Disney weddings tonight-$70,000!!!!!!

[ead79]

Originally posted by hmp2z
I had a dream that one day, everyone making 6 or 7 figures a year decided to use their money to make a difference, instead of spending $35-70K in a 24 hour span on a party to show off for their friends. They donated to charities. They took time off work to be mentors and Big Brothers and Big Sisters. They stopped driving Hummers, because they realized what it was doing to our environment. They stopped buying dogs, and started adopting and saving lives from the pounds.
The weird thing was that, instead of enjoying themselves less, they then began to enjoy themselves MORE. Princess types who once criticized the free food that they were given at their Disney wedding tastings, calling it "Chicken McParm," stopped being so critical. Instead of only worrying about themselves, they began to think about others.
It was a pretty good dream...
Cheers!
Heather W

OK, I just absolutely cannot let this slide.

At the time of my Disney wedding, my annual salary was $30,000 per year and my DH's was $24,500 per year. Not 6 figures by a LONG shot! My parents make a decent amount of money (not wealthy, but comfortable), and they were extremely generous to us when giving us money for our wedding. When we chose to get married at Disney and wanted to add on some things, I began to save. I saved 40% (yes, you read that correctly, 40%) of my take home pay to save for my WDW wedding and honeymoon. I donated to my church as well as charities during that time as well. My Disney wedding was by no means exhorbitant, but it did cost a good bit. I sacrificed and sacrificed to save the money, and I am so glad I did. Would some people think it was a waste? I'm sure they would, but to each his own. I just think it is horribly rude to criticize others for the amounts they spend on their weddings and on what they choose to do with their time/money. Seriously, this type of judgmental comment is highly insulting, and shows a lack of understanding that everyone doesn't come from the same financial situation. I don't make lots of money, but I had a dream and I saved and sacrificed to make it a reality. Don't assume you know where everyone "comes from" based on the cost of their wedding. Also, I had my wedding for my DH and myself, so it wasn't about impressing all my friends. I hope my guests had a wonderful time, but I don't have enough money to even bother trying to show it off, LOL!

 

[goofy4tink]

Okay, I have a question for any of you that actually got married in WDW. My dd, all of 10 1/2, wants to be married in WDW. We watched the Disney weddings yesterday. My dh says..."Isn't it a bit much to expect people to pay airfare and then hundreds of dollars for a room, in order to attend your wedding?" So, how is that handled? Did your guests pay 100% of their costs? I told Katie that if she did in fact get married in WDW, it sure wasn't going to be a $76,000 wedding. SHe might get $20,000 but that would be a stretch. I wonder how much it would be if you had 50 people.

 

[wdwpluto]

Originally posted by goofy4tink
Okay, I have a question for any of you that actually got married in WDW. My dd, all of 10 1/2, wants to be married in WDW. We watched the Disney weddings yesterday. My dh says..."Isn't it a bit much to expect people to pay airfare and then hundreds of dollars for a room, in order to attend your wedding?" So, how is that handled? Did your guests pay 100% of their costs? I told Katie that if she did in fact get married in WDW, it sure wasn't going to be a $76,000 wedding. SHe might get $20,000 but that would be a stretch. I wonder how much it would be if you had 50 people.

We did not help any of our guests with their expenses. We did give our matron of honor and best man some money as part of their bridal party gifts since they were husband and wife and we knew that between travel expenses and wedding attire, things were tight for them.

We had a small custom wedding for 25 guests. We spent, I think, $11,000 with Disney. But that didn't count photography, attire or park tickets, airfare and hotel for us. Could we have cut that down more? Sure. But we chose not to. Could we have spent a heck of a lot more than that? Sure. But we chose not to.

This thread as a whole has made me a bit sad. How people spend their money is their choice, plain and simple. Nobody on this board knows my financial situation, just as I don't presume to know theirs. Judge not, lest ye be judged.

A big thanks to Ann and to the woman who got proposed to on the show (I'm sorry, I forgot your name) for sharing your special days with us. I hope that they were magical for your and your husband/fiances and that you all have happily ever afters.

 

[Nancy]

I was a guest at a Disney Wedding. We paid our own way. We made it into our family vacation. Our expenses were no more then if we were going there anyway. We stayed in a Downtown disney resort. We drove instead of flying and we kept our expenses to a minimum just like if we were going to Disney without the wedding.

I do have to say that attending a Disney wedding makes you really appreciate all the effort that goes into the day. Everything was top notch and ran very smoothly. Disney goes above and beyond to make the day special. And if the bride and groom are happy with their choices that's all that really matters.

 

[Pooh's Pal]

I watched this show in Awe yesterday & thought is was beautiful...and I must say...if I had that kind of money...I would have the best, most beautiful Disney wedding I could afford. It's always been a dream of mine to get married at Disney....but alas, first I have to find my Prince Charming!!!! (LOL)

 

[FatCow]

Originally posted by DukeStreetKing
$70,000.00 for a wedding?!

Holy tremendous waste of money batman!

That's nothing. I've been to a wedding party that actually lasts for 7 days and 7 nights. One of the couple's wedding gift was a Merc 300E!

 

[Kismetdreams]

On the question of the guests costs...

We did not pay for any of our guests. Money was tight paying for the wedding. But, we had the wedding at Disney because both of us are military, me from PA, his family in NY and FL, so everyone was going to have to travel for our wedding anyway. We figured if we had a ceremony in PA, then people would have nothing to do in the days surrounding the wedding, so at least at Disney, there were things for them to do! Plus it brought together a lot of our families for the first time in a long time!

 

[minnie56]

Anyone know if they'll air it again?

 

[RUDisney]

Originally posted by ead79
At the time of my Disney wedding, my annual salary was $30,000 per year and my DH's was $24,500 per year. Not 6 figures by a LONG shot! My parents make a decent amount of money (not wealthy, but comfortable), and they were extremely generous to us when giving us money for our wedding. When we chose to get married at Disney and wanted to add on some things, I began to save. I saved 40% (yes, you read that correctly, 40%) of my take home pay to save for my WDW wedding and honeymoon.

This shows a lot of maturity, IMHO. What bothers me are brides (and grooms) who expect Mom and Dad to pay for everything and then go to the extremes with their selections. If Mom & Dad could afford it, that's one thing, but I'm talking about B&Gs who don't do anything special to save or to meet a reasonable budget (for the parents' income). We have seen so many times that the Mom and Dad get second jobs to pay for their daughter's wedding while the daughter spends her time planning.

It's been our experience that those whom we know who have done this don't have long first marriages. Especially when they have to start living within their means.

Before anyone flames me for this. I DO believe that people should spend their money how they want. I DO believe that people should do whatever it takes to afford what they want. I'm simply reflecting on something I've seen happen over and over in our circle of family and friends.

 

[vhoffman]

Although I, personally, would never spend $70,000 or more on a wedding, that amount is not really over the top for a first-class type wedding. Many years ago, when I was in my 20's (I won't say how long ago that was), I went to many deluxe-type weddings. One wedding was rumored to cost $65,000. The bride's dress alone came to about $20,000. I really enjoyed going to those weddings, but always thought how I would have spent that money differently. To my idea, its just a one-night bash to entertain a bunch of people who probably wouldn't give you the time of day otherwise. The open bar always irritated me. Just a bunch of drunks living it up at the bride's expense. Our wedding wasn't even $3000, however, I feel we had a great day and memories to look back on. We also didn't start married life in a financial hole! I've found over the years that many of those expensive weddings don't result in lasting marriages. I'm not saying that one causes the other, but every deluxe-type wedding I went to ended up in divorce in 2-5 years. Personally, I wouldn't want Mickey and Minnie in my wedding photos. I would find that embarassing. However, to each their own. However, if that's what one wants, go for it. I don't feel everytime I have a little extra I should give it to charity rather than spend it on a good time for myself. That includes a wedding with Mickey and Minnie, if that's what your heart desires, go for it!

 

[Nancy]

Originally posted by RUDisney
This shows a lot of maturity, IMHO. What bothers me are brides (and grooms) who expect Mom and Dad to pay for everything and then go to the extremes with their selections. If Mom & Dad could afford it, that's one thing, but I'm talking about B&Gs who don't do anything special to save or to meet a reasonable budget (for the parents' income). We have seen so many times that the Mom and Dad get second jobs to pay for their daughter's wedding while the daughter spends her time planning.

It's been our experience that those whom we know who have done this don't have long first marriages. Especially when they have to start living within their means.

Before anyone flames me for this. I DO believe that people should spend their money how they want. I DO believe that people should do whatever it takes to afford what they want. I'm simply reflecting on something I've seen happen over and over in our circle of family and friends.

My in laws took out a home equity loan to pay for my sils wedding...she went over the top and they of course payed for everything. Mary thought that her parents had started saving for her wedding the day she was born! They never told her other wise.

My DH and I paid for the majority of our wedding ourselves. We were 27 and both working full time jobs.

Mary and her DH are still married, but definately don't live within their means. DH and I try very hard to.

 

[stinkerbelle]

Originally posted by Nancy
I finally got to see this and thought it was great. .... Now her dress....well I couldn't figure out if that sleeve thing was attached or not and just what the purpose was. The dress would have been so pretty without it.

I too finally just watched this (Tivo'd it over the weekend - watched last night)

I thought it was really special how they just bend over backwards for the bride and groom...amazing!

And yes - that sleeve thing on her dress was NOT attached...there was a shot of her dancing or something and you could tell it was not attached. It was different to say the least.

I've seen that 'Mad Hatter' cake on TONS of bakers websites - in all different colors. And about the mini-cakes...I thought it was pretty cute. DH and I had a 'cupcake cake' instead of a traditional wedding cake. 4 tiers of cupcakes, topped with a 6" cake with Mickey and Minnie on top. The cupcakes were HUGE too...bigger then Dunkin' Donuts muffins.

I was seriously DROOLING when they showed the rehersal dinner at Jiko...I LOVE that restaurant to death!