If you were invited to a WDW destination wedding....

[ead79]

I'm a Disney bride myself (I got married back in 2003), and it was a dream come true for me. We had 76 guests come to our wedding, most of whom had to travel from GA, so we had a pretty large turnout for a destination wedding.

While my own wedding was December 13 and people did come, I think it might be easier to avoid major holiday periods. That way people can save on airfare and not have to deal with trying to travel while trying to prepare for the holidays. I'm thinking that mid October or early November might be nice. But if your heart is set on having the Christmas decorations up (which I totally understand--we loved it!), then I think many people would still come.

Just prepare yourself the way every destination wedding bride should in my opinion. Know that some people won't attend your wedding, and don't let your feelings get hurt over it. As long as you go into it knowing that ahead of time, then plan and enjoy the wedding of your dreams! I loved my Disney wedding and wouldn't do it differently at all!

 

[Bren's Mom]

In general I'd say early-mid October. If you can do it on Columbus Day that would be convenient for many people since alot of people/schools are off.

If you're looking at THIS Oct-Dec (2009) I'd say just pick what you want because most people will not be able to make expensive travel plans at the last minute anyway.

I know for our family of 4 who are saving for April vacation week Universal vacation next year we would not be able to attend a destination wedding this year...at least not all 4 of us. If it was a very close family member (like a sister) or a very close (best) friend then either dh or I would go alone most likely. MAYBE we would travel together if we could get a sitter for the younger kiddo for that time. AND if we could get decent airfare.

From CT, even with a GREAT airfare of, say, $149pp RT...which would also be a great deal from Logan, it would be $600 just to fly us there if we all went. Then a hotel, plus parking at the airport, car rental, meals, etc...you're talking about a significant expense for your guests.

If you're looking at 2010 and are going to send save the dates within the next couple of months there's a chance a few more people would be able to save up to attend, but still not everyone will come. I just hope that you have a realistic idea about this so you're not disappointed!

 

[poohbear227]

In general I'd say early-mid October. If you can do it on Columbus Day that would be convenient for many people since alot of people/schools are off.

If you're looking at THIS Oct-Dec (2009) I'd say just pick what you want because most people will not be able to make expensive travel plans at the last minute anyway.

I know for our family of 4 who are saving for April vacation week Universal vacation next year we would not be able to attend a destination wedding this year...at least not all 4 of us. If it was a very close family member (like a sister) or a very close (best) friend then either dh or I would go alone most likely. MAYBE we would travel together if we could get a sitter for the younger kiddo for that time. AND if we could get decent airfare.

From CT, even with a GREAT airfare of, say, $149pp RT...which would also be a great deal from Logan, it would be $600 just to fly us there if we all went. Then a hotel, plus parking at the airport, car rental, meals, etc...you're talking about a significant expense for your guests.

If you're looking at 2010 and are going to send save the dates within the next couple of months there's a chance a few more people would be able to save up to attend, but still not everyone will come. I just hope that you have a realistic idea about this so you're not disappointed!

Definitely not planning for this year!! We are looking at 2010 or 2011.

 

[suzannen]

As someone living in the Northeast, I can tell you that traveling in January can be such a hit or miss. Your guests from Massachusetts could be unable to travel due to a snow or ice storm. I think the weather in October and November are much better, although I would give a slight edge to November since 1) I would prefer Christmas decorations over Halloween ones; 2) there is still a better chance of a hurricane in October over November and 3) We've had several cabbies tell us they think November is the best month historically for good weather in Orlando (I so can't back that up, but at least 6 different ones have told us that.)

 

[poohbear227]

As someone living in the Northeast, I can tell you that traveling in January can be such a hit or miss. Your guests from Massachusetts could be unable to travel due to a snow or ice storm. I think the weather in October and November are much better, although I would give a slight edge to November since 1) I would prefer Christmas decorations over Halloween ones; 2) there is still a better chance of a hurricane in October over November and 3) We've had several cabbies tell us they think November is the best month historically for good weather in Orlando (I so can't back that up, but at least 6 different ones have told us that.)

Are the Christmas decorations up all month in November or do they go up at the end of November? If we tried for November, I was thinking early November so it wouldn't conflict with anyone's Thanksgiving travel plans.

I wonder how the hotel rates are for early November...

 

[FireDancer]

I lived in FL for two years and had an AP so I made it over all the time and saw all kinds of different crowd levels, weather, etc.. I voted October for a couple of reasons. The weather is awesome. It is still warm but not too hot during the day and still warm enough at night not to need even light jackets. The crowds are pretty thin since kids are back in school and the winter fold are mostly not down (until November or even December). There aren't any travel holidays so airfare isn't inflated and the resort/hotel prices aren't in peak season.

The Christmas decorations went up the Wednesday before Thanksgiving both years I was down there but it may be earlier now. Back then MNSSHP didn't start as early so they might have pushed up everything.

 

[cappygirl]

I'm biased and voted for October because we were married in Disney in October 2007 . The weather was beautiful and the crowds were pretty light. We had 150 people come and most made a mini-vacation out of it (we were married on a monday morning)

 

[hulagirl87]

We got married at the Yacht Club Gazebo on a Friday morning... May 4 (2007). It was beautiful. Not too hot because it was a morning ceremony (10:30). We didn't have any guests, just me and DH (and I would definitely recommend this to anyone!)

We went last November, the 18-24 and some of the Christmas decorations were up. The Osbourne Family Spectacle of Lights was being put up as we were leaving. The tree was up at Animal Kingdom and the gingerbread house was up at Grand Floridian (ahhhh, that smell!!!)

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Our wedding was in Disney on a Thursday in June. It was very hot, it wasn't our original date but my FIL was very ill so we moved the wedding so he could attend. It was worth the heat to have him there before he passed.

My BFF's was a Saturday the first week in November......ceremony at the YC & cocktails & dinner in Epcot.

 

[bigbabyblues]

Not December or January because of the issue of traveling weather. However, if they're in Arizona, they may not have the snow & ice we get.