Same sex reception at WDW

[HauntedMansionFan]

I'm hoping that someone can help me out.... I know that WDW doesn't do same sex marriages as it isn't legal in Florida, but I was wondering if they would do just a reception. My partner and I are planning on getting married in Massachusetts, where it is legal, next year and we thought it would be great to have our reception down at Disney. We both love Disney as do most of our family and friends. Anyone know if they will?

 

[karentan]

you wouldnt be able to do it through DFTW but you may have some success in just planning a private dining event. someone on here should be able to give you more info. janet2k has had a few private events, she may be able to help you out

 

[HauntedMansionFan]

Do you know where I couldn't go through Disney Fairy Tale Weddings if we were just planning the reception part of it?

 

[Rustyflwr3]

Depending on where you wanted to go...you could contact the actual restaurant if it's a fairly small group. A lot of restaurants have their own private rooms or sections specifically made for private groups. For a larger reception or party you could try and contact the resorts convention services. For instance, the Grand Floridian. Im sorry I don't have the actual contact information, but HTH!

 

[allisonswonderland]

I am not sure how it all works but I think just a recpetion would qualify as a private event and you would work directly with your location - like GF Convention. They break it down and floral is really seperate and part of the convention group at least that is how my floral manager is listed on her card. So since you would have catering and probably floral (flowers and linens) and no wedding you would probably not have an EM. But that is merely speculation- Good luck though!!!!

 

[heathrow42]

If it's legal in Mass, why couldn't you get married in Mass and have a "vow renewal" in Disney through DFTW? I think the only requirement for a vow renewal is that you bring a copy of your marriage license. Alot of catholic couples get married in the church first, so the church recognizes their wedding, and then they have a 'vow renewal' at Disney.

http://psc.disney.go.com/guestservices/9053.html

"Q: Are any documents required for a vow renewal?
A: Yes. We must have a copy of your original wedding certificate in order to perform a vow renewal. Sorry, but there are no exceptions."

If you didn't want to do that you absolutely could either plan a magical gathering, with a dinner in a restaurant, or go through event services and plan a dinner/reception/party in a banquet hall, or other location. You can also book things like wishes cruise and illuminations dinner/dessert party, you can book characters, floral, dj etc. About the only things totally unique to DFTW are the Wedding Pavillion, having a wedding coordinator and the in park, in your wedding clothes photo session. You should be able to book all of the same locations and events that DFTW does through Magical Gatherings or event services.

If you chose just to arrange your own dinner at a restaurant, I think you can still order wedding cakes from the GF bakery. In general you can order cakes from any of the bakeries on property (Contemporary has one as well, Mary is one of the bakers there and is AWESOME!)

Good luck, and let us know what you decide!

--Heather

 

[Laurafoster]

If you just wanted a reception it would be classes as a private event and would need to be booked with the location you had in mind. As far as i am aware DFTW only arrange a reception if it is as part of a wedding/vow renewal.

Arranging it direct wouldnt be a problem, you would still end up with the same type of event!

 

[HauntedMansionFan]

If it's legal in Mass, why couldn't you get married in Mass and have a "vow renewal" in Disney through DFTW? I think the only requirement for a vow renewal is that you bring a copy of your marriage license. Alot of catholic couples get married in the church first, so the church recognizes their wedding, and then they have a 'vow renewal' at Disney.

I didn't even think of that! What a great idea, I will have to do some more research and see if that is something that would work out. Thanks!

Thank you all so much for the info! I'm going to try and contact Disney today, so I will let you all know how it turns out.

 

[hmgolden]

I didn't even think of that! What a great idea, I will have to do some more research and see if that is something that would work out. Thanks!

Thank you all so much for the info! I'm going to try and contact Disney today, so I will let you all know how it turns out.

There was some discussion about this a couple weeks ago, and the general feeling was that since such unions are still illegal in FL, a VR would be out of the question too.

I think your best option would be to book a private event not through FTW.

Please let us know if you hear anything differently. I know there are many couples on the DIS who would love to hear about a change in policy!

 

[HauntedMansionFan]

Spoke with someone today at the FTW number and she stated what I had suspected, because FL won't recognize it they can't do a vow renewal either. No biggie though, I can't hold it against Disney and it was a great thought that heathrow42 had. So now we are in the planning stages of doing a private event!

 

[pouncingpluto]

Keep us in the loop... we'd love to hear what you are planning!

Also... was FTW helpful will directing you to the right people to talk to?

 

[heathrow42]

Congratulations on creating your own private event!

I'm really surprised and disappointed though, it sounds like discrimination.. A vow renewal is not a legally binding act or procedure, which is why Disney asks for a copy of the marriage license.. they want to make sure you *are* actually married. If you legally get married in Mass, the legal act has already been done, a vow renewal is simply a reaffirmation of your vows. Because the act of a vow renewal has no legal bearing, you are not required to and legally can not obtain a second license, there is no legal documentation to file, and it can be performed by anyone, even a 7 year old if you wanted. The laws of the state of Florida should not come into play.

I guess their point is that the state of Florida won't recognize the marriage license of a same sex marriage performed in another state.. but that shouldn't have any bearing because this is not a legally binding ceremony. I can see how this would be a problem if you were moving to Florida or trying to obtain one of the 'benefits of marriage' property rights, medicaid, next of kin etc., those are all legally binding constructs..

What if you agreed to have the ceremony performed by someone who was not a legal officiant? a good friend perhaps, a family member? would you be ok with that?

May I make a suggestion, if you want a view of the castle, how about the balcony of a tower room with a MK view at the contemporary, the Grand or the Poly? The higher up the better.. floors 12 and 14 at the contemporary are concierge and are gorgeous.

--heather