How much is an average Disney Wedding?
 

Hi, my friend insists on a disney wedding in October. I think it is foolish. What do you think? Can you tell me an average price and the pros and cons. I really dont want him to waste all of his hard earned money.

I am looking into this idea as well. Look at two recent strings with details. "Wedding Pavillion at WDW" and "Disney Wedding" Both got a lot of responses, some helpful some RUDE. <BR> <BR>Anyway, not sure what you mean by "average" wedding. It depends on how many people you are having. If you have th "Intimate Wedding" which I think is less than 6? people it is a quite reasonable amount and definitely memorable. However, if you have more than 8? (I believe, the number may be a little higher) there is a $10,000.00 minimum. Some people who have full sit down dinners, open bars, the best private ballroom, band etc can probably spend $10k on 8 people (outrageous in my opinion) However, I am looking for 25-30 people and wanting to have a daytime wedding. Reception will be catered appetizers, cake and cocktails, with a six piece string band. We will not rent a ballrom but have the set up outdoors the wedding will be at sea breeze point, we are budgeting $12,000 right now. We may come in over but htat is doubtful. We actually hope to have enough left over to pay for photographs, hotel for us, meals for us and park admission as well. We'll just have to see. I too am looking for more info about the treatment and service people received from disney as well as the quality of food.

I'm trying not to be rude -- and bear in mind that I have been to a Disney wedding in Anaheim -- but I honestly have trouble figuring out the appeal. <BR> <BR>First of all, there's the incredible expense -- I don't think you can do it for much less than $15,000 and easily much more, but weddings now are like family Super Bowls so that's not all that extraordinary, I guess. <BR> <BR>But there is also the matter of expecting guests to pay to trek to Orlando or Anaheim and then to pay the appalling Disney prices for lodging, etc. Even if it is the "bride's day" (and what about the groom?), the point of getting married in public is to enter into a social contract with each other _and_ the community that you expect to support your marriage. That's usually the people in your hometown and/or your family. The reason the bride's family pays for the party is that the guests are just that, guests -- so why impose such enormous financial obligations on everyone just to attend what is rapidly becoming a theatrical production starring the bride instead of a life-passage family event? Can your friend afford to fly everyone in from out of town and put them up at a hotel? <BR> <BR>But even if one can get past all the big to-do that weddings have become and people have money to burn that they don't need to start life together, I still have to ask why on _earth_ anyone would want the family archives to have pictures of you and your husband with a cartoon character!? A wedding cake with Mickey logos instead of roses? A setting with children's fictional beings instead of either some beautiful natural spot or some charming church? <BR> <BR>The people who got married at D'land are very dear friends of mine, so I went along and had a good time because they are and because I wanted them to be happy -- but I have to tell you I would much rather have spent the money on a better gift for them -- it felt very odd to spend $500 for airfare and $500 more for food and lodging and then only have $100 for a gift. For me, it was more than a week's salary to do the whole thing -- as I said, they are dear friends. <BR> <BR>But mainly the whole exercise was so completely unreal, as if they weren't real loving people getting ready to share their entire adult lives together but, instead, two-dimensional, plastic characters cast in their own "ever after" fairy tale. <BR> <BR>So Mike, what do you think is a waste of anyone's hard-earned money? Would you tell your friend that you think a wedding at a resort somewhere is more a gift than a burden to the guests -- but if so, aren't there other resort areas that cost less, are more individualized re:the couple's own style and tastes? <BR> <BR>I guess the only pros I can think of would be the weather and/or if no one had to travel too far and most of the guests would be people who love Disney theme parks or have Disney-age kids who, unfortunately, would most likely have to take time out of school, which is in session in October. <BR> <BR>Clearly, the whole idea amazes me.... but mazel tov and alleluia and live long and prosper to the happy couple.

Hey mike, <BR> <BR>It's my wedding, and I can waste a huge amount of money I don't even have if I want to. <BR> <BR>Butt out!

I'm going to have to agree with the previous poster, though not so rudely. First it is quite novel conept to see a man so wanting to get involved in someone else's wedding planning, but more importantly, Mike you are just a friend and unless your friend asks your opinion, you probably shouldn't get involved. It is the couple's decision. I remember what planning a wedding is like and it is hard enough to do without so-called friends trying to but in and tell you you are wasting money. That is not your place. As for "Jayce" I disagree that marriage is a social contract you enter into with the community you expect to support it? I'm not even sure what that means. If that is the case, why do people elope? Weddings are a celebration and are as individual as the tastes of the ouple are. They should not be cookie cutter and are definitely not a contract with the community. I personally wouldn't have a "Disney Wedding" as that is not my up of tea, but I know someone who had one and it was very tasteful. There were no cartoon characters and Mickey was neither at the wedding nor in the pictures, nor on the cake. The only difference I could tell was that the bride pulled up in Cinderella's oach and got out. Also, pictures were taken with the astle in view. It was supposed to be like a fairy tale, not a cartoon.

Newleywed writes: "I disagree that marriage is a social contract you enter into with the community you expect to support it? I'm not even sure what that means." <BR> <BR>Does anyone wonder why there is so much divorce? I've been married a while now, and at my wedding, I remember my vows very clearly. One of the emotions I experiences was "Ohmygod. I just promised to stay in this marriage forever in front of God and everyone I know." Marital breakup is often a tragedy -- for the participants and for society as a whole. So yes, I think marriage is a commitment to your spouse, your God, and your community.

I'm Mike's friend who's having the wedding at Disney World. That other guy telling him to butt out was'nt me. Mike was just joking about me wasting money, so he's not the jerk he makes himself out to be. But, if anyone has any opinions about disney weddings I'd love to hear them. Also, I don't cary about a social contract with my community blah blah blah......That's really not helping me.

Let me get this straight Not a Newlywed, even though I have been married 8 years, because I eloped and got married by a justice of the peace at Niagra Falls and then honeymmoned there, I will be getting divorced becaue I didn't commit myself to and in front of the community which would support my marriage. Hmmmm interesting concept, better let my husband and kids know.

No, OldMarried, that's not what I meant. People get married in all sorts of ways, and wedding style isn't a predictor of how a marriage will last, of course. I'm saying that it is, IMHO, an overly narrow view of marriage to say that it is just a promise between two people. Marital dissolution (esp if kids are involved, as they often are) is a problem for society and the community, not just the participants. For instance, one of the top three reasons individuals declare bankruptcy is divorce (the other two are medical problems and job loss). <BR> <BR>Congratulations on your strong marriage.

How many people will be coming? Will you serve dinner, snaks, or just cake? full reception or wedding with short cocktail hour afterwards? Give us more details and and I can probably give you an average cost. A wedding in the hometown can be overly expensive if filet mignon is served and you have 500 people. whether its disney or not doesn't matter, the style and size matters more to cost. But on average if you have two weddings of similar size one in your hometwon and one at disney, I think you know which will cost more.

Why????????????????????????????? <BR>If you want to get married at Disney, then I say you're too young/immature to get married in the first place.

A good friend who is also a wedding planner in Memphis recently gave me these figures as I will be planning my wedding in the near future. The average wedding consists of a ceremony at the church and a reception including buffet dinner, cake, and bar. Here are her norm figures for this "average" wedding. For buffet food cost is usually $70/person. This includes tea, coffe, and punch. Wedding cake is extra $5/person. Bar is usually cash with guests paying. Plan $35/bottle for champagene and a bottle for every 6 guests. For reception decorations, tables are usually in rounds of 6 and plan $40/table for flowers add in $80 for head table and extra for buffet and cake tables as well. A DJ will run around $350 and a band around $700. <BR>rental of reception sight depends on where yu have it but plan around $500. for the ceremony, music will be about $300, and plan at least $300 for flowers at the alter. Obviously if you want to decorate the pews or whole church add more. The cost of the average wedding as you an see is determined by how many people you have. Of course if you have an above average wedding, plan more money per person and a below average, plan less per person. These are prices in Memphis Tennesse. I would be willing to bet Disney World is more.

With those prices Sissy no wonder Weddingmoons in the Carribean sre so popular these days. i would muh rather spend $7000 at a deluxe resort for a week and have my wedding there than spend $15,000+ to have the average wedding!!!!

Mike-For what it costs to have a WDW wedding you could go to Hawaii or the Caribbean and have a really beautiful wedding. Nothing against WDW, but I think a romantic wedding in Hawaii on the beach would be more romantic.

Robyn: Cash bar at a wedding? Is that a custom in Memphis? Talk about tacky.

I seem to have stepped on a hot wire with my "community" comments, but I really meant to focus attention not on philosophies of marriage (which are many and worth a whole other debate on some other forum) but on the presumptions or assumptions or impositions involved in planning a big wedding with lots of guests (your "community") for some location that will cost them a chunk of change to get to and stay at. (Sorry about the grammar -- just trying to explain). <BR> <BR>As for "weddingmoons" or elopements -- hey, go for it, esp. if it doesn't involve a cartoon conglomerate. But I still don't "get" asking guests to go with you -- it's like telling them where and when they're going to have their vacation this year and how much they are going to spend on it.

A great site that compiles lots of WDW info is wdwig.com, Deb compiles lots of reports from many contributors, you should find some good info.

$70 for a buffet meal per person in Memphis????????? What on earth are they serving these people...? I have been to sit down dinners in Country Clubs in the Chgo suburbs, with an open bar, for less than that per person .... <BR>

Sorry, also wanted to say that if you want a Disney wedding then that is what you should have regardless of what anyone tells you...I am sure there are good and bad stories to go with any wedding no matter what place you choose. <BR>I will keep my fingers crossed that yours is truly a wonderful wedding wherever you decide to get married..

Hello, <BR> <BR>like NOT I,too was astounded that at that wedding in Memphis guests will have to pay for their drinks. I`m from Europe. When we invite guests they`re INVITED! <BR>In most cases they don`t even have to pay for airfare and hotels. Of course, the location of the wedding might not be such a popular place like WDW, but at least everybody is able to join the party and you don`t have to leave out friends who can`t afford it. <BR>To my mind-that`s all what it`s about-sharing that important day with your loved ones... <BR> <BR>Irene

For those of you who think a cash bar is tacky, I don't think you realize the culture in this part of the country. Memphis is in the Bible Belt and many weddings do not serve liquor period. Many that do take the position that my parents take, my parents don't drink (don't believe in it. they would never stop someone else from doing this however they will not pay for someone else's alcohol when drinking alcohol is against their principles. This is such a common idea that most hotels think it is the norm and don't even have open bar available unless you pay after the wedding. You can't buy the alohol and bring it into a hotel yourself and the hotel won't charge you up front. The only alternatives at the hotel I want o use for the reception are a cash bar for the guests (other than champagne pass) or give drink tikets to the guest to cash it at the bar. The "happy couple" is then billed after the wedding for the number of drink tickets turned in. talk about tacky, I think tickets are OVERLY tacky. As this is the norm and an accepted pratice in the area no one thinks it strange. Actually I would guess that probably way less than half of my guests will even have any alcoholic beverages at all!

Sorry forgot to say for those who are questioning the $70/person for food. This number is based on including not only the cost of the food and aering but also the price of hired help including waitstaff as well as the horrid "hotel tax" charged and sales tax and also figures in the gratuity for the caterer and waiters. So all in all it is not that high. I don't know but I would guess the actual price of the food is about $50/person, a wedding planner budgets in all the extras though so the "happy couple is not suprised later when they are tacked on.

Talk to one of the Disney coordinators after you have sat down with financee to discus how large or small wedding will be and whether formal or informal. When you know what you want, the coordinator can give you a guesstimate of what that wedding would cost and you'll know then whether or not its worth it. talking to one of the coordinators on the phone will be informal and free. They will give you the basi skinny if you know what you want.

If you're worried about tacky, this is the WRONG thread to participate in, I think! <BR> <BR>But a cash bar isn't the only tacky trend in weddings. I'm so old-fashioned that I think registering at local stores in the Bridal Registry is presumptuous and tacky, so you can imagine how much I love getting invitations with suggestions of presents or amounts of money to give, e.g. "Bob and Bunny are dying to go to Hawaii so any contributions would be welcome" or "Bob and Bunny are furnishing their new boat, so think nautical!" or some such. <BR> <BR>Then there are the A-list and B-list wedding guests, some of whom are not asked to the ceremony but only to the reception or v.v., or two receptions, one with a sit-down meal and one without. <BR> <BR>I'd say live and let live -- I certainly got my own come-uppance when I got a wedding invitation that told me to bring enough food for 10 people. I thought that was a serious breach of hospitality for a wedding, but it turned out to be a lovely sort of community-sharing potluck and I re-thought my reaction. <BR> <BR>But with all the hoopla and drama and tackiness and the divorce statistics in the US, I can't help think some of it is related to a generally weird attitude toward marriage. And I'd take a pot-luck, everyone-sharing wedding on a beach over a $15,000 extravaganza with Goofy and Sleeping Beauty in attendance. <BR> <BR>But "that's just my opinion, I could be wrong."

I got married last year and spend about $12,000 on a 100 person wedding in upstate NY, including all rentals, flowers, food, alcohol, clothing, etc. etc. Our company is holding a meeting in Orlando this summer, and I looked into having a dinner event on Pleasure Island. For 60 people, dinner, bar and site rental would have cost nearly as much as my whole wedding, and they put you on a really tight schedule (i.e. you gotta be off the site by 9 p.m. so they can re-open to the public). That's just dinner, not all the other bells and whistles that most people do for a wedding. My suggestion is to get some wedding books and talk to a coordinator about doing a "fairytale" theme wedding someplace other than disney. I'm sure you'll be able to do it for a lot less.

I agree with the previous poster as anything Walt Disney is WAY overpriced. Unless you are using this for a family vacation and/or honeymoon to Orlando and Disneyworld, have your fairytale wedding somewhere else with the same dream theme and props at a much cheaper price!

Will you dressing as Mickey and the bride as Minnie?

The bride will be dressed as "Goofy."

"Minnie" and "Goofy", I know school is out now and you can play, but get off your computer and this website! Mike and Rick want some real input not your childish comments. Anybody have real experience?

Mom, you're giving advice about plannng a wedding at a Disney facility, and you're calling others childish! <BR>Get real, Mom!

There were at least 2 threads about Disney Weddings about a month ago. Each one got numerous responses. do a searh using "disney wedding" you'll find them.

Mom and Mike and the rest of you-First of all this is not Mike's wedding, it's his FRIEND'S wedding. Unless Mike is paying for the wedding, which I doubt, it really is none of his business where his friend gets married or how much money he spent. Mike you are overstepping your bounds here. Unless your friend's fiancee is sleeping with all of his friends or has some mental illness or other serious character flaw, it is none of your beeswax.

Topping!

What is WITH engaged couples having their weddings in vacation spots?????? I am forced to (1)go to a spot that I have no desire to EVER go to (2) pay for airfare, hotel, rental car & the expense of dining out (sans the reception), and (3) using up MY precious work vacation time. <BR>If you want to go to Disneyland, Hawaii, Europe, etc., GO THERE ON YOUR HONEYMOON. <BR>This latest fad/craze is IMHO beyond selfish. Unless you can afford to pay my freight, don't EVEN send me an invitation. <BR>

Sorry but I can't resist responding to the previous poster "Gotmarriedathome" and his comments about how "destination weddings" are a selfish trend. I'm not sure you understand this but they have not developed as a trend as a result of "selfishness" but of necessity. Take for instance the wedding of my best I have been asked to be in in April. The bride lives in Indianopolis, her mother in California, her father and step-mother in Iowa, and 3 already married siblings scattered throughout. The groom currently lives in Milwaukee, his parents in Kentucky and close friends are all over. You tell me where her home is and where she should have the wedding without inconveniencing anyone to travel! To make things easier, she is getting married aboard a cruise ship in the Bahamas and has asked 45 of her closest friends and family to attend. It is up to them whether or not they want to travel to the wedding, no one is twisting their arm. I don't think this idea of being spread out over the country is all that unusal today as we live in a very mobile society with families not always choosing to live in the same locale for their entire lives and the at home wedding is not as simple as it used to be. I had a destination wedding as well 2 years ago(not disney though) and older relatives asked me why I was having the wedding such a distance away, I kindly explained to them that I had not lived in my "hometown" for over 10 years and furthermore the grooms family lived 600 miles away and had older relatives wanting to attend as well, so I had the wedding at a more centralized "destination." Please "gotmarriedathome", don't make judgments until you understand the full picture!

Yes, destination weddings are selfish except for the fabulously wealthy who can fly everyone in, or the fabulously wealthy who don't mind the expense. <BR> <BR>To the last poster, if you have a far flung family, you pick the town that means the most to you. Some guests will still have to travel. But at least some of your guests won't. Also, the cost of a short visit to most US cities is much lower than a cruise or some such. <BR> <BR>Have a destination wedding if you wish. Don't expect me to come, though.

Well Mike you certainly have opened an on-slaught of opinions......you know what....married life is hard enough....get married anywhere you want and worry about the rest of it later! Trust me the wedding is the easy part!

Angie: <BR>In the past year I have been invited to 2 out-of-town weddings when both the bride & groom AND their families all lived in the same city. They were asking EVERYONE to travel out of state just because THEY wanted to be married on some stinking beach. THAT'S what I am referring to. And, brother, you should have heard the ruckus when I declined one of them!! (HAD to go to the other, as it was my sister; otherwise would have declined that one as well.)

All things Disney are superoutrageous and overpriced BUT if that is what someone then do it. Weddings are a one in a lifetime event (should be anyway) do it the way you want!!!!!

I just attended my friend's wedding at Disney. He and his wife both work there, so she talked him into it. They had 300+ guests and spent more than $23,000 just for drinks and snacks. I'd much rather use that for a down payment on a house. I wasn't that impressed with the wedding or reception.