Disney Wedding Podcast

This week, Natalie Louie Guisuraga shares the story of her Wedding Pavilion ceremony and Italy Isola reception. By holding their reception outdoors in EPCOT, Natalie and Noah were able to incorporate fireworks into their wedding without paying for a separate dessert party. In today's episode you'll hear how they added extra time at the start of their reception so they could have daylight for photos and then used a Frozen ride mix-in to kill time until amplified entertainment and their character appearance—featuring Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Daisy—were allowed to begin. Click here to see all the photos by Casie Marie Photography!

Today, Hannah Muren shares the story of her ceremony at Magic Kingdom's East Plaza Garden and reception at California Grill. She and Matthew initially planned to be married at the Main Street Train Station to incorporate his love of trains, but they had to choose a new venue due to construction. You'll hear how they were still able to include the Magic Kingdom Railway in their wedding, as well as how Hannah's fear of having park guests watch her ceremony were dispelled when the whole crowd cheered as she and Matthew were pronounced husband and wife! Click here to see all the photos!

This week, Randi Clark shares the story of her fandom-packed wedding at The Vue at the Swan Reserve. Because Randi also officiates Disney weddings via Ever Afters By Randi and co-owns Clark & Dagger, she also offers tons of great advice about how to choose an officiant, along with ways to customize your wedding with personalized items like cake toppers, pet replicas, Disney park-icon centerpieces, and table numbers. Her own wedding included nods to Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars, including ring delivery by the Chopper droid she and David built themselves! You’ll also hear about all the entertainment they added to their event—including a live painter and the Wah Lum Temple Lion Dancers—and their portrait session at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Click here to see all the photos by Caldwell Photographic Studio!

Today, Emily Jung shares the story of her ceremony at the Wedding Pavilion, reception at BoardWalk Inn's Promenade Ballroom, and welcome party at EPCOT's Norway Loft and Terrace des Fleurs, complete with a Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind ride mix-in! You'll hear what she and Michael did to introduce their guests to all the things they love about Disney, as well as why Emily strongly recommends journaling your wedding! Click here to see all the photos by Bella Grey Photography!

This week, Samantha Nelson shares the story of her Disneyland Hotel Rose Court Garden ceremony, Adventure Lawn cocktail hour, and Sleeping Beauty Pavilion reception. You'll hear how she prioritized floral, décor, and guest experience—including surprising her guests with an hour-long buyout of Haunted Mansion after Disneyland closed! Samantha also discusses her pre-park-opening portrait session at Sleeping Beauty Castle, and what it was like to ride in Disneyland's brand-new Cinderella Platinum Coach! Click here to see ALL the photos!

Today, Ali LaHood shares how she had a Walt Disney World Wedding for just $23,000, with a ceremony at the Wedding Pavilion and a full reception at Germany Promenade A–D in EPCOT. This amount covered everything she paid Disney for—even a Guardians of the Galaxy ride mix-in and a Magic Kingdom Portrait Session—but not things Disney doesn't provide, like the officiant and the gown. The main way Ali kept costs down was to limit the guest list to 15 people, but in this episode she also shares lots of other money-saving tips you can implement at your Disney wedding or vow renewal! Click here to see all the photos!   

This week, Kim Kanter Dans shares the story of her EPCOT wedding, with a ceremony at World Celebration Gardens and a reception at Terrace des Fleurs. She and Jason were the first couple to have a morning wedding ceremony at World Celebration Gardens, and today she discusses what you should know if you’re interested in this venue—including why she wishes they’d chosen the evening option instead! You’ll also hear her best tips for anyone planning a wedding or vow renewal at Walt Disney World. Click here to see ALL the photos!

Today, Samantha and Matt McAlister share the story of their Wedding Pavilion ceremony, Italy Isola cocktail hour, and Atlantic Dance Hall reception. You'll hear how they achieved their vision for a Winter Wonderland-themed wedding with a few key pieces of décor, why they recommend hiring an outside day-of coordinator, and what happened when cold weather sent their guests indoors during the cocktail hour. Plus they share their best tips for anyone planning a wedding or vow renewal at Walt Disney World! Click here to see all the photos by Bella Grey Photography!

This week, Kelsey Rendon shares the story of her After Hours ceremony at Magic Kingdom, followed the next day by a cocktail hour at Italy Isola West Plaza, a ride mix-in on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and a reception at American Adventure Rotunda. She discusses what it was like to have a 1:30 am ceremony followed by a 6:00 am Premier Portrait Session back at Magic Kingdom — and then a nap before her extended reception inside EPCOT. You'll also hear her top tips for anyone considering an After Hours event. Click here to see all the photos!

Today, Libby Williamson shares the story of her Up-themed Wedding Pavilion ceremony and St. Augustine Ballroom A & B reception at the Grand Floridian Convention Center. You'll hear how she and Emory made smart swaps—like DIY personal floral and holding their ceremony and reception close enough to eliminate transportation—in order to afford splurges like Cinderella's Glass Coach and an appearance by Mickey. Libby also shares how she surprised Emory with his all-time favorite character, Stitch, and why every couple planning a Walt Disney World wedding needs the Fairytale Weddings Guide! Click here to listen and see ALL the photos!

This week, Parker Hunstiger-Smith shares the story of her Old Hollywood-themed Sunset Boulevard ceremony and spooky-themed Tower of Terror celebration at Disney Hollywood Studios. You’ll hear how she used everything from the guests’ and attendants’ attire to cobweb-bedecked floral arrangements to achieve the “grandma-core” look she was going for—including how she spent four hours digging through a garage full of wedding dresses to score the $30 vintage gown that was the focal point of her theme! And Parker shares how she treated guests to a fireworks cruise as a fun and economical alternative to a rehearsal dinner. Click here to see all the photos!

Today, Oliviah Smart shares the story of her Wedding Pavilion ceremony, California Grill reception, and EPCOT dessert party at Terrace des Fleurs. Good food was her top priority, and today she talks about working within California Grill's menu restrictions and running wild with her dessert party menu to get exactly what she wanted. You'll also hear her tips on costumes and timing for an appearance by Mickey and Minnie, how she rented a Porsche convertible for their ceremony exit, and why her first look with Jacob was one of her favorite memories of the day. Click here to see all the photos by Bella Grey Photography!

This week, Corinne Egan shares the story of her After Hours ceremony at EPCOT's Japan Pavilion and reception at Terrace des Fleurs. You'll hear what it was like to have an event so late at night, including the restrictions and her tips for future couples. She also shares the story of her Fantasmic! welcome party with ride mix-in on Tower of Terror, and how she worked with the hair and makeup artists at LeJeune Artistry to achieve the perfect Rapunzel braid for her Tangled-themed wedding! Click here to see all the photos!

Today, Cheyanne and Michael Pond share the story of their Oak Manor Lawn ceremony and Whitehall Room & Patio reception, plus a welcome party during the fireworks at EPCOT's Germany Promenade A & B, complete with a ride mix-in on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind! They discuss how they used the Fairytale Weddings Guide to estimate their costs and plan before they were able to work with Disney. You'll also hear which items were non-negotiable and why they decided to cut their wedding-night dessert party. Click here to see ALL the photos!

This week, Celina and Aaron Wolf share the story of their ceremony at Animal Kingdom’s Anandapur Theater Caravan Stage and reception in the Harambe Theater District. Because they wanted to treat their guests to an entire wedding weekend of events, they also added a fireworks welcome party at Italy Isola in EPCOT and a farewell brunch at Hollywood Studios’ Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater, complete with a surprise ride mix-in on Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway! In this episode you’ll hear how Aaron and Celina kept the focus on guest experience while incorporating their unique style into the wedding. Click here to see all the photos!

Today, Emma Hurst shares the story of her Wedding Pavilion ceremony, Sago Cay pre-reception, and reception at California Grill’s Napa Room and Sonoma Room. Emma is a professional florist, so she offers great tips on how to get the wedding floral you want at a price you can afford. She also discusses what it was like to split her reception between the Napa Room for dinner and the Sonoma Room for dancing, and she shares long-distance planning tips for other UK couples. Click here to see all the photos!

This week, Jessie Carney shares the story of her Disney Wish cruise wedding ceremony at Castaway Cay and celebration at The Bayou. You’ll hear how she decided to bring her own wedding photographer (with an assistant who does hair and makeup!), why she chose the beach at Castaway Cay over Wedding Pointe, and how she was able to get fireworks photos on Pirate Night! Jessie also shares her best advice for future Disney cruise couples. Click here to see all the photos!

Today, Aidan Ruby and Stefani Wharton-Ruby share the story of their "Spooky Elegance"-themed Wedding Pavilion ceremony, French Island reception at EPCOT, and Sunset Boulevard afterparty at Hollywood Studios. They share how they incorporated fireworks, multiple ride mix-ins, Cinderella's Glass Coach, favorite park foods, and appearances by Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Pluto to give guests an unforgettable experience, while saving money with smart swaps for floral and décor. You'll also hear how they scrapped their Animal Kingdom welcome party for a private event at Splitsville Luxury Lanes in Disney Springs. Click here to see all the photos!

This week, Jose Campos and Jessica Crain-Campos share the story of their Wedding Pavilion ceremony, Grand Floridian Ballroom reception in Salons VI-IX, and welcome party at Mexico Vista in EPCOT. Jessica's No. 1 wedding priority was "flowers, flowers, flowers!" and today you'll hear how she communicated that vision to her florist—and how using a ballroom allowed her to save big on floral, decor, furniture, a neon sign, and a 360-degree photo booth! You'll also hear how Jose surprised Jessica with the fireworks welcome party after they initially cut the wedding-day dessert party to save money. Click here to see ALL the photos! 

In this episode, Disney Food Blog creator and owner AJ Wolfe shares her top food and restaurant picks for Disney weddings, honeymoons, and anniversaries. We discuss ways to incorporate Disney park favorites and food trends into your wedding menus—and your wedding cake! We also cover the best restaurants for group events like welcome parties and the top spots for romantic honeymoon dining. Plus, AJ shares her favorite Disney treats and dream wedding reception menu. Click here to listen to the Menu Planning Tips for Walt Disney World Weddings episode mentioned in this show.