Elopement Help

[katt228]

We are hoping to turn our Oct 2014 vacation into our wedding day also. I've been on the disney wedding site and I don't know how good they are about tweaking the packages. I looked into the memories package and would like to change a few things. We just want a location with some flowers and some pictures. It's just going to be the two of us. Does anyone know if we can just get married on the property without having to purchase a package that doesn't really fit us? I'm happy to hear other suggestions for wedding locations too. We're really stuck on what to do. Thanks!

 

[lurkyloo]

What did you want to change about the Memories package?

 

[katt228]

i really don't need the limo service/in room special thing. I actually would like a different venue maybe and some different flowers. Not much. I guess I just have a hard time paying $2500 for things I don't really need. I think it's because this is an elopement and not a wedding with guests.

 

[lurkyloo]

Ah, yeah. They are really inflexible about flowers beyond the five or so choices offered. And you could skip the limo and the in-room celebration but you wouldn't get any credit for them. There's a small chance of flexibility on the venue, but it depends on what you were thinking. The most I've ever heard is using Sago Cay Point instead of Conch Key across the way.

Really, you're paying $2,500 for the "privilege" of having an official Disney's Fairy Tale Wedding at Walt Disney World. Disney frowns on unsanctioned ceremonies on property, and supposedly you could be asked to leave if they see you doing one (although I've yet to see an account of that actually happening). Some people feel it's worth it, others, not so much... We paid about that much to do a Memories vow renewal at Aulani recently and, like you, didn't use most of the elements included in the package. It was still worth it to us for the experience. Now that they've almost doubled the price, it would not be worth it to us.

 

[katt228]

thanks for a little insight. not sure what we're going to do. we have a vacation planned for that time and thought why not do it while we're there. plenty of time for me to decide..

 

[katt228]

I'm assuming this price does not include an officiant. Anyone know the cost of that? Or any other costs I'm not thinking of

 

[impromptudisneybride]

My officiant was $200-300 depending on if you have a rehearsal.
Other expenses...
Hair and makeup if doing it...
Tips for people...
Outside photographer/videographer if doing it plus tips
Disney photo upgrade/video if doing it...
Castle photo session $1700-2000 if choosing to do so...
Floral upgrades for boutonnières etc...
And a separate company will preserve your bouquet if you so choose...

 

[justlook3]

Don't forget whatever the marriage license fees are and the potential cost of transportation to a courthouse to pick it up. I don't know the details about Florida marriage licenses as my Disney wedding was a vow renewal (although I ended up having to pay for a copy of my marriage license that I didn't have and then promptly left at home in all of the packing confusion. Luckily our officiant allowed me to fax him a copy for his records).