How to Have Your Dream Disney Fairytale Wedding

by - 2:10 AM



It's a Tuesday night in late January, and I'm about to crash a couple's wedding in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. It's a relatively intimate affair, but shockingly, none of Ruby and Eric's friends and family question my presence. For a moment I wonder why, but one look around my surroundings, and it suddenly becomes clear: Jennifer Lawrence could have crashed this thing, and I doubt anyone would notice. Because when you're at Disneyland after the park has closed, there are plenty more exciting things to check out.

Yes, welcome to Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings. That's the premise for the special of the same name, which airs tonight (Sunday, May 7) on Freeform, and is hosted by Bachelorfavorites Ben Higgins and Lauren Bushnell. The 90-minute event takes viewers behind-the-scenes as four couples as plan their wedding day (or night) at different Disney properties.

I love Disney resorts, but I was a little skeptical about what an actual Disney wedding looked like. Does the bride come dressed as her favorite princess? Is every hors d'oeuvre in the shape of Mickey Mouse? Does the reception include unlimited rides on Space Mountain?
The wedding, as it turned out, was nothing near what I had dreamed up. (Which is probably a good thing). Ruby and Eric's wedding was one of the classiest, most magical affairs I have ever attended. (Added points: Pentatonix was their wedding band!) Every detail—from the venue to the flowers to her carriage ride—were stunning and elegant. And forget about the reception afterwards at nearby California Adventure. Just when I thought the mini lobster rolls were enough to seal the deal, World of Color started playing over the water, and I was as memorized as a 5-year-old seeing the Magic Kingdom for the first time.
But what does it take to actually pull off a Disney wedding? Not to mention, what does it cost? After my magical evening running loose throughout the park (seriously, there's nothing like seeing the Matterhorn up close when no one else is within 50 feet of you), I went straight to marketing director Korri McFann to get all the answers. Hold on to your Mickey ears!
Glamour: How can a couple start planning their perfect Disney wedding?
Korri McFann: Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons has been assisting couples from all over the globe plan their weddings for 25 years. They provide a one-stop experience that will help with event planning, venues, food and beverage, floral, entertainment, photo and video needs. We have extensive planning tools on our website for those who are still in the dreaming stage.
Speaking of being in the dream stage, how much does a Disney wedding actually cost? Do they work within budgets at all?
We have a lot of experiences for couples to choose from, whether it's a celebration aboard the Disney Cruise Line or an island getaway in Hawaii or renting out the Magic Kingdom for the night. An intimate celebration with a handful of guests would start from $2,500. Our Wishes Collection offers couples a completely custom wedding starting from $12,000. We have a wedding experience for pretty much any budget.

What was your favorite wedding on a Disney property?
Oh my! I think right now I am really loving the wedding ceremonies in the various pavilions in Epcot. Instead of jetting off to Germany, Italy, or Japan, couples have the option to exchange their vows in different "countries" that make you feel like you're transported to a whole new place.
I couldn't believe the details that went into creating Ruby and Eric's dream wedding. I mean, there were hidden Mickey's in the flower petals by the aisle!
Our job is to make each event a reflection of a couple’s individual style. This can be achieved with the culinary selections and the color scheme of the wedding to world-renowned entertainment and venues chosen for the big day. One of my personal favorites is Major Domo—the royal footman from Cinderella. Couples can have him attend as a surprise to guide wedding guests through the entire evening as a Master of Ceremonies.
What inspired you about Ruby and Eric’s Disneyland wedding?
So much! I loved the flower petals, the fairy tale runner down the 100-foot aisle leading up to Sleeping Beauty Castle, and the chameleon chairs were a perfect fit for this venue. And seeing Ruby’s reaction to Pentatonix as she arrived at the ceremony in Cinderella’s Coach was an unforgettable moment. It was completely unexpected for the bride and a magical surprise for a deserving couple.
And how do the brides choose their dresses? How does that come in to play?
We offer Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings bridal collection with Alfred Angelo inspired by iconic Disney princesses. The designs aren't literal interpretations, but rather an option for brides seeking their own modern day fairy tale. The line reveals new wedding dresses each fall at Bridal Fashion Week. This past season we showcased two new princess-inspired dress options: Pocahontas and Mulan. So now there's at least one wedding dress each for the full line-up of 11 princesses.

How did you get your job as the Fairy Tale weddings marketing coordinator?
Ironically enough I saw Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings on a TV show years ago and was smitten enough to come work for them. It wasn't long after that I started to work for Disney and they offered me an opportunity to answer phones for Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings. The rest is history. We have an amazing team of professionals that get to think about weddings 365 days of the year, which is really special. I enjoy helping to be a small part of making someone’s fairy tale dream come true.

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