Disney Wedding Podcast

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!

Today, Lauren De La Cruz shares the story of her Wedding Pavilion ceremony, Whitehall Room & Patio reception, and Grand Floridian Ballroom cake-cutting and character appearance. Lauren and Timothy originally chose Sea Breeze Point for their ceremony but had to plan an entire backup wedding at the Swan & Dolphin when Disney began canceling weddings due to COVID-19. After Disney confirmed that their October wedding was still on, Lauren & Timothy chose to move to the Wedding Pavilion so they wouldn’t have to wear masks during the ceremony. Today you’ll hear which COVID-19 restrictions were in place and how Disney handled the physically distant character appearance. And Lauren shares tips for planning a reception menu based on favorite theme park dishes, plus her advice for anyone trying to decide whether to postpone their Disney wedding due to the pandemic. Click here to see all the photos!

This week, Jen and Travis Stitt share the story of their 10-year vow renewal in January 2020, including a ceremony at Luau Pointe, Dole Whip at the Pineapple Lanai, a portrait session at Saratoga Springs, and dinner and fireworks at California Grill’s Napa Room. As wedding photographers, Jen and Travis have had plenty of opportunity to envision what they’d do for their own event, and today you’ll hear their best tips for maximizing your budget and creating a wedding or vow renewal that is uniquely yours. And you’ll hear how they were able to treat their guests to Dole Whip via a homemade ticket system with a little extra help from their wedding planner. Click here to see all the photos!

Today, Audrey Blais shares the story of her ceremony at the Wedding Pavilion and reception at the Yacht Club Convention Center’s Saybrook Room, with a dessert party at Italy Isola West in EPCOT. Canadians Audrey and Sylvain chose Walt Disney World for their 2019 wedding to keep their guest list small—and because they are huge Disney fans! You’ll hear how they chose their ceremony and reception venues, which menu items were their favorites, what it was like to plan from so far away, and how their guests reacted when Mickey made a surprise appearance. Click here to see all the photos!

Today, Lauren Knotts shares the story of her Aulani wedding ceremony at ‘AMA ‘AMA Patio and reception at Rainbow Reef. Although they live in the Midwest, Lauren and Jake chose Aulani for their January 2020 wedding as a laid-back alternative to Walt Disney World where Lauren could live out her dream of a beach wedding. You’ll hear how they chose their venues and selected their vendors, what it was like to plan from a different time zone, and which menu items were their favorites. Plus Lauren offers her best advice for anyone planning a wedding or vow renewal at Aulani! Click here to see all the photos!

Today, Aviana Collins shares the story of her ceremony at the Wedding Pavilion and reception in the Grand Floridian Ballroom, plus a welcome party at the Fantasia Ballroom at the Contemporary Resort. Aviana and Josh were the second couple to be married at Walt Disney World after weddings resumed following the pandemic closure, and in this episode she answers all your questions about Disney’s COVID-19 policies at the time of her event. You’ll also hear how they chose Disney for their wedding, their menu recommendations, and Aviana’s favorite memory of the day. Click here for all the photos!

This week, Samantha Hojnacki shares the story of her vow renewal at Luau Beach. Samantha and Paul got engaged at Walt Disney World but wanted to be married at home so that their friends and family wouldn't have to travel. In November 2019, they got to have their dream 10-year vow renewal at Luau Beach! Because they originally had a formal church wedding, Samantha and Paul wanted their vow renewal to be a casual beach ceremony with their three children. You'll hear how  they incorporated a family agreement in the ceremony and even did a first dance with their kids—and how another diner at California Grill surprised them by paying for their anniversary meal! Click here for all the photos!

Today, Samantha Barthel shares the story of her elopement in Celebration, with a cake-cutting celebration and photo shoot at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. She and Samuel were planning a Disney’s Fairy Tale Wedding for September that was canceled due to COVID-19 and rescheduled for next year. They decided that eloping in formerly-Disney-owned Celebration was the next best thing, especially because it allowed them to have their dog, Walter, at the ceremony! Today you’ll hear how they planned their elopement in just 6 weeks, what it was like working with different photographers for the ceremony and the resort photo shoot, and how they were able to pick up a replica of the top tier of their future wedding cake at the Grand Floridian. Click here to see all the photos!

This week, Danielle Belton shares the story of her ceremony at Luau Pointe, with a meal at Kona Cafe and an EPCOT dessert party at UK Lochside. Danielle and Nick both work in the cruise industry and travel a lot for work, so they wanted their wedding to be centrally located and easy to plan. You'll hear how they chose their ceremony and dessert party venues, what their favorite menu items were, and how Danielle spent several months creating her bouquet out of Disneyland and Disneyland Paris park maps—even placing the spot where Nick proposed closest to her heart. And you'll hear how Nick saved the day when he discovered the ceremony set up in the wrong location and had Disney fix it before Danielle even knew! Click here to see all the photos!

Today, Anna & Tyler Pugh share the story of their wedding at Universal Orlando’s Hard Rock Hotel just two days before the resort closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. You’ll hear how these two huge Harry Potter fans chose the venues for their ceremony and reception,  which menu items were the biggest hits with their guests, and how easy it was to plan with the help of the Just Marry! team. Anna and Tyler also offer their top advice for anyone whose original wedding plans have been affected by the pandemic. Click here to see all the photos!

This week, Caitlin Mendoza shares the story of her ceremony at the Wedding Pavilion, reception at California Grill and dessert party at EPCOT’s UK Lochside. Caitlin knew she wanted to be married at the Wedding Pavilion ever since she was a child riding the monorail and spotted a horse and carriage carrying a bride to her wedding. When it came time to plan her own Disney wedding, Caitlin added lots of special touches, including a first prayer instead of a first look, a last dance after guests left the reception, and three different Hayley Paige wedding gowns. Caitlin also specially requested Mickey and Donald appear in their “glitz” costumes from a retired castle show at Magic Kingdom—the first time these have been worn at a Disney wedding! Click here to see all the photos!

Today, Tiffany Chaplin Tichy shares the story of her Sea Breeze Point ceremony, Living Seas Salon reception and UK Lochside EPCOT Forever dessert party.  You’ll hear how Sean suggested they hold their wedding at Walt Disney World, why they chose their ceremony and reception locations, and what their favorite menu items and cake flavors were. Tiffany also discusses how she chose her floral and decor, including adding the water-effect lighting and decor package available at Living Seas Salon, and where she saved and splurged. Click here to see all the photos!

This week, Jessica Cristofoli shares how she planned a wedding at Bella Collina in just 30 days after Disney twice postponed and then canceled her original wedding due to the COVID-19 pandemic. You’ll hear how smooth the planning process was, from getting more floral and decor at a lower cost to having the chef replicate Disney’s churro cake flavor. Jessica also discusses the physical-distancing measures put in place by Bella Collina and what she did to make her guests feel safer. And you’ll get her best advice for anyone whose wedding has been put on hold by the pandemic. Click here to see all the photos!

Today, Danielle Buccilli shares the story of her Wedding Pavilion ceremony, Grand Floridian Summerhouse reception, and EPCOT UK Lochside dessert party. You’ll hear why Danielle chose Christmastime for her wedding to Ryan, what it’s like to use an all-outdoor reception venue like the Summerhouse, and where to save and splurge at the dessert party. Danielle also shares what she would change and what she would do all over again! Click here to see all the photos!

This week, Stephanie Nash shares the story of her vow renewal at Luau Pointe, with a reception at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto. Stephanie & Andrew originally wanted to be married at Disney, but their families were not on board with the idea. So for their 20th anniversary, they had exactly the Disney ceremony they wanted! Today, Stephanie discusses how she chose their date and locations, where she splurged and saved, and how she worked within the restrictions on Trader Sam’s events. She also offers her top tips for anyone planning a wedding or vow renewal at Disney. Click here to see all the photos!

Today, Angelina Bucher shares the story of her wedding at Shades of Green, the resort for members of the US military and government employees at Walt Disney World. Angelina and Dan are both in the US Air Force and had to cancel plans for a Tennessee wedding when they got stationed elsewhere. You’ll hear how Angelina modified their plans to fit Shades of Green, including receiving special permission to hold the ceremony on one of Disney’s adjacent golf courses when Shades of Green’s wedding gazebo became unavailable. And you’ll hear how Angelina and Dan were able to share their entire day—including the reception—with their emotional-support dog, Chewy! Click here to see all the photos!