How expensive is it to have your reception at the Castle Courtyard?

[DJ Disney Kid]

I saw on the wedding planner dvd that you could have your reception in fantasyland near the carousel ( or so it seemed ). Has anyone ever looked into this to see what the cost is? Are there restrictions or a certain number of guests you have to have before they will even consider letting you have it here?

 

[PrincessShea]

http://www.disneyweddings.go.com/sit...leName=style02

Someone here had a Magic Kingdom wedding at night, several years ago. They made a website about it: http://fredammons.com/wedding/ Keep in mind though that this was several years ago and it seems like many exceptions were made, so I don't think a wedding like theirs is possible any more.

Other than that, I cannot recall any other MK weddings here.

 

[Skylarr29]

At the time of that wedding I believe the minimum expenditure was 50K. Then Disney changed it to 500K. There is no longer a catering facility in the MK so I don't think receptions are any longer a possibility. There are also a ton of logistical factors and rules that come into play and very few nights that a reception would be allowed.

 

[Believing is Seeing.]

I don't know if anyone has ever been on the David Tutera website but if you go into the photo gallery section under weddings there is a "Disney Dream" wedding, it is beautiful and elegant and completely over the top! It is neat to see, it looks like a dream!

I have no idea how this was pulled off but its neat to see, heres the link to his website; http://www.davidtutera.com/tuteramain.html, his site needs flash so you'll have to follow my directions because theres not a direct link. Enjoy!

 

[lurkyloo]

Those David Tutera pix are from the wedding of the BRIDES magazine contest winners - again, an exception to all of Disney's rules.

 

[disney_dreaming_mom]

I know you asked about WDW but four years ago when we were planning our wedding the cost to have a wedding and reception in front of the castle and in the castle courtyard at Disneyland started at $100,000.00

In addition, the planner I spoke with told me that was the base price for the location and did not include extras like Cinderella's coach. Getting married in the catle courtyard would be so awesome!!!

 

[Believing is Seeing.]

Those David Tutera pix are from the wedding of the BRIDES magazine contest winners - again, an exception to all of Disney's rules.

I did not know that. That's too bad. I was wondering why the bride was waving to the magic kingdom guests...

Ah well..

 

[Nikisha421]

I know you asked about WDW but four years ago when we were planning our wedding the cost to have a wedding and reception in front of the castle and in the castle courtyard at Disneyland started at $100,000.00

In addition, the planner I spoke with told me that was the base price for the location and did not include extras like Cinderella's coach. Getting married in the catle courtyard would be so awesome!!!

that is one very extreme nuMBER

 

[Wish on a Star]

that is one very extreme nuMBER

True Story!

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

I have two answers:

First, the most recent number given was $500,000.00 on "limited" nights and yes, no catering, but they will bring cake over.

However, part of me says, money talks, esp. in this economy. WDW has been offering discounts and incentives lately. If your budget is something that might interest them, ask to speak to management, they might make an exception, what could it hurt?

The worst you can be told is no.

 

[julierocks]

Half a million dollars...seriously? And without catering? I can't imagine spending that much on a wedding, but I'm sure people have done it before. If I had the budget, whose to say I wouldn't do it?

 

[PrincessShea]

I guess the link I posted doesn't work. But if you type "Magic Kingdom Wedding" into google, this is the first thing that comes up:
-----
MAGIC KINGDOM - $28,000*

Taking place at Swan Boat Landing in Magic Kingdom® Park, with Cinderella Castle as your backdrop, this once-in-a-lifetime event is the ultimate fairy tale celebration in a place where dreams really do come true!

Your Magic Kingdom® Park Wedding package** includes the following magical elements:

* Ceremony at Magic Kingdom® Park at Swan Boat Landing beginning at 8am for up to 50 guests (based on limited availability – please contact a Wedding Consultant for more details)
* Transportation for guests from their Walt Disney World® Resort to the Magic Kingdom® Park and reception venue
* Your guests will be transported down Main Street, U.S.A., via motorized cars, to Swan Boat Landing
* A string quartet to play your musical selections
* A Fanfare Trumpeter and Major Domo to announce the arrival of the bride in a horse-drawn Landau Coach
* Ceremony floral and décor package for Swan Boat Landing
* A Magic Kingdom® Wedding Ceremony Photography and Videography package by Disney Photography


*In addition to the above package elements, food & beverage and room night minimums must be met:
Breakfast/Brunch
Receptions* Lunch
Receptions* Dinner
Receptions*
Food and
Beverage
Minimum $75.00++
per person $100.00++
per person $125.00++
per person

* Breakfast/Brunch Receptions include 8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., and 10:00 a.m. wedding ceremonies. Lunch Receptions includes a 12:00 p.m. ceremony. Dinner Receptions include 2:30 p.m., 5:00 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. ceremonies.

Minimum food and beverage expenditure is comprised of food and beverage costs planned on the event day, which may include pre-reception, reception, dessert parties, wedding cake and all alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages.

++ Prices above do not include 21% service charge and 6.5% sales tax that will apply to all functions.

* Based on your number of guests, you must guarantee a minimum number of hotel room nights at WALT DISNEY WORLD owned and operated Resorts. A minimum of 25 room nights is required (bride & groom accommodations can go towards this minimum). Your Disney Wedding Consultant will be happy to discuss these minimums in detail to ensure your comfort level.

** Additional floral, entertainment, and décor for your reception are not included in the above package

To learn more about hosting your dream vow renewal at Magic Kingdom® Park, please contact a Disney Wedding Consultant today!

 

[lurkyloo]

The only problem with that package (well, besides its being $28,000 before you even figure in the price of the reception ) is that they stick you at the dumpy old Swan Boat Landing for the ceremony:

 

[Elsha]

I'm now inspired after reading the part on that couple's site about how they got their wish...

I might just have to make a pest of myself in a couple years

 

[PrincessMonkey]

Awwwh.
This thread makes me sad, because my fiance and I were initially hoping to host our Disney Wedding at the Magic Kingdom. My fiance proposed to me in front of Cinderella Castle (see Signature). It would be a dream come true for us to be married in front of Cinderella Castle.

We have been dating for 7 years, been best friends since I was 16 years old, and we are now in our laaate 20's, but I have been dreaming about a Magic Kingdom wedding since I was a little girl. This time, we could invite the friends and family who weren't there to see us get engaged after all those years.

We are getting married at Walt Disney World, and we have set the date.
We specifically spoke about the Magic Kingdom with our Disney Fairy Tale Wedding Coordinator multiple times, but we were informed that it is just not possible with our guest count of 125+ people. Very sad... even if we are willing to pay extra.

The only time when they even have availability for the Magic Kingdom castle wedding is at 8:00am, that is, if you have a guest count of under 50 people. Disney previously offered a more flexible evening ceremony & reception option, but the special ticketed event parties like MNSSHP and Pirate & Princess Parties, etc. now take up their 7:00pm park closures. A Magic Kingdom reception alone would have been wonderful, wouldn't it?

I have to remind myself that Disney is a business, but I can't help but feel nostalgic when I think about all of the wonderful memories my family and I have made over the years at the Magic Kingdom. At least we will always "have" the spot where my fiance proposed to me.

 

[julierocks]

It will all work out and you'll still find a place to do it that you love. I was disappointed to hear that we couldn't do our wedding at the American Pavilion in Epcot because we wouldn't have the required 100 guests. We'll probably only have 80 at most...seems like there is no breaking this rule - they will move you to a different location from what the coordinator told me. So since we can't do it where we really wanted, we've been looking at other places, and they may turn out to be better. It will all work out - so don't be sad! You're getting married!

 

[PrincessMonkey]

Thanks, Julierocks.

It's just a bit sad to think that so many of us Disney brides probably want/wanted to get married at Cinderella Castle, but it is not really possible. I think those Disney couples who are able to swing it are very, very lucky!

My fiance and I worked with Disney Fairy Tale Weddings on alternatives. We simply couldn't cut the guest list as we have large families and long-time friends. We have faith it is going to be fine in the end, and Disney is very professional and accommodating in other respects. As I said, at least we will always "have" our engagement spot.

Of course, we can look forward to our Magic Kingdom bridal portrait session a couple of days into our honeymoon!