Planning a Disney World wedding in Orlando is an exciting journey filled with magical possibilities. As Orlando wedding planners based in this enchanting city, we’ve had the privilege of helping thousands of happy couples make their dream weddings a reality. We’ve honed our Disney wedding planning expertise since 1992, and we’ve got all of the best-kept insider tips!
Curious about which venues to scope out on property and how you can save money on your Disney World wedding? We’re sharing all that, plus our best kept secret: why hiring an outside planner can be one of the most beneficial decisions for your big day. Read on to get all of your most pressing Disney wedding questions answered!
Which Locations Should You Consider for Your Disney World Wedding?
One of the best things about Disney World weddings is the huge variety of venue choices. From numerous theme park locations to incredible (and affordable!) off-property Disney area venues, you’re sure to find one that fulfills your Disney wedding dreams! Let’s spotlight a few of our absolute favorites:
ON-PROPERTY DISNEY WORLD VENUES
Disney’s Wedding Pavilion. Located at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, the Wedding Pavilion offers a stunning setting with views of Cinderella’s Castle across the Seven Seas Lagoon. This ceremony venue is a sophisticated choice for those who dream of an elegant Disney World wedding. And, have no fear on a rain call – this beautiful indoor venue alleviates the stress of having to worry about a rainy day!
Our insider tip: you can relax before your ceremony in one of the beautiful suites included in the Pavilion, complete with Disney touches like a clock that never strikes midnight and hidden Mickey’s throughout the décor! When it’s time to walk down the aisle to begin your Happily Ever After, your Just Marry! planner will know just where to find you!
EPCOT’s World Showcase. Ideal for couples who adore travel and culture, EPCOT’s World Showcase allows you to tie the knot in a setting inspired by countries around the world. From a romantic ceremony in the Italy Pavilion to an intimate celebration in Japan, there are great options for any time of year. Our team loves a romantic winter wedding on a chilly morning in Canada! If this sounds ideal for you, keep in mind that weddings inside the theme parks typically require that you book a ceremony before or after park hours, which means you will either be up quite early or out quite late celebrating your nuptials.
Disney’s Boardwalk Resort. Inspired by the turn-of-the-century Atlantic City boardwalk, this venue provides a whimsical backdrop for your wedding, offering options for ceremonies on the lawn or receptions in the ballroom. A wonderful option for a Disney World wedding at just about any time of year, Seabreeze Pointe with its beautiful sunsets is not to be missed. Talk about “golden hour” photos!
Cinderella’s Castle at Magic Kingdom. For the ultimate fairy tale wedding, exchanging vows in front of Cinderella’s Castle is unparalleled. This iconic location offers a truly magical backdrop for your ceremony, which you can complete with a ride in Cinderella’s carriage. Because, as with other theme park venues, these ceremonies usually take place before or after park hours, we love this option for spring or fall weddings at Disney World.
OFF-PROPERTY DISNEY WORLD VENUES
Looking to have a Disney wedding with more flexibility at a lower cost? Host it at an off-property Disney venue! Some couples may choose this option if they are looking for lower minimums for food and beverage or venue rentals, more freedom to use any vendor of their choosing, or to save on per-person menu prices. Check out some of our favorite Disney area wedding venues:
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin. Nestled in the heart of the Walt Disney World Resort, this iconic venue offers a variety of stunning event spaces. From a sun-dappled terrace bordering the EPCOT Resorts waterway to an intimate courtyard featuring a romantic fountain, the WDW Swan and Dolphin offers the perfect setting for your Disney World wedding. This venue is also ideal for intimate ceremonies and destination weddings. Want to surprise your guests with a visit from Mickey, Minnie, or one of their friends? You can do that at the WDW Swan and Dolphin Resort!
Walt Disney World Swan Reserve. The newest addition to the WDW Swan and Dolphin collection, the WDW Swan Reserve offers a more sophisticated setting for a Disney World wedding. Modern elegance and a stunning rooftop ceremony space boasting panoramic views of the Walt Disney World Resort make the WDW Swan Reserve one of the most sought-after Disney wedding venues. Our favorite feature? The unbeatable views of Disney’s nightly fireworks from the Vue Terrace!
Paddlefish Disney Springs. Overlooking the peaceful waters of Disney Springs, Paddlefish offers ceremonies aboard an iconic paddleboat. With its expansive rooftop deck and beautiful interiors, Paddlefish provides a memorable setting for a wedding that combines elegance with a touch of whimsy. Paddlefish couples have flexible options for intimate ceremonies on weekdays, and ceremony and receptions any day of week. This budget-friendly Disney venue is a great option for everyone!
Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek. The Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek is a hidden gem among Disney Wedding venues. We consider this property one of our best insider secrets! From its picturesque poolside deck to elegant ballrooms with spectacular views, this Disney Good Neighbor hotel presents a versatile setting for any wedding style. Ask us about the amazing Horizon room that has views of Disney’s fireworks!
Evermore Resort. Evermore Resort offers a new, premier wedding experience just moments from Walt Disney World. This sprawling resort features a stunning array of wedding space options, from an intimate lakeside to grand ballrooms, catering to weddings of all sizes with a touch of luxury and exclusivity. Book a honeymoon to follow in one of Evermore’s amazing flats and enjoy the stunning lagoon in the heart of the resort!
How to Save Money on Your Disney World Wedding
With wedding minimums starting at $15,000, Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings might not be the most budget-friendly option for everyone. So how can you have an enchanting Disney World wedding on a budget? Here are our top tips:
TIMING
Who says you have to get married on a Saturday? When you’re at Disney on vacation, every day is a Saturday! By booking a weekday wedding, you can count on lower minimums for many Disney wedding locations. And if you’re working with Just Marry!, we’ve got connections to vendors who offer intimate weekday wedding rates that will fit within your budget!
LOCATION
Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings are priced differently based on the location you choose. For example, the Wedding Pavilion and Cinderella’s Castle will come with a higher premium compared to one of the EPCOT’s World Showcase locations or a location on a resort property, such as Oak Manor or the Croquet Lawn.
Our insider tip: Picking an off-property Disney venue like the WDW Swan and Dolphin, WDW Swan Reserve, or Paddlefish Disney Springs opens up some wiggle room in your budget, with offerings such as Ceremony Only events, restaurant receptions with lower food and beverage minimums, brunch reception options, and more! You can also book these venues through Just Marry!, giving you the added bonus of a trusted planner by your side throughout your planning. Off-property Disney World weddings with Just Marry! start at just $950 plus the venue’s site fee for a Disney elopement. If there are any services you would like to add to your package from there, your Just Marry! planner will be happy to assist you!
FULL SERVICE WEDDING PLANNING
Booking Full Service Wedding Planning with Just Marry! can be one of the best financial decisions you make! From helping you create your budget (and stick to it!) to negotiating your contracts and finding you the best vendors within your budget, you’ll find that Full Service planning pays for itself while offering you invaluable peace of mind.
REDUCE YOUR GUEST COUNT
This is actually our top wedding planning tip for every couple! The biggest expense for any wedding is typically the food and beverage, so the more people you have to feed, the more money you should expect to spend. And, hey–micro weddings are all the rage!
PRIORITIZE YOUR MUST-HAVES
What aspects of your Disney wedding are most important to you? Is it the venue, the photography, character appearances, or something else? Allocate more of your budget to your highest priority items and find ways to save on less important ones.
DIY WHERE POSSIBLE
For aspects of the wedding that aren’t strictly controlled by Disney, such as invitations or favors, consider DIYing those elements. Just keep in mind that Disney’s team doesn’t have time to assist with placing DIY décor items on the wedding day, which is one reason it’s very helpful to have the help of an outside wedding planner!
CONSIDER A RESTAURANT RECEPTION
This is a highly effective way to save money on a Disney wedding. Orlando is home to hundreds of award-winning restaurants in the Disney area, many of which feature private dining spaces perfect for intimate receptions at an affordable price.
EXPLORE HOTEL DISCOUNTS
Ask us about group discounts on accommodations for you and your guests. Staying at certain Disney resorts also offers additional benefits, like free transportation, which can save money on your visit to Orlando overall.
USE A TRAVEL AGENT SPECIALIZING IN DISNEY WEDDINGS
A travel agent with experience in Disney weddings can be invaluable for finding discounts, navigating package options, and suggesting ways to save money that you might not have considered. And guess what? We happen to be registered travel agents!
PLAN A WEDDINGMOON
There’s no better place than Walt Disney World to have a wedding and honeymoon in one! Why pay for travel to two separate locations when you’ve got all of the fun and romance you could want right here?
Why Should I Hire an Outside Wedding Planner for My Disney World Wedding?
When you think of hosting a wedding at Disney World, you probably envision booking one through Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings. That’s exactly what you’ll do if you want to host your wedding in any of Disney’s theme parks or hotels. Their team will help guide you through Disney’s many package options, connect you with their preferred vendors, and be there on the event day to ensure all of your services meet your expectations.
So why should you hire an outside wedding planner if Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings already include one?
- You deserve personalized attention. Just Marry!’s wedding planners manage only 1% of the number of weddings Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings does each year. This allows us to really get to know you as a couple so we can make customized recommendations catered to your vision and budget. This also allows us to provide you with prompt responses to the many planning questions you’re bound to have along the way. You will never be alone in your planning as a Just Marry! couple. As Lumiere said, “Put our service to the test!”
- Expertise in Disney’s logistics. Your Just Marry! planner can manage the logistics of your wedding, from coordinating travel for out-of-town guests to ensuring every detail is triple-checked on your banquet event order with Disney, allowing you to enjoy your day worry-free. By hiring us, you’re partnering with experts in the Disney venues both on and off-property. We will make sure your event goes off without a hitch.
- Knowledge of Disney’s policies. Some aspects of your wedding may need to be handled by Disney’s in-house planning team. Just Marry!’s planners are familiar with Disney’s policies, and can work alongside you and Disney’s planning team to ensure a seamless event. We will keep you informed of any changes to Disney’s rules and regulations so you aren’t surprised or disappointed when those things come up.
- Early and ongoing planning. With Just Marry!, you can start planning early…the moment you book with us, no matter how far out that may be! This allows us to help you navigate Disney’s booking timelines and policies and reserve your vendors in a timely manner. We will be with you every step of the way to answer any questions, assist with any services you need, and guide you on the big day.
- Vendor coordination. Our team will help you find vendors familiar with Disney World weddings who meet all of Disney’s requirements, ensuring they enhance your wedding experience. As a bonus, some of Just Marry!’s preferred vendor partners can be more cost-effective for you!
- Day-of Wedding Concierge services. You deserve to be treated like royalty on your wedding day! Just Marry!’s Wedding Day Concierge allows you to immerse yourself in the magic of your Disney wedding without any stress, seeing to your every need while your Just Marry! wedding planner focuses on the day-of logistics.
We hope that some of these insider tips help you navigate the ins and outs of planning your wedding at The Most Magical Place on Earth. If you’re seeking a planning partner to bring the magic and enchantment to your wedding at Disney World, we’re here for you. Contact us today to start planning the Disney World wedding of your dreams!
