There are two kinds of people in this world – people who love Disney and people who don’t. We like to think that the majority sits in the first camp, which is why magical things like Disney Weddings exist.
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For those who have somehow remained unfamiliar with this phenomenon, Disney’s Lands, Resorts, and Cruise Ships have been opening their arms to couples since the early 90s, allowing them to live out their dreams of getting married at one of their many (and oh boy, do we mean many) picturesque wedding venues.
From subtle hints of Disney magic to full-blown horse-drawn carriages and Mickey and Minnie Mouse in attendance; here’s everything you need to know about the spectacular, and sometimes unreal, Disney Weddings.
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You can choose from 4 locations
While Tokyo and Paris aren’t on the list, you’re still spoiled for choice with the original Californian Disneyland in Anaheim, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, the summery A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina on Oʻahu, or you can take your marriage to sea aboard the Disney Cruise Line.
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Each one is a unique experience
You’ll get that classic enchanted Disney magic with each, but you won’t have to worry about having the same wedding as everyone else. Each location can be customised to suit your style and budget, but first you’ll need to get your head around just how many options each gives you.
Once you’ve chosen your location, you then get to choose one of three packages; Wishes, Escape, and Memories. These range from super flexible, with greater venue options and larger amounts of guests, to a more intimate setting, with up to 4 guests, a solo violinist, limousine hire, and photo coverage.
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You’ll be struggling to choose a setting within a setting
Far from planning a wedding for myself, I still struggled to decide which one of Disney’s very magical venues I would get fake-married at. Florida’s many options include the famous Wedding Pavilion in the Magic Kingdom Area, the Italy Isola, Japan Plaza, and the Germany Courtyard. California includes the Rose Court Garden surrounded by 500 rose bushes, Stage 17, and Brisa Courtyard; Hawaii may be the hardest to choose from, with Alohi Point, Kula Wai, and Sunset Alcove amongst others; and the cruise gives you the option to get married on-board or on the shores of Castaway Cay.
Disney know you’re all dreamers, so don’t feel bad when trying to set a budget
Disney cut straight to the point when it comes to choosing a budget. For the would-be brides only fantasising about a Disney wedding, there’s the “No, I’m just dreaming option,” while the rest steadily climbs to over $125,000.
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You get to customise everything
Want an extra touch of Disney magic to your day? Customise your floral bouquet with a Swarovski crystal Mickey Mouse, or add some Hidden Mickey’s to your wedding cake.
But that’s nothing compared to everything else you can get (they really do want to make you feel like a Princess for the day). Starting at just under $3,000, you can arrive in Cinderella’s glass coach, drawn by white ponies and accompanied by two footmen in full regalia.
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The wedding organisers will take care of the boring details
So while you’re having a ball choosing colour schemes, florals, venues, and whether or not you want a horse-drawn carriage or a limo, a team of expert Disney wedding coordinators will take care of the smaller (read: boring) details, including cutlery and the like. You’ll receive the full “Be Our Guest” experience, even for your own wedding.
You can even invite your old pals Mickey and Goofy
If your dream wedding is leaning more towards fun than regal, you can invite the whole Disney gang over to really make it a party – Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald Duck, Pluto, plus anyone else your heart (and wallet) desires. However, there are some rules – they can’t officiate your wedding (sorry, Mickey) and they can’t be there if alcohol is being served (sorry, Donald).
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Even celebrities get in on the Disney Magic
Can you blame them? With a massive budget, celebrities can truly live out the Disney Fairytale experience. Mariah Carey and then-husband Nick Cannon shut down Disneyland to renew their vows in front of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, while Holly Madison had an after-hours Disneyland wedding, riding in on Cinderella’s coach while her guests enjoyed the Pirates of the Caribbean ride afterwards.
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It’s not as cheesy as you think
Unless you like that sort of thing. The advantage of being able to completely customise your wedding is that you can choose to have as much as or little Disney flavour as you like. If you want the full shebang, invite the entire Disney crew and live out your childhood dreams for a day. If you want something a little more subtle, opt for beautiful florals and a picturesque setting. Anything is possible – Disneyland is where “the magic begins” after all.
It’s just as popular as you think
According to Walt Disney World News, Walt Disney World Resort sees more than 1,200 couples marry each year, and more than 50,000 have been married across their various locations since 1991.
So go on; head over to Disney Weddings and plan your real (or imaginary) wedding. We can’t guarantee you won’t be singing Disney songs for the rest of the day though.
