HELP! Need a Wedding Date!!

[Princess_Jo]

Hi All!

My fiance and I have have FINALLY decided to have our wedding at Walt Disney World and I could not be more excited!!! But, we need a wedding date.

We have two dates in mind - early February or early April of 2011. The date in February falls during value season so the hotel accommodations are MUCH cheaper. But, the weather is a toss up and since most of our guests are coming from New England there is always the possibility of a snow storm interrupting their travel plans. I realize I cannot control the weather but snow in NE in February is a very real possibility. As is cold weather in Florida.

However, while the weather is much nicer in April and the possibility of a snow storm is less, it is peak season which means VERY HIGH hotel prices.

So what should we do? I want to make this as affordable for our guests as possible but I also want them to enjoy themselves. Plus, we have agreed to pay for the hotel accommodations for our wedding party and the difference between February and April is almost $3000 for us!

TIA for your advice!

 

[disneybex]

I voted for April as I think that is when we will have our wedding (in 2011), great weather (not too hot or cold) and you can get some less busy times (cheaper too) if you avoid Easter and other school breaks, but this is near the end of April rather than the beginning, if you would consider then?

 

[Princess_Jo]

Thanks! Easter is April 24, 2011 so the entire month will probably be peak season as the week before and after Easter Sunday are always the busiest. I think that is why we're having such a difficult time deciding.

 

[abubu919]

I picked February. I don't know I have always wanted a wedding sometime when it is still cool outside, but that is just me. Seems to be less of a peak time as well compared to April, but any date you choose will be wonderful.

 

[aimeeblonde]

I voted for April too... it helps set the ambiance!

 

[bunny_pop]

I think Feb. is a great time. It will not be to hot or cold. Plus you will not have to worry about spring breakers in Feb too much.

 

[ChocoKat]

How about early March? It is between both months and it starts getting warmer in Florida. Could be a compromise?

 

[*Pixiedust1438*]

Tough call. April would have been my first choice, but I don't graduate until May, so that is not an option as I will be in school. April deff. usually has warmer weather, but one time I was down there in April and it was FREEZING! And I have been in January when it has been 80 degrees, so you never know. I deff. see your point about flight delays due to snow (I live in Buffalo!) but if you choose Feb. you could just make sure guests are planning on flying out a few days before the wedding. If the cost is a factor for your guests, I would learn towards Feb. And although you might risk flight delays (although unlikely) I personally would rather go to Florida in winter when it's cold up here then April when it's nice up north anyway. Either choice is a good one.

 

[Pirate's Princess]

I'd vote for February. $3000 is a huge chunk of change and I'm sure prices will be higher for all the non wedding party people. As for weather we've gone down in January 3 different times. While this last time was frigid it was still warmer than in nj and warmed up to 50 ish by the end. Do you want an outdoor or indoor ceremony? Weather can vary both months hut money doesn't so I'd go by cheaper prices

 

[pezaddict231]

I would go for February. In April the cost of flights can be really really high. And that on top of higher resort costs may make it hard for some of your guests to come.

I can definitely understand the concern about flight delays but maybe plan for a weekday wedding. For example, our wedding is a Tuesday but most guests will be arriving Sat or Sun. If there were flight delays or cancellations they would still be able to get there in plenty of time for the wedding.

For $3k you can throw an awesome welcome party or plan a return anniversary trip to Disney or really do a lot of things...

Is there a reason it has to be Feb or April? What about May or June? It will just be regular season so prices will be in the middle and the weather will be nice.

 

[DisneyLeah]

Hi All!

My fiance and I have have FINALLY decided to have our wedding at Walt Disney World and I could not be more excited!!! But, we need a wedding date.

We have two dates in mind - early February or early April of 2011. The date in February falls during value season so the hotel accommodations are MUCH cheaper. But, the weather is a toss up and since most of our guests are coming from New England there is always the possibility of a snow storm interrupting their travel plans. I realize I cannot control the weather but snow in NE in February is a very real possibility. As is cold weather in Florida.

However, while the weather is much nicer in April and the possibility of a snow storm is less, it is peak season which means VERY HIGH hotel prices.

So what should we do? I want to make this as affordable for our guests as possible but I also want them to enjoy themselves. Plus, we have agreed to pay for the hotel accommodations for our wedding party and the difference between February and April is almost $3000 for us!

TIA for your advice!

Hi there,

Are you sure about the differences in price? In Feb, there are "holidays" of Valentines Day and Presidents day during which Disney charges higher minimums (for example, Sunday Feb 20th will be charged Saturday minimums) and the airfare and room rates spike up too.

I'm thinking about Feb too and not sure what to do either! I thought I would mention this because the rates may not be as different as you originally thought if you choose a date of one of the "holiday" weekends. It might be better to go with your preference of April if the cost is relatively close.

good luck!
Leah

 

[MainStMandy]

I vote February...April can be so busy I would hate for my guests to pay all that money to fly down and have to deal with peak crowds. And if they are New Englanders than the cooler temps in February won't bother them

 

[wdwbride2005]

I voted for February. Your guests will already be used to the cold weather so Florida will feel warm to them, even in February!

Schedule check-in for a few days before the wedding to ensure that even if a snow storm hits, if they travel a day or two later they can still make it there for the wedding.

Your guests will have a more enjoyable experience if the parks are less crowded; it will be easier for you to make dining reservations, and will save a TON!

 

[BecBennett]

I voted for Feb too, if you're really concerned about flights you could suggest that your guests book flights on an earlier day, so that if there's a cancellation there will be Tmore chances at just getting a later flight. To be honest, I'm sure your guests would agree too.

We're planning on getting married early March 2011, which is still considered peak time for hotels, but there won't be as many guests as April.

 

[receptionist]

I think March, April or May are good choices for a wedding in Orlando. My daughter was married May 31st. I always advised her not to pick a date this is during the hurricane season here which is June lst to Nov.30th. so she just made it. Alot of wind and rain could ruin outdoor plans if you were to schedule a wedding during the hurricane season. Also, it is not too hot yet but also it will be light longer in the evenings after the daylight savings time has stared the beginning of March.

 

[trainboyjon]

April would be a nice month I'd beleive. We picked Feb of 2011 for ours. doing the tours and all in march, so i'm looking foward to just the whole experience. The beauty of the whole picking of a day, as far as i believe, is any days you've got a good chance of great weather and a very magical experience.