This week, Disney bride Lauren McGrew-Hitzhusen joins me to discuss everything you need to know about Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings’ Wishes Collection weddings and vow renewals at Walt Disney World.
This show is designed to introduce you to the basics of planning a Wishes event, which, unlike the Escape and Memories packages, is a completely customizable, a la carte experience. We cover the three expenditure requirements—a ceremony fee, a per-person food and beverage minimum expenditure, and an enhancement minimum expenditure—with specific pricing for 2019. This includes an explanation of the often confusing room-blocking process.
Additionally, this episode covers the planning process from start to finish, including the on-site planning session and a timeline of the major financial milestones: paying the deposit, paying the minimum expenditure, paying the balance, and settling up after the event. And we look at a timeline of the wedding day itself, discuss events you can add to enhance the day or create an entire wedding weekend, and answer frequently asked questions.
Helpful Links
- How to Have a Wishes Wedding for the Minimum Expenditure
- How to Set Up a Room Block
- Photos of Walt Disney World Wedding Venues
- What to Expect at the Planning Session
- Adding First-Look Photos to Your Day
- How to Save a Bundle on the Bar
- How to Use Outside Vendors to Save Money on Floral & Decor
- All About Wedding-Day Transportation
- How to Choose an Officiant
- How to Get Your Marriage License
- In-Park Bridal Portrait Session FAQ
- How to Plan a Dessert Party
- First Steps for the Newly Engaged
- Escape Collection Overview
- All Wishes Collection Interviews (including photos + timelines)
CLICK HERE to listen now! Option-click or right-click to download an MP3!
© Disney Fine Art Photography — Ali Nasser & Pedro Bonilla
Episode #354
Do brides have to stay 10+ nights at Disney when they have a Disney Wedding? Can I book a Disney wedding and have the Honeymoon elsewhere?
No, there is no longer a stay requirement to have a Disney wedding. If you do want to set aside rooms for yourself and your guests, you can create a block with a minimum of 10 nights and get 1 free night when all 10 are filled. There is no requirement to have your honeymoon at Disney either.
Thank you Carrie! I really love all of your podcasts and your book! There is so much helpful information! I really enjoy the tips on using outside vendors!
I’m so glad to help!
Hi Carrie! I enjoyed this podcast episode so much, but I was curious if you have any episodes that are focused on the budgeting aspects of weddings held at Disneyland as opposed to Disney World. I live in southern CA and am considering getting married at Disneyland. I’ve listened to many of the episodes where you feature brides who got married at Disneyland, but not many of them go into the nitty gritty of budgeting. If you have done any episodes where you highlight the planning or budgeting aspects of Disneyland weddings I’d love it if you could point me in that direction, thank you!
Hi Maggie! I do have one episode where we talk about the pricing for the various Disneyland packages, but it isn’t as comprehensive as these WDW-focused ones. I’ll put this on the list of ideas for future shows—thanks!
Thank you!