For a lot of people, Disney represents everything magical.
So for those couples, tying the knot at Disney World feels like hitting the jackpot.
And you pretty much have to win the jackpot to do it — because it’s incredibly expensive.
I always assumed Disney weddings carried a hefty price tag, but I had no idea how steep the costs could be. Then Carlye Wisel immersed herself in the world of Disney brides and detailed the expenses for Racked, and they left me stunned.
Keep reading to see the eye-popping figures for yourself.
How Much Will a Disney Wedding Set You Back?
Disney weddings are big business.
So big, in fact, that Disney operates a whole division dedicated to them.
“Disney Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons helps coordinate the 5,000 Disney ceremonies held annually at Walt Disney World in Florida, Disneyland in California, Disney’s Aulani resort in Hawaii, aboard Disney Cruise Line vessels, and at Disney parks internationally,” Wisel reports.
There are three categories of Disney weddings:
- Memories, which accommodate four guests
- Escapes, which allow up to 18 guests
- Wishes, “a customized celebration with many options and an adjustable guest count,” per Disney’s wedding site
A Wishes event in Florida carries “a minimum food and beverage spend beginning at $125 per guest, a minimum ceremony fee of $3,500 and a minimum enhancement fee of $5,000.”
The $125-per-person rate applies to “brunch” — ceremonies that begin at 7:30 a.m. If you prefer an evening reception, it jumps to $175 per person.
And those “enhancement minimums”? They “may include but are not limited to floral, photography, videography, transportation, venue fees and entertainment.”
Oh, and the venue itself is separate from the ceremony charge.
So let’s outline a typical Disney wedding budget:
- Ceremony fee: $3,500
- Wedding pavilion with organist: $4,000+
- 50 dinner guests at $175 each: $8,750
- Charter bus transportation (required for five hours): $551
- Minimal floral arrangements: $948
- DJ (four hours): $1,650
- Photographer (four hours): $2,995
That adds up — excluding dress and rings — to nearly $25,000 as the bare minimum most couples can expect.
Disney Weddings Include Extras… and Extra Fees
But what if you want the whole Disney experience? I mean, it’s Disney — who wouldn’t?
Here’s how much some of those add-ons could cost:
- Arrival in Cinderella’s coach (with miniature white ponies and costumed footmen): $2,950
- Appearance of two characters for 30 minutes: $1,650
- “Memories Video Package”: $4,550+
- Live band: $7,000+
You can review the à la carte options on this page, but keep in mind: “Prices do not include any applicable tax, gratuity or additional fees.”
And if you want to wear your gown inside the Magic Kingdom during park hours — rather than before opening or after closing like most brides — you’ll need to budget at least $75,000 for the ceremony, according to Wisel’s reporting.
For the DisBrides community, though, these indulgences are worth being married in the happiest place on earth.
“From now on, every trip we take to Walt Disney World will let us revisit the happiest moments of our lives, while also creating more wonderful memories,” one Disney groom told Wisel.
“It will forever be the magical spot where I married the love of my life.”
And honestly, that’s a touching sentiment. Some might even call it priceless.
Your Turn: Do you imagine saying ‘I do’ at Disney World?
Laura Jennings is a senior features writer for Savinly and loves discovering budget-friendly adventures. Visit her blog at laurajennings.com, or say hi on Twitter @laurajennings.
If you’re planning and looking for ways to trim costs, also check out how to save money on a wedding for practical tips.
