How to Plan a Magical Wedding at Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World Fairy Tale Weddings

For couples who consider themselves Disney fanatics a wedding at Walt Disney World may be a dream come true.

Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings offers brides and grooms a wide assortment of Disney-themed wedding details that they can mix in with traditional wedding elements. Couples can wed in a classic wedding chapel at the Wedding Pavilion with a few hidden Mickeys or go full Disney-maniac by reciting your vows in your favorite park.

Couples can treat themselves to a pre-wedding vacay to Walt Disney World to attend Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings Showcase. This special annual event allows you to view many of the options available to couples from venue and menu options to decor and details. And speaking of menu options, bring your appetite because you can taste many of the delicious items WDW chefs can whip up for your wedding reception!

Below are some of the creative ways you can have a wedding at Walt Disney World:

Pick the Perfect Place

Walt Disney World Fairy Tale Weddings

Walt Disney World has traditional as well as fantasy wedding venues for couples to choose from. Let’s start with the traditional. Disney’s Wedding Pavilion (located between Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort) has a classic chapel with a 75’ aisle, Bridal Suite for the couple and wedding party to get ready and sweeping views over the lagoon of the Magic Kingdom and Polynesian Resort for breathtaking photos, including two views of Cinderella’s Castle in the background.

Walt Disney World Fairy Tale Weddings

Couples can also choose from one of the four parks at Walt Disney World to get married. After Animal Kingdom closes for the day, couples can say “I do” in front of the Tree of Life and then party with their family and friends at one of the park’s restaurants.

Walt Disney World Fairy Tale Weddings

For early birds, you can wed in front of Cinderella’s castle at the Magic Kingdom or the Chinese Theatre at Disney’s Hollywood Studios before the parks open for the day.

Walt Disney World Fairy Tale Weddings

Wish you could have your wedding abroad but can’t? Choose from one of Epcot’s international pavilions, including China, Morocco, Italy and France for a destination look and feel.

For a land and sea affair, say “I do” on board a Disney Cruise Ship out of Cape Canaveral and then honeymoon at Walt Disney World upon your return to shore.

Walt Disney World Fairy Tale Weddings

Walt Disney World Fairy Tale Weddings

And finally, you can wed at one of Walt Disney World’s resorts. Get married by the water at Disney’s Boardwalk Sea Breeze Point or get the look and feel of a southern wedding by marrying beneath the trees at Oak Manor Lawn at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside.

P.S. Four Seasons Orlando, (see two pics below) an on-property non-Disney resort, has a grand ballroom for couples who want a formal wedding close to all the parks with both adult only and family-friendly pools, a spa for pre-wedding prep and several restaurants for your rehearsal dinner and post-wedding brunch. The resort offers couples both indoor and outdoor locations for ceremonies, cocktail hours and receptions. Click here to learn more about Four Seasons’ Orlando’s Wedding packages.

Four Seasons Orlando Wedding Reception Four Seasons Orlando Wedding Reception

Food Glorious Food

Walt Disney World Fairy Tale Weddings

Just because you’re in Florida doesn’t mean your catering offerings are limited to American-fare. Restaurants around WDW include European, Asian and exotic offerings from around the globe.

Now the best part about a Walt Disney World wedding for Disney fanatics is the selection of Disney-themed menu items that you can add to your wedding fare. Think Mickey-shaped waffles for a breakfast reception or Dole Whip or Mickey Ice Cream Bars for dessert.

You can also serve up a signature drink with a fantasy-themed name such as The Glass Slipper, The Mad Hatter or the Happily Ever After!

Get an idea of the menu options available at the Ever After Blog.

Let Them Eat Wedding Cake

Walt Disney World Fairy Tale Weddings

Probably the most iconic wedding detail of them all, a wedding cake can complement the wedding’s venue or theme by being super traditional with sugar flowers or sashes or dramatic in bold colors and shapes, such as a castle. Choose from a long list of flavors and filings to make it truly personal to you. And after cutting the cake, seek out the hidden Mickey the baker added to its design. See what their bakers have whipped up over the years, here.

In addition to a Disney-inspired wedding cake, couples can serve their family and friends a buffet of pastries made up of cake pops, cookies, cupcakes, macarons and more to end their reception on a sweet note!

Walt Disney World Fairy Tale Weddings

Walt Disney World Fairy Tale Weddings

Oh So Pretty

Walt Disney World Fairy Tale Weddings

As with all of your Disney Wedding details, it’s totally up to you how Disney you want to make it. Choose a Disney theme – Frozen (winter wonderland), Little Mermaid (by the sea) or Beauty & the Beast (countryside) – or something less Disney, but still magical – glamorous, white wedding or elegant. The magic makers at Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings will show you a selection of bouquets and corsages as well as centerpieces and linens for you to choose from.

Do you spy the Hidden Mickey in this bridal bouquet:

Walt Disney World Fairy Tale Weddings

Something Magical

Walt Disney World Fairy Tale Weddings

It wouldn’t be a Disney wedding without a little fairy dust to help make it, well, magical!

While you can’t have your favorite Disney character perform your wedding ceremony, you can have him or her (or them) make an appearance at your wedding reception. It makes a great photo op!

Couples can schedule a photo shoot in the park, before hours, where a photographer will take you to the most picturesque spots for your wedding album. Without the crowds you’ll get unobstructed views of your favorite sights! #saycheese

With all of your friends and family at WDW to celebrate with you, plan jam-packed days and nights pre and post the big day. In addition to rides and shows at the parks, WDW resorts offer a wide range of super-fun activities from golf (and mini golf) to fishing and horseback riding. There are spas, dinner shows and character dining options to choose from. But a word to the wise: Don’t over pack everyone’s schedule. Make suggestions and a few mandatory activities for everyone to be together, but let friends and family have some time on their own to do their favorite Disney activities.

To learn more about Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings visit disneyweddings.com. Find inspiration from real brides and grooms who wed at Walt Disney World and get ideas for your magical day at the Ever After Blog and follow @DisneyWeddings for daily inspiration!

Walt Disney World Fairy Tale Weddings

Disney Fairy Tale Weddings courtesy of Disney. Four Seasons Orlando photos courtesy of Four Seasons.

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