Do you have to get a disney package to get married at WDW?

[a*lil*bit*goofy]

Hello!

I was reading the Disney packages , and I think they sound lovely, but much more than what we want.

We want something along the Memories line but for more people. Of course.

I imagine somewhere around 15-20 people to attend (not including the two of us)

And I would like to have a simple ceremony, very simple ie. standing on the beach for example, with a justice of the peace, 15 minutes, then go and have everyone enjoy a dinner together. Maybe a big reservation at 1900 Park fare...set price, lots of choice for everyone.

Is this possible? We don't want or need all the other fancy stuff....(edited to add) this is a 2nd wedding for us both, so it's more about sharing time with our loved ones. :O)

 

[Disney_Alli]

You'll probably get a couple different answers to your question but the official answer is yes you have to go through Disney to get married on Disney property. There are some options at the Swan and Dolphin which can be a little cheaper as well as through Coronado Springs (since an outside company runs their F&B they do outside weddings) as well as some of the other hotels in the area - most of whom Carrie has spoken with on her podcast 'Disney Weddings Podcast'. Most of us here have sucked it up and paid Disney the big bucks for this opportunity so that's the most common answer you'll get here. Locally there are a bunch more options especially if you're looking for a beach wedding that will save you a lot over Disney and you can still do a group reservation for dinner at a Disney restaurant and even wear your wedding attire as long as its outside the parks.

HTH

 

[lurkyloo]

The alternatives to Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings at Walt Disney World are...

• Shades of Green (You'll need a military or government employee to sponsor you though)
  
• Swan & Dolphin
  
• Fulton's Crab House
  
• House of Blues
  
• Rix Lounge at Coronado Springs
  
• Characters In Flight Balloon
  
• Downtown Disney resorts, including B Resort, Buena Vista Plaza, Wyndham Lake Buena Vista and Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista
  
• Four Seasons Orlando
  
• Waldorf Astoria

 

[lurkyloo]

Here are all the podcasts I've done on non-Disney wedding options at Walt Disney World: http://disneyweddingpodcast.com/category/disney-alternatives/

 

[a*lil*bit*goofy]

Swan and Dolphin and definately Coronado Springs are good options!!! We love Coronado Springs! (however this past trip we just returned from last weekend we stayed at POR-R which has a special place in my heart...since he proposed by the water wheel. :O) )

Where can I find more info on these 3 places? Actually downtown disney hotel is a great option as well!!!

I see at Cafe Rix it has a bit of info but not fees, or cost of having the "i do's" on site. Reading up on the others now.

Anyone reading this do a wedding at these mentioned places?

 

[a*lil*bit*goofy]

It seems a shame that we can't just stand outside and have an officiant, then go to a restaurant on site for dinner. But so be it. Swan and Dolphin are interesting....

What are the chances of something onsite with a meal (brunch or dinner) at $50 -$75 per person? (plus wedding fees of course)

 

[goofyfigment]

It seems a shame that we can't just stand outside and have an officiant, then go to a restaurant on site for dinner. But so be it. Swan and Dolphin are interesting....

What are the chances of something onsite with a meal (brunch or dinner) at $50 -$75 per person? (plus wedding fees of course)

We are getting married at the Swan - it is $2000 for the ceremony fee and we are having a brunch reception that has a min food and beverage cost of $3500.

Hope this helps

 

[a*lil*bit*goofy]

We are getting married at the Swan - it is $2000 for the ceremony fee and we are having a brunch reception that has a min food and beverage cost of $3500.

Hope this helps

Thank you!

Does the ceremony fee include the beach, or the extras like the arch way that they show on the beach photo? Does it include bride bouquet and justice of the peace? I guess it would be easier to ask....what does it include. lol

 

[goofyfigment]

Thank you!

Does the ceremony fee include the beach, or the extras like the arch way that they show on the beach photo? Does it include bride bouquet and justice of the peace? I guess it would be easier to ask....what does it include. lol

They have several different packages our ceremony package which was 2000 just covers the site and chairs and coordinator they have others that include the rest.

Our reception is 3500 for brunch at blue zoo

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I wanted essentially what it is that you are wanting. We were inviting 40-60 people (knowing 20-30 would show up), but wanted just a simple wedding at WDW and dinner somewhere after. We ended up having our wedding with 30 people at Discovery Cove on the beach for under $5k. This included everyone's admissions into Discovery Cove, all food and alcohol for the day, and their wedding package (did not include an officiant; I think ours was about $250). The package included minimal photography (we paid extra for Randy Chapman), a bouquet, decorations around the ceremony area, a private cabana, a cabana hostess, and a reserved seating area at lunch (that they had decorated in the colors I specified with flowers and table linens). We also did a welcome breakfast at AK with a safari ride mix in the morning before the wedding through Disney Catered Events for about $2k.

It was nice to have the elements of Disney World tied in and everyone had a great time (and we got to have fun with our wedding guests for an entire day and were treated like royalty at Discovery Cove).