Why did you choose a DFTW?

[pjew]

I was just wondering I you choose a Disney fairy tale wedding?

My daughter just told me that she wants and plans to have an Intimate DFTW in 2008. I am very excited and ready to help her plan. But I know people/family/& friends are going to be upset and just clueless why she choose a DFTW. We love Disney and have visited many times. I think it will be unique and beautiful!

I am just curious why you choose a DFTW and did you go into details with the others why you choose that?

 

[princessdisneybelle]

I chose it because its been my dream since i was tiny. Yes alot of people are upset. But it's our wedding. We are having a reception when we get back. So others can help us celebrate, that couldnt come to Disney.

 

[TinkBride]

I chose DFTW because I have been going there since I was a baby and have dreamed of it since i was about 6. My family totally supported our choice because we are a Disney family. We go almost every year.

DF's family was a little different. They thought the idea was silly and childish. But my wonderful Doug told them that it was something i had always dreamed of and if he can be a part of my dreams coming true then he will do whatever he can.

Only immediate family is attending, and i looked at it as the people that care the most about us will be there regardless. Yes, we did upset some people by our choice, but I could not imagine a wedding anywhere else but Disney World.

I really gave no explanation to anyone. i did not feel the need to justify myself and my dreams.

 

[JandJ]

I dreamed about a wedding at Disney for years, long before I even met my DH! When the time came, we talked about it and he really wanted a small wedding and I really wanted a Disney wedding, so the Intimate DFTW was just perfect for us! I lived in Orlando at the time we started planning, so we visited all the sites, fell in love with the WL Sunrise Terrace, and everything was easy from there.

I never felt I owed anyone (family or friends) an explanation as to why we chose a Disney Intimate. My parents and DH's parents thought it was a perfect choice, our opinion and theirs were all I cared about. It was a perfect wedding - it was the most magical day About a month after our wedding I heard through the family grapevine that one aunt and her family were upset about not being invited, but honestly I wouldn't have wanted them there if I'd had a "traditional" wedding anyway

pjew - Happy Planning with your daughter! I lost my mom unexpectedly 4 months before my wedding, but she was there for most of the planning and my happiest memory is the day she and I chose my wedding gown - enjoy this time!

 

[wendy46001]

I remember watching the video for DFTW when i was 13 (i was just announced disney was going to build the WP)...but they had this couple twilling around the AA rotunda in Epcot...i just recall seeing that and say "that’s going to be me"....

 

[Eeyore3838]

I had gone to Disney when I was younger. When I went to college, I chose UCF in Orlando. After some health issues, my then Dbf (now DF) got us Disney tickets when it was called "Play 4 Days." From there, we couldn't get enough. We were close enough to Disney to go all the time, and we still go all the time. We upgraded to Season passes, then Annuals, then Premium annuals. And when we got engaged last year at Epcot, we looked at other locations in the Orlando area and in Miami where we are originally from. But we both felt like it wouldn't be "us" if it wasn't at Disney. He told me, "we are kidding ourselves if we think we can do it anywhere else." It wasn't just my dream, it was his as well. And I am so excited tha I have found someone who loves Disney as much as I do. So our Intimate is 1/11/07, Wedding Pavilion, with dinner afterwards at Ohana!

 

[BrideToBe82]

Although we like disney, that wasn't the (main) reason why we are having a dftw. I have always dreamt of being a "princess" on my wedding day so disney just sort of fits! The only really "disney" thing that I will be doing at my wedding will be riding in Cinderella's Coach but as for the rest of the wedding my theme will be "lavender". I think when people first hear about your wedding being a disney wedding they think that it is going to be corny-you can still have a really classy wedding (just take a look at the website)!

Good luck to your daughter and don't worry about what other people will say. My friends and family love the idea!

 

[purplegirl247]

The best part about a Disney wedding (and I'm only halfway joking) is that I can tell people (including friends and non-immediate family members) that the space is too small for us to invite very many people. I've always wanted a small wedding and I think people would be *less* understanding if I had it elsewhere; then people would know that it was my choice not to invite others, not a space issue. That sounds awful but I honestly prefer to just have close family with us on our special day.

Oh, yeah. Plus my fiance and I are Disney addicts (he's even a cast member). That was also a deciding factor!

 

[kimnkel]

Once we decided we wanted a very small destination wedding, deciding on DFTW was a simple choice.

BTW, I am not sure if the people that are upset are more bothered by the destination thing, or the Disney thing.

Some people are upset because when they find out it is going to be a destination wedding, as they know it means fewer invitations will be given and it makes them mad to be excluded. How wil they be able to criticize my choice of gown/bridesmaids/dinner entree/champage/you name it, if they aren't there to see it? So they have to settle with criticizing things in advance, sight unseen. Poor things--it must be terribly frustrating for them.

And then, some people have to feel a part of everything; I think it is some kind of control issue. Anyway, why Disney? Well, why not? I know a lot of people make fun of Disney, but they think someplace like Sandals Resort is the be-all, end-all.

Really--what's the difference? A resort is a resort, and Disney has some really wonderful resort hotels, various dining options from fast food food court to world class, and lots to see and do. For us, it wasn't about the Cinderella thing (sorry, not to offend anyone, but I don't believe in Fairy Tales... and Prince Charming? Pfft. I don' need no estinkin' prince--this girlfriend can take care of her own self)

Having said that, I like the family atmosphere; it seems to me to just be so much more wholesome than someplace like Las Vegas. I have always loved Disney, and have so many happy memories of good times spent there with my family. I like especially the idea of combining lots of fun options and memory making potential with my wedding--for everyone. It's a celebration that can last days, instead of a few hours.

For me a DFTW just seems more upbeat, less stuffy, and a lot more fun than the normally boring, superduper elegant, staidly traditional wedding *some* people would have wanted me to have. I also think they do things in a more-or-less first class way--they are no Elvis wedding chapel. Mind you, I don't see anything "wrong" with 300 people watching you say "I do" and dance around stepping on each others' toes, and then cut the cake in that awkwardly stilted way, after being summoned there by engraved invitations on Crane's stationery, 5 thousand dollars worth of floral centerpieces the size of Mt. Rushmore that will last less than 24 hours (and people will only look at for 4 hours, max) and a receiving line where you shake the hands of people you have never met before-- I bet it would be truly lovely, and if that is what some people want, then, by golly, that is what they should have!!

My attitude is: Just don't laugh about, belittle or give me static about what I want, because I am really not listening. I am not seeking permission from long lost aunts, or my mother's third cousin.

It's great that you are supporting your daughter's desires. You go, Mom!! Good luck, enjoy, and God bless!

 

[jmmastra]

I didn't pick Disney my DF did! When I first called Disney and told them this they we a little shocked. Usually it is the female that picks the location. When I was younger I remember seeing a DFTW special on TV. After seeing it I did want to get married in Disney but thought it was 1. too expensive and 2. I knew I could not have a BIG wedding there. So I never really thought about it again. When I meet DF he told me flat out, I am getting married in Disney...no ifs, ands of buts. I really did not think he was serious...but he was. He is a huge Disney fan and so am I. The only vacations we have ever taken have been to WDW. We have been together for 6 1/2 years, we are in our 30's and when he proposed and brought up the Disney wedding again, I said why not! I wanted it when I was younger and he wants it. So I started the research and found that it was not as expensive as I though (compared to a BIG CT wedding it is cheaper). We are inviting 50 people and are also having a larger reception at home. My mother questioned DFTW but was easily comvinced it was a good idea. I did feel "guilty" about not inviting people. But out of all the days DF and I have been together we have only asked for one to be all about us and May 1, 2007 is it. So we are going to do it our way

Happy planning!!!

 

[JDMasso]

We both love Disney sooooooo much . . . . we couldn’t imagine having it anywhere else!!! My parents use to take me to Disney every year. And when I think of Disney, I just think of pure happiness. I get this overwhelming feeling of joy. And when I met DH, and he loved Disney just as much, it was perfect!!!!!!!! Nonetheless, I did get weird looks from my immediate family when I told them I wanted the wedding at Disney. I got even stranger looks when I said Mickey and Minnie had to come to the reception. (My Dad actually made a comment that he had created a Disney monster) I think my family (and in some part, his family as well), thought that a Disney wedding was going to be very "childlike". But, after I shared with them a lot of the aspects of the wedding planning, like picking out locations, and the menus, etc. . . they've changed their mind and are now very excited

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

your daughter is getting married the same year as i am! yay!

my DF and i love Disney World. we have the best time whenever we go there together. and we always miss it when we're not there and we constantly talk about Disney or watch Disney shows/videos and have some sort of Disney memorabilia everywhere around the house.

it was mostly my family that gave us a hard time(still is) about going. my family isn't really close.....at all. and my mother doesn't really like me very much, so to fly all the way to Florida for me wedding is asking a lot. but in the end i'll know that whoever is there, is who really wants to be there and i won't worry about who's not there, because they're not worth getting upset on my wedding day.

 

[Fantasia Sam]

We had spent our first vacation together at The Yacht Club as we had both previously enjoyed Disney holidays with our previous partners. Whilst staying there we saw a wedding in the YC Gazebo and Mickey and Minnie attended and it did put the thought in both our heads back then but that was May 2002, we didn't get engaged until August 2003 and then we both felt that not only Disney, but The Yacht Club Gazebo was the most appropriate place to get married after the Castle!!

We knew it may mean that not everyone that we would like to attend would be able to but we also knew that no-one would be surprised (bar his mother) that we were choosing Disney for the wedding. As it was we still ended up taking a contingency of 12 from the UK with the rest of our 40 guests from the States and the rest of the World.

 

[georgiajaimie]

We wanted something magical for our daughters as well us & as soon as I found out we could have a Disney wedding, it was the only real contender. Not all of our family can make it so we are having the wedding blessed sometime next year and a reception in the UK.

 

[JandJ]

The best part about a Disney wedding (and I'm only halfway joking) is that I can tell people (including friends and non-immediate family members) that the space is too small for us to invite very many people. I've always wanted a small wedding and I think people would be *less* understanding if I had it elsewhere; then people would know that it was my choice not to invite others, not a space issue. That sounds awful but I honestly prefer to just have close family with us on our special day.

Hahaha that was me too! I have so many aunts, uncles, and cousins that I didn't want at my wedding, it was so easy to say "oh, it's Disney's rules, space is so limited" (we had it at WL so it was only 8 guests). If I'd had a small wedding at a hotel in town I could never have gotten away with that.

Also, as another poster said, a DFTW can be as "Disney" as you want it. Anyone who looks at my wedding pictures and isn't familiar with the WL would never know we had a Disney wedding. The only thing "Disney" at my wedding were the chocolate Mickey and Minnie favors. We upgraded to a custom cake and didn't even have the M&M cake topper (I got it from my EM, but it wasn't on the cake). I think that is one thing that is so great about DFTW - it can be whatever you want it to be!

 

[yearbook50]

I'm originally from Florida. My fiance is from Mass. No matter where we got married, some of the family would have to travel. If we had gotten married in MA it would have to be in Boston due to my family flying in.

I joked to my fiance about a Disney Wedding and he said lets do it. Looking into costs, it was along the lines of having a wedding in Boston. So we are going to do it.

My family supports it, his parents do. His mother's sister had the biggest hissy fit about it but I looked her in the face and was like "its my wedding. We like Disney and want it so I dont care."

We will have about 75 guests. Mostly just family plus a few close friends.

 

[hiwaygal]

I didn't pick Disney my DF did!

Mine too!!

We had only been talking a few weeks when he brought it up and I wasn't even sure I liked him that much yet!!

I thought it would be WAAAAAAY too expensive. But, when we finally decided to get married, I found the cost to be quite reasonable for a wedding in DISNEY!!

Neither of us had ever been to WDW (and I've only been to DL once before).

Many people think DH and I are a little "immature" But we both love Disney and wanted our wedding to reflect who WE are together. And Disney was really the only place that could do that for us!

 

[MEME]

In fact, I hadn't been to Disney in about 15 years. My father had taken us several times as kids, but I hadn't been back as an adult at all.

My now husband and I have 2 children (ds - 11 and dd - 10) and wanted to do something affordable and fun. As I was planning for our summer vacation, I came across the DFW ad and the rest was history. In fact, we pushed our vacation from July to October so that we could have more time to plan. I initially thought that he would think it was a 'cheesy' idea; but he was game from the beginning.

Before I had children, I always thought that it would be a big affair. Life throws us all curve balls and as I got older and with children ( I was 28 when I got married) I realized that it was more about the moment and making it memorable for our family.

So, in the end...we chose Disney because it offered the simplest and most cost-effective way for us to marry, honeymoon and vacation with our kids! The Disney Fairytale Weddings department offered exactly what we were looking for, a small gathering with close friends and family, an intimate wedding with a priceless experience.

We had a post-celebration for our extended families upon our return; but for those who attended.....WE ALL HAD THE TIME OF OUR LIVES!

 

[JJClemson]

I have always LOVED Disney! However, before DF and I started dating, he had never been there I took him there last year and we both had an amazing time!

When we got engaged we discussed our possible wedding locations. I originally wanted to get married in my hometown in NJ. I knew this would be difficult b/c DF and I were both then living in SC (he now lives in Atlanta), and DF's family is from OH. So, no matter what, our guests were going to have to travel. We thought the idea of a destination wedding sounded perfect. However, I wanted a location that was in the US and financially manageable (people could drive if they wanted). DF was the one who then suggested a Disney wedding! How could I not LOVE the idea

 

[druidia]

We never felt that we owed anyone an explanantion for the wedding location. They knew we love Disney since we go several times per year; it really wasn't a question with my family/friends. I think people who question it probably don't have a very good idea about the quality that Disney is famous for.

Many of our extended family members were not invited due to cost, but I didn't feel I owed an explanantion for that either. We didn't want 100+ people at our wedding that we hardly knew and wouldn't have time to talk to anyway. I definitely made sure that we had close family members and friends. It was a good number of people for us to talk to everyone and still get to eat, etc.

DH and I paid for the wedding, my parents did not, so we made the guest list. My dad is the type of person who would invite every single person he knows and would put my parents into the poorhouse in the process. Many of my dad's family would expect my parents to pick up the tab for them. I didn't want them saddled with the travel/hotel costs of the extended family members.

For those that did not attend, we had a reception at home a few months later after the video was in. We had another cake, food, etc and watched the video. They really enjoyed it; noone complained to me about not being there. Most of them know that they could not have afforded to make the trip anyway.

As far as the quality is concerned, I believe Disney to be a known. You don't always have that when you are trying to piece together hometown vendors for a wedding. Everyone that attended our wedding said that it was the absolute best wedding they have ever attended, bar none. We certainly agree...it was the happiest day of our lives!