Disney Wedding Podcast

Today, Savannah Sims shares the story of her 2019 ceremony at the Wedding Pavilion and reception at the Grand Floridian Convention Center’s St. Augustine Ballroom. She and Drew were at Disney when they learned their original wedding venue was closing, and they made the decision to switch to a Disney wedding that day! Today she shares her best tips for sticking to your wedding budget, whether it’s eliminating experiences guests don’t expect anyway or getting double duty out of a photo backdrop instead of paying for lots of flowers. She also offers recommendations for menu planning and ensuring all your guests have an enjoyable, stress-free time by foregoing the bridal party. Click here to see all the photos!

This week, Jamie Hawk shares the story of her elopement at Italy Plaza in EPCOT. She and Matt originally planned to have a large wedding at that venue in May 2021, but they canceled due to COVID-19. While they were planning their at-home wedding for June, Jamie realized she really just wanted to elope to Disney—and one month later, they did! Today you’ll hear how their priorities shifted from small details to making big memories, what Jamie did when she realized her wedding gown wouldn’t arrive in time, and her best advice for anyone who’s ever fantasized about ditching their large-wedding plans for an elopement. Plus, she shares what it was like to be the first couple allowed to do a bridal portrait session inside Pandora — The World of Avatar without having to be married there! Click here for all the photos!

Today, Hayley Widing shares the story of her Paddlefish wedding at Disney Springs. Originally she and Joe considered a Disney’s Fairy Tale Wedding, but she wasn’t happy with the restrictions on floral, décor and entertainment at many Disney venues. When she found Paddlefish in Chapter 10 of Carrie Hayward’s Fairytale Weddings Guide, Hayley knew it was the perfect blank slate for her wedding vision! Today she shares how she was able to plan a wedding at a venue she’d never been to from her home in Australia, including tips on choosing the menu and finding vendors, plus her No. 1 piece of advice: Hire a wedding planner! Click here to see all the photos!

This week, Michelle Hurtado shares the story of her wedding at Disney’s Aulani Resort & Spa just one week after it reopened following the COVID-19 shutdown. She and Michael were scheduled to be married at ‘Ama ‘Ama Patio on the fifth anniversary of their first Aulani vacation, but they didn’t find out whether their wedding could happen until three weeks before—and they had to switch from a full Wishes wedding and reception to an Escape ceremony-only event! On today’s episode, Michelle discusses how their plans changed, including swapping a full reception for dinner across the street at Roy’s and adding a second, Up-themed wedding cake! She also discusses Disney’s and Hawaii’s mask and physical-distancing requirements. And you’ll see photos from the pre-park-opening bridal portrait session she and Michael added at Walt Disney World a few months later! Click here to see all the photos!

Today, Rachel Johnson shares the story of her Wedding Pavilion ceremony and EPCOT reception. Due to Disney’s COVID-19-related venue capacity limits, they had dinner first at Italy Isola, then a ride mix-in on Soarin’, followed by speeches, dancing and the cake-cutting at American Adventure Rotunda. In this episode, Rachel discusses how Disney handles weddings with larger guest lists during the pandemic, all of her favorite menu items and cake flavors, and her best tips for anyone trying to decide whether to stick with their Disney wedding plans or postpone. Click here to see all the photos!

This week, Keesha Davenport shares the story of her EPCOT wedding, with a ceremony in the Germany Pavilion and a reception at Terrace des Fleurs! Keesha and Adam chose Germany for their ceremony because Adam was born in Germany and was stationed there in the Air Force. Their reception was originally planned for Ariel‘s, but due to Disney’s COVID-19-related capacity restrictions, Keesha and Adam chose to move it to the France Pavilion to avoid having to be in a ballroom—a decision that allowed them to get photos with two of EPCOT’s character cavalcades! Today Keesha discusses planning a wedding under Disney’s COVID protocols and shares her best tips for anyone in a similar situation. Click here to see all the photos!

Today, Ashleigh & Dan Harrison share the story of their 2019 wedding ceremony at Sea Breeze Point, with a reception at Atlantic Dance Hall. Ashleigh and Dan originally planned to hold their reception at Italy Isola, but the backstage transportation requirement and tricky timing with the fireworks led them to reconsider. The moment they walked into Atlantic Dance Hall, they knew it was the perfect place for their reception! In this episode they share their top tips for cake flavors, saving money on a BOC bar, and working with Disney Floral when you’re on a budget. Plus, each shares their favorite moment of the wedding day! Click here to see all the photos!

This week, Crystal Jacobs Berry shares the story of her Wedding Pavilion ceremony with first look and portrait session at Magic Kingdom, followed by brunch and cake at the Grand Floridian Cafe. Crystal and Mark chose Sago Cay Pointe when they booked their wedding, prior to the pandemic. But they ended up switching to the Wedding Pavilion in order to avoid having to wear masks during the ceremony. Today Crystal talks about  Disney’s COVID-19 policies for the ceremony and the portrait session, how she ordered her two-tier naked cake from Grand Floridian Private Dining, and her best advice for anyone wondering if they should postpone their COVID-era Disney wedding. Click here to see all the photos!

Today, Dana and Charlie Chapman share the story of their wedding at Paradise Cove in Orlando. Although they met as  Disney cast members and originally planned a Sea Breeze Point wedding, Dana and Charlie ended up cancelling and rebooking at Paradise Cove due to Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings’ COVID-19 restrictions and reduced staffing. Today they share their best tips, including the vendors  and menu items they recommend. You’ll also hear about Charlie’s speedboat entrance to the ceremony and how they ensured the dance floor would be packed, even at a 10am wedding! Click here to see all the photos!

This week, Castianne Mills shares the story of her ceremony and celebration at Canada Terrace in EPCOT. She and Dustin originally chose Luau Beach for a Cinco de Mayo 2020 ceremony. But when Disney reopened with COVID policies that mandate masks at all outdoor resort wedding venues, they switched their rescheduled wedding to EPCOT at Christmastime! Because Disney wasn’t doing fireworks shows at the time, Castianne and Dustin cancelled their dessert party and had a cake and Champagne celebration with churros and beignets instead. Afterward, they treated their guests to a ride mix-in on Frozen Ever After! Today you’ll hear what it was like planning and holding a Disney wedding in the time of COVID, including the physical distancing and mask requirements at their ceremony and at their Magic Kingdom and EPCOT portrait sessions. And you’ll hear Castianne’s advice for anyone unsure about moving forward with their Disney wedding plans in the COVID era. Click here to see all the photos!

Today, Sara Landesberg shares the story of her Wedding Pavilion ceremony and Whitehall Room & Patio reception. She and Sam originally wanted to be married at Fort Wilderness’ Clementine Lawn, but by the time they were able to start working with Disney, it was no longer available. Instead they chose Oak Manor Lawn, but when rain threatened to make the area a muddy mess, their ceremony was moved to the Wedding Pavilion.  Sara discusses the logistics of planning for these venues, her favorite memories from the ceremony and reception, and her top advice for working within Disney’s sometimes-slow communication channels. You’ll also hear how she saved time and money by eliminating the bridal party and getting ready with just her mom! Click here for all the photos!

This week I welcome Celia Kucera back to the show! Last year, she told the story of her impromptu elopement after the COVID-19 pandemic postponed her Shades of Green Disney wedding. Today, Celia shares how her ceremony on Mangino’s patio and reception in the Magnolia Ballroom turned out, including which plans changed and what safety measures have been implemented by Shades of Green. You’ll also hear how she surprised John with a serenade featuring members of her college a cappella group, plus her best advice for anyone wondering whether they should postpone their wedding during the pandemic. Click here to see all the photos!

Today, Courtney Bronson shares the story of her ceremony at Disney’s Wedding Pavilion, pre-reception at the Whitehall Room and reception (with Happily Ever After fireworks!) at California Grill’s Napa Room. You’ll hear how she and Andy chose Disney for a small Tangled-themed event instead of a huge family wedding back home, where she splurged and saved, and her best tips for anyone planning a wedding at Walt Disney World.  Click here to see all the photos! 

This week, Kristy Houston shares the story of her ceremony at Sea Breeze Point, dinner at Shula's and dessert party at UK Lochside (with desserts moved to Living Seas Salon due to the cold)! You'll hear how Kristy started her day at 2:30 am to be ready for her first look with Stephen inside Magic Kingdom as part of their pre-park-opening bridal portrait session, followed by an EPCOT portrait session and a nap! Kristy also talks about why they chose a private room at Shula's over a catered event through Disney. And you'll hear how they created a completely custom menu for their dessert party featuring all their park favorites. Click here to see all the photos! 

Today, Jeni Mullen and Jen Januzelli share the story of their wedding at Luau Pointe and dessert party at Sago Cay in the Grand Floridian Marina. When the hassle of finding vendors and tracking everything on spreadsheets became too much, Jen suggested they scrap their New Jersey wedding plans and get married at Jeni’s favorite place instead! Today you’ll hear their tips for using Luau Pointe, how they were able to customize their “Happily Ever After” fireworks dessert party menu with Disney resort favorites, and what their top priorities were. And they discuss their choice of Daisy Duck—and her unique outfit—as guest of honor at their wedding! Click here to see all the photos!

This week, Sam Macchione shares the story of her 2019 ceremony at the Wedding Pavilion and reception at the Grand Floridian Convention Center's St. Augustine Ballrooms A & B. Sam and John used outside vendors for multiple aspects of their "Light"-themed Disney wedding, including photography, uplighting and a light-up dance floor, plus a day-of coordinator to set out and clean up the numerous DIY projects they created.  They also added Disney's projection-mapping wedding cake to their reception and displayed a LEGO Cinderella Castle with "Happily Ever After" projected onto it—a DIY John completed in his spare time! Today, Sam also shares the best wedding advice she received and how she arranged casual fireworks viewing at Sago Cay for her group instead of paying for a dessert party.  Click here for all the photos!

Today, Kylie and Ryan Dontje share the story of their EPCOT UK Courtyard ceremony and Terrace des Fleurs cake and Champagne celebration, which was moved to World Showplace Pavilion due to rain. Originally, Kylie and Ryan planned to marry at Bovey Castle in England during a family trip to Europe. But when the COVID-19 pandemic prevented them from traveling, Kylie’s mom suggested they consider Walt Disney World instead. Kylie and Ryan decided that if they couldn’t be married in the UK, they’d get married in EPCOT’s United Kingdom instead! Today you’ll hear their tips for anyone considering Disney’s cake and Champagne celebration as an alternative to a full reception, which pandemic restrictions affected their event, and how their Frozen Ever After ride mix-in turned out! Click here to see all the photos!

This week, Anne Lipcsey shares the story of her after-hours ceremony in the Hub at Magic Kingdom and reception at East Plaza Garden. When Anne and Robert’s May 2020 Sea Breeze Pointe wedding was postponed due to COVID-19, they rescheduled for November 2020. About a month before the event, their planner suggested they switch to an after-hours theme park wedding to avoid the mask requirement for outdoor resort venues, and Magic Kingdom was one of the available locations! Today, Anne discusses the COVID-19 safety protocols in place for her wedding, her top menu picks, and her favorite memory of the whole event. And for those who think they can’t have an after-hours Disney theme park wedding because guests will be too tired, she shares how not one of her guests—not even the 6-year-old—fell asleep or left her 11pm–3am wedding early!  Click here for all the photos!

Today, Sarah Beckner shares the story of her Disney Cruise Collection wedding aboard the Dream, with a ceremony in the Atrium and a reception in Evolution. She and AJ chose a cruise wedding to escape the cold and bring both their families together for a multi-day celebration. Today, Sarah discusses the upgrades she chose to personalize the wedding, why they decided to bring their own photographer on the cruise, and how their extended cake and Champagne celebration turned into the dance party she’d always wanted but thought she couldn’t have as a cruise bride! You’ll also hear how she and AJ were able to get photos with Pluto, Captain Hook, Chip ‘n’ Dale, Goofy and Max from A Goofy Movie just by being in the right place at the right time! Click here to see all the photos!

This week, Nicole Neumann shares the story of her ceremony at the Wedding Pavilion, cocktail hour at the Whitehall Room & Patio, reception at American Adventure Rotunda and dessert party at Italy Isola. Nicole and Chuck chose American Adventure Rotunda for their reception because they wanted their guests to have a VIP, in-park experience unlike any other wedding they’d been to. To this they added a DJ, the Major Domo, a Magic Mirror photo booth guest book, confetti cannons and a visit by Mickey and Minnie! Today Nicole shares her best tips, including reassurance for couples who fear guests will be too tired to enjoy a late-night reception inside a theme park, plus advice specifically for other New Jersey couples who worry their guests will be disappointed by Disney’s smaller selection of cocktail hour appetizers! Click here to see all the photos!