"Magical, wonderful, romantic. . .perfect."
That's what most couples say to me after their wedding at Walt Disney World in
Orlando, Florida. Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings department began assisting
couples with their wedding day plans for over five years. During the first year
or so, weddings took place at the hotels, most notably The Grand Floridian
Resort, The Yacht Club and The Polynesian. In Disney built the beautiful Wedding
Pavilion as an additional ceremony location. The resort now hosts over 2,000
nuptials every year!
But, here, exclusively for The Ultimate Internet Wedding Guide, 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.
Brides without borders
The Age, Australia -
7 hours ago
Finally, princesses who simply must have a fairytale
wedding will find that their dreams come true at Disneyland,
California (disneyland.disney.go.com). ...
Touchstone gets 'Wedding Banned'
Variety, CA - 4
hours ago
Mandeville has wrapped "Traitor" for Oveture and
"Beverly Hills Chihuahua" for Disney. They are shooting "The
Surrogates" and "The Proposal" for Touchstone, ...
Broadway's Mary Poppins set to tour with show
San Francisco Chronicle,
USA - 18 hours ago
Now the two original Broadway stars of "Mary Poppins,"
will take the stage version of Disney's hit movie musical
across the country. ...
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.
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.
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.
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!
