Getting married at Disneyland or Walt Disney World is the dream for many couples. However, official Disney weddings arranged through Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings start at around $15,000 – putting them out of reach for some budgets. This has led to a trend called “rogue weddings” – unofficial ceremonies held inside the Disney parks without Disney’s knowledge or consent.
What is a Rogue Disney Wedding?
A rogue Disney wedding is when a couple sneaks into a Disney park to hold a quick, unofficial wedding ceremony. This is typically done with just an officiant, a witness or two, and no more than 10 guests. The goal is to have a small private ceremony inside Disney property without paying Disney’s expensive fees. Reasons couples choose rogue weddings include:
- Avoid the $15,000+ cost for a full Disney fairy tale wedding
- Have a private, intimate ceremony just for the couple rather than a big production
- Get married at iconic park locations like Cinderella Castle or Sleeping Beauty Castle
Is it Allowed by Disney?
In short – no. Having an unauthorized wedding ceremony inside a Disney park goes against Disney’s rules. Under the list of Prohibited Activities, Disneyland and Disney World both prohibit “Unauthorized events, demonstrations or speeches.” A rogue wedding would fall under this prohibited category. If caught, the couple risks being removed from the park and having their annual passes revoked. Disney cast members are trained to stop any unauthorized events from occurring inside the parks. So rogue weddings have to happen very quickly and discreetly to avoid attention.
How Rogue Weddings Work
To pull off a successful unofficial Disney wedding, speed and stealth are key. The basics include:
- Keeping the group very small – just an officiant, a witness and the couple
- Finding a secluded, out of the way location in the park
- Having a very quick 5-10 minute ceremony
- Blending in with regular park guests before and after
- Bringing minimal equipment – no decor, sound system, etc.
Some ideal rogue Disney wedding locations include spots like Tom Sawyer’s Island, back areas of Epcot’s World Showcase, or hidden alcoves in Disneyland. The ceremony itself is stripped down – a quick reciting of vows, ring exchange and pronouncement – then disappearing back into the crowds.
The Risks
While rogue Disney weddings happen, couples should carefully weigh the risks:
- Getting caught and removed from the park
- Having annual passes revoked
- Missing out on a full Disney fairy tale wedding experience
Many couples feel the potential consequences outweigh the reward of a fast, unofficial ceremony inside the parks.
Other Affordable Disney Wedding Options
Couples on a budget still have options for an affordable Disney wedding without going the rogue route:
- Small weddings package – Starts at $7,500 for up to 4 guests
- Disney Cruise weddings – Start at $3,500 for sailings
- Weekday weddings – Lower minimums than weekends
- Brunch or lunch menus – Cost less than dinner
With some adjustments, cost-conscious couples can still have a magical Disney wedding without breaking the rules or the bank. Overall – rogue Disney weddings do happen, but come with big risks and minimal payoff. Couples are better off exploring Disney’s many authorized affordable wedding options to get safely married inside the magic of Disney.
The post Getting Married At Disney For Free – “Rogue Weddings” appeared first on Park Savers.