How to start planning a disney wedding?

[Christina022885]

Hello All,

Please help! I have wanted to have a disney wedding since I was a little kid, and have no idea where to start.

I plan on having 100 guests and do not want to have my wedding outside, where is the best place to have it?

I have heard some bad reviews on some of the wedding planners, which ones are the best? Which ones were not so good!?

We have a limited budget, how can I cut costs besides the Date and time?

Is it cheapter use their services for dj? Is it expensive? If I need to hire someone outside, who are the best dj's? who should I skip over? I was hoping to get a dj and an MC for this price. I want to make sure the dj we meet, will be the dj that arrives at the wedding. Also, they will play songs we request, and not just say they will. Looking to spend no more than $1000

I heard the Disney photographers aren't the greatest, is that true? Who should I choose that is reasonable but creative, gives direction, has an eye for good shots? Looking to not spend more than $2000- and hoping for 2 photographers at this price.

I think they have different florwer pacakges, are there any $2,000 and under, but still look beautiful and full? If not, who do you recommend?

The date I will be looking for- which I need to waiting 12 months before I book is May 4th, 2014. I am really nervous about not being able to secure this sooner, but I assume there are plenty of locations and I will be able to get something that makes me happy.

I really hope to make this wedding happen with 100 guests - with open bar (not sure the cost?) for $29,000. I really hope I am not in over my head!!

I am going to the event on Feb 9th, and hope to learn more, but want to be more prepared and go in knowing what the right thing to do is so I can start planning.

Thanks in advance!! Really have no idea where to start or who to count on and trust for vendors!

-Christina

 

[DixieBelle]

Honestly, I would start with the Passporters guide to disney weddings by carrie hayward. amazing info.

 

[mb187143]

Welcome!! I second the PP's recommendation of the passporter. This is really the only way to get a really solid idea if pricing and options. The author makes regular updates to the eBook version, so buying the eBook will allow you to keep up to date. There are also some great planning worksheets so you can get an idea of costs.

The book also describes the venues and rules/costs associated with them. It's really invaluable.

 

[NoOrdinaryPrincess]

Hello All,

Please help! I have wanted to have a disney wedding since I was a little kid, and have no idea where to start.

I plan on having 100 guests and do not want to have my wedding outside, where is the best place to have it?
I'd suggest the WP and one of the GF ballrooms. It's much, more affordable and flexible to use resort locations than it is in-park ones

I have heard some bad reviews on some of the wedding planners, which ones are the best? Which ones were not so good!?

We have a limited budget, how can I cut costs besides the Date and time?
Resort locations saves money, using non-Disney photographers saves money, bringing in your own floral saves money
Is it cheapter use their services for dj? Is it expensive? If I need to hire someone outside, who are the best dj's? who should I skip over? I was hoping to get a dj and an MC for this price. I want to make sure the dj we meet, will be the dj that arrives at the wedding. Also, they will play songs we request, and not just say they will. Looking to spend no more than $1000
I think Disney DJs are about $1500. If you hire an outisde DJ they are charged a set up fee that usually makes them more expensive anyhow. The Disney DJ package includes uplighting. SOMETIMES it's cheaper if you ask to exclude the uplighting, or consider an iPod setup instead.

I heard the Disney photographers aren't the greatest, is that true? Who should I choose that is reasonable but creative, gives direction, has an eye for good shots? Looking to not spend more than $2000- and hoping for 2 photographers at this price.
Disney photography prices are outragous. To my knowledge their cheapest package is $3000+ If you use a resort location, hire an outisde photographer (Randy Chapman is really popular for his affordability and quality)
I think they have different florwer pacakges, are there any $2,000 and under, but still look beautiful and full? If not, who do you recommend?
Disney doesn't have floral "packages" you ask for what you want, they price it out, and you can add/subtract from there.
The date I will be looking for- which I need to waiting 12 months before I book is May 4th, 2014. I am really nervous about not being able to secure this sooner, but I assume there are plenty of locations and I will be able to get something that makes me happy.If you're stuck on a date, be flexible with time. If you're stuck on a time, be flexible with date. Something will work out.

I really hope to make this wedding happen with 100 guests - with open bar (not sure the cost?) for $29,000. I really hope I am not in over my head!!
You're going to be pushing it for a group of $100. Keep in mind you'll have to spend at least $75pp on food and beverage for the day BEFORE 6.5%tax and 21% service charge. Consider looking into a Swan and Dolphin Wedding. They have almost all the benefits of a WDW wedding with almost none of the restrictions at about half the price. ie you can have M&M, but not Cindy's coach (though, I doubt you could afford the Coach with your budget). You can have an in-park shoot, but not at MK. You can have a DP, but not in your bridal clothes if you're in Epcot

I am going to the event on Feb 9th, and hope to learn more, but want to be more prepared and go in knowing what the right thing to do is so I can start planning.

Thanks in advance!! Really have no idea where to start or who to count on and trust for vendors!

-Christina

Answers in blue. Really, Carrie's book is the best place to start.

 

[itsmebabygi]

Disney has a generic document to give you a baseline idea of pricing that you can ask for when you talk to someone at Disney. Their estimate for a 100 person wedding with no frills, but all the basics (wedding pavilion, ballroom with pre reception and plated dinner, standard bouquet/centerpiece floral, smallest photography package, limo, cake, dj) is $31,000. There are definitely ways to cut/add/adjust that number, but it seems like you are going to need to be diligent to hit your target with 100 people. It definitely seems possible though. The costs outside of that $31,000 number would have to include: dress, hair, makeup, officiant, hotel, flights, dress steaming, etc. Mostly smaller pieces, but they add up quick. But I think this info will give you a good sense of scale.

 

[Christina022885]

Thank you all! I plan on getting the book this weekend, or downloading it! I met with a few people today. They said I "have" to use Disney for cake, and floral.. is that true?

 

[mb187143]

Cake, I think yes you have to use Disney, but someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

Floral: you have to use Disney for any locations that are outdoors, and also any in-park events (indoor or outdoor). You can use an outside florist for personal floral for any venue. Really you can only use an outside floral venue for decor and centerpieces at ballroom locations at this point. You now have to use Disney for wedding pavilion as well (this is a fairly recent change).

Outside photographers are ok for locations that are not held in-park.

Carries book spells a lot of this out with a great deal of detail it will help you sift through the stuff Disney says you can't do and the stuff they don't want to tell you you can do.

 

[tracey1302]

If you have a mid week wedding, potentially a brunch reception and don't go mad on decor - this is definitely doable!

 

[Tink2182014]

The book is the way to go before planning!