The Ultimate Disney Wedding Timeline: When to Book & Plan Everything

Your Ultimate Disney Wedding Planning Timeline (With a Side of Fun)

Planning a Disney wedding is kind of like preparing for the royal ball – you need a solid timeline, a little pixie dust, and me (your wedding BFF) to keep you sane. Here’s everything you need to know about the timeline for your dream Disney wedding, minus the stuffy wedding jargon and stress.

Up to 16 Months Before: Dream Big, Future Newlyweds!

If you’re going all-in with a Ceremony + Reception (a 3–5 hour event with a full menu and all the magical details), you can start working with a Disney Weddings Consultant up to 16 months before your big day.

Here’s what happens first:

• You’ll chat with your Disney Wedding Consultant about venue options and start narrowing down your favorites.
• Once the booking window opens at 12 months, your consultant will try to secure your dream venue.
• Since venues go fast, have a backup plan. Or two. Or three. (No, really – pick your top three dates, times, and locations.)

Up to 10 Months Before: The “Short and Sweet” Crowd

If you’re planning a Ceremony + Celebration (a 2-hour max “mix and mingle” event) or just a Ceremony Only, you can start working with Disney 10 months out.

The process is the same as above, just on a slightly shorter timeline. Still pick your top three date/time/location combos because, well, you know… Disney magic is in high demand!

10–12 Months Before: Locking It Down

• Booking Venues: The booking window officially opens!
  • 12 months out for full Ceremony + Reception events
  • 10 months out for Ceremony + Celebration or Ceremony Only
• Special Transportation: If you have your heart set on Cinderella’s Coach or the Landau Coach, speak up now! These beauties are in high demand.
• Portrait Sessions: If you want a Theme Park Portrait Session, especially at Magic Kingdom, mention it now – availability is limited.
• Room Blocks: If you want to set up discounted wedding room rates for guests, now’s the time to get with the Disney Room Block Specialist. Read THIS if you want to know more about room blocks.
• Guest List: Time to start gathering those names and addresses (yes, even your great-aunt’s).

Letter of Agreement: Making It Official

• You’ll receive your Letter of Agreement (LOA) outlining all your reserved spaces, hotel rooms, and Disney’s wedding policies.
• Once you review it, you have two weeks to sign and submit it with a non-refundable deposit (credit card or wire transfer).
• Once Disney gets your deposit, your details get handed over to the Disney Wedding Planning Team (cue the happy dance!).

6 Months: Things Are Getting Real

• You’ll officially meet your Disney Wedding Planner (the person at Disney who’ll make the magic happen).
• Planning Session (via Zoom): You’ll go over all the details – timeline, transportation, photography, entertainment, food, and more.
• Budget & Banquet Event Order (BEO): About 4 weeks later, you’ll receive your first estimated budget.
• Menu & Cake Tastings:
  • If you’re having a Reception, you may be invited to a group tasting (not all venues offer this, so don’t get too excited yet).
  • If you’re having a Reception or Celebration, you can order a cake tasting kit for pick-up at the Grand Floridian.
• Pricing Confirmations: Disney finalizes pricing on menus, photography, entertainment, floral, and decor at the 6-month mark. I recommend over estimating your selections so if the pricing increases, you already planned for it.
• Third-Party Vendors: Start booking your officiant, hair & makeup, videographer, invitations, and dress pressing now.

90 Days: Money Talk & Details

• Second Payment: Either the overall minimum spend OR 75% of your per-person food & beverage minimum is due.
• Non-refundable deposit is applied, leaving $1,000 on your wedding account.

60 Days: Legal & Magical Extras

• Marriage License: If getting married in Florida, apply now! Florida residents have a 3-day waiting period; out-of-state couples, you’re good to go immediately.
• Dining & VIP Extras: Book any fun Disney experiences like VIP Tours or fancy dinners that are not booked through the Wedding department. Think vacation extras.

45 Days: Finalizing the Details

• Budget Review: Your Disney Wedding Planner will send over the final budget breakdown.
• Resort Reservations: Make sure your RSVP’d guests have booked their rooms and/or ticket package (because, let’s be real, someone’s going to forget).
• Floral Choices: Confirm your final floral selections.

30 Days: The Final Countdown

• Full Balance Due: All remaining payments must be made.
• Banquet Event Orders (BEOs): Signed copies are due.
• Room Block: Any unbooked rooms in your room block will be released. If you’re doing a room block, be sure you know the exact date you need to tell Disney to release those unused rooms. They won’t automatically do it for you.
• Entertainment & Photography: Final changes or reductions must be submitted.
• Wedding Cake: Final guest count due.
• Ceremony Rehearsal: Location and time confirmed, this is typically confirmed closer to the wedding date though.

5 Days: The Absolute Final Call

• Final Guest Count for Food & Beverage: Be sure you have personally connected with each guest to confirm their RSVP numbers. Some guests have things come up and are not able to attend…and forget to mention it to you. I have had “surprise” guests added at the last minute so this is your opportunity to do so.

Wedding Day: Let the Magic Begin!

You did it! Your Disney Wedding Assistant will be there to help coordinate the day so you can relax, soak it all in, and have the best day ever.

Need help making sense of all this? That’s what I’m here for. Let’s make your Disney wedding stress-free and filled with magic! Schedule your complimentary discovery call HERE and we can talk more about your dream Disney wedding!