Your Guide to Making Disney Elopement Dreams Come True
So, can you elope at Disney World? The short answer is yes, and it is every bit as magical as you are imagining! Whether you have been dreaming of exchanging vows in front of Cinderella Castle since you were a kid or you simply want the most enchanting backdrop in the world for your intimate celebration, eloping at Disney World is absolutely possible, and here at Just Marry!, it is one of our very favorite things to help couples plan. From official on-property options to beautiful Disney-adjacent venues that offer a little more flexibility on budget, we are breaking it all down for you right here!
The Official Route: Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings
If you want to elope directly on Walt Disney World property, including inside the theme parks or at the iconic Disney resort hotels, all ceremonies must be planned through Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings and Honeymoons, which is Disney’s official wedding planning team. The good news is that they truly do it all, with over 50 beautiful venues to choose from across the resort, ranging from intimate garden spaces and resort courtyards all the way to landmark locations like the Wedding Pavilion at the Grand Floridian and various spots within EPCOT, Magic Kingdom, and beyond.
Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings offers packages for celebrations ranging from just the two of you all the way up to grand events for hundreds of guests, so there is a true elopement experience available if you want to keep things just between the two of you. One of the most exciting perks of going the official Disney route is access to experiences you simply cannot get any other way, including Cinderella’s carriage, character appearances, and exclusive theme park portrait sessions that are only available to Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings couples. If those once-in-a-lifetime Disney touches are on your must-have list, this is the path for you!
It is worth knowing that official on-property Disney ceremonies do come with a premium price tag, and many venues carry both a venue fee and a food and beverage minimum. For couples who have their hearts set on the full official Disney experience, it is a truly extraordinary investment. For couples who love the Disney magic but are working with a tighter budget, the good news is that there are some wonderful alternatives just outside the Disney bubble that still deliver all the enchantment!
Budget-Friendly Disney Elopement Options
One of the best-kept secrets in the world of Disney elopements is that you do not have to be on official Disney property to feel the magic. The area surrounding Walt Disney World is home to some truly stunning venues that offer a more accessible price point, incredible views, and in many cases, a glimpse of those famous Disney fireworks from the comfort of your own private celebration. Here are some of our absolute favorites!
Paddlefish at Disney Springs
If you want to elope at Disney Springs without going through Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings team, Paddlefish is one of our top recommendations and one of the most unique elopement venues in the entire area. This gorgeous waterfront restaurant sits right on the waterway at the heart of Disney Springs and features an expansive outdoor deck that is perfect for intimate ceremonies with stunning views. For very small guest counts, the private top-floor dining space offers an elevated and romantic experience that feels completely special and one of a kind. The combination of the Disney Springs location, the waterfront setting, and the incredible cuisine makes this one a truly magical elopement option without the official Disney price tag.
Check out our page on Paddlefish weddings page for more info!
Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
The Walt Disney World Swan Reserve is one of our personal favorites for Disney-area elopements, and for very good reason. While it is not an official Disney property, it is located right in the heart of the Disney resort area and offers some of the most breathtaking views of the surrounding Disney landscape you will find anywhere. The Vue Terrace features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Disney skyline, and couples who celebrate here get to watch the iconic Disney fireworks light up the sky as newlyweds at the end of their evening. The resort also offers on-site accommodations, free Disney transportation, and access to Disney’s Magic Hours for guests staying on property, making it one of the most complete Disney-adjacent elopement experiences available. We work here often and absolutely love it every single time!
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort
The Swan and Dolphin offers several beautiful ceremony sites including a shaded terrace overlooking the resort’s waterway and an intimate courtyard with a gorgeous fountain backdrop, all with that unmistakable Disney-adjacent magic that couples love. Like the Swan Reserve, this resort offers guests free Disney transportation and easy access to all the Disney parks and experiences, making it a wonderful hub for an elopement that doubles as a Disney vacation. The events team here is wonderful, and the variety of spaces means there is truly something for every kind of couple and every size celebration.
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
Set on 1,500 lush acres in Lake Buena Vista just minutes from Walt Disney World, the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress is one of our most popular venues for intimate celebrations and Disney-area elopements. The resort offers a variety of gorgeous ceremony spaces surrounded by beautiful natural landscape, resort-style accommodations for the couple and any guests, and the kind of full-service experience that takes every bit of the planning stress off your plate. For couples who want a Disney-adjacent elopement with a little more space, a little more privacy, and a slightly more accessible budget, the Hyatt is an absolutely wonderful choice.
Check out one of our past weddings at Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress here!
Paradise Cove Orlando
For couples dreaming of something a little more natural and tucked away, Paradise Cove is one of the most beautiful hidden gems in the entire Orlando area and an absolutely stunning option for an intimate elopement. Nestled on the peaceful shores of Lake Tibet-Butler and just a few minutes from Disney Springs, this private lakefront venue is surrounded by towering cypress trees draped in Spanish moss, a charming dock extending out over the shimmering water, and a sandy beach area that creates the most romantic and secluded atmosphere imaginable. It truly feels like you have stepped away from the rest of the world entirely, which makes it a perfect choice for couples who want their elopement to feel peaceful, intimate, and genuinely magical. The golden hour light over the water at Paradise Cove is something truly special, and we absolutely love coordinating elopements here!
Just Marry! Disney Elopement Packages
Here at Just Marry!, we have been helping couples elope in the Disney area for over 30 years, and we have truly seen and done it all! Our Disney elopement packages are designed to make the experience as seamless, stress-free, and magical as possible, whether you are planning a ceremony for just the two of you or a small intimate gathering of your nearest and dearest. Our packages start at just $1,850 plus the site fee of your chosen venue, and our experienced team will guide you through every single option to help you find the experience that fits your vision and your budget perfectly.
From helping you choose the perfect venue and connecting you with our trusted network of photographers, florists, officiants, and other vendors, to being right there by your side on the day itself to make sure every moment goes exactly as planned, we are here for all of it. We have coordinated elopements with fireworks backdrops, Cinderella’s carriage surprises, intimate waterfront ceremonies, golden hour portraits across resort grounds, and everything in between, and we would love to help you plan yours!
Let’s Make the Magic Happen!
Whether you choose to go the official Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings route for the full on-property experience or opt for one of the beautiful Disney-adjacent venues like Paddlefish, the Swan Reserve, the Swan and Dolphin, the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, or the serene lakefront setting at Paradise Cove, we promise you that the magic is very, very real. Contact Us today to learn more about our Disney elopement packages and start planning the most magical beginning to your happily ever after. We cannot wait to help make it happen!
