Disney Wedding Podcast

Although the basics of planning a Disney’s Fairy Tale Wedding at Walt Disney World remain the same, the way Disney handles the planning process has changed significantly in the wake of COVID-related staff cuts. This week I am joined by Sara Fader, who is planning her 21st anniversary vow renewal at Tower of Terror, to discuss all the changes to Disney’s planning process in Florida, from the Zoom planning sessions and shortened planning timeline to the group menu-tasting event and even the new cake-tasting kit available for pickup! You’ll hear her experience with each step of the planning process and get our advice to prepare you for planning your own wedding or vow renewal at Walt Disney World!

This week, Syreeta Garabini shares the story of her UK Gazebo Courtyard ceremony and Terrace des Fleurs celebration at EPCOT.  After she and David had their Disney Cruise Line wedding cancelled twice due to COVID-19, they decided to switch to an event at Walt Disney World just six weeks before their date! Today you’ll hear how Syreeta was able to plan on a shortened timeline (using photos and info from this podcast and the Fairytale Weddings Guide!), which savory foods she added to their cake and Champagne celebration, and where they saved and splurged. She also shares whether it’s worth it to add Mickey and Minnie, even with the physical-distancing restrictions and only seven guests! Click here to see all the photos!

This week, Connor Templeton shares the story of her 2019 wedding aboard the Disney Fantasy, with a ceremony in the Atrium and a celebration in Outlook. Connor knew she wanted to be married aboard the Disney Cruise Line from a young age, and choosing a 7-day cruise allowed her and Michael to spend plenty of time with their guests. Today you’ll hear how they chose their ceremony and reception venues, what Connor did about hair and makeup for the big day, and why they decided to use the ship’s onboard photography contractor, Shutters, for their wedding photography. You’ll also hear Connor’s best advice for anyone planning a Disney cruise wedding or vow renewal. Click here to see all the photos!

Today, Hannah Brian shares the story of her Wedding Pavilion ceremony, Grand Floridian Ballroom reception and Terrace des Fleurs dessert party in EPCOT. Hannah and Chris knew from the start they wanted to be married at the Wedding Pavilion, and they were sold on the Grand Floridian for their reception when they saw another couple's wedding there during a site visit.  Today, Hannah shares her top wedding planning tips, including where she saved so she could splurge on reception floral and décor. Plus, she offers details on the ways Disney accommodated a number of different food allergies among her guests.  Click here to see all the photos!

This week, Katy Barnhart shares the story of her Sea Breeze Point ceremony and Marvin Gardens reception at BoardWalk Inn Conference Center. Katy and Devin’s hometowns are 1,800 miles apart, so Walt Disney World seemed like the perfect compromise for a destination wedding in February 2020. Today you’ll hear how they chose their venues, which brunch menu items were their favorite, and how they budgeted for their Valentine’s Day-themed floral and décor. And Katy shares how Disney surprised them with an appearance by Mickey and Minnie! Click here to see all the photos!

Today, Katherine Quirk-Schwartz and Russ Schwartz share the story of their wedding celebration in all four theme parks at Walt Disney World! They kicked off the event with a welcome party at Animal Kingdom’s Harambe Market, bookended by ride mix-ins on Kilimanjaro Safari and Flight of Passage, then held their ceremony in Magic Kingdom’s East Plaza Garden and followed it with brunch at California Grill. That night, they treated their guests to dinner at EPCOT’s Living Seas Salon, a Soarin’ ride mix-in, and cake-cutting and dancing at American Adventure Rotunda—complete with an appearance by Mickey and Minnie! They later wrapped up the celebration with a farewell party at PizzeRizzo in Disney’s Hollywood Studio and a ride mix-in on Slinky Dog Dash! Today Katherine and Russ talk about the logistics of planning and replanning an elaborate event after COVID-19 canceled their Aulani wedding plans and caused three postponements. They also share extensive menu-planning advice, including the dishes that were a hit wit

This week, Joanie Dawley shares the story of her ceremony at the Wedding Pavilion and celebration at the Grand Floridian Marina. Joanie and Robert were able to have their dream wedding within a budget by choosing a Tuesday, using outside vendors, and minimizing floral and décor.  You’ll hear how she and Robert selected their venues and vendors, which menu items were the biggest hits, and their best advice for anyone considering a Disney wedding! Click here to see all the photos!

Today, Tyler and Anthony Borges-Nizzari share the story of their Aulani wedding ceremony at Lanikuhonua and reception inside ‘AMA ‘AMA restaurant. When planning their wedding in New York City during the peak of COVID became too difficult, their solution was to add a ceremony to their trip to Aulani for Anthony’s 30th birthday! Their dreams of having a ceremony and reception with a view of the ocean were realized when their original reception venue became too windy on the day of the event and Disney moved everything inside ‘AMA ‘AMA—making Tyler and Anthony the first couple ever to have a wedding there! In this episode, they discuss how they planned a wedding in a location they’d never seen from their home thousands of miles away, including their top menu picks and tips for other couples who may be considering Aulani as an alternative to a traditional at-home wedding. Click here for all the photos!

This week, Mariah Leggett shares the story of her Disney Springs wedding at Paddlefish. You’ll hear how she and Robert chose to be married at one of their favorite places at Disney after COVID cancelled their Disney’s Fairy Tale Wedding—and five attempts to reschedule! Mariah also shares how she planned her No. 1 priority for the wedding, floral and decor; her top  recommendations for vendors, menu items and cake flavors; and how she and Robert included their kids in their ceremony! Click here to see all the photos!

Today, Jessica Krasny shares the story of her ceremony at the Wedding Pavilion, pre-reception Terrace des Fleurs and reception at American Adventure Rotunda, complete with an appearance by the Dapper Dans and a ride mix-in on Soarin’! You’ll hear how Jessica was able to customize every aspect of her floral and décor, including details on the custom storybook backdrop behind her sweetheart table. She also offers tips on the planning session and shares how she and Elliot chose their officiant.  Click here to see all the photos!

On today’s episode, Lyra Vega Bridal owner Lilian Hung joins me for a look at everything you need to know about ordering a custom bridal gown online. Lilian’s frustration with her own wedding gown search made her want to bring transparency and reasonable pricing to the bridal industry while filling a need for Disney princess-worthy ballgown-style dresses, which many online retailers don’t offer due to high shipping prices. Eliminating the “plus-size tax” was another goal: None of her company’s gowns cost extra for larger sizes—in fact, the website eliminates sizing altogether because each gown is custom made to the customer’s measurements. And while most wedding gowns take up to eight months to arrive and then require further pricey alterations before they actually fit, Lyra Vega gowns arrive in just eight weeks and don’t require alterations because they are made to measure.  Click here for photos!

This week, Emily Roberto shares the story of her Italy Plaza ceremony at EPCOT, which she and Nick planned in just one month after their original wedding plans were cancelled twice due to COVID-19. They chose the Italy Pavilion because they wanted an in-park event and both come from large Italian families! Today you'll hear where they splurged and where they saved to make their dream Disney wedding a reality, including treating their guests to brunch at Raglan Road and drinking around World Showcase instead of a formal reception. You'll also hear Emily's top advice for anyone considering a Disney wedding. Click here to see all the photos!

Today, Aleshia Valance shares the story of her ceremony at the Wedding Pavilion, cake and Champagne celebration at the Grand Floridian Convention Center, and reception at Paddlefish.  She and Cameron originally planned to follow their ceremony with an evening reception at California Grill. But when Disney canceled all fireworks shows due to the pandemic, Aleshia and Cameron decided to switch to brunch at Paddlefish, which they'd fallen in love with when they dined there on the trip that would have been their honeymoon.  Today, Aleshia shares where she saved (floral and décor) and where she splurged (Cinderella's Glass Coach) for her wedding and offers her top advice. She also discusses why she added an appearance by Mickey and Minnie at the last minute, even with the COVID restrictions still in place—and how glad she was that she did! Click here to see all the photos!

This week, Jasmine Navarro shares the story of her UK Courtyard ceremony and Terrace des Fleurs celebration at EPCOT. She and Stephen were originally told their first choice, the UK Pavilion, would be unavailable due to construction, and they chose the Wedding Pavilion instead. But when COVID-19 altered the park's plans, they were able to have their wedding in UK Courtyard after all! Today, Jasmine shares all the ways they were able to save money on the wedding so they could afford a portrait session inside Magic Kingdom, including choosing a weekday; taking their guests to Art Smith's Homecomin' instead of having a full reception; and passing on characters, floral and décor (except for Jasmine's bouquet, which was made by her mom!). You'll also hear Jasmine's top tip for anyone planning a Walt Disney World wedding. Click here for all the photos!

Today, Erika Exnicios shares the story of her 2019 ceremony at the Wedding Pavilion, pre-reception at Italy Isola, and reception at American Adventure Rotunda. Erika and Evan fell in love on a trip to Walt Disney World and got engaged at Tower of Terror, so Disney was the perfect setting for their Beauty and the Beast-themed wedding! Today you’ll hear how they customized their wedding with floral, decor and entertainment, including an appearance by the  English Butler and a live painting completed over the course of the reception. Erika also shares the story behind her caped gown and Evan’s custom suit, complete with Walt Disney’s autograph in the lining! Click here for all the photos!

This week, Christy Carey shares the story of her Crescent Terrace ceremony at the Swan & Dolphin and Paddlefish reception. She and Mike wanted to be married at Disney but also needed cost-effective and flexible venues that would allow them to choose all their own vendors. Today you’ll hear how Christy chose those vendors, where she saved and splurged, and what ended up being her favorite memory of the day. Click here to see all the photos!

Today, Mystee Ipong shares the story of her ceremony at EPCOT’s Italy Pavilion, meal at Sea Breeze Point, and dessert party at the Whitehall Room & Patio—plus a welcome party at Animal Kingdom’s Tamu Tamu Courtyard and ride mix-in on Avatar Flight of Passage! When Mike and Mystee had to cancel their 400-person hometown wedding due to COVID-19, they decided to add a smaller wedding to their honeymoon at Walt Disney World. In this episode you’ll hear how Mystee surprised Mike with an appearance by Steamboat Willie at their dessert party, her favorite menu items from each of her events, and why she had to hide in a closet before the ceremony! Click here to see all the photos!

This week, Alex Gonzales shares the story of her ceremony at the Wedding Pavilion, reception at the Grand Floridian Ballroom Salons VI-IX, and after-party at Pixar Alley in Disney’s Hollywood Studios! She discusses the best decisions they made for their COVID-era wedding, including the menu items they loved the most, how glad they were to have Mickey and Minnie (even with physical distancing), and how much fun their dessert party and Tower of Terror ride mix-in were, even without a showing of Fantasmic! Plus Alex shares her top tip for other couples: Making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in the middle of your wedding is a unique unity ceremony AND a great way to sneak a snack into a hectic day! Click here for all the photos!

Today, Taralyn Cyccone shares the story of her February 2020 Canada Terrace ceremony and Living Seas Salon reception in EPCOT. Making budgetary tradeoffs like having a mid-week brunch and doing DIY décor allowed Taralyn and Christopher to afford all their must-have items for the wedding, including a surprise appearance by Mickey and Minnie! Today, she shares tons of great money-saving tips, including how she was able to bring her own centerpieces to a theme park reception by putting numbers on them so they’d qualify as table numbers instead. She even has advice for saving money on your wedding gown! Click here to see all the photos + a video!

This week, Amber Farrow shares the story of her epic elopement on Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats after her Disney’s Fairy Tale Wedding at Sea Breeze Point was pushed back a year due to the pandemic. Due to 50 mph winds and rain, she and James ended up doing their ceremony twice: once for the few family and friends who were able to make it to the site, and again for all their guests the following day! A few months later, they held a Disney-themed reception for those who won’t be able to attend their rescheduled Walt Disney World ceremony. Today, Amber shares lots of great tips for bringing Disney to your at-home wedding, including the story behind her all-wood (really!) bouquet and the giant “fire extinguisher” balloon arch over their Wall-E wedding cake! She also offers her best advice for anyone whose wedding plans are still up in the air due to the pandemic. Click here to see all the photos!