FAQ for Disneyland Brides

[Mindyjoy]

It's so interesting to read about all the Disney brides on here! I've been going to Disneyland with my parents every summer since I was a little girl. Now at 27, I'm dragging my fiancé every year for my birthday

We've been engaged since June 2011, but due to unforeseen circumstances, we had to hold off on the wedding and are now planning it for August 2012. I've looked through everything I can find online about DLR weddings, and I still have some questions for Disneyland brides on here that have had their wedding at DLR or are in the midst of planning (I'm doing a venue presentation for my fiancé and need some missing info to help sell my fairy tale wedding!!!).

1. Because we're planning on having the wedding in August, does anyone have any experience with higher minimums during this time of year?

2. I'm aware that DLR does not have its own photographers, but I was under the impression that if one of their preferred vendors for photography was chosen, this would apply towards the minimum. Is this not the case?

3. We've assigned about $1000 for floral in our overall budget. We figure that will at least include the bouquets (2) and boutonnieres (3), with some left over for centerpieces. We want to use the Rose Court Garden and figure we won't need much decor since it's already beautiful. If needed, we can also try some DIY decor. I've seen some BEOs for floral, mostly WDW, so I'm not sure if this is a realistic approach to floral.

We really need to stick to the $12,000 minimum, since adding the service charge and tax on top of that will be a lot. From what I've read, the coordinators at DLR are very good at helping the couple stick to their budget, so I'm hoping that's the case.

Any other info would be greatly appreciated, since I'm working off a 2011 brochure with old prices (I think the f/b is up to $135 pp?). Hopefully I'll be a Disney bride soon!

Hello and Welcome! Ari gave you some good information. Yes, if you plan on sticking to the $12k minimum, that is the minimum for Monday through Thursday weddings, only. And the tax and service charge is another ~30% on top of that.

If you tell Disney that your floral budget is only $1000, they will work with you, but don't expect much. A "typical" bridal bouquet is $350.

If you are aiming for August 2012 , I would recommend calling and finding out availability! August is in the middle of prime wedding season.

Finally, if you are on Facebook, join our Disneyland Brides group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/DisneylandBrides/

 

[tbscat]

Oops! I meant August 2013! My mind must have been somewhere else... the beautiful horse-drawn carriage, perhaps? A girl can dream

Thank you so much for the info. Yes, we're planning on a Thursday wedding and a simple 1 or 2 day Disneymoon at DLR (apparently I'm getting this whether we get married at Disney or not, yay!) with anyone from the wedding that would like to join us. We're going to have our real honeymoon in Utah or Colorado later that winter since we both love to snowboard.

PrincessAri, there was some verbiage in the brochure I got from Disney saying the minimums could be higher during peak seasons, so that's why I was asking, but it's good to know that no one seems to have dealt with it before!

Of course the preferred vendors don't apply to the minimum That would be too easy. I have some photographer options and hopefully they'll work with us on the budget.

As for the floral, I only need two bouquets and 3-4 boutonnieres. If we have to do the centerpieces ourselves, it's not a problem - my MoH is dying to go to the flower district. Roses in small vases and maybe some candles will be just fine. The bouquets will also be all roses, which is supposed to cost less since they're always in season, but since it's Disney they probably won't. I'm not too worried about it now since I have the info and feel more prepared. I've also added the service charge and tax amounts into my budget sheets so we can have a more accurate budget to compare our three venues. I'm trying my hardest to account for all costs I can think of so we'll have a realistic number to work with.

We have an appointment a week from Thursday with Cynthia Autry (whom I've read good things about) for a site tour. I told her we need to sell the fiancé on this! I plan on joining the FB group if we go with Disney - it's in our top 3 - so I should know in a couple weeks. I'm so excited!!

 

[Mindyjoy]

Oops! I meant August 2013! My mind must have been somewhere else... the beautiful horse-drawn carriage, perhaps? A girl can dream

Thank you so much for the info. Yes, we're planning on a Thursday wedding and a simple 1 or 2 day Disneymoon at DLR (apparently I'm getting this whether we get married at Disney or not, yay!) with anyone from the wedding that would like to join us. We're going to have our real honeymoon in Utah or Colorado later that winter since we both love to snowboard.

PrincessAri, there was some verbiage in the brochure I got from Disney saying the minimums could be higher during peak seasons, so that's why I was asking, but it's good to know that no one seems to have dealt with it before!

Of course the preferred vendors don't apply to the minimum That would be too easy. I have some photographer options and hopefully they'll work with us on the budget.

As for the floral, I only need two bouquets and 3-4 boutonnieres. If we have to do the centerpieces ourselves, it's not a problem - my MoH is dying to go to the flower district. Roses in small vases and maybe some candles will be just fine. The bouquets will also be all roses, which is supposed to cost less since they're always in season, but since it's Disney they probably won't. I'm not too worried about it now since I have the info and feel more prepared. I've also added the service charge and tax amounts into my budget sheets so we can have a more accurate budget to compare our three venues. I'm trying my hardest to account for all costs I can think of so we'll have a realistic number to work with.

We have an appointment a week from Thursday with Cynthia Autry (whom I've read good things about) for a site tour. I told her we need to sell the fiancé on this! I plan on joining the FB group if we go with Disney - it's in our top 3 - so I should know in a couple weeks. I'm so excited!!

Cynthia is great! Feel free to join the FB group while you're still deciding. We have a handful of members who are in the "decision" phase. Feel free to join and ask us your questions!

 

[sunkissedwen]

Thanks for all this information. I'm a wannabe Disney bride so this is all helpful.

 

[meechieistoocute]

I am planning my wedding here as well......can't wait!

 

[aibarra5]

Hi Everyone,

I am about to book my Escape wedding for the spring and really need some help picking a reception location. Does anyone have any thoughts, comments or pictures of the Brisa courtyard. We are pretty sure we are having the wedding in the Wedding Garden. Also I am interested in everyone's bouquets- More pictures please

 

[Mindyjoy]

Hi Everyone,

I am about to book my Escape wedding for the spring and really need some help picking a reception location. Does anyone have any thoughts, comments or pictures of the Brisa courtyard. We are pretty sure we are having the wedding in the Wedding Garden. Also I am interested in everyone's bouquets- More pictures please

The Brisa is nice. We had our pre-reception there. Here's some pictures of the Brisa and also Grand Californian ballrooms on my blog.

http://www.budgetfairytale.com/2011/08/in-part-i-of-site-visit-report-i-showed.html

Feel free to also join the Disneyland Brides facebook group; we have tons of pictures there, too.

http://www.facebook.com/groups/DisneylandBrides/

Good luck with your planning!

 

[aibarra5]

Thanks for the info and pictures. We just booked our wedding! Our ceremony is in the Wedding Garden and our reception is in the Brisa courtyard! yay!

 

[Heather1]

One of my co-workers was married at Disneyworld. That's when I found out how wonderful it can be. The pictures are absolutely amazing, and the prices very reasonable. But now I have one little request. Can Mickey Mouse walk me down the aisle? Wouldn't that be a blast!!

 

[Mindyjoy]

One of my co-workers was married at Disneyworld. That's when I found out how wonderful it can be. The pictures are absolutely amazing, and the prices very reasonable. But now I have one little request. Can Mickey Mouse walk me down the aisle? Wouldn't that be a blast!!

Cute idea, but no. Characters are not allowed at the actual ceremony, only at the reception.

 

[dannysgirl]

Hi everyone,
My DH and I are looking into a vow renewal at Disneyland. We were looking at the Escape Wedding package, since we never had a wedding, we eloped. We're fine with the limit on guests, but we are fighting over whether or not this package has a reception? And if so, whats included, where would it be, etc? We're waiting on the DVD planner now, and will be contacting the Wedding Planners when it gets closer to the time....I just dont know what I'm getting. Also, does anyone have a price list for the add ons? I dont know whats available or even offered!! Thanks soooooo much!!
Torrie

 

[lurkyloo]

The Escape package at Disneyland includes a meal (from a choice of two set menus), but it isn't what you think of as a traditional wedding reception—i.e., no DJ and dancing. Here are the upgrade options for an Escape event (prices include tax and service charge):

Ceremony Upgrades

• Bouquets: $100 each
• Boutonnieres: $15 each
• Wrist Corsages: $30 each
• Flower Girl Baskets: $35 each
• Gazebo Medium Floral Cluster of seasonal Flowers: $325 each
• Basic White Aisle Runner: $85
• Rose Petals Scattered on Aisle: $125

Wedding Reception Upgrades

• Colored Organza Overlay: $25 per table
• Colored Full Length Satin Linen: $40 per table
• Standard white or ivory chair cover with a colored sash:$10 per chair
• Upgraded Chiavari Chair with colored sash: $12 per chair
• Chiavari Chair color options: Silver,gold, mahogany, fruitwood, black, white, crystal. With black or ivory chair cushion and colored sash of your choice.
• Short Square or Round Glass Centerpieces: $100 per table
• CD/iPod hook-up: $100
• White Chocolate Castle Cake Topper: $260
• Fresh floral Cake Decor: $200
• White or Milk Chocolate Castle Favor with personalized ribbon: $5.50 per favor
• White Chocolate Mickey and Minnie Photo Frame with personalized ribbon: $7.50 per favor
• Mickey and Minnie Character Appearance at the Cake-Cutting: $1,350

 

[CADisneyMom]

I know you can only have your wedding before the park opens or after the park closes if you're having it in front of the castle. My daughter definitely wants it in front of the castle at night. So here is my question that hopefully someone can answer for me. Since the park usually closes around 8pm off-season and they keep the shops open an hour later (9pm) I'm figuring the earliest you can have the wedding would be like 9:30 pm. So, instead of having dinner at like 10pm can you just have a dessert buffet instead? I know you have to meet a minimum amount spent but can you put more money into something else to come up with the money. And, does having Mickey & Minnie at the reception for a short period of time count toward your minimum (I would think not but thought I would ask). Can you also have princesses & their princes for a short period of time also at the reception (I heard before that you could but don't know if they changed that). And finally, we have friends who are photographers and would we be able to use them as our photographers or do you have to use who they recommend.

 

[Mindyjoy]

I know you can only have your wedding before the park opens or after the park closes if you're having it in front of the castle. My daughter definitely wants it in front of the castle at night. So here is my question that hopefully someone can answer for me. Since the park usually closes around 8pm off-season and they keep the shops open an hour later (9pm) I'm figuring the earliest you can have the wedding would be like 9:30 pm. So, instead of having dinner at like 10pm can you just have a dessert buffet instead? I know you have to meet a minimum amount spent but can you put more money into something else to come up with the money. And, does having Mickey & Minnie at the reception for a short period of time count toward your minimum (I would think not but thought I would ask). Can you also have princesses & their princes for a short period of time also at the reception (I heard before that you could but don't know if they changed that). And finally, we have friends who are photographers and would we be able to use them as our photographers or do you have to use who they recommend.

In-park weddings are highly specialized and customized so there's really no way for any of us to give you definite answers your questions. You'll have to call the DFTW offices to get confirmed answers.

You could probably do a dessert-only buffet ...but that would be some expensive dessert! You have to meet a certain food minimum and for in-park receptions it's a pretty high number (in my opinion, at least).

Mickey and Minnie generally do count towards the minimum for hotel weddings; not sure about in-park weddings.

I don't believe you can have "face" characters at weddings but I'm not 100% sure on that.

You can use your preferred photographers.

 

[CADisneyMom]

In-park weddings are highly specialized and customized so there's really no way for any of us to give you definite answers your questions. You'll have to call the DFTW offices to get confirmed answers.

You could probably do a dessert-only buffet ...but that would be some expensive dessert! You have to meet a certain food minimum and for in-park receptions it's a pretty high number (in my opinion, at least).

Mickey and Minnie generally do count towards the minimum for hotel weddings; not sure about in-park weddings.

I don't believe you can have "face" characters at weddings but I'm not 100% sure on that.

You can use your preferred photographers.

We weren't going to have the reception in the park, probably at Disneyland hotel, so I'm hoping it would be a little cheaper lol. Now for M&M and princesses/princes I would only want them there for the first dance and that's it. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what we can do.

 

[Mindyjoy]

We weren't going to have the reception in the park, probably at Disneyland hotel, so I'm hoping it would be a little cheaper lol. Now for M&M and princesses/princes I would only want them there for the first dance and that's it. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what we can do.

I believe for evening castle weddings, you have to have the reception in-park as well. I'm not 100% sure on that but I believe that is the policy. Also, characters only make appearances during the cake-cutting and for a 30 minute window.

 

[CADisneyMom]

I believe for evening castle weddings, you have to have the reception in-park as well. I'm not 100% sure on that but I believe that is the policy. Also, characters only make appearances during the cake-cutting and for a 30 minute window.

Thank you for that information, I thought you could bring them in whenever you wanted but the cake cutting is fine, I guess I'll just have to limit it to M&M then. I just thought it would always be nice to have the princesses and princes dancing around them while they did the first dance...oh well I'll just have to imagine it then

 

[Kaylars]

Is the escape reception 4 four hour time limit? or is it just pretty much dinner and thats it?

I dont feel they really go over the reception in the escape package

 

[gelandnick]

Hi everyone! I'm new here and just starting the planning process for an escape (maybe) wedding at Disneyland in 2014. I'm wondering if anyone has more information regarding the actual menu items for the escape meal. Also, what happens if I have my wedding in the morning? Is the food strictly dinner? I would almost rather have annual passes than the dinner! Lol.

 

[Mindyjoy]

Is the escape reception 4 four hour time limit? or is it just pretty much dinner and thats it?

I dont feel they really go over the reception in the escape package

I'm not 100% sure on the time allotted for Escape receptions, but from what I've heard there's time for dancing after lunch/dinner.

Hi everyone! I'm new here and just starting the planning process for an escape (maybe) wedding at Disneyland in 2014. I'm wondering if anyone has more information regarding the actual menu items for the escape meal. Also, what happens if I have my wedding in the morning? Is the food strictly dinner? I would almost rather have annual passes than the dinner! Lol.

For the escape meal you get your choice of a chicken dish, steak dish, or vegetarian option.

“Love’s First Kiss”
Artisan Bread Basket
Petite Mache, Young Frisée, Sun‐Dried Cherries, Toasted Pecans,
with Port Wine Glaze & Shallot –Lime Vinaigrette
Roasted Meyer Lemon Chicken Breast with Garlic Jus
Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Asparagus Spears, Carrots, & Squash
Tahitian Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée
with Seasonal Berries
Freshly Brewed Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee, & Specialty Teas

OR

“Dreams Come True”
Artisan Bread Basket
Baby Field Greens, Sweet Currant Tomatoes, & Orange Supremes
with Toasted Pine Nut Dressing
Mustard Crusted New York Steak with Merlot Sauce
Butter Braised Carrots, Green Beans,
& Portuguese Chorizo Mashed Potatoes
White and Dark Chocolate Dipped Strawberries (3)
Freshly Brewed Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee, & Specialty Teas​

I don't think there are meal substitutions, but you could certainly ask if you could do a brunch buffet instead of a plated meal. I believe the earliest Escape ceremonies are at 10am, so by the time people are seated for the reception it's considered lunchtime.