Urgent help needed: How long to book Disney wedding?

[Phantasia]

Figured someone on this board might be able to give me a rapid response ...

The BF and I were just talking and think we might want to get married at WDW when we're there from Sep 28-Oct 9. So ... that's about two-three weeks from now.

Does anyone know ... can you book a wedding with Disney on such short notice? I looked up and down the website and couldn't find anything to answer my question. I've contacted them, but haven't heard back yet.

Thanks!!!

[Twinkletoes77705]

Oh good luck and I really hope it works out for you. That is my biggest regret EVER! DO it!!!!!!!!!!

[Phantasia]

Oh good luck and I really hope it works out for you. That is my biggest regret EVER! DO it!!!!!!!!!!

Well ... it's looking like it might not be possible. On another board I saw that they need 21 days notice for an Intimate Wedding (and that info was from 2006), and that would put it on our very last day in FLA. And that's if I call and book today!

The BF and I have been together forever, and we just came upon the idea since the whole family will be on this Disney vacation with us, so they'd all be there.

Neither of us wants a big traditional wedding, so it seemed perfect.

[offwego]

Well ... it's looking like it might not be possible. On another board I saw that they need 21 days notice for an Intimate Wedding (and that info was from 2006), and that would put it on our very last day in FLA. And that's if I call and book today!

The BF and I have been together forever, and we just came upon the idea since the whole family will be on this Disney vacation with us, so they'd all be there.

Neither of us wants a big traditional wedding, so it seemed perfect.

A not as perfect but close to perfect might be to do one "yourself" by contacting WDW Dine and arranging a private room (say at Cali Grill or Jiko's off the top of my head) and arranging a private officiant to join your party to perform the ceremony.

I'm pretty sure that's allowed (albeit less formal perhaps than what you wanted but I'm not sure what scale of event you were thinking)

[DizneyRox]

Well ... it's looking like it might not be possible. On another board I saw that they need 21 days notice for an Intimate Wedding (and that info was from 2006), and that would put it on our very last day in FLA. And that's if I call and book today!

The BF and I have been together forever, and we just came upon the idea since the whole family will be on this Disney vacation with us, so they'd all be there.

Neither of us wants a big traditional wedding, so it seemed perfect.

If you called, I'm sure you now know the price... Good luck!

[Twinkletoes77705]

I agree with above. I would try to arrange it myself! It might not be AS big...but wow...I wish I would have done that. I now want to renew vows on our 15th anniversary! Just 2 more years to go! Please let us know...I am pulling for ya. You could even do it on the beach at the Poly.

[Suz36]

Can't help with any info, but wow! Congrats and good luck!

[LittleRoosMommy]

Congratulations! Hope it all works out for you!!

[Phantasia]

Thanks for the congrats and the well-wishes, everyone!

It is very exciting, but both BF and I are still figuring out if this is what we want to do. We're leaning toward it because, well, we both really want to be married, and because almost everyone we would possibly want to be at our wedding will be there, vacation in Disney with us.

But ... that leaves me with the challenge of planning a wedding from start to finish in two weeks!

Or we'll just chicken out...

[Tick-Tock]

How exciting!

If you decide to go forward with it, don't forget about the marriage license requirements.

[Phantasia]

How exciting!

If you decide to go forward with it, don't forget about the marriage license requirements.

It looks as though, for Canadian residents, there are no requirements. Other than passports to prove you are who you say. (And $93.50.)

... And we're inching closer and closer to actually doing this. Would be letting my parents in on the secret tonight!

[momofdisneyprincess]

How exciting! Please keep us posted if you are able to pull this off. Good luck!

[TheVBs]

Congratulations and good luck! I have no doubt that someone at Disney can make this happen for you. Please keep us posted!

[mouseketeer mom]

What's the hurry? Why not plan a second trip down and take your time so its not so hectic?

[Phantasia]

What's the hurry? Why not plan a second trip down and take your time so its not so hectic?

The only reason for the hurry is that most of our family will be going down with us ... and it will be the last time for at least a few years that everyone will be able to afford it. And, so, unless I want to wait another 3+ years to get married, if I want a Disney wedding it is now or never.

So, it appears that 30 days notice IS the minimum for Escape Weddings, but there are lots of places that will do weddings on this short notice. Some just off Disney property, others that are independent companies on Disney Property, like the Buena Vista Palace, Regal Sun, Swan/Dolphin, Fulton's Crab House, etc. And, of course, there is Celebration.

I have to be honest, we're losing steam on the idea a bit. I have absolutely no doubt that we'd be able to get it all organized, but there is the question of should we rush it. That is ... how much do we really want to be married in Florida? Or take the time to get properly engaged, and spend time enjoying planning the wedding. (Of course, giving me a timeline is always a good idea ... I can't imagine stressing over details for a year!!)

As one earlier poster mentioned, the idea of doing the ceremony at a Downtown Disney hotel, and then having the wedding dinner somewhere at a Disney resort sounded really appealing. When I look at people's photos from off-property, compared to those ON property ... well, it reminds me that Disney-run properties are really beautiful, beautiful things.

Seriously, any advice appreciated. I'm super torn right now.

[thumperbug]

When my hubby and I were thinking about how, when etc to get married, we looked into a Disney wedding. We already had a vacation planned and figured we would get married while we are there. The price for just the two of us was nuts...we were planning to elope anyway so we went to a justice of the peace on the morning we were leaving for our trip and then made the Disney vacation a honeymoon. When we got back from vacation everyone asked how the vacation was and we told them "we made it a honeymoon". Since your family is going to be at Disney with you to celebrate, why not consider a justice of the peace at home before you go then everyone can share in the celebrating at Disney.

[TheVBs]

I know it must be really difficult to figure out what to do right now. I can imagine being in your position and I would be torn too!

I think what you need to do is sit down with your fiance and talk about what's important to you on your wedding day. How do you want it to go? Talk about how it would play out if you did it on this trip and if you're happy with that - go for it! If you want it to go a particular way and it just won't happen that way unless you wait, then wait. It's your wedding day, make sure it goes the way you want it to go. Rushing it is fine as long as you're happy with it.

[teambricker04]

I can't help with the WDW aspect of this... but, I got married in FL (and in a jiffy as well!) and you can get married in FL by a notary which is different than in a lot of states. My aunt was a notry in FL so we did it on St. Pete Beach and then honeymooned at WDW. It was super easy and perfect. I agree... if WDW can't do it, then book a room and find someone to marry you! A DIY WDW Wedding!

[passholderryan]

My wife and I got married at the Swan/Dolphin in April 2008. It was incredible. Because they have a huge convention center there, they should be capable of handling a wedding on short notice. A great location, which we had, was outside the swan just to the right of the bridge that takes you to the Boardwalk. It was outdoors and easily sat 100. We then had an indoor/outdoor cocktail hour followed by a reception inside the Swan. They took care of everything. We did most of the other booking from my home computer....Photographer/Music/Flowers/. But they can handle that as well. There is a link on swandolphin.com that has a link for their weddings.
PM me if you want to see some photos. We had the Swan/Dolphin/Boardwalk in all the photos.

[Twinkletoes77705]

It is so hard to tell others anything. I am not one that "dreamed" of getting married. I did not "plan" what my dress would be...etc. My husband and I rented costumes and had a renissance (sp) wedding. It was awesome. I am not this traditional type of girl. I am more an emotional type...flower and white gowns dont make me happy...DISNEY WORLD does...hehehe. If I had gone there b4 I got married...my wedding would have been there. However if your the type of person that dreamed of how your wedding would be and all that stuff...you might wanna wait so it can be just what YOU want. Let us know what you decide. Good luck...either way...you will have a wonderful trip!