Oh My!

[AdventureGuru]

WOW!
I just decided for giggles I would plan my somewhat ideal Disney Wedding...um at the tune of $20,254...Is this the typical cost of a Disney Wedding? Where do you cut corners? How do you make this do-able?!?!?!? Are you kidding me!?!?! $20,000!
I guess its a good thing that we arent engaged yet...I've got to figure out how to save for all of this...
I guess a girl can dream can't she...

Here's to hoping-Someday....

 

[KT27]

Thats why this board was created, to help you save $, have your dream & still be able to afford it. There are many ways to cut corners we all have a "dream" wedding & a wedding that will satisfy us. For example we are having our wedding at 9 am on a Monday, that right there drops the min. to $10k rather than 15k or 20k. I am having a brunch menu (I love brunch - also less formal) that saved us a bunch, by me cutting a few corners along the way it enabled me to have a Illuminations Dessert Party the evening of our wedding. You could hire oustide vendors, I saved over $1000 dollars by chosing an outside florist, same with the photography, videography etc. If you chose a location like the Wedding Pavilion not much floral is needed. There are many ways to do it. All said and done with everything I am just under $18k. & that includes my week at Beach Club Villas, flights, not including dress (Mom bought that). So I think with spending $ and all we should hit about $20k. I came from NY, in NY it was not possible to have a wedding for that unless it was in the ghetto! Plus in NY I would have had to invite 200 people I didn't want there. My fiance's family still would have had to travel to NY, now they make a vacation out of it & go to Disney. These are just a few things you can do.

 

[JonetteA]

Adventure ~ What are you basing the number on? The wish book or information from Disney? Keep in mind that prices go up and they add taxes and gratuities and depending upon what type of ceremony you are having (park vs non-park) things change there to. If you can give more details maybe we can help.

 

[AdventureGuru]

I based it on the wish book...no ring yet...so I thought maybe I would spend some time and dream...

My family situation is a little wacked and there are people I just sooo dooo nooot want at my wedding...I cant stand my dads side of the family and will not allow them there if I can help it!

So, my thoughts were of a Disney wedding...20 people...all those close to us...no more no less...I can have a reception when I get home and that is that. Nice and easy

I love the brunch idea with the fireworks in the end that works for me!!! Wedding is early and out of the way...

I guess a dream is a wish your heart makes...I've found my prince...nwo I'm waiting for my Ball...

 

[hiwaygal]

One thing that strikes me right away is that you are very close to the guest count for an intimate (20 guests total, including you and your groom)...the cost of an intimate "starts" at about $2500 (not including your rooms/accommodations) and you can add special touches from there.

The other thing to consider is what would be the cost for a dream wedding where you live? In most cases, the average wedding runs anywhere from $15,000 to $25,000 depending on where you live and the kinds of things you will have. Some areas are SIGNIFICANTLY higher...

When you consider that a wedding at home might cost you close to $20k, it makes Disney's wedding prices look ALOT more reasonable.

 

[starflower]

Hiwaygal is right. Where I live (Atlanta), the approximately $20,000 we're spending on our Disney custom wedding is nowhere near what we'd spend if we had it at home. Disney was actually the cheaper option!

 

[Tinkerbelle14]

I agree, Disney is usually the cheaper option. Right around the time of our decision to get married away, the newspaper had an article that said the average Canadian wedding costs $35,000. My dad held on to this article until we told them our final decision and then showed it to us. He was definitely happy with the option we decided on! $2500 beats $35,000 any day!

 

[ead79]

Don’t worry, you could have a wonderful wedding for 20 people for WAY under $20,000 at Disney!

You’re actually off to a great start with limiting the guest list since that’s one of the biggest factors that determines the overall cost of the event (since the food & beverage costs are per person and are pretty high).

You can also save a good bit of money by choosing venues that require little or no decoration. Then you don’t have to spend a bunch on décor for the reception. The Wedding Pavilion is beautiful just as it is, so no worries there. If you choose an outdoor location, those are gorgeous too.

Also, be aware that the Wishbook tends to list the more extravagant options. For example, you can have chair and table covers for much less than their elaborate options, you can have scaled down floral for less cost, etc.

Also, if you can keep the guest list to 20 or less, then you could do an Intimate Wedding instead of a Custom Wedding. They are much less expensive but still very special events full of Disney magic. They are more of a package, whereas Custom Weddings allow for customization.

As you dream, you can figure out which things are the most meaningful to you and cut some of the other stuff.

Happy planning as you wait for your ring!

 

[AdventureGuru]

I based everything on what I would really really want...but the more I think about it (and read these boards) the more I can come up with that would be just as awsome...there are some things I'm not willing to skimp on (photos being one)
There will only be 20 people or less...
Do you knwo if they let you bring your own officiant? I would love to have BFs grandfather do the service...it would be a nice touch.

I'm liking the brunch idea...get it done and out of the way...
What is this-you cant wear your dress in the parks??? oh well...


You know I really dont know what a wedding cost here...hmmm...thats food for thought...

Anyway...a dream is a wish your heart makes...

 

[J and R's mom]

Back in 1999, it cost us slightly less than $5000 TOTAL to have an intimate wedding with 6 people (all that was allowed at the time for and intimate). AND, that included 7 days/6 nights at BWI. We were married at Sea Breeze point and when they had the reception cake table out there, the place really didn't need any additional decoration. We used an outside photographer and videographer that were on a list DFTW provided. Each of those folks charged $350 and I got to keep the negatives of the photos. I don't know if Disney still provides a list of outside folks or not.

As a side note on the videographer, the video was perfect. It was not just a home video type of thing (except for the ceremony part). He did edits and blendings and played music over certain parts of the reception. We did not have a reception that fed everyone (of course, there were only 6 of us). We just did the champagne and cake cutting and a few dances right there in the gazebo.

We finished the whole day off with an Illuminations Cruise that night. IT WAS A PERFECT DAY AND A PERFECT WEDDING.

Now, I know prices have probably gone up over the past 7 years, but you could probably have a REALLY nice wedding for under $10k (including the hotel stay for yourself and DBF).

Here's to hoping, and wishing and dreaming!