Weddings at WDW

[sigmaqt95]

I have been doing some research on getting married at WDW and have not had a whole lot of luck on finding info other than the vague descriptions on the official site. Although we are not engaged yet, we are planning a trip to Disney World in October of '09 with his two kids and have brought up the idea.

Is it true that you can not get married on WDW property for less than $4,000? We thought this would be an inexpensive alternative and if the $4,000 minimum is true, it would defenitly not be- especially since it would be just the two of us and the two kids.

Thanks for any info!

[Strmchsr]

Well, since I'm pastor you can give me a paid trip to WDW and I'll marry you guys for a whole lot less than $4000.

Seriously, though, that number is about right for the official WDW weddings. It's ridiculously expensive. If you want more details I'd suggest ordering the planning DVD off the Disney Weddings website. It shows you what you get for that money.

[LilOrmstonViolet38]

I was planning to get married at WDW, and i have all the WDW wedding info... i think the minimum was 10,500 if i read everything right. and that is with only 6 guests. that is for an official wedding. and there are a ton of places to get married, but my opinion was $$$$ unfortunately WDW does not approve of getting married without a full fledged WDW wedding. I was planning on just having a pastor i knew do it on CB's beach... it would have been sweet and cheap. but it's not really WDW approved. i was told that they typically won't stop you but i guess it's not approved. maybe it is i don't really know. i stopped looking into it when DH parents said they were not going to WDW for a wedding. oh well. Honeymoon was great at CB anyway!

ahh i finally found the wedding planning video from WDW. 10,000 fri-sun. 7,500 for a weekday wedding and reception. MK minimum is 55,000... wow. first night room is complimentary... and they have a great website where you can order the video at disneyweddings.com

[ariel326]

We got married 10 years ago on the lake right in front of Magic Kingdom. Called a JP before we went, used a cab to take us to get a marriage licence when we arrived, very easy to obtain, rented a boat at the Poly. Our parents were there and my aunt and uncle it was a great memory. After we had lunch at GF and ordered a cake for there. We still got married at WDW instead of $$$$$ it was only a couple hundred.

[DizneyRox]

That number sounds correct for an official WDW wedding. That's a starting point and for an intimate wedding. Once you start inviting guests, the prices go up exponentially.

We went in the hole about $35,000 or so for ours (40 guests), including Cinderella's Carriage, the Wedding Pavillion, reception, welcoming party, limos, entertainment, floral, food, photography, etc.

Best $35K I ever spent, wouldn't change a thing if I could!

[Jasper]

We don't know anyone who has been married at WDW but we have seen people getting married on the beaches a couple of times. Since the ones we saw consisted of just like 5-10 people at a max., I have to believe those were being done without WDW permission.

While I can't speak with authority on the subject I have a feeling that if the entire cast of characters is limited to say no more than about 10 people total and if the ceremony is kept to under say 15 minutes or so, and as long as you are not getting in anyone's way I think you probably be allowed to do it. Heck, it would probably take security 10 or 15 minutes to get out to you so you could be married and heading into the resort before they even get there!

If you can't do the expensive version why not look at something simple and "unofficial?" Who says you have to keep up with the "Jones'?)

[thumperbug]

DH and I eloped 8 yrs ago. We were planning a trip to WDW and thought...lets make it a honeymoon. We had looked into the cost of just saying "I do" at the wedding pavillion. It was at least $2,000 at the time and came with certain perks that "had" to be included so there was no way to cut down the price.

So, 2 hours before heading to the airport to go on the trip we went to a justice of the peace and got hitched, then made the trip our honeymoon.

When we got back and people asked how the vacation was, we just said "It was a great honeymoon".

[luv_cinderella]

Since the ones we saw consisted of just like 5-10 people at a max., I have to believe those were being done without WDW permission.

I would find that a bit hard to believe. I think Disney keeps a fairly good watch of their grounds in this day and age. (at least, I sure hope they do!) Also, my husband and I were married there two years ago and our entire party (including us) was ten people. It was because we had an "Intimate Wedding" and were limited to 10 due to our site.

[sigmaqt95]

I guess we won't be even thinking of getting married at WDW! There is no way ever that I would pay $4,000 for a 15 minute ceremony. There would only be the 2 of us and two children Absolutely ridiculous!

Does anyone know if the cruise line works the same way?

I just don't want to even waste the time watching a DVD and getting my hopes up if there is no way that we would ever be doing it.

So much for my dream wedding

[DizneyRox]

Does anyone know if the cruise line works the same way?

I would imagine so, best bet would be to contact Disney. DIsney ain't cheap, but in all honesty, I found at the time, the value was unmatched. There's not a chance I could have gotten a similar wedding at the local cookie cutter wedding sites for even close to what I spent at Disney.

Lately though, the value of a Disney anything is rapidly slipping.

[celebrationasheley]

I got married at the Wedding Pavilion in 2004. The wedding was beautiful. And Disney works with your budget. I believe I hear din the past that they are planning on having a Boardwalk pavilion for weddings on a budget.
If you have any questions feel free....

[celebrationasheley]

Sand weddings are an option. Including everywhere else on Disney Property. Officiants are not disney castmembers. After signing the contract and holding the date and time, the wedding staff gives you a list of officiants if you don't have one. And DJ's are the same way. They must sign a contract through Disney if they don't have one already.

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . I have a feeling that if the entire cast of characters is limited to say no more than about 10 people total and if the ceremony is kept to under say 15 minutes or so, and as long as you are not getting in anyone's way I think you probably be allowed to do it . . .

1) No.
2) Weddings are a money-making venture for WDW.
3) And, they guard it closely.
4) Security can get there quickly to break it up, and they do.
. . . CM's do watch wedding parties, usually to keep others away
. . . if you are not seen being escorted, someone is supposed to ask
. . . if not permitted, security can come pretty fast
5) I saw one pretty embarrassed (and mad) bride.
. . . she was being escorted through the WL lobby
. . . she was yelling all the way
. . . she said how Disney had spoiled her wedding
6) But, it was her fault for trying to cheat the system.

NOTE: If your business revenue was reduced by someone using your equipment or property without your permission, would you complain or try to forbid it? Disney is the same way. They have a wedding business, and should be able to profit from it. If people do not want to pay, then they can go to a church, town hall or JP. Sorry, but in the case, I side with Disney.

[luv_cinderella]

1) No.
2) Weddings are a money-making venture for WDW.
3) And, they guard it closely.
4) Security can get there quickly to break it up, and they do.
. . . CM's do watch wedding parties, usually to keep others away
. . . if you are not seen being escorted, someone is supposed to ask
. . . if not permitted, security can come pretty fast
5) I saw one pretty embarrassed (and mad) bride.
. . . she was being escorted through the WL lobby
. . . she was yelling all the way
. . . she said how Disney had spoiled her wedding
6) But, it was her fault for trying to cheat the system.

NOTE: If your business revenue was reduced by someone using your equipment or property without your permission, would you complain or try to forbid it? Disney is the same way. They have a wedding business, and should be able to profit from it. If people do not want to pay, then they can go to a church, town hall or JP. Sorry, but in the case, I side with Disney.

Thank you! My point exactly!

Is it a shame some people can't afford a Disney wedding? Yes. Am I glad I was married in 2006 when it was $2500 for an Intimate Wedding? Yes. But should someone expressly and purposely go against rules and regulations because they want to "get away" with something? NO

[FUN]

wow thats high in price

[TheRustyScupper]

wow thats high in price

1) Yes, but the costs AFTER the wedding are higher.
2) Think of it as a down payment for the marriage.
. . . and houses
. . . and cars
. . . and appliances
. . . and kids
. . . and college
. . . and grandkids
. . . and vacations
. . . and insurance
. . . and groceries
. . . and boy/girl scouts
. . . and furniture
. . . and mortgages
. . . and summer camp
. . . and orthodontics
3) Maybe the WDW wedding costs are not that bad after all.

[sigmaqt95]

The price is just really discouraging. We don't want a reception, dj, or any of that stuff. It would just be a simple ceremony. There is no way ever am I paying $4,000 for a ceremony. It's ridiculous!

[jolietjake83]

You can get an intimate wedding at several different locations for 20 people or less including the bride and groom. for the $4000 you get the following:
 On-Site Wedding Coordinator

 Choice of fresh flower bouquet for the Bride and fresh flower boutonniere for Groom

 Violinist for ceremony/cake cutting (Organist & Violinist at Wedding Pavilion)

 Two tier wedding cake, keepsake cake topper and one (1) bottle of Fairy Tale Cuvee
for the toast

 Four (4) consecutive hour limousine charter for transportation to and from the ceremony/reception.

 Two (2) Adult Annual Passes for the Walt Disney World theme parks.

check out {site removed per Terms of Service} there is alot of good info there.

[TheRustyScupper]

The price is just really discouraging. We don't want a reception, dj, or any of that stuff. It would just be a simple ceremony. There is no way ever am I paying $4,000 for a ceremony. It's ridiculous!

1) Nothing at WDW is cheap.
2) Including weddings.
3) Like anything else at WDW, you do it or decide not to do it.

[sigmaqt95]

I think we are going to go to Jamaica. For $4,000 we can all go for a week, all inclusive AND get married for free. The Disney trip will just have to wait.