rain. 

If you're dreaming of a Disney World wedding on a budget, don't despair. The average cost of a wedding and reception is $28,000. At Disney, that will get you a moderate venue with 30-40 guests and a few enhancements like the cake or florals. If you are flexible, you can do better. For example, a Tuesday morning ceremony is much less expensive than a Saturday night event. A brunch wedding is a great way to cut costs. When you think of places to get married in Florida on a budget, Disney may not be your first thought, but it can be done. 

Food ads up quickly. Prices are per person, with dinner at $190, lunch at $165, and brunch at $140. This goes towards the minimum, but the sales tax and 25% labor fee do not. 

Disney offers three general options for wedding ceremonies and receptions: Memories, Escape, and Wishes. The Grand Floridian offers the Memories package with a starting price of $3,500. It comes with a ceremony for up to four people plus the couple, a violinist, a limousine charter for three hours, and a one-hour photo session with a Disney photographer. You will be required to book a two-night stay at any Disney Resort hotel. 

For some budget friendly tips, and great accommodations outside of Disney, check out Tips on Planning the Ultimate Orlando Vacation on A Budget.

Walt Disney World offers a wide selection of pre-designed and pre-selected menus for receptions, rehearsal dinner, dessert party, and farewell brunch. You can also design your own menu. Plated dinners usually include an appetizer, salad, intermezzo, entree, and dessert. Buffet and food station menus let you and your guests enjoy a variety of tastes. They offer scrumptious desserts and are happy to prepare the cake of your dreams. They did a 10-foot high castle!! 

Any locations within the park will have additional rules and stipulations. Ceremonies in front of the Tower of Terror, Tree of Life, Pandora, and the castle happen before or after park hours. So for a daylight photo, we're talking 3 am hair and makeup. Yikes!

Transportation to park venues may require going backstage (behind-the-scenes.) This involves the rental of official Disney transportation. You must use a Disney photographer. You are allowed to book up to two characters at a time for the reception, but a 30-minute appearance can cost thousands.

Stop dreaming and start planning your amazing Disney wedding now.