Did you love it?

[jennifer6800]

is everyone happy with their Disney wedding? We just got engaged and have been discussing a where to get married. We are huge Disney fans, but I am concerned that creating a unique, special day in our budget would limit our ability to customize the day. Despite the fact that our families are from Ohio and Colorado I think we would have close to 50 people, so the budget wedding would be to small.

Any feedback would be awesome.

Jenn and Dave

 

[lurkyloo]

You've come to the right place!

I think most of us on this board would say we LOVED our Disney weddings.

It was really important for me to have a unique wedding, and I can assure you it is possible at Disney. We had all kinds of things we'd never get at a hometown wedding (or would pay a TON more for), like a boat trip, fireworks, and, of course, the amazing backdrop of the Morocco Pavilion.

At the same time, we managed to keep our Disney costs strictly to the minimum expenditure requirement. In fact, our wedding cost 1/3 of the national average for weddings these days and probably 1/4 what a Los Angeles wedding would've cost us.

You can read about our planning by clicking the "PJ" link under my slideshow, and the report of our wedding is under the "Wedding!" link.

 

[Wish on a Star]

CONGRATS!!!

I just wanted to say I totally agree with Carrie! I think a Wishes budget can get stretched pretty far! And so many add-ons like Dessert Parties, and the amazing Venues are nothing like anything your guests have ever seen! Not to mention that Disney does not provide just run-of the mill cakes or floral!

Keep us posted!

 

[DisneyBrideToni]

Congrats!!

I adored our Disney wedding. It was by far the best decision we ever made. Disney did a beautiful job with everything. It far exceeded our expectations and our guests still can't stop talking about how it was the best wedding they have ever been to.

 

[KStarfish82]

There is nothing like a Disney wedding....I cannot even fathom what it would be like to get married in my hometown! LOVE LOVE LOVE every minute of it!

And it can be done on a budget! I did my own centerpieces, floral, candy bar, etc....it saves a bundle!!!

Good luck!

 

[rpmdfw]

I'll chime in and agree with the lovely ladies that have already said so.

We loved every minute of it! We had an amazing unique wedding that was all about us.

People on both sides of my family are still talking about it almost a year later. They were blown away by the quality of the food, the fireworks that we were able to watch from the reception (Atlantic Dance Hall affords a decent view of Illuminations), and how much FUN we were all having.

Would not change a thing! (well, maybe the wedding crashers, but that'd be all! )

 

[PrincessShea]

The minimum you have to spend is $12,500 and I think that's really peanuts compared to the average cost of weddings. People here have done it for the minimum.

Yes, I loved it. It was the best decision we ever made.

 

[tiggerrifficheidi]

Without sounding like a broken record...it was AWESOME!!

Just like any wedding it's easy to have "budget creep," but the actual cost of things is very comparable to the same things outside of Disney.

If you have people willing to come, GO FOR IT! You'll be glad you're only paying for people who think enough of you to travel...and you'll enjoy the smaller crowd!

 

[chipscinderelly]

We absolutely loved ours and our guests are still raving about it 3 years later. There is a link at the bottom of my signature to some of our photos.

 

[jennifer6800]

Thanks for all the support. Last night we ordered the DVD, and when we go in October we are going to see if we can schedule a basic meeting and get some info. It is a toss-up because our other choice will is Vail, CO with the mountains as a backdrop. Anyone know if bluezoo, our fav, does receptions or is that completely seperate since they are owned by Starwood?

Thanks,
Jenn

 

[Swmhc]

ABSOLUTELY WORTH IT !!!

Sure, you are just "as married" if you do a JOP ceremony at the courthouse, but the special memories created by DFTW are priceless. We only did an Escape wedding so it was even more budget-friendly, but I must say, the look on everyone's face when they see our wedding portraits on the wall when they walk in our house, reminds us just how worth it it really was.

I am already secretly plotting a VR for the future !!

 

[PrincessShea]

Anyone know if bluezoo, our fav, does receptions or is that completely seperate since they are owned by Starwood?

Thanks,
Jenn

I am 99% sure it will not count toward your minimum. But you can arrange a reception there separately from Disney. I did. Info is in my PJ/TR.

 

[lurkyloo]

Yeah, a meal at bluezoo won't count toward your Disney minimum expenditures, but what if you had your rehearsal dinner there? (Since a Disney-hosted rehearsal dinner wouldn't count either...).

 

[kcampbell]

Just thought I'd chime in and join the broken record. Aside from getting married, our WDW wedding was by far our best decision! The best part is that not only did our guests enjoy it and say it was the best wedding they'd been to, but WE enjoyed it. There was no last minute drama. No running around making sure everything was set and ready to go-- Disney did it all and kept the stress levels to a minimum!

My only regret is that we can't afford to throw another party like that every year!

 

[dhay]

We did an Escape wedding not a Wishes but even with an Escape every guest mentioned that our wedding seemed more upscale and nicer than any other traditional ballroom wedding they had ever been too and it was a fraction of the cost! They all seemed to really enjoy themselves.

We got exactly what we wanted, it was a memorable location for us since it was where he proposed and our first vacation together, and it didn't break our budget.

Persoanlly I think Disney is the only way to go