Advice - Disney wedding with no guests

[LiquidSunshine]

Hi all,

I am sure this has been asked before, but I can't seem to find anything on it.

My DBF & I are thinking of a Disney wedding, possibly Oct/Nov 16. However, the possibility is that it would be only ourselves (some family members may join us depending on cost etc.)

I was wondering if any UK couples would share their experiences of a Disney wedding with no guests. How does it work? Do you need a witness etc?

I was thinking of a bride & groom first look....maybe outside the hotel and then travelling to the ceremony together?

For a celebration afterwards, I was thinking of a lunch together somewhere romantic, possibly an afternoon tea.

Again, apologies if this has been asked before.

 

[Becks&garry]

Hi, you guys are in the same position we were in last year when we decided to marry in Orlando. We found that all the official disney weddings for just two people were way too pricey on top of your travel etc.

We have ended up booking a chapel in Gotha (eternally yours wedding chapel) and then going to Magic Kingdom after the ceremony & fireworks

You can do a couple only wedding at one of the onsite hotels but will set you back about $2000 ish (just for two) They can arrange witnesses for you but you will need to get your marriage licence before the ceremony.

Either way you can't wear your wedding attire in the parks so you will have to get changed if your planning to finish your day off on a few coasters!

I'm happy to share more info about our arrangements / research if needed we get married in September this year

Ps congrats you will have a very memorable wedding !

 

[LiquidSunshine]

Hi Becks&garry

Thank you for replying! That's really helpful of you.

I really wasn't sure how a couples only wedding was going to work. I have been trying to do a bit of research online, but there doesn't seem to be a lot.
Not sure of our budget yet, we are only at the discussion stages

I am hoping our close family can make it, but I think it is going to be too pricey for them. Although my DBF is adamant he wants a small wedding and his preference is Orlando (with a party back home later!)

 

[Becks&garry]

Yes that's us , our parents don't have the money to come over (nor for us to pay for them here or abroad! ) so we're having our evening reception style thing a couple weeks after we get back. The package we chose is $350 includes some photos plus your licence which is another $100 but still fairly cheap when it's just the two. If there is more they could all maybe chip in as a wedding gift so that they come and enjoy something a bit more expensive?

If more of you can go I know Virgin, disney and a few other companies do offer wedding packages so takes the stress from you

 

[LiquidSunshine]

That's what we were thinking of too. An informal reception somewhere when we get back. Book a function room at a hotel that we like.

I have been looking at prices to give family an idea - we booked with Virgin Holidays when we went last year and it worked well. Got a rough price for the dates we were thinking of next year (hotel, flights & disney tickets). But the rumour is the free dining plan offer will be out around 23rd April which we are hoping for to bring the costs down a bit - we are hoping to push to 3 weeks as well.

Had a look at Virgin Holidays wedding brochure which is very good. The Swan & Dolphin have wedding packages starting from about £400. Had a quick read on their website, and they offer an intimate wedding option, which says can be done with or without guests. This might be a good option for us.

 

[verleniahall]

we saw a couple who was from overseas that was there on their honeyoom - they had their wedding attire on and were doing all the photos they could in them - including character meets - we were behind them maybe 4-5 times throughout one day - maybe you could get married befor eyou come to Disney and then honeymoon at disney instead? might end up being cheaper for you in the long run.

 

[Becks&garry]

I had heard no wedding dresses were allowed in the park? Was your encounter with the bride and groom recent?Wonder if this has changed , We have bought Mr & Mrs tshirts instead

 

[lurkyloo]

Here's an interview I did with an Australian couple who did an Escape wedding just the two of them at Walt Disney World: http://disneyweddingpodcast.com/2013/01/30/escape-wedding-spotlight-lucy-peter/ She talks about all the logistics of planning from far away, including getting their marriage license by mail.

 

[LiquidSunshine]

Thanks lurkyloo. I will definitely give that a listen!

Verleniahall - the other half isn't keen on a big wedding & his preference is to go aboard - he really only wants Orlando. weddings at home can be equally if not more expensive. I am not keen on a big family wedding either, we are not that type of couple! lol.

Becks&gerry - last year we were stood behind a couple how had matching printed vests on - I loved the look of them! Was thinking we could have printed tops too! (not sure how he would feel about that though )

 

[Becks&garry]

I was shocked how little Garry needed convincing about the Mr Tshirt...must be the spirit of the disney inner child coming through !