Disney Wedding Podcast

This week, Disney bride Remi Cassels joins me to discuss everything you need to know about Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings' Escape Collection of weddings and vow renewals at Walt Disney World.

This show is designed to introduce you to the basics of the package—what is and isn't included, what it costs, which locations are available, what the requirements are—and give you a timeline for a typical Escape event. We also answer frequently asked questions about swapping package elements, upgrading, finding an officiant, adding a reception or a dessert party, and how to decide between Escape and Wishes!

This week: Wishes Collection Overview + FAQ! Disney bride Lauren McGrew-Hitzhusen joins me to discuss everything you need to know about Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings' Wishes Collection weddings and vow renewals at Walt Disney World. We cover the three expenditure requirements—a ceremony fee, a per-person food and beverage minimum expenditure, and an enhancement minimum expenditure—with specific pricing for 2019. Plus, we discuss the planning process from start to finish, including the on-site planning session and a timeline of the major financial milestones: paying the deposit, paying the minimum expenditure, paying the balance, and settling up after the event. And we look at a timeline of the wedding day itself, discuss events you can add to enhance the day or create an entire wedding weekend, and answer frequently asked questions.

Christmas and New Year's Eve are the most popular holidays for proposals, and if you recently became engaged, congratulations! For the first episode of the New Year, we're looking at the first steps you need to take in 2019 to plan your Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings' Memories, Escape or Wishes collection wedding at Walt Disney World.

Whether you've been planning your Disney wedding in your head for years or you just discovered that Disney does weddings, today's show has the steps and tips that will set you on the path to your dream Disney's Fairy Tale Wedding. Disney bride Alexis Aldamuy and I will help you with the first four crucial steps: figure out which of Disney's collections works for you, pick a date, estimate the number of guests, and prepare for your first call to Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings.

On today's show, Alexis Aldamuy shares the story of her Wishes Collection ceremony at the Wedding Pavilion and reception at American Adventure Rotunda. You'll hear how Alexis and Miranda chose these locations, what happened when rain threatened their day, and how they added unique, reusable decor to their day—including a love-lock ceremony that will be displayed in their home. You'll also hear Alexis' top tips for anyone planning a Wishes event at Walt Disney World.

This week, Maria Makonnen shares the story of her Christmastime Wishes wedding at the Wedding Pavilion and Animal Kingdom's Tamu Tamu Courtyard, plus a safari ride mix-in! Maria discusses how she planned the event from the UK, including how they chose their ceremony and reception locations and how she was able to provide real candles for the centerpieces and candelabra for the cake table. She also covers some of the logistics of holding an in-park reception and her top advice for anyone considering a Disney wedding.

On today's episode, Sadie West shares the story of her Cruise Collection wedding aboard the Disney Dream. Sadie and Ian held their ceremony in the Atrium and had their cake and Champagne reception in Pink: Wine and Champagne Bar. Sadie talks about customizing the standard cake and bouquet that come with the package, getting photos with characters, and why she recommends getting up early for a photo shoot on Castaway Cay.

This week, Megan Gomez-Mesquita shares the story of her Escape wedding at Disney's BoardWalk Resort, with a meal at Whispering Canyon and a dessert party during IllumiNations at Epcot. You'll hear what happened when rained moved Megan and Ramy from Sea Breeze Point to Harbor Club Breezeway, the tunnel under BoardWalk Inn. Megan also discusses how she upgraded her Escape Collection cake flavors and bouquet, added an appearance by Pluto, and did all her planning remotely.

Earlier this year, Nicole Jubin Burke joined me for my First Steps for the Newly Engaged episode. Today, she returns to the show to share how her Disney wedding turned out! Nicole and Joey were married at the Wedding Pavilion and had their reception at California Grill. They also added a welcome party in Dinosaur Lounge at Animal Kingdom, complete with appearance by Safari Goofy, and a dessert party that was moved into Imagination Lounge, the DVC member area above Journey Into Imagination with Figment in Epcot. Nicole offers money-saving tips, like using the free centerpieces offered by California Grill, and she shares whether Cinderella's Glass Coach is worth the cost.

This week, Disney bride Kristen Alhassan shares the story of her Cruise Collection wedding in Outlook Lounge aboard the Disney Dream. Kristen and Mubarek met when they were both cast members at Walt Disney World, and they added many personal touches to their event — including a three-hour catered reception in Outlook Lounge directly after the ceremony. You'll hear how Kristen customized the wedding package, what she did for hair and makeup services on the ship, and how she brought aboard a full-size mannequin in order to get unique photos of her wedding gown!

Today, Megan Kay shares the story of her Intimate Package wedding at the Four Seasons, including a ceremony on the Areca Lawn and a reception in the Pamplona Room at Capa. You'll hear how Megan and Jason chose the Four Seasons, what the planning process was like and how they added a private cocktail hour and reception to the package—including a view of fireworks at the Magic Kingdom! Megan also speaks frankly about the costs of a Four Seasons wedding and whether it is a money-saving alternative to Disney's Escape Package.