George Boyle
Disney weddings are a dream come true for many, and the house of mouse offers many options for couples to tie the knot. Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings offers exclusive experiences for couples to celebrate their wedding or renew their vows at their resorts and theme parks. While Disney offers its own photography services, many couples prefer to hire outside photographers for their special day. Disney has had a ban on non-Disney photographers and videographers at wedding events inside the theme parks, but they have since relaxed this rule. Couples can now hire outside photographers for their Disney weddings, provided they pay a media escort fee. However, there are still some restrictions on where outside photographers can take pictures, especially when it comes to bridal portraits in certain locations like the Grand Floridian lobby.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Disney's policy on outside photographers | Disney allows outside photographers and videographers at events inside every park, but only for private events, not for bridal portraits in the Magic Kingdom. |
| Disney Fine Art Photography | Couples who host their wedding or vow renewal with Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings can book a Park Portrait Session at Walt Disney World through Disney Fine Art Photography. |
| Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings | Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings has no real authority over who can and can't shoot inside the Disney theme parks. |
| Media escort fee | Disney can charge brides and grooms a media escort fee when they ask to bring non-Disney photographers into the parks for wedding events. |
| Outside vendors | Disney allows outside vendors for many aspects of an event, depending on the venue and type of service. |
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What You'll Learn
Disney allows outside photographers at weddings
It's worth noting that Disney has specific rules regarding photography in certain areas of their parks. For example, there have been reports of Disney cast members expressing disapproval of photographers capturing bridal parties on the main staircase in the Grand Floridian lobby. Additionally, Disney no longer allows non-Disney couples to book pre-park-opening portrait sessions, and those who choose to use outside photographers for their weddings must ensure that the photographer has the appropriate insurance and completes any necessary paperwork.
While Disney does offer in-house photography services, many couples opt to hire outside photographers to ensure they know who will be capturing their special day and to have more control over the style and outcome of their wedding photos. Disney's Fine Art Photography service does allow couples to wear bridal attire for Magic Kingdom portrait sessions, but only if they also had a Disney's Fairy Tale Wedding.
In summary, Disney allows outside photographers at weddings held inside their theme parks, providing an opportunity for couples to personalise their special day and ensure their photographic preferences are met.
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Disney Fine Art Photography for weddings
Disney Fine Art Photography offers wedding portrait sessions at Walt Disney World. These sessions are exclusive to couples who host their wedding or vow renewal with Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings. The sessions can take place in one or all four Walt Disney World theme parks, including Magic Kingdom, Cinderella Castle, the Tree of Life, Sunset Boulevard, or an Italian courtyard. The couple will be picked up from their Disney resort and taken to the destination of their photography session.
Disney Fine Art Photography offers Silver, Gold, and Platinum wedding photography packages. The Platinum package includes a Disney Resort engagement session, two dedicated photographers on the wedding day, and a signature Disney Wedding experience inside two Disney parks. The couple can also choose from a variety of album styles, including the Jasmine Album, the Brilliance Album, the Storybook Album, and the Enchanted Album.
Disney Fine Art Photography provides a Fine Art Photography Perfect Match Tool to help couples find the right photographer for them. The photographers will guide the couple through the iconic and immersive settings, creating magical portraits that capture their special day. The sessions are limited to the couple only, and no additional persons may attend.
Disney Fine Art Photography allows couples to bring small props to their session, such as balloons, which must be pre-purchased. However, balloons are not permitted in Disney's Animal Kingdom Park or Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge due to animal safety. The couple should also prioritize their favorite locations and communicate these with their Photography Coordinator.
Disney's policy on outside photographers has varied over the years. In 2016, Disney reversed its ban on non-Disney photographers and videographers at wedding events inside the theme parks. However, more recently, it appears that Disney only allows outside photographers for weddings inside EPCOT with the payment of a media guide fee. For bridal portrait sessions, outside photographers are not permitted, and couples must use Disney Fine Art Photography if they wish to wear bridal attire for their Magic Kingdom portrait sessions.
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Outside photographers must pay a fee
Disney does allow outside photographers to capture weddings held at Disney Parks, but there are certain conditions that must be met. One key requirement is that outside photographers must pay a fee to be permitted to shoot inside the parks. This fee is known as the "media escort fee" or "media guide fee", and it is charged per photographer or "shooter". The fee covers the cost of having a Disney representative escort the photographer around the park.
The amount of the media escort fee has been stated as $90 per photographer, with additional hours beyond the first four costing $30 apiece. However, other sources indicate that the fee may vary depending on the park and the type of service. For example, one source mentioned a $120 media guide fee to have an outside photographer shoot a wedding at EPCOT.
It is important to note that Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings has no authority over who can and cannot shoot inside the Disney theme parks. They can only charge the media escort fee when brides and grooms request to bring non-Disney photographers to the parks for wedding events. Disney does not control ordinary day guests who are photographers or bring photographers to the parks.
Additionally, there are some restrictions on where outside photographers can capture images. For example, brides being photographed on the main staircase in the Grand Floridian lobby may be discouraged due to the high volume of weddings that take place there.
Overall, while outside photographers are permitted at Disney weddings upon payment of the relevant fee, it is essential to be aware of any potential restrictions and to coordinate with Disney representatives to ensure a smooth process.
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Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings can blacklist photographers
Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings offers exclusive experiences for couples looking to celebrate their weddings or renew their vows at Disney World. These experiences include wedding portrait sessions at iconic locations such as Cinderella Castle, the Tree of Life, Sunset Boulevard, or an Italian courtyard. While Disney initially prohibited outside photographers and videographers at wedding events inside the theme parks, they have since reversed this ban. However, there are still some complexities and restrictions to be aware of.
Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings has an unofficial policy regarding outside photographers, which they can enforce by blacklisting photographers from working with them on weddings. This policy does not apply to ordinary day guests who are photographers or bring photographers to the parks. Disney can charge a media escort fee for brides and grooms who request non-Disney photographers for their wedding events, but they have no authority to prohibit outside photography at the resorts. Brides have occasionally been prevented from taking photos on the main staircase in the Grand Floridian lobby due to traffic control and the potential for multiple weddings occurring simultaneously.
To navigate these complexities, couples can refer to resources such as the Disney Wedding Podcast and the Fairytale Weddings Guide. These sources provide insights into Disney's policies, workarounds, and recommendations for experienced local wedding photographers. It is worth noting that Disney Wedding Portrait Sessions are exclusive to couples who host their weddings or vow renewals with Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings. These sessions can be booked with the help of a Disney Wedding Planner, and the use of Disney Fine Art Photography for the day-of wedding events counts towards the event minimum.
While Disney has relaxed its restrictions on outside photographers, the unofficial policy of blacklisting photographers by Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings remains a consideration. Couples should be aware of this dynamic and carefully review Disney's policies and guidelines when planning their special day.
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Disney couples can request specific photographers
Disney couples can choose from a variety of locations for their wedding photoshoots, including iconic spots such as Cinderella Castle, the Tree of Life, Sunset Boulevard, and Italian courtyards. Disney's Fine Art Photography provides transportation for couples from their Disney resort to the chosen photography location.
While Disney couples can request specific photographers, availability is not guaranteed. Disney's Fine Art Photography department hires professional photographers, many of whom have their own photography businesses outside of Disney. These photographers are experienced in capturing the magic of Disney weddings, engagements, and proposals.
Disney also allows outside photographers for wedding events inside the theme parks, although there may be some restrictions on certain locations. For example, taking photos on the main staircase in the Grand Floridian lobby is generally discouraged if there is another wedding party present.
Couples who choose to use outside photographers for their Disney weddings should ensure they have the necessary insurance and complete any required paperwork. Additionally, it is important to note that outside photographers are not permitted for in-park events, and Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings has the authority to blacklist photographers from working on weddings inside the parks.
Disney couples can work with their wedding planners to incorporate their chosen photographers into their special day, ensuring that their vision and preferences are captured authentically.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Disney Weddings does allow outside photographers. However, there is a \$90 media escort fee for each photographer, and additional hours beyond the first four now cost \$30 apiece.
Yes, outside photographers are not allowed to shoot bridal portraits in the Magic Kingdom. They are also not allowed to provide services for in-park events.
Yes, Disney gets a little weird about brides being photographed on the main staircase in the Grand Floridian lobby.
Yes, a Disney Fine Art Photographer will pick you up from your Disney resort and take you to the destination of your photography session. This service is included in the cost of your wedding photography package.
