How Much Does a Fairy Tale Wedding at a Disney Resort Cost?

Weddings are a magical moment. For avid fans and whimsical princesses-at-heart globally, an official Disney Wedding could be the very definition of a dream come true. While the day will be like a fairy tale, this wedding experience isn’t one you can pull off off-the-cuff.

It will need meticulous planning and cost preparation, as Disney Weddings are also popular. So the Love & Lavender team has put together your ultimate guide to planning and costing a Disney Wedding the right way. Destination: Hitched at the House of Mouse is closer than you think!

What Is a Disney Wedding?

Officially known as Disney Fairy Tale Wedding and Honeymoons Program, a Disney Wedding is a full-fledged, Disney-endorsed marriage ceremony at one of the global Disney theme parks. From intimate micro-wedding ceremonies to grand affairs, it’s an undeniable touch of immersive magic added to your special day.

While this is a truly unique wedding experience, one you can’t replicate anywhere else, working with the official Disney brand does come at a cost and complexity that surprises many couples. In turn, you get access to a ton of exclusive Disney experiences, from watching fireworks with your guests to riding your favorite attractions at the reception.

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Disney weddings are popular with Disney Megafans, but they’re really for anyone looking for a true (and curated) fairy tale wedding experience. After all, no one does ‘princess vibes’ as they do! The idea of having exclusive treats and VIP access to parts of some of the most popular theme parks globally, all in magical destinations, is an appealing one.

So is having a one-stop option to create your wedding instead of doing it all yourself. Wedding planning is intimidating, so having someone to do it all for you can be fantastic.

Disney Wedding Locations

The Disney wedding experience is offered at a host of their venues globally- from their magical cruise ship to their Florida, California, and Paris theme parks and even the Hawaiian Aulani Disney resort. 

They have close to 30 different locations on offer for the ceremony, including some lesser-known ones like the Epcot German Courtyard, Castaway Cay, Avatar’s Pandora to the Tree of Life, a replica of the Temple of Heaven, and, of course, Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. 

If you can’t imagine creating a Disney Wedding without the iconic castles in the background, the theme parks will be best for you, but the unique balance struck by their resort and Disney cruise line wedding options could be more appealing for some brides.

Disney Weddings Pricing 

Before going deep into the question of how much does a Disney wedding cost, there are several things to talk about. Obviously, no pricing we can offer here is strictly fixed- prices will never be static and can fluctuate. It all depends on whether you want a more intimate wedding or a wedding ceremony that’s more grand. However, we’re sure you will find our in-depth cost breakdown for Disney Weddings a great starting point in your research.

Minimums

First up, let’s talk about event minimums. You’re not going to spend less than the mandatory minimum for your venue choice- and it can go a lot higher depending on the extras you choose! Both the ceremony location and time of day you want to use will heavily impact the minimum price. How do they arrive at these? Let’s take a look.

Ceremony Fee + Reception Food & Beverage Minimum = Overall Minimum

Your Ceremony Venue fee, plus the other service elements you choose, all build towards your event minimum. This venue fee covers the venue (of course), alongside standard seating, musicians and a PA system (with tech to help), a water station for guests, and a backup rain-friendly location for outdoor events. 

Your food and beverage minimums are made up of any combo of pre-reception, reception, cake, and bar services. Here there is a per-person minimum based on both your Disney destination of choice, as well as the event time- divided into brunch, lunch, and dinner.

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When planning, remember that 6.5% sales tax and 25% labor/gratuity will be added (for US destinations). These costs do not count toward your services/event minimum!

Expect to pay roughly $140-$220 a head in food/beverage minimums in Florida and $120-$210 a head in California.

Floral and Decor services are on offer for all packages, and your choices here will be counted towards that key minimum spend. Then add photography, entertainment, and transport services to finish up. Transport covers not only your guest’s mobility but also arriving at your wedding in style in Cinderella’s coach or a horse-drawn carriage.

Typically, you need a guest list under 100 people for the park options, and you can choose to craft your wedding just for you 2. Some of the grand experiences will take up to 300 guests- specifically, the Magic Kingdom options.

If you’re familiar with the Disney Wedding offerings, you may remember the ‘Wishes’ and ‘Escape’ packages. These have been discontinued in favor of a more tailored approach.

Cost Details

Now you understand more about how the minimums work, let’s get into some cost details. We’ll take a look at the most popular Disney Wedding destinations – Florida, California, and Hawaii and give you a rough idea of what the minimum event fee would be.

We’ll also group venue options that fall under that minimum. For individual venue prices, jump to the section after this one.

Florida

• $15,000-$19,000: This covers destinations like Crescent Cove, the Croquet Lawn, Oak Manor, Destino Plaza, and Casitas Courtyard. Most of these venues average $7,000 for the venue fee itself, leaving you to fill the rest with your food/beverage and service options.
• $18,000-$20,000: Most of the ‘geographic’ experiences fall in this band, like China, Morocco, the German Courtyard, the Japanese Bonsai Promenade, and so on. These have a venue cost of $7,500.
• $20,000-$25,000: Here, we find famous venues like Pandora, the Tower of Terror, and the Tree of Life, with a wedding venue fee of $9,500.
• $18,000-$35,000: This is for the Disney Wedding Pavilion itself, which accounts for an $8,000 event fee.
• $30,000-$100,000: This top-end bracket covers the Magic Kingdom, including the train station ($20,000), after-hours ($40,000), and East Plaza ($30,000) options. 

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Some of these locations can only be booked during park hours. As you can see, some allow for other times, usually in the higher price brackets. Typically, you do not bring in outside wedding services to a Disney Wedding. However, some of the ballroom venues will allow for this, circumstances depending.

Many of the spas, hotels, and resorts offer a more classical wedding package if you prefer, but these aren’t really classed under the ‘Disney Wedding’ banner. Good to know, however! Most Disneyland hotel weddings start from $15,000. 

California

• $15,000 +: Here, we have venues like the Adventure Lawn, Brisa Courtyard, Rose Court Garden, and Wedding Garden. You will pay a lower minimum for weekday weddings and higher for holidays and weekends.

If you want to add a specialty reception venue to the mix, expect to pay more for it. Remember that gratuities and taxes are not included in any Disney Wedding default pricing. Seasonal popularities and holidays will also see an upswing in price.

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Hawaii

The Disney Wedding Resort experience works a little differently. They offer 2 packages for guests. The Lōkahi Package gives you a tailored ceremony and reception for up to 18 guests (in addition to the couple, so 20 people total). You can then add the services you wish. The Pilialoha Package is a little cheaper.

Both offer the standard wedding services we mentioned above and decor/floral/entertainment, etc., add-ons. Again, the Lōkahi Package has per-guest food/beverage minimums, with lunch (cheaper) and dinner options. You will pay a 22% food and beverage service fee that is not counted toward the minimum spend.

• Lōkahi Celebrations ($16,500 +): Pick your vibe with a beach wedding, two ballrooms, lawn, patio, and outdoor venue options. Do note that there is a 10-room booking minimum for this package.
• Pilialoha Celebrations ($5,600+): Your venue choices here are Aloha point, Kula Wai, and the Sunset Alcove. Remember, reception is not included in this package. Kula Wai carries an extra $1,400 venue fee that isn’t included in the package total. The couple must book a 4-night stay at the resort to qualify for this package.

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Cruise Weddings

Last but certainly not least, we have the Disney Cruise Wedding option. Cruise ceremonies are designed for 16 celebrants and the couple (18 people total). You can add extra guests (to an extent- it is a cruise ship) at $20 per person over 3 years of age.

Your reception choice is limited to a cake and champagne celebration, although the cruise includes additional restaurants, lounges, and room service for variety. You can add floral and entertainment services to customize your wedding.

Do note that these package prices do not include the individual cruise reservations you will also need! It’s also free of gratuities, tax, and so on. Seasonal popularity may cause pricing to rise.

• Onboard Package: $3,500 at the Deck 10 aft, Meridian Patio, or Outlook areas.
• Upgraded Package: $4,500, bringing some extras like a Disney event coordinator, musician, complimentary dinner, some in-room credit for the couple, and guest transportation (for Castaway Cay). The Wedding Pointe, Castaway Cay, and The Atrium are available to you.

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Disney Wedding Venues and Their Cost

There are many Disney venues to choose from. Each follows a specific theme or is inspired by a magical place or a Disney movie. 

The Magic Kingdom

For those wanting to replicate the Cinderella castle experience, there’s no substitute for the Magic Kingdom as a venue. Due to this popularity- and its presence in the heart of their cornerstone park- Magic Kingdom weddings are the most expensive.

• East Plaza Garden: Drink in the view of the castle surrounded by Main Street. A great balance of cost and experience. Venue cost: $30,000. Minimum from $50,000- $100,000.
• The Train Station: If you want to celebrate the whimsical charm of Disney with less of the castle, this is a fabulous option. Old world charm, yes, indeed! Venue cost: $20,000. Minimum from $50,00-$100,000.

The After-Hours Kingdom

• The ultimate Disney experience in a nutshell. Share your first kiss under the stars in the empty park right in front of Cinderella’s Castle.
• Venue Cost: $40,000. Minimum can range up to $100,000, season and date dependant.

The Epcot Venues

For those looking for a hint of Disney magic without the full fairytale looks, the varied EPCOT locations are a big hit. Often centered around a specific culture, they’re a beautiful way to bring some magic to your wedding. 

Their most popular choices include:

• The China Courtyard: Rich in color and beautiful at night, with Asian-inspired architecture
• Italy Isola: Beautiful views of the lagoon
• Japan Courtyard: A delicate outdoor setting with plenty of zen vibes
• Morocco: A gorgeous Arabian twist for outdoor ceremonies
• Venue Cost: $7,500. Minimums of $18,000-$20,000

The Tree of Life (Animal Kingdom)

• You can’t beat this location for spectacular nighttime color and dreamy vibes. It feels like walking in an enchanted forest.
• Venue Cost: $9,500. Minimum $20,000-$25,000

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The Tower of Terror (Hollywood Studios)

• Lend some fierce gothic vibes to your fairy tale here. If you’d be secretly thrilled to have some vampiric nobles join the ceremony, consider this location.
• Venue Cost: $9,500. Minimum $20,000-$25,000

Conch Key Marina

• One of the simpler (and cheaper) Disney Wedding venues, you will be married with a superlative view of the water and the Grand Floridian Hotel.
• Venue $7,000. Minimum $15,000-$19,000

Croquet Lawn

• Embrace the Mad Hatter within! This has all the dignity of a simple park outdoor ceremony, with a zany Alice-themed twist.
• Venue $7,000. Minimum $15,000-$19,000

Stage 17

• Unlike the more thematic Disney Wedding venues, Stage 17 allows you to build your own custom experience. Showcase some of your own style, but keep the Disney magic.
• Customized Pricing – requires inquiry.

Disney Wedding Full Cost Breakdown Example

You can plan anything from tiny, simple ceremonies for just 2 people at some of the park’s beauty spots right through to an extravagant ball at Stage 17 or the ultimate Disney Grand Wedding in front of Cinderella’s castle. 

For the purpose of this “example wedding,” let’s create a mid-tier evening extravaganza at the Tree of Life for the couple and 8 guests, so 10 people.

• Venue Fee: $9,500. This will be a non-negotiable part of our minimum spend.
• Minimum Spend: We are looking at $20,000-$25,000 minimum here. Let’s assume we want a weekend date convenient for our guests in the summer. So, if we go for the $25,000 minimum fee, once we pay for the venue, we have $15,500 to spend on food, beverages, and extras to meet the minimum spend.
• Food and Beverages: Our minimum food/beverage spend per head will be $210, as it is the evening. So we need to budget at least $2,100 on food and beverages (without tax). We’d like to splurge a little, so let’s assume a delicious cake, a plated menu, and desserts. As each food menu is custom-tailored, we can’t get exact pricing, but $3,000 seems realistic. We have $12,500 remaining before we meet the minimum requirement for this venue.
• Lighting: Lighting this venue is a required spend for the evenings and can cost from $5,000-$15,000. The unique lighting is part of what makes this venue spectacular, so it’s a pricey splurge but worthwhile. Let’s compromise a little, as it’s a small party, and get a $5,000 lighting option instead of the cheapest (included in the venue fee), but pay in for the awakening display, too (roughly $4,000).
• Florals and fun: This leaves us $3,500 of the minimum spend to customize the flowers and decor and possibly add an event or two.

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So we could create this dream wedding beautifully within the $25,000 minimum spend or add some fun extras like arriving in Cinderella’s coach (about $3,500) if we had a higher budget.

Disney’s wedding planners are very good about finding places to compromise that won’t feel like a compromise (perhaps changing some flowers or swapping a menu item) to help you stay on budget and work closely with you to create your dream. 

Budget-Friendly vs Average-Cost vs Disney Wedding

Now, our example features 10 guests, which is a very small wedding. On average, a wedding guest list consists of at least 100 people. To get a better idea of how the wedding budget differs, depending on the type of wedding you choose to go for, go through the table below. We’ve outlined the approximate costs of a budget-friendly, average-cost, and Disney wedding.

Disney Weddings FAQs

Below, we’ll answer some more burning questions regarding Disney weddings and prices.

What’s Included in a Disney Wedding?

In addition to the immersive venue, you receive access to a dedicated wedding planning team to help bring it all together. They aim to make you feel like a ‘guest at your own wedding,’ with all decor, flowers, entertainment, and so on organized through them. Perhaps the biggest drawcard, however, is the opportunity to take your wedding photos in the (empty) park- something no one else can claim!

Are Tours Available? 

Yes. If you want to see and experience the venue before committing, it is possible- but it’s not just a matter of walking in there any day. They offer ticketed wedding-specific event days for you to tour the venues on offer twice a month. You can also request a walk-through provided you’re inside 18 months of your tentative wedding date and are booking with them- it’s part of the wedding coordinator option they offer. 

Can You Have a Religious Disney Wedding?

All of Disney’s wedding venues are non-denominational. This means you can bring an officiant of your choice, including a religious officiant. With one catch. The Catholic church doesn’t recognize non-church weddings at all. So you may need to plan for a private religious ceremony separate from your Disney dream wedding if similar conditions apply in your religion.

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How Early Should I Book My Disney Wedding?  

As early as you are allowed! For the cruise, you add the package to your reservation at the time of booking. For the Disneyland resort, they can book up to a year in advance. For the parks, they can also book up to 12 months in advance. Some areas can only book 10 months in advance.

Keep in mind that deposits are non-refundable, so choose carefully! 

When Should I Pay the Deposit?

It depends. For the cruise options, the deposit is due immediately after you add the wedding package to your cruise reservation. The deposits for the resort experience will be due when you sign the contract, with the full balance due no later than 30 days prior to your event.

At the parks, a deposit is again required at the moment you contract for your date. California requires full payment 90 days in advance. Florida requires the full balance 30 days in advance. The deposit required will be higher the closer to the date you book.

Is There Disney Wedding Insurance?

Yes, but if you want full insurance for your Disney Wedding, you will need to take it with an outside insurance company. However, for outdoor venues, they do offer a rain/weather-safe alternative in case of inclement weather.

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Can You Rent the Disney Park for the Day?

You cannot rent the full park out for any ceremony or event. With the daily flow of visitors to the parks, they would lose too much offering this option. However, you will not have random stragglers gatecrash your event during the ceremony/reception, and some of the grander Disney Wedding options (like the After-Hours Magic Kingdom Package) do allow you some private access to parts of the park.

Is Accommodation for Wedding Guests Part of the Contract?

Yes. When you start your Disney Wedding journey with the contracting phase, the booking of hotel rooms will be included as part of your contract. This allows them to plan the reservation and have rooms available on your Big Day. Room block bookings are not essential, but it’s a very useful add-on to ensure the full experience and your guest’s comfort.  

Special hotel rates will be offered to your guests within the 12 months before your date, so you don’t have to pay for everyone. Your guests will also be offered discounted park tickets from 60 days before your ceremony.

What Activities Are Included for the Guests of Your Disney Wedding?

Disney Weddings allows you to add a no-queue, no-non-guest ride on your favorite attraction to your package. Alternatively, you can opt for a special fireworks/nighttime spectacular viewing to add a magical moment to your Big Day.

You also have access to their venue-specific catalog of entertainers as part of your wedding planning process. Some of these can be an activity in themselves- for example, learning a special thematic dance style everyone can join in. Or you may want your favorite characters to swing by.

Conclusion

The Disney Wedding experience allows two dreams to come true at once- the celebration of your love in a very special place. Yes, a wedding (or a vow renewal or bridal shower) at a Disney resort does not come particularly cheap, but you have the peace of mind of having a customized, curated experience delivered to you all in one in one of the most magical settings in the world.

Few brides can say their wedding planning came easily- but at Disney, you get to be the guest, not the manager of your special day. Also, you get to say you had your happy ever after at the most fairytale-inspired place in the world.