The Disney Wedding Blog

Cake Week: Something Different

2010-03-11T11:52:00.002-07:00

When you sign your letter of agreement and get your planning packet from Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings, one of the first things you'll probably do is pop in the cd that has all the different wedding cakes on it. Some of you will be really happy and excited and you won't know which of the fabulous cakes you'll pick for your big day. And some of you will look at the photos on the cd and go, "Nooooo! These aren't what I want at all!!!"

Well, the good news is that the bakers at Disney can give you pretty much anything you can dream up (as long as you have the budget). Here are just a few examples of wedding cakes that were dreamed up by real Disney couples.

All of these images were taken from posts on the DISboards. Thank you to those who shared them! Their names are listed below.

from ColeV

from Desnik

from Kashmir104

from Makeitblue

from MrsVenn

from Wish on a Star

from lurkyloo

from rpmdfw

from rdmdfw

from spacerangerqueen

Cake Week: Characters

2010-03-10T16:15:00.004-07:00

If you want to include a few classic Disney characters, but you don't know how to do it gracefully (without making it look like your wedding was sponsored by Mickey's Playhouse), try incorporating your favorite characters into your wedding cake. You can either sneak them in there on top of an otherwise normal cake, make the whole cake revolve around a central character, or theme the cake and character to fit in to the rest of your wedding. No matter which way you go, your guests are sure to be delighted when they recognize those familiar faces!

All of these images were taken from posts on the DISboards. Thank you to those who shared them! Their names are listed below.

from Ember

from MegKate

from PookieB

from ecoon

from ecoon

from jspahn

from jack_loves_sally

from perfectangel

from perfectangel

Cake Week: Castle Cakes

2010-03-09T15:25:00.003-07:00

When people think of Disney wedding cakes, they're often thinking of these little babies. Castle cakes are so completely iconic in the Disney wedding world and rightly so! Nothing says "happily ever after" like a white chocolate castle adorning your wedding cake. Of course, what you do with the rest of the cake is up to you...isn't it amazing how these castle cakes are all pretty much the same cake, but they look so different?

All of these images were taken from posts on the DISboards. Thank you to those who shared them! Their names are linked below.

from tiggerrifficheidi

from Error_kitten

from GlobalDiva

from acurry417

from keenercam

from pixie08

And I just had to add this one...technically this isn't a castle cake, since there's no official castle cake topper, but Vanessa managed to beautifully incorporate this Jim Shore castle into her wedding cake design.

from figmentfan814

NOTE: If you're interested in getting one of those white chocolate castles for your at-home Disney reception, here's the source: Fairy Tale Wedding.

How to Take Engagement Photos at a Disney Resort

2010-03-09T09:03:00.004-07:00

Officially, you cannot do a professional photography session with a non-Disney photographer inside of a Disney park. However, this rule does not apply to Downtown Disney or any of the Disney resorts, so many couples are choosing these locations for their engagement photos.

photo by Mike & Ann

If you'll be using a Disney resort as a backdrop for your engagement photos, here are ten tips to keep in mind:

1. Pack a bag. It might sound like a pain, but there are things you're going to be happy you have, including a change of clothes if you'd like some variety, concealer/lipstick/etc. for touchups, hairbrush and hairspray, bottle of water (you'll be nervous AND kissing for about an hour straight), and any props that you want to bring. This might include a cute umbrella (if the weather is sketchy), Disney bride and groom ears, or a "Thank You" sign for your thank you cards.

photo by Mike & Ann

2. Schedule your photo session so it begins about 45 minutes before sunset, if you can. Evening sunsets offer amazing (and flattering!) light and the resort will probably be fairy empty. You don't want to go in the morning, when everyone is walking around in their PJ pants getting ready to go to the parks, unless you schedule a shoot for REALLY early in the morning. The plus of doing it really early in the morning is that it won't be too hot and you can open your day up for other things, but you need to make sure that you have time to get ready before the shoot, without getting up at 4AM. The last thing you want to hear about your engagement pics is "Wow...you guys look really tired..."

photo by Mike & Ann

3. Have your hair/makeup done professionally. This might sound crazy, but in my opinion it's totally worth it. If you're having your wedding down at Disney as well, use this opportunity to schedule a hair/makeup trial with the person you're considering for your wedding day. Just make sure to let them know that you'll be doing your engagement photos, so they can alter your super-formal hairstyle a little bit before they go.

4. Get to know your photographer beforehand. This might seem impossible, especially if you're not from the Orlando area, but many photographers are really great about returning email and phone calls so don't be afraid to contact them. It will be easier on them they get to know you as well! Of course, I'm not saying that you should call your photographer and tell them all about that 4th grade dance recital you starred in. Just ask them questions about how engagement sessions usually go, explain what else you'll be doing that day (or on the trip), and start to build a connection. The photographer will probably be (and should be) interested in the details of your wedding, what your style is, what you guys do for a living, and all that kind of stuff. It helps them get a sense of who you are, which does translate in the final pictures. Engagement sessions are awkward enough...this makes it a lot more fun!

photo by Mike & Ann

5. Practice being kissy. You're going to more affectionate during your engagement session than you probably ever will be for any hour of the rest of your life, including your wedding. You're going to kiss and cuddle and nuzzle and do all the things that might seem incredibly inappopriate when you're in public. And being photographed. Unfortunately, this is the stuff that makes for great engagement photos, so you might want to warm up and practice a little PDA before the session. It really does help to get your head in "cuddle mode" before your photographer gets there.

photo by Mike & Ann

6. Speak up if you have ideas. If you saw a shot from someone else's engagement session and you want to recreate it, definitely tell your photographer ASAP. Not only will this let your photographer know that it's a priorty...it will also tell them what kinds of shots you're looking for in general. It helps to tell them exactly what you like about the shot...the fun, the intimacy, etc. Once they know what you're looking for, they'll probably have some creative ideas of their own.

photo by Mike & Ann

7. Figure out your outfits beforehand. Unfortunately, there is no fast and true rule about what you should wear for your engagement session. Many couples choose to look slightly dressed up (a dress for her, a button-up for him), but this isn't a necessity. It also isn't necessary for you to be dressed in matching colors, although you should definitely avoid wearing clothes that completely clash with each other. For example, if he's in shorts and a t-shirt, you're probably going to look a little odd in a cocktail dress and heels. If you really can't decide, consider taking at least two outfits...one casual and one a little more dressed up. Your photographer isn't going to mind if you want to switch it up halfway through your session. Whatever you wear, remember not to let your underwear show through your clothes or peek out anywhere in your outfits. That's a major no-no for engagement shots.

photo by Mike & Ann

8. Consider your location. The one thing that you might want to keep in mind regarding your outfit is the style of the resort you've chosen. If you're planning on taking silly pictures at Pop Century, consider casual clothing in bright colors. Photos at the Polynesian? Keep the bright colors but go with either beach casual or dressy outfits that work with the decor. The Grand Floridian? Definitely wear cocktail clothing at this resort, or you'll just look out of place. You can also get away with more muted colors, since the backgrounds aren't too bright.

9. Give yourself enough time. You and your photographer need to figure out how long the session will be. The average engagement session is between one and two hours, which should be plenty of time for lots of poses and different shots. It's important, however, to not schedule other things too close to your engagement session so nobody is rushing on either side. If you're planning on doing a hair/makup trial beforehand, or visiting the parks, give yourself enough time to get over to where your engagement session will be WITH time to touch-up your makeup, fix your hair, and change your clothes if necessary. Also, if the engagement shoot starts to go a little longer than you thought, you don't want to have to rush from the shoot over to another location to catch a dinner reservation or Cirque du Soleil. Leave a time cushion.

photo by Mike & Ann

10. Be happy and relaxed. Lots of things might go wrong at your engagement session. Your hair might not be what you thought it would. Your outfits might not look as great as you wanted. It might be raining cats and dogs when you had your heart set on outdoor shots. A group of high schoolers might wander into the frame just when you were posing for the perfect shot. C'est la vie! This stuff happens and the worst thing you can do is be stressed and irritated. Rolling with the punches on this one will not only ensure that you'll end up with the best possible engagement portraits...it will also be good practice for the big day. So don't forget to have fun!

photo by Mike & Ann

Cake Week: Mad as a Hatter

2010-03-08T11:35:00.005-07:00

It's cake week! I thought I'd give Disney wedding cakes their due and showcase some of the best wedding cakes I've seen from Disney weddings. To start, let's take a look at one of the most popular wedding cake designs: the mad hatter cake.

All of these images were taken from posts on the DISboards. Thank you to those who shared them! Their names are linked below.

from AMbPyp

from Bridie1996

from KT27

from aftensgirl

from kingLouiethe1

from lov2b@disney

from orangetiggs

from scottish_canadian

from whodini

Wedding Spotlight: Darryl and Tiffany

2010-03-07T15:15:00.004-07:00

Ceremony Location: Wedding Pavilion
Reception Location: Grand Floridian
Photographer: Keith Cephus

I've been featuring a lot of very stylish weddings lately, which has been great, but I did get an email from a reader who feels like these weddings are all starting to look the same. (Believe me, I know what you mean!) The funny thing about featuring weddings in these great locations is that a lot of us are drawn to the same places...namely the Wedding Pavilion, Sea Breeze Point, the Grand Floridian, and the Atlantic Dance Hall. Even though there are a lot more choices for ceremonies and receptions, brides come back to these four favorites over and over because they're simply fantastic.

Of course, the drawback (especially if you're a long-time member of the Disney Bride community) is that you might feel like your special day looks a little too much like everyone else's special day. I, personally, think that every wedding I've seen has had it's own brand of personality even in the smallest details, but if you're really thinking about changing your ceremony or reception location to a venue that isn't often used ONLY because you don't want to be cookie cutter, I want you to look at these pictures...

Darryl and Tiffany got married at the Wedding Pavilion and had their reception at the Grand Floridian Resort, just like we did. They picked the two most common locations (as far as I've seen), but if you ask me their wedding was about as far from cookie cutter as you can get. I love how they incorporated a lot of personality into their wedding, from their fun football-themed pictures together (Darryl is a defensive end for the Seattle Seahawks) to the smoking hot dress Tiffany wore for the reception. This gorgeous wedding is a great example of how to make guests remember your wedding for YOU and not for the location you picked. (Well, outside of that whole Walt Disney World thing...)

Giveaway: Etsy Seller Rockshanks

2010-03-07T00:42:00.002-07:00

When you're planning your wedding, there's a lot of gifts to think about. There's the gifts that you register for and end up returning most of because you really didn't need that much silverware. There's the gifts you give your parents (which never, ever are really as great as all the gifts they probably give you during this time...like, perhaps, your whole wedding). There's the gifts you give your wedding party to tell them how much you love and appreciate their presence in your life. And then there's the gift you're supposed to give each other in celebration of the fact that you're teaming up against the world for the rest of your lives.

Man, that's a lot of gifts.

I'm one of those people who likes to go for "personal" over "pricey" when giving gifts. Sure, people like nice jewelry and fine housewares, but I prefer the gifts that reference an inside joke or really show that you know that person and knew that they would totally love Gift X when you saw it in the store. For that reason, I've come to rely on Etsy.com for a lot of my gift giving. I think of something that I love about a person or some moment that we've shared together and then I find a gift that references that thing in some way. For example, I bought a journal recently for a friend and was able to find one that was made out of a repurposed aquarium map that also happened to be a place we visited together when we were in high school. It's a little touch, but she liked it all the more because I put that thought into it.

That's why I LOVE repurposed jewelry and one of the best sellers that I've found on Etsy is Rockshanks, who makes pieces that are beautiful, but also really fun and unexpected. (I think my absolute favorite are the pieces she makes from the Fisher Price people.) She's made jewelry out of Scrabble Tiles, Monopoly Pieces, Guitar Picks, Bottle Caps, Watches, Lego Pieces, Buttons, Typewriter Keys, Costume Jewelry, Charms and Charm Bracelets, etc. It's so easy to look through her shop and trigger a happy memory...I totally recommend it.

And, because I love her stuff so much, Rockshanks has agreed to donate one of her special Disney pieces to this week's giveaway and I am THRILLED! I think this would be perfect either for a Disney lover or as a gift for someone who shares a special memory of a vacation to the parks. (Perhaps a best friend or a big sister who also happens to be a Maid of Honor?) It's a necklace made with two repurposed pieces: a Disney pendant and an Epcot pewter souvenier spoon. How awesome is that?

Giveaway!
To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment on this post and tell me what little trinket or toy you'd love to have on a necklace. Anything goes here...cracker jack toys, Oscar Mayer Weenie whistles...shoot for the moon on this one! Just make sure to put something because people who don't play don't get counted as entries. The winner will be announced on Saturday...

And don't forget to check out Rockshanks' store, especially if you're partial to Lego people!

PassPorter Giveaway: We Have a Winner!

2010-03-06T11:43:00.004-07:00

We had 24 entries for the last giveaway (I didn't count Chelsea) and the winner is...

Lucky number 13, which is Jess(i)ca - the "i" is silent. (How cute of a name is that?)


Jess(i)ca - the "i" is silent. on February 28, 2010 11:32 AM said...: Disney Weddings are an obsession. Those two words have appeared in my google search box countless times over the past year and a half. Eventually, I plan on making my obsession a reality in 2011 when I will wed my Prince Eric (because I'm an Ariel kind of girl) in WDW!!!

Congratulations, Jessica! Send me your contact info at thatdisneygirl at gmail dot com and I'll send your book out. You're going to love it!

Stay tuned for the next giveaway...

Weekly Update - 3/5/10

2010-03-05T09:24:00.004-07:00

Hi, guys. I think I'm going to try to do weekly round-up type posts on Friday, since I always seem to have a bunch of little stuff to share but I never want to waste full posts on little stuff. So, I'm going to try to post a list of blog business and other randoms on Friday, along with a short video for the week:

Turns out, making videos is a little intimidating (ok, terrifying) and I've now confirmed that I don't have a future in broadcasting (never knew a person could say "um" so many times). However, this video is less of a YouTube video and more like me sitting down to have a cup of coffee with a couple hundred of my closest friends and, being among friends here, I have posted this video update even though I look exhausted, ramble on a bit, and have some form of pneumonia.

I know that not everyone who comes to the blog wants to read long posts salted with the occasional picture. My videos, although largely random, consistently attract more repeat visitors than most of the other blog posts do, so I'm thinking that there's a good chunk of you out there that are more comfortable with video posts than with regular writing. So, I'm going to attempt to video blog (I hate the word "vlog") at least once a week and I'll keep the videos short...ten minutes or under. I hope you like them and I hope you leave feedback because I'm totally new to videos and need all the help I can get.

For the Week

Congratulations to Amanda and Eric who got married down at Walt Disney World this week! See their preview on the Root Photography blog here.

Happy Anniversary to Jeanne+Ryan and Vanessa+Kris!

Don't forget to enter the amazing giveaway for Carrie's book. Today is your last day!

Coming next week: cake week and some equally decadent wedding spotlights.

Other blog business

I've been getting a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff done, so navigating the menus should be a little bit easier and the links that were being glitchy have all been fixed. I'm also branching out into other social media sites, so be sure to check out:

Our YouTube channel - I'll post the weekly update videos here as well as some music videos for songs people could use in their wedding. I'll also be adding relevant Disney wedding YouTube videos to my favorites list as I stumble upon them, so this will be a good source for people looking for sample first dances or ceremony inspiration.

Our Flickr photo pool - I've created a Flickr photo group for the blog and you can join the group and then upload your Disney wedding photos to the photo pool so we can all share them. There's no limit to how many photos you can upload...I just ask that you keep it to photos from your wedding, engagement session, or other wedding event. I don't want to flood the pool with people's photos from their vacations to the park (although we could start another pool if everyone wants to share those, too). I've added a slideshow preview for the photo pool on the left hand side of this blog, near the top. (Thanks, Bridget, for the idea!)

My Twitter page - currently I'm really only tweeting when I post something new to the blog, but I'm hoping to get more into it in the near future. I really feel like I could get into twitter if I had a new iPhone (hint hint, Kyle) but until then I'm just trying to get used to using it. If you'd like to follow me, there's a button on the right side of the blog.

My new Facebook page - I created a Facebook page just for my Disney bride stuff and I've been friending people who have gotten married at Disney or are interested in getting married there someday. It's been a great way to get to know my readers better and find new weddings to spotlight. I know I'm friends with a ton of you already, but if we aren't friends we definitely should be! There's a button on the right side of my blog.

Other wedding business

Flapper Doodle
I got the cutest birthday present from Neaner, who bought it from Flapper Doodle:

Isn't it great? I think it would be perfect for a cake table or guest book display. You should definitely check out her other designs if you're into that kind of thing, because she's got a little something for everyone.

Wish Upon a Wedding
There's a new wedding website out that gives dream weddings to people with terminal diseases. It's just starting out, so they need all the support they can get. I talk about it a little bit in the video, but for more information you should check out http://wishuponawedding.org/

Shape Bride
I bought this magazine and it sucked. Don't do it. I think the idea of a wedding-related fitness magazine is great, but they missed the boat on this one.

Song of the Week
The song I showcased in the video this week is Billy Joel's version of "When you Wish Upon a Star". You can find the full version of the song here on YouTube if you'd like to preview it.

Side note - Thank you for reading this blog. No, really, I mean it! It's great that you guys come back every week and I hope you enjoy what I've been putting up. I want to especially thank all of the people who have come in so enthusiastically in the last month or so. It's great to have you!

Reception Location: Epcot

2010-03-04T07:46:00.003-07:00

photo by Root Photography

Epcot is an amazing location for wedding receptions and offers couples a wide spectrum of choice. Each country pavilion has something unique to offer and the Living Seas Salon is a popular choice for couples looking for a location that is elegant, private, and fun.

However, like all theme park reception locations, the locations in Epcot come with a set of rules that don't apply to the resort locations:

You must charter transportation for you and your guests for a minimum of five hours during the event. The exception to this rule is that they sometimes allow you to meet an event guide at the gate if your event is during park hours, but until you check with DFTW it's safe to assume you're going to need to charter a motorbus for your guests.
You can only use Disney photographers and videographers for your event.
Except for personal floral (bouquets, boutennieres, etc.) all floral must be done by Disney.
You can't have characters or amplified entertainment (music coming through speakers) if you pick an outdoor venue.
Your reception location could have holiday decorations up if it's that time of year and you can't have them removed.
You may be able to buy out an entire ride or show for your guests after park hours. For example, you can buy out Turtle Talk with Crush for $700. Contact DFTW for more information. You may also be able to have an event guide take you over and hold the line for your party during park hours so that you and your guests can ride something, but it depends on the ride and you aren't allowed to ride in your wedding gown. (Otherwise, I totally would have rocked out on Soarin' with my veil flying in the wind.)

Epcot Canada

Events take place on the Canada Terrace, which is the upper level of the Canada Pavilion. You have to have at least 10 guests and the maximum number you can have is 85. The venue rental fee is $325 and the food and beverage minimums are $1,750 for breakfast, $2,450 for lunch, and $3,000 for dinner.

Canada is the only pavilion available for Escape weddings. The Canada Terrace package includes a cake, a bottle of Iron Horse Fairy Tale Cuvee (or two bottles of sparkling cider), a bouquet, a boutonniere, a violinist, a limo, mini-bus service for the guests, event guides, two WDW annual passes, and photography from Disney Photographic Services. There is a guest limit of 18 guests for this package (although you can add up to five guests for a flat fee of $500) and ceremonies take place at 9 AM, with the event ending no later than 10:30 AM. It is important to know that you can only take photographs at the Canada pavilion if you get this package, so don't get this one if you've got your heart set on walking around Epcot with your photographer, taking pictures in multiple locations.

Couples who have used Epcot Canada:

Epcot China

The Great Hall of China is an impressive venue that requires a minimum of 60 guests, with a maximum of 120 (without entertainment). The room is modeled on Beijing's Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest. One of the drawbacks during park hours is that the restrooms are located outside the hall and are shared with theme park guests. You also can't see IllumiNations from here. The venue rental fee is $2,000 and the food and beverage minimum is $4,500.

Couples who have used Epcot China:

Epcot France

Bistro de Paris - This venue is the space above the Chefs de France restaurant. It looks out over the water, which means that you can watch IllumiNations from here. The restaurant seats up to 120 (but that can change depending on entertainment/dance floor) and you have to use the chairs and tables that they already have. The menu is based on the regular menu for the restaurant, with a food and beverage minimum of $5,000 for events ending before 4 PM and $10,000 for events ending after 4 PM. The venue rental fee is $250.

The Terrace des Fleurs (French Island Upper) - This venue is an outdoor terrace next to the lagoon available for receptions or dessert parties of 50 or more guests. If you're using the terrace for a reception, the site capacity has a maximum of 60 guests and the food and beverage minimum is $3,750. If you're using it for a dessert party, there is a $22/person food and beverage minimum. The venue rental fee is $325.

Eau de France (French Island Lower) - This venue is an outdoor terrace next to the lagoon available for reception or dessert parties of 50 or more guests. If you're using the terrace for a reception, the site capacity has a maximum of 80 guests and the food and beverage minimum is $3,750. If you're using it for a dessert party, there is a $22/person food and beverage minimum. The venue rental fee is $325. NOTE: This location is not wheelchair accessible.

Rue de Paris (French Island Arm) - This venue is an outdoor terrace next to the lagoon available for reception or dessert parties of 50 to 100 guests. If you're using the terrace for a reception, the site capacity decreases to 30-40 guests and the food and beverage minimum is $2,255. If you're using it for a dessert party, there is a $22/person food and beverage minimum. The venue rental fee is $325.

Couples who used Epcot France:

Epcot Italy

You have a choice of two pavilions in Italy: the Italy Isola or Italy West Plaza. Both locations only offer buffet service, limited to cold items and a small selection of hot items. There are also restrictions at both locations about displaying and serving your wedding cake, so be sure to talk to your wedding planner about that. Although these locations are beautiful, one of the drawbacks is that restrooms are located outside of the venues and during park hours you will be sharing the restrooms with park guests.

Italy Isola - This venue is an outdoor terrace next to the lagoon available for reception or dessert parties of 100 to 150 guests. If you're using the terrace for a reception, the site capacity decreases to 50 to 60 guests and the food and beverage minimum is $3,750. If you're using it for a dessert party, there is a $1,650 food and beverage minimum. The venue rental fee is $575. This is one of the best places in Epcot to see IllumiNations.

Italy West Plaza - This venue is a smaller outdoor terrace adjacent to Italy Isola's larger bridge available for reception or dessert parties of 50 to 125 guests. When you use this location for a private event, you have to rent a wall of plants to separate the area from the main walkway. If you're using the terrace for a reception, the site capacity decreases to 30 to 60 guests and the food and beverage minimum is $1,500. If you're using it for a dessert party, there is a $440 food and beverage minimum. The venue rental fee is $325. One minor drawback to this location is that it provides wheelchair access for people using Italy Isola, so guests of other events may be coming through your party.

Couples who used Epcot Italy:

photo by Root Photography

Epcot America

You have a choice of two reception venues in the American Adventure Pavilion: the American Adventure Dining Room or the American Adventure Rotunda. The dining room is a more intimate area while the rotunda is more impressive and well-suited to large events.

American Adventure Dining Room - This event location is located on the third floor of the American Adventure building. It consists of a living room seating area and a dining room which holds 60 guests in rounds of 10. With dancing, however, the capacity is reduced to 30 people. The food and beverage minimums are $1,225 for breakfast, $1,500 for lunch, and $3,000 for dinner.

American Adventure Rotunda - This reception venue is the area under the giant dome of the American Adventure Rotunda and can hold parties of 100 to 230 guests. The venue rental fee is $2,075, but there is no site-specific food and beverage minimum. There are som restrictions on this site, however. Events must begin after 7:oo PM and restrooms are located outside of the attraction (shared with guests during park hours). The lower level of the rotunda seats 150 guests with plenty of room for dancing and the upper level seats 80 guests and requires the purchase of an $800 greens package.

Couples who used Epcot America: Christin + Ryan, Rani + Ronnie

Epcot United Kingdom

Epcot United Kingdom has two different locations that are available for wedding receptions: United Kingdom Lochside and the United Kingdom Terrace. The food and beverage minimums for both locations are the same: $440 for dessert parties and $1,500 for a full meal. The food is limited to buffet service of cold items and a small selection of hot items, with restrictions on displaying and serving wedding cake. Restrooms for the U.K. locations are outside of the venues and are shared with park guests during park hours.

United Kingdom Lochside (United Kingdom Lower Terrace) - This is an outdoor terrace right on the water of the lagoon, which makes it a great place to watch IllumiNations. The terrace is available for dessert parties of 20 to 70 guests or full meal receptions for just 20 guests. The venue rental fee is $325.

United Kingdom Terrace (United Kingdom Upper Terrace) - This terrace accomodates a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 50 guests. The venue rental fee is $250, which is lower than the other terrace even though this terrace comes with existing seating in the form of wrought iron tables. This saves you money on seating, although you're stuck with those tables...no additional tables may be added.

Couples who used Epcot United Kingdom:

photo by Randy Chapman

The Living Seas Salon

This incredible event space has five large windows that look directly into the aquarium at The Seas pavilion. The venue capicity is 25-104 guests at tables of six, which cannot be changed or removed. The space also has a piano that cannot be removed or used to hold food and beverage, but provides a nice option for intimate entertainment. The venue rental fee is $500 and the food and beverage minimum is $2,450 for events before 4 PM and $3,500 for events after 4 PM. NOTE: The lights in the aquarium are turned off at 9:45PM and for the health and safety of the animals you can't do anything about this, which is something to remember if you're planning on having a late reception.

Couples who used The Living Seas Salon: Sarah + Pat, Lu + Justin, Caryn + Mark,

Other Areas in Epcot

The venues listed above are the most commonly used, but there are other areas which may be available for your event. If you really have your heart set on a place, let your wedding coordinator know and they can try to work with you to make your dream a reality. You also may be able to move between venues if, for example, you want to have a pre-reception in one location, your reception in another, and then a different venue for the dessert party.

Couples who have used other areas:

Wedding Spotlight: Tina + Steve

2010-03-03T00:08:00.003-07:00

Ceremony Location: Sea Breeze Point
Reception Location: California Grill
Photographer: Lori Barbely

Yesterday, I noticed that a bunch of you were excited to see work from a photographer that hadn't been featured on here before. I actually have a handful of these never-featured-before photographers in my back pocket, so I thought I'd pull another one out. I do tend to get into a loop of featuring the same photographer over and over after I develop a schoolgirl crush on their work, so I'm glad you guys are here to remind me to shake things up a little!

I love that this couple actually hit three locations. They had enough time between their ceremony and their reception to sneak in a visit to Port Orleans, where they were staying. Such a great idea!

Engagement Spotlight: Gianna and Ryan

2010-03-01T20:41:00.002-07:00

Portrait Locations: Epcot and Disney's Boardwalk Resort
Photographer: Jennifer Werneth Photography

Usually I try to start each spotlight with a personal story or funny quip, but these photos are gorgeous enough to stand on their own two feet without any help from me...

How to Pick Out Dresses for Your Bridesmaids

2010-02-28T23:51:00.008-07:00

photo by Lilia Photography

I used to think that picking out bridesmaid dresses was going to be really fun. I figured it would be sort of like having a set of real live Barbie dolls that I could design perfect little outfits for. I admit that I played around with the "dress your wedding party" option on the David's Bridal website before Kyle and I even got engaged. I mean, choosing fancy dresses for your closest friends? What could be more fun?!

And then, after we got engaged, I actually sat down to do it. Bleh.

The problem with picking out bridesmaid dresses is (to put it bluntly) a lot of bridesmaid dresses are hid-e-ous. It's not coincidence that the bridesmaid dress is the punchline of the fashion industry. Some of those little numbers are just plain wrong...and yet they're priced like they're the last dresses on Earth. What better way to celebrate your wedding than to make your best friend pay triple the price of a normal dress for a dress that she'd never look twice at if she were shopping for herself?

It's a problem.

If you're setting out to choose your bridesmaid dresses, you have to start by making a decision. You either need to choose dresses to make you happy or dresses to make your maids happy. I know that might sound a little harsh and I don't mean to imply that you can't find dresses that will do both, BUT you really need to ask yourself which is more important in the end.

A lot of the bridesmaid dresses that end up getting chosen are chosen because the cut and color fit the picture that the bride has of her wedding, not because the bridesmaid looks particularly good in the dress or because they'll ever wear it again. And you know what? That's ok, if that's the way you want to go. It's sort of like picking out a costume. When they agreed to be in your wedding, they agreed to let you choose whatever you want. Just brace yourself for a little backlash if they aren't keen about the price/color/fit/style/etc. and remind them (nicely) that it's your big day.

If this is the option you're choosing, you'll need to think about what you want your wedding to look like and then pick the outfits accordingly. If you decide to get some input from your wedding party, try to limit it to one person so that your decision isn't complicated by too many outside opinions. The next step is to venture out to a bridal boutique or do one of the following:

use the "dress your wedding party" feature at David's Bridal
browse wedding magazines for weddings that look like what you want and choose a dress from the advertisements
determine the exact color you're hoping to find dresses in and search online bridal boutiques for that color. Boutiques include Alfred Angelo, Eden Bridals, and Jessica McClintock.

Now, if it's really truly important to you that each of your bridesmaids loves the dress you've chosen for them, you're probably going to struggle a bit more with your dress decision. Why? Because in order for them to be happy, you're probably going to want to be able to honestly say the three most common phrases in the universal bride-bridesmaid-dress conversation:

This color looks good on everyone.
It really is a very reasonable price for what you get.
You can totally wear this again after the wedding.

Unfortunately, not all bridesmaid dresses fit into this category, mainly because the wedding bubble allows vendors to charge a much higher price for a "bridesmaid dress" than the same dress would cost in any other store. Which brings me to a huge bridesmaid dress shopping tip: STAY AWAY FROM THE BRIDAL BOUTIQUES!!! If you look elsewear for your bridesmaid dresses, you have a much better shot at being able to say those three common phrases with a straight face.

The pros of shopping at a non-bridal boutique include:

Many larger chain stores, such as J.Crew and Nordstrom, may be available to your maids locally, as well as online. This means that you can pick out a dress online and then have your attendants go to a local store to try them on, no matter where they live.
These stores often have much better return policies than upscale bridal boutiques.
The fact that these aren't traditional bridesmaid dresses will give your wedding party a little more personality.
These stores often have predictible sales around holidays, while independent bridal boutiques don't. (Why should they? Their customers aren't usually driven by what time of the year it is, they're driven by one time events that happen all year long.)

My favorite outside-the-bridal-boutique sources for bridesmaid wear are listed below:

Nordstrom

JS Boutique Strapless Ruched Satin Gown - $98

One of my absolute favorite stores around simply because they don't stock crap. Yes, I rarely can afford to shop there, but if your maids are shelling out $100-$200 and up for their bridesmaid dresses, they're sure to get their money's worth here. A side tip: if you choose to have your maids wear long dresses, consider styles similar to the one above, which are solid colors and single fabrics. These types of dresses are easier to alter to cocktail length after the wedding so they can be worn again. (Most of us don't have a lot of long-gown events in our adult lives.)

J. Crew

Silk chiffon twist-tank dress - $170

J. Crew is one of the non-wedding sites that does have a special weddings section...and boy, is it ever lovely! It's true that these dresses look a little more traditional than those that you might find in other sections of the site, but the styles are classic and beautiful and very wear-again friendly. I've also heard a lot of great things about the customer service for people who place orders on the website or need to exchange sizes, which is a major plus if you're working to keep your stress level down! If you're just browsing, be sure to stop and check out their simple and sweet wedding gowns as well.

Chadwicks

Ribbon-Detail Surplice Dress - $179

Chadwicks? Ok, so this is probably not the next store you expected to see on this list. I don't actually shop at Chadwicks, but I did look at their stuff pretty often when I was looking for dresses for my wedding party and I liked what I saw! I was originally looking for dresses that were a bit more on the conservative side, since a large part of my party is a bit more on the conservative side and the other sites weren't giving me what I want. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Chadwicks has a nice selection of dresses that are beautiful but lean towards being more tasteful than the average party dress. I especially love these for matrons of honor or mothers of the wedding party!

Honorable mentions: Bluefly (just a little bit pricey), Anthropologie (just a little bit casual), and Target (a bit plastic and unimaginative but cheap cheap cheap!).

Of course, if you can't decide between choosing a costume and making your maids stick to it or running around trying to make everyone happy, you can always do what I did and duck the whole thing by choosing a common color and telling everyone to choose their own adventure...er, I mean dress. Sure, I kind of took a chance on the fashion sense that my party was bringing to my event, but in the end it turned out fine and everyone left in a dress that they were quite happy with. And I didn't have to do a thing!

photo by Root Photography

Or (perhaps even better?) you could do what Jessica Claire did and just tell your maids to bring a pretty dress and hope for the best. After all, lovely is lovely!

photo by Jose Villa

PassPorter's Disney Weddings & Honeymoons - Review and Giveaway!

2010-02-27T15:27:00.006-07:00

When I first got engaged, I went straight to Amazon.com to buy the official guide to planning a Disney wedding. Surprise! It didn't exist! In fact, I couldn't find much on Amazon at all that applied to my wedding planning. I got a book for planning a destination wedding, but since planning a wedding at Disney is pretty different than planning a wedding in Greece, it wasn't that helpful. Luckily, I was able to turn to the bride forums and get the information I needed.

Well, all of that has changed since Carrie Hayward (author of our recent guest posts) published "PassPorter's Disney Weddings & Honeymoons: Dream Days at Disney World and on Disney Cruises". It has become the must-have book for Disney brides planning weddings or vow renewals. The book came out right after we got married and do I ever wish I'd had it before! It really breaks down the planning process and shows you all of the different options that aren't necessarily advertised by DFTW. Carrie also puts a lot of emphasis on showing you how to have a great wedding that fits your budget, which is great for people who really want a Disney wedding but don't know how they'll ever pay for it.

Here's a look at the contents:

Introduction - The Basics

Choose Your Own Adventure
Other Ways to Get Married at Walt Disney World

Chapter 1: Escape Collection

Escape Collection Basics
Customizing Your Event
Reception
Getting the Ball Rolling
Escape Collection Time Line

Chapter 2: Wishes Collection

Wishes Collection Basics
The Planning Process
Ceremony Venues
Reception Venues
Food, Beverages, and Cake
Floral & Decor
Music & Entertainment
Transportation
Photography
Childcare
Money-Saving Tips
How to Find your Own Vendors
Wishes Collection Time Line
Chapter 3: Couture Collection
Couture Wedding Basics
Couture Reception Looks
Food & Beverage

Chapter 4: Additional Events

Dessert Parties
IlluminNations at Epcot
Fantasmic! at Disney's Hollywood Studios
Specialty Cruises
Group Meals
Welcome Parties & Rehearsal Dinners
Bridesmaid's Tea
Other Group Activities

Chapter 5: Everything Else

Marriage License
Officiant
Formalwear Services
Cosmetology Services
Tipping

Chapter 6: Disney Cruise Collection

The Basics
Marriage License
Customizing Your Event
Getting the Ball Rolling
Sample Wedding Day Itineraries
Cruise Collection Time Line

Chapter 7: Honeymoons & Anniversaries at Walt Disney World

Let People Know You're Celebrating
Disney's Honeymoon Registry
VIP Experiences
Romantic Dining
Romantic Transportation
Romantic Experiences

Chapter 8: Honeymoon & Anniversaries on the Disney Cruise Line

Romantic Escape at Sea
Spa Experiences
Treats & Gifts
Shore Excursions

Giveaway!
Carrie just came out with a new edition of the book with all of the prices and rules updated AND she's letting me give one away! Just finish the phrase "Disney Weddings are..." and leave it in the comments on this post with your name. (Don't worry, there's no wrong answers on this one!) The giveaway will run for a week and the winner will be announced on March 6th.

(cute Husband not included)

P.S. Look at this fabulous V-day card Carrie sent me with the book. Their photo is by Root Photography, of course!

UPDATE: We have a winner!

Wedding Spotlight: Cassie + JB

2010-02-26T14:50:00.003-07:00

Ceremony Location: The Marina at the Grand Floridian
Reception Location: Disney Cruise (yes, you read that right!)
Photography: Root Photography

Well, just when I thought I'd seen all of the cool twists people could put on their Disney weddings, Cassie and JB had to go and get married outside at the Grand Floridian Resort. AND they opted to take their guests on a Disney Cruise instead of doing a reception. AND they took the Roots on the cruise with them.

It's official. It's probably the coolest wedding ever.

Congratulations, Cassie + JB!

Floral Design: Beauty and the Beast

2010-02-24T11:16:00.005-07:00

I'm about to wrap up here in California. Beauty and the Beast opens this Thursday and all those costumes I've been working on for the last three weeks get to sing and dance on stage. And I get to go home to my husband. Big Fat Yes!

I thought I'd put in a nod to all the fun I've had on this production with a little Beauty and the Beast wedding decor. These flowers are for a home reception and were done by Flower Design in the U.K. for a couple who love the animated Disney classic. I love that it's a fun and personal detail, but still subtle and classy.

Win Wedding Photography from Studio 222!!!

2010-02-22T15:34:00.004-07:00

OMG! It's a wedding giveaway from Studio 222! Get the details and enter here.

Styleboard: Red and Black

2010-02-21T09:47:00.004-07:00

When we were getting married, I was pretty cautious with my colors. Everything I bought ended up being silver or pale blue. So, when I announced that I was going to have my attendants wear all black, people were surprised. A few commented that I was being very brave, since our wedding could turn out to be a bit grim and gothic with all those people in black standing around. Of course, it all turned out to be fine and I think my attendants looked pretty classy on our big day.

Now, having seen so many weddings, I know the difference between being a little brave with your colors and being very brave. I've been pleasantly surprised by so many color combinations that I would have shied away from during my planning, like this one from Laura's wedding:

If a bride were to tell me that their wedding colors were red and black and that all of their attendants would be wearing both of those colors, I'd get a bit nervous. But I think Laura's wedding party pulled the look off beautifully and I thought I'd pull together a styleboard for anyone else considering such a daring choice or just in case someone was looking for a little secret vamp to add to their wedding day.

Note: The thing about red and black seems to be that you have to be careful not to wander into Hot Topic territory or you need to embrace the Hot Topic-ness and just go with it. I'm not keen on that kind of style at weddings, so this styleboard is more old Hollywood glamour.

Red & Black Rose Handtied Wedding Bouquet - Bridal Bouquets - Handtied Posies - Red & Black Rose 37 GBP - sarahsflowers.co.uk, Kat Von D Painted Love Lipstick Homegirl $18 - sephora.com, Red and Black Drape Column Dress, Jonathan Saunders, size: 8 670 GBP - liberty.co.uk, Moulin rouge costume flagshipfancydress.co.uk, Love 100 suede pumps$995 - net-a-porter.com, Patent Wallet $45 - yesstyle.com, Red and Black Garter in Organza - or Custom Colors - Garters: Bridal Garter - Wedding Garter - So...$15 - advantagebridal.com, House of Harlow 14KT Gold-Plated Red Cabochon Stone Bangle$180 - shopthetrendboutique.com

Table Settings at the Grand Floridian

2010-02-20T00:43:00.004-07:00

On the morning of my wedding, I had my mom fold pieces of cardstock and scribble table numbers on them.

These images, from Marissa and Calvin's wedding, show what you can get if you put a little more effort into it:

I can't even believe it's the same ballroom that we used. Simply beautiful!

Photography: Sunshine Photographics
Table Settings: Disney
Floral: Raining Roses

Engagement Spotlight: Morgan + Jeff

2010-02-18T01:34:00.004-07:00

Portrait Location: Downtown Disney
Photographer: Studio 222

Engagement pictures taken on Disney property have been popping up all over the place! I love this idea...but probably not for the reasons you would think. Yes, I love it when a couple uses an engagement picture that has a major Disney icon in it, like Dumbo's Flying Elephants or Spaceship Earth. I really love it when couples use locations that only true Disney fans would recognize immediately, like the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse or a corner in the queue for Pirates of the Caribbean. BUT, the thing I love about Disney engagement photos isn't actually about the Disney stuff at all. It's about the fact that you are guaranteed a 100% happy, heartfelt, and beautiful photo if you take two lovebirds and let them run around the happiest place on Earth.

Our own engagement picture backs me up here. We used a photo that the Roots took of us in the park when we all hung out during a post-bar-exam-celebration trip to WDW. We had photos of us all over...in front of the castle, spinning in the teacups, riding Big Thunder Mountain...but the one we used wasn't a photo of us standing in front of some famous Disney landmark. It was a photo taken of us off in a corner, sitting against a wall, just being happy. We got the most beautiful engagement picture we could have hoped for because we were so happy-to-the-core from just having fun with friends and each other at a Disney park. Picture. Perfect.

Need more convincing? Check out these beautiful engagement photos of Morgan and Jeff, taken by the folks at Studio 222. Yes, they were taken at Downtown Disney, but what really jumps out at me is the love, not the landmarks. Something to think about if you're planning an engagement session of your own...

Our Guests Won’t Travel That Far

2010-02-17T01:08:00.003-07:00

The Top Three Myths About Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings: Myth #3 – Our Guests Won’t Travel That Far

by

Carrie Hayward
Author, PassPorter’s Disney Weddings & Honeymoons
www.passporter.com/weddings.asp

We’ve established the fact that Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings can be affordable, and we’ve dispelled the notion that they only offer princess-y weddings. But for many people, the biggest obstacle to a Walt Disney World wedding is the misconception that no one will travel that far to attend it.

The first thing to note is that destination weddings are becoming more and more common—The Knot’s 2009 survey found that one in five couples planned an out-of-town wedding, while one in 10 planned to wed more than 200 miles from where they lived. In the words of another Disney bride, these days nobody lives in the same town as all their friends and family, so every wedding is a destination wedding for someone!

Unlike many destination-wedding locales, Orlando is easily accessible from most cities, offers accommodations at all price points, and is kid-friendly, making it easy for your guests to turn a trip to your wedding into a family vacation. This may be why Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings reports that Walt Disney World weddings draw a greater percentage of the guest list than the 50%–75% typical for a destination wedding.

There are also a number of things you can do to increase the likelihood that those invited will attend and make it easier on the ones who do.

• Hold your event during Disney’s Value Season. Hotel prices (and usually airfare) will be cheaper and crowds will be lighter. If you block a certain number of hotel rooms, Disney offers your guests discounts of up to 30% off rack rates. Alternatively, they may take advantage of any discount they qualify for, including AAA, Annual Passholder, PIN offers, and seasonal discounts like the free Disney Dining Plan frequently available in September.

• Send “save the date” cards with the wedding date and location as soon as you have signed your contract. Wedding invitations are usually sent out only a month or two before the big day, so a save-the-date card will give your guests plenty of time to start planning and saving for a trip.

• Point your guests in the direction of helpful Disney vacation-planning websites or enlist the services of a travel agent to answer their questions and book their trips. You can also keep guests in the loop with a wedding website and/or a newsletter that covers everything they need to know about your event.

• Once guests arrive, show them your gratitude with a casual welcome party or thoughtful welcome bags containing essentials like sunscreen, bottled water, and Disney park maps. It is also helpful to provide transportation to and from wedding-day events.

And for those who are unable to attend your wedding, consider holding a reception in your hometown a few months later. Whether you plan a formal event that mimics a wedding reception or throw together a backyard barbecue, a home reception will let you share your photos, video and memories with a wider circle of family and friends and give them a chance to participate in the celebration.

******************

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Carrie Hayward is the author of PassPorter’s Disney Weddings & Honeymoons, a guidebook and bridal organizer for weddings, vow renewals, commitment ceremonies and honeymoons at Walt Disney World and on the Disney Cruise Line. She was married in Epcot’s Morocco Pavilion, with a reception at The Attic at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort and an IllumiNations dessert party at Epcot’s United Kingdom Lochside patio.

All Disney Weddings Are Princess-y

2010-02-16T10:01:00.002-07:00

The Top Three Myths About Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings: Myth #2 – All Disney Weddings Are Princess-y

by

Carrie Hayward
Author, PassPorter’s Disney Weddings & Honeymoons
www.passporter.com/weddings.asp

Last time we debunked the myth that Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings are only for the fabulously wealthy. Now we’ll look at the second biggest misconception about Disney weddings—that they’re strictly for princesses.

While it is true that Disney does a booming business in fairy tale-style weddings, ultimately the look and feel of your event is entirely up to you.

The best example is the Wishes Collection, which allows you to completely customize your event. Start with ceremony and reception venues that appeal to your sense of style. Among your choices are elegant and traditional venues like Disney’s Wedding Pavilion and the Grand Floridian ballrooms, sleek and modern sites like California Grill at the Contemporary Resort and Living Seas Salon inside Epcot, and eclectic and highly themed locations like Animal Kingdom’s Tamu Tamu Courtyard or Epcot’s Italy Pavilion.

With your locations as a canvas, you can add as many or as few floral and decor elements as you wish. Only certain venues allow you to bring in your own florist, but even if you are required to use the Walt Disney World Florist, the options are limited only by your imagination and budget. And nowhere is it written that you have to have masses of pink roses or carriage-shaped centerpieces just because you’re getting married at Walt Disney World!

Disney also offers the Couture Collection of ceremony and reception looks designed by celebrity wedding planner David Tutera. With one of these high-end decor packages you’ll get a magazine-worthy wedding without having to design every detail yourself. Two of them in particular, Simply Chic and Cocktail Soiree, eschew the frills and gilding for a clean, modern look.

Even the basic Escape Collection package offers a choice of bouquet and cake styles that range from classic to contemporary and from whimsical to, yes, even fairy tale. You may also customize them for an additional fee.

And if you do want to play prince or princess for a day, Walt Disney World is the place to do it! Among your options are Cinderella’s Glass Coach, complete with costumed footmen; a Major Domo in powdered wig and full regalia to carry the rings; Herald Trumpeters to announce your arrival; gilded thrones for the happy couple; and even a giant castle backdrop or oversized storybook entrance for the reception.

Up Next: Myth #3 – Our Guests Won’t Travel That Far
******************

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Carrie Hayward is the author of PassPorter’s Disney Weddings & Honeymoons, a guidebook and bridal organizer for weddings, vow renewals, commitment ceremonies and honeymoons at Walt Disney World and on the Disney Cruise Line. She was married in Epcot’s Morocco Pavilion, with a reception at The Attic at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort and an IllumiNations dessert party at Epcot’s United Kingdom Lochside patio.

The Top Three Myths About Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings

2010-02-15T10:13:00.014-07:00

I have got good stuff for you today, people. Welcome to the first post in a three part series by Carrie Hayward, known to many of you as lurkyloo. Carrie is a bonified expert on Disney weddings and is the author of PassPorter’s Disney Weddings & Honeymoons. I'm actually planning to do a full review and giveaway of her fabulous book, but since I'm unexpectedly in California for the next couple of weeks, we're going to do some guest posts instead. Carrie has been a major source of information and inspiration for me and I'm so glad she's my first guest author!

The Top Three Myths About Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings
by

Carrie Hayward
Author, PassPorter’s Disney Weddings & Honeymoons
www.passporter.com/weddings.asp

If you’re reading this blog, you already know it’s possible to get married at Walt Disney World. But if you’re like me, your first reaction was probably, “Yeah, if you’re rich! …And totally princess-crazy! …And live in Florida!”

As I found out when I eventually became a Disney bride, these are the three biggest myths about Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings—that it’s super-expensive, that Disney only offers fairy tales and frippery, and that no one will travel that far to see you get married—and nothing could be further from the truth!

First, let’s tackle Myth #1: “Disney weddings are too expensive.”

Like many people, when I found out it was possible to get married at Walt Disney World, I just assumed that the cost would be astronomical. After all, this is the place where a bottle of water will set you back four bucks.

However, after a few weeks of researching wedding venues in my hometown, I realized that it was possible to have an entire Escape Collection wedding at Walt Disney World—including the site, the cake, the limo, the bouquet, photography and music—for less than it costs to rent an empty reception site near me in Los Angeles.

According to industry analyst The Wedding Report, the average cost of a wedding in 2009 was $20,000. This year, Disney’s Escape Collection wedding starts at $4,750, including tax, service charge and all the elements previously listed, plus theme park annual passes for the bride and groom—a $1,041 value. Even Disney’s completely customizable Wishes Collection has a minimum expenditure of just $10,000. (And, yes, it is possible to keep your costs at the minimum—but that’s a post for another day!) Plus, Disney has started running specials, like the current offer of two free hotel nights for the bride and groom if they book a Wishes Collection event before April 15, 2010 and hold it before December 15, 2010.

Of course, it is possible to have a wedding for a lot less than $10,000 or even $4,750 if, say, you follow a City Hall ceremony with dinner out for a few friends or you get married in your parents’ backyard (and you don’t rent a party tent and they don’t live in The Hamptons). Regional differences can also have a big effect on wedding costs—couples in small Midwestern and Southern towns will pay half or even a third as much as those in big cities on either coast.

But if you have your heart set on most of the elements of a traditional wedding reception—a ballroom, a catered meal, dancing—a Walt Disney World wedding might save you money and will definitely give you more bang for your buck!

For example, hiring a wedding planner may cost as much as 20% of your total wedding budget. All Disney weddings include the services of a planner at no extra charge. Even if you do hire a wedding planner, arranging a traditional wedding still requires you to run all over town scouting venues and meeting with vendors. Disney weddings require only a few phone consultations or a single on-site planning session, at which you get to make decisions on fun stuff like colors and cake flavors instead of boring stuff like outdoor heaters and cutlery rental.

A Disney Fairy Tale Wedding also offers the opportunity for magical touches that would cost a fortune anywhere else – like holding a cocktail hour, rehearsal dinner or dessert party in front of a dazzling fireworks show. And while there are plenty of pricey extras to drive up the cost of a Walt Disney World wedding, you could forego all of them and still enjoy the world-class quality and service that set Disney events apart from typical reception hall weddings.

Up Next: Myth #2 – All Disney Weddings Are Princess-y
******************

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Carrie Hayward is the author of PassPorter’s Disney Weddings & Honeymoons, a guidebook and bridal organizer for weddings, vow renewals, commitment ceremonies and honeymoons at Walt Disney World and on the Disney Cruise Line. She was married in Epcot’s Morocco Pavilion, with a reception at The Attic at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort and an IllumiNations dessert party at Epcot’s United Kingdom Lochside patio.

Disney Valentines For Your Wedding (or Sweetheart!)

2010-02-12T10:31:00.003-07:00

I love vintage valentines. They evoke memories of school parties and card boxes and those little chalk hearts that never tasted good but were always so exciting to get. Now that I'm older, I admit that I still browse the valentines aisle just to see which design I would have picked to hand out to my friends.

I picked these up at an antique store after we got married, which is too bad because one of our home receptions was on Valentines Day and these would have been perfect!!! I would have either turned them into a garland or put them under a glass tabletop on the cake table. Oooh, or I might have used them for table numbers or turned them into stickers and put them on the goody bags. Le sigh, the possibilities are endless but I missed the boat.

Oh well, instead I pass them on to you and hope you can use them in your celebration. Or at least pass them out to your friends this V-day!

How to Design Your Wedding Cake

2010-02-11T00:05:00.005-07:00

When you sign a contract to have a Disney wedding, they send you a ton of stuff so you can start planning. One of the things that you get in your planning package is a cd that has pictures of all the different wedding cakes offered by Disney.

What many brides don't realize, though, is that Disney can create just about any wedding cake you care to dream up. To illustrate, I thought I'd share this cake planning story, from Shannon and Craig, who made their lovely cake as personal as any I've ever seen...

We wanted the Mad Hatter cake but a combination of other cakes for each layer...these were what we used as inspiration...the bottom tier of this cake in greens...

...the circles from this cake with a blue background and other shades of blue circles...

...the middle layer yellow with blue and green mickeys in various shapes and styles like this cake...

We didn't want anything flowerly or weird on the layers, just some icing piping. I wanted to show our Canadian/Scottish backgrounds in the topper so I used the topper in the previous cake for inspiration and sent this awesome "paint" job that Craig made fun of...my own drawing would have been worse but they clearly understood what i wanted.

When you combined all this together the finished product was awesome!! It was one of my favorite parts of the whole wedding and it made me so sad to have to cut it. FYI, I had them leave the fondant on my pieces and it was really yummy too!!

Here it is!!

Thanks, Shannon! It turned out great!