Disneyland Weddings

Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings is the official program through which you must plan weddings, commitment ceremonies and vow renewals at Disneyland.

Whenever I refer to a wedding on this page, the same information applies to a vow renewal or commitment ceremony. As far as Disney is concerned, these are interchangeable.

Disneyland weddings are completely customized events. You pick everything out, including location, colors, menu and design elements. For a price, you can get just about anything your heart desires -- even a ceremony in front of Cinderella Castle and a ride in Cinderella's Coach. Prices start at $8,000 (plus service fees and tax).

Getting Started

If you are interested in having your wedding or vow renewal at Disneyland in California, Disney has a very pretty web site devoted to its Fairy Tale Weddings program. Unfortunately it is short on specifics, especially about how much things cost. There are photos of some of the reception locations, but not all of them.

My goal on this site is to help you with additional information, including photos, pricing, locations and tips on how to save money.

All prices on this page are subject to change at any time. Unless otherwise indicated, prices do not include 21% service charge on catering plus 7.75% sales tax, which is applied to all services, catering, optional "enhancements" and fees.

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The Basics

All weddings and vow renewals at Disneyland are "custom" events. There is no flat-rate "intimate wedding package" for small weddings at Disneyland.

Weddings at the Disneyland Resort start at $8000 (plus service charges and tax), and the cost can go up, up, up from there! For a price, you can get just about anything your heart desires -- including a wedding in front of the Castle.

Disneyland weddings can be as small or as large as you want. Various dollar minimums apply, depending on the locations and dates you choose. You are also required to guarantee 10 "room nights" at the Disneyland resorts.

A $2000 retainer is required to confirm your wedding event space. It is applied toward your wedding and is non-refundable.

Overall Wedding Minimum Expenditure

• A minimum of $8,000 for events Monday through Thursday, plus 21% service charge and 7.75% sales tax.

• A minimum of $10,000 for events Friday through Sunday, plus 21% service charge and 7.75% sales tax.

• Food and beverage, flowers, décor, music, entertainment, ceremony site fees and any other services provided by Disneyland Resort and Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings exclusively for the wedding event will apply toward reaching or exceeding this minimum.

• During the holidays, a higher minimum applies.

Food & Beverage Minimum Expenditure

• For lunch receptions beginning prior to 2:00 pm at Grand Californian, Disneyland Hotel or Paradise Pier, the food & beverage minimum expenditure is $80 per person, plus 21% service charge and 7.75% sales tax.

• For dinner receptions beginning after 2:00 pm at Grand Californian, Disneyland Hotel or Paradise Pier, the food & beverage minimum expenditure is $100 per person, plus 21% service charge and 7.75% sales tax.

Room Night Minimum

• You must guarantee 10 "room nights" at Disney owned and operated hotels in the Disneyland Resort. Any combination of your own and your guests' reservations can be used to meet the minimum. For instance, if the couple getting married stay 4 nights, one set of parents stays 2 nights, and the best man stays 4 nights, that would meet the minimum.

• You and your guests will be offered discounts on hotel room rates and theme park tickets.

Ceremony Locations

The basic ceremony package at Disneyland Resort includes:

• The ceremony location
• Chairs and tables, including set-up
• Microphones for bride, groom and officiant
• On-site coordinator
• Rehearsal

Disneyland Park

For a serious Disney fan who has always wanted to be Cinderella for a day, a wedding in front of the Castle is about the coolest thing imaginable. Of course, this option is only for those with very deep pockets. Weddings in Disneyland Park have a minimum overall cost of $65,000 (for wedding and reception).

Disneyland weddings must take place after the park closes, on a weekday. Typically the event can't start until at least 10:00 pm. Naturally you can use Cinderella's Coach at this location.

Disney's California Adventure

Most people do not opt to be married in Disney's California Adventure, even if they hold the reception there. However, it is possible to have your ceremony in the park. One coordinator suggested a ceremony could take place in front of the fountain in Sunshine Plaza. Weddings in Disney's California Adventure have a minimum overall cost of $35,000 (for wedding and reception).

Disney's California Adventure weddings must take place after the park closes. (DCA usually closes pretty early.)

Grand Californian Wedding Garden

I have not seen this location actually set up for a wedding. It doesn't look like much when you just walk by, but presumably they dress it up nicely for wedding ceremonies.

There is a site rental fee of $1500. The wedding garden can accommodate up to 250 guests.

Disneyland Hotel Rose Court Garden and Wedding Gazebo

Surrounded by a beautiful rose garden, the Wedding Gazebo in the Rose Court Garden is a truly lovely and romantic location for a wedding, with a long walkway leading from a perfect drop-off point where the bride can descend from Cinderella's Coach if you wish.

There is a site rental fee of $1800 for the Rose Court Garden.

Reception Locations

The basic reception package at Disneyland Resort includes:

• Service staff
• Head table or Sweetheart table
• Linens and napkins in white or cream
• Elegant table settings
• Skirted tables for guest book, place cards and gifts
• Cake table and serving of the cake
• Wooden parquet dance floor
• Free self-parking for your guests at a resort hotel parking lot

There is no site rental fee for hotel receptions that follow a wedding ceremony at Disneyland Resort, but you must meet your food & beverage minimums (see below for details). Receptions in the theme parks will incur a site rental fee in addition to food & beverage minimums.

If you are having only your reception at Disneyland Resort (i.e., your ceremony will be held outside the resort), there is a $1000 site rental fee for the hotel locations.

Additionally, if you want your reception to run extra long (for instance, the regular contracted ending time would be 10:30 pm and you want to be able to dance until midnight), there is an extra fee of $250 per hour to cover staff costs.

Disneyland Park

A wedding and reception in Disneyland Park has a minimum overall cost of $65,000 and a food & beverage minimum of $150 per person. I have been told that realistically it is very hard to keep the cost even that low, because there are so many required "extras" (special lighting and sound systems, staff costs, etc) that will drive up the price.

Disneyland wedding receptions are usually held either in the Castle Forecourt (behind the Castle in Fantasyland) or in front of "it's a small world." For the right price, they may consider holding your reception in another location.

Your event must take place after the park closes, on a weekday. Typically the event can't start until at least 10:00 pm. No outside vendors are allowed, other than photographers.

Disney's California Adventure

A wedding and reception in Disney's California Adventure has a minimum overall cost of $35,000 and a food & beverage minimum of $120 per person.

Disney's California Adventure wedding receptions are usually held in Disney's Animation pavilion ($2000 site rental fee) or at Golden Vine Winery. For the right price, they may consider holding your reception in another location.

Your event must take place after the park closes. (DCA usually closes pretty early.) No outside vendors are allowed, other than photographers.

Grand Californian Brisa Courtyard

This circular brick-floored courtyard is open to the sky. It actually consists of three separate areas, and portions are directly under the Monorail track. Depending on the time of day, it can be a bit dark (the building creates a lot of shade). The Brisa Courtyard areas can accommodate up to 100 people.

Grand Californian Great Lawn / Green Meadow

The Great Lawn (also known as Green Meadow) has views of Disney's California Adventure. In fact, the Sun Wheel provides a beautiful backdrop for your event! It can handle huge events.

Grand Californian Wisteria Room

The Wisteria Room is lovely for a small reception. The room has a high (20.5') ceiling and great natural light for daytime events. It also has a terrace outside that could be used for a pre-reception (cocktail hour). It can accommodate up to 60 guests with a dance floor set up.

Grand Californian Sorrel Room

The Sorrel Room is another space that is used for small receptions. It can accommodate up to 60 guests with a dance floor set up. The 12' coffered ceiling is pretty but a bit low. This can help you create a cozy ambiance, if that's what you prefer.

Grand Californian Trillium Room

The Trillium Room has a somewhat rather boxy look, with a relatively low (12.5') ceiling. The color scheme is primarily greens and browns. There is a nice terrace off of the space, which can be used for a pre-reception (cocktail hour). It has an 80 guest minimum, 120 guest maximum capacity.

Grand Californian Sequoia Ballroom

The Sequoia Ballroom reflects the Grand Californian's Craftsman look, with simple geometric designs on the wall panels and light fixtures. The color scheme is browns and golds. This space has a 150 guest minimum, 250 guest maximum.

Disneyland Hotel Garden Room & Terrace

The Garden Room & Terrace in Bonita Tower is one of the nicer locations for small to medium sized weddings. It's well-suited to a 50-guest event but can accommodate up to 100 guests. A pre-reception (cocktail hour) can be held on the terrace, followed by a sit-down meal in the main room. The room is divided in half by a pillar, which does cut up the space a bit. This is not a problem with a group of 50 or so -- they set up the meal on one side and the dance floor on the other. For larger groups the feeling of division may be more problematic.

Disneyland Hotel Balboa Room

The Balboa Room in Sierra Tower is a somewhat generic rectangular space with a low (10') ceiling. Its size makes it suitable for smaller gatherings. It can accommodate up to 60 guests maximum with a dance floor set up.

Disneyland Hotel Pavilion Room

The Pavilion Room is a lovely octagonal-shaped location attached to Marina Tower. It features a 14' ceiling, tall arched windows and a beautiful crystal chandelier. The Pavilion Room has an 80 guest minimum, 120 guest maximum capacity (with dance floor).

Disneyland Hotel Grand Ballroom

The Grand Ballroom has a 150 guest minimum, 250 guest maximum.

Disneyland Hotel Rose Court

The Rose Court can be set up for a reception after your ceremony.

Disney's Paradise Pier Garden Pavilion / Pier Side Pavilion

The Garden Pavilion (also called the Pier Side Pavilion) is located on the 3rd floor of the hotel, outdoors on a rooftop deck. It can accommodate large events with up to 200 people.

Additional Costs

Your wedding package doesn't include:

• invitations
• photography
• videography
• officiant
• wedding dress
• tux rental/purchase
• hair/makeup
• cost of getting to Anaheim
• honeymoon costs

Additionally, you may choose to add various options to enhance your wedding celebration, such as a rehearsal dinner, Fantasmic! Dessert Party or Mad Hatter Tea Party Brunch.

Wedding "Enhancement" Options

If you can imagine it (and pay for it), Disney will try to do it for you. Some of the more popular options include:

• Cinderella's Coach with a white horse, two costumed footmen and white floral accents. The Coach is available only at Disneyland Hotel (Rose Court Garden) or Disneyland Park ceremonies. The fee is $1,850, plus 7.75% sales tax.

• Dove Release - $400, plus 7.75% sales tax.

• Castle Backdrop for Reception

• Fanfare Trumpeters - $660 for two, or $1275 for four, plus 7.75% sales tax.

• Costumed Royal Footman - $710 plus 7.75% sales tax.

• Classical String Trio - $750 plus 7.75% sales tax.

• Harpist - $450 plus 7.75% sales tax.

• Pianist, Classical Guitarist or Violinist - $400 plus 7.75% sales tax.

• Vocalist - $300 plus 7.75% sales tax.

• Disc Jockey (4 hours) - from $1,295 plus 7.75% sales tax.

• Live Band - from $3,400 plus 7.75% sales tax.

• Mickey and Minnie (30 minute set) - $710 for one, $1,070 for both, plus 7.75% sales tax.

Wedding Tips & Tricks (including ways to save money)

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The Biggest Savings Decisions

These decisions will have the biggest effect on the cost of your Disneyland wedding:

• To keep your overall minimum down, pick a weekday wedding (Monday-Thursday). If most of your guests will be coming from outside of Southern California, they will probably plan on making your Disneyland wedding into a vacation for themselves, so it may not be a hardship for them to attend a weekday wedding (particularly on a Monday or Thursday, so they can make a long weekend of it). However, if your guests will mostly be coming from within Southern California, the traffic issues and work conflicts caused by a weekday wedding are probably not worth the savings.

• You'll save by having a morning wedding and daytime reception, such as a brunch or lunch, because of the lower per-person minimum cost.

• Avoid holding your wedding and/or reception in the theme parks. In addition to the huge required minimums, theme park events cost more because you can't use outside vendors for anything that happens inside a park and because you have to pay a substantial site rental fee for your reception.

See the topics below for some less-obvious savings!

Understanding Minimums

There are definitely some ways to save money on a wedding at Disneyland. However, keep the following facts in mind:

• You must meet the overall minimum, which means you'll be spending AT LEAST $8,000 for a weekday wedding (plus 21% service fee on catering x 7.75% tax on everything -- and yes, the service fee is taxed!).

• You must pay a ceremony location rental fee of AT LEAST $1500 plus tax. Theme park reception locations also have a site rental fee. (Location fee(s), not including tax, count toward your overall minimum.)

• You must meet the catering minimum, which means you'll be spending AT LEAST $80 plus service fee & tax on food & drink for each person who attends your reception. (But the catering fee, not including service fee and tax, counts toward your overall minimum.)

• You can't bring in any outside food or drink, including wedding cake. (But the wedding cake cost, not including service fee and tax, counts toward your catering minimum.)

What all the minimums really add up to is this: given the high cost of the location rental and the catering, it is VERY easy to hit your overall minimum just on the basics. For example, let's say you'll be having a relatively small wedding (50 guests) on a weekday. You have an overall minimum of $8,000 to meet. Here's how easy it would be to exceed that minimum without adding any major "extras":

• Ceremony at the Rose Court Garden ($1800 fee).

• Lunch reception at Disneyland Hotel Garden Room & Terrace ($80 catering minimum per head, for a total of $4,000).

• Flowers (figure $800 minimum for bride's bouquet, bridesmaid's bouquet, two boutonnieres and two altar arrangements)

• Music for the ceremony ($400 minimum)

• DJ package for the reception ($1,295 minimum)

That takes you to $8,295 (plus service fee and tax). If you want anything extra, like Mickey at the reception, upgraded linens on the tables, etc... well, you get the picture. In other words, you'll probably have trouble staying close to your minimum.

Obviously the more guests you'll have, the more the required minimum-per-head cost of catering will eat up your budget. (I can't see any way to have a $8,000 event with a guest list bigger than 60.) So there is a big incentive to keep your guest list down!

Use Outside Vendors

The minimums can't be avoided. What CAN be avoided is paying Disney's inflated prices for the non-required "extras." You'd be wise to bring in outside vendors, which charge a lot less than Disney for the "extras." (Even a wedding coordinator at Disneyland told me this would be a good idea!)

Specifically, as long as your wedding and/or reception are not in a theme park you can use outside vendors for:

• Floral
• Decor
• Favors
• Entertainment
• Transportation

Remember that you'll have to budget for your officiant, photographer and videographer (if you want one). Disney does not provide those services for Disneyland weddings. They will give you a list of "preferred vendors" but their services will not count toward your minimums.

Associated Savings

The following are less-known benefits for Custom Weddings:

• Guests of are offered discounted admission tickets. In some cases they may be a good deal, but usually your guests can save more by ordering from an online ticket broker.

• As long as they meet their required room night minimum, the bride and groom get their wedding night FREE at the Disney resort where the reception is held. You'll get a standard room, but you can upgrade to a suite for an extra charge.

• Wedding participants are offered discounts for their own and their guests' hotel rooms. Regardless of the discount applied, all reservations at Disney owned and operated resorts at Disneyland count toward your required room night minimum.