What No One Tells You About Disney Wedding Budgets (Until It’s Too Late)

Ah, Disney weddings. Dreams, castles, and… surprise costs? 🫢

If you’ve spent any time daydreaming about your Disney Fairy Tale Wedding, you’ve probably seen Disney wedding budget tips like “starting at $15,000!” somewhere.

And while that’s technically true… it’s kinda like saying a Mickey pretzel “only” costs $6 without mentioning the cheese cup upgrade, you know you’re gonna get, and the $8 bottled water you’re about to buy because Florida is approximately 9,000 degrees. 🥵

Let’s break down what no one tells you about Disney wedding budgets (so you can plan smart and keep the magic alive).

Event Minimums Are Everything

You don’t just pay for what you want, you must meet an event minimum based on your venue, time, and day.

Example: A 2 p.m. wedding at the Wedding Pavilion might have a $15,000 event minimum. Evening receptions at the parks? Much higher.

Food & Beverage Plays a HUGE Role

Most couples easily spend $150–$250+ per guest on food and beverage alone. Disney has per person food and beverage minimums for each venue. While you can stick to a basic menu, premium menus bump that cost up fast (think character dining vs counter service in the parks or those specialty cocktails at Olga’s vs a beer at a restaurant).

Extras Can Add Up Quickly

Floral, decor, entertainment, transportation… Disney offers tons of magical options. But each one (even “simple” ones) can swing your budget higher, and some of those are required (like transportation and security if you are having an in-park event). You need to go in with a plan which will help you stick to your budget, regardless if your budget it $20k or $120K.

(That’s why having someone like me in your corner helps you prioritize and stretch your dollars where it matters most so you can have those magical extras.)

Planning a Disney Wedding Should Feel Good

Magic and money can co-exist… if you have the right strategy. Having fun planning your wedding should be priority number one. Your wedding isn’t just about budgets and the wedding day, it’s a journey to get to your happily ever after…make every moment of that adventure count!

Want a budgeting partner who’s been there, seen it all, and will help you avoid the common and uncommon pitfalls? Get real Disney wedding budget tips from me!
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